I
The elf Ireniana Falfaren and the halfling Melissa Tarrsbourough were sorting files and notes on prior investigations, when they head the cheers and screaming coming from outside of their office.
After Putting on their coats and their hats, they walked outside to see hundreds of people flooding the streets of Mauertain‘s dock ward.
“The entire city must be out on this very street,” Melissa commented. She and Falfaren quickly made their way through the crowd, while saying hello to the townspeople they were familiar with. Children were throwing flowers and confetti to the stage.
Once they reached the front of the crowd, they spotted a burly ork trying to control the crowd. Recognizing the chain armor he wore over his body, Falfaren and Melissa walked forward. “Quite a spectacle you have here Graymood,” Falfaren said as she tapped the ork on the back.
Lieutenant Graymood Danrys turned to greet Falfaren and Melissa with a wide smile. “Yes, the queen and Marshall Armarose have all of the guard on crowd control.”
“Judging by your jaw, it does not look easy,” Falfaren commented, referring to the tooth that the ork chipped moments before they had arrived. “Where is Captain Nestor?”
Graymood looked to the front of the crowd and said,” He is up there standing with the queen and Lady Selene.”
Melissa and Falfaren turned to each other with confused looks. “Who is this Selene?” the halfling asked as someone pushed past her. “Is she anyone special?”
The ork’s yellow eyes widened in astonishment at the question. “I know you both have been here for less than a year, but you must know of Selene Montabelmont.”
After both Falfaren and Melissa shook their heads, Graymood sighed and added,” She is one of the most honored bards and performers of her generation.”
Falfaren held up a finger, remembering the name. “She was a stage performer, but I heard she was killed in battle several years ago.”
“She did die Miss Falfaren, but the church brought her back from the dead,” Graymood said
Melissa shrugged her shoulders and said,” The church has brought back people before. Is there any special reason why they are holding a ceremony?”
The ork let out a grunt as he felt an elbow push into his back. “Selene lived in Mauertain for many years before her death and brought a renewed interest in the arts. She has decided to perform a series of shows at the Beresford Theater.”
“That sounds exciting,” Falfaren said, staring up at the actress. Selene had a beautiful, voluptuous figure, wore a white silk dress with small emeralds embroidered at the collar. Although Falfaren guessed she was in her late thirties, Selene’s olive green eyes were filled with determination and youthfulness.
Falfaren turned her attention to Nestor. His chestnut colored hair had been trimmed to just above the ears and his face was clean shaven. Behind him were a group of priests in red robes.
“Captain Nestor seems to be enjoying himself,” the elf remarked as she watched her friend speak to the actress.
“He is a lucky bastard,” Graymood said with a hint of jealousy in his voice. “Many would give their right hand to be up there with Selene, myself included. I have been a fan of her work since I was a boy.”
Both Falfaren and Melissa stared at the ork when he added,” My father is a playwright back home and she and her companions served as basis for many of my father‘s protagonists, including Abaraxs the holy and Minerva the swift, both of whom were based on Selene‘s companions.”
Falfaren smirked at the ork’s comment and looked back up at the stage where Selene took a bow. She wondered if she would get a chance to cross paths with the Selene.
II
Two days after the ceremony, Falfaren and Melissa were shopping at the market when approached by Agatha Haracade, the baker who lived down the street from their office.
“Miss Falfaren, Miss Tarrsburough, could you please come to my bakery, I fear that someone has been killed?” Agatha requested as they walked down the street.
Falfaren and Melissa quickly dropped off their groceries at their office and followed Agatha to her bakery.
On their way to the bakery, Agatha asked Falfaren and Melissa,” Were you able to make it to the ceremony?”
Both Falfaren and Melissa nodded and Agatha continued,” I wonder if her adventuring companions were able to make it to the ceremony?”
“What about this murder?” Falfaren asked, hoping to keep Agatha’s attention to the murder.
Agatha took a deep breath and said,” When I entered the bakery, I found everything on the floor and Claudis was missing”
“Claudis, as in Claudis the fruit vendor?” asked Melissa.
“The same one,” Agatha replied when they reached the bakery. “He has been helping me count my inventory and cleaning the bakery.”
“And how do you know that Claudis was murdered?” Falfaren asked as she searched behind two tables. “Could it be he decided to ransack the bakery after closing?”
“That is what I thought when I came back and found this mess,” the baker said as the elf walk away from the tables and walked into the kitchen. “I went to his home but I was unable to find him.”
Melissa listened to the baker’s words as she walked across the kitchen and opened a small closet. She stepped back as the body of a young man was folded in the closet, his lifeless eyes open.
“I think I found Claudis,” said the halfling as she examined the dead fruit vendor‘s pale skin.
The baker walked over and jumped back when she saw the young man. “Poor, poor Claudis,” she began as Melissa traced her finger over the man’s skin.
“This is cold,” Melissa said, looking back at Falfaren. “I mean he’s dead so of course he‘s cold, but I mean he is frozen to the touch.”
Falfaren came over and looked at the body. “It looks like his body was frozen. Yet there is no evidence of ice in the closet or the floor.”
Melissa shook her head as she looked at the floor. “What’s that on the floor?”
Falfaren and Agatha bent down, staring at a light green residue. “This feels plant-like and a little bit damp.”
The baker nodded while Falfaren stood back up and helped Melissa pulled the body out of the cupboard. Both the elf and the halfling looked over the body until Falfaren unbuttoned the man’s shirt and looked at his stomach. “There is a scar on the belly but it is old.”
Melissa turned to Agatha and asked,” Aside from the murder, is there anything that is missing?”
The baker nodded and pointed to the empty pantry. “That is where I keep the apples I use for my pastries, and I can not find them anywhere.”
As Falfaren and Melissa looked down at the body, both Nestor and Graymood arrived at the bakery. “Good afternoon gentlemen, I‘m surprised that you showed up this late,” Falfaren commented.
Nestor and Graymood folded their arms. “We were at one of Selene’s shows,” admitted the ork. “Nestor has been spending much time with her.”
The captain bit his lip and looked at the body. “So what do we have here?”
Falfaren refocused her attention to the scene and began,” According to Agatha, Claudis the fruit vendor who would help her in the evenings. Melissa found his body in her closet and I found what I think are traces of plant on the floor.”
Graymood bent down and touched the residue. “This could be dry scalp.” He stopped as everyone stared at him.
“We think he was killed last night,” Falfaren said, looking at the body. “Have you gone to all of Selene’s performances?”
“Selene is a very talented actress Miss Falfaren, you should take the time to see her,” the ork said as he handed her two tickets. “I picked up tickets for you and Melissa for tonight’s performance.”
Falfaren smiled as she took the tickets. “Thank you Graymood, we will be putting these tickets to use, after we look into the investigation.”
After Graymood nodded, Falfaren turned to Melissa and said,” My dear Melissa, it looks like we’re going to the theater.”
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