A Death in the Barn

[ringmasterrob]

*The Ringmaster has trekked from the Forest of Dunn (see "Wandering" in the Forest of Dunn) to a small farm just off the path to Wolfenden. He quietly approaches the farm, keeping to the shadows so as not to attract the attention of the farmer and his family. Most people are busy with the riot that has broken out in Wolfenden, the workers appear to have heard about it as the equipment lies abandoned while its operators seek excitement in the village. Rob quickly and quietly enters the barn, it's cool in there, a change from the maddening heat that appears to have settled around Wolfenden. Only yesterday did it rain and the shower was gone as suddenly as it had appeared. *

Rob: *thinks* "Come out, come out wherever you are."

*A man is quietly watching Rob, that mans name is Tern*

Tern: *thinks* "Hmm, it appears the rumours are true, he hasn't seen me at all. The plan is working."

*Tern decides to make his move, he grabs hold of a harnessed hook used at some stage in the farming process, with a half full sack of grain he swings down. He brings the sack down on Rob's head heavily, the man falls forward and with a thud hits the floor unconcious. Tern surveys his handiwork with a grin when another voice speaks*

"Well done indeed Tern, he never saw it coming. However that wasn't what you were asked to do was it? We told you quite specificially to face in in combat, now we cannot be sure the plan is working properly. For all we know he is as strong as ever"

*Tern sneers at the shadow, the shadow looks down at where Rob fell*

Tern: "I've done what you asked now I believe you owe me a weapon and some payment for my services."

*The familiar look of bloodlust appears on the shadows features. It speaks in a cruel voice, savouring each word.*

"No Tern, you have not done what you were asked. You have failed where failure is not acceptable. Therefore your contract is terminated and you will recieve no payment."

*Tern looks furious and tightens a grip over his sword*

Tern: "You're a traitorous bastard! You and the others, I'm sure the correct authority would be VERY interested in your activities, so I suggest you pay me otherwise I might have to turn snitch to make ends meet."

*The shadow draws a twisted delight from this, it appears he has another chance to indulge in his favourite activity.*

"Very well Tern, you are a threat to our mission and may compromise it, your life is also terminated."

*Tern is ready for this and with lightening speed draws his sword and lunges at the shadow, the weapon plunges through the shadow's chest and continues through it, impaling itself in the wooden wall of the barn. Tern however losese grip on the sword as it sails through the shadow and impacts, into the very solid chest of the shadow. The shadow decides to do the work with its hands, it gets one hand in a crushing grip over Tern's sword hand, crushing it into a bloody mess, leaving the man screaming and crying out.*

"No one can hear you Tern, the Ringmaster will not awake for a long time thanks to your blow, now you see exactly how badly you have failed."

*The shadow finishes him by placing both hands over his skull and breaking his neck cleanly, there is a sickening crack as this happens and the man's limp form falls to the barn floor. The shadow relishes the moment before calming itself. It takes the magic mirror out and shatters it.*

"Ah Ringmaster, if you only knew the glory I have achieved you would regret your very existance. Ah well, the time will come. Soon I will be strong enough for the final stages of the plan."

*With this the shadow is gone into the cool barn air, the shadows around it, eventually it fades away. A short time later the farm staff, having been brought back from Wolfenden to actually work, find a lifeless corpse, an unconcious wizard and a shattered mirror and raise the alarm. Death has come to their barn.*

[ringmasterrob]

*The Ringmaster opens his eyes, since he has been back in Wolfenden then doing this has become increasingly difficult. He looks up to see an old couple standing over him, the old man notices he has awoken and calls out a name, probably a son or a farmhand.*

Old Man: "Y' took quiet a knock to yer noggin' sir, are y'alright?"

"Y-yes, I believe so"

*Rob considers the question in his head, alright isn't what he would consider himself, highly confused with a pounding splitting headache, which is probably concussion is more the words he'd use.*

"What happened to the man who knocked me out? Tern I believe he was, did he escape?"

*In answer to this the old man point to a sheet on the floor of what Rob looks around to see is the kitchen area of the farmhouse. Under it is some blood coming from a mauled hand not quite covered by the sheet. Rob gets slowly to his feet and pulls the sheet back slightly, he hears the old couple and their son audibly groan. The man is indeed Tern, quite dead. Rob then turns to the kitchen table he had been placed on and notices fragments of glass, before he sees the frame of the mirror and his heart sinks like a stone. His latest link had hit a literal dead end and his ties with his employers had been severed, all because of a stupid mistake. He turned to the old couple*

"Thank you very much for your aid, I will go to town and inform the guards of what has taken place, they will no doubt want to look at the body. I must also go to a doctor to check I haven't got concussion"

Old Man: "We've already sent a worker to talk to the guards, don't worry no one suspects one such as yourelf o' commitin' such a villainous act sir. Getting checked by a doctor isn't a bad idea, I hope you're well sir."

*Rob gives him a quick smile and leaves the farmhouse quickly, the doctor line was an excuse but it worked and now he's away from the failed scene without even having to do the job of seeing the guards again. He can hear sounds of commotion coming from Wolfenden square and decides to head there.*

[OOC: Continued in "The Watcher's Challenge]