The Knot of the Night
A plot hatched in the shadows threatens the crown, and whoever hatched it still sits at the court's table. The crown demands not only the name but the proof: suspicion without grounds is itself a tool of the scheme. Suspicion has fallen on Elisei the Stargazer, Captain Vlaicu, Sir Bogdan de Fag, Chancellor Veniamin and Mihu the Archer — and until the proof is plain, none of these names leaves the room. The places named in the testimonies — the old dungeon, the guild forge, the abbey library, the customs cellar and the tourney field — each await their turn under scrutiny. A sharp eye is not enough here — it takes an archivist's patience: fit everything together, then pronounce your verdict.
Suspects
He reads the future in the stars and the past in men's debts. The second method fails less often.
1.67 m
right-handed
blue eyes
greying hair
He has guarded the fortress gates for twenty years. Who enters and who leaves - he decides what the ledger records.
1.84 m
right-handed
brown eyes
brown hair
He pawned his armour to pay his tavern debts. Honour, he says, does not rust.
1.85 m
right-handed
blue eyes
brown hair
Every charter of the kingdom passes through his hands. A comma he once moved started a war.
1.64 m
left-handed
grey eyes
bald
He hits a coin tossed on the wind from a hundred paces. At questions, though, he always misses.
1.76 m
left-handed
brown eyes
brown hair
Locations
the old dungeon
Cells abandoned since the new dungeon was built. "Abandoned" is one way of putting it.
the guild forge
Anvils, tongs, and a fire that never goes out. Many small metal things vanish here.
the abbey library
Thousands of leather-bound tomes. Some of the chains on the shelves were cut recently.
the customs cellar
Sealed crates, thick ledgers, and air that smells of undeclared goods.
the tourney field
Empty stands outside festival days. An excellent place for meetings that never happened.
Objects
the signet ring
The crest has been filed away almost completely. Almost.
the map of the realm
The kingdom's borders, drawn with a fresh correction where there should be none.
the guild seal
The stamp that turns any goods into goods "of certified quality." Worth a mine of gold.
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 ermine cloak
White fur with black tails - only the royal family may wear it. It has a tear at the hem.
Motives
ambition
Setea de a urca, chiar peste trupuri, spre o treaptă mai înaltă.
revenge
O datorie de sânge pe care numai fapta o mai șterge.
fear of exposure
Groaza de a fi dat în vileag, care împinge la orice.
a debt of honour
O făgăduială care cântărește mai greu decât viața.
greed
Dorința nesățioasă de avere, care nu se oprește la nimic.
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.
at vespers
At the evening service, when the bells drown out any footstep.
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 chronicler notes drily: the guild seal and fear of exposure go together, whatever the court may say.
- A maid whispered it at confession: the signet ring matches that hour: after matins.
- The tracks in the dust do not lie: Captain Vlaicu handled the guild seal.
- An honest-faced witness saw it plainly: the ermine cloak matches that hour: at noon.
- A maid whispered it at confession: Mihu the Archer handled the signet ring.
- A maid whispered it at confession: Sir Bogdan de Fag was in the place with thousands of leather-bound tomes.
- At the Chancellery, Mihu the Archer maintains: "I was driven by revenge".
- The chancellor deduced it coldly: if Elisei the Stargazer was there at vespers, then the suspect with greying hair was not present at vespers.
- An honest-faced witness saw it plainly: the guild forge matches that hour: at dusk.
- At the Chancellery, Chancellor Veniamin maintains: "I handled the ermine cloak".
- The tracks in the dust do not lie: the map of the realm and ambition go together.
- The gate guard swears: the old dungeon and the herald's horn go together.
- An honest-faced witness saw it plainly: Sir Bogdan de Fag was driven by greed.
- A maid whispered it at confession: the customs cellar and the guild seal go together.
- Captain Vlaicu declares under oath: "I was there at dawn".