Wilbur looked at the other three at the table then nodded, “Accepted. I should also apologize, though. I was excessively rude to you when we met. I don’t hold any personal ill will towards those of your class, it was just drummed into me by my tutors that Summoners and Necromancers cost the Empire its rightful glory. For that, I apologize, more so, since you’ve gone out of your way to garner the respect of the guards,” Wilbur bowed his head slightly in return.
Chuckling, Alburet replied, “I accept.” He stopped chuckling though to ask the next question, “I am curious though, if you don’t mind, what happened to cause the falling out in the family?”
Wilbur shook his head, “That is private. I do thank you for asking me here to clear the air, but I will not divulge family business.”
“Aye tha’ is the way it should be, lad. Good on ye,” Grimgar said, raising his cup in salute. “It bein’ ye off hours, would ye care to join us for some food? The stew here is nay to be found anywhere else in the city.”
“Lilith’s stew?” Stewart asked, his lips twitching up. “I think there’s a batch on the stove tonight. It would be our treat to show you that this establishment does have redeeming qualities. I’d suggest though that we adjourn to one of the quieter dining rooms to really appreciate it.”
Alburet suggested, “I’ll lead the way, Stewart, if you want to make the arrangements.”
They all turned to look questioningly at Wilbur, who eyed them all curiously. “I would normally accept, but tonight I do already have an arrangement that I can’t miss. I would be glad to stop by another night though, if that would be agreeable?”
Stewart nodded, “Tomorrow night we’re having a feast here to celebrate one of the family getting married. The feast will be held just outside the door, in the graveyard, with anyone welcome to stop by if you would like to do that.”
“A marriage? How wonderful to see love flourish,” Wilbur said with a broad smile. “Who are the lucky people?”
“I am blessed to have Stacia Crowley become my wife tomorrow,” Alburet answered.
Eyes wide, Wilbur blinked at him, “A two-souled is marrying someone?”
“Yes, I don’t know how I was so blessed, but she has agreed,” the happiness in Alburet’s voice was clear.
“I think I shall have to stop by then, if for no other reason to see history being made. I bid you all a good eve,” Wilbur replied, still in mild shock as he took his leave.
They watched Wilbur leave as Erin came back to the table, “So who be havin’ what for food?”
The rest of the evening was filled with good company and good food. Much later that night, as the crowd started to leave the group said their goodbyes and went to find their own beds. Alburet was surprised that even with the amount of ale he’d had he was only buzzed, not drunk. Chalking it up as a game mechanic he stopped inside the empty room, wishing Stacia was there with him before he crawled into bed and fell asleep.
Chapter Thirteen
The sun was well over the horizon when Alburet woke up to someone knocking on the door. He pulled his pants on before opening the door, to find Stewart standing there with a tray in his hands. “I brought some food. You have about an hour before we have to go, so don’t dally,” Stewart handed the tray off, continuing, “I’ll be back to get you. Don’t leave the room until then, please.”
Nodding and blinking as he tried to get his brain in gear, Alburet nudged the door closed with his foot then took the tray over to the table. Sitting down he found a couple of boiled eggs, a slab of bacon and a hunk of bread. There was also a cup of coffee on the tray, black, but it was better than nothing. He ate a touch more slowly than normal as the enormity of the day began to dawn on him. As he finished, he sat back in his, chair considering how he had come to this point.
He loved Stacia. He was a little unsettled by the speed and depth with which the emotion had latched onto him. He wasn’t sure he really deserved this though, he’d killed a man in cold blood to avenge a wrong done to his friend’s daughter. He had always believed murders didn’t deserve happiness, yet here he was about to have more than he’d ever had. Chewing his lip in thought, he was sure Kaylee would have approved of his finding someone. Gods knew his mother had always hoped he would.
Shaking off his slight melancholy, he got up to give himself a quick rinse before dressing. He had just finished when a knock came at his door again. Answering it, he found Grimgar holding out a set of clothing. “Put this on lad, then meet us downstairs,” Grimgar grinned as he held out the clothes.
Shaking his head slightly, Alburet took the clothes, “I wish Stewart had told me that clothes were coming. I wouldn’t have hurried to get dressed if I’d known.”
“Well, he be a bit off today. He be thrilled Stacia be happy, but it also reminds him tha’ his own lover is nay here with him.” Grimgar sighed, “I be sure he’ll be fine later, but ye need to meet us downstairs as soon as ye can.” Grimgar pulled the door shut, talking cutting off any more conversation.
Alburet laid the clothing out. There was formal black suit that had a red shirt, socks, underclothes, tie and handkerchief to go with it. He thought it a bit unusual of a suit for a wedding, but he had been told everything would be arranged by Lilith. He quickly dressed in the clothes, a little surprised at how well they fit him. He noted the lack of shoes, so slipped his boots on last. He pulled up his character screen to use as a mirror, as he didn’t have an actual mirror in the room. “Not bad at all,” he muttered softly as he rotated the image of him to check the suit all the way around.
Satisfied, Alburet left the room, heading for the stairs to meet Grimgar. He was passing the last door in the hall when it opened. He stepped back to avoid the person coming through it. Lilith closed the door quickly as she noticed him, “Alburet, I see the clothing fits. Are you ready to take our daughter into your family?”
Alburet stared. He couldn’t help himself. Lilith was dressed to the nines. Her dress was a shimmering black floor length gown that had swirls of red blended into it. The cut only enhanced her obvious endowments, while the slits at the sides came to her knees. Her hair was swept back into a simple ponytail that somehow managed to be far more elegant than the most elaborate hairstyle he’d ever seen. “I think it’s more me gaining you all as my family than the other way around, but yes I am ready. I will do my very best to guard and guide her.”
Lilith gave him a dazzling smile, “I would expect nothing less from you. I am sure the others are waiting for you, so run along. We will be along in a bit. The rest of my daughters still need to get dressed.”
His eyes flickered to the door, thinking of Stacia. He nodded. “Thank you again, Lilith. You have been nothing but supportive of us.”
“She is my eldest and she is setting a high bar for her sisters to match, but that is good. It means they will strive harder. Now run along, or Alistern might get tetchy with me for delaying you,” Lilith made little shooing gestures at him.
Smile quirking his lips, Alburet bowed formally to her, then headed downstairs. He found Grimgar, Stewart and Alistern all in matching pin striped suits echoing the red and black scheme of his and Lilith’s outfits. “Took ya time did ya?” Alistern remarked as Alburet slowed his steps.
“Unintentional. Lilith almost ran into me when I headed this way and I had a small chat with her. I’m sorry for the delay, but a happy mother-in-law is always a good thing.”
Grimgar shook his head, “Aye lad, tha’ be true. However, an upset father-in-law be a headache.”