Gamer for Love (Alpha World Book 8)
Page 9
“Thank you, Majesty. I hope your day is as pleasant as possible.”
“Justice willing,” the King replied and split off from Alburet, heading down another hall with both High Priests and the guards.
~*~*~
Alburet found his three loving wives waiting with Bob, Tiny, Knitoc, and Astov by the carriage, chatting with Rolland and Kim. “Sorry for the wait, ladies.”
“It be fine, we were talkin’ to our friends.”
“That works,” Alburet said, turning to Rolland. “The King said he’ll summon you when he gets a moment, either today or tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Alburet,” Rolland said. “We’re on our way to train.”
“Same,” Alburet smiled. “I’d offer you a ride but the carriage is pretty full with four of us. We’ll see you tonight?”
“It’s fine, and yes,” Kim said as she took her husband’s arm. “Come on, we want to be done before the banquet starts or the King summons you.”
“They are good people,” Tiny rumbled as they watched the couple walk down the street.
“They are,” Fluff nodded.
“Didn’t anyone else stick around?” Alburet asked.
“They all left as their group-mates got back. Some of them got really vocal about what they got,” Karen said. “One guy just kept going on. It was funny when he got into an argument with some woman about which piece was better, his or hers.”
“Hamlin,” Alburet chuckled. “What did his staff do, anyway?”
“Boosted fire damage by three hundred percent,” Fluff said. “Personally, I think the necklace the lady had was better because it was more diverse.”
“By far,” Karen nodded.
“According to a guildie of his, he’s all about maximizing damage output. So, he probably does believe that he got the better item.”
“He turned down the necklace and asked for a second item,” Fluff said as she was getting into the carriage.
“He didn’t like the second item Keeper suggested, either,” Karen snickered.
“That must have been when he raised his voice,” Alburet mused as Stacia followed Karen into the carriage. “Just couldn’t accept Keeper’s suggestion.”
“Speaking of, what did you get?” Karen asked as the door shut behind him.
“A ring.” He extended his hand so they could inspect it.
“That should come in handy during the final raid,” Fluff said.
“I think I’ll pocket it during the raid until we face Stein,” Alburet said. “To make sure I don’t use the charge beforehand.”
“Good idea,” Karen nodded.
“Aye.”
“Today has been a long day,” Alburet said, putting his arm around Stacia. “Let’s relax after we train, because tomorrow, we’ll likely be dealing with other unexpected trouble.”
“I still wish Skippy had been there,” Karen grumbled and leaned against Fluff. “You think he’s going to be out at the prison?”
“Where else would the smarmy bastard be?” Alburet asked. “He likes sucking up to anyone of higher status.”
“That’s a fair point,” Fluff nodded. “I don’t think Stein would find him useful, though.”
“Disposable pawn that thinks he’s important?” Karen suggested.
“Aye, Stein likely be usin’ him as the front for whatever plan he has for the King,” Stacia said.
“I’m sure we’ll find out,” Alburet said.
The carriage came to a halt outside of the Guild Hall, it being the closest stop of the three. Alburet and Stacia got out so they could use the Guild’s portal. When they entered the Guild Hall, Vanessa looked up expectantly, her smile freezing in place when she saw them.
“Lookin’ for Kauree?” Stacia asked.
“She said she was going to train, but hasn’t come back yet,” Vanessa sighed.
“She was just at the castle with us,” Alburet told her. “I’m sure she’ll be back shortly.”
“I’m glad we didn’t lose anyone,” Vanessa said softly.
“Something bothering you?” Alburet asked, feeling the emotional turmoil in the receptionist.
“I didn’t go…” Vanessa trailed off.
“There be nay issue with tha’,” Stacia said, placing her hand on Vanessa’s shoulder.
“Everyone else who could die a Final Death went,” Vanessa sniffled.
“That was their choice,” Alburet said when he came to stand beside her. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be safe. You’re a receptionist, not an adventurer anymore.”
“I stopped because I feared death, and now that it’s certain, I just can’t…”
Stacia soothed the Elf, pulling her into a gentle hug. “Aye. I fear for me sisters all the time now, even inside the walls as most of them be. I was a bundle of nerves hopin’ Deirdre would be safe. Today she was, but with Stein on the loose, how long can she stay tha’ way?”
“Even she faces death, and I sit here…”
“You can go out,” Alburet said softly. “We won’t stop you, Vanessa. A lot of people will be taking up duty guarding the Keeps. Talk to Gerald if you want to do that. The other option is staying here, in case we need someone to coordinate with. That job can be just as important as fighting in the right moment.”
“You don’t think less of me?” Vanessa asked, her eyes puffy.
“No.”
“Nay. I would be bettin’ Kauree does nay, either,” Stacia added. “Ya should talk to her when she gets back.”
Wiping at her eyes, Vanessa forced herself to calm down. “Yes. I should, while there’s still time.” Fighting to put a smile on, she met their gazes briefly. “Sorry for that.”
“We all need reassurance sometimes,” Alburet said, patting her shoulder. “No reason to apologize for that.”
“I’ve delayed you,” Vanessa said.
“Nay. Helpin’ a friend be a higher thin’ than goin’ to train,” Stacia smiled.
“Thank you,” Vanessa said again.
Saying their goodbyes, the couple headed for the portal that would take them to Progress. When they appeared in the Graveyard, Alburet nodded to the six guards. “How is everything?”
“Fine, sir.”
“Keep up the good work,” Alburet said, giving them a salute and heading for the inn.
Waltrim stood outside the inn, turning people away from the doors. Seeing the two of them approaching, the Greater Destroyer smiled, “I didn’t expect to see any of Alpha Company so early.”
“Here to train,” Alburet chuckled. “We’ll be back after we go home and change.”
“I see.” Waltrim opened the door, the smile still on his face. “I’ll welcome you back later, then.”
There were no customers in the inn, but Succubi were moving around and setting up the room for the banquet later. Seeing Alburet, Stewart said something to Tabitha and waved Alburet to follow him.
Taken to the back room, Alburet chuckled when Stewart put the book on the desk. “How did you know?”
“I’ve heard about the quest, and figured you’d be involved,” Stewart replied. “Also, you’re too early for the banquet.”
“Fair enough,” Alburet nodded as he looked at his choices for level ninety. He made his selection and pushed the book back to Stewart. “That’s done with.”
“What did you take?” Stewart asked.
“Thunderous Stomp for Tiny, so he can interrupt casters,” Alburet smiled.
“Considering what’s happening, that seems like a good choice,” Stewart said.
“I think so, too,” Alburet nodded as he pulled out his Homestone. “We’ll see you in a bit.”
“I look forward to it,” Stewart chuckled. “The first banquet for the inn. I’m pulling out everything I can for it.”
“As it should be,” Stacia smiled, giving Stewart a hug. “See ya soon, Unca.”
Alburet
Demon Lord Summoner
Ambassador for the Dark Lord
Level 90
Agility: 365 (0)
Constitution: 810 (420)
Intelligence: 440 (50)
Wisdom: 1,695 (1,010)
Charisma: 395 (0)
Health: 12,600
Mana: 21,450
Spells:
Demon Skin-Rank 9
Demonic Retribution- Rank 9
Summon Greater Imp
Fire Blast- Rank 9
Sap Strength- Rank 8
Demonic Haze- Rank 8
Summon Greater Destroyer
Demonic Vitality- Rank 8
Fire Burst- Rank 8
Summon Greater Succubus
Abilities:
Personal Spells
Flame Weapon
Copy
Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Ally)
Infernal Upgrade: (Imp- Big Boom)
Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Demonic Shell)
Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Comforting Touch)
Copy
Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Essence Drain)
Still Caster
Infernal Upgrade: (Imp- Burning Cleanse)
Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Savage Roar)
Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Bash)
Imp Storm
Infernal Upgrade: (Imp- Infernal Flames)
Demonic Inspiration
Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Thunderous Stomp)
Racial Abilities:
Cast spells without verbal components
Physical damage reduction 25%
Magical damage reduction 10%
Influence emotions
Fire resistance 125%
Reputation gains at tenth value
All stats increase by 4 points per level
Can use any weapon regardless of strength required
Double movement speed when minion present
Maxed reputation with all Infernals and Worshippers of the Dark Lord
All Debuffs last half as long
Immune to movement impairing effects
Immune to mind altering effects
Chapter Ten
When they made it home, they noticed all the guards were on high alert. “What happened?” Alburet asked Bezzle when the Imp Lord flew over to them.
“A lone Assassin tried to make it over the walls,” Bezzle answered. “My wife informed me of his attempt, and with her help, we were able to pile on before he could get away. I have sent word to the Assassin’s Guild asking if it was a sanctioned attack.”
“Huh, I hadn’t even thought about that. Have we gotten word back yet?”
“No. No stealthed person can slip past us, not with our wives present,” Bezzle said.
Alburet looked over at the newly created building that Bezzle had motioned to. Still surprised that the building had gone up in a single day, Alburet realized he would need to thank Wilbur again for the crafters. Mother had brought the other Infernals this morning, and they were already settling in.
“Just be careful,” Alburet said. “If everyone is dying Final Deaths, that might include you guys, too.”
“We are,” Bezzle replied, bowing his head. “It is nice to know that you are concerned.”
“He always be worried for those around him,” Stacia said.
“Al,” Karen said, appearing in the courtyard. “I have a message from the Assassin’s Guild. The Assassin the Infernals killed wasn’t on a contract. There are no active contracts except for a few pre-existing ones at this time, and they aren’t taking any new ones.”
“A leftover? Or maybe some of the Assassins that sided with Stein are making moves on their own,” Alburet frowned.
“Everyone is back,” Fluff said, joining them.
“We need to be getting’ ready for the banquet,” Stacia reminded them.
“Good point,” Alburet nodded. “Bezzle, keep up the good work.”
“Of course, Lord,” Bezzle bowed.
They didn’t fool around much during the shower, each of them preoccupied with their own thoughts. Afterward, while they were getting dressed, Fluff asked, “What did you train in?”
“I picked up an AoE interrupt for Tiny called Thunderous Stomp.”
“I’m sure we’ll see more casters, so that’s a good one,” Karen said. “I picked up Poison Immunity, which is self-explanatory.”
“I’m surprised more Assassins don’t have that Ability,” Alburet mused. “Then again, it is a level ninety Ability.”
“I think that’s why,” Karen said, “more than anything. Being able to ignore poisons is a big one if you go up against other Assassins, or even some of the dungeon bosses we’ve seen.”
“Fair point,” Alburet agreed. “What did you get, Fluff?”
“I picked up Severed Tendon. It takes my Hamstring and makes the movement debuff stay on and immobilizes the target for fifteen seconds.”
“That can come in handy if we get mobs that try to run,” Alburet nodded.
“It’s sad that Stacia doesn’t level like we do,” Fluff said.
“It be the way thin’s be,” Stacia shrugged. “It does nay bother me.”
“I still think it would be nice if we were all equal in that way, too,” Fluff said.
“That’s another reason we love you,” Karen said as she gave Fluff a kiss on the cheek.
Alburet pulled the jacket on, buttoning the middle button. “I’m ready first?”
“Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn occasionally,” Karen snickered as she smoothed her dress, having just finished getting it on.
Rolling his eyes, Alburet went to the bedroom door and waited. “Not even going to say anything. You’d just turn my words against me.”
“Ya see, he can be taught! And ya doubted tha’, Karen,” Stacia deadpanned, her lips twitching as she fought to keep the smile off her face.
“Brat,” Alburet chuckled, giving her a kiss.
“Aye, at times,” Stacia agreed as he opened the door for them.
Karen followed Stacia from the room, pausing a moment to collect a kiss of her own. “We’ll get her back later,” she whispered with a wink.
Shaking his head, Alburet didn’t reply, but the others felt his spike of desire. Fluff stopped beside him, “Does that mean we all get to get her?” Fluff asked, her eyes sparkling.
Another pulse of desire from Alburet made the women giggle. “I see you’re all in on it. Trying to corrupt me… good thing I’m already corrupt.” Giving Fluff a deep kiss, he closed the door behind them when the kiss broke. “Now, let’s try to not taunt me too much? At least until we get home.”
“No promises,” Karen laughed.
~*~*~
They returned to the Dead Sands Inn to find that others had arrived ahead of them. “At least we aren’t the early arrivals,” Alburet commented.
“Hey, Alburet,” Violet said, Marian on her arm.
“Evening, Violet, Marian. Where’s the rest of your group?”
“They’ll be along,” Violet replied. “I’m losing one of my members tonight. The others are here for another two months, like me.”
“It’s good that your group is surviving mostly intact,” Karen said.
“Yes,” Violet nodded. “I’m going to ask Kauree if she wishes to join.” Marian frowned, and Violet kissed her cheek. “You know why I’m not asking you.”
“Aye, and I do nay blame ya, but I do also wish to be beside ya,” Marian said. “I be thinkin’ of joinin’ one of the groups to hold the Keeps.”
Violet frowned at that, “You’ll be in danger if you do that.”
“Aye, but it be her choice,” Stacia said, supporting her sister.
Violet glared at Stacia. “Unlike you, she can die a Final Death. You can’t be okay with that. I know I’m sure as hell not.”
“She isn’t a doll to be put behind glass,” Karen said pointedly.
“I know that!” Violet snapped. “I just don’t want her to die.”
“I do nay wish to die, either,” Marian said, plac
ing her hand on Violet’s cheek. “Would ya keep me closeted at home, after me class finally be found?”
Violet’s anger seemed to evaporate, “No... I’m just terrified of you dying.”
“Aye. Ya can either keep me beside ya, or ya can accept me joinin’ one of the Keep groups,” Marian said.
“It’ll be safer at one of the Keeps,” Violet admitted. “But I’ll be checking in with you a lot.”
“Tha’ be fine,” Marian said, kissing Violet’s cheek.