The carriage Renful had waiting for them took them to Silken Needles. Upon reaching the shop Alburet tossed the driver a silver before helping Stacia out of the carriage. They were greeted by Margret as they entered the shop.
“Welcome to my shop again, Miss Crowley. I have been informed what needs to be done and we don't have a lot of time. If you will come this way, please.” Margret hurriedly led Stacia into the back.
Alburet chuckled, waving her goodbye as he took a seat in the shop. Mrs. Wilson's son came out with a mug of tea for him. “Cor mister, you look much better than last time.”
Chuckling, Alburet took the tea, “Thank you. Have you been helping your mother?”
“Naw, I have all thumbs she says. I want to be a guard when I get older, they get uniforms and paid. Is it true, you a two-souled?”
“Yes, I am indeed.”
“I hear you never have to worry about the final death. Is that true?” The kid watched him with big eyes as he asked the question.
Sipping his tea, Alburet nodded. “Yes, but we also are sometimes taken from this world when the portal between them closes. I think I would risk a final death to not have to worry about that.”
The kid shook his head, “I was right the first time. You’re a loony.” The kid darted into the back of the shop again.
Softly chuckling, Alburet sipped his tea, glad to see kids were roughly the same everywhere. He waited for close to an hour before Stacia reappeared with a package in her hands. Alburet stood, taking her arm, “All done?”
“Aye, master. I even have the first set of clothes that we ordered yesterday.” Stacia took his offered arm as well as letting him take the package from her. “Are we goin' back to the inn first, master?”
“That was the plan. We can wait to see if Fluff messages us. I can also change out of these clothes, into my other set. While we wait, we can always find something entertaining to do I’m sure.”
Stacia gave him a mischievous grin, “Aye.”
When they got back to the inn, Alistern was behind the bar. The room was otherwise empty, except for Stewart who was at the bar as well. Alburet handed Stacia her package and patted her ass to send her on her way to the room. He gave polite nods to Stewart and Alistern as he approached the bar.
“That outfit is a bit highbrow, isn't it?” Stewart asked.
“Yeah, but I needed it today. I had to see Vladimir at the royal auction house. His helper Renful really looks down on anyone not suitably dressed.”
Alistern leaned on the bar with an interested expression, “What did Vladimir want with ya?”
“He was tasked by the Royal Archivist to arrange a meeting with me. I agreed and should be off to the castle tomorrow night with Stacia on my arm for the meeting.”
Both men seemed shocked. Stewart finally found his words again, “Why would Sir Ioaniss Jones wish to speak with you?”
Chuckling, Alburet winked, “I got the boots I am wearing from Vladimir. They were a trade for a book about the Forgotten Prison. An authentic first edition book.”
Both men again fell silent as they looked at him with wide eyes. “I take it he gave it off to the King, then?” Alistern asked.
“Yup, then Ioaniss got it and wants a meeting with me since I found the book. So, that is what’s going on with the fancy clothes. Anyway, I need to go change. I’ll be heading out to hunt in a bit. Have a good day, gentlemen.” Alburet grinned as he left them at the bar staring after him. He heard a muted conversation spring up behind him as he went up the stairs.
Stacia had her new outfit on, and was just getting her leathers laced up over the new clothes. He kissed her cheek as he quickly changed outfits as well before getting armored and armed.
“It strikes me that we still need to sell off loot from yesterday,” Alburet said, pulling Stacia into a hug. “We should go do that.”
Stacia relaxed into the hug, content to be held, “As master wishes.”
He held the embrace for a few minutes before releasing her. “Alright, let's get going or I might not make it out of the room.”
Stacia looked at him with heated eyes as she cocked her hip slightly. “Tha' is also something I would be up for, master.”
Alburet wavered for a second, considering, before shaking his head. “Not right now, Kitten. We’ll save the carnal delights for later. He slapped her ass hard and headed for the door. “If you’re really good today, I might even give you the hard spankings you love so much.”
Stacia hurried out the door, turning to salute him, “Kitten, reporting for hunting, master.”
Alburet laughed, taking her arm while a broad smile stole over his lips. “Funny Kitten. Yet another reason to love you. I see my humor is rubbing off on you.”
She squeezed his arm with a giggle, “Aye, master and like everythin' else about ya I want more.”
Together they entered the tap room, nodding to Stewart and Alistern. Stacia glanced back with a slightly puzzled look at her father, who was speaking softly to Stewart. As they exited the inn she spoke up, “Master, I think they were talkin' about ya.”
“Yes. I told them about our conversation with Vladimir and the upcoming meeting with Ioaniss. I don’t doubt they’re in a buzz. They very well might be reconsidering how they look at me.” He gave her arm a squeeze, “You still want this right, Kitten? Getting married I mean?”
Stacia smiled brilliantly at him, “Aye. It be the only thing I have been thinkin' about since ya asked me to.”
Alburet leaned over to give her a kiss as they walked towards the shops to sell their loot. “Well then, that makes both of us, my precious Kitten.”
Chapter Seven
They were just leaving Grimgar's shop, having finally finished selling off the last of the loot from the night before when Alburet noticed a small flashing icon off to his left. It was the guild emblem blinking gently. Willing it open he found the message that caused it to start blinking.
Fluffbalclass="underline"
I’m on now. Going to sell things off then head over to the portal guild to see about farming some orcs if anyone is up for it.
As he was about to reply another message appeared.
Stacia:
Master and I will be waiting for you at the portal guild.
Shaking his head, he took Stacia's arm and set off towards the portal guild. “My, you certainly are fast at replying, Kitten.”
“I was hoping she would use the Guildstone, master. I was waiting to reply,” Stacia commented as she put her stone away when there were no further messages. “Now we can be there and waiting for her.”
Half an hour later Fluffball came jogging up to the portal guild building to see the duo waiting outside for her. “Hey, Fluff. Did you have a good night?”
A broad smile lit her face as Fluffball came to a stop before them. “It was a good night, but this morning was even better. I got an email from Mindblown. I’ve been selected for the month-long immersion testing! It starts in two weeks. The best part is the test site is in my home town.”
“Nice,” Alburet replied. “You don't even have to worry about getting there. Shall we go out for some orc hunting? Karen will be on at some point and I’m sure she’ll join us.”
Fluff paused as he turned for the door, “Umm... I was curious... do you know... is Karen... interested in women?” Her bright red blush went all the way down her neck., and she groomed her ear.
Blinking, Alburet's head cocked slightly to one side as he gazed at Fluff. “Well, she did have fun with me and Stacia before. So I’m going to say probably yes. Any reason why?”
Fluff wouldn't met his eyes, as she continued to groom her ear, “Just curious. Umm, Stacia, could you ask your mother if she would be free to speak with me tonight after dinner?”
Stacia nodded, “Of course, Fluff.” She pulled out her Mindstone and sent a message. Putting it away a moment later she looked at Fluff, “All done. She agrees to meet ya at the inn any time after dinner tonight.”