The town of Dogroofs was a logging town, surrounded by thick forests. To keep out wandering animals, it had a high wall around it.

  As such, Maki couldn't get a good view of the town’s roofs until the wagon passed through a wide, arched gateway.

  He held out a hand. Maeve put a silver piece into it.

  Sure, some of the roofs looked like a child had painted a dog on it with crayon, but there were quite a few well-done and artistic dog paintings.

  Maki decided he had to ask the mayor how that got started. Sure, it was interesting, but why?

  Maki turned to look at everyone. “Where first? Food or inn?”

  “It’s still kinda early,” Cali said. “Inn?”

  Maeve nodded. “Inn.”

  Luke, staring intently at a random piece of paper, apparently hadn't heard the question. Maki was hungry; if he got Luke to say food, Maeve might change her vote.

  “Yo, Luke,” Maki called.

  Luke twitched, shoving the paper into his pocket as he looked around, ears flat. “Yeah? What? Sorry.”

  Maki shared a glance with Maeve, then looked back. “Food or inn first?”

  Luke relaxed. “Oh, inn. It’s still early.”

  Maki sighed. Lunch would have to wait.

  They found the inn, and Cali tended to the horse while the other three went to get rooms. They decided on two rooms again; girls in one and guys in the other. It was a practical way to save money, and frankly Maki had grown used to sleeping in barracks. Sleeping in a room alone unnerved him somehow.

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  They carried their backpacks up the stairs, Maeve choosing the room that overlooked the town’s square. The guys got the room that faced another building.

  As Maki tossed his backpack onto a bed, he saw Luke looking at the piece of paper again. “What’s that?”

  Luke twitched, glanced to make sure the door was shut, then looked at the ceiling before folding the paper. “It’s a… magic paper that…”

  It flashed gold. Luke unfolded it, frowned, and handed it over.

  [Hi, Maki]

  Maki glanced at Luke, confused. “Uh, hi?”

  It flashed, and the words changed.

  [Luke is annoyingly honest and also bad at keeping secrets. So I will tell you directly: he is one of my chosen souls.]

  Maki felt his ears slowly fold back as he realized what he was reading. Whose words he was reading. “Chosen? Like, to be a priest?”

  “No,” Luke said. “To be entertainment.”

  “How…” Maki shook his head, trying to get his thoughts in order. “So, somehow the Goddess Bonnie chose you to be… entertaining.”

  “It’s complicated,” Luke said. “It's why I've never been anywhere or done anything. Dad hoped she’d change her mind.”

  The paper flashed.

  [Ha.]

  Luke saw the word and glared at the ceiling. “Well, it worked. You didn't notice I wasn't in Fish for over a week.”

  [Fair. But now I've noticed, and I’m sure your life is about to be very exciting!]

  Maki held the paper away from himself. “Is that a threat?”

  [Hopeful thinking. Divine intervention to promote excitement is frowned upon.]

  “Ok, good. I think.” He looked at Luke. “Wait, when were you chosen? How long has this been going on?”

  Luke took the paper. “Since I was twelve.”

  Maki sat down heavily. “Oh.”

  “Yeah.”

  “I… probably shouldn't ask any more questions,” Maki decided.

  “You can ask, I just don't know if I can answer,” Luke said.

  “Right.” Maki got up, leaving his backpack on the bed. “I'm gonna go find lunch.”

  “Ok, I'll…” Luke looked at the paper. “I'll be a minute.”

  Maki went to the door. “Yep. No questions.”