On an OOC level, characters are permitted to do whatever they would in this situation! There won't be a crippling IC punishment if your character does kill her, nor will she be gone forever - however, there will be plot consequences in a more general sense for putting her out of action. On an OOC level, there is a plan for both directions this plot could go, so there is no need to worry about which way the mods prefer.

However, since characters are able to both attack or defend the Ringmaster at their leisure, if there is significant effort put into both sides, it may come down to an OOC vote to decide which side will succeed, since the results will impact the game as a whole. As such, please reply to this comment to declare your character's intention, whether that be to actively guard her or to actively try to end her life, injure her, or otherwise.

From there, we will collaborate on an outcome, and thread accordingly.