A RUMBLE SEEMED TO come from the woods. Ben, Molson, Hacker and Joel looked at each other. Then at Carter. Ben said, “Did you slay a golden horsemen?”

“Sure.” Carter said. “Two or three probably.” The old men’s faces fell. They looked at the ground. The rumble grew louder as the two old men looked at all of the bodies. One looked up, accusingly at Carter. His neck jerked and his eyes narrowed, “Where is the golden armor?”

The pounding grew louder. Joel looked around. Thundering towards them, a huge horse had golden reins and armor. As he bounded through the dust, light flashed on the long spike of the rider’s golden helmet. A round, domed golden shield had a savage gold blade. And the curved sword he waved over his head flashed and gleamed gold.

Carter said, “You didn’t mean him, did you?” But the old men had vanished.

The five men swarmed to surround and attack the horseman.

He held out both arms as he galloped at the trees on the edge of the square. The glinting edge of his shield cut through the branches as easily as his sword. He roared and swooped down.

The sharp sword out on one side, the shield on the other, he leaned down on the great warhorse’s neck. Ben, Molson, Carter, Hacker and Joel stood their ground. They stretched their swords forward.

When the hot breath of the horse’s fierce snorts was on them, they scattered. First Ben and Molson. Even though they were at the back of the group. Then Hacker.

Carter and Joel were the last to peel away. The golden tip of the long sword cut across Joel’s cheek as he dove away. Carter’s grin was bright enough to shine through the dust at the far side of the stamping hooves. The massive horse reared up as the armored rider pulled him to turn.

Ben and Molson were nearest as the golden horseman leaned for another charge. They both held their blades out but stretched their arms as far as they could. And they kept their faces away. The horseman’s eyes blazed as he swept their swords out of their grasp.

Joel and Carter lunged. Carter’s sword clanged against the horseman’s golden blade.Joel deflected the shield upward and away. The rider had passed and dust clouded in Joel’s face. He hadn’t had time to swing in the other sword, or to strike closer to the rider’s body.

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The horse’s hooves skidded as the rider spun to turn back again. On the far side, Carter pulled himself up from a crouch. Joel turned to square up for another charge.

He crossed the two swords ahead of him to catch the rider’s weapon. It worked better than he planned for. The three blades tangled at the hilts. While the rider tried to pull his sword away, Joel held his blades firm.

With a ninja jump he was stood on the saddle. Even accounting for the high point on his helmet, the rider was huge. He laughed in Joel’s face, but he couldn’t pull back his sword.

On the ground, Ben and Hacker were on the sword arm side. While Joel had the man’s sword, his side was exposed. Ben lunged at the gap in his armor and Hacker jumped. Still his grin stretched wide and he held Joel’s eyes.

He couldn’t pull his sword away. So he pushed. He shoved Joel down, until he lay with his back stretched out along the horse’s mane. Joel pushed as hard as he could to shove the swords up and away. But the golden blade came nearer.

Then the rider swung his shield. Joel had to roll away. The edge of the shield whispered through the air, right by his ear. A fraction slower and he was sure he would have been decapitated.

He tumbled to the side and he still had the raider’s sword trapped between the hilts of his own. As he slid sideways off the galloping horse, he pulled the rider with him. Joel fell to the ground and the rider fell after him. On top of him.

The rider was too heavy for Joel to twist or wriggle away. The golden horseman’s laugh turned to a loud rattling cackle as he pulled back the sword and pointed it at Joel’s neck.

Then his chest felt like it would crack open. The rider’s weight was joined by Hacker’s. Hacker landed on the rider’s back and plunged his sword through the horseman’s neck. Blood sprayed as the thin blade punctured the far side. The rider’s body jerked in a last convulsion.

Hacker grinned as he was spattered. He stood tall on the bandit’s back. The spinning shield arced through the air. The golden disc seemed to stop atHacker’s neck but it only slowed and veered. His head popped cleanly off.

Joel lay stunned. The scene in his visor froze and grayed.

Text appeared:

Level complete

Health restored

Next level: Treasure

The sardonic voice that Joel recognized came into his earphones.

“Well, interns. Thank you, that was all very informative. And all of you performed well. The next level will be your challenge tomorrow. Tonight, by way of a reward, you will each be joined in your quarters by a companion. Proceed now to the dining area for your briefing and induction for this phase of the process.”

Joel was still stunned as he began to lift his visor to take off his rigging. A chill, a cold breath fanned the back of his neck.

He heard the voice beside him, as well as in the headset. “Not you, Joel.”

Behind him he heard the sound in the room. Something heavy was hauled away across the wooden floor.

Fingers lay cold on his shoulder. “You can come with me.”