Dear Risa,

  I did another excellent job, and they’re sending me off to a town named Potat.

  Maki wanted to bet me if they grow potatoes there or not. I declined.

  And yeah, the town is on the way to Default. At this rate I should get one more job, then they’ll ask us to check in there. I think I'm going to get a super strong message stone set and send you one. I need to talk to you, Risa! Writing just isn't enough!

  Oh, there was a warning on this next job, saying the mayor of Potat has charm magic. Which is interesting. Thankfully, I have a cousin who uses charm magic, and she can tell if anyone is under a charm spell. And she’s kinda resistant herself.

  So if the mayor charms me into giving her a good report, Cali will find out and break me out of it.

  Oh yeah! Cali wasn't eaten by wolves. That’s good.

  Maki said they came to investigate, and she let one chomp on her arm. Which… is a thing I can see her doing, yes. Honestly, if she got her arm eaten by a dire wolf, she’d just think it was a hilarious story to tell kits.

  It’s not that she doesn't fear dangerous animals, no. She’s their friend. So a giant wolf monster wants to bite her arm? Why not! It’s a friendly bite!

  Her dad is the same way. He’s almost died several times from being attacked by animals. He’s got scars all over, and is missing half an ear. Oh, they’re the ones who have a cockatrice as a pet. That should explain everything. They just have a bird that can paralyze people with a look hanging out with all their normal chickens.

  And yes, both Cali and my uncle have been paralyzed by it.

  So yeah, she’s got no sense of danger around animals.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  But Maki does. He said when the wolf bit her, he kinda freaked out and almost messed things up. She’s promised to let him know if she ever asks anything to bite her again. Which… means she’s going to ask things to bite her.

  I love my cousin, I really do, she’s cute and happy, but she’s kinda not the smartest person in the world.

  She’s fun to be around, though. I’m glad she’s with us, and I’m not stuck in a group with two guys. If you were with us, that would be even better, but alas, you have a job to do and a fortune to inherit. It’s tragic that you can't come wandering around the country with us.

  …Huh, the horse is kinda freaking out.

  If the book ends here, I died.

  Apologetic Regards,

  Maeve Zee

  .

  *****

  .

  Maki held the reins as Cali jumped off the wagon’s seat, heading to the horse’s head.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked it. “What’s… Oh.”

  “Oh?” Maki repeated, his ears swiveling.

  Cali turned to look into the forest, ears up and tail poofed, and that’s when Maki felt it. He didn't hear anything. He didn't see anything. But he could feel an enormous magical presence stalking through the trees.

  An ursa major.

  “Cali, get in the wagon, we’re running,” Maki ordered.

  She swallowed hard, staring into the forest.

  “What is it?” Maeve asked quietly, moving to stare as well.

  “Ursa major,” Luke said, climbing out of the wagon.

  Maki stared at him. “Are you insane? We have to go! Now!”

  “No,” Cali said. “I need to find out why it’s here. It’s not supposed to be here. It…”

  Luke nodded. “I have to see it.”

  “By Bonnie, why?” Maeve hissed.

  He frowned at a piece of paper in his hands. “I… just do.”

  Maki shared a look with his sister.

  “You two have fun,” he told them. “We’ll wait for you a safe distance away.”

  “Yeah,” Maeve said. “Bye.”

  Maki flicked the reins, and Peanut bolted.

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