“A Mr. Marder Humblefoot to see you, sir.”

“Thank you, Gruush-Kar,” said Sir Silwynn. “Bring out our halfling-sized chair, will you?”

Gruush-Kar nodded stiffly, returning a moment later with a chair perfectly sized for Marder. As he did so, Marder noticed a talismen glinting about his neck in the form of three interlinked moons about an axe.

“Ah, so very kind of you to provide,” said Marder, sinking happily into it. “It’s always a welcome surprise, a halfling-chair.”

“That will do, Gruush-Kar,” Silwynn said, dismissing his butler with a wave of his hand. Then, turning to Marder: “It’s my pleasure, Mr. Humblefoot. I often entertain Gorby Stoutmantle here for smoking and cards, you see.”

“Ah, Gorby is a kinsman of mine,” Marder said. “My second cousin once removed on my mother’s side. I see him at the odd reunion. Does he still fancy himself a card shark, or have his defeats at your hand brought him a measure of humility?”

“Now, now, Mr. Humblefoot, I get as good as I give,” said Sir Silwynn. “Now, you didn’t come here just to flatter me. what can I do for you?”

Marder nodded. “Yes, yes, to business then. It’s the matter of poor unfortunate Vyll Moonstar.”

“Ah, my poor unfortunate cousin,” Silwynn said. “To be cut down on the very day of her coming-out party…truly a miserable omen for the Demesne.”

“It’s my understanding that she was overheard arguing with one of her kinsmen,” Marder said. “I was wondering if you might know whom, and about what.”

“Perhaps it was her mother, Estyr,” Sir Silwynn said. “They had quarreled for some time, you see, over the eligibility of a certain suitor for her hand. We of the Moonstar family often struggle with the traditions of our immortal forefathers, and Estyr always was a traditionalist. I know that she had been quietly sending feelers to well-heeled young elves of various proud bloodlines well in advance of the event.”

“Ah, a most keen insight,” Marder said, scribbling in his book. “But there is one wrinkle; at least one witness hear her mention the name Three Moon Axe, and a pendant of the same description was found on her person after her death.”

“Well, I have always prided myself on maintaining a knowledge about my waitstaff and help,” said Silwynn. “Three Moon Axe is an itinerant orc clan that passes through every so often. You may have heard that they are encamped on the moors near Mudgington. I imagine that is a touchy subject for those who would like to see them gone.”

“Could it be that Ms. Moonstar was, secretly, entertaining a proposal from a Three Moon Axe orc?”

“Preposterous,” snorted Sir Selwynn. “She would sooner entertain a proposal from my horse.”

Marder scribbled. “I noticed your butler wearing the same sigil. Do you think he would know?”

“Feel free to interview him if you like,” said Sir Silwynn. He rose, stretching, and then blew a clear note on a small silver trumpet. “I regret I have no more time for you this afternoon, Mr. Humblefoot, but Gruush-Kar will see to any needs you have.”

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