I interviewed another person in connection with Cirywen Ravencrag's murder, she wished to remain anonymous in the report so I will not endanger her by putting her name on parchment. She came to speak about Berrywine, voicing her opinion that he would not have been so sloppy to leave her body out nor kill her before he could discover who Cirywen worked for. Our conversation soon turned to the person who hired the girl and some of the things she had to say or not say out of fear about this mysterious man were indeed disturbing. She claims he makes his fortune off of 'art' but her face and the sound of her voice spoke another story. Surely the 'art' was a cover for something else and when I asked she turned red and could not answer. She was not only embarrassed but there was a very real fear there. I offered protection to her for her answer but she again refused and I did not push her. She seemed quite uncomfortable about being questioned by the Watch, even more so than most people are. I have a gut feeling that Vandalan, even more so than Berrywine, might be guilty of this crime. Ildrand, Seaver had sent me a note saying he had heard Cirywen call Owen Berrywine this name, some sort of alias perhaps or he just rather be called Owen, as would I if I had a name like Ildrand.
I will visit my street contact soon, I released his companion as he asked, there was no real reason to keep holding him for petty theft. I gave him the standard stern warning and sent him on his way. I keep in mind my other promise, to find and arrest Siegfreid and his large red haired companion who had jumped in on the beating of the two men. I would arrest the loud bothersome dwarf who started it all but my contact said they'd made their own peace. It is pretty disgusting the way some people will pile on and beat a man when he's down, just a chance to show they're bigger and stronger. I haven't seen either of them so I'm hoping they went out somewhere and got lost.
Many things weight heavy on my mind. If it is not Cirywen's case, then it is the every day troubles of a Watcher in Bree. It's my involvement with Billium and what his Defense militia has become with his new additions. It worries me though I said I would trust his judgment I wonder sometimes if I will regret those words. The farm is coming along, lucky we had enough in the savings to pay the masons and carpenters and to buy more chickens and the oxen were saved. The unburned fields will be ready for harvest in time, though the recent heavy rain is concerning, I try not to dwell on that, as there is nothing I can do about it. Corrinne and Hutwig seem to have it all in order and I trust my twin to handle the situation though she's been rather quiet and withdrawn, even more so than normal. Likely the effect of the raid but she's strong and I trust she'll be back to normal soon enough. Perhaps it will all be like new again once our parents return. If they do. That is another thing nagging at me and I saw Piperel when she brought me some leftovers from work (though it comes from The Bloody Dawn's kitchen I won't say no to her cooking. She started telling me all sorts of nonsense about wanting to go search for them and I set her straight, there was no way she would go, even with Gorlen, into what could very well be a war. That was final. She left with that look on her face that tells me what she really thought about my opinion and it involved shoving it into a certain orifice.
On the bright side, I have spent more time with Ellany and I find myself thinking about her more often and looking up each time the door to the jail opens and hoping to see her lovely face framed with that pale sunlit hair. I dream of gold and green and soft pale skin and when I see her my heart skips a beat. I've had women before, some I liked and some I just knew. She is nothing like them, she's smart and makes herself useful, she is stunning and sweet with just enough spice to keep me on my toes. I can hardly notice anyone around when she is with me, all I want to do is get lost in those green pools and golden fields. I think I love her, too. And it scares and exhilarates me. I can only hope she feels the same and won't let my past scare her off too much.
