The group reached Bendsville at about noon. The town was small, smaller even than Fish. They stopped at the diner for lunch, rented both rooms at the tiny inn, and… waited half an hour for Maeve to fix her hair and put on makeup.

  “Does it always take this long for her to put on makeup?” Luke asked, enhancing a stove’s fire rune for the lady who ran the inn. In exchange for this work, they’d all get free breakfast the following morning.

  “Yep,” Maki said. He was sprawled in an overstuffed chair, staring at the ceiling. “Maeve is what’s commonly known as ‘high-maintenance’. But if we want a shot at the mayor taking us seriously, she does need to look as professional as possible.”

  “Oh.” Luke hesitated. “Should I do something to look professional?”

  Maki glanced over. “Nah. You look like a craftsman, which is what you are. Maybe you could pick up a tool belt or bandolier or something for your tools? But you’re fine.”

  Luke finished carving and pushed mana into the runestone. A ring of fire appeared over the stone. He felt the slight, constant tug of mana from the stone, and cut it off. The fire died.

  He got up, ready to call the innkeeper that it was done, but stopped when he heard footsteps on the stairs. Maeve and Cali came down, both girls smiling.

  Cali looked like she usually did. Her short yellow hair was maybe a bit neater than normal, and she had an extra earring or two in her tall pink ears, but her clothes were the same sturdy and comfortable-looking things she always wore.

  Maeve, though, looked like she owned a whole country. Her clothes were professional-looking and pristine. Her bright red hair flowed behind her in a way that made it look like real fire. Behind glasses Luke hadn't seen her wear before, her eyes radiated intelligence. And the way she held herself radiated authority.

  Luke felt… so very far beneath her. He was lucky she even acknowledged he was in the room.

  Maki apparently didn't feel the same. “Wearing glasses makes you look blind, not smarter."

  “These have runes to enhance sight-based class abilities,” Maeve told him, reaching the bottom of the stairs. “You haven't seen them before?”

  “I guess I’ve never seen you do official maths,” Maki shrugged. He rolled to his feet. “We ready?”

  “Yes,” she said, adjusting her blouse slightly. She gave the world a dazzling smile. “Let’s go meet the mayor.”

  “Uh, I need to-” Luke held up the runestone, then walked to the kitchen.

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  The innkeeper was there, cutting up vegetables. Luke handed over the stone, she verified it worked better now, thanked him, and he went back to the main room.

  That done, the group left the inn. They went to the next building over, a converted house with “Bendsville Town Government” engraved on the door. Maki opened the door, checked the room, and stood to attention as he motioned everyone else inside. Maeve walked in first, followed by Cali then Luke.

  An older man was lounging behind a desk, doing paperwork. He sat up as Maki closed the door, blue ears twitching.

  “Hello, how may I help you?” he asked.

  “Hello,” Maeve said, her voice brisk and formal. “I am Maeve Zee, an Auditor working with the Traveler’s Guild. I believe you are Mayor George? If so, you will have been informed of our arrival.”

  “Yes, that’s me,” he said, sitting even straighter. “I don't believe someone as pretty as you could be an Auditor.”

  Maeve gave him a predator’s smile. “And I don't believe someone as ugly as you could be embezzling government funds. Let’s see if we’re both wrong, or only you.”

  Cali snorted. Maki had a neutral smile on his face.

  Before Luke could decide if he was amused, terrified of how the mayor would react, or in love, there was a faint gold flash and a piece of paper appeared in his hand. He glanced at it.

  [I like her.]

  Luke shoved the paper into a pocket, his ears flattening and tail going rigid.

  “Right,” the mayor growled. “Before you begin, Miss Zee, I also received word of a Beastmaster and Runesmith coming. I assume those are your companions?”

  “Yes,” Maeve said. “Cali is a Beastmaster with a permit to charm animals, and Luke is-” She paused for half an instant, confusion flashing as she looked him over. “Luke is the certified Runesmith. Maki is my guard; he will be staying here with me as I work.”

  Maki saluted.

  Mayor George nodded, finding two pieces of paper from the mess on his desk. “I sent word out. Two farmers in the north of town requested the help of Miss Cali, and I’ve got a whole list of people who need a Runesmith.” He held out the papers.

  Cali bounced up and took hers. “Ok! I'll take Peanut and see what they need done!”

  “Thank you, miss.”

  Luke managed to relax enough to step forwards and take the list. There were about twenty names on it. He gave the mayor a nod and scanned the page. He decided he’d ask the innkeeper where the first person was, then work down from there.

  “Very well, then,” Maeve said happily. “I will need a desk to work at, and all your town finance books from the past five years.”

  The mayor hesitated. “Five years? I believe I only have records going back three years…”

  “Oh? Legally, you are required to keep records for ten years,” Maeve said, a bit apologetically. “If you can't give me the records from five years back, I will have to report that, and the king will have to order a full investigation.”

  “Actually, now that you mention it,” Mayor George said, getting to his feet, “I think I have them stashed in the attic. I'll go check.”

  Maeve’s smile turned evil again. “Yes, you do that.”

  He hurried off, and she turned to Luke. Before she could speak, Cali bounced in to hug her.

  “Ok, I'll see you at dinner!” Cali dashed out the door.

  Luke turned to follow.

  “Hey, you ok?” Maeve asked him, reaching out to touch his arm. “You looked freaked out there.”

  “Yeah,” Luke said, managing a half-smile. “I… It’s nothing. Just-” He felt magic hit the paper in his pocket. “I should get to work.” He hurried out the door.

  As soon as he was out of sight, he pulled the paper out. The words had changed.

  [O Chosen One, are you ashamed to know me?]

  He glared at the sky.