The Golden Rider Book 1: The Golden Traitor

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

"Hey Val.  What's up with the bag?"  Jacey asked as I walked into the Courtyard for Advanced Swords and Defense.  I took off the bag and rested it against the large tree.

"Huh?  Oh, it has some of the books I need for my independent study."

"Why didn't you just leave them in your room?  It looks heavy.  Must be a pain to carry it around," Aiden added.

"Well, I figured that I would do my studying outside today because it looks like it is going to start getting cold fast.  Healing is closer to the Courtyard  than my room is, so I figured that I would just head down afterwards."

"I guess it makes sense," Jacey said.  "Now, stretch me!"  She dropped to the ground and lifted up her leg.  I pushed against it and looked over to Aiden.

"Do you need help stretching?"

"No, Jacey did it to me before you came."  I raised an eyebrow at him which caused him to blush.  I heard Jacey snort, and I pushed her leg back farther.

"Ouch!" She yelped.

"Oh, come on.  You need to get more flexible," I joked.

"Quit being a jerk," she snapped and switched legs.  I shook my head and laughed and pushed her leg forward.

"Look who's here nice and early for once," I froze as I heard her voice.  I felt Jacey's leg stiffen before she kicked her leg free and stood up.  I turned around and saw Grace standing behind me with Mason, Karel, Evan, and Austin.  She was smirking and had one of her hands on the hilt of her sword.  The others stood in a similar position except for Karel who was busy looking at his nails.

"Get lost Grace.  It's too early for your whining," Jacey said and  began stretching her arms.  Grace scowled and took a step forward before Mason stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder.  He whispered something in her ear, and she began smiling again.  She took a step back to let Mason walk forwards towards me.

"Hello Valerie," he said with a smug smile.

"Hello Mason," I said uneasily.

"How are you today?"

"Um, good?"  Where was he going with this?  I felt Jacey and Aiden come to my sides.  I clenched my fists at my side.

"That's good.  I was wondering if you would like to be my partner for today's exercises."  I heard Jacey gasp next to me, and I'm sure I looked equally surprised.  My look of shock must have been amusing because he suddenly laughed again.  "Well?"

"Everyone shut up and pay attention!"  Viktor demanded as he walked into our ring.  I hadn't even noticed the rest of the kids in our class slowly gather around our little showdown.  Everyone snapped to attention including the Five.  However good they were, Viktor could still kick their butts in a fair fight.  We all faced Viktor, and I could tell that something had happened.  His face was all red like he just finished yelling at a bunch of beginner students who left their swords dull after a long practice.  I noticed he appeared to be on edge, and he paced back and forth.

"The Headmaster has been called away on an important meeting of the Council.  He has left me in charge which means that I have a lot of work to do.  Just work on what you've been doing for the remainder of the period, and then head to your next class."  With that he quickly left.

"Geez, what's got him so anxious," Jacey said forgetting that Mason was still just a few feet away.

"A band of Riders were seen just beyond the mountains.  Viktor is probably on edge.  If they come over the mountains, then Viktor has to get a group together to get them out."  Mason answered.  "So, how about it?  You versus me in a sparring match.  It'll be just like back in the old days."