Emily considered, then nodded, “A friend would be okay.”
He went back to his seat as the food began to come out of the inn, being carried out by a small horde of very pretty women. Alburet wondered where these helpers had all come from when Stacia leaned over to tell him. “Da’ has a friend who runs a few of the comfort houses in the city. These be some of the workers from the houses.”
Blinking, Alburet shook his head as he figured out the waitresses were all prostitutes. “Ah. Well, that explains how he found so many moderately attractive women.”
The food turned out to be a variety of different dishes, some of which Alburet had no name for, but all of them were delicious. After clearing his second plate Alburet spotted Karen and Fluffball at a table. He excused himself to head over to them, a smile creeping onto his lips. “Karen, Fluff, I’m glad you could make it.”
“You ass, why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Karen said, her voice slightly peeved.
“I didn’t know there was going to be a big public ceremony. As soon as they told me I messaged you.”
“Could have told us it was in the works at least,” Karen shot back.
“We barely made it to the temple before they closed the doors as it was,” Fluff interjected softly.
“I am very sorry to you both. Please forgive me,” Alburet said with sincerity.
“I do,” Fluff replied, followed a second later by Karen.
“Fine, if Fluff will I guess I will as well,” Karen said, still obviously a little peeved.
“On a related note, I am to find someone to match up with each of Stacia’s sisters. I happen to know that Marian would love it if you would be her chaperon tonight, Karen,” Alburet watched her carefully.
Karen glanced at Marian, a small smile flitting across her lips and vanishing, “I can’t leave Fluff by herself.”
“You should go,” Fluffball told her. “I’ll be okay…”
“There you are,” Marysue exclaimed upon spotting them. “I was wondering where in this madhouse you were. Who do we know that’s involved in this wedding?”
“Marysue, would you keep Fluff company?” Alburet interjected. “I need to take Karen with me for something, which means her seat will be free.”
“Okay, but I still want an answer,” Marysue replied.
Alburet took Karen’s hand, “Come on you, help a fellow out. Fluff, will you fill Marysue in please?”
Fluff nodded. As she watched Alburet lead Karen away she frowned for just a second. She turned to Marysue with a smile to fill her in on who was involved and how. As she did that, Alburet led Karen over to the seat beside Marian.
“Marian, I present your chaperon for the evening. This is Karen, a two-souled friend of mine, who you might have seen a few times before.”
Marian’s face lit up like she had won the lottery, “Oh, now, tha’ be the perfect match for me, Alburet. How could ya know tha’?”
“I have my ways. Karen, this is Marian Crowley. If you would be so kind as to escort the lovely and single lady tonight?”
“I would be delighted to,” Karen all but purred as she took the seat.
As he was about to go back to his seat Alburet spotted Margret Wilson and her son on the edge of the crowd looking for open seats at a table. Chuckling, he bee lined over to them, “Mrs. Wilson, it is an honor to have you here.”
“Thank you, Alburet. This is quite the feast it seems,” Margret answered. “I wish you a happy future to you and your bride. I have to say you’ve been quite generous and provided a nice boon to my business.”
“You do excellent work. I do need to ask a favor of you, if that would be okay?”
“What is it you need?” Margret inquired.
“Actually, it is in regards to your son.” He turned to face her son, Dennis, “I wonder if you would like to be the gentleman to escort the young lady at the main table?”
He looked at his mom, “Is that alright, mom?”
Margret looked at the table where Emily sat at the end before she nodded. “I think it would be fine. If you want to, Dennis, go ahead.”
“Sure, mister, I can be a gentleman,” Dennis responded as he brushed at his shirt as if to smooth it of wrinkles.
“Well then, follow me,” Alburet nodded his thanks to Margret as he led Dennis over to Emily.
“Emily,” Alburet said to get her attention. “I have brought a person to sit with you. Dennis Wilson, this is Emily Crowley. Dennis is the son of Margret Wilson, the tailor of Silken Needles. Emily is the youngest daughter of the Crowley family. The ladies in matching dresses are her sisters. Are you okay with him joining you, Emily?”
Emily looked at Dennis, her eyes shy while she tried to act aloof, “I guess that would be okay.”
“Dennis, if you would be so gallant as to sit and keep the lady company.”
“Sure, mister,” Dennis said as he took the seat next to Emily. “So, what’s it like living at an inn?” Dennis asked, his curiosity obvious.
Alburet went back to his seat as Emily launched into a detailed description of what her day was like. He took his seat and got a kiss on the cheek from Stacia, “Ya doin’ well, asthore, but the last two are goin’ be more difficult.”
“I have an idea already for one of them, if he shows up. The one that is going to be more difficult is going to be a Paladin of the Dark Lord.” Alburet shook his head slightly as he wondered if he could pull off what he wanted to do. “I’ll do my best, but there is no way for me to know...” He paused and facepalmed, “I’ll be right back.” He gave her a quick kiss before getting up and heading over to Almira.
Almira watched him approach, “What are you needing, Alburet?”
“I wonder if you could tell me if there are any single male Paladins of the Dark Lord here that you know of. I am trying to perfectly match the sisters with what they desire, but not knowing the Dark Lord’s Paladins puts a crimp in my plan.”
Chuckling softly, Almira winked, “Ah, trying to matchmake the best you can. How sweet of you. I’ve seen too many just pick people at random to fill those seats. I do know of one young man that meets your requirements.” She pointed to a dusky skinned young man who was very broad of shoulder, “Chris Eveningstar, a promising new Paladin.”
Alburet took her hand and kissed the back of it which earned him a slight growl from Grimgar. He looked at Grimgar with a single raised brow before turning back to Almira, “My deep thanks, Almira. I shall depart before your guard attacks me.”
Laughing, Almira waved him off as she patted Grimgar’s hand. She leaned over to whisper to Grimgar as her eyes tracked Alburet, who wasted no time heading for Chris. “Settle down you, he was just being polite.”
“Excuse me,” Alburet said as he approached Chris, who was seated at a table with Captain Roberto. “I know I’m intruding and I apologize, but I am on a mission most urgent. I need a strong man who can shoulder a heavy burden, and I was told that you might be able to do so, Chris.”
Chris sat up straighter, looking Alburet over, “What is it you need of me, sir?”
Roberto chuckled, “You’re not interrupting much, he was asking if he could sign up for the guards with his vocation. We’d just settled the matter, and I must be getting back to the barracks. Good luck to you and your new wife.” He shook hands with the two men before heading out.
Alburet turned back to Chris, “I’m sure you know the customs of your religion. As such, I hope you would be willing to take a seat at the head table. One of the young ladies would love to make your acquaintance.”
Standing up, Chris towered over Alburet by a good foot, “Lead the way, sir.”
Broad smile in place, Alburet led Chris back to the main table next to Deidre. “Deidre, may I introduce Chris Eveningstar, a Paladin of the Dark Lord. He has been kind enough to agree to become your chaperon for the evening, if he suits your fancy.”
Deidre’s smile became blinding as she motioned Chris to the seat beside her, “Oh yes, he be perfect. Please sit, Chris, and tell me about ya self.”