The Torch of Winter
A disappearance troubles the citadel, and rumor grows faster than truth. Every passing hour erases another trace, and the traces were few to begin with. On the Chancellery's list stand Iustin the Mariner, Manole the Jeweller, Margica the Innkeeper, Sword-Bearer Dragos and Sir Bogdan de Fag; one of these names covers a lie. The places named in the testimonies — the old dungeon, the wharf, the mill by the river, the queen's garden and the guild forge — each await their turn under scrutiny. Few files have tested so many investigators; untangle the threads, catch the lie, and pronounce your verdict.
Suspects
He brings goods from ports with unpronounceable names. Half the cargo never appears in the customs records.
1.78 m
left-handed
blue eyes
black 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
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 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
He pawned his armour to pay his tavern debts. Honour, he says, does not rust.
1.85 m
right-handed
blue eyes
brown hair
Locations
the old dungeon
Cells abandoned since the new dungeon was built. "Abandoned" is one way of putting it.
the wharf
Moored boats, wet ropes, and goods that prefer to arrive in the fog.
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 queen's garden
Roses trimmed to a line and paths you may walk only by invitation. At night, the hedge has ears.
the guild forge
Anvils, tongs, and a fire that never goes out. Many small metal things vanish here.
Objects
the bishop's chalice
Gold set with blue stones. Blessed three times, stolen twice.
the rusted sword
An old weapon, forgotten on the rack. The rust on the blade is newer than it looks.
the hunting crossbow
Light, accurate, with a walnut stock. Exactly one bolt is missing from the quiver.
the ceremonial crown
The "wearable" copy of the true crown. At least, that was the idea.
the vial of belladonna
A small flask, a wax stopper, a label written with care. Three-quarters empty.
Motives
a debt of honour
O făgăduială care cântărește mai greu decât viața.
the inheritance
O avere așteptată, pe care numai o moarte o desparte de mână.
ambition
Setea de a urca, chiar peste trupuri, spre o treaptă mai înaltă.
fear of exposure
Groaza de a fi dat în vileag, care împinge la orice.
jealousy
Otrava care mistuie pe cel ce râvnește ce nu-i al lui.
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.
- A maid whispered it at confession: the left-handed suspect handled the bishop's chalice.
- In the Chancellery's ledger it stands in black and white: Sir Bogdan de Fag was there at noon.
- The customs register is clear: the tallest suspect was not driven by a debt of honour.
- A maid whispered it at confession: a debt of honour matches that hour: at dusk.
- An unsigned note, slipped under the door: "the culprit was driven by fear of exposure".
- The customs register is clear: jealousy does not match that hour: at noon.
- The tracks in the dust do not lie: the hunting crossbow and ambition go together.
- A maid whispered it at confession: Margica the Innkeeper handled the hunting crossbow.
- However it may seem, at suspects, the queen's garden and the hour "at dawn" take different roads.
- By the order of the hours, first comes the left-handed suspect, then Sword-Bearer Dragos.
- A maid whispered it at confession: Manole the Jeweller was at the old dungeon.
- An honest-faced witness saw it plainly: the guild forge and the ceremonial crown go together.
- Even the jester says it in earnest: the suspect with black hair never set foot in the place where the wheel turns day and night.
- In the Chancellery's ledger it stands in black and white: the vial of belladonna matches that hour: after matins.
- Margica the Innkeeper raises their right hand and says: "I was in the place where the hedge has ears".
- The chronicler notes drily: the mill by the river and fear of exposure go together, whatever the court may say.