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Finding My Husband in Another World Season 1 Chapter 4: Desert Job

"You idiot!" I'd braced for the blow, Chaza never pulled her punches, but I still flew across the room and into the wall. Fortunately it didn't break; this time.

"What's the point of going if I'm not going to learn anything?" I yelled back.

"Well for starters it's your best bet for finding the one you've been looking for all this time."

"I don't-"

"Don't lie to me. You think I haven't noticed the way you check out every guy we meet? How about the smell of disappointment when you decide he's not the right one. I'm not stupid you know."

"When have I ever-"

"Since the first time we met. Sure it took me a little while to figure it out, but come on, a five year old living on his own? Forming summoning pacts with not one but two of the most powerful beast gods? You are reincarnated from another world. Don't look so surprised the human gods play this game quite often. Tell me what did you have to give up?"

"Give up? I didn't give anything up. True I spent most of my points to guarantee that my husband would also be reincarnated with all his memories as well, but . . ."

"As I understand it time flows differently for the gods. It's a good bet they tricked him to use his points to make sure you were in the same world as well. That way they wouldn't have to lend you their powers. I suppose there is some demon king you have to defeat?"

I stared at Chaza, was she serious? Reincarnations were common in this world? "No, my only quest is to find my mate and live out our lives however we see fit."

"Great, you got one of the chaotic ones. Don't be surprised when they show up with some big quest they need your stupid ass to complete. Gods I should have taken you up on the offer to free me and ran when I had the chance."

"I can still-".

"And make me feel guilty when you get yourself killed? I don't think-" She was interrupted by a knock on the door."

"Mister Prowl, there is an individual here to request you for an adventure job."

Chaza flung the door open. "Who would request that dumb ass?"

A demi-human fox was standing to the side and a bit back from the receptionist.

"Who?"

"I'm sorry master, but Lord . . . ah Master Rider, sent me to request you for a job. He insists that it isn't about what happened with the Head Mistress, which I have no knowledge of. He says the request is for you to tutor him in beast training under the guise as working as his personal guard."

"He accepts the job." Chaza said, for me. "However it is limited to one year and then the contract can be renegotiated. As senior partner in his adventure team I'm telling you right now he will not be forced into slavery."

"Such an attempt would violate the adventurer's guilds rules. Even the King would not try to violate them for fear all our members would leave for other nations." The receptionist informed us. I sort of wished I'd know that sooner.

"One other thing. Your master will pay for lodging in the dorms for his new guard on week days. On weekends and holidays he is mine to continue training and to work other jobs." Chaza added.

"I . . . yes I understand. But I must insist that Lord Prowl be available to work weekends for planned school functions."

"I can agree to that however he will receive a higher wage for those days."

"I will have to speak with my Master, however I don't see as that will be a problem."

I rolled my eyes and started gathering what little gear I didn't have stored in my pocket dimension.

"What are you doing?" The fox asked.

"This is a job that means I'm going to be representing myself as an adventurer rather than a student. Chaza, you want me to have Sky stay here with you?"

"No, considering your day you might need him, besides I've got my Knockers to protect me."

The fox lowered his ears and looked away as the receptionist covered her face with her hand. "Idiot adventurers."

"Knockers is what she named her hammer." I said, much too loudly. I dashed out of the room grabbing the fox's arm. I knew where the conversation was going next. And it involved flaunting her non-hammer knockers.

***

"Master-"

"Gou, call me Rider from now on."

"Begging your pardon, but I can't do that. Even if you insist, if I am caught, I'll be punished." The fox replied as we entered Rider's room.

"So, did he agree?" Rider asked.

"No, but my partner did for me so you've got my services for a year." I said, as I pushed past Gou.

"Oh wow! I thought you looked strong in the school uniform."

"Black suits me better than light blue and white."

"Oh and you brought Sky with you!"

I couldn't help rolling my eyes, just a little. In that moment Rider really sounded like the child he was. Gods, how was I going to make this work? Maybe if I think of him as my son instead of physically five years younger than myself. Hiding my otherworldly origins from Chaza was easy since she thought I was crazy, or so I thought until earlier. I wasn't sure how Rider knew I'd brought Sky with me so I dropped the invisibility and discovered he was curled up on Rider's lap. "Traitor." I mumbled.

"I thought Cloud Leopards were very distrustful of humans?" Gau said, in surprise.

"Ordinarily they are. But Sky is a special case. Anyway, it's been a long day and I could use some rest."

"Right this way." Gou said, now taking my arm.

"He's my guard he should stay here with me." Rider insisted.

"That would be very inappropriate. You should get to sleep as well. Prowl isn't the only one that experienced a very busy day."

"It seems Sky has made himself at home on your bed. He'll protect you or wake me if I'm needed." I said watching Sky burrow into the bead spread.

Rider smiled and scratched behind Sky's ear causing him to start purring.

"You really are a traitor, and an attention whore you not so little shit." I thought as Gou then led me into our room. Well in truth it was more like a converted storage closet. There was barely room for a single bed and a privy bucket. But it was very clean. I'm sorry, I know it isn't much. You can store your belongings under the bed."

The bed was just a thin pad over rope bindings. The beds at the guild were better.

I glanced at Gou only to find he'd completely stripped to his fur. He grinned at me as I quickly averted my eyes.

"You find me attractive? I'm flattered but, I . . . I was fixed as a kit so . . . yeah. I'll uh, find something to wear at night from now on."

I could hear the sadness in his voice. "No, this is your space. You do what makes you comfortable and I'll adapt." I said, as I stripped to my under garments making sure to place everything in the other dimension so it wouldn't take up the very limited space.

He stretched out as much as possible on the bed so that I'd fit in the small space as well. "We won't get a blanket until it gets colder, but I generate a lot of heat."

I did my best to stretch out behind him facing away.

"Prowl?"

"Yeah?"

"I know this is completely inappropriate, but would you hold me? I- I just want to know what it's like to be held at least once in my life."

I rolled over and pulled Gou into my arms. I wasn't aroused anymore, no this was much more special. I was holding him like a child, protecting him from the cruel world. I hoped Rider had some free time tomorrow because I was going to need to do a lot of studying on regen magic or summons that were gifted in that art. My need to make others feel better always got me into trouble, but it was one of the things my husband always loved about me.

***

The days seemed to drag on and on. Gou would wake me up, fortunately we'd gotten another bed but it was for appearances more than anything. Gou and I still shared a bed. He wasn't my mate, but holding him did make it easier for both of us to sleep. We also sectioned off the corner of the room with paper dividers to provide more room and a little privacy. Rider didn't mind, considering the size of his room to begin, plus it gave him back his closet space.

After getting ready for the day I'd do my best to teach Rider about the animals I'd encountered in the wild and what it was like to be in a contract. Basically everything I'd had to learn for myself over the last ten years. If he wasn't feeling like taming I'd put him through some of the adventurer exercises. Learning magic was good, but the academy emphasized that over all else. A magic user was to be a back line support individual and not a fighter. That was good in theory, but I'd already encountered enough situations with Chaza to know if you couldn't defend yourself in a fight you were as good as dead. Really I was only still alive thanks to Moon, Star, and Sky.

I was also doing my best to make sure Rider could take care of himself in case he didn't have mana to draw on from around him. While he was in summoning classes, which I wasn't allowed to attend, I'd spend time in the library. I quickly learned that curing and regeneration was holy magic and could only be learned by those approved by the church. However I wasn't looking to learn the magic. I wanted to find a summon that was known for regeneration. What I found wasn't overly helpful but it was a place to start.

There was the swamp lizard. He didn't have any abilities listed since no one braved the swamps to find his temple. Next was the desert earth dragon. He had a lot of special abilities theorized about but no one had ever been able to form a pact with him. Finally there was the tropical dragon. No one really wanted to deal with him since he was even choosier than the earth dragon. His abilities were unknown but just from his rejections it was theorized he may have holy magic.

I planned to make the voyage to his island temple but it would be a long trip so it would have to wait for summer break at the soonest. Though I'd started planting rumors that the academy should consider taking the students to the island in order to broaden their magic knowledge of foreign territories. While still part of the kingdom and well settled it would be a safe trip for the noble students given it was considered a popular vacation destination.

The swamp would be the closest, but considering I'd also be taking on some of the lizard's characteristics I wasn't really excited about trying to get a crocodile to cooperate with Moon and Star. They both preferred the Island dragon, but agreed the Earth Dragon was doable during midwinter break plus there were a few jobs that we could do as adventurers to make the trip worthwhile even if the dragon wasn't the summon we needed.

***

I sighed as we climbed out of the wagon. I still couldn't believe Rider had convinced me . . . well technically he'd convinced Chaza to let him join us. That's not to say we hadn't benefitted from Inferno. He did take out a band of bandits rather easily. He even might have made us a fair bit of extra money, though we'd have to find out about that after we sold the glass he'd created from the sand when he incinerated our foes.

We'd hired on as guards for a tradesman making his way to the desert village. Then I planned to visit the Earth Dragon Temple. I'm still not sure how Rider found out, maybe he really did plan on coming out here to try and form a pact with the Earth elemental, but it seemed overly convenient.

"You can get your pay at the guild. I must say you make a very effective team. Even your fox made some excellent food for us when camping. If you're interested I'm willing to hire you again for the return trip in a couple of days. I'll leave the details at the guild office." The merchant said, as we waved and he headed for the merchant's guild.

"So Prowl, were are we heading first? The guild or the temple?" Chaza asked.

"Hey! I hired you first so going out after the earth elemental should be your first priority." Rider insisted.

I sighed, he had a point, but still we needed to check in with the guild as soon as we arrived otherwise no matter where we took the job involved it would be ruled invalid since it was out of territory. "Guild first. Otherwise we could be fined for escorting you out to find the elemental."

"That doesn't sound right, I mean I already hired you through the adventurer's guild." Rider complained.

"Yeah well, that is another office. You get used to the setup after a while." Chaza stated, putting an end to the conversation.

As we entered the guild I had a very bad feeling. There were no other adventurers. A layer of dust covered everything. I could have understood a bit of sand but dust? There wasn't even a guild representative. Just a box asking for donations. The jobs board was also covered in hastily scrawled notes some just in barely discernable stick figure drawings. For all intents and purposes the guild was dead.

"We're not going to get paid are we?" Chaza asked, dropping Knockers over the back of the counter letting the momentum swing her over. "Damn, there isn't even anything to drink back here."

"You're not allowed to drink even if there had been any spirits." I growled.

"Don't get your tail in a fluff, Master. I meant there isn't any water."

"Master?" Gou asked, in surprise.

"Chaza!" I yelled.

"Oh like it matters if these two know. I mean you're sleeping with the fox and acting as guard to the boy. Do you really think they're going to make problems over the fact that I'm actually your slave?"

"Well, if you'd let me free you."

"I told you before being a human's slave opens more work options for me than as a free agent. You know no one trusts an unbound beast kin."

"I'd like to point out that Prowl and I are sharing a bed; not sleeping together!" Gou yelled.

"Gou, I'm sure that's what Chaza meant. After all if Prowl was to sleep with any one I'd . . ." Rider trailed off as we all looked at him. He turned bright red. "Uh I'd . . . So if there is no one to check with shouldn't we just continue with the mission?"

The fact that he might have feelings for me was a bit confusing. I mean I hadn't done anything to encourage it since I needed to find my mate. Still he wasn't wrong, the mission came first. "You're right. Though I think the next stop should be the Dragon temple. Before you object let me explain. The dragon has been here for centuries and is considered the town guardian. I have no real plan to make a pact with him I'd just like to speak with him about the possible spirits that I might want to make a pact with. However it is more important to meet with him now since he may have information as to why-"

"Thank the Gods! You're still here. I was beginning to think everyone had vanished on me." We looked at the door as the merchant burst in. "The town is empty! Humans, Beast kin, Demi-Humans, even the animals are all gone without a trace. I know it has been a while since there was an official visit but-"

"Six months, if the arrival and departure records are correct." Chaza interrupted. "Which looking at the log book is pretty standard. It seems no one wants to travel here during the summer heat. Um, Rider it seems you are out of luck however. A noble's party came and 'collected' the earth elemental that resided here."

"Not much I can do about that then. I guess we're off to see the dragon."

I considered for a moment then turned to the merchant. "Was your delivery already paid for?"

"Well, yes. It was bought last year for use now. Ordinarily I'd drop it off at the trade guild, get next year's order and payment, and pick up any cargo that needed to be taken back to the Royal city."

"Chaza, Gou, and Rider help him unload. Sky you're on guard duty. Rider I'm going to infuse you with mana. Yes, I know you don't need it, but there is very little in this environment to draw from. If you are in trouble you may need to summon Inferno and Arctic as quickly as possible. I'm going to speak with the dragon and then we'll be departing as soon as possible. I don't know what is happening here but I don't like it. Plus we need to get back to the guild in the royal city to report this. I have a sinking feeling the kingdom may be under attack." I didn't say it, but I was already making plans to depart for another country, contract with rider or not. "Hopefully the Dragon can shed some light on what is going on."

"That's not-"

"Drop it kid. Prowl might not like to admit it, but he is a good leader. At least when it comes to running from trouble. When he feels something is wrong he gets this way. Don't question just do as he says and be ready to follow his orders. Trust me it's saved my life more times than I can count. Now let's move."

"But if there's no one here to use the supplies I really shouldn't just leave them."

"This village paid for them, therefore you will complete the delivery whether there is anyone in the village or not. Now go." I ordered as I pushed out the door. A wind was picking up. I really hopped it wasn't the prelude to a sandstorm.

***

As expected the temple was deserted. "Great Earth dragon, I humbly come before you-".

"Yeah, yeah. First you say how humble you are, then you ask me to enter a pact with you, I refuse, you get angry and the threats start, I ignore you, you challenge me to a fight, I slap you around for a bit, then I get bored and eject you. Well today I'm just going to-"

"Please wait. I'm not here to ask you for a pact. You are a dragon, which makes you one of the most knowledgeable beings in the world. I'm here just to talk to you." That's it stroke his ego, dragons always seem to love that.

"True of course, but if you're trying to catch me off guard it isn't going to work."

"Okay, is there any beast summon that can grant me holy magic skills? Specifically a skill that lets me regenerate others?" It's hard to be sure but I think the dragon looked genuinely surprised.

"You want to make a pact with one of us that will allow you to regenerate others? That is a rather odd skill to be looking for. I could understand wanting it for yourself, but to use it for someone else's benefit? Hmm, let's see. There is the many headed serpent, though forming a pact with him isn't easy since you have to get all the heads to agree to it. There is also the great star . . . No he resides at the bottom of the ocean and never works with land dwellers. There is the island dragon, he's very private and I don't know if he can give the regen skill, but he is aligned with holy magic."

"I had considered him as a possibility, but before undertaking such a long voyage I thought it would be best to speak with someone that would know more than I could research in human records."

"Hah! Human records. They would likely have sent you to the swamp after the grumpy lizard there even though his only skill is swamp camouflage. The only reason he became a greater spirit is because no one else wanted the swamp job."

I laughed, "Yes, they did indeed direct me there. So strongly in fact that I suspected a trap."

"Yes, it seems that certain of your kind want to keep holy magic all to themselves. Foolishness if you ask me. However, I think you're different. You know, if I didn't have a pact with the town, I might just have considered making one with you."

"That's something else I'd like to know." I bit my lip, a nasty habit from my former life that continued into this one. "What happened to the village?"

"Just after last year's supplies arrived a noble hunting party arrived as well. They were here to capture summon spirits in order to sell them to nobles so that their children would have a stronger than normal pact. It isn't something I bother with since only elementals can be captured in such a way. In a decade another young elemental of the earth element will move in and take over. In fact I believe one already has but he's rather young. Anyway we beasts can be chained to a temple but we can't be captured and transported as the group soon discovered. They got angry and started threatening the villagers. The village elder asked for my help so I agreed, call me old and sentimental but I sort of see all my villagers as family. I transported everyone, their animals, possessions and supplies to the caverns under the temple and magically stored them in crystal. It drain my mana greatly, to the point where it will take more than a hundred years before I have enough mana to free them again. It was a difficult choice for them but they all agreed and so I entered a pact with the entire town."

"What about the adventurers?"

"They set out for the city, but considering your questions I guess they didn't make it."

"No, they didn't. Can you lean down here so that I may touch you? I promise I'm not going to try and capture you in a pact. As you've told me you've already formed one so it wouldn't work anyway. I just want to give you a gift."

"I must say I'm intrigued." The dragon said, as he leaned down.

"My team was the escort bringing this year's supplies. I get the feeling when your people awake they are going to need them."

"That is possible but I don't have enough-"

I lay my hand on the bridge of his snout and poured mana into him. Normally I had to be careful, but since he was a dragon and he'd already exhausted most of his mana I figured it would be alright. He pulled back suddenly and I have to admit I felt a bit weaker.

"How did you? My mana is- I was worried about having the power to protect the village but now, this is amazing."

"Yeah, I'm a freak. It seems I'm just a giant mana battery producing far more than I can use."

"Go to the island dragon and make him listen to you. If you want to use all that power to help others I'm sure he'll form a pact with you. I've now transported the supplies. Once you have left I'm going to make sure the whole village is hidden under the sand until it is time for everyone to wake. If, when that time comes, you are still alive come and find me and I promise to form a pact with you."

"I doubt I'll still be around, but if I am I'll listen for rumors of a village suddenly appearing from the sands."

"One last thing that no one is likely to tell you. Ordinary summoners cannot make pacts with more than six or seven spirits at most. You are not normal. You have the capacity to create pacts with as many as you wish, however they must all be beasts in their primary form. So don't worry about becoming overloaded, instead focus on making pacts with those of us you feel a true affinity with."

"Thank you great earth dragon."

"No my young friend, it is I that must thank you. Now go, you have a new voyage to prepare for."

I blinked and found myself being whipped by the wind staring at an empty wagon.

"Prowl! We were unloading and everything just vanished!" Chaza yelled.

"We need to go, now! Shortly this village isn't going to exist anymore."

"We shouldn't travel in this storm."

"We just have to get out of town."

"Prowl, can you use your abilities to hide us?" Rider asked.

"Yeah but that isn't going to do a lot against a sandstorm."

It might do better than you think. Make us and the cart invisible while I prepare.

***