Into the Spiders' Lair by Mark Cheverton

Author:Mark Cheverton [Cheverton, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781510727434
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Published: 2017-12-12T05:00:00+00:00

The stairway spiraled downward along the wall of the huge pit, the width of the abyss making the opposite side difficult to see. Torches had been set in the walls near the surface of the desert, but as they went deeper into the gaping hole, they were replaced with blocks of netherrack, each perpetually-burning cube set behind iron bars, splashing the stairs with a flickering glow.

As they descended deeper, a structure at the bottom of the abyss came into view. It was a huge castle built from cobblestone and stone brick, with a fortified wall surrounding the main structure. Cylindrical turrets sat on each corner, the towers dotted with holes for archers to cover any approach by enemy forces.

The main structure was gigantic. Multiple buildings soared upward to impossible heights behind the fortified barricades. The structures were connected by covered walkways that stretched from one building to the other, creating a complicated series of causeways that was maze-like in its complexity. From within the castle, flickering light streamed out of barred windows, giving it the appearance of being occupied. But Watcher knew better. He could see the thick layer of dust on the ground and across the tops of the towers. This place had not been visited by the living for centuries.

The castle was built upon what seemed like a replica of a grassy plain. Thick, verdant grass grew around the walls, the blades curiously still; it was something you didn’t usually see in Minecraft. But then Watcher realized there was no breeze down here. The normal east-to-west wind was blocked, leaving the blades of grass standing at attention and stationary, as if carved from green stone.

A wide set of gates sat open in the fortified wall, the iron bars rusted and crumbling apart from the ravages of time. On either side of the huge entrance, two statues loomed. They were built to resemble horses, and both black-and-white-spotted animals were sculpted to look like they were rearing up, their front hooves reaching high into the air. They were built from blocks of quartz and obsidian and were the most spectacular things Watcher had ever seen.

“I can’t believe it.” Farmer moved to one of the statues and ran his hand across the blocks making up a rear leg. “My brother and I heard about this place, but we always figured it was just a myth. I wish he could have lived long enough to see it.”

“Your brother is gone?” Watcher asked.

Farmer glanced at Watcher and nodded. “It was during the last skeleton attack. He was killed trying to protect the herd. At the end of the attack, I saw him slumped over on the back of his horse, a dozen arrows sticking out of him. I rode as fast as I could to get to him, but Trainer fell off and died just as I approached.” He paused for a moment to fight back the emotions, then his voice grew very quiet. “We never had a chance to say goodbye.” A

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