[@Shadowheart]

	[b]"[i]Moonstone[/i], you say?"[/b]  Matthias' face lit up.  He stroked his chin with intrigue, a cheshire grin stretching across his gaunt features.  [b]"I've heard of that name before.  It belongs to a renowned coven of witches who dwell in this very forest.  In fact---[i]they[/i] are the ones I have been searching for."[/b] 

[@AwesomeZero5]

	But before he could press her for more information, another wished to join the conversation at hand — or rather, barge rudely into it.

	Matthias' eyes darkened at the stranger's approach, bile creeping up his throat.  His teeth grit behind closed lips.  [i]How dare this fool intrude.[/i]

	[b]"Pardon me, good sir,"[/b] Matthias spoke in a composed, sincere manner, yet there was a tinge of annoyance to his voice.  [b]"but I was having a conversation with Miss Viola here---one that you so callously interrupted.  What exactly, if I may inquire, do you need a guide for?"[/b]

	His intense gaze flicked between the short fellow, noting the prosthetic hand and the staff he clutched in it, and the book he produced from his robes.  An eyebrow arched.  [i]It would seem this one is also a magic-user.[/i]