Pulling his hand away as tears fell from his eyes, he turned his back on the urn and blackness enveloped him.
Chapter Three
Waking slowly, Alburet brushed at the tears seeping from his eyes. Sitting up, he realized he was alone. Alburet got out of the giant bed, grabbed his gear, and wondered where his wives had gotten off to.
Buckling the last strap on his armor, he was headed for the door just as Stacia opened it. “I was comin’ to wake ya,” she said, giving him a quick kiss. “Breakfast will be ready soon. Karen has news about what we can and can nay do to find and bring Skippy in. Fluff talked to Gerald and they’ll be meetin’ us to head over to the Gilden manor.”
“Everyone’s been busy, it looks like,” Alburet said as he left the room with Stacia. “Sorry I overslept.”
“Ya did nay. We just woke earlier and thought it be good to get some thin’s out of the way.”
Walking into their dining room, Alburet saw Karen and Fluff, along with Lilith, Dennis, and Emily. “Morning to you all. How are you holding up, Dennis?”
Dennis met his gaze with pain-laden eyes. “I’m doing what mom would have wanted me to do. Lilith told me about your friend Lord Stoutheart wanting to adopt me… Would I be able to find out who killed mom if I accepted?”
“We’ll find them and bring them before the King, Dennis, whether you accept this offer or not. Accepting would put you in a position to keep an eye on those who might try to do anything similar to other families in the future, though.”
“I’ll become a Stoutheart, then, but I would like to change my name to Dennis Wilson Stoutheart so my mom will always be honored.” The boy said the words with conviction, though a tear tracked down his cheek.
Emily took Dennis’ hand in hers. “Does he be needin’ to change his name? Can he nay be the heir without his name changin’?”
“I’m not sure,” Alburet said. “We’ll ask Wilbur. He has a much better idea about how that works than I do. You’re both okay with the idea of being engaged?”
Dennis looked at Emily for a long moment before he nodded. “I think Emily is amazing. She’s funny, smart, and makes good food. Mom always told me to find a girl like her, and I have.”
“Dennis be the one for me, like ya was for me sis,” Emily added simply, not looking away from Dennis. “We both be hurtin’, but I be sure it be true.”
Feeling the love that the two children already had for each other, Alburet smiled. “Well, it looks like you’ve made up your minds.”
“Breakfast is ready,” Loralee said as she entered the dining room with a cart.
Taking his seat after seating Stacia, Alburet thanked Loralee as she set the table. She had brought out eggs, bacon, fried tomatoes and mushrooms, cubed potatoes, fresh baked bread with butter and preserves, and cheese.
Conversation dropped to a minimum as everyone dug into the large meal. When everyone had finished, Lilith took the two children with her, letting them know she would be inviting Erin and Dame Theron over to discuss what needed to happen for Dennis to be appointed Gerald’s heir.
Once they were gone, Karen pushed her plate away. “The rules for ferreting out traitors are pretty straightforward: we need to see the guards at the castle for a writ letting us onto the land of the noble we’re going to see. They’ll also give us a set of manacles that will stop anyone wearing them from casting spells or using Abilities. We can’t physically put hands on any noble or their staff without proof of wrongdoing, so if they refuse to cooperate, we notify the guard so Investigator Roberto can go deal with them. We’re also not supposed to break their property.”
“Gerald has already gotten our writs for both Gilden and Carradine,” Fluff said. “He’s on his way here now.”
“Everyone have their stuff?” Alburet asked, rising from his chair.
“Ready,” Karen nodded.
Flexing her claws, Fluff nodded too. “I have all my gear.”
“I always be ready,” Stacia said with a wink. The others chuckled at her double entendre, which made her smile grow. “It be so nice to be knowin’ ya all approve of me jokes.”
“Let’s head on out to the yard. No reason to keep Gerald waiting longer than necessary.”
When the four lovers exited the manor, Bezzle came flying over to them. “Lord, Ladies, no trouble last night to report.”
“Thanks, Bezzle,” Karen said. “How do you guys deal with stealthed invaders?”
“Trade secret,” Bezzle smiled. “I would need approval from the Dark Lord to explain.”
They exchanged looks for a moment. “Ma’ has me sis comin’ over with Dame Theron,” Stacia finally said. “Mother should be by as well, and a crafter to start the extra buildin’ for more guards.”
“I’ll make sure everyone knows,” Bezzle bowed.
“We’re about to go kick a hornet’s nest. Be ready for a reprisal,” Alburet told the Imp Lord.
“We’ve been ready since the Convocation, Lord. I’ll make sure everyone is alert as possible.” Bezzle paused, looking hesitant. “Lord, if there’s another structure being built to house more guards, might it be okay to bring our families over? They can do yard work and other tasks to make them staff of the embassy. Some of the others are asking since your minions have been allowed to have their families here.”
“The King has given us permission as long as the Infernals are embassy staff,” Fluff commented. “It would be good for them, Al.”
“I’m fine with it, but that means the extra housing is going to have to be a bit larger than we thought originally.”
“I’ll inform Lilith. Lord Stoutheart should be reaching the gate in a moment,” Bezzle said and bowed again.
Alburet looked up and saw an Imp high above them, flying in lazy circles. “Good early warning system. We’re off. See you later, Bezzle.”
“Good hunting,” Bezzle said as he took to the air.
Bob and Tiny joined them as they walked to the gate. “What are we doing today, master?” Tiny asked.
“Going to hit the new quests, check on the nobles, and see if we can drag any back to the King.”
“Are we going to see Skippy first?” Bob asked with a huge grin.
“He’s on the list. It’s gonna be either him or Carradine first,” Karen replied before Alburet could.
Bob’s manic grin made everyone chuckle as they reached the gate where Gerald was standing and waiting for them. “Who we hitting first?” Gerald asked with a knowing grin.
“Skippy. He deserves it,” Alburet smiled. “After that, we can go visit the new Lord Carradine.”
“Morning,” Marysue greeted them, giving the women hugs. “Dennis make a decision?”
“He’s agreed to it,” Karen said. “Lilith is going to talk to Dame Theron to find out what steps have to be taken.”
“No issues for you all last night?” Gerald asked as they started down the street.
“None,” Alburet replied.
“Roberto visited the Assassin’s Guild today,” Gerald informed them. “One of our guildies is there and sent me a message this morning. Roberto is speaking to all the Masters left in the building. He had them all waiting in the lobby.”
“I wonder how that will affect training?” Karen murmured.
“We’ll find out later,” Gerald said. “Our guy left to go hunting with his group, so no eyes are over there right now.”
“Well, if Vetenarie is being questioned by Roberto, then he isn’t killing Skippy for me,” Alburet grumbled.
“He’ll get his, and maybe we’ll get to be the ones to give it to him first,” Karen said.
“I guess we’ll see,” Alburet nodded. “Right now, I’m hoping to be first.”
~*~*~
The walk across the city was different; the streets were emptier and an air of uncertainty kept everyone on edge. When they arrived at the Gilden manor, they slowed when no guards could be seen inside the walls.
“I think he left the city,” Gerald said.
&nb
sp; “Well, if you fail to assassinate the King, it might be a good idea,” Karen snorted. “How ballsy would it be for him to still be in town?”
“Or stupid, and this is Skippy we’re talking about,” Alburet said. He tried to push the gates open, only to find them locked. “Through them or over them?”
“I can try to get it open,” Karen said, pulling some picks from her belt pouch. “I’m not a Trapsmith though, so I’m not going to bet it will work.”
“Give it a try,” Gerald said. “Bob, BJ, can you take a quick look around above us? See if there’s anything to indicate that someone is here?”
“On it,” Bob said as he and his double went over the wall. The Imps came back after a minute of reconnaissance. “No signs of anything.”
“Got it,” Karen said, putting her picks away and nudging the gate open.
“Okay, I’ll go first,” Gerald said, pulling his shield on his arm. “I’m a little leery of this being easy, considering his past record.”
“Tiny, you’re with Gerald. TJ, stay back with Marysue,” Alburet told the Destroyers.
Karen stealthed and slipped inside the gate. “I’ll be nearby. I don’t see anyone else that’s stealthed.”
A quick loop around the building provided no open doors or windows for them to use. Back outside the front doors, Karen was working on the lock when a voice called out to them from the gate.
“Stop right there,” the commanding voice bellowed.
Everyone looked back to see a group of guards approaching them. Gerald stepped forward, empty hands up. “Easy, Corporal. We’re here on a quest.”
“Let me see your writ,” the Corporal said as the five men spread out, watching them warily. Gerald pulled out the writ and gave it to the Corporal, who read it over and nodded, handing it back. “I see. Sorry for the trouble, Lord Stoutheart. However, you do seem to be breaking into this house, which is—”
“The writ states we can’t damage property or hurt individuals,” Gerald cut the Corporal off. “We are doing neither. Karen is picking the lock, which won’t break it. If it will make you feel better, you can wait until she’s finished to verify that.”
“Yes,” the guard said stiffly, “we’ll wait.”
“Karen,” Gerald said, turning back to her, “can you get it open?”
“I’m not sure I can,” Karen admitted.
“I have an idea,” Bob chimed up from the roof. “Master, if you’ll come up here?” Bob’s grin was wide, all of his pointy teeth on display.
“Sure,” Alburet said, his wings appearing. “Be right back,” he told the others and flew up to the roof.
Bob hovered over the biggest chimney. “I can’t fit down this, but if we toss a light down, you could Copy BJ inside the house.”
Alburet laughed, “Hadn’t thought of that before. Let me go see if anyone has a light on hand.” He flew back down to the group, where Karen was putting her lockpicks away. “No luck?”
“Kim could do it, I’m sure, but I can’t. Hell, I’m surprised I got the gate open.”
“Bob had an idea, but I need a light source,” Alburet grinned.
Marysue’s hand hesitated as it moved toward her pack. “What’s the plan?”
“I’m going to drop a light down the chimney, then Copy him at the bottom,” Alburet chuckled.
“Then he can go open the door for us,” Gerald nodded. “Okay, make sure to put up netting in our chimneys when we get home.”
Alburet nodded, “I was thinking the same thing.”
Marysue extracted a torch from her bag. “I’ve had it since the beginning and never used it.”
“Why do you still have it, then?” Fluff asked.
“It kind of became a memento of starting here,” Marysue said as she held it out to Alburet.
Alburet took it slowly, “Well now I feel bad about wanting to use it.”
“Wait, are you going to summon your Infernal inside another’s home?” the Corporal asked, obviously slow on the uptake.
“To complete the quest backed by the King,” Alburet nodded before he flew back to the roof.
“Maybe we should go,” another guard said quietly to the Corporal.
“No,” he snapped, then cleared his throat. “No. We will stay and make sure they don’t break the door or anything else.” The four guards with him glanced at each other before shrugging.
Alburet used Fire Blast to light the torch, then dropped it down the chimney. Thirty feet down, it landed in a clean fireplace. “Seems like it’s good. Ready, Bob?”
“Ready.”
“Only open the door, and please be very careful not to damage anything,” Alburet told the Imp, summoning BJ right next to the torch.
“I’m in,” Bob said as BJ ducked out of the fireplace. “This place is locked up tight. Nothing is out like it’s going to be used. Heading for the front door.”
“Going back down,” Alburet told Bob. Landing next to the others, he nodded, “BJ is on his way to open it up for us.”
“We’ll be joining you,” the Corporal said quickly.
“Corporal Heinz, are you sure we should?” one of the other guards questioned.
“Yes,” Heinz replied. “We must make sure that no property is destroyed.”
Gerald eyed the Corporal for a long moment. “Corporal Heinz, I’m curious as to why you are so insistent about this course of action. I am a Lord of the city, Lord Darkhand is an Ambassador, and Alpha Company is well respected by the guard. So why do you—”
Gerald cut off as a scream sounded from inside the manor, and everyone turned to look. Bob was hovering above them a moment later, “You all might want to back up. I just found something I don’t think I should have.”
Chapter Four
The manor shook, the ground trembling beneath their feet. Following Bob’s advice, the group backed away while the guards retreated all the way to the gate.
“What did your minion do?” Corporal Heinz yelled at Alburet.
Alburet looked up at Bob questioningly. Bob replied to the guard, “I touched off a bunch of traps in the main hall. They were set so anyone passing through there would trigger them. Just as I was dying from one of the traps, I saw a hand…”
“A hand? We’re backing up because of a hand?” Gerald asked as he slowed his pace.
“It was the size of your shield,” Bob said as a deep, guttural roar reverberated from the manor, “and probably belongs to that.”
The guards looked panicked, and one of the privates started wildly blowing his whistle. The others joined in after a moment, including the Corporal. Heinz paused, glaring at Alburet, “This is your fault for breaking into the manor.”
Alburet shook his head as he Copied Bob and addressed his minions. “Stay in the air, guys. Stacia, you and Kitten should get up, too.”
“And you,” Gerald said. “You can cast from the air as easily as the ground. It’ll free up space if they want to join in.”
Flapping his wings, Alburet followed Stacia into the air. “I’ll come down if needed. TJ, stay next to Marysue. You are her wall.”
“Yes,” TJ said, taking a defensive stance next to her.
Karen had vanished and Fluff was flushed red, while Gerald and Tiny took up point positions in front of Marysue. The ground shook more and the walls of the manor developed fractures as they began to flex.
The sound of whistles drawing closer filled the air, mixing with the noise of the mysterious beast roaring and the crashes of the manor beginning to fall apart. A loud boom was followed by a wave of dust rolling outward, momentarily hiding whatever remained of the building.
The whistles and the roars cut off, leaving bits of debris falling as the only sound. Coughing as he waved at the dirt, Gerald waited for whatever had been spawned to reveal itself.
A loud crackling hum sprang into existence, coupled with screams of pain that brought all eyes around to the guards behind them. A blue, shimmering barrier sealed the manor off from the street. A couple of the guar
ds were clutching at their legs, which had blue arcs of energy playing over them.
Gamer for Love (Alpha World Book 8) Page 2
