[The Saucepan Man]

Goodness gracious me! All this yammerin’ and accusin’ reminds me of the time we was sailing the Western Oceans and we found that someone had been helping theirselves to the rum supply. Just helping theirselves, I tell thee. Well, we weren’t too happy, as you can imagine. On a voyage like that, everything has to be strictly rationed, you see, or it runs out, don’t it? Well, we got to discussing it and all kinds of accusations and the like were flying round. But there weren’t no way of being sure who done it, like. All them accusation were simply based on grudges and rivalries. Grudges and rivalries, y’see?

Well, it seems as if we are in much the same boat now. There bain’t no way of knowing for sure who might be a Wolf and who might be innocent. There’s very little to go on see, and so we resort to personal grudges or wild imaginings. My own accusation of that there Rune was based on the fact that I dislike the fellow. I freely admit it. Although I am taken aback that he should think me one of these foul fiends. And it does seem to me that he is more concerned with ‘is outdated and discredited philosophies than on finding a Wolf. I shall be keeping my eye on him, and no mistake.

Now we never found out who had been pilfering that there rum. There was naught as came to light to point to anyone as being guilty, y’see? And that’s where I reckon our current situation is different. For, in time, there will be evidence of Wolvish behaviour there in the Wolves’ words. In their words, I tell thee, sure as the flowing of the tide.

So, what have we got so far?

Gurthang’s early vote worries me. I knew the young lad were impetuous, like, but ‘e worries me in voting for one who has not spoken yet at a time when there really was naught to go on. Mayhaps it would be foolish for a Wolf to draw such attention to ‘eself so early on. Or mayhaps ‘e reckoned that’s how people would see it. Mayhaps ‘e thought that we’d all dismiss it as too obviously suspicious and therefore unlikely behaviour for a Wolf. He hasn’t really explained why he voted so early. ‘Tis possible to stir up conversation without actually voting y’know, me lad. And, while I’m more than happy for the Seer to dream of me, I don’t like ‘is suggestion that the Seer reveal hisself so early on. All in all, he’s certainly one who concerns me.

Our scholar, Master Aiwendil, has caused quite a stir with his comments. But, for all ‘is fancy words, ‘e makes sense to me. I ‘appen to think ‘e’s right that a Wolf was amongst those who spoke early (although it bain’t me, thee can rest assured of that). And ‘is suggestions for the Seer were sensible enough, even if difficult to put into action successfully. I certainly don’t think ‘e was trying to flush out the Seer, as has been suggested. No, I am prepared to consider him simply as an innocent who is trying to be helpful – for now at least.

And then we come to Master Hedgthistle. Fine words and a seemingly fine plan from our Pearl Diver. But is it really, when we think on’t? Seems to me all ‘e’s really sayin’ is that Wolves might act one way or they might act another and that not all of them are likely to act the same way. Which is much like saying the sun’s going to set tonight and rise again tomorrow. He ain’t telling us anything we don’t know already, or can’t work out for usselves, although he uses lots of fine words in doin' it. Is ‘e trying to look helpful, and therefore innocent, without actually being helpful (or innocent) at all? Self-Appointed Saviour? More like Self-Appointed-Stater of the Bleedin’ Obvious. And while ‘e accepts that it may take some time for his plan to help us spot the Wolves, that didn’t stop ‘im making comments about people’s behaviour based on naught but a handful of contributions. He has already labelled some of us “Accusers” and therefore “either clumsy innocents or daring wolves”. Well, I don’t know how you can tell that from just a few words, Master H, but I can assure you that I am neither clumsy nor a Wolf. If I were a suspicious fellow, I might think that you were trying to make subtle insinuations about those you have grouped without appearing to be too accusatory.

Mistress Lhunadarwen ‘as voted early, which might be regarded as suspicious, but I tend to believe ‘er claim that she ‘ad no choice. Tricksy things, these time zones. I’m more suspicious of our good Doctor, WaynetheGoblin, for his reaction vote against her – without giving any reason, other than (I presume) the fact that she voted for him.

Much the same goes for dancing spawn. I’m not ‘appy ‘bout her vote for Aiwendil, as I reckon there are far more suspicious characters around as matters stand. But I believe ‘er when she says she won’t be around to vote later.

As for the others, well there’s not much to go on really, as yet, and so naught to raise my suspicions unduly.