The Golden Rider Book 1: The Golden Traitor

Chapter 3.4

The Academy quickly came into view, and I was able to see the whole thing from the skies for the first time. It truly was massive, built entirely of stone it appeared on the horizon. It almost blended into the mountains behind it. There weren't any towns close to it, and the forest went up all the way up to the small wall surrounding it. From up above, the small wall seemed insignificant. A Dragon could just fly right over it.

The Academy grew even larger and larger as we neared it. Soon we were able to make out all of the Dragons perched on various places around the Academy. They easily outnumbered us; however, I could tell that not all of the Dragons and Riders were here.

Maybe they are keeping some in the reserves?

Possibly, I answered Adonis. But why? Why not just try to crush us and get it over with?

Maybe they're underestimating us. Wouldn't be the first time.

I nodded and tried to find the leader out of all the Dragons there. Logically, they should be somewhere in the middle of everything, ready to give orders and lead the others into battle. That's also why Bates had all the Generals flying in the middle of their groups of Riders. It also offered extra protection. Once a General went down, no one would know who to look to for direction and chaos would ensue.

Right there. Adonis said. In the all black armor.  I saw exactly who Adonis was talking about. Riding a purple Dragon was the leader of the New Order at this Academy. He or she stood in front of everyone, and every once in a while another soldier would come up and exchange a few words before falling back into place. The Dragon's Rider stood to its Dragon's side.

Our own Metallic Riders continued to fly closer and closer until we were just outside the outer boundary of the Academy. Everyone stopped, and the Dragons huddled in midair awaiting directions. Before any directions could be given, the purple Dragon's Rider called out.

"Welcome mutinous Rebels to the First Academy of the New Order!" A girl's voice called out. It was vaguely familiar, but I shrugged it off. "Which one of you dares to call yourself the leader of such a treasonous group?"

Well, the plan didn't account for this, Adonis muttered. I looked to my right side at Bates. He just shrugged.  Putting his fingers to his mouth, he let out a shrill whistle.  A moment later, a similar whistle responded barely heard above the pounding sound of the Dragons' wings. Bates looked back over at me and motioned for me to drop down onto the path below leading to the front gate of the Academy. I patted Adonis' shoulder, and he dropped down followed by Bates and an orangish Dragon further down followed and came to flank my left side. Liam nodded to me as the three of us landed.

"I asked for your leader, as in singular. Not plural."

"Well, technically we have five leaders because we aren't a dictatorship, but we thought it would be best to just present you the cream of the crop," Bates answered. I stifled a groan, and I could imagine Petra cursing Bates out.

"Aren't you funny," the girl sneered. "So, by you lot coming here, you officially declared war against the New Order and in doing so you traitors will be sent to an early grave."

"We aren't the ones who committed treason against the Lands first."

"The New Order saved the Lands! The rotten Council was full of corrupt old men who wanted to watch the average citizens of the Lands rot away into nothing! Because of them my family is dead!" The girl yelled with a sob. I could see both Bates and Liam tense as the girl began to cry in the drizzling rain.  Her body shook as she sobbed.

"I'm sorry-" Liam started to say before he was cut off by shrill laughter.  The three of us were startled by the sudden emotional state of the girl.