Mabon headed for Loch Modan. The Commander had promised to make a mechanical squirrel if she supplied the copper, so she was out looking for mines. She decided to stop into the inn and get some supplies. She turned the corner, and stopped short. Sven! Her heart leapt to see her beloved uncle, then nearly stopped as his treachery came flooding back. Sven saw her seconds after she saw him, and came running towards her, yelling her name.
Screaming, Mabon ran from the inn, with Sven close behind her. She sprinted as fast as she could, but he was just as fast. Mabon headed for the loch, and called for help over the guild communications. Stormwalker, a young druid new to the guild, heard her. Mabon managed to yelp out her location before Sven grabbed her, clasping his hand over her mouth.
He was small, but very powerful. Sven spoke into a communications device, and seconds later, they were both summoned. When they arrived, Mabon saw a fireplace with a wreath above it, then her world went black.
She awoke, stiff and with a horrid headache. Sitting up, she looked around. She was in a cell, with bars across the opening, straw on the floor, and a man sitting in the corner.
“Oh, good. You’re awake. I’ve been a bit worried about you.” He smiled at her, but did not move. Mabon scooted away from him, pushing herself across the floor until she hit the wall at the back of the cell. “My name is Ashcrombe. I am a prisoner here, like yourself.” He remained seated and still.
“Where… where are we? What is this place?” Mabon was close to panic as she looked around the cell.
“It’s called Shadowfang Keep. I won’t hurt you, Miss. I value my life and that dwarf said he’d let the worgen rip me limb from limb if I so much as came near you.”
“My name is Mabon Stormrage. That dwarf… is… um… my uncle. Well, not really my uncle…. “ Mabon’s voice trailed off and she began to sob. “Oh… Kel… where are you?” She lay back down on the floor, weeping.
Ashcromb watched her cry, hoping the dwarf would not come back and think him responsible. He was stiff from not moving for so long, but did not dare change positions. Not with the worgen so close outside the cage.
Sven appeared outside the bars. “Mabon, lass?” he called softly. Mabon jerked her head up, her eyes full of terror. “Ah’m so sorry, lassie. Ah didne mean fer this t’ happen. This was all set up fer her, no’ you. But you surprised me an’ Ah had to act. If ye’ll let me, Ah’ll try t’ explain it all t’ ye.” Sven was obviously upset, as his accent was quite thick. Mabon sat up as he spoke, wiping the tears from her face. Who did he mean… “her”?
“Let me go, Sven. Please… don’t keep me here.”
“Ach, lassie, jes’ let me tell ye what’s happening. Ah ne’er meant ye or yer babes any harm. Why would Ah hurt me own flesh an’ blood?” Sven stood outside the bars, his eyes twinkling, and grinned.
