“Oh gods,” he moaned as Karen devoured him.
“Nay gods, me lovin’ husband, just two women who love ya an’ be wantin’ ya to have all the love ya can be gettin’.” She kissed him softly, her eyes shining.
The loving kiss didn’t last long. He grabbed her head and turned the kiss into a passionate one, acceptance washing through him. After a minute, he broke the kiss and pulled her onto the bed, “I yield this round,” he panted. The situation was ramping him up faster than he had considered possible. His breathing began to stutter as Karen increased her pace. “Both of you together are too much for me to deny.” Karen moaned at his acceptance and her mouth took all of him, sending him over the edge.
A little over an hour later the trio was finishing up their shower. Alburet was the first one out of the bathing room. As he dressed he frowned. The bedroom door stood ajar. Buttoning his shirt, he walked out to the living room to find Fluff sitting on the sofa with her legs curled under her. Her face held emotions that he couldn’t discern, “Fluff, you okay?”
She glanced at him then away, “I don’t know.”
He sat down on the sofa, close but not next to her, “Do you want to talk about it?”
Fluff huddled a little, “You saw my memory last night.” She paused, then blurted out the next line, “Do you think I’m a bad person?”
His voice caught in his throat as he saw the fear in her eyes. Instead, he reached out and very gently tugged on her arm. She slid over to him and he pulled her into his lap. He gently began to rub her ears, knowing it calmed her, “No, Fluff, I don’t think you’re bad at all. You are my friend and I cherish the fact that I have been lucky enough to know you. You were the first person in years to really talk to me and not turn away.”
Purring softly as he rubbed at her ears, Fluff nodded once. “I’m your friend? Like Karen is?”
“Of course you are,” Alburet chuckled. “Who wanted to kill Goblins with me first? You did. You were the first friend I made here in Alpha World, Fluff. That makes you a special person who I treasure.”
She gave a pleased meow and snuggled into his chest, “I can stay here with you?”
“Of course you can,” Alburet replied, not considering what she might be implying.
“Ya can stay as long as ya like with us Fluff,” Stacia said, having walked up behind them without being heard. She reached out and gently tilted Fluff’s head back so they could look at each other. “Ya are part of our family, ya and Karen are like sisters to me.”
Alburet’s mind nosedived, remembering what Stacia and Karen had just done, which was not sisterly in the least. As he tried to shake that image, it changed. It was the same image, but including Fluff. He froze as he felt his body respond to his thoughts. He went to shift Fluffball from his lap, only to discover that Karen had snuggled in close from the side, leaning in to hug Fluff.
“I would love to be part of a family that included you, Fluff,” Karen told her seriously. Her eyes, though, danced with laughter as she saw Alburet’s distress and guessed at the cause. She eased Fluff to her lap and snuggled her, earning a silent thank you from Alburet. “A family that cares for each other, respects each other and loves each other.” She slightly stressed the word love, as her eyes flickered to Alburet again.
Fluff looked up at Stacia’s open smile, then at Alburet’s conflicted expression. Her eyes drifted down and her cheeks reddened, which made Alburet spring to his feet and walk away. He was vaguely aware of the women talking quietly behind him. He went into the bedroom and grabbed the rest of his stuff, as he still had meetings to get to.
When he came back out, Stacia was by the door holding a flask and a sandwich for him, “Ya need to go, iffin ya want to see Ioaniss as ya planned.”
He gave her a quick kiss and accepting the food and drink as he went out the door. He didn’t look over at the sofa, but if he had he would have seen Fluff watching him with wide eyes as Karen whispered to her. Fluff squirmed slightly as the door shut behind Alburet before she turned her head to look at Karen. “Will you?”
Karen’s grin spread from ear to ear, “Oh, yes.”
“Ya can start after ya have breakfast,” Stacia cut in.
“Yes, Stacia,” Fluff replied softly, taking a seat at the table. She began daintily eating the egg sandwich that Stacia set down for her.
Karen eyed Stacia speculatively, “Hmm, we might need to establish who is in charge of whom here exactly.”
Stacia met her eyes. Instead of the willing and pliant woman that Karen was used to seeing, Stacia’s gaze was firm and her eyes held only conviction. “When it comes to food and carin’ for me family, I will brook nay dissent. When it comes to other thin’s, I will bend as me nature demands.”
Karen licked her lips, “I like bending you. Think you can handle it again?”
Stacia’s grin turned slightly evil, “I be an Infernal, Karen. Iffin ya wish to test me resolve, we can after we break our fast.”
Laughing, Karen sat down, “This should be interesting.”
“Ya would miss ya chance to help Fluff though, iffin ya want to do tha’ now,” Stacia said as she took her own seat.
Frowning, Karen took a bite and chewed. “Pass for now, then.”
“Aye,” Stacia grinned as she started in on her own food.
Alburet walked at a brisk pace, eating the cool egg sandwich and sipping the cold coffee. He used the time to reflect on the events that had transpired earlier, trying to sort out his feelings. A part of him was sickened by what he’d done, he had been unfaithful to his wife by the rules his father had taught him. At the same time, he couldn’t deny the joy and contentment he’d felt seeing how happy Stacia and Karen both had been. His mind was not focused on his surroundings at all as he absently walked through the city, completely oblivious to the frequent startled looks aimed at him.
He arrived at the Royal Museum to find Berk standing outside the main doors. Shaking his head to clear it, he smiled at Berk, who was looking at him with a single raised brow that betrayed only the mildest interest. “Good to see you again, Berk,” Alburet greeted Sir Jones’s retainer.
“A pleasure as always, sir,” Berk replied in his polished tone. “If you will follow me, Sir Jones is waiting.”
Checking the clock on his UI, Alburet was pleased to see that he wasn’t late, but he hadn’t arrived as early as he normally did, either. He followed Berk past a display showcasing the book and letter opener Alburet had brought to Stormguard with him. Berk led him to Marcus’s office, where Ioaniss was waiting alone. Berk ushered him in before following and closing the door.
“Alburet,” Ioaniss said standing up, with a smile. “I must say, it is good to hear from you again. I still owe you a favor and I’m glad to hear you have a proposition that might clear it from the ledger.”
Alburet shook hands with Ioaniss before they both sat. “Hopefully,” Alburet replied. “What I propose is something rather large in scope, but it might also benefit the King as well. Since you have his ear, I thought to bring it to your attention and see what you think.” Alburet watched Jones leaned forward with interest written across his features. “There are a number of keeps that have come to the attention of the Two-souled. They are apparently scattered through the Dead Lands and other higher end zones. What I ask from you, as a favor, is a number of guards to protect my guild as we go into the Dead Lands in search of such a keep. The part that might benefit the King is access to and use of the teleport rune we’ll install, giving access further into the Dead Lands than is currently available. In exchange, the Crown could provide guards stationed at the keep.”
Ioaniss leaned back, appraising Alburet with keen eyes. “You want me to assemble a team to protect your guild as they search for one of these keeps and help you clear it of the monsters that infest it, so you can claim it. In return, the Kingdom can use the Rune once you get one up and running, if we give you guards to help hold it?” Ioaniss reiterated as if making sure he understood.
“Not helping us clear it,” Alburet replied. “We will do that. The whole point is that my guild wants to strive for something great. Get us there and let us clear it. The only help we’ll accept once we’re there is resurrection for our people that die in the fight.”
“Hmm,” Ioaniss rubbed his chin absently as he considered. “You would have to bring in people who could repair the damage. As well as a Portal Mage to inscribe and power a rune. Neither of those comes cheap. I don’t know if you have the funds to cover such an endeavor.”
Grinning, Alburet chuckled, “I still have two other people to see who both owe me favors. Sir Dracon and Sir Theron, both of whom I will be seeing after this visit.”
A broad smile split Ioaniss’s face, “I see. I will arrange for the guards. It will take me three days to assemble a team. Does that suit you?”
“Three days at ten in the morning,” Alburet agreed as he stood up, extending his hand to Ioaniss.
“I shall be accompanying you,” Ioaniss replied, shaking hands. “I think this will be worth seeing first hand.”
Favor Called In: The Favor with Ioaniss Jones has been called in.
Berk escorted Alburet to the front of the museum. “Sir,” Berk coughed lightly, “do you really think your guild can accomplish this feat?”
Turning to face Berk, Alburet shrugged. “Truly, I don’t know. They all want to try, though, and I will not squash that spirit. We Two-souled are unique in that we always come back, so it truly costs us nothing to attempt the endeavor. If we do accomplish it, then it will be history, and that is always worth attempting.”
Berk gave a shallow bow, “I wish you the best of luck then, sir.”
Alburet returned the bow, then started off down the street towards the Royal Auction house. As he went, he watched the people he passed move about their lives. He couldn’t help compare the similarities and differences from the real world. A young boy and girl darted down the street, chattering excitedly about the puppet show they were going to. A mother carried a sleeping child as she pulled a wheeled cart behind her full of packages. A couple walked hand in hand, smiling sweetly at each other and oblivious to the rest of the world.
“Just like there,” he mumbled as he continued to people watch. “This could be a real world, if not for the clunky game mechanics that break the feeling.”
Alburet reached the Royal Auction House and was met in the lobby by the same underling he’d encountered before. “Renful, is Sir Dracon in?”
Renful eyed Alburet’s adventuring clothes with compressed lips, “He is waiting for you.”
“Lead on then, Renful,” Alburet gestured. “I would not want to keep him waiting, after all.”
Renful ushered Alburet into Vladimir’s office, distaste radiating from him. Vladimir stood up as they entered, straightening his jacket. “Alburet,” Vladimir said with a polite smile, his fangs just showing. “I was surprised that you wished an audience.”
Alburet gave Vladimir a broad smile as he took a seat, “Well, I’m embarking on a bit of business that I thought you might wish to be involved with.”
Taking his seat, Sir Dracon motioned for Alburet to continue, “Please, inform me.”
“There are a number of keeps that have suddenly turned up in the high level zones of the world. Some of them are in the Dead Lands. My guild is going to take one of them. I’m sure there will be a number of rare statues and artifacts and such inside the keep. Once my guild takes the place, we would like to offload them for coin to help finance repairs and upkeep.”
Alburet caught a gleam of interest in Vladimir’s eyes, even though his face remained impassive. “I thought that maybe you would like to assist in the endeavor. We would entrust all the valuables into your care for sale. All I ask in return is a number of mercenaries to man the walls for a year. They will be working with the Stormguard Guards to ensure that the keep remains secure. Their other duties would be to face the dangers of the Dead Lands to keep the Portal Mage supplied with the materials he’ll need to keep our portal running.”
“You wish to use the favor I owe you, to have me procure you mercenaries to man the walls of a keep and supply you with materials for one year? And you will give me access to the loot of said keep to sell on your behalf?” Vladimir asked, his face and eyes once again blank.
“Ioaniss is already putting together guards to get my guild out to a keep, as well as man its walls. Your men would be extra insurance, and would help make sure our Portal Mage will be set with mats. This would square the favor I’m calling in.”
His fangs gleamed as Vladimir extended his hand with a wide smile, “We have an agreement.”
Favor Called In: The Favor with Vladimir Dracon has been called in.
Alburet gave Vladimir a bow after they shook, “Many thanks, Sir Dracon. I shall look forward to seeing the men at the Portal Guild in three days’ time, at ten in the morning.”
Vladimir stood as Alburet was escorted out, watching the Two-souled with glowing eyes. When Renful came back, Vladimir had a stack of letters ready to go out. “Sir,” Renful interrupted politely, “is this wise?”
Chuckling, Vladimir leaned back, “That Two-souled has turned many things on their heads in his time here, Renful. I think he is very much worth watching, and if he can get me closer to the Forgotten Prison, then I will agree to almost anything he wants.”
Renful bowed, “Of course, sir. Shall I send out these letters?” Renful scooped up the messages at Vladimir’s nod and left. Vladimir sat staring at a banner on the far wall.
“Soon. I will be coming for you soon,” Vladimir said to the banner, his eyes burning with emotion.
Alburet set off for House Theron with a spring in his step. The first two meetings had gone off without a hitch. Now he only had to hope that Old Lady Theron and Wilbur would agree to his request. As he walked along he felt buoyed by a swell of happiness and joy. Startled, he stopped walking as he considered the emotions. He leaned up against a wall, assaulted by guilt that he could be so carefree and happy after he’d killed a man in cold blood. He felt like he was cheating the punishment due him. On the other hand, he realized, he would fight tooth and nail to keep what he’d found and do everything he could to enable Kaylee to join him in Alpha World. He pushed off the wall, the bounce in his step gone, and walked on towards House Theron.
A butler greeted him at the door and ushered him to a parlor where Madam Theron and Erin were seated. He greeted them both, kissing their hands, before taking his seat. “Madam Theron, soon to be Lady Theron. It is good to see you both.”
“You have come to call in the favor?” Madam Theron asked, eyeing him speculatively.
“Indeed, Madam Theron,” Alburet replied, knowing she was trying to get used to his new appearance. “Alpha Company will be venturing into the Dead Lands in three days’ time. We will be capturing a keep and taking it for our own. Sir Jones and Sir Dracon have both agreed to help us with this endeavor. I would ask you for a number of skilled craftsmen who can repair a damaged keep in the Dead Lands.”
Madam Theron pursed her lips, “It makes me wonder what you have promised them, for their aid in this undertaking.”
“The clearing of the favors they each owed me.”
Her lips quirked, “Ah. Well, if both House Jones and House Dracon have joined your endeavor, then it is only fitting that House Theron do our part. Of course, it will truly be up to the Lord of the House.”
Alburet acknowledged her words with a nod, “As you say, Madam. If you would, please pass along my request to Lord Theron upon his return home. Alpha Company will be departing at ten in the morning three days’ hence. I would ask for a reply before that time, in the event that I need to make other arrangements for needed repairs and rebuilding.”
Madam Theron inclined her head slightly forward, “I will do as you request. I wish you a pleasant day, Alburet Two-souled.”
Favor Called In: The Favor with house Theron has been called in.
Alburet stood, briefly b
owing over each lady’s hand before he was ushered out. As he left, he could hear Madam Theron saying to Erin, “That is how one should treat their guests when they visit with a request. We didn’t dither this time, since our house owes him, otherwise…” The rest of the conversation was cut off as the door closed behind him.
“How is the young lady settling in?” Alburet asked the butler.
“Miss Crowley is picking up the etiquette rapidly, as if born for the role,” The butler replied with a neutral tone. At the front door, Jarvis spoke up again, “Sir, I do wish to thank you.”
Alburet frowned slightly, “For?”
“Granting Madam Theron her wish, sir,” he stood straight then bowed deeply to Alburet. “It makes me glad to see her finally vindicated in her quest.”
Alpha Company (Alpha World Book 3) Page 35