“You sure?” Leggylass asked, her doubt clear.
“Can your demons even be healed?” Greenbeard asked. “I thought the forums said they took damage from regular healing spells. One of the reasons no one seems to like Summoners much.”
Alburet grinned, “They can, and it will be cake. You’ll earn the trip when the others finish up by having to run it at level.”
“Jaxton, when your group clears just hang out and wait for me. I’m going to swap my three for your three.”
“You got it, boss,” Jaxton said as his group started clearing goblins towards the portal.
“You three ready for a wild ride?” Alburet asked.
He got three affirmatives all laced with doubt. “Tiny, grab that last goblin in the way and then we’re going in.”
Chapter Six
As they stepped into the dungeon Alburet received a pop-up. He chuckled at it, “Be right back guys, don’t do anything for a minute.” He ducked back out, leaving the trio a little puzzled.
A few minutes later another person joined their group. Alburet and Diesel joined them inside the dungeon. “This is Diesel, he’s a Defender and our tank for the run.”
“But we are going to get shitty XP already because of your level,” Greenbeard pointed out.
Alburet tapped at his interface, and his level was reduced to fifteen, the maximum for the dungeon. “Not anymore, turns out dungeons let you scale your level to them. Means you’ll get decent XP for the mobs after all, as well as getting the quests.”
“Wow, that’s cool,” Leggylass exclaimed. “We can group with anyone then for dungeons.”
“It doesn’t scale up, only down. So you still can’t bring someone too low a level in.”
Diesel nodded, “So you guys know this dungeon? Because I haven’t run it yet.”
“I’ve cleared it a few times,” Alburet told him. “Just follow along and I’ll walk you all through it.”
“Does it scale your abilities back as well, or just your stats?” Ironhand asked.
Alburet looked at Stacia and her double, “Going to say stats because she’s still here and I didn’t get a Succubus until level sixteen.”
“I still have access to me ability as well,” Stacia added.
“This is going to be so funny,” Greenbeard laughed.
“So, first off there’s the trash,” Alburet said, explaining the dungeon.
As they exited the dungeon, Diesel shook his head. “Wow, so if we can get a higher level to go through dungeons with us, it’s just stupid easy.”
“Could be,” Alburet agreed, “I happen to have a set of gear that boosts my stats though, which along with my melee damage makes me a little OP at that level.”
“Yeah, about that. Where can I get a set of gloves like that?” Diesel asked.
“Not sure anyone else can get them anymore, they’re part of the armor sets that were removed.”
“Balls,” Diesel sighed. “Well, thanks for the run. I guess I can head off to the Orc area now.”
“Wait, why not run it with us again?” Ironhand piped up. “Alburet said he was going, but the rest of us would be up for another round once we turn in quests. With a healer and tank we can pick up another DPS and go again.”
Diesel considered it then nodded, “Sure, sounds good to me.”
“You all have fun,” Alburet told them before he dropped group. “Have fun with the celebration later.”
Alburet loafed at the entrance to the dungeon and waited for the other group to show. He let Tiny and Bob kill off any goblin that got close as he sipped some tea and nibbled some jerky. Almost half an hour later Jaxton’s group came out of the dungeon. Jaxton heaved a deep sigh.
“Sorry guys, that last boss is just a bitch,” Jaxton was saying.
“Issues?” Alburet asked.
“We couldn’t handle the last boss,” Brightlight said, looking around for the people Alburet had been with earlier. “Where did the others go?”
“We cleared. I was hanging out for you guys and they decided to go again,” Alburet told them. “If one of your DPS doesn’t mind dropping and hooking up with Ironhand’s group I can get you guys through.”
“But the XP loss,” Reviler said, his zombie moaning softly.
“Turns out I can scale my level down to the max for the dungeon. The other group got decent XP. So, are you guys up for it?”
“I’ll switch to the other group,” Reviler said. “I’ll just toss Ironhand a guild message.”
“Sounds good. Jaxton, hit me. I’ll teach you guys the tricks to beat this place.” Alburet said as he accepted the group invite. “Reset the dungeon and then we can go.”
A minute later they entered the dungeon, the group a little skeptical that his plan would work. When they came out again after clearing it, they were shaking their heads and laughing. Alburet smiled at the achievement pop-up.
Guild Achievement: Clear the Goblin Fort
“Good gods, I thought Summoners were supposed to be weak as fuck,” Jaxton said.
“He has extra minions and those overpowered gloves,” Brightlight pointed out. “But the most useful thing was having the control.”
“Glad you all had a good time,” Alburet chuckled. “I’m off to check in with more guildies. Pick up another and give it another go now that you know how to handle the bosses.”
“Sure thing,” Jaxton said, sending out a call for another DPS as Alburet dropped from the group.
Alburet said goodbye and dismissed his minions, then he and Stacia used their Homestones to return to Stormguard. As he appeared before his home with Stacia next to him a cloud of black smoke enveloped them. He and Stacia were reduced to coughing helplessly, doubled over and blinded by the thick smoke. Alburet’s coughing was cut abruptly short as a knife sank into his back, severing his spine again and killing him instantly.
Two minutes later he was in the graveyard outside the Dead Man Inn, his face red as he swore. He yanked his Homestone out and used it again, appearing next to Stacia who was leaning against the wall gasping as the smoke dissipated.
“Asthore?” Stacia managed to say, hugging him as she got her breathing back under control.
“Assassin, killed me inside the smoke cloud,” Alburet said through gritted teeth. “Fucking Skippy, I’m so going to kill that fucker until he stays dead.”
“We do nay have the coin to hire an assassin ourselves,” Stacia told him, holding him close.
“Then I should just gut him,” Alburet hissed.
“Ya would be taken prisoner an’ made to serve in the Stockades,” she pleaded with him, pulling his head down so their eyes could meet. “Please, do nay do tha’, Asthore.”
Alburet’s hands clenched tightly on her and he looked away as he tried to curb his anger. It took a minute or two, but he was finally able to get himself under control. “I’ll pay him back eventually.”
“Aye,” Stacia said softly, “I will help iffin I can.”
They held each other for another few minutes before Alburet finally stepped back from her. “We were going to head out to the Orcs for a bit to check in with our new recruits. After that we’ll be back here an hour or so before sundown to get things ready for your sister’s celebration.”
“As ya wish it, Asthore,” Stacia said, breathing easier now that he was calm again.
Once they made it out to the grasslands that the Orcs inhabited, they could see a lot of people scattered off in the distance. “Well, this is going to take some time,” Alburet muttered, summoning Tiny and Bob again.
“More killing?” Tiny rumbled.
“We’re going to find other Alpha Company members and see how they’re doing, much like we did earlier” Alburet replied.
“So boring,” Bob whined.
“Karen and Fluff are out here somewhere,” Alburet told the Imp.
“Well, that’s different. Let’s get moving, what’s the hold up?” Bob bounced from foot to foot.
Alburet copied Stacia and set off into the grass
lands. They had to range pretty far before they found the first clump of Alpha Company recruits. The other groups were nearby though, with Karen and Fluff roving between them.
Alburet and his minions greeted the new guildies as they moved from group to group, finally catching up to Fluff and Karen. “Karen, Fluff, how’s it going out here?”
Karen spun at his words, “A little boring, but the groups are doing well. We got the tanks and healers teamed up with DPS, they’re grinding up so they can do the dungeon tonight or tomorrow. We have two groups of just DPS, though.”
“Everyone has been friendly and we haven’t had any issues,” Fluff added.
“We lost an Elementalist out at the goblin lands, he said the wrong things about Stacia,” Alburet informed them.
Karen winced, “Did he walk away?”
“Aye,” Stacia answered, “he called Alburet a dictator an’ then left. He will nay make many friends, me be thinkin’.”
“Well, there are idiots everywhere,” Karen nodded.
“Where are Gerald and Marysue?” Alburet asked, looking around for them.
“They took a set of three DPS to the Orc village. Gerald said the dungeons could scale a person down. Some people in guild chat were going on about it, so he wanted to check.”
“That would have been the goblin groups I was with,” Alburet informed Karen. “I ran through that dungeon twice with two groups.” He gave a brief recap of the runs.
“Sounds good,” Karen mused. “That will let guilds really have a good time with their friends.”
“Yes. I like it,” Fluff added. “What’s the plan for the rest of the day?”
“A little before sundown I have to go for a dinner. Other than that, just keep doing what we’ve been doing. Tomorrow after a meeting I have we’re going to go hit the gnoll cave again, I think.”
“Thank gods,” Karen said with a sigh. “I want to kill things too, after all.”
“Anyone stand out, good or bad?” Alburet asked, gesturing to the groups around them.
“Not at the moment,” Karen shrugged. “I think they’re all being on good behavior as we’re here.”
“Hmm. We’ll see what happens over the next week or two, then. If you two want to take that group, me and Stacia will take the other one,” Alburet said, indicating the two groups lacking tank or healer.
“I’m holding you to that dungeon crawl tomorrow,” Karen said as she turned away.
“It will happen. Goodness knows I don’t want to end up on the mat again,” Alburet laughed.
They all exchanged hugs and headed off to their chosen groups. For the next couple of hours Alburet didn’t have to do much, but he did get the chance to meet and talk with a good number of the new members. As the sun began to dip towards the horizon he waved to Karen and Fluff before he and Stacia used their Homestones.
Guild Achievement: Clear the Orc Village
Alburet grinned as the achievement popped up. “Well, Gerald seems to be doing okay with the others.”
“They all seem like good people,” Stacia commented as they appeared before their home.
“Besides Firepalm, yes, they do,” Alburet agreed as they went into their home. They showered and changed into good clothes, with only minor flirting by either of them. As the sun actually dipped below the horizon, they stepped across to the guild hall.
Kim was putting stuff away when they entered, “How did the day go?”
“Not bad. We lost one early, but I haven’t heard about any trouble,” Alburet replied. “Can you get a copy of my schedule for noble meetings to Gerald, please? He’s going to be going with me, turns out he’s used to dealing with that class of people.”
“I’ll have a copy for him by morning. I’ll hand it off when you go to the first appointment after breakfast. Is there anything else I need to know about or do?” Kim asked.
“Actually, if you wouldn’t mind reminding me in four days, I have a quest that needs doing.”
“Okay. Just remind you about a quest?” Kim asked with a bit of puzzlement.
“I’ll be going out to the Deadlands for it,” Alburet told her.
“What?” Kim asked her eyes widening a fraction. “You’re nowhere near ready for that place yet.”
“The Dark Lord wants to talk to me, it seems,” Alburet grinned.
“The Dark Lord? As in the Dark Lord, one of the gods?” Kim asked, her shock visible.
“Yup. Seems my gear set came with a quest line. I’m going out for a meeting to find out more,” Alburet chuckled.
“Asthore, do nay play with her like tha’,” Stacia said. “The Dark Lord has offered a gift he rarely does. Me husband is goin’ to see iffin he will accept.”
“What could the Dark Lord want to give to anyone?” Kim asked, as she tried to think of what it might be.
“We’ll find out in a few days,” Alburet laughed. “Is Erin back from her hunt?”
Kim nodded, mentally shifting tracks. “She got back a few minutes before you came over. You’re going to dinner with her and Wilbur, right?”
“Most of the Crowley family and friends I would think,” Alburet replied as Stacia headed back to see how long Erin was going to be.
“None of them have been hunting before?” Kim asked, puzzled.
“They’ve had issues with finding a class,” Alburet told her. “You noticed with Stacia, I believe.”
“All of them are like that? How interesting,” Kim’s gaze went a little fuzzy as she thought about what it might mean.
Erin and Stacia came out a moment later. Erin was dressed in a simple black gown that hinted at her figure without giving too much away. Stacia was dressed in a red dress that was much the same, flattering but not revealing. “We be ready, Asthore,” Stacia said.
“Well then ladies, we are off.” He offered his arms to them, “Is Wilbur meeting us there?”
“He be meeting us here in a few minutes,” Erin replied, taking his arm. “We did nay know where we be goin’.”
“Oh, right,” Alburet laughed and shook his head. “Forgot I kept that secret. Let’s go wait for him out front. Kim, can I entice you to stay until we get back please?”
“It will cost you,” Kim said quickly. “Dinner with me and Rolland tomorrow night, after your appointment that is. I want to hear more about the quest.”
Alburet nodded, “Deal. See you later.”
A carriage was parked just outside the archway. It couldn’t have been there long, as Wilbur was getting out of it. Wilbur’s outfit was clearly of higher quality than anything Alburet or the ladies had, though no doubt it fell well below Skippy’s standards as there was a decided lack of glittery metal to be seen.
Wilbur came to attention as he laid eyes on Erin, who smiled at him. “Miss Crowley, I have arrived with transportation to take you to dinner. I am more than happy to extend the offer of a ride to your sister and brother-in-law, as well.”
“We will accept,” Alburet replied as he released Erin from his arm. “Ladies first.”
Wilbur helped Erin into the carriage, his eyes lingering on her, before turning to help Stacia in. Alburet was next in, and saw the smirk hovering on Stacia’s lips as he settled next to her. Alburet and Stacia had one side of the carriage, leaving Wilbur to sit next to Erin. She took Wilbur’s hand as he sat. “Where are we off to?” Wilbur asked.
Alburet grinned and thumped the wall once, “Driver, to the Victory Lap.”
The carriage started to move before Wilbur could reply. “The Victory Lap? I was not expecting that venue.”
“Something of a family tradition,” Alburet told him. “That’s where Stacia was treated by her family after her first successful hunt. It seems appropriate to continue the tradition with Erin.”
“She told you the news, then?” Wilbur asked, glancing over at Erin.
“Nay, I be tellin’ them when we get to dinner. Me parents will nay doubt be there along with the rest of the family. I want them all to know at once,” Erin said softly, he
r smile radiant as she squeezed Wilbur’s hand.
Alburet pursed his lips, “Something to celebrate, is it?”
“Aye, something me been hopin’ for,” Erin nodded. “It be all thanks to Wilbur.”
Wilbur shook his head, “I was pleased for you as well.” He smiled at Erin, his eyes shining. “I’ll hold the secret until you tell them.”
Stacia’s smile was radiant, “Oh, I can nay wait to hear.”
Alpha Company (Alpha World Book 3) Page 7