Tainted and Warped

FOUR

Gameknight's chosen group of martyrs all gathered around the well early the next morning. As much as he didn't want to (die) be in danger again, it was nice to have something to do other than help Herder with the animals and pace around the village and worry and see the things that he wasn't sure were real or fake.

Now he was finally wearing his diamond armor, fiddling with the straps of his swords. I don't deserve to carry two swords. He was there first, of course, because he was the leader and because he couldn't sleep.

Hunter came next, complaining that it was 'so early' and she was 'trying to sleep'. Gameknight grinned dimly. I'm so tired.

Next was Stonecutter who, unlike Hunter, was always up this early and thus doing just fine. He seemed physically strong, of course, but Gameknight had no clue what his mentality would be. Not that mine is very good right now.

Last came Blacky, the seasoned blacksmith that Gameknight probably only had two or three real conversations with... but that was one more than everyone else, save his close friends. Blacky would be a good addition: he was focused, but not too serious. He wouldn't freak out (unlike Gameknight).

They turned to face Crafter. Gameknight was the only person who knew what was going on. More than they knew.

"Friends, I have gathered you today to go on a quest..."

Gameknight largely ignored the rest of Crafter's spiel. He knew the plan– he helped make it– and it was just so hard to stay focused.

He only focused when a reign was placed in his hands. He looked up, expecting to see Herder, but was met with a stranger's face.

Unless that is Herder and there's something wrong with me.

**But the person moved on quickly enough that he didn't have to worry about that. He turned to his horse, a white and black speckled mare. Could you eat a horse in Minecraft?

*"Everything okay, Gameknight?" Hunter slapped his back.

"Wha? Yeah?" He turned to face her.

"You were making a disgusted face." She smirked. "I know the horses can be gross, but you're hurting her feelings. Right, baby?"

"That's weird, Hunter." For just a moment, everything was forgotten as they dissolved into laughter. Could I laugh without a tongue?

Just like that, the moment was gone and Gameknight was left a bit too aware of his mouth.

"Alright guys," Gameknight spoke as he mounted his horse, then directed his reigns to turn back to the other three. "We'll ride hard today, when the horses and us are at full energy. Let's try to hit the Pass before nightfall. Sound good?"

He got varying levels of affirmation from his group, the six wolves barking in affirmation. He didn't know they could do that.

He nodded, then turned and exited, the others on his tail. The sun was barely rising. If all went well (knowing him, it probably wouldn't), the trip would only take four days. Gameknight was anxious about being gone for that long. The village might be different by the time he makes it back.

Stonecutter and Blacky, obviously more comfortable with each other after presumably years of working together to mine and smelt and create, settled in comfortably and began talking. Hunter slid up next to Gameknight, her horse meeting his pace.

"You've never actually been to the Great Northern Desert, have you?" she asked. "Cause we were supposed to go to drop the ender chest in, but we never made that far."