The four of us ran over back to the crowd who was still in shock and awe, not to mention complete disarray. The mayor was trying to get people under control, but there was so much panic going on. I could see Orin going through the same problem, trying to keep his people in check, civil order up.
“People, people, please!” the mayor of Sleepy Hollow tried to say over the roar of the panicking mass. The four of us got up to where he stood and intervened. “W-what are you doing here? Can’t you see we’re already in enough trouble as it is?”
“Sorry, mayor,” I said. “But we’re here to help.”
Just then, a newcomer came to the conversation.
“Now just wait a second, mayor,” Abraham Van Brunt said, cutting in between Katrina and Mr. Crane. The two didn’t look happy about that, but Ms. Van Tassel looked like she was caught in awe. “We can’t be trusting the safety of our town to some strangers. Sorry, Katrina, but its for the best. Let me and my boys handle this.”
“No way, Van Brute,” Lloyd joked. “We got to him first, making us the priority.”
“I haven’t even decided anything yet, people!” the mayor shrieked, bringing everyone back on the same page. He stood between our group and Van Brunt, inspecting both parties. “I can’t let either one of you do what must be done on your own, so you’ll need to work together.”
Great, now we were working with the same person we were trying to get rid of. I wasn’t ambitious enough to kill off Van Brunt when I got the chance. That would have been more suited for someone like Ryke, who was probably fighting in the war as we speak, dealing death to Andoan patrol groups.
Anyway, we were stuck with him. There was an old saying, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” That could have been interpreted in a couple of different ways, but it was more like we had a common enemy, so we might as well partner up. I didn’t like it, but I didn’t see a whole lot of options. Abraham Van Brunt was easily the strongest out of all of of us, which helped balanced out the group’s weaknesses.
“Fine,” I said, extending my hand. Van Brunt spat into his and shook mine. It was gross, but I think he meant well, especially when his home and family’s safety were on the line. Still, even a ranger didn’t fancy spitting into handshakes. I looked at Mr. Crane, who gulped when Van Brunt and I shook hands. “Both of you are going to have to work together, so put whatever previous quarrels you had aside for the time being.”
“That’s kind of hypocritical, considering what we were just doing,” Lloyd chimed in. I elbowed him in the gut, because he wasn’t helping the situation out very well.
“That’s to be settled after this business with the Headless Horseman is finished,” Van Brunt promised. “Scout’s honor.”
“I suppose you’ll want me to come along,” Mr. Crane said, stepping forward. “I will apply my knowledge to this matter to the best of my abilities.”
“And if Ichabod and Abraham are going, then I shall go as well,” Katrina Van Tassel said, also stepping forward. Van Brunt didn’t look too happy about that. But I guess the more people we had, the better chance we had at stopping this menace once and for all. Then again, this group did look like it was going to explode within a moment’s notice. We would have to make due with what we had, Lloyd and I. Valen was down for the count with his illness flaring up. So it was to be two ranger recruits, a teacher from Hurstings, and two townspeople from Sleepy Hollow.
The five of us met back up at the Van Tassel’s home, because the tavern had been converted into an improvised hospital. The mayor’s office had been flooded with angry and confused townsfolk. We needed a quiet place to create a strong plan. There was also the matter of discerning through the legend, rumors, and stories of the Headless Horseman, some of which could paint light on our enemy.
