The recent explosions heard throughout the world had begun to fade from
memory. The wounds had healed, and the city of Shallam had removed the
rubble from its streets. When exploding mice were the furthest thing
from anyone's mind, ticking rang out through the streets of Ashtan, and
the citizens of the Bastion of the North scrambled as though they knew
what was in store for them.

The question upon most lips was, "Where is the mouse, and where did it
come from?" All shops had been scoured, and every corner of the city had
been searched so many months ago when the first rumblings were heard.
Constantine the jeweller, an unlikely source, yelled in shock at a
rodent crawling about his robes, and the citizens of Ashtan pleaded with
him to leave the city. In his panic, Constantine fled to seek the
assistance ofIkant the philosopher, shrieking in horror.

Clamoring for Constantine's attention, the many citizens and curious
onlookers who had gathered around him drove the jeweller to act. He
located the mouse in his pocket, clutched at the vermin, and tossed it
with all of his might towards Lake Balaton. The mouse sailed overhead
and landed in the lake, and those gathered seemed relieved. Several
began to search around the lake, perhaps in hopes that they would find
the last mouse. A short time later a great rumbling was felt, and the
mouse detonated below the surface of the lake. Suddenly the ground
beneath the lake collapsed, revealing a sinkhole upon which the city of
Ashtan had apparently been built. Several roads and bridges were
collapsed, and the water from the nearby sea began to pour into the wide
hole. The entire northeastern section of Ashtan now lay in ruin.

Meanwhile, the flowing water dislodged the guildhall of the Shadowsnakes
from its location in the former lake, and the deepened lake and widened
access to the sea offered an escape. Assembling quickly on board, the
guild floated off on their ship, sailing out of the grasp of the city to
parts unknown.

Again, the question rang out, "Where did the mouse come from?" Truly,
who had been hiding the mouse, and how could he or she keep it from
sight for so long? Whether a random tragedy or a deliberate act of
malevolence, or perhaps an ill omen, the city of Ashtan will never be
the same again.

Penned by my hand on the 24th of Midautumn, in the year 89 MA.