The Sorrowful Case of the Sad Duty
(Being the official report of Deputy-Shirriff Lancogard North-took, with his Notes attached)
THE OFFICE OF THE WATCH, BROCKENBORINGS, Northfarthing in the Shire, on this the 15th day of Afteryule:
Upon returning from assignment in the Westfarthing on the 4th, Deputy-Shirriff North-took was dispatched to Oatbarton to assess the situation regarding Bounder reports of goblins in the district.
(NOTE: Upon my arrival at Oatbarton and hearing the details from the local office, I deputized five Bounders and set out on patrols over the next few days.)
Over the next five days, the Bounder patrol led by Deputy-Shirriff North-took scoured the bounds as far north as Dwaling on the Northway, east to the line of the Brandywine north of Scary, west as far as the Bindbole Wood. On the 10th of Afteryule, the patrol made a discovery off the Oatbarton Road just west of the Scrag-Dells.
(NOTE: That started the investigation. The patrol found a body in the woods west of the road near Bullroarer’s Throat. As soon as I arrived, I ordered everyone back a few paces so as not to disturb the scene. I observed a dead body, obviously one of the Big Folk, kitted out as a hunter, but the differences were something only I might notice. The dead man’s gear was a mixed bag of clothing from the Bree-land, with a tunic and breeches of foreign make – I immediately recognized them as being from Falathlorn, the Elvish country west of the Shire.)
Deputy-Shirriff North-took immediately ordered word sent back to Oatbarton to fetch a wagon to remove the body for proper burial, while he continued his investigation.
(NOTE: The body was of an adult male, perhaps a score-and-a-half of age, with brown hair. The corpse had been gnawed and partially eaten by animals, making any chance of identification slim. I had the able assistance of Master Rundo Delver, the weapon merchant from Oatbarton, who helped me in attempting to determine cause of death: there was no evidence of weapon use, no blunt trauma or blade injuries, and the rest of the body was too corrupted by animals so as to make any clear determination impossible.
But for my part, I knew in a flash the identity of the deceased. Upon returning the recovered body to the Office of the Watch in Brockenborings, and further examination of the body, when the gauntlets were removed there was a ring on the right hand – a ring I had seen before…)
Deputy-Shirriff North-took declared he confirmed the identity of the deceased and offered to take personal charge of locating the deceased’s next of kin for notification. Per his confirmation, there could be no living relatives to claim the body, which was given proper burial in the lot outside town. Deputy-Shirriff North-took set out for Bree on the 12th, after sending letters to who he claimed would be “interested parties”.
(NOTE: I took a liberty and used Lady Seregrian’s magnificent bird, Windwalker, to send two letters: one to Her Ladyship herself, one to Mistress Applecider Bolingbroke. The letter to Mistress Bolingbroke was carefully worded so as not to reveal anything of the ongoing investigation but bade her watch for Her Ladyship. The letter to Her Ladyship herself bade her meet me in Bree in two days’ time.)
(FURTHER NOTE: I arrived in Bree on the 13th after a hard ride, and secured lodgings at the Prancing Pony. The next day around luncheon, I entered the Bree Hunter’s Lodge to find Lady Seregrian and her traveling companion waiting for me, as per my letter.
I did my uttermost best to, as gently as I could, deliver the news that the body I had found in the Northfarthing was that of her betrothed, Master Cutch Crane. I delivered to her also the ring I had found - the betrothal ring she had given him, still on his hand. Her Ladyship’s face was stony, her voice even, but her fingers trembled as she accepted the ring. She excused herself and stepped outside, and I did not make to follow her; I had a brief conversation with her escort, bidding him watch over her in my absence.)
Deputy-Shirriff North-took, having duly discharged his duty, returned to the Shire the next day, reaching Brockenborings on the 15th to file his report and close the case.
(NOTE: And that concluded The Sorrowful Case of the Sad Duty. I am now resolved to take a brief leave of absence from the Watch, and pay my respects at Torech Besruth; I shall render what service and support my Bainiel needs of me.)
