{(set: $condemned to false)} I have arrived to oversee an execution. There must be no pity in my eyes, no lenience in my stance—not if the village is to withstand its exile from Faerie. There must be order. There must be law. That does not mean there is justice. I stand with my thimble shield on my left arm, and the long-thorn of execution in my right hand. Emblems of my office. The condemned walks towards me, led by a guard, hands bound behind with rope. As Fate brings this final meeting to an end, I remember [[the last few days....->The Beginning]]Queen Goldeneye is dead. Her eyes stare up at the ceiling in the royal bedroom in the oak, pupils wide open. Cyan blood is sprayed across the walls and sheets. The stink of iron melds with the copper. We've found iron a necessary evil among humans. Controls ensure iron is inherited only through royal families, along lines of succession. The iron-monger also had access, but he was lost long ago. The Queen's daughter, Serena, is thus counted among the suspects, as is Rohte Darkling, King of the opposing Winter Court. My time to find the murderer is limited. Should Serena be guilty and yet complete the succession ceremony at nightfall, she would be untouchable by our laws—and the village fall into chaos. I must close this case quickly and decisively. I consider my options. I only have time to explore one, perhaps two. I could investigate [[a possible connection with the iron monger's death->Iron-Monger Murder]], or the movements of [[Rohte Darkling->Rohte Darkling Movements]] or [[Serena Goldeneye->Serena Goldeneye Movements]] the night before.{(set: $seen_darkling to true) (set: $investigations to $investigations + 1)} The Winter King tilts his head to look at me with a beady eye. A cloak of red feathers cascades over his shoulders, and red feathers crown him. "You've come to interview *me* because you think *I* murdered that lizard?" The Summer Queen and the Winter King of our tiny settlement are married, but the relationship is only in name. "You realize that I must step down should my own daughter take the throne? Killing the reptile would not benefit me." He flicks his head, and glares at me with his other eye. "I know you have a lover. Should Serena take the blame for her mother's death, you needn't worry about dethronement." King Darkling's voice quiets from raucous cawing. "I see. I was with my councilors all night until the dawn—when the Queen's body was discovered." I can [[confirm the King's alibi->Confirm Darkling Alibi]]. (if: $investigations < 2)[But I also have time to explore other avenues. (if: not $seen_goldeneye)[For instance, [[investigate Serena.->Serena Goldeneye Movements]]] (if: not $iron_monger)[The [[iron-monger case->Iron-Monger Murder]] is also a possibility.]]{(set: $confirmed_darkling_alibi to true)} There are seven councillors to interview. All are long-winded. By the time I'm finished, night is fast approaching. I know the King is innocent. But I will (link: "condemn the King")[(set: $condemned to 'Darkling') (goto: "Nightfall")], (link: "condemn Serena")[(set: $condemned to 'Serena') (set: $moral to false) (goto: "Nightfall")], or [[implicate nobody->Nightfall]].{(set: $seen_goldeneye to true) (set: $investigations to $investigations + 1)} Serena's plummage melds with scales at her arms and back, dancing golden in the light of the setting sun. She is beautiful, but also dangerous to our stability as a kingdom in exile. "I won't bother lying. I don't grieve for Mother." She turns her sharp head to look at me with unblinking eyes. "When I'm Queen, things will be different. Citizens will have just as much of a chance to be councilmen as nobles." I keep my mouth shut. "Even you." She may mean it as a bribe. It's difficult to tell with her blank expressions. "I have no alibi. Regardless, there's something you should know." And she whispers treason into my ear. Then, gracefully, she lifts her wings and flies away. (if: $investigations < 2)[I have time to further investigate. (if: not $seen_darkling)[I could [[interrogate Darkling->Rohte Darkling Movements]].] (if:not $iron_monger)[I could also [[reopen the iron-monger case->Iron-Monger Murder]].] Or, instead,] I could just condemn (link: "Serena")[(set: $condemned to 'Serena') (goto: "Nightfall")] or (link: "Darkling")[(set: $condemned to 'Darkling') (goto: "Nightfall")] or... [[nobody->Nightfall]].{(set: $iron_monger to true) (set: $investigations to $investigations + 1)} I blow dust off the case file for Hoffen, the iron-monger, and cough. Reviewing the papers, I am lost in regrets: at the injustice for the common people, at the pandering to the nobles. I could do nothing then. (if: $seen_goldeneye)[But Serena has revealed to me a piece of evidence I had been missing. A motive. An opportunity. The nobles say that common blood tells all, but blood will always tell. Hoffen was killed at the hands of the Queen.](else:)[And I can do nothing now.] Could it be that my mind is made up? Shall I merely go ahead and condemn (link: "Serena")[(set: $condemned to 'Serena') (goto: "Nightfall")] or (link: "Darkling")[(set: $condemned to 'Darkling') (goto: "Nightfall")]? Would it be better to [[give up the investigation->Nightfall]]? { (if: $investigations < 2)[I look at the clock. There's still time to investigate one more lead. (if: not $seen_goldeneye)[[[Serena is suspicious to me->Serena Goldeneye Movements]].] (if: not $seen_darkling)[I need to investigate [[Darkling's motives->Rohte Darkling Movements]].]] }{(set: $guilt to false)} My word is law. Two days later, the (if: $condemned is 'Darkling')[deposed Winter King kneels before me, fine feathers plucked, shivering. (if: $confirmed_darkling_alibi)[(set: $guilt to true)]](elseif: $condemned is 'Serena')[would-be Queen kneels before me, eyes defiant. (if: $seen_goldeneye)[(set: $guilt to true)]](else:)[royal scapegoat kneels before me. I have never met him. (set: $guilt to true)] The deed is done. My hands are covered in cyan(if: (not $condemned) and $iron_monger)[ once more]. (if: $guilt and ($confirmed_darkling_alibi or $seen_goldeneye or not $condemned))[An innocent has died. There is no justice.](else:)[A noble has died. (if: $iron_monger and $seen_goldeneye)[I think of the iron-monger's death, and decide the price has been well-paid.](else:)[I tell myself: I had to choose between thimble and thorn.]] The Fae may not have souls, but still I dream....