《Misfentures》


 Enter the Hero! And the Protagonist...

    Have you ever considered what is right now under your feet?


    Did you know that where you stand there is a wide, magical kingdom lying in wait to be discovered? Grand. Complex. Intricate. Inclusive. Foreign, yet familiar. Wondrous.


    This story is not about that kingdom, but it is of a kingdom. Deep in the sewers beneath New York City resides the humble town of Rodentia, home to roughly 30,000 mice at the telling of this story. If you think that is big, you have not seen the mouse cities of Wiskervellia and Cheesehold. If you had, then you would know quite plainly that 30,000 mice is a mere town. With that clarification for all you untraveled readers, suffice it to say that small Rodentia was undergoing a severe period of change.


    The old duke, Duke GrrGruff, had been murdered.


    Well, the old Great Dane had it coming. A younger, grizzled Mastiff had joined the ranks of the duke¡¯s royal guard. He itched for war. His old battle scars called for vengeance. When he licked them, he tasted his own blood mingled with that of his many enemies. He saw an opportunity to marshal a large force and seek what had been ripped from his paws.


    Furthermore, this upstart saw the fat of the land. Duke GrrGruff had been too soft on his subjects. As a result, his halls languished and the treasury slowly depleted. The Mastiff hungered. And this duchy could slake his thirst and sate his hunger. He opened his maw to take it.


    He ripped open the good duke¡¯s throat and took the kingdom. The new Duke GrrGruff was crowned and ready to expand his rule. To that end it was necessary to mobilize the mice.


    And that is how we get to what you really care about, our protagonist.


    Michael strode down the streets of Rodentia, tall and erect. His tunic barely contained his bulging, strapping chest, across which was slung the sheath for his massive battle axe. Michael¡¯s whiskers were waxed and curled. The perfume of spring wafted around him, and a cape of white rustled behind him, drapped to his shoulder.


    But Michael is not our protagonist. Make no mistake! He is the hero of the mice. But no, his are sadly not the adventures that concern us.


    For that, we must turn our gaze to that slouched fellow helping pull an overburdened cart. Yes, the one who looks particularly bedraggled.


    Gabriel was Rodentia¡¯s resident mage mouse. That was also what everyone referred to him as. A scrawny mouse who wore a patchwork cape frayed at the edges. His whiskers drooped a little and his arms shook with the effort of pulling along a smelly cart full of food for the town guards. Everything was drab and brown about him, from rumpled fur, large eyes, and tarnished earring. His oversized staff shaped like a shepherd¡¯s crook stuck out from the back of the cart.


    Other mice gave Gabriel and his companions wary glances as they carried the cart out of town. It was dangerous to leave Rodentia. The mage mouse¡¯s eyes darted about as he pulled, taking in their looks his fellow mice gave his companions. They were not so concerned about him.


    Gabriel was an unwanted mouse. A failed mage. And a less than stellar citizen.


    Just get the food to the guards and you can then scuttle back to your study. It was just your lot that brought you out here, not an attempt to get rid of you. Everything will be alright.


    ¡°Mage Mouse, put your back into it,¡± Ripner growled.


    ¡°On it,¡± Gabriel panted, moving about and arching his back as he pulled on the cart¡¯s lead rod. ¡°How¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re hopeless,¡± the beefy mouse grunted. ¡°Worthless.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Gabriel replied, his whiskers drooping even more.


    He looked up and saw Michael in the distance. He was greeting a small group of mice up the road. He gasped when re realized that the mouse Michael was specifically conversing with was Maria.


    The most beautiful mouse in all of Rodentia! Her long fur was brushed back and her winning smile sparkled in the distance. She wore a lovely pink and yellow dress. He wondered what kind of embroidery she had on it. All of her clothing was intricate and always caught the eye.


    ¡°Mage Mouse! Get your head in the journey! Or we¡¯ll throw you into the cart for the guards,¡± Ripner snarled.


    ¡°Sorry, Ripner. I just saw something that caught the eye.¡±


    Ripner glanced back and sneered, ¡°You¡¯ll never get their attention. Learn your place, mage Mouse!¡±


    ¡°We talk at times,¡± Gabriel muttered under his breath.


    Clacky, more rat than mouse, snickered and said, ¡°What? You and the maid of the people? You spend so much time in those books of yours I think you¡¯ve lost your grip on reality.¡±


    ¡°Is it so hard to think that Maira and I could talk together? To be a thing,¡± he squeaked quietly.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Ripner and Clacky said together.


    Gabriel fell silent as the two mice began roaring with laughter. They taunted him for his aspirations and pointed out how he could never be like the mighty Michael. They were very right. Gabriel was not likely to grow anymore. Unless he could use magic to assist him with that.


    He looked back at his staff and thought, If only it were that simple¡­.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    The three mice managed to pull the cart out of the town and began climbing the gradual ascent to the watch house. It was rigorous work, and Gabriel began to feel sick from all of the work this trip was taking.


    I really need to work out! I can¡¯t take another trip like this! I can¡¯t let others keep seeing me as worthless. Even if it is true¡­


    Gabriel tried to distract himself by taking in the view. The skyshrooms gleamed brightly with the light of the gods¡¯ sun far above the ceiling. It was a beautiful sight. The moss and sewer growth was in full bloom. Rodentia reflected the skyshrooms¡¯ light. It was a magnificent town, built from the gifts and devices the gods sent to them through the waterfalls and rivers. Without these merciful offerings, the mice of Rodentia would never have been able to nestle themselves in this quiet corner of the sewers.


    Even with the advent of the new GrrGruff, Rodentia was safe from attack by pirates and had access to lush walls covered with vegetation. The ever-gushing waterfall at the town¡¯s back guarded it day and night. A wide river formed nearby, but its current was too strong for even the craftiest of rats. With the high walls sandwiching Rodentia, the only way in or out was through the dogs.


    The giant beings who added the last layer of protection to the town. And the ones whose food Gabriel and the others hauled.


    It fascinated Gabriel, thankfully taking his mind of his sore muscles and own worthlessness, how the gods above crafted these lands. It was by their hands that the tunnels were cut, the ceiling laid strong and sound, and waterways flowed. They had built this world, but they had abandoned it for something else. Something even higher.


    Gabriel dreamed of one day ascending beyond the skyshrooms and peering into the realm of the gods. It must be marvelous up there. But how could he ever get up so high? He knew of no way up there. Some rumors held that the duchy of dogs and the ever wandering cat knights knew of ways to ascend, but Gabriel had never found any concrete evidence to support such wild claims.


    ¡°Mage Mouse, don¡¯t make me have to tell you again,¡± Ripner warned.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sorry Ripner,¡± Gabriel wheezed.


    The mice neared the end of their journey. A hut had long ago been erected that could house five dogs easily. It was made like the rest of Rodentia, with offerings from the gods. Large bowls ringed the hut where the dogs¡¯ food was to be deposited. And in case you haven¡¯t put two and two together yet, the guards are the dogs.


    A loud voice called over to them with a bark, ¡°It¡¯s about time you vermine made it up here! We¡¯ve been waiting for our provisions for too long! Slopper here has licked the bowls clean!¡±


    The speaker was a sharp and overlong Schnauzer. His name was Pencil, whose most defining features were a squashed face like an overused eraser and a black, pointed tail. Gabriel had always known him for his temper. Even before the death of the old GrrGruff, Pencil had been a hard one to get along with.


    ¡°It would help if you came down and pulled the cart yourselves,¡± Clacky snorted.


    Gabriel and Ripner tackled him and told him to keep quiet. The others dogs emerged from the guard hut.


    ¡°What was that,¡± an aged Terrier name Bigsby asked.


    ¡°It was nothing,¡± Gabriel squeaked. ¡°He was just muttering that we needed a better cart!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s for you vermin to take care of, not us,¡± Pencil said with an irritated tone. ¡°You all just laze about during the day. Scurrying about and never properly applying yourselves!¡±


    ¡°Look who¡¯s been reading that word a day calendar what¡¯s washed up,¡± a wet voice laughed. It belonged to Slopper, a patchwork bulldog with drooping cheeks.


    ¡°Shut it! I¡¯m in command here,¡± Pencil shouted.


    ¡°Begging your pardons,¡± Ripner managed to get in. ¡°But we¡¯d like to unload everything and be on your way.¡±


    ¡°Well then? What are you waiting for? Be on with it,¡± Pencil said, shooing the mice with a paw.


    The three mice hopped to and got to work unloading the dirty cart of all its rotten fish, freshly harvested moss, spices, and edible offerings from the gods. All of the dogs but Slopper turned their noses up at the food. They were happy to see the barrels of water and Blue Moss Meade.


    ¡°Now that¡¯s a proper offering,¡± Pit the tiny Pug said appreciatively to Gabriel.


    ¡°It¡¯s come directly from the Midigen Family¡¯s cellar,¡± Gabriel panted, still recovering from the trip to the guard house. ¡°We want to make sure our protectors have only the best that we can provide.¡±


    Pencil sniffed at his comment, but Slopper and Pit took it well. They gave grateful barks.


    ¡°Mage Mouse, you are always ever the gentlemouse,¡± Slopper said. ¡°You should come by more often.¡±


    ¡°Th-Thanks! But I¡¯m usually very busy,¡± Gabriel protested. The other mice snorted loudly.


    ¡°And you always have a new trick up your sleeves,¡± a badly scared, black Labrador named Bella cooed. She had an ear that hung dead over her right eye. ¡°The boys always enjoy your little displays. Please, regale us with one.¡±


    She spoke nicely, but Gabriel knew better than to believe that this was anything but an order from Bella. Pencil may be the leader, but Bella was the one who kept them all in line. No hound misstepped with her on watch.


    ¡°Sure, let me just get my staff,¡± Gabriel replied shakily.


    Ripner and Clacky scoffed and stopped working to watch. All the dogs gathered close to watch Gabriel¡¯s performance. Even Pencil edged closer, despite his annoyed expression. Gabriel thought of something that might wow the guards enough so that they wouldn¡¯t be upset and simply accept the offerings.


    I¡¯ve been practicing a light spell. Granted, it hasn¡¯t been going entirely according to plan, but it makes some great noises and it is dazzling, Gabriel thought.


    He raised his crooked staff and muttered the incantation under his breath. He felt his powers blossom from within his heart and surge throughout his body. The energy flooded from his blood to his fingertips and into his staff. The spell erupted from the staff¡¯s head.


    The spell was dazzling in how terribly it failed. The air shook with sound of a massive explosion, causing all five dogs to jump. Instead of dazzling light, all-consuming darkness swirled in the form of a ball. The ball was torn apart into shades of grey, flying about like confetti until the grey light disappeared.


    The mice were horrified. Gabriel was stunned. The dogs were speechless.


    Finally, Pit squealed, ¡°That was incredible! I didn¡¯t realize that was what color looked like!¡±


    Gabriel tilted his head with confusion.


    ¡°You never cease to amaze, Mage Mouse,¡± Bella said appreciatively. ¡°As opposed to this one!¡±


    The Lab suddenly whirled on Clacky. The lanky mouse wet himself on the spot. He cowered before Bella.


    ¡°What did I do?¡± he managed to gasp.


    ¡°You showed us disrespect when bringing your offering,¡± Bella snorted. ¡°I heard it crystal clear. ¡®It would help if you came down and pulled the cart yourselves,¡¯ is what you said.¡±


    The other dogs looked uncertain, while Bella was angry. But it was Pencil who took action. He stalked forward and brought his paw down hard on top of Clacky. The poor rodent was crushed to the hard floor. Pencil¡¯s jaws closed around the hapless mouse and finished him off with a crunch.


    Ripner and Gabriel paled. Bella looked upset and disappointed. The other dogs were still uncertain.


    ¡°You two! Finish your work and be gone! Next time, tell the offering bringers to show us the utmost respect or we will kill all of them and keep the cart! Hop to it!¡±


    Gabriel dropped his staff and hurried to comply. He and Ripner managed the rest of the load by themselves. Pit gingerly took up Gabriel¡¯s staff and placed it back in the cart.


    ¡°Be sure to give us another wonderful spell display next time, Mage Mouse! You¡¯re the most fun we get,¡± he said happily.


    Gabriel couldn¡¯t speak. He just nodded his head furiously and helped trudge the cart back to Rodentia. He looked back and saw that Bella kept her eye on them. He swiveled back to keep pressing onward into town.


    Once the hut was in the distance, Ripner snapped, ¡°This is all your fault, you know!¡±


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re right,¡± Gabriel said, hanging his head. His spell had gone all wrong. Had that affected Bella somehow? ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°Save it! You¡¯re worthless, and you know it. We all know it! I don¡¯t want you anywhere near Clacky¡¯s family for the next long while. Stay away from me too, while you¡¯re at it!¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ Yes I will.¡±


    With that, the two mice entered Rodentia in silence.

 Chapter 2 - Rise of the Hero

    Rodentia was in an uproar after Gabriel and Ripner returned. Everyone was troubled by Clacky¡¯s death. Mice cried out in the streets. Children were ushered inside against the threat of possible violence from the guards. Clacky¡¯s extensive family and their friends wept for his passing, and they muttered between sobs why the Mage Mouse was still alive when a much better rodent had his life snuffed out so soon.


    Gabriel tried to close his ears to all of this, but just like everyone else, Ripner reminded him that this was all pretty much his fault.


    Again, he¡¯s just the tale¡¯s protagonist.


    Going to bed that night, Gabriel fretted, What am I going to do? Today was a disaster! I should have been stronger, quicker, and smarter. Maybe then the village would be not be fearing retribution from the guards! What am I going to do?


    Luckily, for every mouse, there was no further violence from the dogs. They left the village alone that night, and for a long time afterward. But the damage had been done. Mice began whispering in dark corners and behind locked doors. Their lives had become miserable, and something had to be done about it.


    ¡°Everything has been going up the stream since the old Duke died¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a curse,¡± a few whispered.


    ¡°Then who cursed us?¡±


    ¡°Who else? Mage Mouse went and done it!¡±


    ¡°But curses can be broken! Surely there must be a way!?¡±


    ¡°Kill the Mage Mouse!¡±


    ¡°And bring his bad luck down on all of us? That ain¡¯t how curses work!¡±


    ¡°I read that curses always have a means of breaking them. It has something to do about mandates of Truth¡­¡±


    ¡°What nonsense are you spouting?¡±


    ¡°You can read!?¡±


    ¡°Gods above help us all¡­.¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t no gods gonna come and save us when Mage Mouse breaths in this village,¡± one muttered darkly.


    ¡°What we need is a hero!¡±


    ¡°And where in the blighted sewers below are you going to find a hero?¡±


    ¡°If only the old Duke was still alive.¡±


    ¡°Damn that Mage Mouse.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got it! The answer was so clear! It was before our noses the whole time!¡±


    ¡°Surprising you can see anything over that nose of yours.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Michael! It¡¯s Michael!¡±


    ¡°Of course! The answer is Michael! He¡¯ll save us all!¡±


    ¡°Gods above bless Michael!¡±


    ¡°I swear I see his visage every night in the stars above.¡±


    ¡°Michael! Michael!¡±


    ¡°The mouse who can save us all,¡± the mice began chanting as the mirrors above brought the gods¡¯ light to the underworld.


    Gabriel had not been a part of any of these conversations. He had slept fitfully, plagued by nightmares of his own incompetence. He dreamed of Rodentia burning. Of his village plunging into the raging waters. He imagined failing Maria. He dreamed of his magical staff consuming him.


    He woke up in a cold sweat, shivering.


    Gabriel got shakily out of bed and made his way to light a candle. He used a simple spell to summon water and fire burst from his paw. After many years of failing to produce magic the way he was supposed to, he had learned how to accidentally conjure fire. He lit the candles around his work desk.


    The dim light illuminated the disheveled home of the Mage Mouse. Cabinets and shelves lined the walls, crammed full of potion ingredients and scraps sent down by the gods. In a far corner was a barrel overflowing with different magical staffs. His own towered over the slender, masterfully carved one, conduits of amazing power. Power that he struggled so hard to tap into and master.


    His desk was a mess of parchment and scribbles. When he felt frustrated or worried, he spent his time drawing up calculations for new spells, discovering strange phrases, or sketching designs for devices that could aid him in his magic. Tattered quills stuck out of an overlarge inkwell.


    Nearby was a massive fireplace with a blackened cauldron thrust into the middle. The coals still glowed in the gloom. He would have to bring in some dry moss and kindling to get the fire roaring again. He might as well work to try and put together another potion. They always turned out as abysmally as his spells. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°What to do, what to do?¡± he sighed, looking at his recent sketches. Last night he had worked himself into a frenzy, but everything he had drawn was a mess in the new day¡¯s light.


    He gripped one quill, his paw trembling. He could not bring himself to write or draw more.


    ¡°The inspiration just isn¡¯t coming to me,¡± he said to himself. ¡°I just don¡¯t know what to do anymore. I¡¯ve dreamed myself sick. I¡¯ve scribbled until my thoughts are scrambled nonsense! What can I do? I¡¯m letting everyone down! I¡¯m not the mage my town deserves, nor the one it needs!¡±


    Gabriel let go of the quill and began pacing. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s think about this situation logically. That might yield the best results. Magic cannot solve all problems. Quick wit is more powerful than a death spell and sharper than a sword. I¡¯ve got to believe that, if I am to make it out of this mess.¡±


    Where had it all gone wrong? Well, his magic was deplorable, but that was matter that he could not solve anytime soon. He had been working on that ever since he was an apprentice. No, that was a personal problem that required a unique solution. Instead, where had this whole situation with the village gone up the stream?


    ¡°Duke GrrGruff was killed a little over a year ago. And that¡¯s when it began. The new Duke GrrGruff brought the guards here. We had never had guards before. The old Duke¡¯s soldiers protected us when we needed it. They dropped in and celebrated with us. They checked in. But that was it!


    ¡°The new Duke changed all of that we when he killed GrrGruff and took his title. He warned us that violence was coming the kingdom and brought his guards to protect us. We have no news of the outside world. And that is problematic. How can we trust anything that the dogs have told us?¡±


    Gabriel pummeled one paw into the other and said, ¡°I¡¯ll have to talk with them! I need to confirm what is going on!¡±


    He paced again and spoke rapidly to himself, ¡°If they are speaking the truth, then that means the answer lies on us mice. We¡¯ll have to find a way to change our lifestyles and accommodate the necessary changes. But most mice will not go for that.


    ¡°However, if my fears are correct, and the Duke is lying to us, then that means we will need to break free! That means striking out and finding a way to overthrow the Duke and his soldiers. That means a quest. And that means¡­


    ¡°They will need a hero!¡± Gabriel squealed happily. ¡°I could be that hero!¡±


    Sure, it was a jump in logic, but it was the kind of jump that he could get behind. If he could be the hero then maybe Maria would fall for him! That sounded like a good idea. First thing¡¯s first, though. He had to make sure that such a quest was necessary.


    He needed to return to the guard house. Gabriel rushed out of his house and leaped out into the street. And he instantly found himself in a surging crowd of mice.


    Wait! What¡¯s going on? he thought.


    The mice were all chattering happily and animatedly. Gabriel tried to force his way up the road, but he was caught in the flood of fury bodies and was pushed back. He found himself getting carried to the town square.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening! Why is everyone going to the square,¡± he squeaked.


    A mouse in a frayed skirt and blouse replied, ¡°We¡¯re headed to see the hero! It¡¯s what everyone¡¯s been talking about since last night!¡±


    She then recognized who she was talking to and stuck her nose up into the air before walking away even faster. Gabriel on the other hand felt stunned. Who was this hero? How had he missed this? Oh, right. He had been asleep all night.


    Maybe I should see what this is all about before I head up the guard house, he thought. Besides, it would be a pain to fight through this crowd as it is right now.


    Up ahead was a platform built to be raised well over the heads of the crowd. Gabriel glanced at the figures on top, and he was surprised to see Maria and her father, the mayor. Mayor Mousekerchief was a dignified, greying mouse with prominent whiskers and dressed in a snappy suit. Maria looked as beautiful as always in a yellow dress with flashy embroidery. The Mage Mouse took it all in.


    Gabriel got jostled around for a bit until his neighbors found out who they were rubbing shoulders with and they gave him some room. It was nice to have space to breath, but it stung Gabriel to be reminded just how out of place he was. He fidgeted nervously with his earing, wondering who the hero was.


    Mayor Mousekerchief raised his paws and called for calm. ¡°Everyone mouse, please lend me your ears! As you all know, we have suffered greatly since the death our beloved Duke GrrGruff. And we now lived under the iron paw of a tyrant and his minions! We have suffered from a great curse and with the death of a mouse close and dear to us.¡±


    Why don¡¯t you just say my name? Gabriel thought miserably.


    ¡°I have deliberated with many of you over the night, and it is clear that we have need of a hero!¡± Mousekerchief¡¯s words were met with a great cheers. ¡°And I believe I speak for everyone when I say that we have found the mouse for the job!¡±


    ¡°Michael!¡± the mice began to chant. ¡°Michael! Michael! Michael!¡±


    The mayor laughed and said, ¡°You¡¯ve ruined my announcement. But yes! It is Michael! The mouse who will save us all!¡±


    Michael leaped up onto the platform from behind. He was impressive in a suit of gleaming, silver steel. His winning smile and curled whiskers were visible from everywhere in the town square.  He pulled Maria to his side with a strong arm. The mousette swooned visibly. Gabriel felt sick to his stomach.


    No! We don¡¯t yet know what is really going on! Unless someone else has already gone and spoken with the guards¡­ In that case, I¡¯ve once again been rendered useless! He could not look at Michael and Maria anymore.


    With Maria in arm, Michael strode forward and motioned that he would speak directly to the crowd. The crowd of exuberant mice quickly quieted. This was their hero. The mouse they knew they could trust in. He spoke with great confidence and with a booming voice. No squeak to it.


    ¡°My fellow citizens of Rodentia! Too long have we been under the dark and deadly influence and control of a mongrel dog like the new Duke GrrGruff. But it is more than that! It was a mistake that we ever entered into a lopsided alliance with the canine warriors! They have done nothing but bring us into bondage, even the old duke whom we revere.¡±


    There was muttering the crowd at that comment. The mice agreed with Michael and told one another that they should have realized this all along, and that it was so brilliant of Michael to have seen this truth.


    The hero continued, ¡°What Rodentia needs is not for another lord to take the Duke¡¯s place. No! What we need is for us to govern ourselves! Mice for mice! But, we are weak as we are. GrrGruff has the power necessary to sweep Rodentia off the map!¡±


    There were wails from the mice at this statement. But Michael quickly calmed them again and spoke reassuring words to them.


    ¡°But we are not the only mice in the underworld! There are many, many others! And if we are united, we will become strong! It is therefore my quest to leave Rodentia and gather together new allies from afar. We will build a grand mouse army and march on Duke GrrGRuff! We will overthrow his oppressive kingdom and free ourselves.But not just for those living today, but for untold generations to come!


    ¡°The mice will be free!¡± he promised the crowd.


    The mice erupted into cheers. Many shed tears of joy.


    He has a very eloquent way of speaking. And people trust him, Gabriel admitted to himself grudgingly.


    Michael declared, ¡°Towards this end, I will call on our finest warriors and champions to accompany beyond the floods and waterfalls. Together, we shall find our mice brethren and unite them in the common cause of freedom and security!¡±


    The Mage Mouse took in how Maria was looking at Michael, and he felt sick to his stomach. He saw how the other mice were acting, and he felt alone.Literally alone and abandoned in the middle of a crowd. He wanted to escape, and began inching backwards.


    I¡¯ve got to get out of here! I need to make sure that this quest is necessary! Isn¡¯t that what I already decided I needed to do?


    Mustering up the will, Gabriel pushed back into the crowd and fought his way back to his home. As he left he heard the crowd take up the chant, ¡°Michael! Michael! Michael the Hero!¡±


    But what about me? The Mage Mouse thought.


    ¡°Michael! Michael! Michael the Hero!¡±

 Chapter 3 - Chat with the Warden

    Gabriel ran up the hill back towards the guardhouse. His mind raced with everything he had heard and seen back in the square. The town was choosing a hero! There was going to be a quest to liberate Rodentia from Duke GrrGruff¡¯s iron jaws. Gabriel supported the freedom and peace of his people, but there was something that he felt just didn¡¯t fit.


    The old Duke did not conquer us, but incorporated us into his kingdom. Because of that we have been under the dogs¡¯ protection. If we resist, we will set ourselves against not only Duke GrrGruff, but also against all of his enemies! You cannot consider that your enemy¡¯s enemy will be your ally!


    If we start a conflict with the dogs without there being a real need, we¡¯ll get ourselves killed, he thought frantically. I can¡¯t let that happen to us!


    The Mage Mouse was entirely out of breath by the time he reached the top of the hill. He really needed to get out and exercise more! Leaving his study more often would be good for his health. If only the other mice¡¯s comments would do the same.


    But, it was not just his trembling muscles that were causing him to shake, it was also his nervousness. And not just facing down the dogs for the second time in as many days, but the thoughts, hopes, and fears that tumbled through his head and heart. Gabriel wanted to be a hero to his people. He also was afraid of leaving Rodentia. He liked things comfortable, even if they were not ideal, but he was willing to serve.


    His life as he had always known it was about to change, thanks to Michael¡¯s quest. Honestly, going to the dogs and speaking with them was a small way in which he could exercise some freedom and self-determination.


    Pencil came out and growled at him. ¡°What do you want, filthy rodent?¡±


    ¡°Woah, woah, Pencil! That there¡¯s the Mage Mouse,¡± Slobber said, ambling out of the guardhouse. ¡°Here to put on a show for us again?¡±


    Other dogs lopped over, excited to hear that some entertainment had arrived. Gabriel felt sick to his stomach. He was not in the mood or mindset to use his failed spells to placate the hounds. Bella strode over to him, her dead ear obscuring one of her eyes.


    She asked, ¡°Why have you come up here, Mage Mouse? There was no tribute scheduled for today.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s come here to give us a show,¡± Slobber insisted.


    ¡°He¡¯s come up here to be a nuisance and waste our time,¡± Pencil growled. ¡°Go away or volunteer to make yourself useful and become food.¡±


    ¡°Shut your trap, Pencil!¡± one dog snapped. ¡°You don¡¯t waste talent like his by making him food.¡±


    ¡°What does it matter? That¡¯s where they¡¯re all going eventually,¡± the Weiner dog muttered.


    ¡°Silence!¡± Bella barked.


    Gabriel worried even more. The dogs had already spilled the kibble. Pencil¡¯s off-handed comment could mean more than just sounding his dissatisfaction at serving as a guard for the mouse town. The dogs were getting angry, and Gabriel felt very small before their ire.


    Trying to save the situation, the Mage Mouse shouted as loud as he could, ¡°I have a few spells I wanted to show you! The other mice said I couldn¡¯t practice within town limits, so I thought I¡¯d come up here to practice.¡±


    ¡°Huzzah!¡± the pack cheered.


    Pencil glowered and said, ¡°So that you can blind us with some spell and get away? Think again, mouse!¡±


    Bella slapped his muzzle and growled, ¡°Stop making a fool of yourself! And if you¡¯re so worried that the mice might try escaping, go on patrol. Go!¡±


    Pencil yipped and backed away. He growled back but finally cowered before Bella¡¯s height and muscular frame. The Weiner finally whimpered and padded off.


    Not letting the mice escape, huh? That¡¯s not a good sign, either.


    The mere idea that Michael had been right made him miserable. That handsome, perfect mouse could do no wrong! But Gabriel still had to mine for information, and that began with putting on a display.


    Clearing his throat with a squeak, Gabriel said, ¡°I¡¯ve been practicing with a spell that should cause a light to appear in a dark room.¡±


    ¡°Boo! That¡¯s so small,¡± the dogs complained.


    Oh, if only you knew, Gabriel thought grimly.


    ¡°It¡¯s just the beginning. You¡¯ve got to build up to the bigger stuff and grand finale,¡± he explained, lifting up his staff.


    He spoke the incantation and a spark appeared at the top of his staff. It sputtered for a second, and then turned into an explosion. He was blasted right off his feet and tumbled away. The dogs barked and reared, but then cheered.


    ¡°Bravo! That¡¯s our Mage Mouse! Show us another!¡±


    Gabriel got shakily to his feet and retrieved his staff, which had fallen a little ways away. Thankfully, it had not caught fire. Picking it up and readying it, he explained his next trick.


    ¡°The next spell I want to practice is one that creates food spontaneously!¡±The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    This was one that had caught his eye in a book, but he had not tried it out before. He really had no clue what would happen. He jabbed his staff at a rock and said the magical words. The rock didn¡¯t change, but a fountain of cockroaches burst from the end of his staff.


    The dogs¡¯ jaws collectively dropped.


    ¡°Erm, well, that was interesting,¡± one dog said swiping away the vermin.


    ¡°Shut it off!¡± Slobber screeched.


    ¡°Already done,¡± Gabriel said, pulling his staff back. That was a disaster!


    Yes, it had been, but the dogs still wanted to see more despite his utter failure with that spell. Gabriel was not certain how much of their enthusiasm was from how much they liked seeing him fail, or if they genuinely thought his magic was fun to watch. At least the mice made their opinions abundantly clear.


    The Mage Mouse proceeded to wow and dazzle the dogs with a series of botched spells and conjurings. He plunged everything into darkness trying to summon light. He caused moss to grow while trying a shrinking spell on Slobber. He tried summoning water and instead conjured roaring fires. The opposite occurred when he tried summoning water.


    Gabriel was used to his spells failing in some form or another. He cataloged everything into his memory so he would remember the results of his individual spells. It was disheartening to see his hard work come all for not, but as the dogs cheered him on he found some confidence.


    Finally putting in a flare of showmanship, the Mage Mouse declared, ¡°You have seen me try to summon light, but now I will try to summon darkness!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s gonna conjure up a big ball of light,¡± one mutt panted excitedly to another.


    ¡°We will see,¡± Bella said.


    Gabriel focused his powers and chanted the spell, waving his oversized staff above his head. He felt energy flow through his arms and paws. His whiskers vibrated, but he felt something cold blossom deep within his chest.


    Darkness did come, but it was not the kind of darkness that he or any of the dogs were expecting. A blanket of blackness fell over them, but hues of red, purple, and deep blue flashed and slashed across the veil. The dogs oohed and ahed, a few even howled, but then those sounds turned to yips and whimpers.


    Claws and faces appeared out of the slashed of darker colors. The images of monsters crawled out of the darkness and began edging in on the dogs. Gabriel felt his body seize up, but his arms continued to stir his staff. Darkness spilled from it.


    ¡°Gabriel! Shut it down!¡± Bella barked.


    Unable to think of anything else to stop it, Gabriel threw himself onto the ground. He tackled his staff and his paws stopped waving. The darkness cut out immediately and disappeared. He lay snout down in the dirt and panted.


    What was that? It felt so wrong! It felt... almost evil.


    He shook himself and swore silently that he would never try that spell again. He wished he knew what was wrong with him that all his spells were a wreck. The dogs all cowered and whimpered. That was, until Bella strode forward and barked at all of them.


    ¡°Alright! You¡¯ve had your entertainment! You¡¯ve got duties to perform. Jump to it!¡±


    A few hounds gave her bewildered look. She growled at them and they leaped away. Gabriel meanwhile got uneasily back to his feet. He clutched his staff gingerly. Bella drew close to him and stared down her nose at the mouse.


    ¡°You should go back to the town,¡± she said.


    ¡°Um, yes,¡± Gabriel replied shakily. ¡°I think you¡¯re right that I should go back. Sorry for causing you all trouble.¡±


    ¡°Not at all.¡±


    Gabriel was surprised when Bella got down on her belly and invited the mouse to get on her back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t act so timid. I¡¯m not like Pencil; I don¡¯t enjoy eating mice,¡± she said pointedly.


    ¡°I-I, uh, alright,¡± the mage stammered.


    Truth be told, he had never thought he would ride atop a dog. They were such large and magnificent beasts. They were on a level so much higher than he and his fellow mice. Also, he was afraid of falling off Bella¡¯s high back.


    ¡°Hurry up, Mage Mouse!¡± she growled.


    Gabriel gingerly took hold of her fur and hauled himself up. He did his best to not pull on his hand and footholds. Bella shook under his paws.


    ¡°That tickles.¡±


    Gabriel¡¯s ears stood up straight. It was the first time he had ever heard Bella giggle. He would never have guessed that such a grizzled dog was capable of something like giggling.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± he quickly apologized.


    Bella shook her head and said, ¡°There¡¯s no need to apologize. It just tickles. Come on, hurry up!¡±


    The mage settled himself as best he could at the nape of Bella¡¯s neck. He felt a swooping sensation in his stomach as she surged to her feet and set off for Rodentia. He feared puking all over her fur.


    Once Bella was out of earshot from the guardhouse, she said in a low voice, ¡°Why did you come up here, Mage Mouse? Most of your kind don¡¯t just come for a chat, and you don¡¯t come to put on a show. I know that your magic embarrasses you. So why did you travel over here?¡±


    Gabriel felt warm at the neck for being found out. His whiskers drooped as he wondered, Am I really that easy to read? I must be even pathetic than I thought more!


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re right,¡± he acknowledged. ¡°I came because I wanted to ask some question about what Duke GrrGruff is doing.¡±


    Bella was silent for a moment and then asked, ¡°What do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°Well, first of all, what does he intend to do with Rodentia?¡± Gabriel asked, relieved that the large dog was willing to answer his questions. ¡°Secondly, what is going on in the kingdom? And¡­ What will be done about dogs like Pencil? The mice are not happy.¡±


    ¡°I can easily answer those questions,¡± Bella replied smoothly. ¡°The Duke is readying himself to expand his kingdom. There are dangerous packs and gangs at our borders. He wants to defeat and annex them. It is for our security and prosperity. But that means we¡¯ll be going to war. For Rodentia, that means we will soon be taxing your fellow mice for food, supplies, and bodies to wage the war.


    ¡°Pencil could remain here as a guard, or he could be called into duty,¡± the way she said that last bit made Gabriel very certain that the Weiner would remain behind.


    This must be a big reason why he hates being here, he thought. But if we are going to war, my people will be very upset. Does Michael know that he could possibly make us an enemy of a kingdom that is already preparing for war? Rodentia cannot take on the dogs by itself and win!


    ¡°Ah, I see what¡¯s going on. Thank you, Bella,¡± Gabriel said, honestly. ¡°I¡¯ve just been worried that we¡¯ve been out of the know for too long. My people are getting anxious.¡±


    Bella nodded and then flicker head to get her dead ear out of her eye. ¡°But those are our orders. I¡¯m telling you all of this in confidence, Mage Mouse. Don¡¯t tell the mice what you¡¯ve just learned. An edict will soon come your way and explain everything. I¡¯m counting on you.¡±


    Her admission made Gabriel¡¯s whiskers stick up on end. He became worried. If Bella wanted him to keep this all a secret, there was no way he could then cross what he had learned with the plans of Michael and the others. This was a serious problem with his plans.


    Maybe if I talk with Maira, I can get the other mice to go and work with the dogs. Maybe we can use politics to give ourselves a better standing in this situation.


    He and Bella were both silent the rest of the way. Only when Bella let him down in front of the village did she talk again.


    ¡°Be wise, Mage Mouse. You may not think yourself important, but in the coming war we could use someone like you. Get you out of this backwater town. You could rise up through the ranks and be a real sorcerer at the capital. I¡¯ll be in touch.¡±


    She gave the Mage Mouse one of her rare smiles, her dead ear sliding back into place, before plodding back towards the guardhouse. Mice all gathered and watched with trepidation at the edge of the village. They gave Gabriel fearful and distrustful looks. He was more focused on the dog¡¯s retreating, wagging tail.


    A good feeling blossomed in his chest. At first he was confused by what it meant, but then he realized what it was. It was pride and happiness. Someone had just paid him a compliment and saw potential in him.


    If that¡¯s good enough for Bella, then it¡¯s good enough for Maria! I should find her right away, he thought exuberantly.


    But as he turned to march off into town and through the crowd of upset mice, he saw one figure on the horizon. It was staring back at him, angrily. He recognized Pencil, and suppressed a shudder.


    Gabriel charged into the throng of mice to get away.

 Chapter 4 - Hard Truths

    Angry eyes followed Gabriel as he made his way through the roads. They were still packed with mice from the rally earlier that morning. Word of his ride into town on the bag of a large dog was spreading like wildfire. The mage quickly realized that his fellow mice were whispering behind his back.


    Whispers of betrayal. That the Mage Mouse had turned on all of them.


    In retrospect, I should have made my way up there in a more discreet fashion. Better yet, I should have declined Bella¡¯s offer! Oh no! This is terrible! I need to find Maria fast and head off the rumors!


    He might as well have torn down the sky and exposed the mythical sun.


    Still, Gabriel hurried to the mayor¡¯s house. That was the first place he needed to go to begin his search for Maria. The mayor¡¯s mansion was open to the people, but it was guarded by a dozen burly mice. The mayor was highly protective of his daughter and wanted to keep away mischievous younger mice.


    The towering mice gave Gabriel withering looks. One of them barked, ¡°Be off with you worthless magician! You bring bad luck with you! We need none of that here!¡±


    ¡°B-But, I must speak immediately with the woman of the house, Rosa,¡± Gabriel began.


    ¡°Are you looking for a black eye?¡± another mouse asked, striding over.


    ¡°N-No,¡± he stammered. ¡°B-But, this is really important!¡±


    ¡°Not as important as what the good woman of the house is working on,¡± A third guard sniffed. They began hemming Gabriel in.


    I¡¯m about to get the fur beaten off me, he thought frantically.


    ¡°Hey! What¡¯s all this? Who have you caught?¡± a familiar voice shouted.


    The guards all jumped to attention and saluted. And even larger, scruffier mouse ambled into view. Grit was a tall, muscular, and scarred mouse. A large sword was slung over his shoulder. He smiled with jagged teeth back at Gabriel, and his good eye squinted to match his other damaged eye.


    His black armor rustled as he extended a hand to the Mage Mouse. ¡°Gabriel, old buddy! How have you been? It¡¯s been a while.¡±


    Gabriel heaved a sigh of relief. Grit the berserker had always been friendly towards him. And he was one of the few mice in Rodentia that everyone respected. In no small part because he could easily have hugged any of them in two. He was even larger than some rats.


    ¡°I¡¯m feeling a little anxious, to tell you the truth, Grit,¡± Gabriel replied. ¡°I need to talk with Rosa immediately. I have learned some really important information that she should hear. Especially before Michael leaves on his quest.¡±


    ¡°Then it is well that we have arrived at the same time,¡± Grit smiled. ¡°I have also come to speak with her about Michael¡¯s self-proclaimed quest.¡±


    ¡°Are you looking to join,¡± Gabriel asked.


    ¡°Michael came to me before he announced his intention,¡± Grit rumbled. ¡°He wanted some muscle on his side before he began. And he heard that I was coming back.¡±


    The mage¡¯s whiskers dropped. ¡°I hadn¡¯t received word about it.¡±


    ¡°Spending too much time in the laboratory again?¡± the other mouse asked.


    ¡°Probably,¡± Gabriel said with a sheepish shrug.


    The guards all shuffled on their feet, looking uncomfortable.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s not dally and get going,¡± Grit roared happily and he pushed Gabriel along. He leaned down and whispered to him, ¡°You¡¯re lucky that I came along when I did. They were ready to beat you into next week! Seems like there are some funny rumors going around about you.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s better than the usual fair I get. It¡¯s usually nasty,¡± Gabriel said honestly. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Aye¡­ I¡¯m sorry about that, Gabriel. Maybe if you manage to get those spells of yours to work, our people will be more understanding and kind towards you.¡±


    The two entered the lavish house with a worried looking butler ushering them in. The entire house was packed with magnificent artifacts and fine artwork. The windows were uncovered and small crystal sat in the sils to absorb and shine back the light from above. It gave the entire manor a cheery feel while inside it. There was no other place like in all of Rodentia.


    Grit inquired after Maria and the two mice were led into a large study. There, Maria was working with two other maid mice to sew together and pack bags with food and supplies. Gabriel was quick to notice the one Maria was working on, embellishing it with her signature embroidery. He saw the likeness of herself and Michael already stitched prominently along the side. His heart plummeted, but he mentally readied himself for the conversation he knew he must have with her.


    Maria looked up and smiled broadly, causing Gabriel¡¯s heart to suddenly soar out from the pit in his stomach. But the smile was not for him.


    ¡°Grit! It¡¯s so wonderful to see you again! I take it that you got Micahel¡¯s message,¡± she said quickly. ¡°Please, please come and take a seat there!¡±


    Grit held up a scarred paw and shook his head. ¡°No, I will need to meet with Michael soon. Can you tell me where he currently is?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you know Michael, he¡¯s always about doing stuff. I find that he comes to me when I need him,¡± she twittered away.


    ¡°Lucky for you,¡± Grit grumbled. ¡°Actually, I was helping Gabriel along. I think he needed to speak with someone here, urgently. The guards were giving him a hard time.¡±


    Maria¡¯s face dropped and she said, ¡°Oh, the Mage Mouse. Well, be quick! I haven¡¯t all day! As you can see I¡¯m very busy!¡±


    Gabriel flinched at the change of tone in her voice. Grit gave him an encouraging nod. Clutching his oversized staff he steppe closer.


    ¡°Maria, I¡¯ve just come back from talking with the dogs. And they have some news that i don¡¯t mice know about or have considered.¡±


    ¡°And what haven¡¯t we considered yet?¡± she asked darkly.


    ¡°Duke GrrGruff is planning on going to war with the outlining kingdoms and gangs. Rodentia will soon be pressed for recruits and supplies. If they find out that we are staging a quest to free ourselves of their control they will attack us! We can¡¯t fend them off as we are!¡±


    Maria gave him a cold look and replied, ¡°We might be better prepared if we had magicians who could perform their craft properly. And what does it matter if the dogs are planning war? They will be unable to fend us off when Michael and the others return with an army!


    ¡°In fact, it is better this way! At least your news is not so dire as you made it seem, what with your appearance and all.¡±


    The other maids snickered at her comment and bobbed their heads along in agreement. Gabriel was stunned. How could she not take this threat seriously?


    Grit cut in and said, ¡°Maria, what gabriel has to say is worth considering. I agree that we should break ourselves away from the dogs. We need to be free. But we cannot just leave Rodentia defenseless! And if what he is saying is true-¡±


    ¡°So that Mage Mouse¡¯s words cannot be confirmed?¡± Maria slashed back. ¡°If that is the case, then I¡¯d say we should not waste anymore time. Simon, please see the Mage Mouse to the front door and make sure that he goes!¡±


    ¡°Hold on!¡± Grit rumbled. ¡°I know that every mouse is anxious around gabriel¡¯s powers, such as they are. But that is no reason to treat him so! And he at least had the backbone to go and speak with the dogs. A delegation should be sent to confirm his words.¡±


    ¡°And what good will that do, pray tell?¡± Maria asked. ¡°Make the people feel nervous? Believe that the quest will lead us to ruin? You just said that you supported Michael¡¯s venture to free our people. Do not act in a way that would undermine it.


    ¡°And as for you,¡± she said, looking pointedly at Gabriel. ¡°I know why you came here, and I will be forthright with you. It¡¯s the best way to cut to the quick. You came here not out of any desire to help the mice of Rodentia. To came here to make yourself look good. I have seen how you gaze after me. I don¡¯t like it, and I will not accept your help! Only if you can prove yourself useful to our people will I even consider thinking differently.¡±


    Gabriel slumped in place. He felt absolutely heartbroken. His warnings were going to fall on deaf ears. Maria wanted nothing to do with him. And, she had in part been correct about him.


    But I do care for my people, he thought miserably. I¡¯m just a failure who ruins everything he touches.


    ¡°I suggest that you get back to your study and try to at least perform part of the job that we¡¯ve come to expect of you,¡± Maria said coldly. ¡°At least your parents knew their duty. Now, begone!¡±


    Gabriel allowed himself to be led outside roughly by the butler. He barely registered that Grit followed him out. The butler shoved him through the door and he stumbled outside. Grit passed through the threshold and the butler squeaked in pain.


    ¡°I hate mice like him. Like all of them. Why they treat you this way, I¡¯ll never understand. Less so why you let them all walk over you!¡±


    Gabriel turned to look up at Grit. The larger mouse was not pleased at all. He felt his whiskers droop even further.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry-¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be sorry!¡± Grit roared.


    ¡°But that¡¯s just it!¡± the mage protested. ¡°You heard Maria! If only my spells were of use to our people! I could have stopped the deaths. I could have pushed back the desperation! I could give our town hope!¡±


    Grit shook his scared head and rumbled, ¡°Look Gabriel, you do yourself a disservice. These mice do not appreciate that they have a mage in their presence. And one who works so hard to better himself, even though it is an uphill battle. And you continue to hurt yourself by looking up to Maria.


    ¡°It¡¯s clear that she does not reciprocate your feelings. You are hurting yourself by measuring yourself up to her unreasonable standards.¡±


    ¡°Is it that apparent?¡¯ Gabriel asked with a wince.


    ¡°Painfully.¡±


    He sighed and said, ¡°Grit, I¡¯m just not the mouse you all need. The dogs want to take me away, to help out with their wars. I think that might be the best way I could serve everyone. Leave this place and take my curses with them.¡±


    Grit¡¯s face softened a bit and he patted the mage¡¯s shoulder. Gabriel stumbled from the force of the kind gesture.


    ¡°My friend. You are too harsh on yourself. Go home, Gabriel, and wash yourself. Take some rest, and we¡¯ll talk later. You¡¯ll see in time that all of these choices are the wrong ones. There are better options in front of you. We¡¯ll work together to make the mice here like you.¡±


    ¡°That would be a miracle,¡± Gabriel grumbled.


    ¡°Ha! With us working together, I don¡¯t see how we could fail,¡± Grit said happily.


    ¡°Thank you, Grit,¡± Gabriel said honestly. ¡°Really. You have lifted my spirits. I¡¯ll do as you say.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear it,¡± the larger mouse replied. ¡°I¡¯ll fetch you once I¡¯ve spoken with Michael.¡±


    They waved and went their separate ways. However, Gabriel did not feel hopeful, even with Grit¡¯s kind words still burning fresh in his mind and heart. The truth was clear. He was unwanted, and Maria would not accept his assistance or insight. And if she wouldn¡¯t no one would.

 Chapter 5 - Resolution

    Gabriel felt miserable as he crawled back into his den. He just wanted to curl up in a steaming cauldron and end his pitiful existence. But he decided that it was better to follow Grit¡¯s advice and give the warrior mouse a chance. He made his way to the wash room and got himself cleaned up.


    A cold basin of water was where Gabriel washed himself and kept himself, well, reasonably groomed. If he kept it heated he might have washed more, but with his volatile magic he feared somehow blowing it all up. Though he had tracked the results for many of his spells, and he could predict with decent accuracy what would happen, sometimes the results were terrifying.


    Just because he normally summoned water when he wanted fire did not mean he couldn¡¯t accidentally loose a blast of electricity and fry everything around him.


    Brrr! Maybe I should clean one of those cauldrons and use it instead for a bath!


    But thinking about cold water and cleaning only distracted Gabriel for so long. There was something even more pressing on his mind. Michael¡¯s quest to save Rodentia. A war brewing somewhere far away. How the town treated him. Maria¡¯s rejection of his feelings.


    There were too many thoughts tumbling through his head. His failed magic, Bella¡¯s words, Grit¡¯s encouragement, and a desire to prove himself. He wished he could just give up the cursed magic that coursed through his veins. He had once tried, but spells tumbled through his head. And nightmares plagued him if he did not give in.


    His parents had told him many magicians had gone insane trying to live a normal life. They all gave into the nightmares eventually.


    I have to do something about all of this, he told himself resolutely, toweling off. His fur stuck out at odd angles. I have been an embarrassment to my family, to my fellow mages, to my town, and to myself. If only I was better at magic! Maria was right.


    He buried his face in the towel.


    Arg! I¡¯m such a failure! If only I could be better! There has to be a way.


    Gabriel dressed himself in his singed robes, fuming over his situation. Grit said he would stop by and talk things over with him. In the back of his mind, he hoped that the large mouse would come up with a plan to somehow make him a part of Michael¡¯s expedition.


    That would be amazing, but¡­


    The mage already knew how the other mice would treat him, even with Grit nearby. The guards, the butler, even Maria had not held back. They would never see him as anything other than a failure. And in Michael¡¯s presence they would only see him as a hindrance.


    While in his mind images and dreams of becoming a hero alongside proven ones were fantastical and alluring, they were hollow. Deep in his heart, Gabriel knew that if he was going ever prove himself, better himself, he would have to stick it out alone. But something was still holding him back.


    Gabriel wracked his brains. Why could he not bring himself to act and do what he knew needed to be done? The answer was quite simple. It was Maria. He feared what might happen to her. A selfish part of him also hoped that once Michael and the others were off that he might be able to dazzle her somehow.


    What if he took Bella¡¯s offer and became a war hero?


    What if Pencil attacked the town out of anger and Gabriel repelled him?


    What if he studied harder and managed to get his magic working right?


    What if¡­


    ¡°No!¡± Gabriel bellowed to the ceiling. ¡°It just won¡¯t do! I¡¯m not war hero material! My magic isn¡¯t good enough to take on a dog, and let¡¯s face it, it would take a miracle for me to get my powers to work the way they¡¯re supposed to! All of these ¡®if¡¯s¡¯ are nothing but fantastical dreams that will never become reality!


    ¡°What am I supposed to do?¡±


    Again, the answer was clear, he needed to strike out on his own. Staying in Rodentia wasn¡¯t going to fix a thing. Michael would never let him tag along for his quest, no matter what Grit said. And even if such a possibility existed, no one would want him along. They would find a way to ditch him eventually. In short, the Mage Mouse was not the hero Rodentia wanted.


    I want to help though, he thought miserably to himself. And if I am going to help, it will have to be in my own way. Which I have no idea what that even is! But if it is to be my way, then it means that I must do it myself.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Somewhere, deep within his heart, a spark of courage and adventure lit. It was just enough for a small fire to take place in Gabriel¡¯s heart. Without another thought, he tore for some of his books. Dusty tomes were soon raining onto his floor and he scrambled to find the records that sprang into his mind.


    Covered in filth, making his recent wash totally unnecessary, the mage teetered over to a table, three large books in his arms. Using his elbow he cleared room for them and quickly flipped them open. Each book was dry retelling of ancient mouse history and held musing about where the other ice colonies should be in the Underworld.


    I¡¯m pretty certain Michael and the others know where they want to go to try and find new allies for Rodentia. And I¡¯ll let them do that; talking to people and getting them to follow him is what Michael is good at. Inspiring others is what Grit is good at, and knocking them around, he thought with a giggle.


    Even if I¡¯m rubbish at it, magic is my thing. There is no other mouse in Rodentia remotely capable of what I am. What I need, then, is to find something that will help us. Something that only I could do. If I can pull off a quest like that, then I will be finally become a hero! And maybe Maria will finally take me seriously. The other mice will finally respect me. And maybe I¡¯ll just find a way to help myself out in the process!


    Flipping through the pages, he caught traces of different mouse legends. There was the Hole of Endless Bounty, the Ghost Ship of Bradly the Bastard, the Dream Wall, the Gods¡¯ Stone, and many more. But endless food was not exactly what the mice needed, nor were ghosts or long lost religious icons. Other stories he found spoke of amazing, long-lost heroes. Still, nothing that immediately sounded helpful.


    Until he came across the legend of the Eternal Dragon.


    There! That is something, Gabriel thought, reading frantically.


    The Eternal Dragon¡­ An ancient being deep within the Underworld. Survive your journey to him and he will grant you either a boon of knowledge or a single wish. Surrounded by the treasures and bones of those who have sought to slay him, the Eternal Dragon is invincible. Well, this sounds promising!


    He knew of other legends regarding a dragon. Some said that he ate thousands of mice every day, forcing them away from their ancestral homes. A couple of legends regarding Rodentia¡¯s founding stated that it was because of some ancient, evil dragon that the mice settled here. Bedtimes stories meant to frighten children into obeying their parents told of a dragon who waited in the waters outside of the town, or under their beds, to eat up disobedient mice.


    Other legends said that the gods from above warred against the Eternal Dragon and his brood, until they all destroyed each other. Some said the Eternal Dragon locked himself away long ago so he could finally have peace from champions seeking out his guidance or chance to slay him. Others finally said that he had been slain by one of several different heroes, from Tanya Mighty Paw to Old Snapper, the great hound¡¯s last heroic act.


    When there exist so many tellings of the same being, then there must be truth to him. Most that I know of do bespeak a creature of amazing power and knowledge. And they don¡¯t call it the Eternal Dragon for nothing! If I find him, then I can either learn from him how to perfect my magic, or even ask him to come and save my town!


    Or he might just eat me¡­


    Gabriel shook his head, flopping his ears. Now was not the time to think such negative thoughts. He was finally onto something! True, the different legends did not entirely agree, that was something that he would have to risk. And even if he didn¡¯t find the dragon, surely somewhere out there in the vast dark there must be something he could learn or use to help his people. He brightened considerably as he thought it over.


    He continued flipping through the ancient tomes to track the routes the old mice had blazed to make their way to Rodentia. Beyond the great falls behind the town lay a mighty river. His ancestors had tracked up the river from wherever they had originated. Very old stories spoke of pirates along the waterways who had harassed them and kidnapped many. Large creatures like dogs and the fearsome cats came down from the realm of the gods feast on them. There were wide expanses of nothing. Some places were plentiful with good farmland and food, but predators stalked there, catching the unwary.


    Far away lay massive, sprawling cities. Some mice had embraced these places as their home, but the others feared being swallowed up the vastness of such uncaring places; they had pressed on. The further back he went, the more fantastical everything sounded. And it was somewhere back that, along the wide and winding waterway where the Eternal Dragon resided.


    That¡¯s a far way to go, he realized. It could take me forever to find the Dragon, if he even exists!


    He flicked his ear to get himself to stop thinking negative thoughts. They were valid concerns, but if he dwelt on them too long he might lose all hope and motivation.


    Gabriel moved to start sketching a rude map of where he needed to go and what he expected to find along the way. After that, he retrieved a bag his grandfather had enchanted to survive all forms of travel. Into it he stuffed some useful spell books (even though he was certain that he would get all the spells wrong), a change of clothes, a small knife, a blanket, and some food. It all weighed heavily on his back, but he felt he could manage.


    He then set about to dousing all of the fires in his place. It would be too much to clean up before he left, so he creaked all the windows open to provide some small sense of ventilation to keep the place from becoming musty. He wrote a quick letter to Grit, another to Maria, and one to all of Rodentia, explaining what he was going to do.


    Again, Grit, I¡¯m sorry for leaving you like this. But I have to do this on my own! It¡¯s the best way to appease everyone.


    He walked out of his house, fealty sweaty with nervousness. He didn¡¯t lock the door. He wanted Grit to be able to let himself in. He trusted the larger mouse to take care of the house while he was gone, at least to make sure that no one broke in. Grit was thankfully a trustworthy friend.


    There were mice still milling about on the street, but none of them so much as paid him a glance. That was okay. He did not need to announce his departure. They would find out soon enough. Without a second, betraying thought, Gabriel rushed to the back of the town and to the great waterfall.