“Well, let’s grab our loot head back to turn in the quests and call it a night,” Alburet said, getting back to his feet.
“Master?” Bob spoke softly, “Tiny isn’t able to come back for a while and if you’re all going to call it a night can I take off too?”
Lips pursed at the soft tone Bob used, Alburet considered his imp’s hunched form. “If that is what you want Bob, but before you go, thank you. You did a great job all day and even more so during this fight.” Bob gave a jerky nod before he vanished along with the copy Bob.
Fluffball, who had been watching, spoke up, “He took that harder than I thought he would.”
“Definitely didn’t expect it either,” Alburet replied, turning back to see what loot Marysue got from the boss.
“Okay,” Marysue said as she stood up holding a set of hard leather boots. “My loot is a pair of boots with bonus wisdom.”
Gerald looted the body next and came up with a bronze skullcap, “Nice, gives five points to constitution.”
Fluffball ended up with a ring that gave her extra strength. Stacia got a ring with a bonus to charisma, which made her smile. Alburet was last and as he looted the chief’s body disappeared. He ended up with a leather chest piece with five constitution and two more armor than the leather chest piece he had been wearing.
“We’re all looted up, so let’s head back to the fort,” Alburet said, with the others agreeing.
It took a little over an hour with them only attacking the patrols that got in their way to reach the fort at a run. Before they headed inside they sold off their junk to the single vendor. With that done, they went inside the fort proper to turn in the quests.
“This should level me,” Fluffball said excitedly. “If it does I can pick up dual wielding like I wanted too.”
The Sergeant looked up as they approached. Just before they reached the desk Gerald paused and held Marysue back so Alburet was the first one to the table. Alburet hadn’t noticed as he’d been a step ahead anyway. He came to a stop and saluted the Sergeant.
“Sir, we are back from our expedition,” Alburet said once the Sergeant returned the salute.
“We have word from our scouts that the whole village was wiped out for the time being. Well done, you lot,” the Sergeant said with a nod of his head, “If only the men could do what you've done.”
Quest Completed: Kill thirty Orcs
Receive: Increased Reputation with Stormguard Guard factions plus ten gold.
Quest Completed: Kill ten Wargs
Receive: Increased Reputation with Stormguard Guard factions plus ten gold.
Quest Completed: Kill the Orc Chieftain
Receive: Increased Reputation with Stormguard Guard factions and an item from the Quartermaster.
“Take this scroll to the quartermaster to pick up the gear and gold from him. The thanks of Stormguard goes with you.” The Sergeant got to his feet, saluting all of them before retaking his seat.
Alburet chuckled as everyone in the party leveled when the three quests completed. “Nice. Let's grab our rewards and head out.”
The group exited the keep to find the quartermaster standing next to his forge, shutting the place down for the night. “What do you all need with me? The forge is done for the evening,” he said as he saw them approaching.
“We come to collect the rewards we are due per the Sergeant, sir,” Alburet said, handing the scroll across.
“Hmm twenty gold and an item each,” the quartermaster sighed. “Fine, let's make this quick though, shall we.” He handed Alburet a book, “Select your item, I'll hand out the gold while you browse.”
Alburet looked though the book and selected a ring with a plus five to intelligence as his old one was about to break. He handed the book to Gerald, who was hovering waiting to get it. Alburet accepted the gold from the quartermaster who had handed coin to the others already.
Once Gerald and Marysue had their rewards they said their goodbyes and vanished, logging out right there. Fluffball yawned as she equipped the new bracers she’d picked up while Stacia looked through the book.
“I'm going for the night, thank you for grouping with me again,” Fluff said, suppressing another yawn. “I might be on again tomorrow. If so and you’re up for it I'll send you a message.”
“Sounds good, Fluff. You have a good night,” Alburet replied as Fluff used her Homestone.
Stacia coughed gently as she handed the book back to the quartermaster, “I'm ready, master.”
Alburet grinned at Stacia, “Let’s go home then, shall we? I need to speak with Stewart before we bathe and have dinner. So when we get back, you get things rolling for dinner and bathing while I speak with him. Once that’s done we can have a little fun tonight.”
Stacia shivered slightly, “Will you spank me as hard as you did last time?”
Pulling out his Homestone, Alburet smiled, “I can do that for you, kitten.”
Stacia used her Homestone a moment before Alburet did. When he arrived he caught sight of Stacia already entering the inn. “Eager for tonight, I see,” Alburet chuckled to himself as he walked to the inn.
The inside was packed full of people as it normally was at this time of night. Pausing inside the doorway, he looked for Stewart among the masses, finally spotting him in the corner at a table with Grimgar. Alburet made his way over to the table after a minute or two of dodging through the crowd. “Evening, Stewart. Can I bend your ear about business for a few minutes? Hi to you as well, Grimgar. I promise it shouldn’t take long.”
Stewart eyed him for a moment before nodding, “Ah, must be about your next summons. We need to go down to do that though, so we can’t break any laws and cause problems for Alistern.”
Grimgar shrugged, “As long as he comes back for the next round. How did ye huntin’ go?”
“We cleared out the Orc Village. It was a little scary for a few minutes but all in all it worked out.”
“How did Stacia do?” Grimgar asked intently.
“She did her part fine. Nothing even came close to touching her, either.”
“Good, good tha’ be what I be wantin’ to hear. Don’t keep him long. This ale won’ last forever,” Grimgar chuckled as he snagged Stewart’s mug from across the table.
Stewart shook his head, “Can’t leave ale out near him, he is a two fisted drinker. Alright, let’s get going otherwise he will order more rounds on my tab.” Stewart started moving through the crowd, headed to the tunnel. When they finally reached the work space, they were completely alone. Stewart didn't seem to find that odd as he sat at his desk, “Okay, what did you need?”
“I wanted more information about the Lesser Succubus before I call the IRS for her. You said that Succubi tend to push their masters for attention.”
“Yes, they do,” Stewart said, nodding. “It’s not as bad as you probably fear, though. Think of it like the Imp wanting to damage things or the Destroyer wanting to take attacks in your stead. Succubi just want affection and maybe a rough time at your hands, is all. Give it to her occasionally and there shouldn’t be any issues. Unless you are one of those rare few who wants an incubus?”
Alburet shook his head, “No, I like the females. Thanks for that, though. Okay, so it’s not like she’s going to be all over me when we’re hunting, then?”
“Not at all,” Stewart said. “The worst I recall was a certain Succubus screaming out her master’s name for three nights running while we were out hunting. While actively fighting though, I’ve never seen a Succubus cause issues. Then again, if she becomes unhappy who knows what she might do? I’ve never had an unhappy Succubus.” He gave Alburet a shit eating grin, “Maybe you will have that problem, though.”