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Finding My Husband in Another World Season 1 Chapter 6: Running Again.

Over the next weeks and months I applied myself. I had gotten talented enough with my skills that I could make myself invisible or mimic someone else's appearance without having to maintain the illusion. My summoning skills had improved to the point where I could allow Star and Moon out at double their normal size though I could tell it wasn't close to reaching their full potential yet.

I'd even retrieved the items I'd commissioned. I was going to present the regen stones to everyone and then take care of Gou's issue later tonight. Though in truth we'd gathered to discuss the upcoming trip. Unfortunately things never seem to go to plan.

"Gou, and I can't go. Even though it is an Academy sanctioned trip. Since I missed the solstice vacation we are being forced to spend the summer with the family."

"That's going to be a problem because it means I can't go as your guard."

"You don't need to. That's the good news. We've been together long enough that you should be able to go as me. Chaza can go as you to be my guard. It's perfect. Well not perfect since I have to suffer with the inane protocol of being a noble, but it will still work for you."

I couldn't believe how emotional I felt. I was starting to have feelings for Rider that I shouldn't have, especially since I was still looking for my husband from the other world. Still I buried my feelings because it was a good plan. "You're right, it's a good plan. And this is supposed to be a time of joy. I- I commissioned a few things after our desert trip, and trust me I had quite the time figuring out the best way to present these. Obviously I didn't come up with one. Chaza for you I had a new collar made. I'm not saying-"

"I love it!" Chaza yelled pulling off her worn plain leather collar and buckling on the new pink leather one. "This matches the strengthening gem on Knockers. It's perfect."

"Sky, yours was a little more complicated and expensive. First off it is like a collar, but it goes around your tail. The cuff itself is enchanted with binding and ethereal magics so it will remain with you and in place even in your cloud form. I also did my best to make sure it was dyed the same color as your markings so it doesn't stand out."

He consented to me sliding the cuff into place and it went on easily.

"Gou, would you please take your shirt off?"

"You're not going to pierce anything are you?"

"No, your gift is a bicep cuff, also with binding so no one can take it from you."

He took his shirt off and held out his arm. I slid the simple brown leather cuff into place."

Gou quickly slipped his shirt back on. "Why is mine so plain?"

"To keep anyone looking at it from thinking you might have stolen it." I held up my right arm and showed off my new black leather gauntlet. "In the Adventurer's guild all trainers have to wear a gauntlet like this to show their skill. Much like Chaza's fingerless gloves marks her as a heavy weapons fighter. And to match it on the left I have to wear a cuff denoting I'm also a summoner. Rider, I've had a matching pair made for you. Even though you're still too young to be an adventurer, you and Gou are honorary members of my team. After that desert mission you deserve it."

"What that means is you can enter the guild hall unchallenged if you need to find me; since Prowl is already with you most of the time. It also means if you are in a foreign city you can use the guild as a sanctuary." Chaza lowered her voice "Gou, that means if you are ever taken away or sold get to a guild hall as quickly as possible and we'll come rescue you."

"Your identification is the wolf and tiger separated by an upright hammer imprinted on the leather. It is registered as our identification mark. Now for the second part. The lining of each of these gifts actually hide two cut crystals from the magic infused glass. One crystal is enchanted with a single use regen strong enough to repair your heart if you're mortally stabbed or regenerate a limb if it is cut off. However I suggest trying to keep that crystal intact as long as possible. The second crystal I hadn't planned on but the jeweler added in on his own is anti-curse. This is a permanent passive spell so we will never have to worry about any form of curses. Now you three admire your new accessories while I go order us some food. Gou, why don't you come along and help carry it."

I could have been talking to blank walls. Chaza was muttering to herself about which outfits would work best with the new collar and Rider was likewise in a world of his own.

"Prowl, if this cuff can regenerate-"

"Don't think about it. I didn't go to the trouble of getting another regen crystal for that very purpose just to have you make a mess of that cuff. I honestly planned on regenerating you tonight, but with you and Rider returning home for the summer we need to wait. Before you complain what would happen if Rider's family discovered your bits were growing back? Trust me you're going to need more than a few hours to adjust and be able to act like you don't have them back. I know it is going to be difficult-".

"Prowl, I get it, I really do. I'm just scared they might sell me off and I won't be able to escape to a guild hall."

I smiled. "Your current owners don't know it and likely never will, but I also own you now. Basically when I placed that cuff on you I legally stole you since you have no other slave designation. As for being sold both Moon and Star have infused that cuff with a bit of their spiritual essence. Meaning as long as the moons circle the planet they will be able to find and if I order it retrieve you."

"What do you mean?"

"Something I leaned in class. A beast summoner can select an object infused with their creature's power to create a conduit allowing them to summon to the object's location. Meaning I can summon Moon or Star to help you no matter where I am in the world. Actually now that I think about it I should have done that with everyone. If you pray to them because of the conduit they will hear you and be able to pass the message to me. Now we really do need to carry all the food I ordered earlier to the table."

***

I thought the trip started out well, until we were on the ship and Chaza made me look bad with sea sickness. To her credit she stayed in character the whole time.

Once we arrived, despite it being a small island with a popular tourist town we had to set up a base camp. Which seemed stupid since once set up we had to immediately take it down and set off into the island to make our own camps for exploring, or find lodging in town for those hoping to learn from natives. I repacked the majority of our stuff and had it stored at the small guild office. Not much need for the accoutrements and excess weight of a noble's camp, but I couldn't just put it in the pocket since Rider didn't have access. Since Chaza and I had learned how to survive without the extras we were good without it.

We had five days on the island the trip would take a minim of two days to reach the temple. It was on its own island at the center of the main island's extinct volcano. At least that was what I thought. As it turned out my information was out dated. A road had been built to the temple so that those seeking the dragon could, go to the temple, find that the spirit was already gone, and return to spend money in the town. I'm the stubborn type. It took us a day of walking since I didn't want to be bothered with one of the carts that made the journey.

As we walked my mind drifted. I'll admit it here in my journal I was worried about Rider.

"You're thinking about him again. I can tell." Chaza said, and I quickly put the journal back in storage.

"No I'm not."

"Have you considered he might be your mate?" She asked poking me in the side.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I've considered it, but it's not likely. We're supposed to recognize each other. Rider is just a friend."

"Oh, so he's a friend? Not student or employer? I've never heard you refer to anyone being that close to you."

"I say it about you, quite often actually, just not where you can hear me. You've got a large enough ego as it is."

She pulled me close from behind. "You're so sweet."

"Would you stop? Anyone could see us."

"Afraid of the rumors from you hugging Rider like this? I know exactly how we look right now and I hope someone does see. It's the sort of thing you two need to realize you really do have feelings for each other."

"I already have a husband."

"So you believe, but what if the gods didn't hold up their end of the bargain? They're fickle you know."

I fell to my knees. I couldn't breathe. I felt the need to throw up, and the pain in my chest was so bad I just wanted it all to stop.

"Shit! Prowl, breath. It was a joke. I'm sure your mate is here and looking for you as well. Just breathe and remember how much he loves you." Chaza said, in concern.

It hurt, and I was scared. More scared than I'd ever been. Chaza helped me to my feet and we continued moving forward, but I couldn't help wondering if it was true.

We still made it to the lake for the last ferry but that was a tourist thing. Ten minutes to across, fifteen to see the temple, and ten minutes back for an evening party in the small camp or outpost that served as lodging for late travelers. We made the trip but I switched from our disguises to invisibility and waited until everyone had left.

The rumors were right the temple was empty of spirits. It also wasn't real. The steps were still sharp, the floors weren't worn the way they should have been, and most telling was the depictions of the dragon spirit. The images were of the wrong kind of dragon. It looked like someone had copied pictures of the Earth Dragon and painted them blue.

I walked out and started to search. We found the old temple partially collapsed into the lake at the far side of the island. It was obvious why they didn't bring the tourists to this place.

We set up camp. According to the books this dragon represented the moment at dawn when the first rays or the sun reflect off the water's surface. I took first watch Chaza would take second and wake me just before dawn.

***

"It's been a long time since I've had a visitor. What brings you here child."

I was confused. The dragon coiled before me was white with black accents. According to the books he was supposed to be azure. "I'm here to discover, if I make a pact with you, whether or not I'll gain regen magic. Not for myself but to use on others."

"Regen? Why would you expect a holy dragon to give you dark powers?"

"Regen is a holy power."

The dragon laughed. "You humans are so silly. Purifying, curing, and healing are holy arts. The regeneration of missing parts is in the same category as raising the dead. I should know, after all, I am a holy dragon."

"Oh, well then I'm sorry for wasting your time. I'll bother you no longer."

The look of surprise and confusion on his face was a bit funny. "I am a great holy dragon, and you're dismissing me?"

"Of course not. You are a great dragon and I'm just not that important. I only came here to make a pact with you in order to help a friend, I now know that wouldn't work. Fortunately I have a backup plan."

"Oh, so now I'm not good enough for you. Well, as it turns out you have no choice in the matter. I'm sick of this crumbling rock pile. I'm sure the world has changed a great deal since I was bound here and I want to be able to see it. It is also good that I do not mind Lunarii and Stellarii as bond mates. I am Refractii but you may call me Dawn; and whether you realize it or not I already formed a pact with you. That is why we can speak in the dream realm."

"Prowl, wake up it's nearly dawn." Chaza said, shaking me none to gently.

I sat up and looked out at the water beyond the temple. "Was that just a dream?" I held my hand out. "Dawn."

Dawn burst from the water's surface in a rainbow of droplets.

"I'm smaller than I expected." Dawn said, as he landed and encircled our small camp.

"Small! You're as tall as a horse and at least seven long to the end of your tail and you think that's small?" Chaza gasped.

"So you can see him?"

"Of course I can. You gave me the ability to see your sprits when you introduced me to Moon and Star. Didn't you realize that?"

"No, but it explains something Rider told me about no one other than the summoner being able to see the spirits. And you, Dawn, like Chaza said, you think you're small?"

"By his standards, yes." Moon said, joining us. "Ordinarily he's about ten times his current size. Holy dragons are truly massive."

"Yes, and now look at me, people are going to think I'm barely a couple of centuries old. Basically just a child."

"Don't worry brother, as Prowl grows in age and ability your full size will be returned. Moon and I started out as cubs so count yourself lucky you formed a pact now. Otherwise you'd probably look like a hatchling." Star explained.

"I have to admit, I've made pacts in the past but there is something different about Prowl."

"He is rather special. Even now with three such powerful beings using his mana to remain corporeal he isn't fatigued." Star replied.

"Now that you've captured your new summon, what are we going to do for the next few days? If you don't have plans I thought we could track down an exotic beast for Rider to tame." Chaza said, letting the summons continue their conversation.

"No. No, he has to find his own partner. If we captured one for him he'd resent us for treating him the same as the nobility."

"I see your point. So what are we going to do?"

"I guess we go back to the village and act like tourists for a couple of days."

"Sounds good to me."

"No flirting while you appear as me."

"I would never do that." She said, but the look she gave me told me that had been exactly what she was planning.

***

The trip back to the mainland was much better for Chaza. It was a simple matter of using my new heal and cure abilities, gifted by Dawn, to keep her from experiencing the motion sickness most of the time. The last few hours were bad meaning my ability to keep her well would be worthless.

When we arrived home I found a letter telling me my services, to protect Rider, were no longer required. I thought it was strange since Rider had just signed a new contract with me and the termination order came from the academy.

"What's going on?" Chaza asked.

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out. Star, contact Gou and see what he knows."

While we waited I transferred our belongings to storage. If we were going to have to move fast I didn't want to be lugging Rider's camping gear with me.

"Gou doesn't know anything about being dismissed. It seems when Rider arrived home his father, the Lord of the region, got angry about Rider having Sky with him. Gou is on his way here with Sky now. Should I contact Rider?" Star reported.

"I didn't bind you to his gauntlets so that isn't-"

"Prowl, we're summon spirits we've been in contact with Rider and his elemental spirits enough that we can talk to each other. So when I say talk to Rider, I mean speak with Arctic, who will speak to Rider." Star explained.

"Do it."

There was a knock on the door. Chaza checked and then let Gou and Sky in.

"Here he is safely returned, now I must get back to-" Gou started to say.

I held up my hand to silence him.

"Rider says take Gou and escape. He's done something that has angered his father."

"What did he do?" Gou asked.

"It seems his father had arranged a marriage. One that Rider didn't want. So he showed off the gauntlet and bracelet you gave him and said that he had already given his word to marry another and the bracelets were a sign of the betrothal. Oh and he said they were magically bound to him. Then he told him even if he chopped his arms off and had them regenerated the items would simply return. Now the Lord believes the only way to break the binding is to find and kill you." Star informed us.

"I got it we need to switch countries again, but first we need to rescue Rider."

"No! He insists that we run. He needs to finish his training at the Academy. Once he does he will get his adventurer's license and he'll find us."

There was banging on the door. "In the name of Lord-" We didn't hear any more as Chaza used Knockers to put a giant hole in the side of the guild hall.

I cloaked us all in invisibility and we jumped. Chaza, Gou, and Sky landed fine. I, on the other hand broke something. I did a quick heal and we ran. It was painful but at least I wasn't any more of a burden than being a hunted man put us in.

***

I flopped down on one of our two beds. Sky and Chaza took one leaving the other for Ren, we had to change Gou's name since he was considered an escaped slave, and myself. I didn't mind. After six years, one at the academy and five on the run. Reynard was a good guy and the threat of the chastity device kept him in check. I was rather frustrated but being twenty and sharing a room with two others all the time will do that to a man.

We were on the other side of the continent and in another kingdom, but we still weren't really safe. We'd been here for eight months, the longest we'd stayed in the same place. However there were a lot of monster hunting opportunities here and the winter had been particularly nasty. There was also the fact I was reluctant to cross the ocean just yet. I admit it had a lot to do with letting Rider catch up with us.

There was a knock on the door and Chaza groaned. "I don't care if you're bringing food or sex. We've had a long difficult hunt and I'm not leaving this bed."

"Mister Prowl, the Guild Master would like to see you."

"Just go already!" Chaza growled.

"Want me to come with you?" Ren asked.

"No, I can summon help if I need it." In our travels I'd picked up to more summons a rabbit, Sonicii, or Pop as I called him. He imparted the skill to amplify my senses while in human form, I hadn't risked using it in tiger form. Excellent for eaves dropping, listening to locks, and in combination to the noise grenades I now carried allowed me to incapacitate enemies. The other, a lesser summons, Chee the cheetah, gave me the passive skill in combination with my appraising eye to see three seconds ahead in time. I also noticed in the last year that my own speed stat was being boosted as well. Moon informed me it was because my other summons were deity levels and being grouped with them Chee was quickly evolving into a new deity of speed.

As we walked towards the Guild Master's office I found myself wondering if Rider's Dust, was also increasing to a primal spirit of sand in his care. I quickly put it out of my mind. It made my chest hurt when I thought too much about Rider which made my head hurt since I shouldn't still be having such intense feelings for anyone other than my husband.

"You know we are keeping in touch with him. He asks about you all the time." Star said.

"I . . . I can't. You know my mate is out there somewhere and I already know I've let myself get to close to Rider as it is."

"Really? You don't even want to know what he asks?"

"Here we are, please enter. The Master is expecting you." The secretary said stepping back.

I pushed the door open and entered. There were two men in the room the Guild Master and a young adventurer. He wore leather armor and a helmet that completely covered his face. However I could see he was both a tamer and trainer like myself. Maybe we'd outstayed our welcome?

"Prowl, I know that your team moves around a lot, but I had no idea you hadn't gotten any of your guild mail." The Master picked up and dropped a large bag on his desk. "Normally I'd go through all this to see if there is anything that would constitute a threat to the guild, but most of this is so old I doubt it would matter. So instead I'm going to just open the latest one in front of you and the adventurer that took on the obviously daunting task of delivering all this."

He ripped open the letter and went to read only to look at it in confusion. He slapped it down on the desk in front of me. "Okay you read it."

I looked at the letter and gasped it was written in a combination of broken English and French that I instantly recognized. "My dearest Tiger, It seems you're getting quite the reputation. While it makes it easier to keep track of your exploits, it also allows our enemies the ability to catch you." I was starting to cry. My Wolf was here in this world. My reincarnation hadn't been a cosmic joke. More than that he knew my identity and had been following my travels. "Guild Master, it seems I have someone to find so my team will be leaving in the morning."

"Non, Papa Tigre. We leave tonight, with the tide. I've already made the arrangements." The masked stranger said.

I turned slowly. Was this really happening? Was my Wolf really here with me? I stopped in shock. My mind froze now that the adventurer had removed his mask.

The door swung open and Chaza marched in followed by Ren and Sky. "Someone is about to be a red squishy puddle under my Knockers for forcing us-".

"Chaza, are you still using the same hammer? I'd think you'd have upgraded by now."

"Master Rider! It is so good to see you!" Ren yelled.

"It's good to see you too. Now help me get Prowl moving. We have very little time to get him on the ship."

"No! No ships!" Chaza yelled.

"It's that or we face off with the elite guard chasing me, and have orders to kill all of you."

"Ren, let's get him moving. We'll carry him if we have to." Chaza ordered.

***

I closed the journal and looked at Rider. My mate. I put the journal into my storage pocket then crawled into bed behind Rider. Screw what anyone might think of our ages we had lived one lifetime together. Besides cuddling up and sleeping with my mate like this was the most important thing in the world to me. Then I heard a whimper from the other bed in the cabin.

"Ren?"

"Yes Master?"

"Come over here and get into bed in front of Rider."

"Master?"

"You heard me. It's a bit cold and the blankets are thin I don't want Rider to get cold."

Ren quickly joined us and Rider unconsciously wrapped his arms around our fox. If we got a moment alone Rider and I would have to discuss Reynard's future.

***