The Stardust Affair (Part III)

June's Story Tag

Illustration By Tamsin Gordon

This is part III of the series!

Part I

Part II

---

Happy Nielsen

The Lord Regent’s manor house was nestled at the base of the Starfish Mountain, the vast estate surrounded by verdant rolling hills and distant forests.

From their hidden perch on the hillside, Tobias and Whiskerquick peered down at the castle, searching for signs of movement. The twilit silence was broken only by Meredith’s occasional grunting as she wrestled with the Sorcerer’s magical shadows that bound her arms behind her back.

“This isn’t necessary,“ she said again, huffing in frustration. “I’m on your side.“

“Ha! Like we would ever believe that,“ Lucius retorted, his narrowed gaze never leaving the struggling woman.

After much arguing, the trio had decided to bring the Spy Mistress with them to break into the Lord Regent’s vault. But no one trusted that she had their interests at heart, least of all Tobias.

Growing up as the only child of the great Lord and his infamous Lady Spy, Tobias had been witness to one too many schemes and betrayals. The days of trusting his mother were long over.

“The manor is quiet. We should go in before the staff wake,“ Whiskerquick said with a swish of his long tail.

But Tobias didn’t trust the silence. “It’s too easy. Where are the guards?“ he muttered, his eyes darting from window to window.

“We don’t have time to figure that out. We have the stardust,“ the Sorcerer reminded them. “This is our best chance.“

With a sigh, Tobias agreed and the group made their way down the hill to the northeast corner of the imposing house. He had used a little known entrance there as a boy, sneaking in and out without his parents’ knowledge.

The manor remained quiet and dark as they approached and Tobias was relieved to find the key to the secret door still hidden where he’d last left it so many years before. A low screech broke the silence as the door swung inward on rusty hinges. Tobias let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

“Hurry,“ Whiskerquick whispered. “I don’t like being out in the open like this.“

Tobias supposed a mouse wouldn’t.

The group quietly crept through the door into the dark room beyond. As the sorcerer brought up the rear, the door thudded shut behind him. But it was the next sound that sent a chill running down Tobias’ spine.

His mother giggled.

Crystal Dennis

“Run!“ Whisperquick brandished his sword as he ushered the rest of the party forward. He wanted to wipe the smug grin off of Meredith's face as Lucius and Tobias passed, but there wasn't enough time.

The Greyfen Guard swarmed the narrow corridor, clustering around Whisperquick in droves. Their eyes glowed golden in the dim candlelight as their purrs drowned out the mouse's pounding heart.

“Whisperquick,“ Fleetfoot drawled. “I've been waiting for this for a long time.“

“I bet you have.“ The mouse held up his rapier with desperate defiance. “But I warn thee, I won't go without a fight.“

“Oh, I know.“ The cat flashed a feral grin, his purr as loud as galloping horses. “And I'm glad. The battle is always part of the fun.“

The cat's tail swished with anticipation as he growled low in his throat. The rest of the guard took that as their time to strike, pouncing on Whisperquick so fast, he had to throw his weapon aside.

Whisperquick learned early in his life that it was useless to take on so many large foes at once. He would have to use his size against them. He would have to think faster, move quicker—or risk being crushed.

Whisperquick dove through punishing paws, bristling tails, sharpened fangs. A yank at his tail was the only sign he was a whisker away from becoming someone's meal.

There are holes everywhere if you're willing to look.

He remembered the off-hand comment from Tobias. Whisperquick always thought it pertained to the city streets, but after discovering his mother's identity, perhaps it meant something more.

If there were holes, where could they be?

Whisperquick scrambled for purchase as another pummeling paw popped him into the air. The Greyfen Guards all yowled with excitement, thinking that they'd finally bested the little mouse.

Was that a glimmer of stardust in the corner?

Whisperquick flipped over so all four of his paws landed on the ground. It wasn't his favorite way to run, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

Ignoring the rest of the melee, Whisperquick homed in on the sparkle of starlight. There wasn't enough power to teleport the mouse anywhere, but he had a feeling that wasn't its true purpose.

“Oh, no you don't!“ Fleetfoot lunged at the crafty mouse as he ran straight towards the wall. “You've been bested, Whisperquick. If you surrender, I'll make your death quick.“

“I will never surrender.“ He darted through the feline's legs, rushing to his destination. “But I'll give my regards to your superior. The Lord Regent, perhaps?“

The Commander hissed, swatting at where the mouse had been. But it was too late. Whisperquick had reached the stardust. As the mouse suspected, next to the stardust was a mouse sized hole that could fit him perfectly.

“WHISPERQUIIIIICK!!!!“ Fleetfoot bellowed when the mouse's tail was all he could see. “You fiend, how dare you–“

The cat's hollers faded out of existence. Whiskerquick couldn't help himself. He laughed in triumph as he traversed the tiny tunnel.

Meredith had tried to ensnare the trio, but she failed. Hopefully Lucius and Tobias could evade any other traps the Spymistress had in store. And hopefully, whatever was in that vault was worth the trouble.

To be Continued…

Read Part (IV)

Thanks so much for reading! I can’t wait for you to experience the incredible talent each writer brings, it's such a delightful and fun story!

A story tag is a collaborative tale where each writer adds a scene before passing it along to the next person. I kick off a new one on the first of every month in my Sub chat, and we'd love to have you join in on the fun!