On the bus trip, Matt relaxed for the first time since his grandfather had named him champion. He’d done well so far. Really well. They’d found the trolls, and they’d gotten the information they needed. His idea hadn’t exactly gone as planned, but Laurie had figured out a solution, and they’d all worked together to escape. That’s what it was about—working together. He wasn’t a perfect leader, but maybe he wasn’t totally faking it, either. Maybe he really could become the leader they needed. When the bus stopped, they were in Lead, making an educational pit stop to visit the Black Hills Mining Museum. Matt thought of just staying on the bus, but everyone was getting off. “The chaperone said it’s only three miles to Deadwood,” Fen whispered as they filed out. “We’re walking.” As they stepped off the bus, a tour guide was trilling, “And don’t forget, if you decide to try the gold panning, you are guaranteed to find gold!” The older kids jostled past her, some mimicking her and rolling their eyes.
