Snippet #1841130

By late afternoon, the sky was overcast and drizzly. The dusty road leading into Gooseneck from Old Forest was lined with soldiers heading on to Fort Nuoro, farmers on their way home from market driving horse-drawn wagons bearing their wares or families home. Though many people greeted each other with friendly hellos or nodding by way of passage, the atmosphere was nondescript, and it would be simple enough for a stranger to blend in with the muted tones and easygoing attitude with little interaction. Within the town itself, however, commoners seemed on edge, and guards, stationed at every intersection or near the half dozen establishments, dozed or fidgeted restlessly. Only two members of the Watch, posted outside a rickety old A-frame house waited while a small team inside was busy cleaning up what appeared to be a gruesome crime scene.

"Did you hear," an older woman inquired of a passerby. "Old Rufus was found dead this mornin'. They say somebody broke in wi'out touching a thing but the gold in 'is pocket, and just done cut his throat. What's worse, the Watch thinks the killer might still be right here in this city!"