"What the fel is going on here?" Baros Alexston had awoken in a strange room. The last thing he remembered was leaving his home and walking towards City Hall. Then...he woke up here. Baros scratched his head as he sat on the edge of the bed. His mouth felt as though he had eaten something fuzzy and it left all the fuzz on his tongue.

Standing up, he glanced around the room. It looked like a standard guest room, he supposed. He approached the door and put his ear to it. Baros had no idea what to listen for and then decided not to bother. He wasn't an SI:7 agent. Why act like one? He reached for the door knob and slowly turned it. It wasn't locked. Baros opened the door and stepped into a hallway.

A bored-looking man stood to his left. "You're awake. Good." He sounded cordial, but irritated at the same time. "I've been asked to escort you to the dining room when you woke up. Follow me."

Baros frowned at the man. He was dressed in the familiar leathers that rogues usually wore. "I'll do no such thing! Where am I?" He crossed his arms in front of his chest. The rogue, who had already started to walk away, stopped, then slowly turned back toward Baros with a hard expression on his face. "I was told to escort you, not play twenty questions, Mr. Alexston. You want answers? Then follow me!"

Baros saw that he had little choice but to follow. However, that didn't stop him from speaking his mind. "Fine. I should have known that some no-name lackey wouldn't be able to answer a simple question."

The rogue stopped again and slowly unsheathed a dagger. In a flash, he had turned around and closed the short distance between them. His dagger-tip pressed against Baros' throat, but didn't break the skin. "Because I respect our host, I'm going to let that slide just this once! But if you ever speak to me that way again, expect a knife in your back as soon as you leave here!"

Baros wisely fell silent. But he noted to himself that the rogue had let slip some information. Whoever brought him here seemed to consider him a guest, which meant he could possibly leave at some point ...he hoped anyhow.

The rogue backed away and sheathed his dagger, once more leading Baros through the corridor. After a few twists and turns, and a trip down two staircases, they finally arrived in a dining room where lunch was being set out. At the head of the table was a man with white hair.

Baros frowned as he recognized him. "You!" He stepped around the lackey rogue and towards the man he had seen in his office yesterday.

"Ah, Mr. Alexston. I'm so glad you accepted my invitation to visit my manor." The man stood and approached Baros.

"I told you no, Mr. ...uh..." He realized the man had never given his name.

"Call me Lord Jorach. May I call you Baros?"

"It doesn't matter what you call me! I told you no, and I meant it!" Baros turned towards the door, only to find the lackey rogue blocking the way with a smirk on his face. "Jorach, tell your...servant to get outta my way!" He ignored lackey-rogue's glare.

"I'm afraid I won't do that Mr. Alexston. You see, I don't like to take no for an answer."

Baros turned to look at him once more, this time he studied the man before speaking. "Do you mean to tell me that you won't let me leave until I agree to do this job for you?"

"Something like that. Come. Join me for lunch and we'll discuss your situation."

Baros slowly approached the table, and sat in the seat that a servant had pulled out for him. But he didn't touch the food they had brought.

Lord Jorach chuckled at the architect's reticence to eat. "Go ahead. The food is delicious. I personally hired the chef. And as you know, I'll only hire the best."

"Did you convince him the same way you're trying to convince me to work for you? I wouldn't be surprised if the food was poisoned." Baros sneered.

"I assure you, the food is not poisoned. And if Chef Garnith heard you say such a thing, he'd probably try to knock you on the head with a rolling pin." Lord Jorach smiled amiably and took a bite of his food as though to prove his point. "And he was much easier to hire than you. I simply matched what he wanted for his wages, and then added ten percent as a bonus once a month. He was quite happy to join my staff."

"Yeah? Is he allowed to leave here?"

"Of course. He does his job. In fact, he went home for a two week vacation, just last month. Paid by me. I treat those who work for me well."

Baros thought about this for a moment, then reached for the glass of water to drink. He still had that fuzzy feel to his mouth and hoped to wash it away. It was at this point that he realized that he was hungry. He considered his situation for a moment then decided he might as well go ahead and eat the food. But in his mind, he was quite adamant about refusing this job. The man couldn't hold him here forever.

As they ate, Lord Jorach tried to engage Baros in idle conversation, but Baros would nothing of it. So the rest of the meal was eaten in silence. As soon as it was done, Baros stood up. "Well, I thought about your offer, Jorach, and my answer is still no. So, I'll just be on my way."

"I'm sorry to hear that Mr. Alexston. It seems you'll need some more convincing." He stood up as well. "I'll have my personal tailor see you in a short while. It seems you were in such a hurry to visit me, that you had completely forgotten to pack. I have some old clothes I can let you borrow, and Venaay can sew them up to fit you just right. We can't have you going around wearing the same clothes during your stay here."

Baros got the message loud and clear. He wasn't going anywhere until he agreed to do the job. The old man was stubborn, he'd give him that. But Baros was just as stubborn, if not more so. "You can't keep me here, Jorach. I've got friends in high places. They'll come looking for me."

"You mean like Mathias Shaw, Leader of SI:7?" Lord Jorach's ice-blue eyes sparkled as though he had been expecting the subject of Shaw to come up. "He and I had a nice conversation about you in his office before I approached you."

Baros couldn't hide his shocked look. "You mean he sent you to me?"

"In a manner of speaking."

Baros was torn. He couldn't believe Shaw would betray him, like this. Not after... Baros shook his head. No. This Lord Jorach is a manipulator. He's twisting things so they would work in his favor. Baros recomposed himself. "He'll come after me."

"So sure, are you?"

"Yes."

Lord Jorach paused a moment at the architect's confidence in Shaw. Now he had to wonder why. Still, he dismissed the thought for now. It was something to ponder another time. "I suppose I wouldn't be surprised if he shows up. However, he has no jurisdiction here."

"I'm an upstanding Stormwind citizen! His jurisdiction is where I am!"

The white-haired man only smiled. "Not. Here." He then headed towards the door, pausing before exiting. "I'm afraid leisure time is over for me." He nodded towards the lackey rogue. "Stavron here will be your bodyguard for today. I'm afraid the others here are not always...in the best of manners."

"Hrumph! Some bodyguard. He doesn't like me- threatened me with his knife"

"Oh?" Lord Jorach turned to Stavron with a question in his eyes.

Stavron only shrugged. "He insulted me." He then glared at Baros. "And it's called a dagger."

Baros only shrugged. "Knife, dagger...all the same to me." Stavron growled. "See? He doesn't like me. Perhaps you can provide another bodyguard...preferably not a rogue."

Lord Jorach and Stavron shared a look, then the older man chuckled. "Mathias warned me that you didn't like our kind." He was highly amused. "I'm afraid you're just going to have to accept Stavron."

Baros frowned. "What do you mean, your kind?"

"Rogues, Mr. Alexston. We are all rogues here. You are in the home of the Assassin's League. I am their leader." He turned to Stavron. "Hold your temper as best you can. I don't want my guest harmed. But," here he glanced at Baros. "You may use whatever means you have to keep him from leaving ...not that he would want to. It's dangerous out there for a man without weapons, armor, or the skill to use them."

He then turned to leave, but paused one last time as he looked over his shoulder. "By the way, welcome to Ravenholdt Manor, Mr. Alexston." He then left.

Baros could only stand there for a moment as he digested this new information. Rogues. He was surrounded by rogues. Finally, he stepped out of the dining hall. "If I get out of this alive," he muttered to himself, "I'm gonna kill Shaw!"

…

Ileeya was glad that Adorei was asleep. She put the infant down in the small pile of hay in the corner of the cell. Sitting down next to her daughter, she covered her face with her hands. "Don't let your fears rule you." That's what Kirlothenin's parting words were. He hadn't shown any emotion. Almost from the moment he had woken up, and after he had made sure she was all right, he had been distant and stone-faced. She couldn't read him or tell what he had been thinking. He almost reminded her of what he was like the first time she had met him.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Kristie giving her a concerned look. Ileeya just shook her head before the human went to hold Amy, who was crying. How are they going to get out of this? How were Kirlothenin and Adam going to get out of their predicament? Ileeya's mind went to her father. Surely by now he knew that they were missing. He had found her before. Could he do so again?

"Well now, that messy business is done and over with. I should get a good amount of gold for those two."

Ileeya's head popped up and she glared at the forsaken man. He entered the empty cell that Kirlothenin and Adam had occupied and took a closer look through the bars at Ileeya. She picked up Adorei and backed away from that side of her cell.

"Come back, elf. I want to see my goods."

Ileeya shook her head as she heard Jelune growl at him. The undead man just stood there, watching her for a few minutes. She began to squirm under his gaze. Don't let your fears rule you. Ileeya remembered Kirlothenin's words and forced herself to turn away from the forsaken, trying hard to ignore him. The shuffling of feet told her that he was moving. She stole a quick glance towards him to see where he was going.

He was no longer looking at her. Instead, he went to a long table that lined the opposite wall to the cells. Various tubes and beakers were scattered across the top. Ropes hung from the ceiling and against the wall above the table. Some cloths rested on one end. She moved slightly as she watched him. His back was to them. What was he doing? After a few minutes, he turned back around, holding another vial. His yellow eyes found hers. Her heart began to pound. He was up to something. She didn't trust him.

"I'm going to tell you one more time. Come over here, elf." He held up the vial. It held that yellow gas. She assumed it was the same that had made Kirlothenin and Adam motionless. If she became motionless, she would be unable to protect Adorei. But she still didn't want him near her or Adorei.

She kept to the back of the cell, shaking her head. "You'll have to come get me." She spoke the words with more confidence than she felt. When Kristie moved next to her, she felt a bit relieved to have her support. A jangling of keys told her that the forsaken was going to do exactly what she had said. Ileeya put Adorei down in the back corner near Amy's cell and got ready to fight.

The cell door opened and the forsaken slowly approached, watching both women. Ileeya saw Kristie attack first. The human kicked at the undead man's knee and a crack was heard. But what would have hurt a live man, only annoyed the undead. He shook his leg and lashed out with his left arm, knocking her against the cell bars. The men in the other cell were yelling, but Ileeya didn't hear what they were saying.

Ileeya took this opportunity, when he was distracted, to strike out with her own leg towards his gut. But instead of hitting him, he had grabbed her ankle and yanked on it, pulling her off balance. Ileeya fell on her rear end. She quickly turned to make sure she hadn't fallen too near Adorei. She didn't want to accidentally hurt her.

When she looked back, she saw Kristie take on that same blank look that Kirlothenin and Adam had gotten earlier. The forsaken approached her with the vial and she backed up until she hit the wall. Ileeya knew she losing this fight and held up her hand. "Wait!" He paused. She didn't want to be helpless to protect her daughter. "I won't fight anymore. Just don't use that, please."

Her heart thudded against her breast as she watched him glance at the vial. His thumb covered the vial and he reached down with his free hand. Grabbing her by the neck, he lifted her up and pushed her against the wall. His hands were cold and clammy. The fingertips were nothing but bone and scratched her where they met her skin. She held her breath as his face came close to hers. The smell was overpowering.

"What's your name?"

Ileeya had to look away. She noticed that there was no breath when he spoke. His chest did not rise and fall with breath like the chests of living creatures. She didn't answer him at first, unsure if she should give him her name. His hand moved and pressed the side of her chin until her face began to be forced into the hard wall. Pain began to build from the pressure. She could hear Jelune's voice, taunting the forsaken, trying to get him to leave her alone.

"Ileeya. My name is Ileeya."

"Last name."

"Whitestar."

"And the infant?"

Ileeya hesitated and she felt her face pressed against the wall again. "Adorei!" She felt herself pushed quickly down to the ground. By the time she had gotten herself turned around and standing again, he was holding her daughter. Ileeya's face paled as he began to walk out of the cell. Ileeya followed after him, dreading what he could do to her baby. "Leave her alone! Please!"

She was only a little surprised to find he had not prevented her from leaving the cell. Perhaps he knew she would not leave Adorei. He kept an eye on her, however, as he moved to the cell that Kirlothenin and Adam had been in. "Go in."

Ileeya shook her head. "Not without Adorei!"

The forsaken knew just how to make her obey him. The arm that was holding Adorei let go of her for a split second, but he caught her quickly. "Next time I won't catch her. Enter!"

With clear frustration and fear on her face, she entered the cell and immediately turned to take Adorei only to have the cell door closed between them. Ileeya panicked. Kirlothenin's warning forgotten. "Give her back to me! Please! I'll do anything you say, just give her back!"

"Yes, you will do as I say, Ileeya Whitestar." He wasn't looking at her, though. He was studying Adorei. "She's a half breed!" He absently moved back to the cell that only Kristie occupied now and locked it. "That blood elf?" He finally looked up at Ileeya. She slowly nodded her head. "Interesting."

She watched him poke and prod at Adorei until the infant woke up, crying in annoyance. "This one could be worth a fortune for her mixed heritage." He seemed to ponder this as Ileeya felt dread course through her. Finally, he approached the cell, opened the door and handed the infant back to her. "But until she is older and more useful for experiments." He closed the door quickly and locked it.

He then moved back to the cell with Kristie in it. She was slowly coming out of the trance or whatever it was she was in. "What is this one's name?" Ileeya glanced towards Jelune and Lord Aron. They only glared at the forsaken man.

"Kristie Alexston."

"The child?"

Ileeya looked at the orphan trying desperately to reach for Kristie through the bars. "Amy Masters."

"And these two?" The forsaken finally put himself in front of the last cell.

"I can speak for myself." Jelune looked very angry at the treatment of his sister and niece.

"Then state your name."

Jelune gave him a defiant look.

"Very well, I shall call you Specimen #1 and you will be on the top of my list for my next experiment."

"His name is Jelune Mooncaller. He told me as much earlier." The human stepped forward, ignoring Jelune's glare. "My name is Lord Aron Boxley. And you are...?"

The forsaken's gaze went to the human with mild interest. "I am Jerold Grimmort. Your title means nothing here. I am not impressed with such things." He turned away.

"If it's gold you were deprived of, I can offer a solution."

Jerold paused. "You have no gold on you. You can offer nothing."

"I can get the gold. Name your price."

Jerold slowly turned towards him, eyeing the man and trying to determine his character. "For...?"

"My freedom. And the freedom of Miss Alexston and the child."

"That's a stiff price to pay, Aron Boxley." Jerold became curious now. "You do not ask for the cost for the night elves?"

"You already said the female and infant were not for sale. I do not know this night elf beside me. But the woman and child are known to me. She is the daughter of a respected gentleman I know and consider a friend." Lord Aron looked as though he were arranging some sort of deal at the House of Nobles instead of bargaining for their lives.

Kristie watched the proceedings with growing astonishment. Why didn't he offer to buy Adam before he was taken away? She recalled that he hadn't even protested when Adam was lead out of the room.

The forsaken had taken a step towards Lord Aron. "Just how much are you willing to pay?"

"How much do you expect to get for us?"

Jerold named the price for each.

"I'll match that and add 20%."

"Gold is gold, and that is a good price, I will admit." He fell silent as he thought the offer over. "I could keep Jelune for my experiments." He made the motion of sighing, though there was no expulsion of air since he didn't breathe. "Too bad you don't have the gold on you." Jerold turned away once more.

"Then let me go get it!"

Jerold stopped. He thought it over for a few minutes then spoke without turning around. "How far are you willing to go for your, and your friends' freedom, Boxley?"

There was silence as Lord Aron considered the forsaken's question. "What do you mean, exactly?"

Now Jerold turned around with a calculating smile on his dead face. "I mean, Mr. Boxley, are you ready to chance death for their freedom?"

Ileeya could see perspiration form on Lord Aron's forehead as he realized what he may be getting himself into. She wanted to tell him not to accept, but feared repercussions from Grimmort. Lord Aron glanced at Kristie and Amy before swallowing and looking back at Jerold. "I am."

The forsaken quickly turned and left the room, not bothering to close the prison room door. A few minutes later, he returned and thrust a vial towards Lord Boxley. "The deal is for you to retrieve the gold we agreed upon and return with it in exchange for yours and their freedom. If you accept the deal, you will drink this. It is a slow-acting poison that will take 20 hours to come to full potency. I have the antidote upstairs." He waved towards the door.

"If you do not return with the gold, you will die. If you tell anyone of me and the others here, I will not give you the antidote. If you tell anyone of those who left here today, I will not give you the antidote. And trust me, I will know. Do you accept the terms?"

Lord Aron looked at the vial and then at the forsaken. "How do I know you will keep your word?"

Jerold smiled. "You don't. There's the risk." He then offered the vial again.

"Don't bother taking it, Lord Aron." The voice belonged to Kristie. "I won't leave here without the others."

Lord Aron turned to her and gave her an authoritative look. His voice matched his look. "Reuben did his duty at my request, Miss Alexston. It's high time I did mine. His brother had said so himself. I do this for him as much as for you. I know my duty. Do you know yours?" He glanced at Amy.

Ileeya had no idea who this Reuben was, but apparently Kristie did. After staring into Lord Aron's eyes, the sculptress relented and looked away. Ileeya felt a little relieved. If this forsaken kept his word, then at least those three would be safe.

With a slight nod, Lord Aron took the vial from Jerold and drank the contents.