Alburet gave Fluff one more squeeze before he let her go, “She can’t be Kitten, because you are, Stacia.”
Sweet smile in place, Stacia giggled, “Aye, true enough. She be our Fluff, as Karen be our Mynx.”
“Yours, hmm?” Karen asked a single brow raised. “A little possessive, isn’t it?”
“Aye, but it means ya be wanted by all involved, or does tha’ nay sound good to ya?”
“I don’t mind it,” Fluff said. “I know that you three won’t hurt me. It’s freeing to be loved and not feel like I have to be afraid.”
Karen nodded, “I don’t mind. It means you’re also our kitten, as well as his.”
“Aye, one big family where we all belong to each other. We can even make it official when we get back to Stormguard, iffin ya want to pledge before the Dark Lord’s altar.”
Fluff sat upright, eyes going wide, “Really?”
“Aye. It be different than me own weddin’, as tha’ was his first wife. But there be a proper ceremony for addin’ more into the family.”
Lips pursed, Alburet wondered how he felt about the idea. He didn’t object to it, though it did cause a number of large butterflies to bounce around inside his chest.
“Hmm, equal partners in all respects?” Karen asked Stacia.
“Aye. Ya nay be just pledgin’ to him, but to me and each other. It will only work iffin we all agree to it, after all.”
“This sounds interesting, we’ll need to talk more about it,” Karen added as she got up to dress.
“I want to know more as well,” Fluff added as she stretched, reaching out to snag her gear.
“Guess that makes all of us, then,” Alburet laughed as he took his clothes from Stacia.
“Aye, well, I’ll explain as ya dress then,” Stacia grinned.
Karen was looking thoughtful when they finally exited the tent, Alburet’s minions in tow. “So, basically, like any other relationship, just with more people to be aware of?”
“Aye. But as I said earlier, ya nay be the only one there to help durin’ the bad times. For some it works, for others it does nay. There are thin’s in place iffin ya at any time want to step away, as well. I do nay think ya will, though,” Stacia replied.
“What are you all talking about?” Gerald asked as Alburet picked up the tent and put it into his bag.
“Polyamory,” Karen told him. “It’s a normal path for those that worship the Dark Lord in this world.”
“Does that ever work?” Gerald lightly scoffed.
“My wives are all happy,” Tiny replied.
“I’m getting along with my two wives as well,” Bob bounced in place with a grin.
“I meant for normal people,” Gerald quickly restated.
“Me Da’ was the first in our line to nay have more than one wife,” Stacia told Gerald. “So, aye, even non-Infernals can be in healthy polyamorous relationships.”
“Like all relationships, it takes work, but yes it does happen,” Karen added. “I happen to know a couple that had two extra live-in partners. They’d all been together since high school, so it can work. It was a little awkward when I found out during a training session, but they seemed quite happy with each other.”
“What’s the conversation about?” Marysue asked as she joined them.
“Polyamorous relationships,” Fluff informed her. “We’re thinking of starting one.”
“With Gerald?” Marysue asked quickly, her hand touching Gerald’s arm possessively, her eyes wide.
Alburet started laughing, “No! Gods, no. The four of us were discussing it, Gerald just happened to ask about our conversation.”
Marysue nodded, her relief evident. “Oh. Well, that’s okay then.” She paused, brow furrowing, “Does that ever actually work out?”
“Like everythin’, it depends on the people involved,” Stacia replied. “We have hope tha’ it will work out for us.”
Marysue turned to Fluffball, desperate to change the conversation. “So how did your memory go last night?”
Fluff’s smile vanished at the question, “It’s difficult to deal with. I’m still trying to process what all it means for me. I was thankful that my friends were there for me, are there for me, helping me with my turmoil. I don’t know what would have happened if they hadn’t been.” Her emotional upset that she had been able to push away during the conversation earlier came rushing back.
Karen put an arm around her waist, “It’s okay, Fluff. We are still here for you.”
Gerald took in the moment, seeing the distress Marysue’s question had caused, “We’re sorry to bring it up, Fluff.”
“I didn’t mean to bring up a painful memory,” Marysue added a heartbeat after Gerald.
“It’s okay,” Fluff replied, her lip quivering as she spoke. “It’s nice to be able to recall my Momma. I’m trying to hold to that over the rest of the memory.”
“We be breakin’ camp in a minute,” Banthor told them as he came over to them. “We be spreadin’ out like yesterday. Today we expect more of the undead, and mayhap some Worms.”
“We’ll be ready,” Alburet replied. As Banthor walked off to tell others, Alburet turned to Fluff. “Are you ready, Fluff?”
Taking a deep breath, Fluff nodded, “I think it will help, actually.” She flexed her hands, her claws extending. “I think combat will help me vent some of my anger over last night.”
“There’s the battle maiden I know and love,” Karen said, kissing Fluff’s cheek. She pulled her blades as she vanished from view, “Whoever does the most damage gets a kiss from me. If I win I get a kiss from all of you.”
“Deal,” Alburet agreed.
“Tha’ nay be good for me, but agreed,” Stacia added.
“I could use a kiss,” Fluff said softly as she bounced on her toes slightly, looking like she was eager to spring at a foe.
“A kiss from Karen?” Bob pulled a Fire Blast into his hand. “Am I eligible?”
“Sure,” Karen’s voice came from from empty space next to Fluff, even as she bumped Fluff with her hip. “Though my money is on the pretty woman next to me.”
“Pullin’ the fires, everyone be ready,” Banthor called out.
The group got into position as the timer started ticking down. Ten seconds after the last fire was pulled the sands shifted, revealing a veritable horde of Forgotten Undead. Forgotten Dark Knights had taken the place of the Forgotten Guards, and they were accompanied by Forgotten Necromancers and Forgotten Archers.
As the guards on the outer ring rushed forward to engage, the Forgotten Dark Knights raised their weapons and a pulse of dark energy emanated from them. The Forgotten Archers pulled back the strings on their bows and unleashed arrows into the groups of Alpha Company members and the crafters. The Forgotten Necromancers raised their staves, coating themselves in bubbles of dark energy.
As the first wave of arrows came flying in, the members of Alpha Company followed the mercenaries who were charging forward to assist the guards. Alburet grunted as one of the arrows slammed into his shoulder, piercing through the leather armor and into his flesh. He silently gave thanks to Victoria that his pain sensations had been reduced. The hit had staggered him a step, so he was behind the others who rushed forward to assist. He reached up with his left hand, yanking the arrow from his shoulder. In his right hand a Fire Blast formed at his silent conjuration.
Renful raised his ebony staff, gesturing to three of the Necromancers, bending their will to his and forcing them to turn on their brethren. The bit of ensuing chaos gave others time to start responding to the assault.
Fluff charged across the short distance, her form glowing red as she triggered Rage. Her hand shot out, shoving the shoulder of the Defender she’d come up behind, causing him to bend and turn slightly. Her foot landed on his hip as she used him as a stepping stone to launch herself up and over him. Claws outstretched, she cleared the line of Forgotten Dark Knights, landing next to a Forgotten Necromancer. She ripped into the black bubble sur
rounding the mob, her claws shredding it quickly then digging into the robes of the monster.
Karen appeared a few seconds later, slashing her blades into the back of the same mob. Shards of bone flaked away with each strike. Gerald barreled through the front lines to join them. Marysue was close on his heels with Tiny following behind her, knocking away attacks on her flanks.
Bob hovered in the air behind the melee, tossing his Fire Blasts into the scrum anywhere that looked promising. “If I had that upgrade, I would win so easy,” Bob lamented.
Alburet started to focus on the same targets that Bob was, having finally caught up to the group. “We’ll fix that when we get back to Stormguard,” he reminded the Imp.
“Aye, he will be upgradin’ all of ya,” Stacia added, strolling along behind Alburet. Her blades were out, but held at her sides, knowing she wasn’t much use and the mobs were already surrounded.
Glancing back at her, Alburet nodded, “Correct. If we had an easy way back here, I’d do it before the fight for the keep. It would help all of us out.”
Stacia looked pensive for a moment, “Aye. Ya have a good point there, Asthore. It be too bad tha’ we do nay have tha’ chance.”
Alburet went back to throwing his Fire Blasts at the monsters, keeping his eyes on his group as they ravaged the back line. “They are really going after it,” he chuckled.
“It be therapeutic for Fluff,” Stacia added. “She be doin’ better than I had hoped, honestly.”
The fight went on for several minutes before the last of the undead fell to the raid group. The Dark Knights had turned out to be similar to Paladins, and with the Necromancers to back them it had taken longer than normal to put them all down. A cheer went up as everyone realized that no one had died during the engagement.
The loot was collected and the raid reformed to continue their march. Karen chuckled, “I didn’t win, but it was a close-run thing. Fluff was a maniac out there.”
Fluff gave a small bashful grin, “It was good to work out some of my emotions.”
Alburet gave Fluff a kiss on the cheek, “Good.”
“Woah, kissing other women, isn’t your wife going to get upset about that?” Greenbeard joked as his group was nearby.
In response to Greenbeard’s question, Stacia gave Fluff a quick if loving kiss.
Greenbeard blinked, not expecting that reply, “Err… right.”
Karen snickered, “Not everyone is monogamous.”
“Some of us are,” Gerald added quickly.
“Most of us are,” Greenbeard chimed back in.
Karen shrugged, “The point stands that not everyone is. Each person is able to find their own happiness here. Probably even more than we could back home. Things have been moving in the direction of acceptance, but glacially. We aren’t stuck in the fifties anymore, but true acceptance of alternative lifestyles lags behind other things.”
Ironhand spoke up, “True enough. Does this mean that Bloodmoon was right, though? Alburet has a harem?”
“I’m not with them,” Marysue informed him with a small laugh. “I think Fluff and Karen are together, or getting there. They might be joining with Al and Stacia.”
“That is the plan,” Karen grinned.
“Wow,” Leggylass said. “I had thought maybe something was going on, but I didn’t expect you all to just throw it out there like that.”
Alburet shrugged, “We aren’t tooting trumpets and declaring it from the ramparts, but we won’t deny things, either. I’ve just recently agreed to give the idea a try. It required setting aside some older beliefs of mine, but it feels right.”
Ironhand nodded, “I ain’t judging. If you all accept it, then good for you.”
“I’m not either,” Leggylass quickly added, “it just caught me off guard was all.”
Greenbeard shrugged, “Just as long as he doesn’t keep trying to expand into the rest of the guild.”
Stacia laughed, “Nay, tha’ nay be a thin’, so do nay worry about it.”
“We’re moving out,” Roberto called out to the raid. Once again, they started towards their destination.
Chapter Twenty-three
When the raid stopped for the evening the hills were much closer. “I’m really curious about the lack of Infernals,” Ioaniss mused. “It has to be the Dark Lord keeping them away from the raid. We’ve seen them at a distance all day, Imps and Succubi in the air and Destroyers marching across the dunes, but always staying well away from us. That might also explain why the attacks on the raid were a bit thinner today.”
“I wonder why he seems intent on helping?” Roberto wondered. “After all this time, to have a God suddenly decide to assist us in making headway into the Dead Lands seems odd.”
“I be happy tha’ we only suffered the one fatality,” Banthor chimed in. “When Sir Dracon approached us, I feared we’d be in for a lot more Final Deaths.”
“Maybe we’ll find out what’s going on with the Infernals after we take the Keep,” Alburet replied to Ioaniss. “I’m sad enough that we lost even one of your company, Banthor.”
“It be part of the adventurin’ life,” Banthor replied. “We be knowin’ it always be a chance every time we venture forth.”
“Only two levels today,” Karen commented. “Maybe we’ve finally leveled enough that the XP drop is kicking in.”
“Could be,” Gerald agreed. “Guess we’ll find out tomorrow, if it happens again. Anyway, Marysue and I will be along after dinner for the whole memory thing.”
“Yes, I’m really interested in that,” Marysue added.
“I’d like to hand out gear before the meal, though, if you don’t mind, Al?” Gerald asked.
“Not a bit,” Alburet laughed as he handed over the loot for the day. “See you guys in a bit.”
Gerald nodded as he and Marysue moved off to distribute the new gear. “See you in an hour or so.”
“Master,” Tiny rumbled, “are we done for the day?”
“Sure enough. You and Bob are dismissed,” Alburet told the large Destroyer.
“Tomorrow, maybe, I can win the kiss from Karen,” Bob stated before he vanished, followed by Tiny.
“He seems determined to get a kiss out of you,” Alburet chuckled to Karen.
“Even he knows that the best kisses come from me,” Karen replied without pause.
“Tha’ be open for debate. But let’s get ready for our guests tonight and have a bite to eat first,” Stacia said as she waited for Alburet to place the tent.
“As the lady wishes,” Alburet said, setting down the tent and activating it. Once it had expanded to full size he held the tent flap for the women. “Ladies,” he motioned with his free hand to the opening.
“Thank you,” Fluff murmured as she went in.
“The doorman looks tasty,” Karen smirked as she went by.
“Aye, mayhap we can have him for dessert,” Stacia grinned as she followed the other two.
“Mayhap for breakfast as well,” Kitten added as she followed Stacia.
Rolling his eyes Alburet followed them into the tent, dismissing Kitten as the flap fell. “Three on one is bad enough odds for me,” he said as Stacia looked back at him.
Karen laughed, “One on one is bad enough odds for you, if that one is me.”
“Maybe tomorrow we can go another round, just to make sure that is still the case,” Alburet told her with a straight face.
“We can do that right now,” Karen said as she began to strip off her armor. “Stacia will be more than happy to referee, I’m sure. Fluff can draw the scene. Or did you just mean a sparring match?” Her lips were turned up at the corners.
Laughing, Alburet shook his head, “I meant sparring. Knowing you and Stacia though, I’m sure the other will happen at some point as well.”
“Can I draw it again?” Fluff asked. “I’m not ready to join yet, but it was amazing to watch and draw.”
“Of course ya can,” Stacia said as she finished changing. “Why nay show him the
first set? He has nay seen them yet, after all.”
Fluff pulled her sketchpad out of her bag, having finished stripping off her armor already. “Do you want to see?” she asked Alburet, holding the pad to her chest.
He got his gear off, putting his boots, crown and gloves into his belt pouch. Taking a seat next to Fluff, he nodded. “If you’re okay with me seeing them, yes.”
She opened the book flipping past the images he had seen before, and one he hadn’t. There was a drawing of Marysue in a simple dress before she got to the ones she was looking for. She held the book out to him.
Playing For Keeps (Alpha World Book 4) Page 23
