The Edge of MINECRAFT (Being the Second Volume of the Minecraft Trilogy)

It's a Trap!

The last place Jack wanted to be right now was in a marsh. Yet, here he was, ankle deep in the muck. To move faster, Lucas had put the group on a trail that moved southward for a short while. Now, they were at the swampy source of a river that would wind through the Orvaston, one of the largest deserts north of the Great River. Lucas had promised that the trail only skirted around the edge of the desert.

Jack hoped so. If they got lost in the desert, it could take them weeks to get out, and by then, the monsters would be long gone. As it was, the scouts predicted the monsters were just three days ahead of them.

A voice interrupted his thoughts. "Hey Jack!" called William. "Come check this out." Jack hurried over, his boots sucking mud.

William stood in front of a decrepit wooden hut. Vines were growing all over it; it had obviously been abandoned for years.

"Looks like an old witch's hut," Jack observed. "Seems like she hasn't been home for a while, though."

"Should we go in?" William asked.

Jack shook his head. "That roof'll collapse at the slightest disturbance. Plus, any potions in there may have expired by now. I doubt anything left in there is worth the risk."

William nodded, understanding. Jack smiled and clapped him on the back.

"Nice find, though. Let's get back to the others. We've got a schedule to keep."

~~~

Three days and countless liters of water later, everyone was miserable. Even Jack was beginning to wish for swampy mud over the hot desert sand. To get out of the desert faster, Lucas had limited down time, and Jack was running on very little sleep.

"Have I ever told you guys how I don't like sand?" Jon asked. "I mean, it's hot, and coarse, and it-"

"Jon," Lucas snapped. "Right now, none of us are feeling too peachy about sand."

Jack looked over at Alex, still sitting on Notchwrath. Patrick had ordered that she not over tax her stamina quite yet, and she was limited to three hours of walking a day. Jack hadn't told her yet that the horse Lucas selected for her had recently belonged to Steve. Alex certainly looked like she belonged on it.

Jack had enjoyed his talks with her. She was full of stories that had never been recorded about the Minecraft of old, along with fresh takes on classic tales. In Steve's absence, she was the perfect substitute. Her tales around the fire harkened back to when their old gang first set out, before things had gotten complicated, before Herobrine and his army, before Steve was gone.

"Look," Lucas was pointing. "A village."

"And beyond that," Jack added as he looked closer, "forest."

They reached the cluster of buildings in less than an hour. As soon as they hit the gates, a woman appeared to greet them. She wore a billowing purple and black cloak. Her long brilliant blonde hair trailed down her shoulders, and her eyes sparkled with an unusual light. A cheery smile was plastered on her face.

"Welcome to our village," she exclaimed with an enthusiastic voice. "I'm Tori, leader of our community. Please come in. Stay with us. You look tired after such a long journey." Her voice had an alluring quality to it, making her offer sound like such a good idea.

"We could use some more supplies," Lucas mentioned. "However, we can't stay long. Our journey carries the utmost importance."

Tori smiled. "Certainly. But please, relax while we see to your needs. We are known for our hospitality."

"What is the name of your village?" Lucas asked.

"Shadobrous," she said with her overpowering smile. Jack was beginning to find it more and more welcoming. He did, however, feel like he had heard the name Shadobrous before.