“Even if they don’t it’s not like they’d want you, not with that attitude,” a man called Shadowblade replied with a sneer. “Woman like a finer touch, not a ham-fisted ape.”
“That’s enough,” Alburet said, using his command voice. Conversation came to abrupt stop as everyone looked at him with surprise. “A little back and forth is fine, but I will not tolerate pointedly goading others into a fight. If you have to work out your differences with a physical confrontation, the city arena should suffice.” He pointedly met the gazes of both men before he looked at others in the crowd, “Any other questions?”
“Can I sign up yet?” A dwarf asked leaning on his shield. “Me and the misses, would like to get out of the city and hunting.”
Alburet chuckled, “Sure thing, Rocknar.” Alburet targeted him using the guild interface to summon a scroll, then target his supposed wife Brignar and summoned one for her as well. “Here you go and welcome aboard.”
The dwarven duo took the scrolls with thanks and hurried out of the room. Alburet was very busy for most of the next hour handing out scrolls and answering questions. Almost an hour later and all the players were gone. Sixty-eight people had opted in while a few others had decided to see what other guilds could offer. Once all the new players were gone, Alburet looked at his friends, “Well, that was fun.” The sarcasm dripped off each word.
Gerald chuckled darkly, “That was child’s play. Try handling a board room of lawyers. And now that that’s done, me and Marysue are going to see about finding accommodations for our six-month stay. Should we meet up in a few hours to get some hunting in?”
“I’m down for that,” Karen said as she stretched. “I should see about a room somewhere as well.”
“I know a good inn,” Fluff added softly.
Karen smiled, “Well then, why don’t you show me the way Fluff?” She took Fluff’s arm and the duo exchanged goodbyes before they left.
Marysue watched them go with a small frown, “I think Karen is trying to seduce Fluff.”
Alburet snorted, “Well, yeah.”
“More power to her,” Gerald added, before seeing Marysue’s frown. “What? Karen obviously likes her, so good for them.”
Marysue chewed her lip for a second before nodding, “We need to go see about rooms as well. We’ll see you later.” With that she hooked her arm to Gerald’s as Karen had done with Fluff and all but dragged Gerald from the room.
Alburet stifled his laughter until they were gone and the door shut behind them, then he broke out laughing hard. “Oh gods, I think she’s going for it.”
Stacia smiled, “Aye she is. She be exudin’ pheromones as they left. She had a spike of jealousy when Gerald mentioned Fluff, until he explained.”
“Wait a minute,” Alburet cut in. “You can smell pheromones?”
“Ever since the change,” Stacia admitted. “As well as a few other minor thins. Nothing tha’ be useful in combat.”
Shaking his head, Alburet wrapped her in his arms, “I would love to hear more.”
A cough reminded him that Erin was still there, “I do nay need to see me sister getting all hot and bothered. Iffin we be done here, I’ll clean up and get a nap in.”
Alburet chuckled, “Sorry, Erin. Yeah, we’re done. Lock up behind us, please and have a good nap before you go hunting.”
Finally, Stacia and Alburet were able to get back to their home. Once they were safely locked inside, Alburet chased Stacia down and took her, just as she had asked for earlier. Hours later when they woke from their nap, snuggled in bed, Alburet took the time to just drink in the scent of her. He felt a wave of contentment and happiness roll over him as he held his beautiful wife to him. He felt her wake and snuggle herself even more firmly against him.
“Morning, Kitten. Was that what you needed?”
“Aye, master,” Stacia replied with a languid voice. “I will see about food, before the others show up to go huntin’. Iffin ya will let me go, tha’ be.”
He held for another moment and nibbled her neck, causing her to moan softly before he turned her loose. “Off you go, woman. I’ll clean up and get dressed while you get things started.”
“As master wishes,” Stacia replied as he let her go. She rolled on top of his naked body instead of getting out of bed, and kissed him passionately. Alburet moved to grab her, only to have her spring away with a wicked laugh. “Breakfast will nay cook itself.”
Alburet laughed at her departing back and shook his head. She truly was a succubus, a demon of desire and lust, and she was well up to speed on how to cause him to respond to her. “Little fucking brat,” he chuckled as he went to clean off with a bit of cold water. “I’ll get her back for that later.”
Chapter Five
As Alburet reached the front room he noticed the flashing guild icon. Opening it he found a veritable tidal wave of messages from new members of the guild, mostly people grouping up to tackle the first couple of dungeons, though some had teamed up for regular hunting. He closed the window down as he took a seat in the front room. Stacia brought food a moment later and sat down across from him while they ate.
The guild icon flashed steadily while they ate, new guild members chatting with each other and sharing observations. Alburet shook his head at how busy and eager they all were. Stacia replied to a few of the comments, letting people know which shops the guild had deals set up with. After they’d eaten and the dishes were cleaned they went next door to check in with Kim. They found a couple of guildies just hanging out and chatting with Kim and Erin.
“Afternoon?” Alburet said in way of greeting.
Kim gave him a polite nod, “It’s eased up since the first day, Alburet. You have a meeting with a noble tomorrow morning, so please don’t forget. I’ve arranged a carriage for you to use for all of your meetings over the next month.”
“You’re always on the ball, Kim,” Alburet grinned. “Any problems with any new members?”
The two guys who had been hanging out looked away when he asked the question. “None,” Kim replied evenly as Alburet eyed the men. “They asked, politely I might add, and were good enough to take my answer as final. I think they are a little intimidated by going hunting, to be honest.”
“No I’m not,” one of the two spoke up quickly. “I just don’t feel any need to rush is all.”
“I’m not sure I can solo the goblins,” the other added. “I mean, I stayed in the starting town until I couldn’t advance any more and was still having a rough time of it.”
“What class?” Alburet asked the second guy.
“Trapsmith, but I’m wondering if that was the best idea. I’m not all that great in combat.”
“Ah, but ya will be needed later on,” Stacia added in. “Tha higher level dungeons be littered with quite deadly traps. It makes progress very slow iffin ya do nay have a Trapsmith with ya group. Also, a few of the more dangerous fights, tha bosses have traps in tha room. A Trapsmith can stop them from goin’ off or even use them against tha boss.”
The second guy stood a little taller at her words, “I guess I can go try it out. What’s the worst that can happen, right?”
“I’ll go with if you want some help,” the first guy added as casually as he could.
“Sure, let’s go.” The two of them headed out the door.
As soon as they were gone Erin sighed, “Thank ya. I thought they was goin’ to stay and talk us to death.”
Kim snorted, “They were far from the worst I’ve dealt with. You’ll get used to it, Erin.”
“Me patience be nay as long as yours, Kim,” Erin replied with a laugh.
“Since you’re both okay, I guess I’ll go see what kind of help I can give my new recruits,” Alburet said, then paused. “I thought Wilbur was coming by to take you hunting Erin?”
Erin frowned then gave a deep sigh and shrug, “He has nay come, and I will nay message him.”
Alburet suddenly had reservations about his budding plan concerning Wilbur. It also r
eminded him that he needed to make arrangements for dinner. He pulled out his Mindstone and sent Grimgar a quick message, asking him to make the reservation for tonight. Grimgar replied even before Alburet got the stone put away. Erin sat at the desk trying to conceal her disappointment. “I said if he wouldn’t that we would take you, Erin. So, go grab whatever gear you have and let’s go.”
Erin looked up with sad eyes but nodded and went to her room to change. Stacia watched her go, waiting until Erin was out of the room before she commented, “Wilbur be really hurtin’ his chances now.”
As soon as the words left her mouth the door opened as Wilbur came in. He had a tight smile fixed in place and his eyes were pinched at the corners, as if he was trying not to show pain. “Sorry I’m late…” he trailed off, realizing that Erin wasn’t in the room.
Alburet eyed Wilbur curiously. “Running a little late, are you?”
Wilbur looked away, his jaw setting even as a sigh escaped him. “Yes. Family business ran longer then I had hoped it would. I am here to fulfill Erin’s wish though, and keep my word to her.” He failed to conceal a wince which caused Alburet focused on him, seeing the debuff Wilbur had.
“Your brother poisoned you?”
Wilbur pulled himself fully upright, his lips tightening, “Of course not.”
“Wilbur?” Erin said from the doorway into the back. She was wearing a set of leathers very like those Stacia had worn her first time out, with twin blades strapped to her waist. Erin stood there looking at him with pained eyes until she noticed the pain he was trying not to show. Then her eyes focused on him, taking in the debuff and her mouth dropped open. “Who?”
Wilbur took a step forward, “It doesn’t matter. I’m here so we can go hunt.”
“With you hurting like tha’?” Erin came forward a few quick steps and took his arm. “We need to go see an alchemist an’ see about gettin’ an antidote first.”
Wilbur shook his head, “I will not show weakness.”
“Fool,” Alburet said without malice. Wilbur’s head snapped like he had been struck. “It isn’t weakness to address an issue. It is pigheaded to try and ignore the distress you’re causing the lady, though.”
Wilbur looked back at Erin, who was obviously upset by his pain. Wilbur gritted his teeth, caught between what he considered family honor and the woman he loved being distressed by his refusal of help. “I..,” Wilbur paused, more conflicted then he thought he should be.
“Ya take me sister an’ ya go see an alchemist,” Stacia put in quietly, but her tone held unbending iron. “After ya be well, ya be takin’ her to hunt goblins. Tonight, an hour after the sun goes down, ya will meet us here for dinner in celebration of her first hunt.”
Wilbur looked at Stacia, seeing only love for Erin in her eyes and the iron will their mother had instilled in them to never back down. “I yield,” Wilbur finally said before he turned to Erin. “Does that plan suit you, Erin?”
Erin nodded, her eyes shiny with unshed tears. She’d been so worried, and now she felt relief and giddy happiness. “Aye, I would do nothin’ less for the man me heart beats for.”
Wilbur sucked in a breath at her words, shock and realization flashing across his face. “You are too kind to me,” he said, his voice barely carrying. “I see that I didn’t speak forcefully enough to my brother this morning about the love between you and I. You give me no quarter in our battle of wills. I have much to consider, now that I see where my heart beats. Please, Erin, show me the way, for surely I am blind without you at my side.”
Erin’s smile was brilliant as she took his arm and led him outside. The trio inside watched them go until the door closed behind them. “Now that man is surely conflicted to his very soul,” Kim commented. “I do think Erin is going to win out over his family, though. Too much honest love from her and too many years of hatred from them.”
“Aye, tha’ be the way of it. I think we be seeing more tonight at dinner. Where we be goin’, Asthore?” Staci asked.
“Grimgar is making the reservations,” Alburet’s lips twitched into a grin. “I think a family tradition is about to be born.”
“Ahh, now tha’ will make her day to the very end. Only one thin’ will have a chance to top it.”
“Where are you going?” Kim asked curiously.
“Where champions dine,” Alburet replied.
“Oh, very nice. Kind of pricey,” Kim nodded. “It’s been years since Rolland and I went there.”
“Hmm, maybe I should arrange something in a few days then to thank you for your hard work,” Alburet replied.
“You’re going to spoil your staff, not that I’ll complain,” Kim laughed. “Stacia, take him away before he bankrupts your house.”
“Aye, off to hunt we go. Come along, Asthore,” Stacia told him as she strode out of the hall.
Alburet followed her out, one eyebrow raised in bemusement. He caught up to her and spun her into a tight hug. “Who is in charge here?”
“Why ya of course, mast… Asthore,” Stacia giggled.
“Just like a cat,” Alburet laughed, taking her arm as they walked towards the portal guild. His message icon began to flashing in the corner of his vision.
Message from Karen:
You awake yet? I’m thinking we should go gnoll hunting again today.
Message to Karen:
Is Fluff with you?
Message from Karen:
Yes, we’re on the way to the portal guild. I’m going to tag Gerald and see if he wants to join.
Message to Karen:
Actually, I was thinking it might be good if we split into groups of two and go check on our recruits. Lend a hand here or there and see how they’re doing today. Tomorrow we can go grind gnolls, if you still want.
Message from Karen:
Boring, but okay.
Alburet put his Mindstone away. “Sorry, advising Karen on the plan for the day.”
“What plan be tha’?”
“We’re going to head out to the Goblin Fort area and check in with the recruits. See if any of them need help. Then we’ll head out to the orcs and do it again. None of them are up to handling the gnolls yet, so it will work out. We’ll head back at sundown to clean up and get ready for dinner.”
“What about the others?”
“Karen is passing the word along to Fluff, so they can team up for the same thing. I’ll tell Gerald and Marysue when we reach the portal guild and suggest they team up as well. Tomorrow we can all meet up for more hunting together.”
“As ya wish, Asthore,” Stacia said squeezing his arm. “As long as ya be with me, I will do anythin’ ya wish.”
“Change of plans,” Alburet greeted Gerald and Marysue. “I think it might be a good idea to spend the day checking in on our new guildies. Group up with them for a few maybe, and see how they’re handling themselves. If you’re near a few groups then just sit back and watch, maybe chip in if they need it. See how they interact with others. Maybe we can spot the ones who are going to cause issues before they do too much damage.”
“I was thinking the same thing and was going to suggest we do that tomorrow, but we can swing it today instead.” Gerald replied, “We took rooms at the Dead Man Inn. Alistern even gave us a discount when he saw the guild crest.”
“It be good to see me Da’ doin’ the right thin’,” Stacia added.
“What about Karen and Fluff?” Marysue asked.
“Already told them,” Alburet replied. “Karen insists on gnolls tomorrow, which is fine, but it will be after my first meeting.”
“Meeting?” Gerald asked.
“For the next several days I have meetings scheduled in the morning and in the evening with different noble houses. It all ties in to our guild having the charter from the Crown. I’ll fill you in on all the details tomorrow while we’re out hunting, Karen and Fluff need to know as well. Short version is that the charter is a reward for finding valuable information about the Forgotten Prison.”
�
��Is that what you meant a while back about knowing you being a good thing?” Gerald inquired.
“Pretty much. Anyway, all the major nobles sent word that they wanted to meet with the leader of Alpha Company. So for the next several days I have meetings scheduled with all of them.”
“Hmm. Have you ever dealt with these sorts of people?” Marysue asked, looking uncertain.
“Not as such…”
“You’re going to hate it,” Gerald cut in. “You’ll hate it to a large extent, and if you step wrong you could really put the guild behind the eight ball. People of that caliber are used to specific standards. Can you take me along with you? I can act as your mouth piece for most of it, I’m used to making peacocks think they’re special.”
Alpha Company (Alpha World Book 3) Page 5