"Nela!!!  You... mischievous elf Witch!!!  I swear you two elves are going to be the end of me!!!"  Darval said as he lept  off of the table he had jumped up on when Mithnela suddenly appeared scaring him half to death.  Then in a very rare show  of un dwarf like behavior Darval went and wrapped his strong arms around Nela's thighs as he gave her a tight hug.  "Thank the gods ye are well... and safe."  Then to cover for his unexpected show of emotion he let go of Mithnela and said.  "It would seem we are all in the mood for drink, let me go and see what other bottles might be laying about... and no Lord Lorn you do not have to worry, I have gold coins that I plan on leaving in exchange for whatever bottles we may use up.  By the time Darval had rounded up a couple more bottles of whiskey and a large platter of cold cuts and cheeses he had found in the cold box along with several loaves of bread his two friends were already sitting at the closest table by the fire.  After setting everything on the table Darval sat down next to Mithnela and patted her thigh under the table.  Looking at Lorn he said, "I checked out a few of the homes when I first arrived after finding that Mithnela here was not at home.  I found everything as you said they were at the palace.  Meals left on tables and projects left unfinished but that was only with a brief glance in through windows that happened to be open.  How do you propose we go about looking for clues Lorn?  As you said yourself we wont be able to find anything outside... not at least till this infernal rain stops but I fear even then we shall not find much.  Unless... well I might have just imagined it but as I was coming in to the city I could have sworn I saw a Unicorn.  Mith know how to communicate with anything magical... maybe if this Unicorn is still around it may be able to tell us a little something of what happened if it happened to be staying in this area for any length of time."  While he had been speaking Darval had been stacking cold cuts of all types along with several different kinds of cheeses onto half a loaf of bread.  Darval took a large bite of his huge sandwich and moaned happily as he said around a mouthful of food, "Mmmmmmm now that hits the spot."