Wilson and Ailith came close to the camp, they slowed their horses to a walk. Listening carefully for signs of life, they finally came as close as they dared. Wilson signaled a full stop and they dismounted. They tied their horses to a nearby tree. Wilson's horse nickered softly. He patted it gently on the head. "You've worked hard tonight. Rest now." The horse whinnied softly by way of reply. Ailith reached into her saddle bag and set a small pile of grain in front of each horse so they could eat. Then Ailith and Wilson crept towards the camp. As they drew near, they stopped to listen.

Just ahead, they could hear voices. Creeping even closer, they realized that it was 1st Lieutenant Badren and the man they had met earlier who had insisted they couldn't stay the night.

"You must do it tonight," said the man.

"It will be better tomorrow," replied the Lieutenant.

"By then, you will be too close to the Grand Duke's territory," said the man. There was some rustling as they moved a couple steps. Wilson leaned forward and strained to hear what was said next.

"I insist you do it tonight."

A soft sigh issued from the Lieutenant. "Alright then. It shall be done. But what about the Baron's men? We offered them hospitality and they will certainly object to an attack on their future Queen."

Wilson began to stand up when he heard this. Behind him, Ailith grabbed his arm and held him firm. He turned towards her. She shook her head. Leaning close to him, she whispered, "Wait and hear it all before you go storming in there to save the Princess."

Wilson relaxed and nodded slowly. He crouched back down and they began to listen again.

"Better yet, kill the Baron's men as well and blame the attack on them."

The 1st Lieutenant laughed quietly, "And why not," he said. "Your talents are wasted Tishtan You should have been a spymaster with that devious mind of yours."

With that, the conversation stopped. Wilson and Ailith listened as the two conspirators walked back to camp rustling quietly in the underbrush.

"We've got to stop them," said Wilson.

"I agree. But how?"

"What if we do like back in the battle of Skent."

"That could work," said Ailith. "We don't have any long-range weapons of note, nor do we have any sorcerers, but I guess the diversion part of the plan might work."

"That's what I meant," said Wilson with just a hint of impatience.

"Easy hero boy," said Ailith. "I want to walk out of this alive."

"So do I," said Wilson. "But I just keep thinking, if we can save the Princess, I'm certain her father will give my sister the land. And then everything will be just right."

"Everything?" asked Ailith.

"You never stop, do you?" asked Wilson.

"Just give me the plan already," snapped Ailith.

"I'm thinking."

After several minutes of quiet, Wilson cleared his throat.

"You have an idea?" asked Ailith

"Here it is. You stay here. I am going to move off to the right. When I give the signal, move in and start to cut down anyone armed."

"You think they are all dirty?" asked Ailith.

"I don't care. I just know an armed enemy is worse than a dead friend," said Wilson.

"Remind me of that later when I make a list of my friends," muttered Ailith.

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

© 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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