The Path to Peace Read online

  Alpha World

  Book Six:

  The Path

  to Peace

  Daniel Schinhofen

  Copyright © 2018 Daniel J. Schinhofen

  No parts of this book may be reproduced in any form by an electronic or mechanical means – except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles or reviews – without the written permission from the publisher.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarities to real persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Copyright © 2018 Daniel J. Schinhofen

  All rights reserved.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter One

  Message from Karen:

  This isn’t good. There’s a standing bounty for any Alpha Company member available at the Assassin’s Guild. It’s even open to players who have the Assassin class, as well as the NPC Assassins. There’s nothing about who’s funding it. It appears to be open season on Alpha Company.

  Alburet’s jaw tightened at Karen’s message. He’d feared that was the case, but had been hoping it wasn’t. “Fucking Christ,” Alburet muttered as he glanced at the people around the table. “We’ll be working on this, but it’s not going to be a simple solution. In the meantime, just be prepared to be attacked when God’s Grace goes away.”

  The three Assassin's victims frowned, but got to their feet. “I hope this gets cleared up soon. The debuff helps, but dying for no reason is irritating,” Harryold said as they left.

  “Al?” Gerald said as he entered the room, Marysue trailing close behind him. “They looked unhappy. Did you find anything out?” Gerald smiled briefly at Ironhand, “I need to talk with you, Ironhand, but in a bit. We have a crisis of some kind going on.”

  “We came to report our own assassinations,” Ironhand replied. “I’ll be in the main room, just let me know when you need me.”

  “I will,” Gerald said as Leggylass and Ironhand left the room. Turning his attention back to Al, he raised a brow. “News?”

  Alburet gave Gerald a quick rundown of what Karen had told him. Karen herself came into the room just as he finished, looking pissed. “More problems?” Alburet asked.

  “They won’t tell me anything. The Assassins in our Guild are excluded from taking the bounties, so we can’t even mercy kill our guildies, which means we’re at the mercy of whoever finds us.”

  “No clues at all?” Gerald asked as he took a seat, his brows knitted in thought.

  “Whoever’s behind it has a truckload of cash,” Karen said, taking the chair to Alburet’s left. “The bounty is pretty high for each death, so it’s not just some random stranger that we upset.”

  “Skippy,” Alburet hissed, his eyes narrowing, “that little rat bastard.”

  “That’s a good place to start,” Gerald nodded. “We haven’t made many friends with the noble houses, though, so maybe it isn’t just him.”

  “Fucking rich, bastard ass…” Alburet stopped his rant with a guilty glance at Marysue, “sorry.”

  “I actually agree. Most of the rich are right bastards who stabbed others in the back to get where they are,” Marysue smiled faintly. “Thank you for not including me in that category.”

  “We know ya better than tha’,” Stacia added from where she stood behind Alburet. “What are we goin’ to do about this?”

  Gerald tapped his fingers on the table. “I should probably approach the Assassin’s Guild and see if the contract can be bought off. After that, I might need to reach out to Gilden House and see if Skippy will make a deal. We can’t let our members be randomly targeted.”

  “I don’t think you can buy off a contract, but it’s a good idea,” Karen added. “If nothing else, we could take a contract out on Skippy, so he can have a taste himself.”

  “Let’s hold off on that until I’ve tried to talk to him,” Gerald sighed, his fingers still drumming on the table. “It won’t help my negotiating if he’s even more pissed off.”

  “Do you think Jones or Dracon can help?” Fluffball asked.

  “Unlikely,” Marysue replied, “that would very much lead to a conflict between multiple Houses, which I’m sure is something the King has laws about.”

  “All of the officers are immune for a bit longer,” Karen added. “Al’s deal with the last assassin still holds for now. We could, and I don’t really like this idea, but we could just make everyone officers.”

  “Is there a loophole in there that we can use?” Alburet asked as he chewed his upper lip in thought. “Officers have access to invite others to the Guild, as well as being able to see and use the Guild account, so inviting the entire Guild isn’t viable. Or is it?”

  Gerald made random motions in the air, fiddling with his UI. “Let me look it over. Do we have any other ideas or avenues of attack?”

  “We should let everyone know that this is an issue, and that we’re working on it. Maybe suggest traveling in large groups until we have a solution?” Marysue said as she began to type out a message.

  “Okay. We have very few leads or ideas to work with,” Gerald grimaced. “We’re also on a time limit with your leveling,” he looked at Alburet.

  “It is an issue, but we need to deal with this first,” Alburet replied, getting to his feet. “I’m going to see if Ioaniss will talk to me. Maybe he has ideas, or knows about something like this happening before.”

  “Not a bad idea. Just don’t ask for his help,” Gerald said as he stood. “We don’t want to make this a war between noble houses.”

  “Isn’t that what’s already happening?” Fluff asked as she got to her feet. “You are the newest noble House at the moment.”

  Lips pursed, Gerald nodded slowly. “That is a good point. Until something else happens, though, let’s not give the King reason to revoke my new title, shall we?”

  “He says he can be seein’ ya in the mornin’ at the museum,” Stacia said, her hand touching Alburet’s shoulder. “I figured we had to set an appointment first.”

  “Thank you, dear,” Alburet said, closing his hand over hers. Eyes going to Gerald, he grimaced. “I’ll let you know once we have anything. Are you heading straight to the Assassin’s Guild?”

  “It is the best I can think of right now. I don’t know where else to go,” Gerald said.

  “I’ll take you to where contracts are normally set up,” Karen said, separating herself from Alburet’s side. “It’s in a dif
ferent place than the Guild hall, probably on purpose.”

  “Works for me,” Gerald said, extending his arm to Marysue. “We’ll keep in touch, Al.”

  “I’ll be home as soon as I drop them off,” Karen said as she led Gerald and Marysue from the room.

  “Be safe,” Fluff called after her, getting a wink from Karen before the door shut behind Marysue.

  “Are we goin’ home for the night?” Stacia asked.

  “Yeah,” Alburet sighed deeply. “Fucking politics. They always piss people off.”

  “Fluff, shall we lead our weary husband home?”

  “Yes,” Fluff said, taking Alburet’s arm. “Maybe a hot bath will help?”

  Lips cracking into the smallest of smiles, Alburet shook his head. “I can’t resist the women I love.”

  “Aye, we be knowin’ tha’,” Stacia giggled and took his other arm.

  Alburet nodded to Kauree and Vanessa as he was led out into the reception area. “Ladies, I hope the rest of your day is quieter.”

  “Aye, me too,” Kauree agreed.

  “Have a good day, you three,” Vanessa grinned as they went past the desk.

  “We intend to,” Stacia winked back at her.

  Shaking his head, Alburet was bemused at the banter. Stacia got the front door open for them, letting Fluff led Alburet into the main room. “The plan be simple,” Stacia told him as she took his bag from him. “Ya be cookin’ dinner for us tonight. When Karen gets back, send her into the bath so we can all get clean before dinner.”

  Alburet chuckled, “Okay. Glad to know who’s in charge here.”

  Stacia winked at him, “It be ya, of course, master.” She gave him a peck on the cheek before taking Fluff’s hand. “Let’s go get started, until Karen can join us.”

  “Okay,” Fluff said with a small smile as she allowed Stacia to lead her away. “I look forward to your cooking, Al.”

  “I’ll do my best,” Alburet called after them. He went in the kitchen, put an apron on, and went poking through the cabinets, trying to decide what he could make. He’d just selected his ingredients and was about to get started when Karen came inside.

  “You’re cooking?” she asked with raised brows.

  “Yes. Is that a problem?” Alburet asked, knife in hand.

  “No, just hadn’t thought about you cooking for us,” Karen chuckled. “Where are the other two?”

  “Bathing. Stacia said to send you in when you got home.” Alburet turned back to the food on the counter. “You’ll have twenty minutes.”

  “What are you making?” Karen asked, edging over to see what he had out.

  “You’ll find out when you’re clean. Now, shoo,” he motioned her away.

  Eyes narrowing, Karen took another step into the kitchen. “Did you just shoo me?”

  “Yes,” Alburet said. “Besides, Stacia is washing Fluff right now, while you’re here arguing with me.”

  Karen snorted and turned toward the bedroom. “Fine, but I’ll get you back for that later.”

  Alburet chuckled as he watched her walk away. They both knew she wasn’t actually upset with him. Turning back to his preparations, he got to work, hoping they would like it.

  His message icon started blinking when he was almost done cooking. He turned down the heat on the stove and tapped the icon to find a message from Gerald.

  From Gerald:

  Al, the Assassin’s Guild was less than helpful. We won’t be able to buy our way out of this. I’ve arranged a meeting with Gilden House tomorrow at about the same time as your meeting with Jones. We’ll need to meet and compare notes. Shall we do lunch at Giardino’s afterwards?

  He sent Gerald his agreement to the plan, then turned his attention back to the food. A few minutes later, he turned off the stove and went to let the women know dinner was ready. He stripped off his gear in the bedroom, becoming aware of faint moans coming from the bathing room. Once he was undressed, he poked his head into the room. “Dinner?”

  Fluff was sandwiched between Stacia and Karen, being pleasured by both of them as the trio soaked in the tub. Mouth going dry, Alburet just stared. The love they felt washed over him, bringing a smile to his lips.

  “We will have to be finishin’ up later,” Stacia murmured as she looked at Al. “Dinner be ready right now?”

  “It can rest for a few minutes,” Alburet said, stepping into the room. “I’m going to scrub up real quick.”

  “Al,” Fluff called out as he passed the tub.

  Looking over, he found her at the edge of the tub, “What’s up, Fluff?”

  “Besides you, you mean, right?” Karen stage whispered.

  “Can I wash you?” Fluff asked.

  “Anytime you wish,” Alburet said softly, helping her from the tub.

  “We’ll go get the table set while ya clean up. Do nay take too long cleanin’,” Stacia said as she nudged Karen.

  “Oh, fine,” Karen sighed, clambering out of the tub.

  Alburet watched them leave, then sat down on one of the seats under the showers. “You sure, Fluff?”

  “Yes,” she said as she knelt behind him. “They keep reminding me you won’t hurt me, and I know you won’t. These small interactions remind me of it and help me believe it more.”

  “Then I am in your very capable hands,” Alburet told her as he closed his eyes, the water cascading down on him.

  The shower was brief; Fluff didn’t do anything more than wash him, for which he was grateful. Once he was clean, they went to join the other two, who were sipping wine at the table.

  “Sorry for the delay,” Alburet told them.

  “It be fine,” Stacia said. “Ya can serve us when ya be ready.”

  He served them each plates of Chicken Alfredo. “I’m not as good as Giardino’s, but I hope you like it.”

  “Your meat with a thick white sauce,” Karen said, licking her lips, “my favorite.”

  Resisting the urge to facepalm, Alburet sighed, “I should have known something was coming.”

  “Not yet. That’s for later,” Karen grinned wickedly at Alburet.

  Fluff giggled, “She likes poking fun at you.”

  “I know,” Alburet shook his head and took the last plate for himself. “Gerald wants to meet for lunch tomorrow after our meetings. The Assassin’s Guild didn’t help any, so he’s meeting with Skippy when I meet with Ioaniss.”

  “Can’t we just kill him?” Karen asked around a mouthful of food. “This is good, by the way.”

  “Swallow first,” Alburet said, immediately regretting it.

  “I always swallow for you,” Karen grinned, matching words to action. “Tasty.”

  “What do we be doin’ before the meetin’s, then?” Stacia asked, grinning at the byplay.

  “I’m thinking turn in quests and sell stuff,” Alburet told her between bites.

  “We need to level, too, even with this going on,” Fluff added.

  “Aye,” Stacia said. “We be havin’ a quest from the Overlord to complete.”

  “Yeah,” Alburet sighed, his anxiety rising at the thought.

  All three women reached out and touched him. Stacia was the first to speak, “We will make it happen, master, do nay fret.”

  “We’ll get it done,” Karen added firmly.

  “Victoria wouldn’t give us an impossible task,” Fluff chimed in.

  Throat tightening as his eyes watered, he coughed, “I love you, all three of you, so much.” Shaking his head, he wiped his eyes. “I can’t stand the thought of losing any of you.”

  “You will nay,” Stacia said as she went to him and held him. “Ya food be delicious, but after we finish with it, we be walkin’ ya through a memory. The one of ya, Karen, and me, remember?”

  Closing his eyes and letting Stacia help settle his emotions, he nodded, then grinned wryly. “Yeah, then you three get to pick up where you left off in the tub.”

  “Maybe tomorrow…” Fluff began, then stopped herself. “Tomorrow…”

&nb
sp; Reaching out, Alburet rubbed her ears, “It’s okay, Fluff, don’t rush it. I’m just happy you’re moving forward.”

  She knew he was telling her the truth, and part of her yearned to be able to meet him on equal terms like the other two did. “Okay, but soon…” she said, purring.

  “Soon,” Alburet said as Stacia let him go so he could go back to eating. “Right now, we eat.”

  Chapter Two

  The feeling of silk rope at his wrists and ankles was the first sensation that Alburet became aware of as sleep left him. Opening his eyes, he found darkness before him, “What the hell?”

  “Good. Ya be awake,” Stacia purred in his ear as her hand stroked his forehead. “We be workin’ on helpin’ Fluff this mornin’. Ya do nay mind, do ya?”