-PHASE II-

To respect your neighbours is to know their strengths...

The dense forest that encircled Ideal Village was aptly named Ring Wood. Not only did Ring Wood hide the village from prying eyes, it was also home to many things that some might believe in, others not so much. Ring Wood was an ideal terrain for adventuring, and among the villagers were three Adventurers: Dennis Trueshot, Margaret Sharpspear and Roger Honourbound. These three also happened to be the landlords and landlady of the Woodpecker Pub.

By the time Lanky had left the Parish Hall and arrived at the Woodpecker, Mr Cavendish was already waiting, quiet and unseen, sitting at a corner table. All three Adventurers stood behind the bar wearing expectant expressions.

"Awful business about that Salinger girl," said Margaret Sharpspear, as Lanky approached the bar.

"It's enough to turn the blood cold," added Roger Honourbound, as Lanky lowered himself onto a bar stool.

"Fancy a pint, Lanky?" asked Dennis Trueshot, as Lanky's eyes moved to the tap for his favourite Best Bitter.

"No, thank you," Lanky replied. "I've never been more on duty than I am right now. And I fear there'll be more bloodshed before things are set straight."

The three Adventurers exchanged glances.

Ironically, Police Constable Harold 'Lanky' Smith had come to Ideal Village because he wished to administer the law within a civil and peaceful society; a society quite different from the terrible people in the city that lay beyond the woodlands around Ideal Village, where he had first been a policeman. Lanky, above all others, understood what perils they now faced, and the way he was taking charge of the situation left Mr Cavendish feeling most satisfied.

Roger Honourbound raised an eyebrow. "Now," he said, and he waved a piece of folded paper in the air. "We got this letter this morning. It asked us not to attend the emergency meeting, so we didn't. It told us to stay here and wait for you, so we did. But you don't suspect the three of us of Ms Salinger's murder, do you, Lanky?"

Lanky shook his head, and Dennis Trueshot added, "But you do need our help?"

Lanky nodded, and Margaret Sharpspear said, "The kind of help that only Adventurers can give you."

"All true," Lanky said, and he sighed deeply. "The people of this village consider themselves lucky, and rightly so. Each of us found this place when others couldn't. Each of us were allowed in because we knew in our hearts what we wanted most from life. And what we want most, IdealVillage provides. That's always been the way of it, and life has been good for us all. But now ..."

"An axe-murderer in our midst don't even bear thinking on," said Dennis Trueshot.

"An axe-murderer in Ideal Village would achieve everything his or her heart desired most," added Roger Honourbound.

"And, given enough time, an axe-murderer could kill each and every one of us," concluded Margaret Sharpspear.

Lanky's expression grew determined. "At least there's hope on the horizon," he said, and he patted the breast pocket of his police coat. "But before I reveal more, let me ask you a question: during your adventuring in Ring Wood, have any of you seen or heard of anything that might throw a light on Sally Salinger's killer?"

The Adventurers were quiet for a moment, each reviewing his and her experiences in Ring Wood. Margaret Sharpspear was the first to answer:

"I did rid the Centaurs of a plague of Goblins a few weeks ago, but ... no, nothing concerning an axe-murderer."

Dennis Trueshot spoke next. "Had some trouble with the Spider Queen and her Spider Horde a while back. But we're all friends now, and there was no axe-murderer to be seen."

"Same here," Roger Honourbound said. "Though I did draw the Sword from the Stone and rule the Faerie Folk for a short time. We keep in touch."

"That's much as I suspected," Lanky said.

"But we'll do what we can to protect this village," Roger Honourbound was quick to promise.

"Each and every one of us," Dennis Trueshot affirmed.

Margaret Sharpspear smiled. "We're here to serve."

"Relieved to hear it," Lanky said, gratefully, and he pulled the Plan from his breast pocket. "So here's what you can do for the village ..."

As Lanky began reading from the Plan, Mr Cavendish left the Woodpecker Pub and headed home.

Thank you for reading. If you're enjoying the story so far, please remember to vote. I try my best to reply to all comments, and questions are always welcome.