This Guy's Problem (TWS)

Look for more bones.

You make a quick search for similar BONES but to no avail. The door to the FRIAR'S CHAMBER is locked, and you're not certain this discovery warrants breaking it down.

Besides you're not a LAW ENFORCER.

>You'd better find an authority figure and inform them, quietly so as not to cause a panic. Perhaps someone with the relevant expertise is at the party? Use your missing horse as an excuse to talk to them without publicly revealing the possible-murder just yet.

Yes. It would be good to ALERT THE AUTHORITIES...except...

The only LAW ENFORCER at the party was the KNIGHT. You don't know anyone who has a particular expertise with BONES, so you figure the most appropriate person to talk to would be the LORD'S BROTHER considering his status.

Though, OTTO is also the person most likely to encourage you to DRINK more.

You reflect on the BONE again. It could very well be HUMAN, though you aren't certain, and even possession of a human bone doesn't necessarily mean there was a murder committed. After all that PEASANT was able to get a HUMAN SKULL and, if you're being honest with yourself, he probably didn't MURDER Miss Copperton.

Though that does mean that the REAL MURDERER is potentially STILL AT LARGE.

You suddenly really want to be HOME with your WIFE.

Okay. Can you use that rib as a sword in a pinch? Because you might need to.

You consider wielding the RIB BONE as a defensive weapon, but you figure it is ill suited for the task. While POLISHED, it is hardly sharp and it's length would make it a blunt dagger at best - not to mention you don't know how brittle this particular BONE could be. It would be best to avoid any real combat unless you manage to retrieve your ESTOC at HOME.

You pocket the BONE and head back to the party. You'll need to borrow a horse.


Your return is greeted with a hearty cheer from the remaining guests. It appears Pete the Professor left while you were investigating the CHAPEL, as well as one of the DUKES and the LADIES. (though the particular lady that was the cause of the KNIGHT'S jealous outburst is still present, flirting with Otto at the moment - though she seems quite pleased at your return).

You approach Otto expecting to have to pry him away from yet another client, but he instead greets you with a grin and a PITCHER of MEAD.

"Mr. Vergis! I thought you had headed home for the night! Guess you decided to stick around?" He chuckles while wrapping an arm around you.

"Actually, it appears that my horse was freed from its post. I don't suppose you may have a steed I could borrow myself?"

He appears unphased by the bad news. A hearty dose of alcohol and a practice of avoiding rejection can do that to a man.

"Nope, sorry there Mr. Vergis! I don't have a horse of my own to be honest! Good for glue and not much else I say. Why that such a creature used to get around is put to its best use to keep things in place I can't say! That's THE LORD'S work for you!"

"I see, but yes I do actually need to make my leave," you interject, "I am feeling a bit unsettled at the moment and I would very much like to make it HOME."

"Unsettled! Why not settle yourself down right here then? Good DRINK and good company! And plenty of ROOM UPSTAIRS!" He gestures towards the LADY.

"Ah yes, but I am afraid that there is another matter which I has unsettled me, I happened across what may be a bit of EVIDENCE..."

You casually move him from the LADY and casually show him the RIB BONE.

He takes a long drunken stare at it, takes a swig, then looks back at you.

"Why that's a BONE!"

"Yes yes it is," you reply in hushed tone.

"Well what's a BONE got to do with anything? The only BONE criminal we've had around here was EXECUTED this AFTERNOON! Did I tell you about the DEVICE?"

"Yes I have heard about it but, " you hope to help him grasp your concern - though without questioning his CONVICTION at the CONVICTION, which you are most likely responsible for CONVICTING him of, " after todays events I do worry about the possibility of copy-cat attackers."

He stares at you.

"There are some elements, " you continue, "among those less becoming that would seek to mimic the crimes presented in court earlier this day. This bone could be related to such a person."

"Where'd you find it?" he asks

"At the CHAPEL."

It appears that you have, in some degree, succeeded in conveying the potential severity of the situation to Otto. He looks back at the other PARTY GOERS and starts to speak, when the LADY interrupts.

"I'm sorry Mr. Vergis. I could not help but overhear. Would you perhaps like to borrow MY STALLION for the NIGHT?"

Never one to be rude,

"Ah, miss. While I would be most appreciative I could hardly accept such an offer without knowing your NAME."

She smiles, and extends her hand. "Eva Greenbird."

You take her hand and kiss it in greeting. "My pleasure Miss Greenbird. I am Clarion Vergis, though I take it you already are familiar with me?"

"Not as familiar as I would like..."

Ah yes, she is a bit forward, but you have experience in diverting this situation.

"Oh I appreciate the senti-" Otto cuts you off.

"Well now Mr. Vergis this presents itself as the perfect solution! Miss Greenbird here was just telling me of how she was ready to head back home but was in need of someone to keep her safe along the way. Why don't you take her into the city and then find your way to your own home from there?"

"What a lovely idea! I live not far within the village, and I would much like someone to hold onto during the ride," Miss Greenbird interjects.

You step outside with Eva and mount her horse. You assist her up, and she holds on tightly to you, pressing herself against her back.

Head directly to town, see if you can lodge at an inn for the night. Your wife will understand, and it's almost certainly prudent to wait until morning to travel. You'll also want to tell the Lord, as well as whatsisface, about your discovery with no delay.

You start HEADING TO TOWN. You could LODGE at an INN or at EVA'S HOME, if you had to, but you think you could convince Eva to let you TAKE THE HORSE after you drop her off safely at her HOME.

You consider revealing the discovery of the BONE to the LORD, but you aren't really drunk enough to go through with that. There isn't much reason to bother the LORD with something so CIRCUMSTANTIAL (though someone like you could easily turn it into a full CASE if needed to). After all, despite everything all you did was FIND A BONE.

You also consider informing the SOLICITOR (whose name you know and has a personal significance for you but choose not to think on it now for...oh hey)

As you pass through the VILLAGE OUTSKIRTS you catch a glimpse of a man passed out outside of one of the TAVERNS. He's sleeping on a plain BURLAP SACK, has a CORNERED HAT laying haphazardly next to him, has what appears to be a PLANK OF WOOD attached to his BUTTOX, and fingers COVERED IN PUPPETS.

You ride past him, seeing how he's already fast asleep and you need to head on your way. (Not to mention waking a sleepy and angry drunkard who probably hates you is a bad idea all around).

Since you still have a bit to go until you reach EVA GREENBIRD'S HOME you decide to REFLECT ON THE SOLICITOR'S NAME and its PERSONAL SIGNIFICANCE to you.

>_

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SpoilerEver since I identified Otto as a PITCHMAN I can't help but think of him as a medieval BILLY MAYES. Though I suppose I have not made him NEARLY AS LOUD.

Eva Greenbird is named that because of macherry's lady who was fascinated with Green Birds and because I am vigilantly uncreative.