Wilson and Ailith walked away from the Grand Duke's palace.
"You shouldn't have left," said Ailith.
"I think it is best."
The heat of the sun beat down on them. Dust blew lightly up from the streets and swirled in small patterns around the square.
"Well, the Princess did promise to get my sister the land, so at least that is resolved."
"Time to head back to the front lines?" asked Ailith.
"I think so," said Wilson. They walked slowly to the stables for their horses. "I don't think the commander will believe our story. Do you?"
Ailith snorted. "Probably not. I wouldn't believe it myself." She shook her head. "Doesn't matter. We have the letter from the Princess. That may not prove anything, but it will get us out of trouble."
"I doubt that. I'm sure the commander will find some other way to punish us."
"There is that. He'll probably send us to the front lines or something."
Wilson chuckled. "He may at that. It won't matter. Remember, the Princess is going to marry the Northern Prince. Peace is about to break out across the land."
"Then we'll probably get sent out east. I hear there is some trouble brewing near the swamps."
"Probably so."
They picked up their horses and paid the stable boy for taking care of them. Then they mounted up and rode through the city streets.
"It's hard to believe that just a couple days ago I was in prison."
"Lucky for you I hate being in charge."
Wilson scratched his head. "Why do you say that?"
"I had to rescue you. Otherwise the commander would have just put me in charge. I couldn't stand the thought of having to try and command Gristle so I saved you instead."
Wilson laughed. "Thank you, by the way. I never did say that."
Ailith nodded. "You’re welcome. Don't forget you owe me a favor some day."
"I do. I probably owe you two or three."
They rode to the edge of town in silence.
There they spent the night in a tavern.
In the morning, as they readied for their trip, Wilson stood around looking glum.
"You aren't going to go sideways on me here are you?" asked Ailith.
"What do you mean?"
Ailith snorted. "Here you are, mooning after that Princess. You can't stop thinking about her, can you?"
"That isn't it at all," Wilson said.
"Really?" asked Ailith as she arched her right eyebrow.
Wilson chuckled softly. "Well, maybe a bit."
"Why don't you head back and tell her?"
"Tell her what?" asked Wilson.
"That you love her."
Now it was Wilson's turn to snort. "You don't ride up to a Princess and tell her you love her. Don't you know anything?"
Ailith stared at him.
"Oh, right. Well, she is about to be betrothed."
"What does that matter?" asked Ailith
"Well, it matters."
Ailith just stared some more.
Wilson fiddled around, stuffing things in his saddlebags and finally he shook his head. "I'm going to ride back and tell her. Wait here for me. I'm sure I'll be back within a few hours."
Ailith smiled. "I'll be waiting right here."
Wilson rode back in the direction of the Grand Duke's palace.
The Black Oak Sword
Chapter 1: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Chapter 2: Part 1 , Part 2
Chapter 3: Part 1 , Part 2,Part 3
Chapter 4:Part 1,Part 2
Chapter 5: Part 1
Chapter 6: Part 1, Part 2
Chapter 7: Part 1, Part 2
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14:Part 1
Chapter 14:Part 2
Chapter 15:Part 1
Chapter 15:Part 2
Chapter 16:Part 1
Chapter 16:Part 2
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19:Part 1
Chapter 19:Part 2
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22:Part 1
Chapter 22:Part 2
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
**AUTHOR'S NOTE: You may notice I just substituted Ailith for Aella--I finally made the leap because I think the name fits her background and cultural heritage better.
© 2017, Stone Golem Publishing, All rights reserved--no part of this may be used without express written consent.
**All pictures used are labeled for reuse. They come from Pixabay
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Really enjoying the story--keep it up.
Thanks @bearpaw. I'm super excited about how the story has turned out, so it is nice to hear you are enjoying it as well.
"There is that. He'll probably send us to the front lines or something."
Should t be That is that instead of "There is That"
Keep up the good work.
Maybe--not sure. It could be a local colloquialism that I wasn't aware is only used here where I live. People do say "There is that" frequently to agree with a statement (the saying even has just a whiff of irony when used in this area). I may change it though. Thanks for the insight.
Your welcome, nice read.
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good stori bigpanda
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nice done again your all post superb i like it very much,
Very good story my friend.
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Poor Wilson, being in love is bound to get him killed. Safer to be on the front lines.
img credz: pixabay.com
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Nice story