Hey!
I am sorry to break the immersion, but I think there is a bit of a problem with the Webnovel system. It is not allowing me to post the latest special preview of "One Last Knight. AS3 Volume #02 Smoke." In German!
I have no idea why, but I am working on it!
I am sorry again, and I hope that you all can be patient while I work to figure it out.
I think that between Leafaria, O.L.K. Volume 01 & 02, Shadows before dawn, Fox & Faux, Dear You, and Sunsets & Synthetics, I may have too many active books in rotation, you know?
I have 20, including the Spanish and German versions.
Maybe 20 is the limit?
Hmm.
I will let you all know just as soon as I figure it out.
Thank you kindly again, and again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.
See you all back here at the gates to Crayosia soon enough, yeah?
Enjoy.
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After Himora and I had managed to shake off all of the debris and climb out of the now-ruined hut, we surveyed the area for clues as to where the mysteriously beautiful girl might have gone.
"I think she might have taken Smith to that weird herbalist...maybe we should try there."
Himora inquired as he shook off the last of the dirt he had "picked up" and straightened his sword at his side.
"You may be right."
I responded.
"But where the hellz is 'THERE'?"
At first, Himora seemed to have forgotten about the slip of paper which he held in his right hand, so while he was staring about in wonder at the hut's location, I simply took the paper from his hand.
"Uh, yeah...I take it this is it?"
"OH! Yeah, that's it!"
He said with an undertone of amazement that sounded too sarcastic to be real.
"Yeah, like you knew."
I said with a hint of laughter mixed into my voice.
"I DID!"
He snapped back at me.
"I was just looking to see if it was close by."
I let it go.
Himora would die on his hill of pride if I let him.
"Well...anyway. We have to get moving. Smith could need us even as we speak, and we already...I already let him down once."
Himora looked at me with a sense of sorrow in his eyes.
"Nothing is your fault, man. Don't blame yourself. We just weren't ready for that random girl."
His words, though kind, did not seem to have the desired effect. I felt as if it was my fault, just due to the fact that I couldn't beat that..."girl". I couldn't help but let it get to me.
As we started to walk on through the village, we passed many different types of huts and homes that all seemed to have different qualities. It was weird to see them suddenly go from home to store, and back with very little change.
I have to admit that there were several times when I accidentally walked into a woman's or a family's house, either to be kindly welcomed or rudely thrown out.
As we walked along the crowded streets, many different people stared at us outwardly, or if not that, gave us quick side glances. I guess if you aren't from around these parts, you're far more easily noticed. At one point in our walk along the bustling streets, the air seemed to thicken with the scent of many different herbs and perfumes.
I couldn't help but clasp my hand over my nose to keep from choking.
"I... I take it we're getting closer?"
Himora shouted through his hand, which was now (just as mine) over his nose.
"I wouldn't know but... THERE! That sign! That's it!"
Right before us was a large, worn-down hut with a wooden plank over the door that read:
"Luemalissa's Laurels & Luminaries."
As we grew closer and closer, we came to confirm that the strange odors were originating from this place.
"Ah, man, that's really bad!"
Himora said as he took his other hand away from his sword and clasped it over the hand that was already there.
"Do we really have to go in there?
He said, slowing his pace to a slow walk from the brisk walk we had been traveling in.
"Yeah... For Smith... Just hold your breath or something..."
I didn't see it, but I felt him staring daggers at the side of my head.
"Easier said than done."
Was Himora's only reply.
The door to the hut was huge, a lot taller than most of the other doors about the town. It stood at just about eight feet, causing both myself and Himora to question the stature of its owner.
"Well, here goes nothing."
I said, taking the first step towards the door.
"Or everything."
Himora said as he drew his long, sharp sword.
He was right.
In an instant, we could have fallen into any trap that had been laid, yet still we persisted, heading headlong into any danger that may have been behind the closed door.
As my sense of smell began to grow less aggravated by the horrible odor, I was able to remove my hands from my nose and place them flat against the looming door, Himora at my back with his sword at the ready.
"You ready?"
He asked with a hint of nervousness in his voice, an element of emotion which he rarely ever showed.
"Yeah... let's go on three."
I said as I slowly leaned my weight against the giant door.
"One... Two... Three!"
With a great push, the door began to creak loudly, then it suddenly shot open and revealed a mouth of darkness that swallowed both Himora and me whole.
With a loud thud, we hit the ground, myself being the one on the bottom.
Before we could get to our feet, let alone untangle ourselves from each other, the huge door slammed shut as if on its own will, and we were thrown into complete darkness and silence.
In an instant, Himora and I were back-to-back, his sword gleaming dully in the darkness as it reflected the tiny bit of light that shone from the edges of the door.
As far as myself?
My heart beat wildly as a strange sense of fear crept over me, causing me to be more on my toes than I should have been at that time.
"I knew it was a trap!"
Himora whispered between his tightly clenched teeth, letting slip a hint of fear into his voice that made me grasp the shaft of my spear even tighter.
"We... We have to s-stay calm."
I stammered as I tried to lighten the situation.
"There has to be a way out... Or something."
I reasoned.
"And I'm pretty sure that if we can't get out, nothing can get in... I hope."
"You are both right and wrong."
Came a voice out of the darkness that made me and Himora almost jump out of our clothes.
With that, Himora had his sword and his eyes set in the direction it had come from, or at least that's what I'd hoped, for I turned in that general direction as well.
The voice went on.
"Please, do not fear. Lower your weapons and step toward the light, if you will. I promise no harm shall come to you."
It was the voice of a woman, strangely soft and calming, so much so that even the battle-hardened Himora took a slight step forward.
I was quick to grab hold of his arm and try to pull him back.
"Himora, we don't even know who that is! She could be a Witch! Or worse!"
"Or worse?"
Was Himora's surprisingly calm retaliation.
"Well... Yeah... I guess."
I said, trying to sound confident.
Himora shook his head and continued forward.
"It's her... The Herbalist."
Again, the voice resonated from the depths of the surprisingly large hut, seeming to carry with it a newfound sense of comfort and hospitality toward myself and Himora.
"Must I repeat myself?"
The woman asked as I, more than Himora, hesitated to progress towards the dimly lit candle that seemed to float in midair at the back of the room. I couldn't help but notice that it seemed to appear from nowhere, yet Himora didn't seem to mind.
"No harm shall come to you in this place, child. Come forward and please me with a better look at the friends of General Hammersmith."