[Formendacil]

Despite the revelation of a seer in their midst, contact with the dead did not clarify things for the village much during the fifth day following Formendacil’s death.

“The dead one couldn’t deceive had it wanted to,” explained Lhuna, “but being dead didn’t give it any more insight into the truth of the matter. All that I got out of it was a list of reasons why we ought to take a closer look at Meneltarmacil.”

“I’m innocent,” said Meneltarmacil promptly.

“Well, you would say that, whatever you were,” said Amanaduial dryly.

“Are you saying that you think otherwise?” prodded Kuruharan.

“I’m saying that I agree with the seer,” said Amanaduial.

“Hold on!” said Rune. “That was the dead guy’s advice, not Lhuna’s!”

“Actually, it wouldn’t hurt if we did take a close look at his record- and everyone else’s,” said Alcarillo, a bit over-confident with Lhuna’s declaration of his innocence. Farael looked at him, irritated.

“Are you saying that I’m guilty as well?”

“No reason you couldn’t be,” said Alcarillo. “YOU haven’t been cleared of charges.”

“If I didn’t trust Formendacil’s after-death word…” muttered Farael.

“What?” said Malkatoj, “you’d turn big and hairy and kill us all?”

“That was not called for!” said Farael.

“Over defensive, are we?” said Cailín.

“No, that would be Kuruharan,” said Amanaduial.

“Enough of this,” said Naria, her reputation as a Huntress now taken for granted. “Who are we killing?”

“That’s just a bit too blood-thirsty for my tastes,” said Rune.

“She’s right, though,” said Cailín, “we have to kill somebody.”

“Does anyone other than me ever get the idea that summarily killing somebody every day, when they may or may not be a Werewolf is not exactly morally justified?” said Meneltarmacil. “That maybe we’d be better off in the One’s eyes if we DIDN’T?”

“Why, are you a Werewolf?” asked Farael.

And so the day went on…

The end of the day came, and it was a tied vote between Kuruharan and Amanaduial. The village looked to Alcarillo and Lhunardawen, their proven villagers, to make the choice between.

“After all,” said Farael, “it wouldn’t be ‘morally justifiable’ to kill two…”

Alcarillo and Lhuna looked at each other.

“Erm… How about we flip a coin?” said Alcarillo. For lack of a better idea, Lhuna agreed.

“All right, Heads: we kill Amanaduial, Tails: we kill Kuruharan.”

Alcarillo tossed a silver penny into the air. The village stepped back, and the coin landed on the ground. Lhunardawen bent over it.

“Tails,” she said.

“Grab his axe!” said Meneltarmacil, lunging for it.

“Block his escape!” cried Amanaduial.

“Idiots!” said Kuruharan. “You’re all idiots! I’m as innocent as Alcarillo!”

“Remember what he said about dying not being a part of his plans,” said Naria. “Don’t let him escape!”

“Of course this wasn’t a part of my plans!” said Kuruharan. “But I’m smart enough to see that escape isn’t possible.”

“Still so over defensive,” said Amanaduial, shaking her head.

They brought him up to the hanging tree, put the noose over his neck, and gave him one last chance to speak to them.

“Last words?” said Kuruharan. “I’ve got none. I’m going to Mahal, and that’s it. The rest of you idiots can go to Sauron, or whatever evil spirit will have you.”

And so died Kuruharan, son of Khoreth, son of Kili, of the Line of Durin. His life, they said later, was CURSED, but no evil came of his actions to shame him before his fathers.

DAY 5 is over, NIGHT 6 has begun.

Werewolves, Ranger, Seer, I need your PMs.

Villagers, remain silent.

~Michael A. Joosten - WW XVI Moderator~