Wilson awoke the next morning in his room above the tavern. Last night, explaining to Devon and Aella had not gone well.

They were both angry for different reasons. Devon was angry because he felt he and Grace were about to lose everything they had dreamed of. Aella was angry because Wilson wouldn't let her leave right then to assassinate Basden. Wilson laughed quietly at the memory. She would have left immediately had Wilson not given her a direct command. With that, she was bound to obedience.

He lifted himself out of bed and walked over to the small bowl and pitcher. Pouring the water into the bowl, he concentrated for a moment. "Heat, Heat, come to me. Warm my water, then leave me be." The small chant had been taught to him by his mother when he was a child. Every morning he used it to heat his water. It was a private little ritual he never shared with anyone. He didn't think they would understand. He thought they may be frightened. When he really thought about it, it frightened him a bit. A small shiver ran up his spine at the thought about the same time a wisp of steam rose from the water.

Now warm to the touch, he washed his face and hands with the water.

After his ablutions, he pulled his pants on and buttoned his shirt. He buckled his sword and dagger to his belt. Now ready for the day, he opened the door and walked down the narrow stairs. Reaching the main floor, he looked around. Nothing had changed in the four years he had been gone. Dark panels of walnut made the hallway seem even darker than it was. He walked toward the front of the tavern and came out into the serving area behind the bar. There, in the regular table, sat Aella. She looked up.

"Decided to wake, finally, have you?" she asked.

Wilson poured himself a warm cup of spiced blesh. He added a bit of cream from the pitcher and walked over to sit by Aella.

After sitting and sipping for several minutes, he groaned with semi feigned pleasure. "Oh, the morning never really starts until after the first cup." Glancing at Aella to gauge her frustration level, this ritual of his never ceased to anger her, he smiled.

She refused to look at him. "You really are annoying in the morning," she said.

"Better than all the time."

She laughed at this. "You really are starting to catch on to the Southern Sea ways. First that nasty blesh and now the handy rejoinder at every perceived slight. Keep it up and I'll have to head down that direction to find you a wife."

He grimaced at the thought of one of the overly slender women who worked the Southern Sea. "That is a threat that actually may get me to stop," he said as he joined her in the laughter. It felt good to laugh. "I'm headed over to meet with the Town Master. Want to join me?"

She nodded. "As long as it gets us closer to leaving this Seven forsaken town. I'll do anything to get out of here." She drank the last of her blesh with a slight grimace. The last sip was always the most bitter. "I can't believe you lasted so long here. I would have gone crazy or run away after just a few years of this."

"Well," Wilson said, "I didn't do so well here myself. Remember, I was gone by the time I was fourteen. And this is the first time I've been back."

"Let's go then," Aella said.

They left the tavern and walked down the cobbled street. Reaching the town center, the entered the official town building.

"Is the Master in," asked Wilson of the young female sitting at the front desk.

She looked up. A slight frown on her pouty lips. "Can I tell him who asks?" she said in a surprisingly high-pitched voice.

"Certainly. My name is Wilson. I'm here to discuss some taxes that were levied yesterday on Goodman Maravill's land yesterday. The agent who delivered the notice was the Baron's son, Basden," said Wilson in a somewhat monotone voice.
Aella gave him a small nudge in the back with her right hand.

"I'll check," said the young lady.

"You don't have to be so grim with the poor lass," said Aella as the receptionist walked away.

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

© 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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