A child lost

The Widow of Webwood gazed down at her infant daughter burbling in her spider's-web cradle. She picked her up rubbing her nose against her daughter's. The infant giggled and placed her hands on her mother's face.

"Mama," she said speaking for the first time. "Mama, Mama." The Widow laughed in delight. One of the guard spiders came in panicking.

"There are intruders in Cathrus?! I will NOT tolerate it! Get rid of them!" She commanded. The spider made a sound. "You're right," she admitted. "Guard the nursery. Protect my daughter and the newborns." She laid her daughter down in the cradle and left to deal with the mortals who had dared to enter Cathrus. A few minutes later she heard her daughter wail in distress.

"NO!" She screamed. A woman faced her with the Widow's daughter in her arms. The woman vanished taking the infant with her. The Widow's scream of rage and grief echoed through Webwood.