“Aye, the Dead Lands and Dragon Home be the ones with the least quest items turned in so far,” Kauree said. “Though the shards be comin’ in from every zone tha’ be attacked.”
“So the Mature Dragon Tongues and Elder Sandworm Hearts will be the last quest items to be collected,” Gerald nodded.
“Tha’ be what the man behind the desk said,” Kauree shrugged. “Delver’s have turned in some tongues, and we be the only ones with hearts turned in.”
“I hope those are given appropriate weight in the final tabulation, then,” Gerald said. “We’re heading back out. I feel that we have a week, maybe ten days, before all the pieces are gathered. As soon as that happens, we’ll likely head straight for Stein.”
Alburet’s lips pursed as he considered what Gerald had said. Three months from the start of testing is close to when Gerald thinks the raid will be. Is that why the quest items were given in the values they were? Is this a complicated plan on your end Vicky, to reward those who opted for three months of testing with the first big raid?
“We should be going,” Gerald said, breaking Alburet from his thoughts.
“I will be lettin’ Violet know what ye said,” Kauree said. “Iffin ye be right, we be needin’ to hunt more to make sure we be as ready as ye are.”
Gerald nodded, leading the group to the room where the portal was set up. Appearing in the graveyard, they found themselves again embroiled in a fight. Reacting with the teamwork they had forged in all their previous battles, they were able to help the other group and the guards put the undead down.
“Good timing,” the Priest for the other group said.
“Just happened to work out,” Gerald said. “We’re grabbing stuff and heading back out.”
“We’re off to turn in some shards from the undead here, but we’ll be back in time for the next attack,” the Priest told the guards as his party pulled out Homestones.
Once they had left, Gerald turned to the guards. “How has it been?”
“Mostly uneventful, Lord. Every five to twelve hours, we’re hit with an attack, but the people assigned always show up within a few minutes if they aren’t already here.”
“I’m glad they’re working out,” Gerald said. “Have we lost anyone?”
“We’ve come close a couple of times, but we haven’t actually lost anyone yet, Lord. Some of the shopkeepers have come to assist, too.”
“I’m surprised to hear that, but as long as they’re assisting, we will accept the help. Keep up the good work.”
“Thank you, Lord. We shall.”
“Inn for food, then back out?” Alburet asked as they headed away from the graveyard.
“Yes. I’m thinking due south this time,” Gerald replied.
“Works,” Alburet nodded.
Stewart was alone inside the inn when they entered, standing behind the bar idly polishing a glass. His face lit up with a smile when he saw them. “I have your food ready,” he said, placing a bag on the counter. Smile fading, he changed the subject, “They’re going to join up for the raid on Stein.”
“We’ll be there, too,” Alburet said.
“I talked with Tabitha and the others last night,” Stewart went on. “We’ll be joining, as well. Lilith was going to join, but she said she has obligations to Dennis and Emily that prevent her from doing so.”
“She’s their guardian,” Gerald said. “Dennis is my heir, but he isn’t of age to have that role without a guardian.”
“I know,” Stewart said grimly. “I promised her we would pay them all back for what they’ve done.”
“Aye. We will be doin’ tha’ with interest,” Stacia nodded.
“First, though, we need to finish gathering the quest items,” Alburet said, his hands clenched. “Are you and them heading out to level up some?”
“We’re helping with the graveyard attacks for now, but I’ve asked the temple to find us a healer and damage dealer to round out our group so we can go out and level. We’re going to use some of the Succubi to run the shops for us while we’re out. I figured you would be okay with that.”
“That’s fine, but please inform me sooner next time,” Gerald said.
“I will,” Stewart said.
Taking the bag from the counter, Marysue touched Stewart’s hand. “Be careful while you hunt. Some of the undead are carrying necklaces that make them all but immune to fire.”
“That is troubling. I’ll let the others know.”
“Stay safe,” Alburet told Stewart.
“Don’t overdo it,” Karen was quick to add.
“We’ll be careful,” Stewart replied.
“I be lookin’ forward to havin’ dinner with ya all again,” Stacia said, going over to collect a hug.
“I’ll make it a grand feast,” Stewart said as he hugged her.
“Let’s head out. We have days of hunting to do again,” Gerald said after everyone had said their goodbyes.
As they walked through the growing town, Stacia looked back at the inn. “Ya all stay safe,” she whispered.
~*~*~
The rest of the day was much like all the others they had spent traversing the sands. As the sun sank toward the horizon, they finally called it a day and set camp. Gerald had dinner duty, so Alburet and his wives went to change in their tent.
“Asthore,” Stacia said as Alburet began to strip off his armor, “ya should be settin’ someone up for takin’ over ya house, so ya legacy can go on when we leave.”
“I have no idea who would even be suited for that position,” Alburet said.
“I do,” Stacia said, going over to help him out of his leathers. “Me sister. It would give her somethin’ to hold onto once we be gone, and when Violet leaves her in time.”
Alburet went still as he considered what Stacia was saying. “Because all Two-souled will leave eventually,” he whispered.
“That is a problem for all the Two-souled and native relationships,” Karen said. “Not including ours, of course.”
“Would Marian even want that?” Alburet asked.
“I can ask her, but she be the only one I can think of,” Stacia said.
“I’m not really a Lord, though. I’m just an Ambassador,” Alburet said.
“Ya be a Lord; the Dark Lord has made ya one,” Stacia told him. “For Stormguard, ya may just be an Ambassador, but iffin they accept Infernals as equals, then ya title from the Dark Lord would carry some weight.”
“It would give her something to hold onto,” Fluff said softly, “when Violet steps away from testing, or in time…”
“She does realize that Violet will leave eventually, right?” Karen asked Stacia. “None of our other worlds stayed connected more than twenty years at the most.”
“Aye. There were Two-souled here before ya all showed up. They left for a time, but came back on and off over the years. Marian has accepted that Violet will leave eventually, but she be holdin’ to the happiness she can have while she can. I be wantin’ to give her somethin’ to hold to when the time comes that Violet leaves for good.”
“Ask her. If she agrees, I’ll fill out the paperwork,” Alburet said.
All of them felt the fear and uncertainty that lurked at the backs of their minds. Coming together, they held each other to assure themselves that they wouldn’t be pulled apart. Time passed unheeded as they helped reassure the others, and were reassured in turn.
“Dinner will be done in a minute,” Marysue called to them from beside the tent flap.
“We’ll be right there,” Alburet said. All of them stepped back in unison to finish getting ready for dinner.
When they exited the tent, Gerald was already plating the chicken he had made. “I was wondering if your activities might not have delayed you longer than you realized,” Gerald said, almost smirking.
“We were discussing what to do about my heir,” Alburet said as they took seats near the fire.
“Ah... sorry,” Gerald coughed, looking away from them.
“That might have ha
ppened if we hadn’t gotten distracted,” Karen said, taking the offered plate, “so don’t feel too bad.”
“What did you decide?” Marysue asked.
“We be askin’ Marian first,” Stacia said, accepting her food. “Iffin tha’ does nay work, we be thinkin’ on others.”
“Do you think she’ll decline?” Marysue asked as she took her plate next.
“It be unlikely, but she does be havin’ other thin’s she be concerned about at the moment,” Stacia replied.
“I think she’ll accept... if not for Al, then for you,” Fluff said, resting her plate on her lap. “You are Lady Darkhand now, after all, and accepting would keep your name going for as long as the House does.”
“I had nay considered tha’,” Stacia murmured.
“Your family does look after each other more than most would,” Karen said.
“They are blessed that way,” Gerald nodded as he finished serving himself.
“This is very good,” Fluff said, sounding almost surprised after her first bite.
“Thank you,” Gerald replied as he began to cut his own meat into bite sized pieces.
Conversation fell off as they ate, aside from compliments to Gerald for his cooking. When they finished, Fluff did the dishes since she would be cooking breakfast for them the next day. Once everything was done and put away, the two groups went to their tents.
When the four entered their tent, Alburet pulled his wives to him and held them. Fear of losing them had been growing over the last minute, and feeling the burgeoning fear, they held him in return and whispered comforts to him.
“I hope we’re right about what completing the quest will mean for us,” he managed as the fear ebbed.
“I believe in the Overlord,” Stacia said, kissing him gently.
“I don’t like her,” Karen said, “but if Stacia believes in her, I’ll give her a chance.”
“Victoria has never lied to me,” Fluff said. “I will also push for us to go together.”
“Have you done any work for Delta World?” Alburet asked.
“No,” Fluff said. “Victoria never asked me.”
“Maybe she hoped for you to go, even before we met,” Alburet suggested.
“Maybe,” Fluff replied.
“I think I want to snuggle,” Karen said as they started to break apart. “Who wants to join me?”
All three agreed in near unison, causing them to laugh. Stripping down, they climbed into the bedding and in time, found what worked best for them in the moment.
Chapter Twenty-five
A solid week of hunting passed. No Infernals died in their presence this time, but a few dozen groups of them did hand over the quest items they had collected. Marysue and Gerald used the Guildstones to pass messages, keeping in touch with the guildies that were holding Keeps and fighting in various zones. Overall, the Guild’s impressions of the pre-raid event had been positive, but the event was starting to lose its appeal.
“Back to turn in and see where it all stands?” Gerald asked the others. “I doubt the event can last another three days with the way players are dropping out.”
“That sounds like the best idea,” Alburet agreed. “Besides, that was the last of our food.”
“I was wondering why breakfast seemed so eclectic,” Marysue giggled.
“That’s because you would have done dinner, and haven’t seen the bag in days,” Karen said. “We going to go until noon, then go back? Or are we gonna head back, turn in, and then rest for the rest of the day?” Her question was loaded, her tone making it obvious which she wanted.
“Mary?” Gerald asked.
“We could use a day or two off; we’ve been going full tilt since this started. We’re almost level ninety-nine, though... a handful of fights might get us there.”
Karen looked at Stacia, “Okay, until noon or level, but tomorrow, we take the day off.”
“I’ll agree with that,” Alburet smiled.
“Me too,” Fluff added.
“We do nay have to fight for me,” Stacia said.
“We seem to have a lot of people willing to,” Gerald chuckled. “You’ve had weeks of being unable to really flex your Abilities, Stacia. We’ll do as Karen suggested. If we level, I’m assuming we’ll be having another feast tonight?”
“Of course,” Alburet said. “We’ll level with what we turn in if nothing else, so I should warn Loralee and Rachel.”
“I do nay need—” Stacia began, but Karen placed a finger on her lips, silencing her.
“Yes, yes you do. You’re our wife and we want to celebrate your growth. Now, no more talking back.”
Eyes shimmering, Stacia kissed the finger on her lips. “As ya wish, me demandin’ wife.”
“Okay, then. Let’s break and get moving,” Gerald said as he started packing things away.
“I find it funny that your minions were the first ones to reach max level,” Gerald said as they got things ready to go. “I mean, it was obviously going to happen, but I still find it funny. All three of them beat us to cap.”
“Aye, but ya all be well beyond us in power,” Stacia replied while she packed their tent away.
“We had a much easier time of things, outside of a few dungeons, because you were with us,” Marysue said.
“Those dungeons, though,” Karen snorted. “Man, talk about penalizing minion classes.”
“Those were rough,” Gerald agreed, getting his shield and weapon ready. “Do you think we should check with Grimgar, Almira, and the others once we hit cap? We’ve gotten bits and pieces of new gear, but I haven’t seen anything for level one hundred.”
“I’m thinking that most of that will drop during the raid,” Alburet said. “I have a feeling this raid is going to be a memorable one.”
“We be ready,” Stacia said, flanking Marysue with herself and her Copy. She had taken over the job of personal guard for the healer since she couldn’t do much of anything else.
“Okay. Here we come, level ninety-nine,” Alburet said and pulled the Campstone.
~*~*~
Berk was once again at the table when they stepped up to turn in their quest items. “I was wondering when you all would appear again,” Berk said. “We only need a few hundred Elder Lunine Shaman Tails, a thousand Mature Dragon Tongues, twenty-odd thousand Dead Shards, and three hundred Elder Sandworm Hearts. What do you have to turn in?”
“Shards and hearts,” Gerald said as he began to unload the shards first. “A week’s worth, so this might take a bit.”
Once they had finished with the shards, Berk looked impressed. “That’s the highest single total of those we’ve received.”
“Now for the hearts,” Gerald said and started to stack them on the table.
Berk whistled softly when he tallied all the hearts. “A hundred and five Elder Sandworm Hearts? That is very helpful.”
“Any idea where that puts us in the ranking?” Gerald asked as Berk wrote out the chit for them to take to the bank.
“Lord Lightfist’s group has turned in the most items,” Berk said. “You and the Delvers are close for second. As for who might round out the top five, it’s hard to say. A number of groups are close, so a final tally will have to be done.”
“Thank you,” Gerald said, taking the slip from Berk.
“My pleasure, Lord Stoutheart. Sir Jones would like to speak with you when you have time in the next day or two. That includes you as well, Lord Darkhand.”
“We’ll see him tomorrow,” Gerald said. “Around midday?”
“I shall inform him,” Berk smiled. “I hope your day is pleasant.”
Saying their goodbyes, they left the table behind and headed for their carriages. “Turn this in, then meet at your place two hours after that?” Gerald asked.
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Alburet said.
A few minutes later, the carriage was rolling down the street to the bank. “I’m still curious why you wanted to wait,” Alburet told Stacia.
“M
e whole family be comin’ to the feast,” Stacia smiled. “They all agreed to be here tonight.”
“Ah, you want them all to be there. Got it.”
“Ya do nay mind?”
“Of course we don’t,” Karen answered first.
“No, it’s a good idea. I want to draw it, too,” Fluff added.
“I’ll give you almost anything, dear,” Alburet smiled.
Gamer for Love (Alpha World Book 8) Page 23
