Upon leaving the Master's office, Wilson turned right instead of left back to the tavern.

"Where are we going," asked Aella.

Wilson turned and stared at her a moment before his eyes focused. "I'm headed to the Baron's house. If the Master won't even answer me, by right I can claim justice from the Baron."

"He won't give it to you. He is the one who assigned the penalty," answered Aella.

Wilson smiled a thin, evil smile. "Ah, yes. He is, isn't he." After walking a few more steps he stopped suddenly and turned to Aella. "But this way, at least the Baron can't lie to the King and say I never asked him."

He started walking again.

"There is that," mumbled Aella as she hurried to catch up.

After several minutes of walking, they turned left onto a wide boulevard. The tree lined street had tighter cobbles than the main street of the town. It led up a gentle hill to an estate that sat atop. Surrounded by a tall stone fence, the entire estate may have taken up as much land as the town itself. Where the road entered the estate, there was a large, wrought iron fence. In front of it stood four guards. Behind the fence, stood four more.

When they reached the top of the hill, Wilson approached the nearest guard. "We are here to see the Baron," he said.

The guard nodded and walked over to a small shack that stood beside the fence. He opened the door and went in. After several minutes, he came back out. "Captain says the Baron isn't taking visitors today," he said.

"That isn't going to work for me," said Wilson.

The guard shrugged. The other three guards moved a little closer. They put hands on swords.

Aella tapped the guard. "Hey, do us a favor here, get us in to see the Baron."

"Or what?" the guard asked.

Without a word, Aella punched him right in the face. He fell down like the proverbial sack of potatoes. The other three guards began drawing their weapons. The four on the other side of the fence all moved in as well. Shouting to each other to coordinate their attack, before the three could even take a step, Wilson swung into motion. He reached over to the closest guard and struck him hard on the head with the pommel of his dagger. Spinning as he stepped, Wilson lifted his foot and struck the next guard in the chest. With an oomph of released air, the guard crumpled in a heap. The final guard stopped. He raised his hands in the classic surrender motion and stepped back two steps.

Smiling at Aella, Wilson said, "Still winning. That puts the total at 217 for me, 199 for you."

She shrugged. Then, her face turned down in a grimace. She pointed to the fence. On the other side of the fence, the four guards were lined up with crossbows drawn and pointing at Wilson and Aella.

"Oh, come on," said Wilson.

The door on the small shack opened. A tall man stepped out.

Wilson looked at him. "You must be the Captain," he said.

The Captain stepped over to him. "That I am. That, and your worst nightmare." Without a word, he struck Aella in the face. She went down without a sound. Wilson stared at the Captain.

"You are going to regret that," he said.

"Perhaps. Then again, perhaps not," answered the Captain.

"And I'm next, I suppose?" he said.

The Captain nodded and struck Wilson in the face.

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

© 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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