“We have been searching for ages but we haven’t found anything. We try to hold onto the hope that something, even the littlest hint, might be found. But it is hard to maintain morale when your friends and family continue to vanish without a trace.” Rowan said sadly.

“Maybe today will be better” Skarjaw said. Rowan didn’t answer, he just sighed in response. 

[hr]
“With our current lack of information” Leo said to Markus and Seymour, “we should start by interviewing the locals. We could try researching the people who vanished, where they were last seen, that sort of thing.”

There were many questions around the town, but no answers yet. Leo’s mind was filling with thoughts of the questions he could ask. Who had gone missing? Where were they last seen? He finished off the last of his soup, it was going to be a busy day.

Rowan quickly turned to look at Leo, having noticed that he was talking about the disappearances. “News of the disappearances must be travelling then” he said to himself.

“You are welcome to help” Rowan said to the three would-be investigators, “I’m sure that most of the searchers would be able to answer some of your questions.”

“Well, there’s no time to lose” Leo said as he stood up.

[hr]
Outside the tavern, the residents of Rosashire were waking up and starting their daily routines. Some people wandered around the town square, the search party were gathering at the monument. The shops were just starting to open, although there were no customers quite yet.