The Blade ~Book One~

Chapter Fourteen: The Challenge

The bright sun shone into my eyes as I raced down the narrow pathway. The weight off my bag would increase then decrease as it bobbed up and down. In my peripheral vision I noticed golden hair bouncing into view. Before I knew it, Bridger had taken the lead, leaving me in the dust.

We neared a tree that had grown in the heart of the forest. I felt my legs speed up as I lunged forward. I slammed my fist on the tree to mark that I had finished our run, but he had beaten me by a few seconds. I followed his lead, sliding down the tree and reaching for water in my bag.

"I thought that you were training me." He laughed in between breaths.

I brushed my hair away from my eyes, "I was going easy on you."

"Sure you were." He drew his sword, pushing it deep into the damp dirt below us. "What am I going to beat you at next? Archery? Wrestling?"

I rolled my eyes, taking another gulp of water. I leaned my head back against the bark.

"What's that?" I noticed the purple liquid in his bottle.

"Colored water." Some demigods had a bunch out at mess hall today.

"You're lame."

"I can't fight that."

I glanced at my watch- 9:36.

"We've got to head back soon." I told him, "Chiron's announcing the new practice thing he's been wanting to tell us for a while."

"Yeah, what do you think that's all about?"

"I don't know." I shrugged. "Race you back?"

"No, I can't risk losing my winning streak." He used the tree to lift himself up.

"You're winning streak? You mean this one time?"

"No, remember that one time...?"

"What time?" I faced him.

"The time when..." He thought.

"Exactly."

"Whatever." He yanked his sword from the ground, "Let's just walk for once."

"Fine." I sighed, swinging my bag back on my shoulders as I rose.

He lead the way through the forest until we could see the twelve huge cabins in the distance.

As we walked, I noticed many other campers outside talking, fighting, and reading (Only the Athena kids).

"Hey." Someone swung their arm around my shoulders, "What's up?"

I looked into my brother's chocolate brown eyes, "Just dreading what Chiron has planned."

"You haven't heard?" He was now walking backwards now, so that he could still talk to us while he walked ahead.

I looked from Bridger, who seemed just as confused as I was, and then back to Mason, "No? I thought no one knew."

"Word got around."

"So what is it?" I raised an eyebrow.

"No need to spoil the fun." An evil grin spread across his face. I called after him, but he had already gone off to a group of guys.

"I'm going to go change real quick." I told Bridger, who nodded.

I sprinted off to my cabin, rushing inside. Once I walked in I saw Giorgia, with crossed arms, coming down the stairs.

"What?" I looked at her, confused. 

"You forgot." She tapped her foot impatiently.

"Forgot wh- oh my gods!" I threw my bag on the ground, "It must've slipped my mind."