Before Aella could answer Wilson's question, the door swung open with a loud crash. In walked a tall, broad young man with thick, golden hair that hung to his shoulders. Around his head, a small circlet of gold kept his hair tied back so that it wouldn't fall into his face in a sword fight. This style was an affectation of the wealthy youth in the northern counties. Instantly, Aella took a dislike to him. As she glanced over at Wilson, she could see a depth of anger that belied his easy way.

"Know the little peacock?" she asked Wilson.

"He's the Baron's son," he said. "That's Basden."

Basden glanced their way and walked over to the table. "Come to visit our little town, have you?" he asked in a haughty voice.

Several of the men standing behind him laughed.

Wilson didn't answer. He didn't even turn around to look at him.

"Conquering hero has come home, and now he's too good to even look at me?" Basden asked. He reached out and pulled
Wilson's chair back on two legs so Wilson was facing him as he lay back in his tilted chair. "Eh, little hero, too good to speak to your betters, are you?" Basden asked.

With a sudden push against the table with his feet, Wilson catapulted himself out of the chair and landed beside Basden. Still, not saying a thing, he walked over to the bar. Basden glared after him. After a moment, he turned and looked at Aella. His glance moved slowly up and down her entire body.

"What, see something you like?" she asked in a surprisingly sweet voice.

Basden leered. "Absolutely. You must be very clever," he said.

"Why's that," Aella asked.

"You instantly realized I am more of a man than that ponce you were sitting with. And now you would like to spend a bit of
time getting to know me," he said. "I realize my charms are very impressive. But after you get to know me, you may even like me better than you do right now." The three men standing behind him chuckled appreciatively at his perceived wit.

Aella put on a seductive smile. She stood and walked up to Basden. Reaching out, she stroked her hand down his left shoulder appreciatively and made a small cooing sound. "Oh, you may just be right," she said.

Basden nodded.

"Then again, that wouldn't be too hard, now, would it?" she asked.

"What's that?" Basden asked.

"Well, you are so repulsively disgusting to me right now, I find it hard to believe I could like you any less," Aella slapped him across the face. "So, I am sure that over time, I guess the only option would be that I would like you more. Although," she paused, "I can't imagine that would happen either."

Laughter erupted from around the entire room. Wilson's laugh was the loudest.

Basden turned bright red. He reached out and grabbed Aella around the neck and pulled her to him. "That wasn't very smart, little lady," he said.

"Neither would it be for you to continue on with your current course of action," she said.

"Why is that?" he began to ask before his face turned a pale white. Basden looked down. There, just piercing his pants at the groin area, was the longest dagger he had seen in a long time.

"Well, if you would prefer to leave here somewhat different than you came in, then by all means, continue," said Aella. "Otherwise," she continued, "get out and don't come near me again. Or I shall slice you up and leave you for the dogs."

Basden turned without a word and left the tavern. His three cohorts followed.

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

© 2017, Stone Golem Publishing

**All pictures used are labeled for reuse. They come from Pixabay

Follow @bigpanda for more flash fiction.