Mouse has lived her life in the shadow of the Empress, bound to her as both her lady-in-waiting and her decoy. But when she discovers the truth of her own identity, she must decide whether to keep playing the role of the dutiful handmaiden or pursue her own ambitions. Will a series of unexpected encounters lead Mouse closer to the person she longs to be or down a dark path from which she cannot return?  The Blade That Cut the Mouse’s Tail is a story of alliances and betrayals, love and heartache, revenge and absolution. But above all, it is a story about finding the courage to do that which you never imagined possible and become the person you were meant to be. What to expect: The Blade begins as a character-driven slow burn that leads to a world of political intrigue, treasonous plots, and dark revelations. Romance and humor emerge as a natural course to the characters within the story. Occasional mild language and minimal violence. Planned length: 1000+ pages [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]