“Well, we haven’t seen any other landmarks, so it’s a good sign,” Alburet agreed.
“Still be two days off,” Banthor grunted. “We’ll be seein’ soon enough.”
“It’s a little curious that the Imps never attacked,” Roberto added. “The stories we know about the Infernals in these lands, tell us they do not tend towards pacifism.”
“Mayhap it be part of the Dark Lord’s plan?” Stacia said thoughtfully. “He be the one tha’ gave us the directions to Gwain’s Keep.”
Ioaniss tapped his lips for a moment, “The stories are unclear about whether the Dark Lord controls the Infernals in these lands. I guess this could help settle that debate.”
“No,” Bob chimed in. “He is very hands off when it comes to free Infernals, normally. It’s possible he might have interfered for this, but he doesn’t normally.”
“I’ll just have to ask him next time I speak to him,” Jones chuckled.
“If you’ll hand off the loot, I’ll get it handled before dinner,” Gerald said after a minute.
Alburet checked the jewelry, giving necklaces to Fluff and Marysue and rings to Karen and Gerald. He kept a ring for himself that had 80 Wisdom and 20 Constitution. The rest of the loot he passed to Gerald. “Here you go.”
“Hopefully we can finish the second round before we’re done out here,” Gerald commented as he headed off. “See you in an hour or so.”
“I’ll go with him,” Marysue added, linking an arm through one of Gerald’s.
“Shall we retire and get dinner ready?” Fluffball asked.
“Guys, good job today—” Alburet began, but was interrupted as Bob began to jump up and down waving his hands. “What is it Bob, and it better not be about your love life again.”
“We want to stay while you summon your Improved Succubus,” Bob replied quickly.
“Fair enough, into the tent then.” He followed the women and minions into the tent. He dismissed Kitten before turning to Stacia. “You ready for more power?”
“Aye, fill me with ya power, master,” Stacia giggled.
Rolling his eyes, he mentally dismissed her. He waited a few seconds, then tapped his hip and silently summoned her. His eyes drank in the form that emerged from the smoke. Stacia’s milky-white skin shone in stark contrast to the midnight leathers she wore. Her body shimmered as she took on her human guise. The armor she wore now consisted of tight leather pants and knee boots that sported leather straps winding up her thighs, the top was still tight and sleeveless, though now there were a multitude of straps buckled across her bountiful chest.
“So good,” Stacia whispered, running her hands down her body. Her hands went to the blades on her hips, pulling them out to examine them. The metal was black, shot through with red streaks, “Blessed metal. Tha’ be nice.” She sheathed them before doing a slow spin, showing off her body to everyone present. “What do ya think?”
“Revert back to your Infernal form for a second,” Alburet asked her over Bob’s enthusiastic whistles.
Shimmering, her body reverted to her Infernal form. Alburet looked her over, seeing that the only difference in her attire was that her boots were replaced by her hooves. He stepped forward and kissed her, running his hands down the larger wings furled tightly along her back. Stepping back, he smiled, “Looking sexy as always.”
She shimmered again, regaining her human form, “Glad to be hearin’ tha’, me master.”
“I agree,” Karen added. “Now where is my kiss?”
With a chuckle Stacia went to Karen, kissing her just as passionately as she had Alburet. Bob began to jump up and down, his own wings fluttering in his excitement, “Me, me! Pick me next!”
“Bob, you are dismissed,” Alburet sighed. “Even married he’s a fiend about physical attention.”
“Aw, damn it. I just wanted a little kiss,” Bob sighed as he vanished.
“May I go as well, master?” Tiny asked.
“Of course, Tiny. Have a good night.”
“Goodnight master, goodnight mistress,” Tiny rumbled to him and Stacia before he also vanished.
Stacia embraced Fluff next, “One for ya as well.” The kiss was almost identical to the one earlier that morning.
After a minute Alburet coughed lightly, “Ladies, please. We have guests coming and need to have things ready.”
Karen chuckled, “Too much for you?”
“Partially,” Alburet honestly replied. “Let’s change and get a dining area set up.”
The women concurred and after fifteen minutes everything was in place. Alburet dug out a bottle of wine from his bag, while Karen brought in a tray loaded with the night’s meal of bread, cheese and dried meat. Once they had it all set up, they found themselves waiting.
“I have some cards,” Karen said, “we can play a game or two while we wait.”
“No strip poker tonight mynx,” Alburet told her, with a sardonic smile.
“Spoilsport. That was going to be my first suggestion,” Karen replied with a mock pout. “Fine, how about cribbage?”
“Works for me,” Alburet replied.
“I get Fluff as my partner,” Karen added, “so change places with me, Al.”
Karen and Fluff won the game by a slim margin. “What does the victor get?” Fluff asked as Karen put the cards away.
“A kiss from each of the losers?” Stacia suggested as she leaned towards Fluff, “Fair?”
“Okay,” Fluff leaned over, kissing Stacia.
“Means I get your lips first,” Karen said as she leaned in to Alburet.
Eventually they swapped, Karen collecting a kiss from Stacia while Alburet and Fluff kissed. A knock on the tent post interrupted them. “Knock, knock,” Gerald called out.
Breaking the kiss, Alburet went to the tent flap, “Come on in, you two.”
Gerald and Marysue entered, wearing comfortable clothes. “Thank you for having us,” Marysue said as she stepped in.
“Make yourselves comfortable,” Alburet greeted them. “We have simple food, but good wine.”
Hugs and handshakes were traded around, then Alburet showed them to the low table set with plates and glasses. “So, Marysue said we were going to talk about something Stacia’s been doing with Fluff?” Gerald asked.
“Aye, but first we should eat,” Stacia said, waving at the table.
The conversation, during the meal, revolved around the journey thus far. Once they’d finished eating, along with a second bottle of wine, Stacia began the conversation. “Ya wonder what I have been doin’ to help Fluff, Karen, and me husband?”
“You’ve been helping all of them?” Marysue asked, sitting forward.
“Aye,” Stacia sat more upright. “They all be havin’ different issues.”
“What is it you do, and how does it work?” Gerald asked, his curiosity evident.
“I walk through the gallery of their mind, and help them see clearly the images tha’ are kept there,” Stacia replied.
“Gallery of their mind?” Marysue asked. “What does that mean?”
“All ya memories get added to the gallery. Some ya keep lights on, some ya put in the corner to be covered wi’ dust. Others ya turn to the wall to forget, and in the worst cases ya hang false paintings in their place.”
“You’re delving into their memories, somehow, and showing them?” Gerald asked, his lips pursed as he tried to understand.
“Aye, but I can also be bringin’ others with me to see the memory as well. Last night Fluff dealt with a very bad memory she had taken down and tried to hide. I helped her remember it, while Karen and me husband were there to help comfort her.”
“We can walk in other’s memories?” Marysue leaned forward intently. “Can we do that tonight?”
“It requires all who participate to agree,” Stacia told her gently. “It also taxes me to do more than one memory in an eve.”
“They can join us tomorrow for my memory,” Karen added. “I don’t think any of my other memories are as
bad as the last one.”
“Tha’ nay be true, in some ways. But iffin tha’ be what ya want, Karen, then we can do tha’.”
“Why not tonight?” Gerald asked.
“It’s going to be one of my memories tonight,” Fluff answered. “Stacia says it’s the worst memory I have. I don’t think I’m ready to have more people see that.”
Marysue frowned, “But Al and Karen are okay?”
“They ha’ helped her with her memories over the last few weeks,” Stacia told Marysue. “Iffin ya had to recall the most painful memory in ya life, would ya welcome all of us to view it casually?”
Shrinking back, Marysue shook her head, “No, point taken. I’m sorry for asking. It’s just that the potential for something like this is so big. No wonder dad took an interest.”
“I’m still curious how it’s even possible,” Gerald mused.
“The pods we’re in have multiple connections to the skull. They send the data straight to the brain, that’s why this all seems so real. The thing Stacia does is probably part of the same system, though I’m sure it would take a doctor to really explain it,” Karen reminded Gerald. “Besides, it works. You’ve seen how Fluff’s improved over the last month.”
“Point,” Gerald conceded. “You’re fine with us ‘walking in your memories’ tomorrow, Karen?”
“Sure,” Karen agreed. “Stacia will be picking the memory. She’s helping me come to terms with my relationship with my father.”
“With your dad?” Marysue asked.
“We had a very rough relationship, especially in the last few years before his death. I’m hoping to regain some of the love I felt for him, while also coming to understand some of my own quirks.”
“Hmm,” Gerald began to say something then stopped. He turned to Alburet, “What about you, Al?”
Alburet looked away, “She’s helping me with what I’ve been told are false memories. At the moment we’re only touching on older memories, as I can’t talk about my recent past.”
Marysue frowned, “False memories are only created from seriously traumatic events, I thought?”
“Aye,” Stacia added. “He has shared some of his memories with us to help him accept more. But when it comes time to deal wi’ those, he will only have me with him, due to the NDA spell ya world placed on him.”
Gerald looked at Alburet with narrowed eyes, “That sounds ominous.”
“I can’t say,” Alburet replied with a deep sigh. “I wish I could, to just get it all out in the open and let you all know, but if I do…”
“Nay,” Stacia told him firmly. “Ya are nay allowed to leave me. They be ya friends, they will understand the limitations ya face.”
Marysue glanced sharply at Gerald, “Stop it, Gerald. He would tell us if he could.”
“I’m sorry,” Gerald replied. “She’s right. It just makes me wonder.”
“Maybe one day I’ll be allowed to talk about it all openly, but for now…” Alburet shrugged.
“It’s okay,” Fluffball told him, patting his knee. “We’ll care for you regardless, just as you care for me even knowing my past.”
“I hope you still feel that way when the day comes,” Alburet responded, climbing to his feet. “Excuse me a minute,” he said abruptly and left the tent, feeling the need to get away.
Karen watched him go before she turned to Gerald, “Whatever happened to him has scarred him deeply. When he saw Fluff’s last memory, he went a little off the handle trying to interfere with it.”
“Aye, it touches on his own issues,” Stacia replied simply. “It seems we be done talkin’ for tonight. Ya both be welcome to come tomorrow after dinner, to see Karen’s memory.”
“I’ll be interested to see what that entails,” Gerald told her as he got to his feet, offering a hand to Marysue.
Fluff, Stacia, and Karen escorted them out of the tent, exchanging hugs all around. “We be lookin’ forward to ya joinin’ us tomorrow,” Stacia told them as the couple walked away.
While Gerald and Marysue walked over to the area where different raid members were sparring, Stacia looked for Alburet. Karen touched Stacia’s shoulder, “I’ll go find him. Why don’t you get Fluff ready?”
“Aye,” Stacia replied, “Come on, Fluff. We should get ya comfortable.”
Fluff took Karen’s hand, “Make sure he comes back, okay?”
Kissing her cheek, Karen grinned, “Even if I have to drag him.”
Karen activated her Stealth ability then went searching for Alburet. It took her close to half an hour to find him. He was sitting with his back to a tent on the edge of camp. He stared out into the black night, his legs crossed under him. Sneaking closer, she tried to gauge his mood. An almost palpable aura of negative emotion radiated from him.
“You found me, Karen,” Alburet said after a moment, his voice rough. “I figured one of you would come looking for me after a bit.”
Dropping her stealth, Karen took a seat next to him. “Figured me out. Thought I was able to sneak up on you at will.”
“No one else would be sneaking up on me right now. It’s been awhile since I felt like this. None of the inmates would ever approach me when I was in this mood.”
“So, what’s the problem? You left so quickly, of course we’re concerned,” Karen didn’t touch him, but she did make sure she was close to him.
“It feels wrong,” his voice dropped to a growl. “I have agreed to let you both into my life, but I can’t let you into all parts of my life.” Huffing out a deep breath, he sagged slightly, his hands clenching. “It is wrong. You should know about the man that you want to be with.”
“Is that why? That’s the reason you left?” Karen asked. “Al, Seamus, we know who you are. We’ve been adventuring and more for a bit now, we’ve seen your personality. We’ve seen what sort of person you are. You may very well have done something in your past that you’re ashamed of, most people have. We won’t turn away or think badly of you, though. Do you think us so shallow or petty that we would do that?” Her voice gained an edge as she asked the last question.
“No, but I feel I might be, at least in regard to myself. I’ve done something so horrible that I don’t deserve friends, or happiness. I want to tell you, but even if I was allowed to, I’m not sure I could. I fear what you might think of me, truthfully.”
Karen gently slapped the back of his head, “Dolt. You have that Succubus blood thing going on now, so you should be able to feel my emotions, right? Do you feel anything like hate from me?”
He glanced towards her, trying to set aside his own shame and anger to feel her. Her pure, honest affection was like a beacon, instantly killing his dark mood. Snorting, he leaned over to bump her with his shoulder. “Damn you for diffusing my bad mood,” he mock grumped at her. “Did I miss Fluff’s memory?”
“No, that’s why I came to get you. She’s waiting for us. Let’s get going, okay?” Karen sprang to her feet, offering her hand to him. “No more of this self-hate, let’s go.”
Taking her hand, he got to his feet, pulling her into a hug. His arms wrapped around her as he kissed her forehead, “For now. Let’s go help our friend, and… your current lover?” He asked the last part with curiosity as she took his arm.
“Not yet, but soon. She has become more affectionate over the last week. We actually shared our first kiss before this trek started. She wanted to make sure she knew what she was doing, for when she finally gets up the nerve to really kiss you.”
Alburet almost stumbled at her words, “Huh. I didn’t see that coming.”
Giggling softly, Karen shook her head, “She has the biggest crush on you. Her fear is diminishing, which means she’ll move on it eventually. With Stacia’s approval even. I would bet by the end of the month.”
Shaking his head, Alburet marveled at just what he had gotten himself into. “From being friendless two short months ago to part of a polyamorous relationship, with three stunning beauties no less. Kind of weird, but wonderful all the
same.”
“At least you’re accepting it, finally,” Karen replied as she brushed the tent flap back. “After you,” she said.
Eyeing her for a second, he tried to figure out what her game was. After a brief hesitation, he thanked her and entered the tent. Karen patted his butt as she followed him, making him roll his eyes.
Alburet’s eyes went to Stacia, who was kneeling next to the sleeping Fluff. Her welcoming, loving smile made his eyes water for a moment. Her love was palpable to him as she gazed at him. “Sorry, dearest. I’m home.”
Playing For Keeps (Alpha World Book 4) Page 21
