Chapter Text
The door slams open with enough force to knock books from the shelves. “Motty!” A bright voice echoes through the Library’s halls. The mouse at the counter drops his book in surprise. “Motty, Motty, Motty, Motty!” Mercedes clears the distance between the door and the desk in record time, despite nearly slipping on the rug. “I’ve learned something!”
Motty blinks a few times. He adjusts his rumpled robe and bends down to gather his book, confused. “Congratulations?”
“A-ha, yes, very funny, look!” Mercedes slaps a paper on the table as though squashing a silverfish, her claws leaving creases. She throws down a handful of pink crystals, freeing her hands to gesture wildly.
“These crystals and these papers and Experience— they’re connected!” She scrambles around in her backpack, retrieving a glowing book. The ornate red bookmart flutters as though blown by a breeze, despite the still air.
“Fascinating,” Motty hums, adjusting his glasses. “Well, it’s certainly magically charged… what is it?”
“In Ancient Cities, sometimes we find these things with special properties.”
“That doesn’t answer my—”
“Armor that seals its own chips, axes that fell whole trees. These books? They create those special tools.” The mole turns tail to trot over to an anvil, shoving aside half-filled nametags.
“Mercedes!” Indignant, Motty rounds the counter. “Those are important!”
“I’ll put ‘em back!” She shoves the book into Motty’s arms. “Hold this.”
“What— Mercedes, please!” Despite his protests and sudden stumble, he keeps the book in his hands. Mercedes pulls her pickaxe from her belt and flashes him a completely-unreadable glance.
She places the pickaxe and book on the anvil, giggling. She raises her arm, the green flecks of Experience rising to her call…
Light flashes. The book is gone.
The mole and the mouse stand side-by-side, awed. The pickaxe glows with the light of Enchantment.