Wilson awoke with a groan. He was laying in front of the gate still. He spit blood out of his mouth. Turning over, he saw that Aella was still unconscious as well. He slowly lifted himself into a sitting position. There, a few feet away, sitting in the shade of the small guard shack, sat the Captain. He smiled at the Captain.

The Captain smiled back.

"You waited around to apologize," said Wilson. "Fine, I accept your apology."

The Captain smiled at that. "No, I waited around to tell you that because of your badges, I have chosen to not report this to the Baron. I respect those who serve. How long have you been in?" he asked Wilson.

"Four years."

"For that, I thank you. As do my men," said the Captain as he saluted Wilson.

Wilson nodded. He wasn't sure he could do much more, he felt a bit like fainting again. "You have quite a right cross."

"I served my twenty in the Southern Swamps," said the Captain. "In my entire time, I never found a soul who could beat me in the cage."

Wilson groaned. "Of course, I manage to pick a fight with a cage fighter." He shrugged. "Well, in that case you have my thanks for not killing me."

"You're welcome," said the Captain as he smiled. "Wake your friend and leave. Consider this your warning."

"I really need to talk with the Baron," said Wilson.

"I know why you are here. And the Baron knows as well. He isn't interested in speaking with you." The Captain gave a slight moue and a nearly imperceptible shrug. "I'm sorry for that, but it is what he says. If you leave now, nothing more will come of this. If you persist, I shall have to get serious."

Wilson stood up and walked over to Aella. He leaned down and shook her lightly. "Come on, time to go."

"Did we win?" she asked.

Wilson helped her stand up. "Not so much."

They walked back down the slight hill. At the end of the boulevard, Wilson looked up at the Captain. He saluted. The Captain saluted back. Then he turned and walked back to the tavern.

"You are going to have to tell me what that was all about," said Aella.

Wilson nodded. "I will. But first I need a drink. Getting beat always makes me thirsty."

"Me too," agreed Aella.

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

© 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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