The Spy of the Crown
Something more bitter than gall found its way to the court's table today: poison. Whoever poured it knew the habits of the table; that narrows the circle more than we would like. Suspicion has fallen on Filip the Steward, Princess Smaranda, Manole the Jeweller and Sword-Bearer Dragos — and until the proof is plain, none of these names leaves the room. Rumor walks the deed through every corner: the cathedral crypt, the wharf, the watchtower and the scriptorium. Study the testimonies at your leisure, fit them into the grid, and pronounce your verdict without haste.
Suspects
He counts the crown's silver every evening. On some evenings the count comes out different - and he says nothing.
1.79 m
right-handed
grey eyes
chestnut hair
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
He tells gold from gilt at a glance. With people, he admits, it takes him two.
1.69 m
right-handed
brown eyes
brown hair
He bears the king's ceremonial sword. At the tourney he has never lost; at dice, always.
1.86 m
right-handed
brown eyes
chestnut hair
Locations
the cathedral crypt
The old kings sleep beneath crested slabs. Now and then, someone disturbs their rest.
the wharf
Moored boats, wet ropes, and goods that prefer to arrive in the fog.
the watchtower
The highest point of the fortress. From here you see everything - and from below, everyone sees who climbs up.
the scriptorium
Slanted desks, ink, and working silence. Here a quill creaks louder than a conscience.
Objects
the guild seal
The stamp that turns any goods into goods "of certified quality." Worth a mine of gold.
the small wine cask
Arin wine, the good year. The bung was pulled and put back by an unskilled hand.
the royal seal
Whoever holds it can seal any decree. Which is why it should not be wandering the kingdom.
the bishop's chalice
Gold set with blue stones. Blessed three times, stolen twice.
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 gate guard swears: the small wine cask matches that hour: at noon.
- In the Chancellery's ledger it stands in black and white: the suspect with grey eyes was there after matins.
- In the Chancellery's ledger it stands in black and white: Sword-Bearer Dragos was at the wharf.
- The chronicler notes drily: the royal seal matches that hour: at dawn, whatever the court may say.
- A note in the margin of the ledger: if Filip the Steward handled the guild seal, then Filip the Steward never touched the guild seal.
- An honest-faced witness saw it plainly: the scriptorium and the guild seal go together.
- The gate guard swears: the suspect with green eyes handled the royal seal.
- The traces left at the scene show it plainly: the culprit handled the bishop's chalice.
- In the Chancellery's ledger it stands in black and white: the watchtower and the royal seal go together.