31

The room was enormous, the ceiling went up so high, and ti seemed like forever before Les made it to the center of the room. The closer Les got to the other end of the room, the shinier it seemed to be to her. she wondered at this and crept closer to one of the places where the fire was low, so that she could examine the wall more closely. At this close range, she could make out fine details on the sides of the basin, in what looked to be gold. The detailing was so fine and intricate it almost completely blended in with the dirt colored walls. Standing this close with her nose inches form it, Les could see that it wasn't dirt but carved stone. Whoever built this place took a lot of time and energy. Les kept moving towards the other end and wondered at the craftsmanship of the thrones as it appeared more and more clear to her with every step. Cautiously, when she reached it, Les mounted the short steps that climbed the platform. The floor of it was also intricately adorned with the gold from the walls and shone brightly like recently buffed marble. It was beautifully done and put together. Les let her eyes trail to the chairs, they were an utter masterpiece.

30

The basin of fire was so bright, it lit up, what she now saw as, the whole cavern. the basin itself touched down at this height only a few times throughout the entire room. Otherwise it went up into large arches around the room. Where she now stood was barely into the room and center of the opening she came in from. At the far end of the room there was what looked like chairs on a stage, cut out of the stone and there was a hall to both the left and right of it. Upon further observation, Les determined that this must be what a throne room or a palace ballroom might look like, if it were underground. she wondered where it came from, and why the tunnel led to her room. Les picked up her lantern to walk towards the thrones. As soon as the lantern was out of the black water completely, the light went out. She set it back down abruptly. Likewise, the room lit up again. Les was hesitant to explore this room without her lantern, she didn't know how long the magic black water would burn. But then again, it did seem to be alive. Les took a deep breath and ventured forth, once more.

29

Another step, and another, straight towards where the wall should be, and it wasn't there. This was very curious indeed. After about 12-15 steps, something shown faintly in the lamp light. It was about four feet high, and looked like a wall with a small basin between the sides. The basin was filled with a liquid that most certainly was not water, for ti was black and shinny. It also looked like it had purple sparkly flecks in it. Les reached out to touch it, mesmerized by it's color and brilliance in the firelight. The liquid was warm to the touch, and dripped like water through her fingers. Les started to wish she had her other hand free, and better lighting to examine it closer. Instinctively she set her lantern down in the stream of black water. As soon as the lantern touched the black water. As soon as the lantern touched it though; the water began to creep up the sides of the device as if it were alive. Les watched dumbfounded as the black water crept up and towards the fire. It crept as if it were drawn to the source of light. As soon as the black reached that height instead of snuffing out the flame, the black water ignited and subsided from the lantern. suddenly the whole basin was aflame.

28

Les looked back in the direction she'd just come from. The light from her room was faint and small. She hadn't realized how far she was traveling. The tunnel kept going in front of her, and so far there had been no turn offs, so she couldn't get lost following one path, so she pressed on. Up ahead the tunnel started to corner. Les kept moving forward, soon the path began to twist and turn before her. She was beginning to forget which way she was traveling, she'd started out traveling in an eastward direction. Now she'd lost her bearings on direction all together. But it was still one path and she wasn't afraid. The darkness around her seemed so complete now, she was glad for her lantern. Eventually she noticed that she could no longer see the wall to her Left, and that she'd been following closely to the wall to her right. She moved the lantern close to where the left wall should have been, but it didn't show in her lamplight. She took a step away from the wall she was following, but the did not show still. Curious, she took another step, and another. Still no Left wall. How wide had this tunnel grown?

27

Les yawned as she opened her eyes. She lay in her bed watching the sun dance on the pillow next to her head. Finally, she turned her head and squinted into the sunlight. As she sat up in bed she looked around her room. At eh corner of the foot of her bed; the wall was torn to shreds and it looked like a tunnel behind the broken pieces. Les stared at the holes for a long moment, then slowly, not sure what drove her to, she got out of bed and crept over to the wall. She heaved the bed out of the way. It was exhausting to push, for the bed was quite heavy, but finally, she got it away from the wall. This close up, she could see that the wall that was let could easily be pushed through. She put her hand to it, and it crumbled with very little applied pressure. It was a tunnel that lay behind. She could see that it was very long, though very dark. Again, she wasn't sure why, but she felt the need to explore it. She picked up the lantern from her table, lit it and soldiered forth. At first she had to crouch, but soon she could walk through upright, and it kept going.

26

Arriving home, Les realized how tired she was. She yawned as she stepped through the door and headed straight for her room. The house was quiet and cool, and she quickly fell to sleep. For a long time she slept peacefully, but after some time, she became restless. She began to toss and turn. If anyone could see her, they'd have thought she were restless in a nightmare, but if they’d ask her later, she wouldn't recall dreaming at all. Still; she was tossing and turning, her body moved about violently and she began to sweat from every pore. She moved around so much that her bed butted up to the wall Viciously and began to break through the wall. First the wall cracked, then started to crumble from the impact. On and On the violence of her sleep went. Then suddenly, it stopped. She fell very silent and motionless. All that could be heard was the fain in and out of er now steady breathing. The light danced through her ceiling window and on and on she slept. As the stream of sunlight moved across the room as the hours ticked on. It was not until the light moved to her face that she began to stir once more.

25

“I assure you, I have no idea what you mean.” She said to Fence as he descended his lookout. “Besides, Fred didn’t go looking for me. I think. We happened upon each other.” She said then turned to Fred for confirmation. “Right?”
Fred was taken off guard again. “What? Um, yeah, yeah, I just stumbled upon her.” He smiled foolishly.
Fence made a ‘you’re an idiot face’ at him, but let it go. “Anyways. Pops seems fine now. Bromney’s probably been doing strange experiments again. And it’s knocked pop off kilter, or sommat.” He winked at her. “Anywho. Hey Fred, you see Lauren today? Whooooie! You know what I’m sayin’? ...” They were obviously done with her, so she excused herself.
“Well, I’m going to go now. If I’m not needed anymore...” They didn’t flinch or notice she’d spoken. “Okay then.” And she continued on her way.
The rest of her short journey, she did the best to avoid running into anyone else, which wasn’t very hard. There were only three other possible peoples she could have run into, and only one of them looked to be home. But Mrs. Miller seemed busy tending her garden, and her back was turned so Les went quietly and quickly by.

24

“Have you been watching me, Fred?” She asked after a short pause in the conversation.
“Not really. I saw yur brother earlier; he said yur father had been lookin’ for ya since last night. And your brother is town watchman, he’d’ve known if you’d come back yet. But here ya are; returnin’ home from a walk. So I put two and two together.”
“And what you’ve come up with is that I left last night and haven’t returned yet.”
“Exactly.” Fred smiled, plsed with himself.
“Why was my father looking for me?” Connie asked, changing the subject slightly.
“Well that wasn’t the clearest. Fence said yur father’d come back from work in a hot mess, and was all; ‘Have ya seen yur sister? Somethin’s outta balance’ But I don’t know what that means. Neither did yur brother evidently.” They were nearing the hill where her brother’s tower was now. Connie and Fred both looked up to him as he shouted down at them.
“Oy! Fred! Didn’t mean for ya to go off and find ‘er, What! Where ya been Florence? Come back ta put pop’s world back in balance have ya?” He laughed at his own wit.

23

Connie looked up at Fred and made a face. “No, I had tripped before I heard you.” She noticed him still staring at her, so she dropped her skirt. “But I’m fine, really, just had a clumsy moment.” Then she turned to continue on her way. Fred was started back to reality, he’d probably seen too much of her leg for a second or two too long.
“Mind if I walk with you?” Connie turned to him and smiled and nodded, then stated down the road. “Thanks!” They walked on towards the town together in silence for a while. Fred all of a sudden turned to her and asked, “so where ya commin’ from?”
Connie didn’t know if anyone else knew about the old cottage and felt that she wouldn’t be the one to share its existence, so she answered; “Just out on a walk.”
“Where’d ya walk to?”
Connie frowned. Then smiled up at him “Just around. Nowhere in particular.” She shrugged.
“How long ya been walkin’? I know if I am out walkin’ too much I get clumsy too. Have ya been walkin’ since yous left last night?”
Connie almost paused. She hid her surprise well, that someone, anyone, was keeping tabs on her, especially Fred.

22

Les wondered if she should be scared, seeing how the fox darted off. The rustle in the woods was growing louder. Whatever it was it was getting closer and closer to where she was. She started edging herself away from the noise, and found herself backed up against a tree. Her eyes were wide, looking out for whatever it was. From out of the woods stepped a lumberjack. Les sighed, she’d been silly to be afraid. It was only Fred.
“Hey ya Connie.” Fred’s name for her was Connie. “Whatchya doin’ on the ground? Lemme help ya up.” He was a very friendly lumberjack.
Connie took his hand and let him help her up. “Thanks Fred. You sure do make a lot of noise stomping around in the woods.” She said as she brushed herself off. The hem of her dress was torn and hanging.
“Yeah, I don’t want to hurt the animals, so I like to make sure they know I’m coming, so they can get out of the way.” He smiled, pleased with his logic, then he noticed Connie examining the tear in her skirt. “You weren’t running from me were you, Connie? I’d hate to be the cause of you taking a spill. Are you hurt?”

21

Les was in shock. Someone was talking about her in town, a lot? She stuttered a moment. “I, I suppose I am. But who would’ve told you about me?” The fox giggled. “You’re not goint to tell me are you?” Les asked doubtful.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Let’s just say; I don’t know you well enough. But I am willing to know you more.” Les was confused. But thought it would be better to earn the answer than try to pry it, and never get it.
“Have you always been a fox?”
The fox laughed again. “Such a strange question. And, as far as I know; Yes, I have always been a fox.”
“Do you have a name?”
The fox laughed again. “My name is Talon. Like an eagle talon. Only, I’m a fox.” Just then there was a loud crack in the woods, which echoed quite close to them. Talon’s ears shot up alert. She dropped onto her haunches, and whispered to Les. “I can’t talk more now. I’ll see you tomorrow if you’d like.” Les nodded. “Meet me at the creek bridge at midday.” And she was gone, lost in the dark of the wood.

20

“That doesn’t seem like very many. Are they all different species?”
“You are surprisingly comfortable around me. Seriously, and no, there are two dogs, a horse and a cat that I know.”
“Les smiled, “Interesting.” So this fix didn’t know the mouse.
“Of course, there may be more, but I don’t go around talking to every creature I come across.”
“So you are the only wild one you’ve met? The other sound like domesticated animals. Do you frequently go around talking to every domestic creature you come across?”
“Witty aren’t we?” The fox shifted its posture. “Let me ask you something.” Les nodded. “What sort of girl isn’t even slightly afraid of a talking fox? Don’t you respect the magic involved here?
“I do respect magic,” Les answered calmly. “But, as you said, you can’t really harm me and don’t really desire to. The magic of it interests me. Beyond that… I guess I don’t get around much.”
The fox laughed at the girl. “I am glad I like you girl. Are you that nameless girl from the town I’ve heard so much about?”

19

When the fox started speaking, Les immediately relaxed. The fox noticed her tension ease, and walked around to sit directly in front of the girl who’d just tripped over itself.
“You are not afraid of me. Have you seen another talking fox who meant you no harm or something? Most people cower in fear.”
“Sorry to disappoint. Do you really think I should fear you?”
The fox smiled at the girl. “I like you. And no, I can’t really harm you any more than a dumb animal could physically. This is a little but not much. Besides, I am not dumb and have no desire to get dirty.”
Les started to smile and almost laughed.
“Have you, always been able to talk?”
The fox noticed the emphasis on the word ‘you’ in her question, so formulated it’s response accordingly. “I have been able to talk for as long as I can remember. And I am the only fox I kno of who can speak. Have you meat many animals who can speak?”
“No.” Les answered truthfully. She had not met many, only two and on the same day. “How many of you are there; animals that can speak?”
“I know of only four others besides myself.”

18

Les and Günther were both disappointed by the outcome of the test, but neither wanted to show it. They two had been getting acquainted, and it looked to be about mid-day now. Les bade Günther farewell, and promised to be back soon to visit her new friend. Then she headed home.
On her way she began to worry that someone might have been worrying about her, she’d been out all night, and half the day. She began to hurry to get there faster, through the woods to the town, through the town to where her home in a hill was. But before she even made it out of the wood, she tripped over a sleeping fox. She rolled on the ground, and skinned her knees and palms. The fox looked up lazily at her as if it hadn’t just been tripped over. It looked straight at her and she wasn’t sure, but she could have sworn it had just sighed. Before she could react, the fox was on its feet and walking slowly towards her.
“Clumsy little foolish girl. You really ought to watch where you’re going.” The fox lazily said as it walked around Les swooshing its tail.

17

“Abicus rabicus dabicus be, show the magic within me.” Günther illustrated with his eyes closed. Les looked at him frowning
“Are you serious? That’s it?”
“I believe so, yes. Now close your eyes and try.”
Les sighed  and closed her eyes. “Abicus, r-rabicus, dabicus be, show the magic within me.” She clenched her eyes so tights, afraid of what was, or was not, going to happen. She heard nothing, no breath at all. Günther was holding his breath too. Slowly she opened one eye and peeked around. “Was something supposed to happen?” She asked when she opened her other eye and dropped her arms to her side.
Günther was holding his mouse chin, muttering to himself;  “I am most certain those are the words. Put your hands out, and say those words. Eyes closed, hmmm… abicus, rabicus dabicus, abicus dabicus labicus? No, no, no, it’s rabicus dabicus, I’m sure of it.” He looked up at her. “Well, my dear; maybe you don’t have it. Never fear, we can still be friends and I will still try to think of a name for you.”

16

Günther waited expectantly. But it seemed as if Les was not going to say what that condition was. “May I ask what it is you require, so that I may know how to accommodate you?”
Les sat a moment longer and took a deep breath. “My condition is that you never lie to me.
Even if the truth will hurt, or may not be pleasant.”
Günther bowed to Les. “This I can and do promise you. I will never knowingly tell you a lie.
“When do we start?” she beamed.
“We can start today. Firstly, we need to test and see if you are eve magically inclined.” Günther started taking off is little coat and set his hat down. “My dear, will you please stand up? And try not to step on me as you do.” She obeyed. “Now, let’s see if I can remember what that test was.” He rolled up the sleeves on his tiny shirt as the thought. “Oh yes; Hold your hands out like this.” He demonstrated by holding his hands out to his sides. “Good. Now, repeat after me please.” Les felt silly, but she was ready for whatever happened, and was eager to comply.

15

Hesitantly, she continued speaking. “So what you’re saying to me is that you know how to get me an official name, but are helpless to bind me to it? You can only help me if I let you teach me. Are there any drawbacks to this deal? Are you just showing and telling me the good things?
“That would make me a salesman, wouldn’t it? I confess the only drawback would be; you would never know your full potential under my tutelage, because I never realize mine, or that; if you prove to not be able to wield magic, you will gain nothing from me. But I think that is worth testing.”
She sat there thinking it over. What if she couldn’t wield magic? The mouse wasn’t saying it, but Les had learned from her father that those who could not wield magic and had tried could be harmed from trying. Her father had lost his brother to it. And rumor had it that her mother had perished due to magical rejection. But her father was Bromney’s assistant. So though her chances of being inclined were slim, they weren’t non-existent.
“Alright,” she said finally, “I’ll do it, under one condition."

14

Without hesitation Les answered. “Yes.” and smiled. “No.” she frowned. “I don’t know.” She bit her lip, deep in thought. “Can I think about it?” she asked earnestly.
Günther smiled at her and sighed. “Of course you can. And I will think of a proper name for you, while you do.”
“Thank you.” She smiled again. “Would it be an official name? Could you do that? I mean, would it really be my name to everyone?”
“It’s possible. I cannot, however, make it happen by myself. I can’t say for sure if there’s not a specific reason why the wizard didn’t or was unable to give you a name. but I promise to think of one.”
That was right! How could she have forgotten? The wizard was the one who made people’s names official. It had been so long since she’d gone to him and he’d refused. He wouldn’t even make his name for her official. The name had to bind magically with the person. Maybe they’d tried when she was a baby, and the name rejected her. If she accepted Günther’s offer, she might finally get a name though.

13

“Pleased to meet you Günther mouse. I must apologize though, I don’t actually have a name.”
“What?!” the mouse was now baffled. “How can you not have a name? Didn’t’ your parent’s call you something specific as a child?”
“Well, yes, and no. For as long as I can remember, everyone I know has called me something different. I have asked my father what my name is but he always says he doesn’t want to talk about it. I suppose my mother would have known, but I never knew her.”
“That is very odd… What would you prefer I call you?”
The girl thought a moment. “You may, I suppose choose your own name for me like everyone else has. I call myself Les.”
“Alright, Les, Will have to do until we can get you a proper name.” They smiled at one another. “Now, Les, I have a proposition for you.” Les sat with her brow raised, not even bothering to fathom what sort of proposition he’d have. “How would you like to be my magic apprentice? I know I’m not a full wizard, but I would like to teach you what I do know. What say you?”

12

“Is that so? Could you still do potions, or are all your magical outlets rendered useless?” the girl asked.
“I’m not sure; usually a potion only works with a bit of magic infused into it, one of the key ingredients and all. But there are some that don’t require it. I could probably do those. However, they’re probably useless in the grand scheme of things. I could probably still teach someone to do it, if they were magically inclined, otherwise my magical knowledge would be rendered useless.”
The mouse had rambled on and just now caught his own words. He smiled up at the girl, an idea beginning to bloom in his brain. Why hadn’t he thought of this before? Probably because he didn’t believe anyone would react so calmly to a talking mouse. But he’d been watching this girl for a long while now and figured she could handle it. If only he knew if she were inclined. A smile grew across his face. The girl looked at him quizzically. “My dear girl, I just realized I have not properly introduced myself. My name is Günther the mouse. It is my deep pleasure to finally meet your acquaintance. May I ask what your name is, child?”

11

The girl leaned back on her hands while the mouse spoke, taking in all that he was saying. When he’d finished she sat a moment thinking, then asked. “Why? Did Bromney make you immortal? Or were you already cursed to live forever?”
The mouse smiled a little, not expecting her to pick up that right away, or word it so accurately. “Turns out, Tatyanna had put a spell on herself, that if anyone cut off her head, they’d live forever. Or at least that’s what happened. Sh had put the spell on to make herself immortal and this is the side effect. Good question.”
“Thanks. I suppose you learn a lot about magic and spells and stuff working for a wizard.” Her thoughts were now inward. She wondered what sorts of things her father know now, having been the wizard’s assistant for as long as she could remember. He wasn’t an apprentice, but he surely knew something. Her thoughts were interrupted by the mouse.
“I was of course, his apprentice, and that was why I was there. I was only about a year from being set out on my own. But mice cannot wield magic, only humans.”

10

“You cut off her head?!” The girl asked in shock.
“Well, yes. It was either; rip out her heart and stab it, but that always has the potential to backfire with evil magical beings, or cut off her head. With someone with that much magical power, those are the only options to kill them completely. They don’t drown, if their brain is still intact, they can heal themselves, so they can’t bleed to death or burn at the stake; or burn anywhere fotr that matter. The heart thing can backfire if they cast a precautionary spell to protect against that. For instance, she may have made it so whoever killed her physical heart would then bare her soul, and that may have kept her spirit alive and then she may have gained functionality through the host. And that could not happen, so I had to cut off her head.” He mused to himself” I suppose it has been a long time and not everyone knows the lore of magic anymore.” He looked back up at the girl. “Bromney was so mad, but he was a good wizard and could not kill me, so he turned me into a mouse. Now, I’ve got eternity to spend like this.”

9

The mouse then fell silent, and the girl waited patiently for some time, thinking on what he’d already said. She was confused and continued to wonder what the mouse could have done to be turned into a mouse. He’d spoken so quickly, and the information was so scattered.
She finally asked “What do you mean: you did what you had to do? What did you do?”
The mouse blinked up at her and then without hesitation, and with insinuation in his voice that she should have already known, he said: “I killed her.”
The girl shot up straight in her posture. The mouse stood there unmoved. He’s come to terms with this reality a long time ago. After letting the fear well in the girl’s eyes for a moment, he began again. “it was a necessary evil in war. I sacrifice myself for the greater good. Out of all of my cohorts, I was the closest to Bromney when Tatyanna started the war, so it was put on me to ensure his safety. We devised a plan to cut off the head of our opposition. I was the hands to do it. When Bromney found out it was me, he kinda lost it.” 

8

Seeing agreement from eh girl’s nod, the mouse began. “Many years ago, the wizard worked for a sorceress, as an apprentice. He was not nearly as powerful then. This sorceress lived in that large castle on the other side of town. (The one currently occupied by the royal family’s daughter.) During his apprenticeship he fell madly in the love with the sorceress. But she did not share his adoration. He knew this, and tried to hide his love for her, for despite his love, he knew her temperament. It was short, to be sure. He learned all he could from her, and soon was set out to continue his education on his own. He soon set up shop and hired a young assistant. Me. I was ready and willing to do whatever was asked of me. I worked hard, and grew very fond of the wizard Bromney. I had been with him for about nine years when he told me of his love fore Tatyanna, and that he wanted to confess his love to her. But the sorceress had grown evil since Bromney had left her tutelage, and Bromney did not want to believe that she had. I tried everything in my power to protect him from her. She found out and had plans to wage war on him for it. I did what I had to do.”

7

The girl was certainly confused now. His fate? What could he have done to deserve a fate of living as a mouse? What would happen to her father? Could he do something that would resign him to this sort of fate as well?

The mouse’s smile fell from his face as he saw the worry spread over the girl’s. “My dear girl, I’m sorry I’ve upset you.” He said in earnest. “But I continue to assure you that I am content as a mouse, and what sins I have committed in the past are there in the past where they belong. You have nothing to fear from me. I cannot, nor do I wish to, harm you.”

The girl attempted to smile. “I do not want to seem rude, but I do not exactly fear you. It’s the wizard you spoke of that concerns me, for I know the man well.” She paused a moment, the mouse didn’t even flinch at this news, so she continued on past the subject. “Do you mind if I inquire as to what it is you have done?”

It was so strange to see this tiny mouse reacting with the same mannerisms as a human would. Les began to forget that she’d asked the question while watching him that she was surprised when he responded. “Since you asked politely I will tell you the tale, if you’d like.” 

6

The girl looked at the mouse blankly, and almost as if she expected further explanation. The mouse simply continued to smile up at her. After this long silence, which was quickly becoming awkward, the girl shifted to a more comfortable sitting position. Finally she responded. “Yes, but most mice don’t speak, at least not audibly. And isn’t it odd that you say you were a child? Do mice refer to their young as children? Also… most mice, to my knowledge, don’t’ wear clothes, much less shoes.”

The mouse cleared his tiny throat. “By that logic, we can deduce that I am not a normal mouse then.” He waited for a response. She nodded ascension. He continued. “I’m sure you’ve supposed by now, that I have not always been a mouse. In that; you would be correct. I once worked as an assistant to Bromney the wizard. He changed me into a mouse.” The girl was surprised and frightened by this news. Bromney was the wizard for whom her own father was now an assistant. The mouse noticed her surprised, and mistook it. “No my dear, I must assure you. It’s alright. I have now been a mouse for so long, I’m not sure I could function as a human anymore. And I’m sure I deserve my fate.”  

5

This talking mouse, wearing trousers and a sport coat, was also wearing little shoes, shirt and a hat. Actually, he was holding the little hat in his tiny mouse hands. Seeing the confusion spreading over the girls face, the mouse remembered himself and said earnestly; “My dear girl, you did have quite a fall, and you did hit your head awful hard. But let me assure you, I am real, and I am really speaking to you.” He waited for his words to sink in.

“Ummm, you’re wearing shoes.” The girl said hesitantly. At which the mouse looked down and agreed with her.

“Yes, yes I am.”

“That’s nice.” Was all the girl could say. This was all very strange. In all her thinking, she never thought a mouse would talk, and this simply baffled her. “Do you mind if I sit up, sir mouse?” she asked, and he responded by quickly climbing down onto the beam. The girl then scooted back, righted herself and looked at the mouse from where she at. After a few moments the girl continued; “So… you can talk. Have you always been able to talk?” She queried nervously.

The mouse smiled. “I have been able to talk since I was taught as a child.” 

4

The mouse frowned up at the unconscious girl. He’d only said hello. She’d stepped on him, and that had caused her to fall. He’d only wanted to apologize for being in the way. Though Les didn’t know it, the mouse lived in the cottage and watched her when she came. To be quite honest, the mouse had become quite fond of the girl, and enjoyed her presence when she visited. She was, after all, the only human interaction he had anymore.

The girl began to stir again, so the mouse crept closer to her, he crawled over the beam and sat on the girl’s chest, waiting for her to open her eyes. Slowly the girl did open her eyes, and brought herself into focus. Her brow knit as she focused on the mouse.

“Don’t be afraid.” He said. “I mean you no harm, young one.”

The girl just blinked in reply. What do you say to a mouse that speaks to you, telling you to not be afraid? Instead, she continued to stare at the mouse, barely breathing, and thinking; how can this be. As she stared she began to notice things. Things such as; the mouse’s trousers and sport coat. This talking mouse was dressed. 

3

On this stormy day, when she was off being forgotten, Les was thinking about how nice it would be to have a name. She was in the cottage pretending she was the lady of the house, ordering people around, being waited on hand and foot, enjoying compliments of society, when a bean fell from an upstairs roof on the floor right in front of her. It crashed down so loudly and suddenly that she jumped back cupping her ears and stepped on a mouse. This too frightened the girl and she jumped back the other way, and fell over the beam, hitting her head on the ground and losing consciousness.

When the girl again opened her eyes, she could tell some time had passed, for it was the light of sunrise that now filled the room and it no longer sounded like rain. She made an attempt to sit up, her legs still elevated by the beam, she had trouble trying to right herself. When she finally go a good grip on the beam, and was about to hoist herself up, she caught a glimpse between her feet. There, staring directly at her was the mouse, as if he was waiting for her. Before she could react any further, she again passed out, because the mouse had begun to speak. 

2

Les was a sweet girl, hardly getting into trouble, usually avoiding conflict, rarely ever later. She mostly wore a smile and very nearly never had to raise her voice. Well liked by all, and favored by none. She went through life as a shadow. Remarked upon when she was around and enjoyed when present, but otherwise forgotten. Les didn’t mind this, it gave her reason to be alone and think. Nobody knew this, but she was a great thinker. She thought long and often on so many different things. She’d spend time thinking about ht grass, or the people in the towns or even the stars and the sky and all of those things she couldn’t wrap her head around. Her favorite place to go and think was an abandoned cottage built of stone on the other side of town. It was always so lush and green there, and was full of mystery and wonder. The walls were falling down and the floors creaked and had holes in them. Parts of the roof were missing and the door was falling from its hinges. But it was a quiet, pretty place where she could go when she was forgotten; to think. 

1

Once upon a time, in a land far far away on a dark and stormy night, there lived a beautiful princess in an enchanted castle. On the other side of town there was another girl about the princess’s age, who was also quite pretty. She, however, did not live in n enchanted castle. The girl lived in a small home dug into the side of a hill. She lived in this modest home with her father and older brother, Fence. The girl’s father was an assistant to the town wizard, and was sometimes mistaken for an apothecary. You may have noticed; the girl does not have a name. How strange you may say, but it is quite true, each person who knew her called her by a different name. The wizard called her Tawanda, her father called her Oak, her brother called her Florence. She also had a variety of other names from people about town. For instance the baker and his wife called her Chloe and Donna; the Miller called her Cuteness, his wife caller her Tart, and their daughter called her Larry. The girl, herself, did call her own name Nameless, or Les for short.