Very unusual. The forge was in the backyard, as far as she knew. The basement had food stores and a few rooms for spare furniture...and not a lot else. She tried to see if there were any torches or anything unburned she could use as a light, though she could have navigated it blindfolded, and made her way through.
She found she didn't need any light as she found her way in the basement and noticed the golden light. Venturing further in, she found a tunnel, leading inward and curving to whatever lay deep within the earth here. There appeared to be no traps, no door - just an open tunnel that was lit up like a candle.
Margrett ducked inside, following the tunnel. A forge...under the earth. Red one. Trickery. She had a sneaking suspicion of what it was at the end of this tunnel, and she didn't like it.
Coming around the corner she was confronted by a being - red being. It was carrying a rather well made pick axe and sitting upon the rubble in this tunnel, smiling. It looked much like it was expecting her arrival and barely stirred as she came upon it.
"The prodigal daughter returns I see. Now. Let's not dally. You make a wish, I grant it, I go free, the forge is lost. Deal?"
The demon thing sneered as she asked her questions and swung it's legs. It looked at her as though it was somewhat amused and not in the slightest intimidated.
"My name you have not earned and my kind are loathe to speak them. I am here because I choose to be or rather, my choice compels me to stay. The Kobolds are of no consequence, such lowly creatures they are. I shall reclaim them soon enough.
As for you Margrett Mikael, all know; especially here. You know this already. There is nothing you can hide from me."
Riddles. She put her hands on her hips, giving the demon a disapproving glare. She probably wasn't going to get the demon's name, given the whole true name thing.
Though I shouldn't expect anything less. I'll ask again; why are you here? And how do you know my name? You obviously need me, or someone like me in order to "set you free," as you said. I can wait here all day if you like.
"I know all things, this is my nature Margrett Mikael. I am here for my forge and I have had it, I shall leave once you ask your wish. Isn't that what you want? I can bring it all back, this town, your father, all the faces you know and love. One simple wish, ask for anything and you shall have it. Fame, wealth, power, all of this is possible. Anything. You would like to see him again yes? See them all? Perhaps you would like to turn back time?
You need but ask for a wish. I will leave and cause you no more concern, I have... business to attend to. Without my name, what else should you do with me? Perhaps you want the forge..."
Demons don't just grant wishes. They're always wrong. Twisted. Even the smallest child knows that. You know I can't do that. I can't risk it. She glared at him again.
"Nonsense. The devil is in the details as they say. So many people ask foolishly, they don't think through their words. As long as you don't try to outsmart me, which you cannot; and don't ask for something I will be compelled to deny, well.... it's rather simple. There's only so many ways a wish can be twisted.
But I rather keen to see what you'll ask for. You help me and I help you. You get your wish. You can be happy, have anything you like. It's of no consequence to me. I will be released and as soon as I have dealt with my Kobolds, I will be gone from here.
I am not compelled to teach you anything of the forge. Sorry."
He looked at her with a bastard smile. She didn't have any sway over him and there was only one way to manage that, which she knew well.
I'm just going to leave if you're going to give me the run-around. I'm screwed either way. You're a moron if you think I'm going to take a wish from a demon. Unless you can somehow prove or promise to me you're not going to do anything shifty. She nonchalantly looked around.
I'll probably collapse the building into the basement. It'll settle, harden. The tunnel will be closed off. No one will come down here for years. Hundreds, maybe thousands. I own this land, and eventually I'm going to build something here. I might come back and brick off the basement. That'll be fun. I'm sure you love it down here.
The demon scowled then, spat at her and twirled the pick in his hand.
"You cannot collapse the forge and someone will find it. It is not unknown, it contains much power. Some day I will be set free.... and you will be long gone.
On THAT day I will visit my anger upon Williamsburg, slaying every babe before it's mother and turning this town back to ash... all in the name of Margrett Mikael. That is the only promise you shall get from me.
You haven't my name and should you refuse a wish then I suppose we are done. Ignore the forge and build your town. I WILL have my revenge..."
He cackled in a chilling manner, there was no doubt he meant every word of it. She knew he was immortal of course, it was entirely likely he would be freed at some stage.
You're not going to tell me, but what is your name? How in the hell did you get trapped down here anyways? Why do you need a wish? This whole thing very, very vague.
"I wanted their precious, now I have it. But they were smart, they trapped me here as I had trapped them. How does it feel, having a Kobold smarter than you? A wish sets me free as you know. That is what I want. I own the Kobolds, they will not keep from me. I will have them again. We have a contract. What you do is of no concern to me.