After a narrow escape from the Deep Dark, Kai and I were back on the happy ghast flying as high as we possibly could. We needed to put as much distance as possible beneath that underground lair that we absolutely did not sneak into and completely loot. Who would do that? That warden totally overreacted if you ask me.

We surveyed the Overworld for our next stop, and settled on an area that seemed as different from the last place as possible. Finally we saw it. Above ground, exposed to the sun, no wardens in sight. Perfect! As we descended, the muse tapped me on the shoulder and I got out my postcard.

(Do you know where we landed? Click here for the answer or keep reading!)

As we neared land, we saw two figures. They were moving around quickly, jumping up and down, and flailing their arms in the air. What a fun dance! I hoped they would teach it to us, and also that they were very patient. Kai suggested they were waving at us and needed help. There was no way to know which one of us was correct, because when we landed both of them had disappeared. We decided to split up and look for them. There was a scary mineshaft on one side, and a delightful river on the other. Ever the hero, I took the river.

After toiling away at the river bank, looking both left and right, I took a little break. The sun was beating down on me and the water was just so cool. During my revitalizing swim, I spotted some sugarcane on the other side. It would just be wasteful to leave it there. Then, I saw a cactus. And another cactus! And, you’ll never guess, a third cactus! This was shaping up to be the best day ever!

I was just about to fashion a dead bush into a wig, when I saw it. I had only heard of its existence, but now it was right in front of me. Curled up in a little blocky ball, it was real and – holy mooshroom – rolling towards me!

(Do you know where we landed? Click here for the answer or keep reading!)

The armadillo and I rolled through the biome for ages. There really is no better way to take in the sights than in constant rotation on the ground. We can all learn a thing of two armadillos and tumbleweeds. After a while, we came to a sudden stop. I looked up to see what we had run into and saw a familiar mop of blonde hair. Kai! And Makena and Ari! How did they get here?

Kai explained that Makena and Ari had been the figures we’d seen from the happy ghast. They were flagging us down because they needed help with all their gold ore. I still think they were dancing, but I let it go after a very mature hissy fit. (It could have been a celebratory salsa, a miner’s merengue, or probably a gilded boogaloo. That makes much more sense. But whatever! It’s fine.)

I looked behind them, and they weren’t kidding. There were piles and piles of gold everywhere. Stacked at the cave opening, bursting out of bundles, spilling out of their minecart. Some of it had even made its way into my own inventory, how crazy was that! It was truly a sight to see, especially how well it matched the rest of the terrain.

(Do you know where we landed? Click here for the answer or keep reading!)

We got to work and by the end of the day, all four of us were dusting ourselves off and getting comfortable for our next adventure. The three of them started discussing where we should go next, while I finished my postcard.

How adorable, they thought that they had any say in the matter! They obviously had never read the captain’s code. Which I wrote, and for once in my left kept succinct: I decide. Come back soon to find out what that decision is!