Forming the Company (Alpha World Book 2)

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “Yeah, that would explain some of what he’s told me, as well,” Karen added. “He let little things drop when we sparred. He also said something about inmates today, so maybe he was a prison guard.”

  “Ladies,” Alburet said, coming back into the room. “I’ve been cleared to tell you that I used to be a jail guard, but only that. Please let it stay there. I want to tell you more, I really do, but I can’t.”

  “Tha’ be fine, asthore,” Stacia said, getting to her feet and wrapping him in a hug.

  Alburet’s face was a mixture of love and mental anguish as Stacia hugged him. He just closed his eyes as he stroked her hair and held her. “I don’t want to hold back, Kitten, but if I don’t…”

  “Shh, asthore, they explained it to me. I will nay risk losin’ ya to whatever spell this NDA be.”

  Karen burst out laughing, “It stands for Non-Disclosure Agreement, Stacia, it is not a spell.”

  Fluff frowned as she jumped in, “It’s more like a quest, one that if you fail to keep silent the consequences are dire.”

  “Fine, then I will nay lose ya to the NDA quest,” Stacia said, frowning at Karen who laughed again.

  Karen held up a hand, “Sorry. That’s an apt way to describe it but it sounds funny as hell from my perspective.”

  “Please keep it under your hats,” Alburet asked, getting nods from both Fluff and Karen. He smiled at them as he let Stacia go, “We need to eat, Kitten. Will you two be staying?”

  Fluffball shook her head, “I need to see Lilith before I log out and I need to get going. Thank you for inviting us over to your home.”

  “I should go, too,” Karen said, popping to her feet. “I’ll walk you over to the inn, Fluff, and you can think about that massage. Thanks for showing us the new digs.”

  “Wait, let me show you the rest of the place before ya go,” Stacia said sweeping them along to show them the bedroom and bath.

  Karen laughed, “A tub that size and he doesn’t want a harem.”

  Stacia giggled as Alburet rolled his eyes at Karen. “Maybe I’ll be able to sway him in the future.”

  Face palming while shaking his head, Alburet mumbled, “Thank you for coming, ladies.”

  Karen snorted as she started walking for the door, “You say that every time I’m in your room.”

  Groaning, Alburet walked them out, “Almost as bad as Bob.”

  “Your imp is fun as shit,” Karen replied. “At least he likes the idea of a harem.”

  “Be gone, foul temptress, and darken my door no more this day,” Alburet intoned as he gave her and Fluff a quick hug.

  “A temptress, am I?” Karen chuckled evilly. “Means you like what I bring, doesn’t it? See you later,” Karen waved as she took Fluff’s arm and began to walk with her.

  Alburet closed the door to find Stacia smirking at him, “Temptress, be she? Mayhap I need to speak with her about lessons then.”

  Alburet groaned, “Gods, no. You do not need any help in that area at all. Hell, you could teach advanced classes on that subject, Kitten.”

  “Ah, tha’ always be nice to hear,” Stacia said, pressing him against the door as she leaned into him. “How about we have some dinner and then we see what this bed and bath can do for us?”

  “Sold,” Alburet murmured as he kissed her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The next morning Alburet woke to breakfast being cooked, the scents of bacon and coffee pulling him from the bedroom. He found Stacia in her leathers with an apron on over the top of them at the stove. He paused taking in the sight of his wife cooking breakfast for him, a dopey smile filling his face.

  “Now that is something I will not get tired of seeing,” he remarked.

  “Ya be sayin’ tha’ now,” Stacia smirked at him over her shoulder. “It will be a few minutes until the eggs be done. Ya could get a quick wash in and dress for the day. I do nay doubt the others will want to go huntin’ at some point.”

  “That does make sense. Be back in a few, Kitten,” Alburet replied as he headed for the washroom. He recalled that he needed to inform Ioaniss that they now had a guild building set up as well, completing both requirements for the boons he’d asked for. He grabbed his Mindstone and sent a quick message before going heading into the bathing room. By the time he finished, he had a reply.

  Message from Ioaniss Jones:

  You need to register the building at the city hall as your guild headquarters. I will have the proclamations drawn up once that is done.

  Making his way back to the front room after he’d dressed, he found Stacia setting the table. “It be ready for ya, me husband and master,” Stacia told him, stealing a kiss and sitting down with him at the table.

  “It smells good, Kitten. Is this the first meal you’ve made for me?” Alburet asked, unsure who had been doing all the cooking at the inn.

  “Aye,” Stacia said as she chewed her lower lip nervously while he took his first bite.

  Alburet let the flavor of cheese melted into the egg with a hint of garlic fill his mouth before he swallowed. “Delicious, Kitten,” he complimented her, to ease her worried expression. “Did your mother teach you all how to cook?”

  “Grandma’ did tha’ mostly, though ma’ did say to stop by soon to learn how to make her stew.”

  “We need to make sure that happens soon, then,” Alburet quickly replied, “her stew is very good.”

  Nodding as she ate, Stacia agreed with him. They lapsed into silence as they focused on the meal. Once they were done, Alburet helped carry everything over to the washtub in the kitchen. Stacia seemed a little puzzled and bemused when Alburet helped her wash the dishes. Mostly because Alburet looked shocked as each dish, when dipped into the washtub, came out perfectly clean without having to be scrubbed. “It be part of the magic of the tub, master,” Stacia told him when he asked. “Just as the camp stones be used to fully contain a campsite.”

  Shaking his head Alburet chuckled, “Well, some things in this world are much easier. It is going to take me some time to adjust to it all.”

  “Aye, master,” Stacia said as she dried the dishes. “Ya will always have me with ya to help ya adjust.”

  Once the dishes were clean and put away, Alburet informed Stacia about having to go to city hall this morning. They made a tentative itinerary for the errands they needed to run before going hunting. The sky was overcast when they exited the house, causing both of them to glance up at the grey sky. “First time I’ve seen it so cloudy,” Alburet commented as they started for city hall.

  “It has been a bit since there been a good rain,” Stacia replied as she glanced up again. “It may rain for a day or two. Tha’ be the normal way it be.”

  “That will be interesting,” Alburet muttered. “Does the rain cause sickness to people out in it, or damage to equipment?” he asked, thinking about catching a cold or his leathers having issues.

  Shaking her head, Stacia seemed a little puzzled, “Nay, why would it?”

  Alburet tried to tell her about colds and how they could be caught by standing out in a cold rain. He also tried to explain how a lot of wet could damage leather. They reached city hall as he talked.

  Stacia seemed puzzled over what he was saying, not understanding it. “Ya other world seems to have a lot of issues.”

  “Ain’t that the truth,” he snorted. “Well, let’s see how long this will take then head out to sell our loot from yesterday.”

  It didn’t take long, as it turned out, a simple form in triplicate was all that was required besides a fee of ten gold. They left city hall heading for Grimgar’s. The bell on the door jangled to announce them as they entered.

  Grimgar looked up with a smile in place, “Ah, the newlyweds. What is it ye be needin’ today?”

  “Just some junk to sell,” Alburet told him as he began to unload weapons onto the counter.

  “No new weapons for ye today, then?”

  “Not yet, the axe I have is working for me right now.”

 
“Well, when ye be ready lad, I be havin’ what ye be needin’, do nay doubt.”

  “I’m sure you will, Grimgar,” Alburet chuckled.

  “Aich, ye be family now, lad. Ye be callin’ me Grim,” Grimgar told Alburet.

  “If that’s what you want, Grim. I don’t want to upset you, after all.”

  “Ya will nay upset Unca Grim unless ya hurt me,” Stacia softly giggled.

  “Guess that means I’m safe, then.”

  “Here be ye coin, lad,” Grimgar handed over a handful of gold.

  “Thanks, Grim,” Alburet put the coins away, then paused. “Would you like to become the weapon outfitter for my guild?”

  “What are ye promisin’, an’ what do ye want?” Grimgar asked, his tone becoming more businesslike.

  “I’m thinking the guild would make your shop the one we send our recruits to and use ourselves for any weapons we buy, and in return you give us a ten percent discount.”

  “Does nay sound bad to me, but iffin it doesn’t work out well then I be reservin’ the right to cancel the deal.”

  “Fair enough,” Alburet held out his hand.

  Grin forming, Grimgar shook his hand, “Deal then, lad. Will ye be offerin’ the same to Almira?”

  Guild Quest: Set up a trade deal with a merchant.

  Rewards: Better deals with the merchant the deal was struck with.

  Guild Quest Complete: Set up a trade deal with a merchant.

  Receive: 10% discount on all goods for those in your guild.

  “That was unexpected. Nice. That was my plan, Grim. Also thinking of offering the same to all the other shops I’ve used regularly. Going to be heading to a few them this morning, until my friends get here to hunt.”

  “Well, hope ye day be profitable, then. Just keep the lass safe.”

  “He always does, Unca,” Stacia said, giving Grimgar a peck on the cheek before they left the shop.

  Greeting Almira as they entered her shop, they received a broad smile in return. “So, newlyweds, what can I do for you today?” Almira asked as they came up to the counter.

  “Selling junk as per usual. Also wanted to know if you would like to become the leather shop for our guild,” Alburet asked as he started piling leather armor onto the counter.

  “Hmm, I can give you the usual rate of ten percent off for your guild as long as you direct them to me. I will reserve the right to terminate the deal if it seems not to bring me enough business.”

  “Works for me,” Alburet said as he finally put the last piece of gear onto the counter. “Does that work when we sell things to you?”

  “No, the rate for buying is fixed by the Crown. Sorry,” Almira said as she began to add up the price for all the loot.

  “Too bad, but I understand. So you guys don’t make any profit off this stuff?”

  “We do, but it’s copper on the gold variety, not enough to get by on if this was all we did. Thankfully, there are only a few of each kind of shop in the city which helps keeps a steady business for all of us.” Almira began to count out gold coins, “There you go.”

  Alburet took the coins, slipping them into his pouch without counting them. “Thanks. Going to hit up a few more shops this morning to see if I can lock down discounts for the guild. Any other advice to give me?”

  “Take care of your wife,” Almira deadpanned.

  “He does tha’ very well,” Stacia interceded for him.

  “In that case, get a sign for the outside of your guild so you’re easy to find. Maybe put a decoration inside the nook as well.” Her face became thoughtful, then she smiled. “Better yet, give me five gold and I’ll take care of that decoration for you.”

  Alburet hesitated a second, but Stacia put five gold onto the counter. “We will leave it in ya hands, then. We be hopin’ the rest of ya day is a good one.”

  “I’m sure it will be. Have fun with your hunting today,” Almira said as she saw them out the door.

  The next few stops were quick, without much conversation. The owners of the chainmail and plate armor shops set the same deal that Grim and Almira had. With the gear sold, they walked towards the portal guild.

  As they walked along linked at the arm, Stacia asked a question. “Asthore, did ya want to stop by the carpenter to see about a sign?”

  “I don’t see why not. Almira did suggest it,” Alburet replied.

  “We need to go over two streets then, tha’ be were the craftsman who made the sign for the inn be.”

  Accepting her directions, Alburet led them to the shop she indicated. The outside of the shop had a half dozen signs declaring it a carpenter’s shop, one that obviously specialized in signs. Entering the building, they found a teenaged male behind the counter. “Welcome to Smith’s Carpentry, what can we do for you today?” His eyes roved over Stacia, completely ignoring Alburet.

  Alburet glanced at Stacia, getting a smirk and shrug in return. Shaking his head he faced the boy. “We’re looking to have a sign made for our guild building. Is the master carpenter in?”

  “The Master is busy, sir. I can assist in his stead, my name is Adam,” the teen said, peeling his eyes from Stacia reluctantly.

  “Very well then, Adam, we need a sign with our guild emblem for our guild hall. Something durable, as it will be unprotected from the elements. What do you suggest?” Alburet asked, a frown starting to form as Adam’s gaze had gone right back to Stacia.

  Stacia put her hand on Alburet’s shoulder, “Do ya want me to handle this, asthore?”

  The kid’s eyes flickered from her to Alburet before he looked away, his cheeks tinging pink. The teen replied before Alburet did. “I’m sorry for my actions. Your lady is rather distracting. You were looking for a guild sign?”

  Alburet let out a soft sigh, patting Stacia’s hand. He addressed the teen again, “That is indeed what we seek. What kind of price and time are we looking at?”

  “It depends on how the sign is to be hung, what kind of wood is used, if you want it just burned into the wood or colored.”

  “We will require a post as well as a sign so we can place it next to the entry. Pine should be decent enough for the wood, and colored would be good.”

  Adam’s eyes drifted again before he caught himself, “A sign of pine, colored emblem and a post as well to affix the sign to. All of that together will run you five gold. We will also need a copy of the emblem you want used.”

  “I’ll get a copy of the emblem to you later today,” Alburet said as he put five gold on the counter.

  Adam scooped up the gold and wrote up a quick bill of sale, asking Alburet to sign both copies. “That copy is yours sir, you will need it to claim the sign. The sign should be ready in six days after we get the emblem. Thank you for your patronage.”

  Alburet nodded, taking Stacia’s arm, “Time to go, love.”

  A soft sigh and curse could be heard from Adam as the couple left the shop. Stacia giggled, “I did nay think I was tha’ distractin’.”

  “Enough to make a dead priest take notice,” Alburet replied as they exited the shop. “Let’s go visit city hall again to get a copy of the emblem for the sign maker. After that we can head over to the portal guild.”

  “As ya wish, asthore,” Stacia said as they began to walk again. “It is getting’ on well into the mornin’. When do ya think the others will be here?”

  “Afternoon is likely,” Alburet said absently, as he considered what else they might need for the guild hall.

  Stacia stroked his arm lightly as they walked, letting him think. She did glance at him from time to time, a small smile on her lips every time she did. She wondered briefly about his new-found passion for monogamy, though. The Dark Lord’s teachings told his followers to take as many wives as one could comfortably support and defend. Alburet, though, wasn’t a born follower of the Dark Lord being a two-souled, which meant he had other beliefs. Shaking her head, she noticed the guild icon flashing at the same time Alburet did.

  Fluffball:

 
Is anyone up for hunting?

  Stacia:

  We have another errand to run first, but me and Alburet will be glad to join you.

  A soft snort from Alburet made Stacia glance at him. “It’s fine, Kitten,” Alburet said to her puzzled gaze. “Just being reminded that we’re a couple, and as with most couples I’ve known, the wife is in charge. Which is doubly funny considering everything.”

  Stacia put her Guildstone away, “Iffin ya did nay wish to go, we would nay go, asthore. I answered as I did as it was obvious we would go. Ya control me body and soul, as such iffin ya ever wish to do differently I will nay fight ya.”