Chapter 29: Chapter 28: Shadow of the Antecedent

The Hero Became a Mousegirl
Chapter Twenty-Eight

Cesarina and I left Aivi with Lyle before returning to the park. There was something off about the girl, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. She was like a doll that was only half-alive, she responded when spoken to, but seemed to have little will of her own. 

Perhaps Aivi just needed time. I’d shown up only moments after Cesarina had modified her memories, it was possible what I was seeing was just a side-effect of that. It made me nervous about allowing Cesarina to do the same to Auriel, thankfully it wasn’t my decision alone to make. Auriel herself would have to approve it, and even Myra would need to be brought onboard to prevent her from disrupting Cesarina’s attempts. 

“Any particular reason you’re a mousekin, rather than you know… a female human?” Cesarina asked after gazing around the park to make sure there were no witnesses of our arrival. 

“If there is, I’m unaware of it. Though I appreciate the longer lifespan, even if my short stature is off-putting.” 

“There were no mousekin you found yourself envious of during your previous life?” 

“I can hardly remember the existence of mousekin from that time, let alone any specific individuals.” 

“I guess that makes sense.  In the texts about Caelan the hero, there isn’t mention of a single beastkin ally. It always struck me odd, since they have many diverse bloodlines with powers beyond human warriors.” 

“My companions were chosen for me. I’m just lucky we got along. It’s honestly a little embarrassing to talk about this though. It was kind of comforting to have someone around who didn’t know about my past.” 

“Then why’d you tell me? Even if I had my suspicions about Kaphis… I can’t imagine I’d have ever connected you and the hero. The idea that the hero who fought off the fell dragon wanted to be a tiny little girl as adorable as you are… it makes my brain hurt.” 

“I don’t know,” I shrugged with a wry smile. “I guess I didn’t want you to question Kaphis’s intentions. I feel indebted to them, it’s a feeling so intense that I doubt I’ll ever be able to do enough to feel like I’ve paid what I owe. If I let you question them, if I let you believe that they raised me to be a weapon without my consent, just to protect my own comfort… that debt would grow to a vast infinite darkness I’d never escape from.” 

“Such a kind hearted girl you are,” Cesarina giggled and patted the top of my head. “If it makes you feel better, even if I logically know it is possible for the Caelan of old and you to be the same person, my heart can’t accept it. You’ll always be you to me, this version of you.” 

“You’ve gone from flirting with me, to treating me like a child. You exist to confuse me don’t you Rina?” 

“Rina,” Cesarina grinned. “I love it, a nickname from a cutie. Hmm… I’m still flirting with you though. From what I know about you I can’t help but feel as if you’d rather be treated like this.” 

“Please bite yourself and erase that thought!” 

“You’re blushing.” 

“Seriously… you and Myra will be the death of me. If you get Aurii acting like this too I’ll lose any hope of living a normal life.” 

“If you wanted to live a normal life, you wouldn’t be rushing off to fight liches you know?” 

“A normal adventurer’s life!” I sighed and side-eyed Cesarina before taking off toward the manor. As we walked I racked my brain for what I might’ve said to give Cesarina the impression that I wanted her to talk down to me. She’d kept the air of a subservient intellectual until our conversation just now, why the change? 

Perhaps Cesarina saw me as honest in a way only a child could be? Or maybe after seeing how Myra treated me she believed that was what I liked, and waited until now to implement it? 

Pinching the bridge of my nose I turned to ask Cesarina what had given her the impression I wanted her to praise me and pat my head, when a loud booming voice shouted through the crowd. 

“There she is, that’s the thief!!” 

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“How dare you accuse me of thievery,” Cesarina scowled. Standing upright with her heels together she gave off the demeanor of the perfect noble, looking down her nose at everyone around her. The only thing that harmed her illusion of nobility was her clothing, though she was at least dressed in something better than the tattered robes I’d first saw her in. 

“Don’t dare try to play dumb with me,” A man hissed, making his way toward us with two muscle-heavy brutes. “When I’m done with you, you’ll be lucky if you can still walk.” 

“Stay back Caelan,” Cesarina winked. “Street fighting is prohibited in Shadewind, we wouldn’t want to become criminals like these men.” 

“You’re already a criminal! Get her!” 

Even if Cesarina’s focus was magic, she was still a vampire – a greater demon. She danced around the clubs being swung for her head as if the entire world was moving in slow motion around her, and for her it probably was. To the surprise of the crowd forming around us, and to the man who’d swore he’d teach Cesarina a lesson, she dodged every blow. 

By the time the guard arrived, Cesarina had won the fight, simply by dodging until the thugs became too exhausted to move. The muscleheads and their employer were all arrested while Cesarina and I were cleared to continue on our way, giggling as we went. 

“That was impressive,” I grinned. “Makes me want to duel you, just to see if I could land a hit.” 

“Don’t flatter me too much Caelan, we both know you could end my life in a heartbeat if you wanted.” 

“I’m not so sure, I don’t have the insight skill, so it’s not like I can see your level. Unless you decide to show me your status, I have no idea which one of us is stronger.” 

“Hmm… you don’t have insight?” 

“You do?” 

“No, but I always heard it was a critical skill for knights to have.” 

“It’s an important skill for sure, but at long as someone in your unit has it, they can relay the information to the rest. So it’s not like everyone who becomes a knight gains access to it.” 

“Hmm… well then, would you like to see my status?” 

“Yes please.” 

Cesarina grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the shadows before pulling up her status so that I could see. 

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