The Fall of the Fool

What-was going on?

Xio stared at the rat in bewilderment. It was an uncommon white; for little creatures that lived in the shadows, such a conspicuous color would make survival difficult. Yet this rat looked not only plump but exceptionally clean, nothing like a wild rat.

It looked more like a pet-did Mr. Dantes keep rats? Surely not-and this wasn't how you kept a pet rat, either-was it someone else's pet? Then why was it in Dwayne Dantès's house-

While Xio was still pondering, the rat holding the cake spotted her. To her astonishment, it put down the cake, adopted a distinctly human expression of contemplation, and then the cake vanished. Her hand suddenly grew heavy!

Xio's expression changed abruptly. She looked down and found the cake in her hand! When she looked up again, the rat had disappeared without a trace.

Clearly, that rat was a Beyonder creature!

Filled with shock and confusion, Xio returned to the third floor and recounted her experience to Fors. Finally, she asked, "Should we pretend we know nothing, or find a way to warn Mr. Dwayne Dantès?"

Fors considered it. "Perhaps the butler means no harm? As for the rat, maybe it just wanted something to eat-"

Her voice sounded hesitant. Clearly, she had little confidence in that answer. Still, neither matter was likely to have begun recently, so she continued, "Let's keep observing for now.

"I have to say, Mr. Dwayne Dantès really is a poor fellow. Not only was he used to frame Baron Syndras, nearly imprisoned on false charges, and left with a damaged reputation, but he also has a butler who studies black magic, whose intentions and loyalties are unknown. Even the rats in his house are suspicious! Ah, I hope he doesn't lose his life over this. In