A present?

An hour later, Defender came to. She found that she was still laying in front of the tree where she had last encountered Nightlord. She also found that she was no longer bound but that her cape had been taken. She wasn't too sad to see that go. It was comfortably warm in Nightlord's maze so she didn't really need it. She was disappointed that her lord had left her though. She had to admit she was enjoying the game. Especially the festive theme.

She was about to get up and reenter the maze only but as she was about to stand up, she noticed something. Next to the tree was a rather large box wrapped in star spangled wrapping paper that matched her outfit. Taking a closer look, she found that the tag had it addressed to her. Defender thought for a second.....was this just part of the decore or had Nightlord actually left her a present? Or was this one of her traps. "Only one way to find out I guess." She said as she opened up the box.

Inside she found a rather large nutcracker. It was about the size of a vantriquest dummy sported far more articulation than she expected. Defender looked at it with a confused look. "Now why would he give me this." SHe said as she ran her hands across the Nutcracker. "Well, I think I'll leave you heard for now." She said as she placed the nutcracker against the cardboard box before rising to her feet and heading to the door. Expecting another trap, she went to kick the door only to be ment with a loud thud. She kicked it again but it was the same result. This door must have been armored. She was afraid to try the doorknob for fear of getting shocked. "Now what?" She said as she put her hands on her hips in annoyance.

She turned around to see if there was another way out and was shocked to find that her nutcracker was no longer sitting by the box. Defender looked around the room. "My lord......is that you." She said, with a smile on her face. She then saw a shadow being cast by the light of the tree. She carefully tiptoed around to the other side but as she did, the shadow disappeared. "What on earth?" She said. Suddenly she felt something scamper up her back but before she had a chance to fight back, a chlorform rage was pressed over her nose and mouth. WIthin seconds, Defender had passed out. Standing over her was her nutcracker.