The Testimony of the Treasury
An overturned goblet, a face gone pale, whispers dying down — thus began, in Realm of the Crown, the case before you. Whoever poured it knew the habits of the table; that narrows the circle more than we would like. On the Chancellery's list stand Duchess Amara de Corvin, Princess Smaranda, Teofil the Chronicler and Gavril the Farrier; one of these names covers a lie. The testimonies cling to certain hours: "at dawn", "after matins", "at noon" and "at dusk". Open the grid, weigh every clue, and pronounce your verdict: the Chancellery awaits only your signature.
Suspects
Widowed three times, heir on each occasion. Her smile has buried more nobles than the plague.
1.68 m
right-handed
dark eyes
black 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 writes the kingdom's history as he is ordered. The unwelcome drafts, however, he keeps every one.
1.69 m
left-handed
brown eyes
greying hair
Arms like tree trunks and a forge where all noise dies. Some things are better beaten while hot.
1.88 m
right-handed
dark eyes
black hair
Locations
the watchtower
The highest point of the fortress. From here you see everything - and from below, everyone sees who climbs up.
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 salt market
Here anything is bargained for, from salt to silences. The price of silence keeps rising.
the throne room
Gold, purple, and the most closely watched place in the kingdom. In theory.
Objects
the silver-clad icon
The silver casing is old craftsmanship; the nails that hold it were driven this week.
the bronze key
Heavy, old, its teeth worn smooth. No one knows what door it opens anymore - or so they say.
the ruby dagger
A short blade, its hilt set with a stone red as a frozen drop. It was sharpened recently.
the guild seal
The stamp that turns any goods into goods "of certified quality." Worth a mine of gold.
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 scouts confirm it: at suspects, the paths of the watchtower and the ruby dagger diverge.
- The tracks in the dust do not lie: the shortest suspect was at the salt market.
- A maid whispered it at confession: Teofil the Chronicler handled the ruby dagger.
- The tracks in the dust do not lie: the throne room and the guild seal go together.
- An unsigned note, slipped under the door: "the culprit handled the bronze key".
- The bell-ringer remembers well: Teofil the Chronicler came earlier than the tallest suspect.
- By the order of the hours, first comes Duchess Amara de Corvin, then Princess Smaranda.
- By the order of the hours, first comes the tallest suspect, then Duchess Amara de Corvin.
- The gate guard swears: the guild seal matches that hour: after matins.
- The tracks in the dust do not lie: the silver-clad icon matches that hour: at dusk.