The Citadel Intrigue
Something more bitter than gall found its way to the court's table today: poison. Between remedy and venom runs a thin line, and someone at court crossed it knowingly. On the Chancellery's list stand Castellan Ursu, Brother Anselm, Nichifor the Spy and Abbot Corvus; one of these names covers a lie. The places named in the testimonies — the north wall, the customs cellar, the merchant's house and the abbey library — each await their turn under scrutiny. Take up the quill, follow the thread of the clues, and set your seal upon the verdict.
Suspects
He keeps the fortress dungeon and the tally of those who leave other than they entered.
1.90 m
right-handed
dark eyes
black hair
He has copied manuscripts for forty years. He knows what every one of them says - including the forbidden ones.
1.75 m
right-handed
brown eyes
greying hair
Officially, he does not exist. Unofficially, he was seen in three places at once - which is, of course, impossible.
1.74 m
left-handed
dark eyes
brown hair
He raises ravens in the abbey tower. His birds arrive faster than any messenger - and cannot be held to account.
1.78 m
right-handed
dark eyes
bald
Locations
the north wall
The stretch of wall the patrol skirts when the wind blows. Everyone knows that.
the customs cellar
Sealed crates, thick ledgers, and air that smells of undeclared goods.
the merchant's house
Carpets brought from overseas and a desk with more secret drawers than drawers.
the abbey library
Thousands of leather-bound tomes. Some of the chains on the shelves were cut recently.
Objects
the herald's horn
It sounds the muster, the alarm, or the retreat. Whoever holds it can start a whole panic with a single breath.
the ceremonial crown
The "wearable" copy of the true crown. At least, that was the idea.
the broken lantern
The glass cracked, the wick burned to the end. Someone needed a lot of light, fast.
the hunting crossbow
Light, accurate, with a walnut stock. Exactly one bolt is missing from the quiver.
Moments
at dawn
When the citadel is barely waking and the guards still doze.
after matins
The hour after the morning service, when the abbey empties.
at noon
Midday, with bustle in the markets and silence in the alcoves.
at dusk
When the shadows lengthen and the lanterns are not yet lit.
Open the Grid (below) to solve the case, with the testimonies at hand.
Touch a cell: blank → ✗ (excluded) → ✓ (certain) → blank. Each pair of categories meets exactly once.
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Verdict
The culprit always lies; everyone else tells the truth.
- The tracks in the dust do not lie: the abbey library matches that hour: at noon.
- Even the jester says it in earnest: the bald suspect never set foot in the place with thousands of leather-bound tomes.
- Two witnesses, upon their crest: the north wall does not match that hour: at dusk.
- The traces left at the scene show it plainly: the culprit handled the hunting crossbow.
- The tracks in the dust do not lie: the suspect with greying hair was there at dawn.
- The gate guard swears: the hunting crossbow matches that hour: after matins.
- The chronicler notes drily: the merchant's house and the herald's horn go together, whatever the court may say.
- A maid whispered it at confession: the broken lantern matches that hour: at noon.
- The tracks in the dust do not lie: Castellan Ursu handled the ceremonial crown.