The Postman calls

[Visage]

[ModNote: Continued from Three Strangers.]

*The sun is setting now, the stars are nearly out. A figure in dark robes slips quietly down the road, his footfalls hardly making a sound.*

*At the gates of the Knightmare boarding school, stops for a moment, tracing his hands across the ironwork. Then he reaches into his robes, and pulls forth a scroll. He tucks it between the bars of the gate.*

Yes, the Ringmaster will surely find it here.... and soon... he will be ringmaster no longer!

*Turning, the figure slips back down the path. Then he stops, and sees, close by a woodcutter, passing by the school on his way home after the day. He shrinks back against the wall, hoping that he wasn't seen, the woodcutter pauses for a moment, and then carries on...*

Hmmm, what to do?

*Quietly, the cowled man slips down the path, and away into the dusk.*

[ringmasterrob]

[OOC: I know KMBS is on fire but this will be based after the fire is put out, that way I would have to check all packages for curses and danger]

*Rob walks up to retrieve all post, he sees a scroll tucked into the ironwork and detects magic on it, it glows a very unpleasent green. It is clearly evil magic. Rob can smell a foul smell coming from it. Rob suddenly notices he suddenly feels fairly naseous and his head reels. He picks it up in order to destory it. The message on it reads*

[glow=red,2,300]Well my old friend Ringmaster, you're rings are your finest treasure. Too bad they're not cursed isn't it. However if you've touched this you will find your rings are cursed. Good luck staying alive now; Scareye [/glow]

*The scroll's writing burns a deep red when touched and after a minute the scroll disintegrates.*

[ModNote: Scareye was previously seen in Deeper and Darker Mysteries.]

[Visage]

*Noticing the flash, several passers-by, including a group of the local woodcutters, come up to Rob to see if he can help.*

Woodcutter 1: Mr Archmage, sir, has something magic happened. Are you allright sir?

Woodcutter 2: Didn't I tell you something nasty would come from that stranger.

Woodcutter 1: Don't go bothering the Ringmaster, Jim, he's looking awful.

Woodcutter 2: But it's true, I saw him sir. A strange man loiterin' around these gates last night.

*Rob feels another wave of nausea wash over him. Something feels strangely, horribly wrong.*

*The woodcutters retreat, and slowly they go. Rob looks at his rings, can they be the cause?*

.....

*Watching, from a distance, the cowled man observes the Ringmaster. Then he slips away, into the undergrowth, where no-one can hear him.*

My lord, hear me... hear your servant...

[scareye]

*Scareye's voice is heard in the Cowled Man's head*

Scareye: Yes servant, have you any news from the school?

[Visage]

All is going according to plan, my lord. I have been faithful.

Now will you give me what you promised?

*Silence*

My Lord! I shall continue in your service, you know full well that I have no other choice, but I look at the Ringmaster (the hatred is thick in his voice) and I want something which he has. I want something that everything has, except me, your proven servant.

*Silence*

My lord... give it to me.... I want....

I want a name.

[scareye]

*The voice of Scareye gives a laugh devoid of emotion and then speaks within the Cowled Man's head*

Scareye: A promise is a promise, from this day your name shall be 'Visage' for that is what you are. Now be satisfied and return to me!

*The voice stops abruptly*

[ModNote: Scareye is next seen at The Forge.]

[Visage]

Yes... yes...

*Visage seems visibly to straighten, as if drawing strength from his master's words. Then softly, he whispers...*

Thy will be done, Lord Scareye.

*And he slips into the undergrowth, and fades from view*

[ModNote: Next seen in Return To The HQ.]

[ringmasterrob]

*Meanwhile Rob decides to retreat into the school library to find out about what possible curse may have been done to his rings, he is feeling a great deal less naseous now but is still worried*