[a gnome sits fuming at the bar at the blue mushroom, sipping a sapphire wine and penning this letter]

Dear Councillor Ward,

I request an apology from you for the disastrous situation the investigation into the fire, theft and murder in Canal ward became today.

My friends and myself were investigating with you, but were consistently ignored and actively told to stay out of the investigation. Then to have that so-called "sir" spew forth at us at your instruction only added insult to injury.

It was you who ordered the citizens to attack the halfling found in the cave upon little evidence, and you who failed to inform the others of your plans to ambush the villains upon their return to the cave. You told us we were not welcome to join you, but that we could conduct our own investigation... and then when we did, all we received was a tirade of insulting abuse.

I was the only other witness (apart from the Tigereye) to the unfortunate murder of the little girl by a trap placed by the thief. I discovered the vest hidden behind the stone pillar in the cave and brought it to your attention. I even stood in the cave as your hound Toboreski threatened my friends for attempting to assist with the investigation without any information as to how they could constructively help. Of course I was hidden and continued to observe your flawed attempt at catching the thief with frustration.

And then to finally be referred to as a halfling by yourself in the Watch House was the final piece of evidence of your total disregard or desire for my assistance in the matter. Not once was I asked to explain what occured as a witness, or to explain what I had seen while hidden in the shadows in the cave, or to explain my theories as to where the vest had come from.

I found the entire experience insulting and misguided, and the most unsatisfactory carrying out of justice I have ever seen. You will most certainly NOT be getting my vote in the upcoming elections. And I shall be actively opposing your re-election if you do not admit to being at fault and request "Sir" Toboreski to apologise to those involved for his outpouring of misguided anger and abuse.

I will be expecting a prompt reply at the Blue Mushroom.

Tarfil Jerolas Greatvine

Citizen Tarfil,

Evidently you did not listen to me then. I did apologize, and I don't like ignorant tirades that waste my time. But, due to your persistance and obvious heart in the matter, I am going to humor you.

You and "your friends", whom I took more as a loose coalition of concerned citizens, were occupied with a more pressing matter- the death of the Tormtar. You missed out on well over thirty minutes of investigation and quite frankly, your assistance at that point was far past unnecessary. If there had been anything at all for you or any others to perform, I would have asked you to do so.

In fact, I did. I asked everyone to remove themselves from the vicinity so that the formal investigation team, chosen by myself as the emissary of the city, could complete its task. Also, in fact, the secondary investigation team did the opposite, and not only that, ruined our attempts to catch our thief. If loitering above that cavern door was what you call "investigating", then it makes it ever more plain why I asked for the groups to be divided.

Another point- I chose Toboereski to speak not only because he understood the case as well if not better than I, but he obviously had a great deal of angst and anger to release, adjusted after he spoke for my intentions for the words you arftully avoided hearing. I knew full well what Dungal would do, he did so, and I made adjustments after he was through.

I did not ask Toboereski to speak because I wanted to break your precious heart. There is reason to my actions, take a moment and you may begin to understand why every step I took last night was taken.

And indeed, on the evidence I held, coupled with the fact that the halfling was armed and being uncooperative, attacking the halfling was the most befitting thing to do, as pointed out by yourself upon discovery of Toboereski's dropped pack. YES, the vest came from TOBOERESKI. He said this, and you performed your great tactic of selective hearing.

My final note- I didn't call you a halfling. I know full well that you are a gnome, and knew it just as well if you can believe it, at the time. I was probably speaking to the halfling named Taddle or some other mysterious fellow that attached himself to our group later on, whom I never learned the name of.

You now have a choice. You may hear these words, and understand the situation. Or alternatively, you can continue to make assumptions about last night's investigation and me personally, being wrong on both accounts. No other Councilor has been more active in the pursuit of criminals nor the utilization of volunteer resources.

Also, if this kind of investigation is something that you think you deserve, or something to that end, the way to go about this is not to simply do so when the chance arises, but to contact the Watch or Spellguard.

If any of this information does not throw enough light on the situation for you to realize that every action of mine had a very clear and distinct purpose, then find me tonight and I we can sit down for a drink.

Councilor Ward

Councillor,

I must admit I did not hear your apology, and will accept such statement as one.

I did not suggest we attack the halfling, as I also saw Toboerski lurking behind the pillar, and suspected the vest to be planted. But of course, in the commotion of you ordering an attack, no one would listen to me.

I still feel that you had no right to unleash a tirade of abuse on us from a man who is not even a member of Watch or council, especially when I myself remained out of sight for the entirety of your investigation. And my main concern remains... that at no point in this investigation was I questioned with regard to the little girl's death or to the circumstances under which I found the vest.

In addition, the "secondary investigation team" are indeed people I would consider friends, but as you say, we were present as concerned citizens. After seeing the succesful healing of Daristin, they retired to an inn, and I told them I would investigate alone, hence why I was hidden inside the cavern. Upon hearing Toboereski abuse them, I went outside to inform them of your tactics (as you had failed to yourself, and I only knew of through overhearding), and to advise them that where they were standing was perhaps not the best locale.

At no point was I given a chance to say any of this. THAT is my main concern. I felt that I was looked down upon by yourself, and that my opinion was of no value in comparison to your friend Toboereski, who I was extremely suspicious of after spotting him lurking where the vest was found.

I hope this explains my anger better. I remain appalled by your behaviour and friendship to such a foul man, but will not seek further action from you.

Farewell,

Tarfil