The Mouse, The Hermit, and the Great Road
A Beezel Adventure — Chapter 1
Welcome to the beginning of a cozy, whimsical, and slightly chaotic woodland adventure! Meet Beezel the mouse, Luna the mysterious traveler, and Archibald the outrageously opinionated gnat as they begin their quest toward invention, peril, and an old roller-skate that may or may not be a terrible idea.
I’ll be releasing new chapters weekly right here on Substack. If you’re enjoying the ride so far, consider subscribing—as, future chapters will be exclusive to paid subscribers!
Chapter 1
Morning and Missing Wit
The sun filtered through the treetops, painting the multicolored blanket of fallen leaves that was the forest floor with a million fawn spots. A slight chill hung in the air. A low mist clung to the ground and underlying foliage like a soft whisper, the morning dew reflecting though it like murky diamonds.
A lone Loon called in the distance - soft, like the scene, but still almost harsh and out of place. It was the catalyst of morning, and suddenly the forest was alive.
Thousands of warbling, tittering, blissful bird calls suddenly filled the air. The mist began to release the entangled vegetation, surrendering to the warmth of the morning sun. The thrum of insects flitting through the haze seemed to add a layer of music, welcomed by the animals stirring from their nocturnal slumber.
A soft breeze danced through the flora, playfully pulling on a leaf here or a flower petal there. The mist began dissipating slowly in rhythm with the continued cycle of life, revealing the brilliance of the sun-dipped landscape; the colors flooding through, vibrant - alive.
Beezel blinked up at the light slanting through the leaves, his tiny nose twitching at the scent of warmed earth and moss. Today, something was different. The forest felt… expectant. He was still sleepy and was about to rub the sleep from his eyes when a curious gnat found his perfect pink nose and used it for a perch. Beezel went cross-eyed. His ears and nose twitching. “Um… Hello?” He offered, wondering if the little fellow was lost, tired, or just friendly.
“Good day,” the gnat replied, a bit huffily. “Archibald Thistlewhip the Third, at your service, sir. However, could you please stop that infernal twitching? It is about to unseat me, my good fellow. I am tired and do not wish to argue with you about my choice of resting spots,” he added, as he began cleaning one of his feet.
Beezel sat back a bit, as if doing so would give him a better view of his tiny yet slightly oppressive new friend. “Sorry…” he stammered, trying not to giggle at the audacity of the diminutive little fellow and upset him further. “I am Beezel. Um… Can I help you?” He added, suddenly feeling a bit hungry.
Archibald stopped cleaning his foot and looked up at Beezel with a look mixed with amazement and indignance. “I rather doubt it,” he replied stiffly, “Though it would help if you would be still and stop asking so many questions. I really need to rest for a moment and get my bearings.”
“Archibald! Where are you?” the question floated to Beezel’s oversized ears like a song. It came from the most beautiful voice he had ever heard. Again the question echoed through the forest.
“Incessant yelling,” Archibald declared, perturbed. “Here, Luna. I am here. Must you yell? I am old and tired and this person smells like old leaves and now I am getting a headache.” He declared as the most beautiful mouse Beezel had ever seen, marched out of a stand of ferns, planted her feet firmly apart and demanded “Well, who might you be now? Be quick. I am on a mission of great importance and have no time to waste," she added, “And, Archibald, do please get off the poor fellow’s nose. It is a bit rude.”
Grunting as if it were a great imposition, Archibald took flight, tickling Beezel’s nose in the process and causing him to have a sneezing fit. He then landed with an exasperated “humph” on Luna’s shoulder where he continued his bath.
Eyes watering now and looking a bit damp, Beezel smiled shyly and blurted, “I am, Mission—what Beezel are you on?”
Luna began to walk away hiding a slight smile mixed with curiosity and a bit of annoyance. Archibald sighed smugly and informed her, “See, this is why we do not talk to strangers, Luna,” as he began cleaning another foot.
“Wait!” Beezel said, fighting the embarrassment he felt at his bumbling words. Come now, Beezel, he told himself, it’s just a pretty girl and a rather crotchety gnat. Nothing to get worked up about.
Luna had not stopped and was about to disappear around a large rock. “If you would like company, I would love to come along. Please come back for a moment and allow me to pack some food and grab my coat. I can be very helpful,” he added, almost pleading and hoping it did not sound that way.
To his amazement Luna stopped. “And we are going back,” Archibald groaned. Turning around, Luna marched back to Beezel, who was so stunned he had not moved for the door of his small dwelling.
“Well?” Luna stated, rolling her eyes, “I don’t believe your coat and food are out here. I wonder if you are much help at all,” she said rather flatly, stomping one of her tiny feet.
“Oh, my stars,” Beezel said, as Archibald just stared at him in disbelief. “Please come in,” he invited. Gesturing towards the small oval door to his home, yet he still could not make his legs move.
Archibald took flight again heading for the door. “Fine,” he stated as he buzzed through the air. If we must endure this great lout, I am at least going to do it somewhere warm and where there is food.”
Finally mastering his anatomy, Beezel spun around and stepped to the door and opened it just as Archibald reached it. “You do have tea, I presume?” Archibald commented presumptuously as he soared into Beezel’s home like a tiny, rude bird of prey.
“Can I get you anything?” Beezel asked, shyly.
“A broom might help,” Luna half teased looking around at the disarray of Beezels home. It was not really dirty as much as, lived in. It was full of warm nooks, crumbs of old cheese, and a kettle that had now begun to whistle like a squeaky hiccup declaring morning tea was to be served.
Beezel winced. Archibald snorted and added, “If your frozen smittenness would please figure out how to operate in the presence of a cute girl, would you be kind enough to pour the tea?”
“Archibald!” Luna declared, stifling a laugh that begged to be let out. “Do not be rude. Beezel has been kind enough to invite us into his home and join our adventure. I know he may not seem like much, but I think he will be useful,” she added as if it were now law.
“Um… I am right here,” Beezel informed them, feeling a bit indignant.
“Yes, yes you are,” Archibald chided,
“I thought we just went over that,” he said, then adding with a humph,
“At this rate, we will be having evening tea…”
“Sugar!” Beezel exclaimed, suddenly remembering he had none.
Luna turned, hiding a giggle. Wondering again if she was making the right choice. This Beezel was interesting and a little cute as well, but he did seem to get flustered easily.
Beezel flushed. “Oh, sorry,” he said, “I am out of sugar.”
“Of course you are,” Archibald moaned, exasperated, “Out of wit as well, I see.”
“Archibald!” Luna admonished, squaring her shoulders and stamping a diminutive foot. She was relieved she was able to actually pull off a look of authority while resisting the urge to fall on the floor laughing.
“I… Um… apologize…?” Beezel stammered, “Let me just…” he began.
“It is quite ok, Beezel,” Luna said smiling and still trying to stifle a giggle. “We have a long way to go. I am going to find Leazo the Hermit. He has invented an automated nutcracker and seed extractor. I wish to barter with him for a device of my own for my grandmother.”
“Yes, yes,” Archibald said in an almost scolding tone, “How many times have I told you, Luna, you can not believe everything a little birdie tells you.”
“Oh my stars… food,” Beezel said smiling. “I do have some cheese… and oh yes, I have some biscuits as well,” he added as he suddenly began digging through the cupboards and stuffing food items in a pack he produced from the sink, of all places. “Oh, my, now this will do!” He exclaimed, turning to Archibald, “Here,” he said, handing Archibald a small bit of cloth just big enough to be a gnat sized blanket. “You seem chilly. Maybe this will warm you up,” he added winking at Luna who smiled and again turned away to hide a smile and a soft giggle.
“Um… thank you,” Archibald replied, still sounding a bit annoyed. He did however, take the blanket, which he folded mid flight, mumbling something about wrinkles and a bit of old cheese
Beezel smiled. As he quickly stepped to the front door and produced a couple of nicely carved walking sticks. “We will surely need these,” he said, handing Luna one that had a beautiful pink stone attached to the top of it like a blushing crystal ball proud of its place upon such a noble staff.
“Well now we might be getting somewhere,” Archibald snorted. “About time. I am not getting any younger,” he added as Beezel slipped a coil of rope off a hook next to the door and stuffed it into the pack with the rest of the items he had gathered for the adventure.
Then taking a beautiful lavender cloak off another painted hook by the door, he handed it to Luna. “You will want this. It gets chilly at night and it will make a good blanket as well,” he then threw open the door with a flourish and a bow and motioning Luna onward said, “Lead the way.”
“And how far do you think we will get before this lout remembers he has forgotten his own coat and left the teapot going, Luna?” Archibald queried with a slight smile this time. He was beginning to like this bumbling Beezel. Even if he did smell like old leaves.
The forest is only the beginning… The Great Road and much more awaits.
As always, thank you all so very much for all of your continued support. It means the world to me to be able to share my work with you all. Stay entangled, my friends and keep reading.
If you enjoyed this, you can continue reading about Beezell’s adventure here:
Chapter 2 A lost ring, Rickety Wheels, and Metallic Monster Mayhem
Stay entangled, my friends.
—The Bathrobe Guy
This is really adorable!! Im looking forward to reading more of the adventure!! Your so diverse! I really enjoy that about you!!
Oh so utterly sweet, charming and delightful. Just love the rhythms.