The Dark One chuckled to himself, the green vial dancing around his fingers. The townsfolk had failed his challenge, and for that... they owed him. Wrapped in his silken cloak, he slunk back into the safety of the backalleys with the Potion of Knowledge in hand.
As he ducked into the haven he didn't immediately notice the other presence there. "Won't you give them a gift from me, old friend?" An evil figure said - his voice a coarse whisper. Inhuman, strangely detached from his body. A purple glow emanated from his hand, a small ornate hourglass appeared out of nowhere. "When the time is up, the curse will take effect, come nightfall someone will..."
"You know I don't take sides, Mystic," Rumpelstiltskin hissed, eyeing up the cursed timekeeper.
"I
know you can't defy me, imp," The voice burst into a shriek, purple flames enveloping the Rumpel's cloak. The walls around them seemed to shake as the magic amplified - although Rumpelstiltskin was powerful himself, this being had a near limitless potential.
Reluctantly, the trickster backed down, bowing his head as The Mystic shrank back into the shadows. Picking up the magical trinket, Rumpelstiltskin appraised its power - he could see the darkness within it.
"Not my style at all, deary," he chimed, waving his hand over the hourglass. With a gentle shimmer another spell took effect.
"Now go on," the device disappeared in a puff of smoke, a mysterious hourglass appeared in
Klippy's hand.
Klippy has the Hourglass!
Whoever holds it may keep it, or [give] it to someone in the thread.
The curse will take affect at night, continue to pass it around until then.
Nobody was successful with the riddle...
Rumpelstiltskin has received a Potion of Knowledge...