As the last second ticked away, Steelwall charged right at Alburet with his shield high. Alburet waited, axe held high, as the distance closed. Alburet pulled the axe in and rolled past Steelwall on the sword side. As he came back up he lashed out with the axe blindly, feeling the resistance that meant he’d hit Steelwall.
Steelwall cussed as he spun to face Alburet again, his leg bloody, “What the fuck? No way you should be able to hit that hard!”
Alburet chuckled, pulling the axe back up into high guard, “Critical to the knee. How did it feel to lose over three hundred in one go? Now we’re on even footing.”
The crowd had gone quiet seeing the critical take such a large chunk of Steelwall’s health away, but now the sound picked back up as people began debating how that was possible. Steelwall glanced at the crowd with a smile, “That’s right. He has to be cheating, don’t you think?”
As Steelwall looked at the crowd around them Alburet lunged forward, hooking the top of the shield with his axe and yanked it hard. Steelwall stumbled, dropping to a knee as he tried to bring the shield back up while slashing wildly to keep Alburet back. Alburet though, had stepped past and brought the axe down on the back of his opponent’s neck, getting another critical. Not letting his advantage go, Alburet brought the axe back and down again. Steelwall got the shield over his head, blocking the second strike, and stood up.
Dancing back quickly, Alburet smiled, “You have no idea how to really use that thing, or at least not let it be a hindrance. So to make yourself feel better you have to think I’m cheating somehow?” He laughed as he kept back stepping while shaking his head. “Now that your health is halved, do you want to concede?”
“Fuck you, I’m going to beat you and take that sweet piece of ass. Once I’m done with her she won’t even look at you again,” Steelwall spat.
“Ya want this ass?” Stacia said loudly, followed by a loud meaty smack as she slapped her own ass.
Steelwall’s eyes drifted to the left where Stacia was wiggling her ass, her skirt flipped up to show matching leather panties. As soon as his eyes shifted Alburet charged in, swinging wide on purpose. Steelwall swung his shield up and out to block the axe that he’d tried to bait Alburet into swinging. He failed to notice that the axe missed his shield, thinking he had played it right. He was surprised when the axe came up from the ground and into his leg even as his sword finally hit Alburet.
Hissing in pain, Alburet stepped away to put a bit of distance between him and Steelwall. “Your four hundred health against my nine hundred plus. Man, you really do suck to let a caster out melee you.”
Roaring, Steelwall charged holding his shield just high enough to see over, with his sword pulled back. Knowing it was going to hurt like hell, Alburet stepped into the sword stroke willingly, lashing out with the axe as Steelwall couldn’t rotate far enough to block while he was attacking to his sword side. The axe glanced off Steelwall’s shoulder as the two separated again. Alburet was clenching his teeth against the pain as Steelwall blinked, noting how badly Alburet seemed to be injured.
“Oh, I got you now,” Steelwall roared, coming forward fast and punching out with the shield, catching Alburet as he spun to the side.
Alburet winced at the impact of the shield bash which also knocked him far enough out to stop him from connecting with his own attack. Breathing hard against the pain Alburet planted his feet, lowering the axe towards the ground as he watched Steelwall get ready for another charge. Alburet leaned slightly to his opponent’s sword side as he swallowed. “I’ll get you this time,” he said, eyeing Steelwall’s sword side again.
Steelwall smirked, thinking he had figured out the Alburet’s plan. “I got you now, asshole.” With that he charged again, shield ready to strike as he saw Alburet shift further towards his sword side. Shifting the shield slightly he lashed out, connecting with Alburet. Alburet dropped to the ground as the shield clipped him, tangling his axe between Steelwall’s feet. Steelwall stumbled as he literally ran over Alburet, the stumble turned into a face plant a foot past the Summoner.
Groaning in pain Alburet rolled over, bringing the axe around to lash out over him as he completed the roll. It landed squarely on Steelwall’s back, knocking him to one hit point and ending the duel. Alburet pulled the axe back, raising a hand into the air, “I win.”
Stacia and Fluff ran over to him as his wounds began to heal, “I knew ya would win, master.”
“That was unorthodox and very lively,” Fluff said, looking down at the grinning Summoner. “Let me go collect then we should check to see if we missed our portal.”
Stacia helped him to his feet, smiling the whole time, “Ya were amazing, master.” Her other arm held a bag that held Steelwall's gear which he had lost in the bet.
No sooner than those words left her mouth then she shrieked as Steelwall grabbed her by the hair, “You little bitch, you set me up. Give me back my stuff or else!”
A bolt of lightning flashed out of the clear sky into Steelwall. He seized up and crumpled to the ground as Rolland appeared in the portal guild’s doorway. “We will not tolerate assault on the grounds of the guild. Also, duels are now forbidden on the grounds as well.” Rolland stood by the door to the building looking very menacing. “Do I make myself clear?” The crowd nodded, murmuring assent. The level eighty Elementalist nodded. “Right. Alburet, your group’s portal is ready. Please follow me.”
Alburet made sure Stacia was okay before taking her arm and leading her into the building right behind Fluff, who was shaking her head. They followed Rolland in silence up to the portal room. “Please don’t instigate trouble again, Alburet,” Rolland said.
Alburet nodded, “Wasn’t my intention, Rolland. Once he called Stacia a bitch I had to do something.” Shrugging, he motioned the women to the portal, “Off you go, ladies.” Once they went through he handed Rolland two gold, “Thanks for the save at the end though, eh.”
Rolland chuckled, pocketing the gold, “You bet. You are one of the very few who tip us, after all. Good hunting.”
Stepping onto the rune, he found himself at the fort near the orc lands. Stacia and Fluff were waiting by the gate where the two guards were obviously chatting Stacia up. Alburet walked over to hear one of the guards ask if she wanted to have her body guarded.
“Down boy, she has all the protection she needs in me,” Alburet interjected as he stopped next to the women.
The guard eyed him for a moment, “Are you Alburet?”
Eyebrow raising, he nodded, “Yup.”
“Well then, I guess she’ll be fine. We heard about you helping train some of the guards. We just started a new morning program based on that training, it’s being taught to all the guards now.” The private’s voice held respect, “Good hunting with the Orcs today.”
“Thank you,” Alburet replied before summoning Bob and Tiny. “A big group makes the day fly right on by.”
The guard froze for a second at the sight of the demons before nodding, “As you say, sir.”
“We are hunting Orcs today?” Tiny asked in his customary rumble as he looked out across the grasslands.
“That is the plan,” Alburet said, glancing down at Bob who was staring at Stacia with a puzzled expression. “Bob, you okay?”
Tearing his eyes off of Stacia, Bob nodded, “Yes, master. Who is the new girl? Are you starting up a harem?”
Rolling his eyes as Stacia giggled Alburet replied, “Not that I know of, but you’re the second one today to ask me that. This is Stacia, she’s joining us for at least today.” Turning to Tiny he continued, “Tiny, your first priority today is to keep Stacia safe from all harm. If you have to choose just one of us to save, it is to be her.”
“Yes, master,” Tiny rumbled, taking two steps to stand next to Stacia. “I will keep you safe.”