Playing For Keeps (Alpha World Book 4)

by Daniel Schinhofen

  A jerky nod was Fluffball’s only response. Alburet looked away. Karen’s words about them all sharing sent a sharp jab of shame through him. He knew he couldn’t share with them in the same way they were. Stacia took his hand, gently squeezing it before she spoke softly. “We will help Karen tonight, then. Alburet will share the night after tha’, then we be doin’ one from Fluff.”

  His hand clenched on hers as his eyes snapped open wide, his heart beginning to beat fast. “I… don’t think…”

  “Shh, love, trust me,” Stacia silenced him with soft, caring words as she pressed a finger to his lips.

  Taking a shuddering breath, he looked at the other two before meeting Stacia’s eyes. “I just fear that we might touch on things that we can’t.”

  Shaking her head, Stacia’s lips curled into a loving smile. “I will nay risk anythin’ tha’ may take ya from me side. Nothin’ tha’ ya nay permitted to talk about will be touched on. Ya have many memories of love that are dim. We can help bring them back to full life again. It will be helpin’ ya deal with the more painful ones later.”

  He closed his eyes briefly, before looking at Karen and Fluff. “If you would both like to visit some of my memories, I will welcome you into my mind to view them.”

  Karen nodded, “I will. Getting to know you in other ways sounds fun. Tonight, though, I want a sparring match in front of the raid. We haven’t had a match in a while.” Alburet nodded his assent to her request.

  Fluff spoke up, drawing all eyes to her, “I will join as well, thank you.” She seemed slightly withdrawn and a bit unsure as she said the words.

  The trio, without speaking, all converged on her for a group hug. Stacia spoke softly to her, “It be good, Fluff. We all share with each other an’ we all care for each other. Even though ya be afraid, we still be feelin’ ya love for us. Ya will know tha’ we all love ya in our ways, too.”

  “Dinner,” came Roberto’s voice from outside the tent a moment later.

  With that the group hug broke up as everyone shucked their gear, dropping it on the nearest bedroll. Stacia was the first one out the door, with Alburet behind her. Fluff and Karen trailed behind, exiting the tent a minute after Alburet and Stacia.

  Alburet

  Half-Blood Infernal Summoner

  Level 31

  Strength: 67 (62)

  Agility: 67 (62)

  Constitution: 30

  Intelligence: 122 (92)

  Wisdom: 244 (134)

  Charisma: 97 (62)

  Health: 1,850

  Mana: 3,990

  Spells:

  Demon Skin- Rank 3

  Demonic Retribution- Rank 3

  Summon Lesser Imp

  Fire Blast- Rank 3

  Sap Strength- Rank 3

  Demonic Haze- Rank 3

  Summon Destroyer

  Demonic Vitality- Rank 3

  Fire Burst- Rank 2

  Summon Lesser Succubus

  Abilities:

  Personal Spells

  Flame Weapon

  Copy

  Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Ally)

  (2 Upgrades to be selected)

  Racial Abilities:

  Cast spells without verbal components

  Physical damage reduction 25%

  Magical damage reduction 10%

  Influence emotions

  Fire resistance 50%

  Reputation gains at half value

  Chapter Three

  Everyone found seats around the fire with their bowls of stew. The meal was good, if unrememorable. After they’d all eaten, Ioaniss regaled them with a story of recovering some gems from a lost temple. His enthusiastic recounting of the adventure earned applause from the listeners.

  When he finished Karen stood up, beginning to stretch out. “I believe we have a match, Alburet.”

  Alburet nodded as he pulled his gloves out his belt pouch and put them on. He knew he would need the boost to strength and agility to keep up with Karen. “We should be close to even with you not in your leathers.” He watched her stretching, finally taking notice of the outfit she wore.

  Tight leggings of black silk hugged her legs, accompanied by a shirt of the same material which accented her lithe form. As she found his eyes on her, she smirked, “Don’t get too distracted, I want a real workout.”

  Alburet closed his eyes as he stretched out, centering himself so he would be able to focus on the fight. When he was ready, he rose to his feet and opened his eyes, “Ready?”

  A large space had been cleared around them, and most of the raid party had come over to watch. Karen was speaking quietly to Stacia across the impromptu ring. He met her eyes as she finished talking to Stacia. “I’m good,” she told him as she turned around. “You know how this goes.”

  He blinked, recalling her accounts of sparring with men. He shook his head to clear the images her words invoked and to focus on the here and now. “Captain, if you will call the start?”

  Roberto walked to the middle of the cleared area, turning to address the crowd. “This will be a friendly bout between Karen and Alburet. First to tap three times loses. Are you both ready?” He got assents from them and raised his hand. “Then let’s see a good fight.” With that he stepped back and dropped the hand. “Fight.”

  As the word ended, Karen came in fast and low, going for Alburet’s legs. He attempted to pull back from her grab, but was not able to evade her entirely. Her hands wrapped around his leading leg. Standing sharply, she jerked his leg up.

  Feeling the move coming, Alburet went with the motion. He bent forward, planting both hands on the ground, then brought his other leg clear of the ground spinning as he went. His free foot slammed into the side of her head, causing her grip to loosen as she staggered back. He completed the spin, getting his feet under him as he landed and coming back around to face her.

  “Didn’t expect that move from you,” Karen commented. “You’ve never gone for the flashy moves when we’ve sparred.”

  “Can’t tip my entire hand all at once,” Alburet told her as he took a balanced stance again.

  Sliding forward slowly, Karen stopped just out of easy reach. “I think it’s time for advanced lessons.”

  Her next set of attacks were a blur to most of the audience. Alburet blocked most of the punches and kicks that she directed at him. Two of note slipped past his blocks; one to the temple, which blurred his vision for a second and allowed the second to land, a snap kick that caught him in the diaphragm, forcing the air out of him.

  He was hunched over, trying to suck in air. Karen closed in on him, getting her arms around him. He tried to break her hold as he struggled for air, but was too slow. She swiveled her hips, sending him to the ground. Wasting no time, she landed on top of him and got him into an armbar.

  Gritting his teeth, Alburet tapped the ground with his free hand, only just starting to get his breath back. Karen let go of his arm and rolled away, bouncing to her feet. “That’s one,” she told him, smirking at him tauntingly.

  Alburet took a moment before he got to his feet. Turning to face her, he nodded but didn’t reply otherwise as he was focused on not losing in three straight falls. Karen waited for him in a guarded stance, taunting grin firmly in place. Alburet started forward with slow steps, edging to the side as he did, forcing her to turn with him.

  “Pussy got your tongue, Alburet? Or is that later?”

  As she spoke, he rushed in. He wound up taking another snap kick, this time to the hip. He grimaced at the pain that shot through him, but he had clamped onto her leg in return. He pulled hard on her leg, making her take a hop towards him. He started to lift her leg, and felt her drop her body in response, as he had half expected. He jumped slightly as she tried to sweep him, keeping control of her leg, letting it spin slightly in his hands.

  As he landed she winced, knowing that she’d been caught out this time. He twisted her leg up and out, then dropped his weight down. Her held leg was forced up and out at an awkward angle. His k
nees hit the ground on either side of her other leg, pinning it, and he leaned forward putting more pressure on the captive leg and forcing her torso to the ground.

  She twisted once against the grip, but lacked the leverage to escape him. She winced against the pain in her leg, tapping out a moment later. Alburet let her go, rolling away and to his feet, turning to face her.

  Karen got to her feet more slowly, stretching her leg for a moment to make sure the damage had healed once the round ended. “Wasn’t expecting that either,” she told him, the taunting glint in her eyes gone. “I apologize for my lack of respect. You now have my full attention.”

  Nodding once, Alburet waited for her, “Accepted, though honestly I still expect you to win before we’re done.” His voice was level, the sincerity and respect clear in his tone.

  As Karen settle into a fighting stance, Alburet came forward in a rush again. She was able to counter his rush, sending him past her. Slightly off balance, he rolled, coming back to his feet as he turned to face her.

  She’d come after him though, and as he faced her, her hands clapped both of his ears. His head rang and his eyes went unfocused for a crucial moment, spikes of pain making him wince. She was able to slip around him easily, jumping onto his back to apply a chokehold. Swaying, he fell backwards, hoping to crush her even as his vision started to fade.

  Alburet came to, blinking up the sky “That was rough.”

  “I’ll give you a minute,” Karen answered.

  Sitting up, he saw her a few feet away. Nodding, he shifted to his knees and suddenly lunged forward, wrapping his arms around her legs. She grinned at him, even as he pulled her to the ground.

  “It’s like watching two eels,” someone from the crowd laughed as the pair fought for position on the ground.

  Karen and Alburet rolled around the cleared area as they each tried to gain some advantage. Alburet finally ended up on top of her after a minute. He started driving his elbows into her face, treating her with the respect she was due and not pulling his attacks.

  He was surprised when she took the hits, only using one hand to try to block him. She bucked her hips slightly, without the energy he was used to from her. He drove more elbows into her face, the blood gushing from her nose. He expected her to tap at that point, so he was off guard when she bucked her hips hard.

  She had used the first small buck to bring her left arm in against his torso, leaving her with just one arm to defend. Which had allowed him to break her nose, but it also meant she had the leverage she needed. The second buck of her hips was harder and allowed her to twist to the side, her left arm levering him sideways as well.

  Like a weasel, Karen slipped away from him as he tried to grab at her. She clamped her arms around him from behind, wrenching him back and over. Again they fought for position, her blood coating them both as well as the sand they were on.

  Surprised murmurs went up around the ring at the ferocity of the match. Both fighters ignored the comments, focused solely on each other. Alburet slammed his head back, catching her nose again and more blood coated them both. She growled in his ear as she twisted hard. Alburet found himself on his stomach. Karen had one foot planted in the small of his back, and was pulling both of his arms back, having locked his elbows.

  Grunting, his back arched in a very bad way as she pulled him backwards. Knowing he was beaten, he tapped his foot three times. She released his arms, collapsing on his back with a deep breath.

  He panted under her, knowing she was still far above him in skill. He felt her shift on his back slightly, as her mouth came to his ear. As she pushed down to stand she whispered to him, “You made me earn that, thank you.”

  The damage to her face healed as she stood up and bowed to the cheering crowd. Alburet rolled over, watching her accept her accolades. Stacia came over and extended a hand to him.

  “Ya did ya best, Asthore,” Stacia consoled him as he got to his feet.

  “She is a fucking nightmare,” Alburet replied softly. He stepped over to Karen and clapped her shoulder. When she turned to him, he stepped back and bowed at the waist. “It seems I still need lessons, Sensei.”

  Karen grinned, “Maybe some, but not many.”

  Alburet addressed the spectators. “Let this be a lesson. This is someone who deserves your respect. She is without a doubt one of the best people I’ve ever fought with or beside. Anyone think they can take her?”

  No one spoke up for a moment, then a voice floated up. “Can I fight you instead?”

  “Tomorrow maybe,” Alburet grinned, “I don’t feel like getting my ass kicked twice in one day.”

  Good natured laughter greeted this declaration. Roberto stepped into the clearing, hands raised for attention. He addressed the crowd, “Excellent fight, I hope everyone was able to learn a trick or two watching it. My men will be happy to spar with any of you for the next hour. No weapons or abilities, just raw might and skill. We are completely safe in camp, so feel free to enjoy yourselves. If your opponent stops fighting back, step back and it will be counted as a tap out.”

  People started pairing off and forming larger clusters as the different groups in the raid party squared off for friendly sparring. Alburet spotted a number of the mercenaries challenging the guards to duels.

  Banthor Ironshield made his way over to where Alburet and Roberto were, “Me men seem to think it odd that we alone hold the outer edge. I’m thinking the same thing meself.”

  Roberto nodded, “You’re right. We can switch off tomorrow if you would like. We’ll be working together for some time, so it would be best if we established a good relationship now.”

  Banthor nodded, “Good. How about a friendly bout, then?”

  Roberto chuckled, “Maybe after the men have had a go.”

  Stacia took Alburet’s arm gently, “Ya can dismiss Tiny, Kitten and Bob for the night, Asthore. Mayhap we should turn in for the night as well?”

  “Tiny, Kitten, Bob?”

  “Yes master,” Tiny rumbled from behind him.

  “Here master,” Kitten said, kissing his cheek.

  “Can you maybe win next time?” Bob asked. “It’s depressing to watch you lose all the time.”

  “I’ll do my best, Bob. You three are dismissed. See you tomorrow.” As the two minions vanished, he dismissed Stacia’s double as well. Cheers drew his attention to Gerald and Chris Eveningstar in the midst of a fistfight. Each of them was being loudly encouraged by the lady they were with.

  “You okay?” Karen asked as she and Fluff joined them.

  “Going to turn in early, I think,” Alburet told her.

  “Okay,” Fluff said softly.

  Stacia detached herself from Alburet, taking Fluffball’s arm. “Come along when ya be ready. Fluff and me be waitin’.” With that she walked off with Fluff in tow.

  Karen and Alburet watched them go. Karen spoke up, her tone bemused. “I think maybe she’s a bit protective of Fluff.”

  Alburet’s brow furrowed, “Hmm. She seems to care for you both equally, if in different ways.”

  “All part of the same family,” Karen added. “That’s what she keeps saying.”

  “Yes, she does. I’m working on getting my head around that and dealing with my remaining hang-ups. What I felt before… it’s not gone, but I can’t just toss aside what my father taught me, either.”

  “Fair enough, it means I can still hope,” Karen replied, looking towards the tent.

  “Shall we?” he motioned her towards the tent.

  “Ladies first?” she asked, her lips turning up slightly. “You did well enough to earn a reward.”

  He paused, letting her get a step ahead. Part of him wanted very much to renew the relationship they’d had. The three of them together in bed had been the most fun Alburet had had, well, ever. But he’d been taught all his life that a married man stayed true to his wife. Period, end of discussion. Shaking his head, he followed after her as his conflicting thoughts fought in the background of his mind. He knew
he would have to figure it out soon, for her sake as well as his own.

  Chapter Four

  Alburet hesitated outside the tent, trying to set aside his conflicted thoughts. A lamp hung from the main beam, bathing the interior in a warm glow. He joined the trio of women near the bedrolls, sitting down to take off his boots. Stacia offered him a cup of tea after he set his boots aside, which he accepted with a smile, nodding to her in silent thanks.

  “Tonight we be walkin’ through one of Karen’s memories. We be touchin’ one tha’ nay be as painful as others ta start with.” Stacia turned to Karen, “Ya still wish ta do this?”

  Karen sipped her tea, considering. “I have to say, I have some reservations about the whole thing. I know that you’ve been helping Fluff, but I worry about what you going into my memories means.”