Forming the Company (Alpha World Book 2)

by Daniel Schinhofen

  Wilbur looked at the other three at the table then nodded, “Accepted. I should also apologize, though. I was excessively rude to you when we met. I don’t hold any personal ill will towards those of your class, it was just drummed into me by my tutors that Summoners and Necromancers cost the Empire its rightful glory. For that, I apologize, more so, since you’ve gone out of your way to garner the respect of the guards,” Wilbur bowed his head slightly in return.

  Chuckling, Alburet replied, “I accept.” He stopped chuckling though to ask the next question, “I am curious though, if you don’t mind, what happened to cause the falling out in the family?”

  Wilbur shook his head, “That is private. I do thank you for asking me here to clear the air, but I will not divulge family business.”

  “Aye tha’ is the way it should be, lad. Good on ye,” Grimgar said, raising his cup in salute. “It bein’ ye off hours, would ye care to join us for some food? The stew here is nay to be found anywhere else in the city.”

  “Lilith’s stew?” Stewart asked, his lips twitching up. “I think there’s a batch on the stove tonight. It would be our treat to show you that this establishment does have redeeming qualities. I’d suggest though that we adjourn to one of the quieter dining rooms to really appreciate it.”

  Alburet suggested, “I’ll lead the way, Stewart, if you want to make the arrangements.”

  They all turned to look questioningly at Wilbur, who eyed them all curiously. “I would normally accept, but tonight I do already have an arrangement that I can’t miss. I would be glad to stop by another night though, if that would be agreeable?”

  Stewart nodded, “Tomorrow night we’re having a feast here to celebrate one of the family getting married. The feast will be held just outside the door, in the graveyard, with anyone welcome to stop by if you would like to do that.”

  “A marriage? How wonderful to see love flourish,” Wilbur said with a broad smile. “Who are the lucky people?”

  “I am blessed to have Stacia Crowley become my wife tomorrow,” Alburet answered.

  Eyes wide, Wilbur blinked at him, “A two-souled is marrying someone?”

  “Yes, I don’t know how I was so blessed, but she has agreed,” the happiness in Alburet’s voice was clear.

  “I think I shall have to stop by then, if for no other reason to see history being made. I bid you all a good eve,” Wilbur replied, still in mild shock as he took his leave.

  They watched Wilbur leave as Erin came back to the table, “So who be havin’ what for food?”

  The rest of the evening was filled with good company and good food. Much later that night, as the crowd started to leave the group said their goodbyes and went to find their own beds. Alburet was surprised that even with the amount of ale he’d had he was only buzzed, not drunk. Chalking it up as a game mechanic he stopped inside the empty room, wishing Stacia was there with him before he crawled into bed and fell asleep.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The sun was well over the horizon when Alburet woke up to someone knocking on the door. He pulled his pants on before opening the door, to find Stewart standing there with a tray in his hands. “I brought some food. You have about an hour before we have to go, so don’t dally,” Stewart handed the tray off, continuing, “I’ll be back to get you. Don’t leave the room until then, please.”

  Nodding and blinking as he tried to get his brain in gear, Alburet nudged the door closed with his foot then took the tray over to the table. Sitting down he found a couple of boiled eggs, a slab of bacon and a hunk of bread. There was also a cup of coffee on the tray, black, but it was better than nothing. He ate a touch more slowly than normal as the enormity of the day began to dawn on him. As he finished, he sat back in his, chair considering how he had come to this point.

  He loved Stacia. He was a little unsettled by the speed and depth with which the emotion had latched onto him. He wasn’t sure he really deserved this though, he’d killed a man in cold blood to avenge a wrong done to his friend’s daughter. He had always believed murders didn’t deserve happiness, yet here he was about to have more than he’d ever had. Chewing his lip in thought, he was sure Kaylee would have approved of his finding someone. Gods knew his mother had always hoped he would.

  Shaking off his slight melancholy, he got up to give himself a quick rinse before dressing. He had just finished when a knock came at his door again. Answering it, he found Grimgar holding out a set of clothing. “Put this on lad, then meet us downstairs,” Grimgar grinned as he held out the clothes.

  Shaking his head slightly, Alburet took the clothes, “I wish Stewart had told me that clothes were coming. I wouldn’t have hurried to get dressed if I’d known.”

  “Well, he be a bit off today. He be thrilled Stacia be happy, but it also reminds him tha’ his own lover is nay here with him.” Grimgar sighed, “I be sure he’ll be fine later, but ye need to meet us downstairs as soon as ye can.” Grimgar pulled the door shut, talking cutting off any more conversation.

  Alburet laid the clothing out. There was formal black suit that had a red shirt, socks, underclothes, tie and handkerchief to go with it. He thought it a bit unusual of a suit for a wedding, but he had been told everything would be arranged by Lilith. He quickly dressed in the clothes, a little surprised at how well they fit him. He noted the lack of shoes, so slipped his boots on last. He pulled up his character screen to use as a mirror, as he didn’t have an actual mirror in the room. “Not bad at all,” he muttered softly as he rotated the image of him to check the suit all the way around.

  Satisfied, Alburet left the room, heading for the stairs to meet Grimgar. He was passing the last door in the hall when it opened. He stepped back to avoid the person coming through it. Lilith closed the door quickly as she noticed him, “Alburet, I see the clothing fits. Are you ready to take our daughter into your family?”

  Alburet stared. He couldn’t help himself. Lilith was dressed to the nines. Her dress was a shimmering black floor length gown that had swirls of red blended into it. The cut only enhanced her obvious endowments, while the slits at the sides came to her knees. Her hair was swept back into a simple ponytail that somehow managed to be far more elegant than the most elaborate hairstyle he’d ever seen. “I think it’s more me gaining you all as my family than the other way around, but yes I am ready. I will do my very best to guard and guide her.”

  Lilith gave him a dazzling smile, “I would expect nothing less from you. I am sure the others are waiting for you, so run along. We will be along in a bit. The rest of my daughters still need to get dressed.”

  His eyes flickered to the door, thinking of Stacia. He nodded. “Thank you again, Lilith. You have been nothing but supportive of us.”

  “She is my eldest and she is setting a high bar for her sisters to match, but that is good. It means they will strive harder. Now run along, or Alistern might get tetchy with me for delaying you,” Lilith made little shooing gestures at him.

  Smile quirking his lips, Alburet bowed formally to her, then headed downstairs. He found Grimgar, Stewart and Alistern all in matching pin striped suits echoing the red and black scheme of his and Lilith’s outfits. “Took ya time did ya?” Alistern remarked as Alburet slowed his steps.

  “Unintentional. Lilith almost ran into me when I headed this way and I had a small chat with her. I’m sorry for the delay, but a happy mother-in-law is always a good thing.”

  Grimgar shook his head, “Aye lad, tha’ be true. However, an upset father-in-law be a headache.”

  Alistern snorted, “The carriage is waiting. Let us get to the temple.”

  Filing out, they climbed into a formal carriage bedecked in red and black, which prompted Alburet to ask a question. “What’s with the color scheme?”

  “Red and black are the colors of the Dark Lord,” Stewart replied. “It is proper that we pay homage to the Dark Lord by using his colors for the wedding. The ceremony is taking place in the temple, so the priest offered us the use of the carriages for
the night.”

  Alburet pondered how religious most of them seemed to be, as he himself had never been a real god fearing man. Then again, here the gods were real, having walked amongst the populace. It was possible they showed themselves from time to time even now. Brushing off the thoughts, he wondered instead how the day would unfold. “So, what’s the plan for the wedding?”

  Alistern answered him, “It’ll be a good couple of hours before the women show. Once they do, ya will be taken to the altar to await Stacia. She be walked to the altar by a paladin of the Dark Lord. Ya will need to select your bride out of the group the Paladin leads. The priest will ask the ritual questions and provided nay one objects, ya will be married. Once the ceremony is done ya will walk her down the aisle, out the door and to the carriage which will take ya back to the inn. A bit after tha’ the reception at the inn will begin.”

  Kind of like a normal wedding, Alburet thought as he nodded, “Thank you.”

  “While ye be waitin’ ye be greetin’ any who wish to give ye well wishes,” Grimgar added. “There be a spot set up already.”

  “Not sure who’ll want to speak to me, but okay,” Alburet replied as the carriage came to a stop.

  Alburet got out of the carriage, and took a minute to look over the temple. It was constructed of black stone shot through with red streaks. A small overhang above the front door was supported by two pillars which were carved to resemble destroyers. Above the overhang sat a handful of statues of imps, leaning over the edge as if watching the entrance. As they approached the door, Alburet made out the bas-relief carvings of succubi to either side of the door. The door itself was of black wood banded with blackened steel. “This place has a very dark look, doesn’t it?”

  “Aye, it be his way,” Grimgar replied as the carriage pulled away from the front of the temple. Pushing the door open, Grimgar greeted the old man standing just inside, “He be here, Tevon. Alburet, this is Tevon Darksoul, the high priest of the Dark Lord in Stormguard.”

  Alburet took in the vestments that were done in the same colors as the rest of the building. He gave Tevon a formal bow, “It is an honor, sir, to be married in this temple.”

  “Polite, aren’t you?” Tevon replied a light bass voice, sound odd coming out of the slightly bent, highly wrinkled body of the priest. “We have the place of greeting ready for you, Alburet Two-souled. Are you ready to begin?”

  “As ready as I am likely to be, sir,” Alburet replied. At Tevon’s signal, the doors were pushed wide open and secured with black chains.

  “Just right over here,” Tevon led Alburet to where a small table had been set up just inside the doors. A book lay open, for people to sign as they arrived. “One of the acolytes will bring a drink along in a moment. If you need more, use this bell. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a few more things to see to before the ceremony.” Tevon excused himself with a half bow.

  Alburet asked the others, “What are you three going to be doing?”

  “Ushering,” Stewart replied as a carriage could be heard pulling up outside, “And so it begins.”

  Alburet stood next to the small table, waiting as an elderly woman came through the door. Her white hair offset the black dress and red shawl she wore. Her wrinkled face was dominated a hatchet like nose. She gave him a friendly smile as she approached the table. “Ya must be the groom. I be Stella Rivenblood, Alistern’s grandmama. It be good to meet the man who be marryin’ me first great grandchild.”

  Taking her hand gently, Alburet covered it with his other hand as he bent as if to kiss it. “I am honored to meet her eldest family. Without you, I would never have been able to able to reach the happiness I find today.”

  A kindly cackle came from her thin frame, “Well-spoken lad, ya are. I wish ya the best of luck, all the women of our line be a mite headstrong.” She gave him a smile as she signed the guest book, then Alistern guided her into the temple towards one of the pews.

  Alburet watched them go, then turned his attention to the interior of the temple. The same dark stone made up the floor and interior walls. The rows of pews were made of the same dark wood as the door, while black steel chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, aglow with candles enough to illuminate the interior. The altar at the front of the room was just a slab of the same stone, but with more red running through it. Behind the altar where a religious icon would normally be hung there was instead a large tapestry.

  The tapestry displayed a large room made of the same stone as the temple. Pillars sculpted like succubi held up a vaulted ceiling. Each of the carved stone succubi had her hands raised, grasping dark chains that dangled to their uncovered chests. At the closest pillar an elf was shackled, her face turned in profile as she looked back over her naked shoulder at a succubus who was holding a bloody cat of nine tails. The look of despair was easy to see on the elf’s face, as was the look of rapture on the face of the succubus who was flogging her. In the back of the room a throne sat shrouded in darkness. The figure of a man seated on the throne was just discernable, as if he were watching the spectacle before him.

  Brow raised as he took in the scene, Alburet wondered that it would hold so much importance in a temple. “It grabs you and makes you wonder, doesn’t it?” a calm voice asked, pulling Alburet’s attention away from the tapestry. A non-descript man stood there in black robes, looking at Alburet with mild curiosity. “I should introduce myself, I’m called Victor Veins. I’ve seen you numerous times in the room under the inn. I’m the trainer for those who follow the path of reanimating the dead.”

  “Ah, the head Necromancer of the city,” Alburet replied, shaking the man’s hand with a firm grasp. “I am sorry that I don’t recall having seen you.”

  “It’s something I’m used to,” Victor replied with an enigmatic smile as he signed the guest book.

  “Useful if you need to slip away, I’m sure,” Alburet chuckled.

  “Exactly. Well, happy day to you and to the misses when she shows for the ceremony,” Victor excused himself as Grimgar stepped over to lead him to a seat.

  For the next hour Alburet greeted various people who knew the Crowley family, welcoming them to the temple. As the first hour came to a close, the first surprise guest showed up as Captain Roberto walked in. In his dress uniform, Roberto greeted Alburet with a smile. “I heard this morning from one of my men that there was going to be a wedding today. I hope you don’t mind me stopping by to see it.”

  Smiling broadly, Alburet shook Roberto’s hand, “Captain, it is a pleasure to have you here. You should stop by the reception later tonight, I’ve been told that all are welcome.”

  “Yes, Wilbur mentioned that as well. I think a number of men might be swinging by since food and drink were mentioned,” Roberto gave a small laugh. “I did spot another person I was surprised to see just outside. I’m sure he’ll be in soon. Have a good day, Alburet. I look forward to talking to you later.” Roberto signed the book, nodding to Alistern, who with a quick glance at Alburet, led the Captain to a spot in the pews.

  “It appears to be my turn,” Ioaniss said, pulling Alburet’s attention to him. “I didn’t want to miss this day, either. A two-souled marrying a non-two-souled, who knows what might come of this. I am also looking forward to the money dance at the reception,” Ioaniss winked as he signed the book before being led off by Grimgar to a seat.

  Alburet was a little shocked at how fast Ioaniss had shown up and taken a seat, just shaking his head when Vladimir appeared before him. “Vladimir, I didn’t expect to see you here,” Alburet said as he shook hands with the man.

  “Oh, I wasn’t about to miss this. You’ve proved to be quite an interesting person. Besides, I was hoping to catch Ioaniss here as well. I do hope you’ll think of the auction house if you come across any other interesting trinkets.” Vladimir signed the book with a flourish.

  “I hope you enjoy the ceremony and the reception after,” Alburet replied before Vladimir was led away by Stewart.

  A little surpri
sed at the trio that had shown up, he turned back to greet the next person. After another hour of greeting people, Grimgar came to fetch him. “Tha’ be enough lad, follow me.” Grimgar led him to a small room off to the left of the altar, containing a chair and a small table which had a bottle and glass on it. “Take a few minutes to rest. Be back for ye soon.”

  Alburet settled into the chair gratefully as he poured a cup of wine. He didn’t really care for wine, but his throat was dry after all the talking so he sipped at it. Rather belatedly it dawned on him that he really should invite the few people he grouped with to the reception at least. He dug his Mindstone out of his pocket and sent off the messages to his friends and acquaintances. A few seconds after he sent the messages he started receiving replies.