Rough hands shook him awake. Mouse sat up, startled, and almost banged his head into a mess of golden-brown curls.

“Sorry,” Felix said softly.

“No, no, I… shouldn’t have fallen asleep,” Mouse yawned, half-awake. He blinked and wiped his eyes, struggling to wake fully. Where am I? Who am I? What’s happening?

Felix’s eyes shone in the low candlelight. “It’s night.”

“Night, er, night, right,” Mouse mumbled, stifling a second yawn.

Night. In Felix’s room. He jolted awake, eyes wide. Oh, shit. I need to get out of—

Eleda yawned loudly from behind Felix. Mouse frowned at her, then blinked, remembering. Right, night! I have to do the ritual for Felix.

Over Felix’s shoulder, Eleda gave Mouse a jealous look. Bags swelled under her eyes, and her eyelids drooped slightly whenever she stood still.

“Come on, I have the perfect place.” Felix gestured excitedly.

“Your Majesty, could I…” Eleda stifled a yawn.

“Oh, certainly. Feel free to use whatever you like.” Felix nodded at the bed.

Eleda glanced aside. “I couldn’t be so bold!”

You couldn’t? Mouse raised an eyebrow.

Eleda winked at him.

“Oh! Oh, uh, there’s, um, there’s guest rooms, down the hall, just choose one…” Felix blushed and rushed out of the room.

Left behind in the room, Mouse and Eleda shared a glance. After a moment, she sighed and shook her head. “I suppose I’ll find a guest room.”

Mouse left the room. Felix nodded at him, and they headed down the hall and outside. “There’s these lovely lakes on the fringe of the castle… Oh, I’m sorry. I did research, and the books said you elves prefer lakes for your rituals. Is that correct?”

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“It is. We prefer privacy as well,” Mouse added.

“Right. Yes. This one, it’s not suitable for Eleda because it’s right outside the dining room. At night, though, no one is in the dining room, and the reeds should provide enough cover that no one should see you.”

Mouse nodded. Mentally, he ran over the ritual repeatedly, tracing the steps in his head. I walk in, say the prayer, if she doesn't show up, there’s a small dance, and then… He pressed his lips together. It’s been a decade since I last did the ritual. Hopefully I don’t get it wrong.

Felix smiled at him. “Nervous?”

“Ah… I haven’t been favored by the Moon Goddess in a while. She… might not show up,” he said slowly.

“Aren’t you an honored mage?”

Mouse stiffened. Oh, shit! I forgot I’m Moussaesa! He opened his mouth, then paused again. What if the Moon Goddess doesn’t show up? I can’t say I’m a famous mage and then risk getting slighted. I’ll be exposed immediately! “Er, yes, uh… that’s… my brother! I’m actually a famed duelist. Everyone always gets it backwards, because they expect the girl to be the mage.”

Felix nodded, eyebrows raised. “That explains how you did away with Reginald so quickly.”

“Yes! Haha…”

Felix drew to a halt. “Here we are.”

From outside, the dining hall’s tall windows became dark portals. Stone walls towered over them. Majestic but cold, the castle presented a forbidding front, a warning to those who would do evil in the dark.

A tall stand of reeds blocked the way ahead, presenting a tight-pressed wall. Felix headed straight for it, uncaring of the army of reeds in his way.

“Is it… this way?” Mouse asked, hefting his skirt. It’s not like I’ve never gotten muddy, but skirts get so damn heavy when they’re wet!

Felix nodded. “There’s actually a path here. Follow me closely.”

Hesitant, Mouse followed. Mud squished around his feet and sunk into his slippers. After a few steps, reeds layered over the mud, stabilizing the path. The reeds made a stiff wall on either side, close to their sides, barely wide enough for Mouse and his skirts. More familiar with the route, Felix pushed ahead. Mouse struggled behind him, carefully placing his feet on the reeds in a vain attempt to keep his slippers from getting muddier.

Women’s clothing is awful. I need to make some improvements if I’m going to be here for a while, Mouse noted. Then he frowned. Not that I’m going to be here for a while. Moss will be back any moment now.

“Your Majesty, how have things been going at court?” Mouse asked.

Felix visibly flinched, even in the moonlight. “Er… I haven’t been recently. But I’m learning! I’m learning a lot.”

Mouse nodded slowly. Dayander is right. I need to put in more effort if I’m going to make Felix anything but a figurehead. “Next time they convene, we’re going. Both of us.”

“Right. Right, er… yes,” Felix muttered. His shoulders hunched, and he hugged his arms to himself. All the excitement and energy left his body, and suddenly, he was the farm boy again.

Mouse frowned at Felix’s back. We’ve got to work on that.

They turned a corner, and Felix straightened. “Here we are!”