Princess Variana looked in the mirror. “What do you think, Nan?” she asked.

Nan looked up from where she sat. “You look every bit as beautiful as your mother did on her wedding day, dear child.”

“Don’t say such things, Nan. I’m not to be married today, I’m only going to meet the Prince.”

Nan smiled at her. “Everything has a beginning, dear child.”

Princess Variana looked back at the mirror. She pursed her lips. In her mind, she wondered what the Prince of the North would look like.

“I talked to Wilson, Nan.”

Nan looked up from her needlepoint. “Who?” she asked.

“Oh Nan, don’t be silly. You know exactly who I mean. Wilson, the one who saved our lives.”

Nan nodded. “What did you talk about?”

“I asked him to be my body guard.”

“He is a Roc Rider, Princess. He can’t abandon his military assignment.”

Princess Variana laughed. “Of course he can, Nan. I am the Queen in Waiting. I asked him to be my body guard and he accepted.”

“Princess, you already have a body guard.”

Princess Variana nodded. “I’m so glad Shem lived.” She looked back at Nan. “Nan, I’m still afraid someone is out to kill me. I need more than just one guard.”

“Perhaps you do at that,” agreed Nan. She coughed. “Oh, my head hurts when I cough.”

“I’m so sorry that terrible man hit you, Nan.” The Princess walked over and hugged Nan. “I’m not sure what I would do without you.”

“Well Princess, I’m sure you would be just fine.” She patted the Princess’s hand. “Hurry up now, Variana, you mustn’t keep the Prince waiting.

Princess Variana nodded her agreement. “I’m ready right now.”

“So you are,” agreed Nan.

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
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36

**AUTHOR'S NOTE: You may notice I just substituted Ailith for Aella--I finally made the leap because I think the name fits her background and cultural heritage better.

© 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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