Going into the final leg of the fight, Mary was nearly at full mana and no one was hurt which made the whole thing much simpler. They killed the Gnoll Shaman easily and collected their loot. Alburet chuckled at the staff he got, which he handed over to Marysue. His current weapon was still far superior, but it was a nice upgrade for her. Instead of walking back out, they decided to call it a day there as Gerald had a meeting coming up. Alburet and Stacia also had dinner plans for after the sun went down.
They exchanged a round of hugs and used their Homestones to get back to Stormguard. Alburet tensed as he appeared in front of the archway to his house, half expecting a knife to sink into his back. Stacia took a step toward the door before glancing back at him. “It be fine now, Asthore. He will nay break his word.”
Nodding, Alburet followed Stacia into the house. They still had two hours before dinner with Kim and Rolland. Stacia started preparing the meal and Alburet gave her a quick hug and kiss. “Going to go sell off loot, Kitten. Be back once I’m done, okay?”
“Aye, master,” she said, watching him go.
Alburet walked into Grimgar’s to find half a dozen people ranged along the counters, looking over weapons. He nodded to Grimgar as the bell announced his entrance, getting a grin in return. “Grim, looks busy,” Alburet called out.
“Aye, lad, they all be in ye guild,” Grimgar laughed. “Ye have done me a favor, it seems.”
“What’s up Al?” Ironhand looked up from where he was looking at a shortsword. “This place is good on price. Even better with the discount.”
Alburet’s smile was strained as he recalled shortening names yesterday. It might be considered bad manners to insist on his full name now, but he still tried. “Please, call me Alburet, and not Al.”
“Sure, no problem,” Ironhand replied. He turned put five gold on the counter. “I’ll take it.”
“Pleasure doin’ business with ya,” Grimgar said, taking the gold and returning a few silver. Grimgar was busy for the next few minutes as the other shoppers made their decisions and settled up. Alburet watched them go, waving to the one who looked back, then began to stack weapons onto the counter. Grimgar was chuckling, “Well, tha’ was a nice bit of coin for me. Let us see how much o’ that I be givin’ back to ye, eh?”
Alburet grinned, “Mutually beneficial, Grim. I hope Almira and the others are doing just as well.”
“Ye’ll probably find out soon enough, iffin ye be makin’ ye normal round droppin’ off ye junk.”
“True enough,” Alburet agreed. He took the coin Grimgar offered him without bothering to count it. “How’s business been overall?”
“Nay been bad. I been getting’ a nice spot o’ business from ye guild. The discount be enough to keep bringin’ em back to me. I ha’ a question for ye about somethin’ else, though. What do ye think of Wilbur? Will he do right by Erin?”
Alburet took a moment to consider before nodding, “I think he is probably as in love with her as she is with him. His problem is that he cares about what his family thinks, and they won’t accept her. I have an idea how to get around that, though, which I will be discussing with him tomorrow night. If it works out, he’ll be free to do what he wishes without having to worry about his brother.”
“Do ye think he will turn her away?”
“Not if he doesn’t want your blades at his neck,” Alburet laughed. “Truthfully, I don’t think so. He’s just feeling like he’s caught between what his heart wants, which is Erin, and what his upbringing and family are telling him, which is that she’s not good enough.”
“Keep an eye on him, then,” Grimgar replied. “Iffin it looks like it’s goin’ bad then mayhap ye can bring him to me for a talk.”
“I hope to hell it doesn’t come to that,” Alburet sighed. “Well, more stops to make still. I’ll see you later, Grim.”
“Aye, lad,” Grimgar waved goodbye as Alburet left the shop.
Almira’s shop was crowded, too. Close to a dozen people, ranging from casters to rogue types were scattered through the shop. Each of them contemplated armor on display in cases. He nodded to Brightlight, who was looking at a soft leather chest piece. “Find what you’re looking for?”
“Oh, hey,” she said as she turned to look at him. “It’s nice, but I guess I was just hoping for more. I mean, plus five is okay, but I’d really like a bigger stat boost.”
“You’re level eleven,” Alburet pointed out. “This is right in line with what you should expect for the level.”
“I guess. I was just hoping for better loot, is all,” she sighed. “Ah well, low levels can’t expect too much.”
“Did you and Jaxton exchange info, so you can get a party going every day? I would think a set healer and tank combo would be the way to go, just patch in DPS as you want and off you go.”
“We did, actually,” Brightlight laughed. “That’s basically what I told him. We have a set group of DPS, too, unless they want to take a day off. Then we’ll just fill in for them.”
“Glad to see Alpha Company members thinking ahead,” Alburet told her as they walked over to the counter.
While Brightlight purchased her new chest armor, Alburet started to unload the leather from his bag. She said goodbye to Alburet before she left, and a few others said hello to him as they paid for their stuff.
“Went hunting today, did you?” Almira asked as she tallied up what she owed him.
“Gnolls again, but we’ll think about moving on soon. In the next few days we’re probably going further afield.”
“Good, glad to see you striving for advancement. Once you lose the drive to improve, you might as well settle down and open up a shop.”
“If I do, I’ll ask for advice from some successful merchant friends of mine how to go about it,” Alburet grinned.
“I was wondering, since you seem to have an inside line,” Almira started, “what do you think Wilbur is going to do? His family pulls him one way, and Erin is pulling the other. It seems to be weighing on him.”
“I’ve got an idea that may help him resolve that conflict. I’ll be having dinner with him tomorrow, we’ll discuss it then. In fact, I need to send a message when I get back home to the other potentially involved party.” He took the coins Almira offered him in exchange for the gear, grinning at her questioning look. “Well, I’m off to sell the rest of this, then dinner with friends. Have a good night, Almira.”
“You as well. Give Stacia a hug for me,” Almira replied.
Alburet hit the chain and plate shops as well, neither of which were doing as much business yet. Once he was done offloading the loot, he used his Homestone to portal home rather than walk back across the city. He’d spent nearly an hour getting to the shops and selling stuff, which meant he had about an hour before their guests would arrive. He ducked into the guild hall to find Erin and Kim behind the desk. “How was the day?”
“I trained me abilities and Kim set a schedule for us,” Erin replied. “It means me and Wilbur will be able to hunt every week.” She seemed quite pleased with the arrangement.
Kim chuckled, “She didn’t ask for much. The rest of the day was relatively quiet. A few minor inquiries about meeting with you, but no one important enough to warrant your attention. I was just about to head home to get ready for dinner.”
“I need one more thing from you, please,” Alburet told Kim. “Send a letter to Lady Theron and ask if she is available to host a party of four, tomorrow night. It has to do with the task she set for me.”
Erin eyed him, “I thought ya was havin’ dinner with Wilbur tomorrow.”
Alburet chuckled, “That I am, one way or another, but I hope to kill two birds with a single stone.”
“I’ll write it up and get it sent over before I head home,” Kim said, pulling paper to her. “See you in an hour, if there’s nothing else.”
“Nope, see you then,” he replied as he turned to go. “Oh, Erin, tomorrow night you should wear your best outfit.”
“Ya can
nay mean tha’…” Erin said but he didn’t hear the rest as he shut the door behind him with a laugh.
He was greeted by a delicious smell as he walked into his house, but didn’t see Stacia anywhere. He made his way to the bedroom and heard the shower running. He stripped off his gear quickly and headed into the bathing room. Stacia killed the water just as he entered, turning to smile at him. Alburet couldn’t help but grin at the sight she presented.
“I’m home, Kitten,” he said as he walked towards her.
“Aye, master. However, I just cleaned up and I need to check dinner so it does nay burn. Ya on the other hand, are covered in sweat still. Are ya going to press ya body against me and make me bathe again? Iffin ya do dinner may well burn before I can break free of ya.”
Alburet sighed with a sad shake of his head, “Grab the gorgeous, dripping woman before me and disappoint friends, or let her go and miss out on the chance at sexy fun. Oh gods, I hate the hard choices.”
Stacia giggled as she slipped by him, planting a small kiss on his cheek. “Later be plenty of time for what we both be wantin’, me love. Now get yaself clean, ya can help me set the table an’ such before they get here. Mayhap we can even talk about the Dark Lord some before they show.”
“I’ll bide my time, then,” Alburet said even as he turned to watch her lithe body sway out the door. He shook his head and took a brisk cold shower to cool off. When he padded, dressed but barefoot, out to the main room, Stacia was stirring a pot on the stove. “Okay Kitten, tell me what you wanted to earlier.” He grabbed bowls, glasses and utensils and began to set the table.
“Aye,” she said, watching him as she stirred the pot. “Ya know tha’ I am fine with more women being wedded to ya than jus’ meself. One of the main tenets of faith to the Dark Lord be that his followers be directed to protect as many as they can. Protect, guide, and love equally. This be his decree before and even after his followers were hounded after the fall of the first empire. It became even more important during the years Summoners were nay welcomed many places, even havin’ to go so far as to appear to worship other gods in public. I understand that’ ya follow the words of ya father, and I will abide ya will, but I ask ya to think mayhap iffin ya father had been able to come here he might have had different views.”
Alburet finished setting the table, thinking about what she’d said. “He might have. It’s hard to say. Why the need to bring the subject up, Kitten? Are you unhappy with just me in your life?”
“Nay master,” Stacia fiddled with the stove then went over to him. “It be just tha’ to me it seems like mayhap ya be holdin’ back, and makin’ yaself unhappy. I know ya had ya eyes on Karen an’ Fluff before me. Iffin ya wish them to be a part of ya family, I will welcome them with open arms. Me faith an’ ya faith be different in this. Besides bein’ a follower of the Dark Lord, I now be one of his Succubi as well. There be a part of me that yearns for the one I call master to achieve more. More of anything ya want master, be tha’ combat, food, wealth or love. I will nay gainsay ya desires, all I be askin’ is that ya do nay curtail them out of some ideal from ya other world. I be fine with just ya, but iffin ya heart wants more, then I will help ya find more.”
Alburet took a deep breath, his arms going around Stacia. “What you ask is for me to change the very way I was raised to think, Kitten. I truly am happy with you and only you in my life. You know my history, so you should see why I can’t have relationships with other Two-souled. They would want to know more about me and meet away from Alpha World. I can do neither of those things, so it becomes a moot point from the very start. As for other Alpha Worlders, I have no need of them when I already have the very best there is.”
Stacia giggled softly as she leaned into his embrace, “Ya say sweet things to me, love, but I stand by me faith and me words. Iffin ya ever want more just tell me and I will help ya bring another into our family.”
“Why doesn’t your father have another wife?” Alburet asked, suddenly struck by the thought.
“He was afraid tha’ it would come out tha’ me Ma’ be a Succubus iffin he did. It nay be for any other reason, only to protect her and us from the rest of the world.”
“And Stewart has been pining for Flora all this time,” Alburet said, considering the other Summoner he knew.
“Aye,” Stacia said as she nuzzled his neck. “Just keep me words in ya mind is all I be askin’.”
“You win, Kitten,” he said and dipped his head as he pulled her head back slightly so he could kiss her. After a few minutes he broke the kiss and leaned his head against hers, “If I ever decide to think about adding another into our life, I’ll tell you first, okay? But aren’t you afraid people might find out about your family if we do?”
“Tha’ be all I be askin’,” she whispered back, kissing him again. “It does worry me some, master, but with ya by me side I feel tha’ everythin’ will work out.”
Chapter Nine
The knock on the door reminded them that they were expecting company for the evening. Alburet separated himself from Stacia, who went back over to the stove. He watched her for a second as he shook his head, still wondering how he’d gotten so lucky.
Opening the door, he greeted his guests, “Kim, Rolland, welcome to our home. Please, come in and enjoy our hospitality.”
Rolland bowed and Kim curtsied, “Thank you for having us.” Rolland led his wife in, both of them looking around with interest. “It’s a nice, cozy place, isn’t it?”
“Aye,” Stacia said, turning from the stove, “it be just right for a new couple. Welcome to our home.” She hugged them each briefly. “Dinner be ready in a moment or two. Would ya like the tour?”
“I’d love to see the rest,” Kim said, following Stacia. Rolland stayed in the living room with Alburet.
“How have things been at work for you, Rolland?” Alburet asked.
“Boring. Ever since my wife came to work for you the time drags by. I used to be able to sneak off to chat with her for a few minutes here or there. Now, not so much. Using Mindstones just isn’t the same, really.”
“Ah. I’m sorry that it’s an issue, but she really has saved us.”
“No, it’s fine. She has been much happier since she came to work for your guild. She gets to chat with everyone who comes in wanting to know more about the guild, and there is no shortage of curiosity in Stormguard. She told me about all the stuff you’ve been having her do to help out, the letters to noble houses and scheduling meetings with them. She thinks it’s great fun.”
“I wish that part wasn’t necessary,” Alburet grimaced.
Rolland chuckled, “You got a Royal Charter for your guild. It was a foregone conclusion that this would happen. I’m really curious about the events which led to that point, if you don’t mind sharing. Kim said a lot of people have been asking about the Forgotten Prison.”
Shrugging, Alburet glanced at the hall as the women came back, “I already have one tale to tell tonight. I owe Kim the story of the quest I have to attend to in the next couple of days. I can tell you that story too, but I bet Kim already knows most of it from all the questions she’s been fielding.”
“You mean about how you came up with the latest two clues to the Forgotten Prison? Clues that are being put on public display tomorrow at the Royal Museum?” Kim asked with a grin as she took the seat next to Rolland.
“Yeah, that,” Alburet chuckled. “Knew you were smart enough to put the pieces together.”
“I believe that is one of the reasons you hired me.”
“True enough,” Alburet replied. At that moment, his message icon started flashing. Checking it he frowned, as he hadn’t even considered the implications of Diedre hunting earlier, until he read the message.
Message from Lilith Crowley:
Alburet, we are doing a celebratory dinner for Diedre tonight. She snuck out earlier to go hunting with Chris Eveningstar and did not inform us. As such we are throwing together her party now. Can you and Stacia make it?
“Stacia?” Alburet said softly after going to her, to speak without the others hearing.
“I already replied, Asthore,” Stacia told him. “Ma’ will understand tha’ we did nay know ahead of time. Our guests be here and the food be ready.”
“I’ll apologize to Deidre later,” Alburet added.
“Aye, but for now, dinner be ready,” Stacia said from the kitchen. “Please, come and take ya seats at the table. This be the first time I’ve cooked this meal, but me Ma’ taught me so it should be good.”
Everyone took their seats and Stacia placed the stew pot on the table for Alburet to serve them all. “This is her family’s secret recipe,” Alburet told them as he ladled stew into a bowl. “Each bite gets a bit hotter. The wine will not dull the heat, but does add to the flavor. The bread on the table is there to quench the spice.”
Alpha Company (Alpha World Book 3) Page 11