The Sign of the Dawn
Since matins, a strange emptiness has walked the citadel: what stood in its place yesterday is gone today. Someone knows more than they say; the silences at court have suddenly grown very loud. On the Chancellery's list stand Chamberlain Iorgu, Chancellor Veniamin, Princess Smaranda, Margica the Innkeeper and Luca the Squire; one of these names covers a lie. Rumor walks the deed through every corner: the castle cellar, the abbey library, the great stable, the mill by the river and the watchtower. The threads were tangled on purpose: investigate, weigh every word, and pronounce your verdict only when the grid leaves no room for doubt.
Suspects
He arranges the king's audiences and, for a small courtesy, the order in which petitions are read.
1.77 m
right-handed
grey 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
She has refused seven suitors and kept the gifts of all. She calls it practicality, not greed.
1.66 m
right-handed
green eyes
chestnut hair
At the Golden Boar inn, wine and secrets are spilled in equal measure. She never forgets a debt - or a word let slip.
1.61 m
right-handed
dark eyes
chestnut hair
He polishes the knight's armour and dreams of a sword of his own. For a coat of arms he would do almost anything.
1.72 m
right-handed
green eyes
brown hair
Locations
the castle cellar
Barrels as big as carts and corners the lantern never reaches.
the abbey library
Thousands of leather-bound tomes. Some of the chains on the shelves were cut recently.
the great stable
It smells of hay and hurried departures. Horses give no testimony.
the mill by the river
The wheel turns day and night. Its noise drowns out any conversation - which is why some are held here.
the watchtower
The highest point of the fortress. From here you see everything - and from below, everyone sees who climbs up.
Objects
the royal seal
Whoever holds it can seal any decree. Which is why it should not be wandering the kingdom.
the signet ring
The crest has been filed away almost completely. Almost.
the locked chest
Three padlocks, two rows of straps. Fresh scratches around the hinges, not the locks.
the map of the realm
The kingdom's borders, drawn with a fresh correction where there should be none.
the ceremonial crown
The "wearable" copy of the true crown. At least, that was the idea.
Motives
ambition
Setea de a urca, chiar peste trupuri, spre o treaptă mai înaltă.
greed
Dorința nesățioasă de avere, care nu se oprește la nimic.
the inheritance
O avere așteptată, pe care numai o moarte o desparte de mână.
revenge
O datorie de sânge pe care numai fapta o mai șterge.
a debt of honour
O făgăduială care cântărește mai greu decât viața.
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 gate guard swears: Princess Smaranda handled the signet ring.
- The hounds caught no scent at all: the watchtower and the inheritance do not go together.
- In the Chancellery's ledger it stands in black and white: Margica the Innkeeper was in the place from which you see everything.
- A maid whispered it at confession: the signet ring and greed go together.
- In the Chancellery's ledger it stands in black and white: the mill by the river and a debt of honour go together.
- Two witnesses, upon their crest: the abbey library and the signet ring do not go together.
- Luca the Squire declares under oath: "I was in the place where the lantern never reaches".
- An honest-faced witness saw it plainly: the great stable and the ceremonial crown go together.
- A maid whispered it at confession: Chancellor Veniamin handled the royal seal.
- The chancellor deduced it coldly: if Princess Smaranda was driven by greed, then Luca the Squire was driven by revenge.
- Margica the Innkeeper raises their right hand and says: "I handled the map of the realm".
- A maid whispered it at confession: the tallest suspect handled the ceremonial crown.