Winter Morgan - Beneath the Blocks: An Unofficial Minecrafters Mysteries Series, Book Two

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Brian Peterson

Cover art by Megan Miller

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-3188-2

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-3194-3

Printed in the United States of America

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BENEATH THE BLOCKS

GREAT NEWS

T hats amazing! Edison exclaimed to Omar.

Whats so amazing? Billy overheard them. They were standing at Edisons potion stand in the center of town.

Omar is building a castle in Verdant Valley, Edison blurted out.

Billy didnt find this to be amazing news. Oh no, youre leaving Farmers Bay? he asked.

Just for a few months, Omar reassured Billy. I wont be gone long, and you can visit me.

Edison reasoned, Hes only moving one town over. Its a quick trip. It will also give us an excuse to visit Anna.

Billy looked down at the ground when he spoke. I know youre right, Edison. He looked at Omar. I want to apologize. I realize you told me something really great, and I immediately thought about myself.

You dont need to apologize. Im flattered that you care about me moving to Verdant Valley. Omar smiled.

Tell us about the castle, Billy said. Will you build a moat?

Yes. Omar described the castle in great detail as Billy and Edison listened attentively.

What made you decide to do this? asked Billy.

I was asked to build it, Omar replied.

By whom? Edison questioned.

Its a rather odd story, but a few days ago I went to the village to trade some of my wheat for emeralds, and I encountered a cloaked man named Dante.

A cloaked man? asked Edison.

Yes, Dante wore an orange cloak, and he asked me if I knew who had built the mansion by the water. Dante told me that he was living on a boat and had seen the mansion from the water and was instantly drawn to the structure. I told him that it was my home, and he immediately offered me countless diamonds for the building. I was taken aback because nobody has ever offered me a large sum of diamonds for anything I have ever built. There was a part of me that wanted to sell my home and take the diamonds, but I remembered that I love my home and never want to sell it. I explained that the home wasnt for sale, but Dante wasnt happy with this news.

I told him that I could build him a home, and he suggested that I craft a large castle. I agreed. I didnt hear from Dante for a few weeks, but yesterday he knocked on my door and told me that he acquired a bunch of land in Verdant Valley and asked if I was available to start constructing the castle. I told him I could start this week.

So you arent moving there? asked Billy.

Dante wants the castle built very quickly, so Im afraid I will be staying in Verdant Valley until the project is complete, said Omar.

Edison wanted to tell his friends about the great news in his life. He had run out of ghast tears for his potions, and he traveled to the Nether on his own and was able to refill his supply of rare ghast tears. The trip wasnt easy, and there were many times when he thought hed be obliterated by a ghast or a blaze, but he had made it home in one piece, and he was quite pleased with the outcome. However, this news seemed rather minor compared to Omars.

I have ghast tears, Edison told his friends, so I have to go home and start finishing a bunch of potions I was unable to brew before.

Wow, Omar remarked, ghast tears are hard to get.

Yes. Edison told them about the trip to the Nether.

Next time, Billy said, annoyed, can you ask me to go with you? I heard about a great Nether fortress I want to loot.

Edison agreed hed tell Billy about his next trip to the Nether, but Omar interrupted as he looked up at the sky, Its almost dusk. I have to get to Verdant Valley before night. I want to get an early start on Dantes castle. Anna said I could stay at her house tonight.

Omar turned around and waved as he left the town ready to start building Dantes castle.

Billy asked Edison if he needed help closing up for the night. Edison was a respected alchemist and sold his potions at a stand in the village in Farmers Bay. People came to visit his stand from all across the Overworld. As they placed the final bottle of potion into the case, a woman with long dark hair and glasses called out, Can you just wait one second? She rushed over, and catching her breath she asked, Do you have any more potions for breathing underwater?

Edison looked through his inventory and found one bottle of the potion of Water Breathing. Only have one. Do you want it?

Yes, she said, Im so glad you have even one. Im not a very good alchemist, and Ive been in dire need of this potion. How much does it cost?

One emerald. Edison held the potion as the woman picked an emerald from her inventory.

Thank you, she said. You have no idea how helpful this is to me.

I dont mean to pry, said Edison, but its very late. Where are you from? How are you going to get home before dusk?

The woman pointed to the sea. I live on a boat. Dont you see it docked at the edge of town?

Edison and Billy looked over at the beach and saw a large pirate ship in the water. Billy asked, Wow! Thats incredible. Thats your boat?

Yes. She blushed. I built it. Im a huge fan of pirate stories, and Ive always wanted to live on a pirate ship.

Edison said, Me too. I love pirate ships.

If youd like to go on the boat, I am staying here overnight, and Id be more than happy to give you a tour of the boat tomorrow.

Can I come too? asked Billy.

Of course, she replied, and then she added, Im Amira.

Billy and Edison shook her hand as they introduced themselves. Amira smiled and excused herself. I have to get back to the boat before nightfall.

The two friends also had to get home before night. They didnt want to fight off the hostile mobs that spawned in the darkness. As the two cleaned up and raced back to their bungalows, an arrow pierced Edisons unarmored shoulder.