A scream sounded through the night. Then the sound of swords clashed. He crouched low and was certain Ailith would be doing the same. She was much too battle savvy to run into a fight without knowing what was happening. He waited and the sounds grew louder and then became less frequent. Finally, the sounds stopped.

At this, he lifted his head and looked into camp. There, in the middle stood the Princess's tent. In front of it, stood First Lieutenant Marsden and several of his men. They opened the tent and with a quick gesture from their officer, the men fired their crossbows.

Wilson crouched forward and began to run. As he ran, he threw a dagger in the general direction of Ailith. He figured this would get her attention if she was looking elsewhere. Closer to the tent now, he could see the First Lieutenant talking with the princess. The Lieutenant’s men were winding their crossbows.

Where was Ailith?

He looked back to the tent. There was a slight movement on the other side. Ailith smiled at him. He almost laughed out loud. There she was, in perfect position for a pincer attack. That woman was a terror on the battlefield. He had no idea how she did it, but he was grateful she was on his side not against him.

He lifted his hand and counted down his fingers. One, Two, Three.

On three, they both stood and attacked.

Wilson threw another dagger towards the closest guard. This one was intended to hit its target. It struck the guard in the chest. The guard gasped and reached to pull the dagger out. While he was preoccupied, Ailith struck the guard a swift blow with her sword as she passed.

By the time that guard hit the ground, Wilson was at the door of the tent. There were six soldiers there in various stages of setting their crossbows. Wilson went to work as only a Roc Rider is capable.

With quick, sure strokes born of countless hours of practice and experience, he dispatched the first three soldiers before they were able to recognize the danger.

Two of the remaining three guards threw down their crossbows and drew their swords. The third stepped back and continued cranking his crossbow. Behind them stood the First Lieutenant. His face contorted with anger.

"Kill them," he said.

"One each and the first one done gets the guard with the crossbow?" said Ailith.

"My plan exactly."

They both stepped up and began to cross swords with their opponents. Three quick strikes from Ailith and then her opponent lunged forward in an attempt to end the duel quickly. She dodged left and swung hard at his hands. Her opponent fell to the ground trying to staunch the bleeding from his arms where his hands had just been removed.
She smiled. "I'm first," she announced to Wilson and moved after the crossbowman. The crossbowman was just about done winding his bow and began to lift it in anticipation of firing it at Ailith.

Wilson saw and pulled back from his opponent enough to throw his sword. It flew through the air, completed two full rotations and stuck into his chest. He toppled backward without a sound.

“I had him,” said Ailith as she moved into the gap between Wilson and the swordsman he stepped back from in order to throw his sword.

While she crossed swords with him, the now sword-less Wilson drew his hand and a half dagger from the leather leg sheath he always carried it in. He looked over to the First Lieutenant and smiled. "Next?" he asked him.

"My pleasure," answered Lieutenant Marsden.

He saluted Wilson with his sword. He lifted his sword to attack.

The Princess stepped up behind him and stuck the spear she had been holding right through him. The spear head emerged from his chest.

He looked down at it, a confused look on his face. "I only did it because they threatened my family," he said.

"Who?" asked Wilson.

Before he could answer, the First Lieutenant left this world and went on to his final judgement by the Five.

Wilson looked back at Ailith. "Still toying with yours?" he asked.

"I was just waiting so you could get done with being the hero," she answered.

Wilson laughed. "Want any help?"

Ailith shook her head. "I need the practice. I'm feeling a bit rusty. It's been days since I've killed anyone."

Her opponent dropped his sword and ran off into the dark.

Ailith stepped up beside Wilson. They both turned to look at the Princess.

"We thought you might need a bit of help," said Wilson.

The Princess smiled. "I think I had things just where I wanted them."

Wilson laughed.

And after a few moments, so did the Princess.

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

**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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