Manners over all! The Mouse leaps to the bartop and turns to the golden-haired lady, then removes its golden circlet and sketches a deep bow. It wears an empty sword-belt around its shoulder and waist; the leather flops without the weight of a blade. "Greetings, Daughter of Eve," it says.

"I am newly arrived at this place, yes. A door appeared in the air; what choice had I but to follow?"