Forming the Company (Alpha World Book 2)

by Daniel Schinhofen

  Stacia giggled, “Tryin’ to get me sister hitched?”

  “They seemed to hit it off at the wedding, so why not help out? Now, you tell me. Where do we go to buy a bed and such?” Alburet asked to get them moving.

  A couple of hours later they made it back to the guild hall with presents. As they entered the front room the duo paused in the doorway. The front room was now furnished in black and reds, from the rugs on the floor to the chairs and tables set out as a waiting area. Where the simple desk had been before now a two-person desk of cherry wood sat, behind which were Kim and Erin.

  Erin looked up with a huge smile, “Welcome to Alpha Company, can I be helpin’ ya?”

  Stacia chuckled, “Very nice, sis. Very proper.”

  “I would hope so, with my help,” Kim stated from beside Erin. “The rest of the decorations will be dropped off over the next few days. I also ordered some things for the meeting room. I have to ask though, how many are going to be in the guild? If you have a lot this place will be a little cramped.”

  Alburet had to shrug, “We won’t know for a few days, once we do we can reevaluate. How has it been?”

  “It’s slowed a bit over the last hour, before that we had a number of seats full,” Kim replied. “Was there anything besides taking messages you needed us to do?”

  He considered for a moment, “Would you be willing to handle the guild finances?”

  Nodding, Kim replied, “That is easy to do, if you have the account book from the bank. Also, who do you want to be able to view the account?”

  “Any of the officers can look the account over, all charges to the guild should go through me. If I am not here on Alpha World at the time, then Stacia can approve anything for me.” Alburet handed over the account book from the bank. “There is a ten percent guild tax on coin looted, and a charge for using the portal guild equal to the amount deducted.”

  Taking the book, Kim opened it for a quick review. She placed it in a drawer and locked it, extending the key to Alburet. “This key is only one of two for this lock. I have the other on me.”

  Taking the key, Alburet nodded, “Good to know. Can I take Erin away for a few minutes?”

  Kim nodded and Erin stood up, a little puzzled as he led her and Stacia into the back. He came to one of the empty rooms and ushered the women inside. “This is going to be your room Erin, if you want to stay here. This way you won’t have to go back to the Inn if you would rather not. We also have a few things for you.” He motioned to Stacia, who pulled small pieces of furniture, about a foot in size each, out of her bag.

  “Where do ya want the bed and dresser?” Stacia asked.

  Erin’s eyes were wide as she looked from Stacia to Alburet and back. “There and there,” she replied, in a little bit of a daze.

  Stacia set the furniture down where she had been shown and a moment later a full-sized bed and dresser were there instead of the smaller furniture she had placed. “There ya be, sis,” Stacia told Erin, giving her a hug.

  Erin gave a glad little cry, a few tears spilling down her cheeks, “Oh, thank you, thank you so much. Never thought we would nay be at the Inn. Now ya are married, and I be havin’ a job outside, with me whole life ahead of me.”

  “Glad to help,” Alburet told her as he leaned against a wall. “Besides the stuff Kim is showing you, you are also going to be tasked with cleaning the guild hall. Okay?”

  Erin nodded quickly, “Tha’ be fine, it be much smaller than me be used to cleanin’.” She paused briefly, Err… is it be okay for me to have company over when me not be workin’?”

  “Yeah, just be mindful if business is going on and also of your neighbors,” Alburet chuckled.

  “Just make sure ya choose good,” Stacia added.

  Erin nodded, before she separated from her sister and gave Alburet a hug. “Thank ya, Alburet. I am grateful ya gave me this chance. I can nay wait to see how Wilbur responds to me nay bein’ at the Inn.”

  “Did he have issues with it?” Alburet asked curiously.

  “Nay for himself, but seems his kin was given him trouble for ‘slummin’,” Erin sneered the last word. “His older sib’ seems to have a nasty streak in him.”

  “Very true,” Alburet agreed, his voice going cold for a moment before he shook off the anger he still held for Skippy. “This is all we wanted to show you. Feel free to get things for your room as needed when you have time. Kim will be arranging a schedule for you two once she’s sure you are ready to go.”

  “Thank ya again,” Erin told them before she left the room, going back to work.

  “Now,” Alburet said as the left the room. “How about we head back to the house and see what kind of trouble we can get into, Kitten?”

  Stacia let out a pleased sound of agreement as they headed back to the front room. Entering the front room they, were met by a scene of civility. Kim was explaining to an older woman that the guild leader was busy and not able to see anyone. Alburet’s eyes found those of the elderly woman, who smiled in triumph.

  “He is right there,” the woman stated simply. “His name is Alburet and we have had business in the past. I am sure he will take a moment or two to meet with me. Won’t you?”

  Stacia let out a sigh as she glanced from the woman to Alburet. “I be over at the house, asthore. Please come home soon.”

  “Treasure?” the elderly woman queried. “Would you be his wife then?”

  Stacia met the eyes of the richly dressed older woman, “Aye, he be me husband.”

  “Then you should join our discussion, dear,” she replied easily. “I am Lady Abigail Theron.”

  Kim blinked as she recognized the name, as did both Erin and Stacia. Alburet noted how all the women straightened a little at the name. “I did not think to see you again, Lady Theron. If you will come this way, please.” He opened the door to the back, holding it for Stacia who slipped through first then for the Lady, following them both into the hallway.

  Alburet led the women to the meeting room where he held a chair for Lady Theron and then for Stacia before taking a seat himself. “What can we do for you, Lady Theron?”

  Lady Theron gave him a piercing once over before she nodded. “I have done my own digging around about the man who helped me some time back. He went on to aid the guards, training them in new techniques, setting off a wave of new ideas. He earned the respect of a few men of the guard with his diligence and the respect he showed them. He traded a very rare and valuable tome to Vladimir for the insanely low price of a map, a bag, and some boots. He was vigorous in his pursuit of gaining experience by killing monsters. He found a woman of this world to woo and wed. He also made a deal with Sir Jones, giving away the location of the Forgotten Prison, to help ease the restrictions on those of his class.”

  “True, I did all of those things. But what brings you to us today, Lady?”

  “My late husband, Sir Gawain Theron, was among the last of his breed. He was a noble who cared for the commoner. He spent years in command of the guards, going from post to post to improve their conditions. We met during one of his many deployments, love at first sight,” she trailed off for a moment, her eyes going misty. Shaking her head, she coughed gently once, “We spent years together. I went with him to every deployment. We were rarely in the city to deal with the nobles. We also never spent coin needlessly, earning us scorn for being thrifty. In all the time we loved each other, we never produced an heir for the line of Theron. I have looked for someone suitable for five years, ever since his death, and have not found one who would do.”

  Alburet suddenly had a very bad feeling he knew were this was going and got ready to cut her off. Stacia seemed to tense beside him, her eyes flickering to him then back to Lady Theron. She obviously had the same thoughts he did.

  “What I want is for you to find me a man in the city who will do as my husband did. A noble man who will dedicate his life to helping the common man and the guards. Will you take on this task?” Lady Theron asked, looking at both of
them.

  Blinking slowly Alburet wrenched his mind off the track he had thought she was going down and to the one she had finished with. “Find a man who can be a noble and who will dedicate his life to commoners and the guards?”

  Stacia seemed to let out a held breath, “Tha’ nay be somethin’ easy to do, as ya self has said, Lady Theron.”

  “Of course it isn’t easy, if it was I would have done it by now. I know the guards as a whole respect Alburet though, as they used to respect me. With that said, I am hoping he will have better luck speaking with some of them.”

  “What happened?” Alburet asked without thinking.

  Lady Theron looked away, “Nothing that need concern you. Will you accept the task I set before you?”

  “I can’t guarantee results on this matter,” Alburet began with a pensive look. “I will, though, give it my best effort. I do need to know what other requirements you have for the person to be acceptable.”

  “He must be able to stand his ground in an argument with nobles, while also being able to build rapport with the men.”

  Quest: Heir to the House of Theron

  Find a man who meets Lady Theron’s requirements.

  Rewards: Unknown

  Alburet checked the pop-up, accepting the quest after reading it. “Very well, Lady Theron. How will I contact you if I find someone?”

  Lady Theron got to her feet gracefully with a slight wince as if a joint was troubling her, “Just send word to my manor. I wish you a pleasant day and you have my thanks for accepting my task.” With those words she left them, even as they got to their feet.

  Stacia took Alburet’s arm, “Do ya have a plan to try to meet her task, asthore?”

  “Not really, but I don’t mind talking with the guards I’ve talked to before to see what they know.” He led her back to the front room to find Kim speaking to a guard. “Good day, sir. Can we aid the guards in some way?”

  The guard looked over at Alburet, “Are you the person in charge of this guild, sir?”

  “Alburet is my name and I am indeed the leader of this guild.”

  “A complaint was filed with the guards that demons were being summoned in the city by the leader of this guild in order to threaten a citizen. I have been tasked with looking into the charge. Can you shed any light on this complaint, sir?”

  Chuckling softly, Alburet nodded, “Indeed, I can. I did in fact summon a Destroyer to my defense not that long ago. We had an irate person who refused to leave the establishment and I felt the need for more security.”

  The guard frowned, then appeared to be reading something in the air in front of him. He nodded. “I see this building as well as the Dead Man Inn are places where Infernals may be summoned without breaking the law now, in addition it now being permissible in the Summoner’s self-defense. Well, this is closed, then. I am sorry for wasting your time, sir.”

  “It’s fine. I’ve dealt with enough similar issues in my time.” Alburet gave a small bow to the guard, “Keep doing your job, sir, and have our thanks for your service.”

  With a salute the guard went on his way. Kim sighed, “Thank goodness for that order, otherwise we would all be accomplices to demon summoning.”

  “That bad?” Alburet asked.

  “A hefty fine at the minimum, ranging up to time in the stockades. If the Infernal damaged property or hurt someone you could be sent off to one of the mines to work off the costs.” Kim shook her head as she finished, “Those laws have some wiggle room in them now, though.”

  “Good for us, then,” Alburet told her. “Anything we need to know before we retire for the day?”

  “Until what time do you want the desk staffed?”

  “Two hours after sundown, please, and open an hour after sun up. Once you have Erin trained up then devise a schedule for you both, please.”

  “I will do so. Have a good day,” Kim replied, allowing Stacia and Alburet to escape back to their house.

  “Okay, no more answering the door for the day,” Alburet said as he bolted it once they were inside.

  “Just wha’ I have been wantin’ to hear, master,” Stacia said, her voice filled with heat as she pressed herself against his back. “Ya had been sayin’ somethin’ about us enjoyin’ the day in…”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Alburet woke the next day to pleasure coursing through his body. He felt his body clench as Stacia brought him to release just after his eyes fluttered open. Panting, he glanced down to see Stacia staring up at him, her eye alight with mischief. Once she released him from her mouth she smirked, “Mornin’, master.”

  “Kitten, you are such a naughty little vixen,” Alburet replied before pulling her up to him to wrap her in an embrace. “How did you not wake me before that?”

  Stacia giggled, “Oh, ya almost woke up a couple of times. I ha’ been workin’ on ya for almost twenty minutes, master. It was quite fun watchin’ ya start to wake then go back to sleep when I stopped.”

  Laughing, Alburet rolled her over so her naked body was under his. “I’m sure it was, Kitten, but now it’s time for me to repay your work.”

  For the next hour Alburet worked hard to bring Stacia to the edge over and over again while denying her and himself release. Finally, he tipped her over the edge before he went along with her. Panting and shuddering he lay on top of her, his arms and legs holding him just high enough not to crush her under him. Once they had caught their breath, they bathed before heading into the front room so Stacia could make breakfast.

  After eating, Alburet wondered what they should do today. He wouldn’t be here with Stacia tomorrow, due to the downtime. As he considered it he watched Stacia cleaning the kitchen and felt a momentary pang of worry. What if Mindblown didn’t need him to test immersion in the game now that they had others? Alburet froze as the thought went through his mind. Would they give him the option? Would they yank him for a different testing experience? He didn’t know and now the thought sat there in his mind festering at him.

  “Master, be ya okay?” Stacia asked with worry clear in her tone as she knelt before him, looking up at him.

  Alburet blinked. He had become so focused on his fears that he had stopped paying attention to what was going on around him. Letting out a deep breath, Alburet pulled Stacia into his lap and held her tight. “Just had a moment of fear is all, Kitten. It will pass.”

  “Be ya sure?” Stacia asked, still clearly concerned.

  “Yes, Kitten. We need to figure out what to do with ourselves today,” Alburet said, trying to distance his thoughts from where they had been.

  “Ya will be leavin’ again tonight?” Stacia half asked, already knowing the answer.

  “Yes, and I should be back after twenty-four hours. If it’s going to be longer I will get word to you again. While I’m gone, you are in charge of the guild.”

  Stacia nodded as she got to her feet, “We should be checkin’ with Kim today then, for anything tha’ needs ya attention today. After that’ maybe we can go huntin’, just the two of us, with Bob and Tiny.”

  “Sounds good to me, Kitten,” Alburet got to his feet as Stacia helped him up, so he could get his gear together.

  A bit later they stepped into the guild side of the building to find the front room empty except for Erin. Alburet looked around for Kim but didn’t see her, “Where is Kim?”

  Erin tilted her head at the back door, “She is setting some things up in the meetin’ room. Should be done soon. Can I do anythin’ to help?”

  “Just wondering if anything of import needs to be handled in the next day or two,” Alburet asked as Stacia went towards the back rooms to check on Kim.

  “Aye,” Erin said, handing him a dozen letters. “Those be the ones Kim set aside. She was sayin’ ya should send them a reply in the next day. She has paper and envelopes here for ya to use.” Erin pushed a stack of blank paper and envelopes across to him, along with a signet ring that bore the guild emblem. “She said once ya have signed the envelope to pr
ess the ring against the flap to seal it.”

  Alburet thanked Erin, picking up all the stuff and sticking it into his bag. “Thank you, Erin. I’ll just check the meeting room. After that me and Stacia will be out hunting.”

  “Wish I could go,” Erin muttered as he walked to the door behind her.

  Alburet paused at the door, “Have you asked Wilbur?”

  Erin flushed, not having expected to be heard, “Why should I?”

  “He very well might like to take you out hunting,” Alburet replied as he opened the door, pausing there for a moment. “Your father would have a fit, but if you do want to go it can be arranged. Ask Wilbur first though, if you like him that is. If he won’t take you then in a few days you can go with me and Stacia during your day off.”