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.”