"I know!" I say, "But there is a fight going on here!"
Rather than charging straight ahead, everyone splits into two groups, some going to the left while the others go to the right. The riders gallop in wide arcs, flanking any creepers that might be waiting ahead. So far, this was the third creeper attack, and both of the previous times, there had been a small group of monsters ahead, lying in wait.
Rather than charging straight ahead, everyone splits into two groups, some going to the left while the others go to the right. The riders gallop in wide arcs, flanking any creepers that might be waiting ahead. So far, this was the third creeper attack, and both of the previous times, there had been a small group of monsters ahead, lying in wait.
As we move in large, curving arcs, Herder's wolves charge forward, barking and growling. With the creepers focused on the sound of the wolves, their proud barks would announce when monsters were near. With their furry sentries, no more creepers would be able to get close to us.
I decided to take a few fires at some who got too close for comfort.
I knew there was a cold taiga biome off to the left, but the grasslands continued to stretch out in front of them and off to their right. As they climbed the hill, one of the wolves gave off an angry growl, then a sorrowful howl, as if it were watching one of its companions suffering in agony. Instantly, I drew my diamond and iron swords, ready for battle.
Glancing about, I saw my companions also preparing for combat. But before we could discuss a strategy, Butch charged forward on his black mount, galloping up the hill, eager for a fight. It seemed like he always had to be the first to reach the monsters; his blade always had to draw the first of the attacker's HP. It was as if the NPC had decided that he was solely responsible for everyone's safety...which was ridiculous.
Urging my horse forward, I followed Butch up the hill, with Hunter right behind us. When I reached the top, I readied my swords---but there were no monsters. In fact, the we were completely alone on the plain. I see White stand staring straight ahead, her fur bristling as she glares at the horizon with angry red eyes. A column of smoke was rising up into the air, likely from the Village we'd been riding toward.
"Is it the Village?" Crafter asks when he reaches the top of the rise.
"Probably," Butch replies.
A glow lit the horizon where the tendrils of smoke climbed into the air.
"You think that glow is the fire?" Stitcher asks.
"Maybe," Crafter says. "You can see smoke rising up; something is definitely going on there."
"Why would the village be on fire?" Stitcher wonders.
"You think that glow is the fire?" Stitcher asks.
"Maybe," Crafter says. "You can see smoke rising up; something is definitely going on there."
"Why would the village be on fire?" Stitcher wonders.
Suddenly, another wolf barks, and then lets out an angry howl, to the left. Turning, I find another of the wolves staring out into the distance, toward the cold taiga, its fur bristling and tail sticking straight out.
"What is is, girl?" Herder asks as he dismounts and kneels next to the animal.
"Look," Digger says as he points off to the horizon with his big iron pickaxe.
"Look," Digger says as he points off to the horizon with his big iron pickaxe.
I glance up from the wolf and see huge columns of black smoke starting to rise. The billowing smoke is thick and climb high into the air like dirty fingers clawing their way out of the forest. The ever-present east-to-west wind begins to pull at the smoke and drags it to the west, making the smoky fingers bend and writhe with the wind, as if in agony.
"What is that?" Herder asks as he pats the wolf that is still growling.
"More fires," Butch says.
"More fires," Butch says.
I stare at the big NPC, seeing an angry rage behind those tiny square eyes. Butch glances back at the village, then turns again toward the forest. More columns of smoke are rising into the air as the fires spread across the snow-covered spruces.
"We need to go see what is happening and stop those fires," I say. "They're spreading and getting worse."
"No," Butch snaps. "We go to the Village and investigate the fire happening there."
"But it looks so small in comparison," I say. "That forest is being devoured by fire. We have to find out what is going on. It could be the blazes!"
"Villagers come first," Butch snaps. He turns his mount and heads toward the village. "Everyone, follow me. Wolves...forward."
The furry animals bark once, then continue the trek across the grasslands, running to keep up with Butch's galloping horse.
"No," Butch snaps. "We go to the Village and investigate the fire happening there."
"But it looks so small in comparison," I say. "That forest is being devoured by fire. We have to find out what is going on. It could be the blazes!"
"Villagers come first," Butch snaps. He turns his mount and heads toward the village. "Everyone, follow me. Wolves...forward."
The furry animals bark once, then continue the trek across the grasslands, running to keep up with Butch's galloping horse.
"I guess we're going to the village," Hunter says as she takes off after the big NPC, the others following, leaving me staring at the burning forest, alone.
I think, I feel like there's something important there,
I stare at the backs of all my friends as they follow Butch toward the distant village. I sigh, then pull on my horse's reins and reluctantly follow the others. As I ride, I keep my eyes on the burning forest. The sky darkens as more fingers of smoke claw their way into the air.