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Finding My Husband in Another World: Season 2: Chapter 3: Bandits

I wanted to leave early, but we were woken and served breakfast before sunrise and out the door just as quickly. Between Sky and Skit it seemed like we were considered bad luck. Plus, from the way Chaza refused to look at me, I had a suspicion she had caused some trouble as well.

I was walking about ten feet ahead of the group to allow them to talk without being drawn in. Despite Rider's efforts to make me more outgoing . . . Well, I was still working on it"

"Prowl, why didn't you tell Skit about us?" Rider said, grabbing my arm.

I glanced around we were currently traveling along a road through a grassy area. There was a forest in the distance, but not close enough for an ambush, or for anyone to overhear. "What part?"

"What part? The important part."

"Okay. Hey Skit, Rider and I are from another world. We lived full lives and died there. I was given the chance to be reincarnated in this world. But I refused unless my husband would also be reincarnated here. I was a noble bastard and when I was five I was replaced by my brother. I was to be sold as a slave but I escaped and formed a pact with both Moon and Star at the same time. That winter I found Sky injured and likely at deaths door. I took him in and treated his wounds until he was strong enough to heal himself. He kept me fed for most of the winter."

Rider bent down and hugged Sky. "Thank you. I didn't realize how much I owed you."

"During the worst of the winter we discovered a trapper had moved into Sky's hunting grounds, and following him back to a village. The store keeper there had a slave that might not have survived the winter so using Star's illusion power I purchased her and Chaza joined us."

"No maybe about it. In was praying for Stellarii to let me die."

"Yeah and he promised you things would get better, without consulting me first. Still I would have found a way to save you. Anyway we kept moving around only settling when we found a place for winter. Eventually Chaza was old enough to become an adventurer. Of course I'd help her when there wasn't a chance of getting caught. When I passed the adventurer's exam it had been watched by the Royal Magic Academy. They enrolled me but that didn't last long. However I met Rider for the first time. I was then kicked out the first day. Rider then hired me to be his body guard, and let's be honest Chaza would have killed me if I missed out on such an easy job."

"I don't know if I'd have gone that far but you would have been really bruised up."

"That's how I met Ren. He was Rider's slave."

"More like servant. He actually treated me better than most masters. More like a friend really. Anyway, as I was also now Rider's servant, Ren and I had to share a bed. At the end of the year my contract ended."

"Actually my father arranged for me to marry and foolishly I told him I was already engaged to Prowl. So the group had to run. Ren was with them so Prowl somehow took ownership of him. After I graduated I found where the team was and joined them after booking passage here. The rest you know."

"Not quite, circling back to your original question, the reason you get a bed to yourself is because Prowl and Rider are husbands and I'm their lover." Ren added.

"Oh. Sort of makes my story of trusting human adventurers to easily seem less important. They chopped off my tail in order to more easily use me like a female. When they were done I couldn't complete my first task, and no one has allowed me to apply for a task since." Skit looked thoughtful while we came to terms with what he'd just told us. "Wait, how did you and Rider attend the magic academy? That is only for nobles and exceptionally gifted individuals. More importantly it is human only."

"That's because we were both born human nobles. However somehow I gained a skill allowing me to use and grant the ability to change form from bonding with both Moon and Star at the same time. Since we're on the Beast continent it only seems right to take on demi-human forms. Though given our fur patterns we're still going to stick out."

"Honey, you can stop now." Rider said, hugging me tightly. "I'm sorry I made you retell all that. I just thought you'd tell him the part about us being engaged and Ren being our lover."

"I think it's a good thing. He's been keeping all that bottled up inside for far too long. Tell me Rider, did he keep everything bottled up and to himself in his other life?" Chaza asked.

Rider gave her an evil look. "Yes, but never with me. If you're thinking you can get me to talk about what my Tiger was like in that life then you can think again. That is something only for the two of us."

"Would you kill for each other?" Skit asked.

"If I needed to." Rider answered. "It isn't like I haven't used my summons to kill before.

"I have and if need be I will again." I replied. Everyone looked at me in surprise, but I only looked at Rider. "You were a noble. My job was to protect you. With my appraisal ability I could see people's motivations. When plotting to harm or kidnap you turned to intent I took care of the problem. Had I known who you really were back then I'd have dealt with them at the plotting stage."

"Tiger."

"Love, this isn't our old world. There are things I can protect you from."

"How did you get away with it? I mean you can't just get rid of a body." Chaza said.

"Oh really? Not even when I have a couple of gluttons for summons?"

"They can't actually eat anything except the mana and soul leaving the body behind. Unlike Inferno, who can reduce a body to ash." Rider said, confidently.

"They eat the energy, however being stuck in a temple with little to no contact they soon learned something we already know. Everything is made of energy."

"No we are made of flesh, blood, and bone." Ren interrupted.

"What is water made of?"

"Water is water it isn't made of anything." Skit said.

"Actually, Skit it's made of a combination of oxygen and hydrogen. I get it Moon and Star have figured out how to break down what they eat into its basic atoms which is basically all energy." Rider explained.

"Well, they may have had a little help understanding the concept, but I did help with that." I explained, remembering the trouble I had explaining the concept to my other summons.

"Okay, break times over we need to keep moving. Never know when someone is going to hunt us down." Ren said, forcing us to resume walking.

***

We reached the grove of trees in the early evening. We didn't talk much, and we ate lunch as we walked.

"There is a group of twenty three individuals hidden in the woods. They intend to kill you but they've been discussing trying to get you to bribe them first. It seems they are adventurers from the guild though they are pretending to be bandits in order to protect their guild status." Pop informed me.

"Chee, do you want to thin them out a little?"

"Me? Really master?" He asked.

"You want to get your level up plus Prowl will likely use your ability when the fight starts. So yeah, the rest of us are in agreement. Go have a little fun young one." Moon encouraged him.

"Chee, wait." I reconsidered my plan, "Let's see how smart our attackers are first."

I was so happy all the spirits I'd forged pacts with seemed to get along. It made things so much easier now than it had been when Moon and Star had to argue when one felt I was favoring the other.

"Moon and Star, there is a skill you've been reluctant to use."

"This isn't a smart move." Moon insisted.

"You do get an intense look when communicating with your beasts. I suppose they're taking care of the problem in the forest?" Rider whispered.

"They're about to, however I need you, Chaza, and Ren to go into the pocket dimension."

"You're not going to fight all of them alone." Rider growled.

"We're not going to fight all of them at all. Moon use primal roar."

"I don't think I'm powerful enough yet."

"Draw on my mana if you have to. Just know I have faith you can both do this. Rider, I'm not sure how this is going to affect you so brace yourself."

Moon stepped forward and braced himself. I couldn't help getting a flash of an animated super dog preparing to unleash a super bark. Then he roared. Only feline beasts would understand his message.

"I am Lunarii, your God. If you stand against me your soul will be lost for I will refuse to accept it."

"My god, I'm not feline and I'm terrified to stand against him." Rider gasped.

"That's what I figured, your transformation made you part tiger. You only caught a small portion of that power. Trust me I want to run right now and the only thing keeping me steady is the fact I stand with Moon. Star is next, do you really want to experience his primal howl?"

"Ren, Chaza we're slipping into the pocket dimension while Star lets lose next."

"You don't have to tell me twice." Chaza said, as she opened the pocket and they stepped inside.

"Where did they go?" Skit asked.

"Star, your turn."

He didn't complain. Instead he materialized tilted his head back and howled. "I am Stellarii Alpha of alphas, lord of the pack. Stand against me and you will never hunt with the sky pack. You will live the rest of your short life alone and unnamed."

"That was beautiful. Your summons must have a wonderful singing voices." Skit said looking rather blissful.

"Master, all the felines and canines have abandoned the bandits. However there are still eighteen left." Pop said, as he hopped up and sat between moon's ears. Reminding me that even though he was god level like Moon and Star and larger than a normal rabbit he was still quite small. "Make that seventeen. One is a slave and is being forced to fight against his will."

"So that's six down. Chee, don't take out more than half. The last thing we want is for Chaza to accuse us of ruining her fun. Also separate out the slave. Sky, I know you're probably not going to be happy with this, but could you protect them as best you can? Now go."

I opened the pocked and everyone stepped out.

"You said time doesn't pas outside the pocket dimension. Did you make a mistake or were you intentionally lying to me?" Rider yelled.

I sighed, I should have known he would figure that out really quickly. "Time doesn't pass in the outside world when I'm in the pocket. When I'm not . . ."

"Rider said there is an ambush ahead? You'd better not have run them all off or killed them already." Chaza said, hurrying to interrupt.

"If things go to plan there should be one each and four or five just for you." I replied.

"Rider, you and Skit are new to the team. Rule number one don't get in my way and you probably won't have to fight." Chaza warned.

"Also, no fire magic we don't-"

"Tiger, you don't have to tell me that. The last thing we need is a massive forest fire. Since you taught me how to make weapons from glass I'm going to avoid using my elementals. It's strange, but I think there is an elemental here. I'm getting the same feeling of power as when we met Dust. So I'd rather not disturb them. However I'm not forgetting what we were talking about and that conversation isn't done."

"Understood."

"So you knew we were here the whole time and yet all you did was have your little summons growl and bark at us? Pathetic."

I couldn't believe it. It was the bear receptionist from the Guild. "What are you doing? Attacking other guild members is forbidden."

"Not to mention rude and in bad taste." Rider added.

"So was destroying our best source of income."

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"The ship stupid. Did you really think we'd allow human hunters into our territory? We were waiting for that shipment all ready to sell them back to the humans. Then they started talking about how your little group destroyed the ship. Though, I have to say No Tail actually did something right leading you to us. Still you took him as well. I was making a good profit on selling him off every couple of nights." The bear took a step back and looked down at his chest where an arrow was sticking out.

I glanced back and noticed Skit was missing.

"Wow, seems I underestimated the rodent. That might have harmed me if it could have penetrated my armor and thick skin. Those of you that have been itching to put him in his place chop down the tree he's in and try to have some fun before killing him. Doubt he'll be any good now that he knows our arrangement."

"I hear you. Why? Really? I guess." Rider seemed to be talking to himself.

"The pact is forged, master. I am Dryadii mother of all forests. Now I will deal with these threats."

Vines shot out of bushes and trees seemed to come to life reaching down and picking up our enemies. They were pulled away into the forest then the screaming started followed by crunching and squishing noises. Only the bear was left.

"What have you done?" He asked.

"Spoiled my fun it seems." Chaza growled.

"I am sorry young one. It is hard for me to hold back when fools tread where they should not and threaten my friends." A woman composed of wood with vines for hair and moss seemingly forming clothing said, as she stepped onto the road. "Little one, will you please leave your perch. Grandfather Elm is much too old to be bearing your weight like that."

Skit quickly exited the tree.

I spun at the sound of a roar only to be splattered with blood as Chaza liquefied the bear's head.

"Do you wish to keep that as a trophy? Or can I add that body to the nutrients now feeding the forest?" Dryadii asked.

"You can have it I'm not big on trophies." Chaza replied.

"Dryadii? You haven't, mulched my companion or the slave I sent him to protect, have you?" I asked worried about Sky's safety.

The bushes parted. Sky and Chee escorted a very scared looking young green kobold onto the road. "As you can see they are safe. I must say Sky is quite loyal to you." The Dryad responded.

"You kill Snivel's master? Make you Snivel's new master."

"You're free to return to your tribe now." I said, as kindly as I could.

"Snivel have no tribe. All killed by former master. Only Snivel survive."

"Did you have another name before Snivel?" Rider asked.

"No, Snivel too young to have name when tribe killed. Old Master named Snivel. Please let Snivel stay with you. Snivel die if abandoned."

Are you willing to be my companion? That means my tamed pet. The same as Sky is to Prowl?"

"Snivel will do whatever Master commands."

"Prowl, what do you think?" Rider asked

"Snivel, do you have any skills?" I asked.

"Skills?"

"What did your former master have you do?" Ren explained.

"Snivel carried supplies, delivered messages, cleaned night soil containers, prepared food-"

"You can cook?" Rider asked.

"No, Snivel only allowed to peel vegetables and crush herbs."

Wolf nodded. "Good enough for me, but I'm changing your name. You are now Toque, it is a very important item for chefs." Rider looked at me as if he thought I'd correct him.

I actually thought the name seemed to fit the little guy. Though I wasn't sure what it meant. I'd have to ask Rider when we were alone.

"Thank you Master, Togue loves his new name!"

"Toque, do you consent to form a pact with me as my tamed companion?"

"Yes Master, Toque will happily become yours."

"The pact is complete." Rider said happily.

"Good we should set up camp for the night though. Dryadii, I have no right to ask this but is there a good place to set up several tents and a fire?"

"No fire, you mustn't burn any wood."

"Calm yourself, we won't need burn anything I can summon a fire strong enough to last until we are ready for bed. What Prowl is asking is for a place where it will be safe to do so without damaging the forest."

"I have obviously made the correct choice in masters. I will open a path to an appropriate clearing."

Once we arrived Rider set up the fire and with Toque's help started preparing dinner. The rest of us set about assembling three tents.

"How are we working out sleeping arrangements?" Skit asked.

"Chaza and Knockers get one, Rider, Ren, and I will share one and if you don't object you and Toque will share the third. Sky will sleep out here. He doesn't like tents."

"I'm not objecting, but why put me and Toque together?"

"He's young, very young in my estimate and I'm not sure he is quite ready for a concept as complex as to why Rider, Ren, and I share a bed."

"Okay I- wait bed?"

"Why do you think the tents are larger than they really need to be?"

"But I only remember a single bed in the pocket."

"Did you think that's everything I have stored in here? That's just the stuff in the air bubble."

"How much stuff do you have stored in there?"

"I don't really know. As a matter of fact I'm pretty sure it isn't just my stuff either, watch." I closed my eyes envisioned an object and then pulled it out. It was a carbon fiber compound bow, something that shouldn't exist in this world but now here it was. It was smaller than normal more suited for a young adult. "I noticed you have some skill with a bow. Try this one out. On second thought maybe we should wait. Practicing on trees probably isn't the best idea. Just be assured an arrow fired from that bow will easily pierce leather armor."

"You're giving this to me?" Skit asked in surprise.

"Yeah, you can store it in the pocket dimension, along with the rest of your belongings since, as a party member you have access to it."

"Wow, you are powerful. I've never heard of anyone able to allow others to open their storage dimension. I think I'm going to be traveling with you for as long as I can. This group seems special. I mean that in the way that one day great ballads are going to be written about your travels and I want to be the one to create them."

"If you say so, but honestly, my dream now that I've found my mate is to find a quiet corner of the world to settle down, build a little house, raise some crops, maybe adopt a few children eventually, and just live a nice quiet life with my husbands."

***

It took us three days to reach the next town. Having Toque with us was actually quite the relief. Skit and the little kobold could talk on and on without bothering me. Rider and Ren were catching up and making plans on teaching Toque to cook. Chaza brought up the rear to be sure we weren't ambushed and I was in the lead.

As we entered the guild hall everyone glared at us. "Where do you come from strangers?" The receptionist, a well-endowed Orc woman, asked.

"I'm from coast town. That was our last stop. The rest of the team is from the Human continent." Skit explained.

"Coast Town? We haven't received any communication from them for several days. The guild in the human port city informs us the guild was abandoned."

"Humans, what do they know? The guild was full when we left. If it is empty now I'd suggest questioning the humans." Skit insisted.

"One more question, do you recognize either of these humans?" The receptionist put down two drawings. One was a poorly done sketch of me and the other was Rider.

"No, I can't say as I've ever seen them before."

"Ugh, this one reeks of nobility just look how stuck up he is. I'm glad I've never met either of them before." Rider said, pointing out his own picture.

"This one looks familiar. If I remember right he didn't much care for beast-kin or maybe it was females. It's hard to be sure, I encountered so many humans in my time as an adventurer on that continent." Chaza said, looking at the drawings.

"Ah well, the rumor is they fled to this continent. If you do see them be sure to catch them alive. There is a very large bounty for their arrest."

"We'll certainly keep watch." I insisted.

"Good, now I suppose you'll be wanting a meal and a room?"

"Can you make it two?

"Sorry, only one room per team. We're a rather small guild branch."

"Don't worry about it, we'll make do." Chaza said cheerfully. "Now let's go check the job listings!"

She was right about being small. There was only one task and that was finding the two humans.

"Sorry, if you came here to find your roots you'll do well enough, but as for adventuring jobs, there isn't much call for adventurers when everyone is born strong. That's the reason the humans stick to their ports." The receptionist told us. "Also you'll only get the most basic gruel and hard bread for your meal. We don't have a cook so that's the best I can do.

"Do you have supplies?" Rider asked.

"What we don't have I can easily get. Are you a cook?"

"I have some skill. Tell you what, we're just staying the night, but if you give us the room for free I'll spend the rest of the day preparing three types of evening meals. One for meat eaters, one for plant eaters, and a third for those that can handle both. You can test each dish and charge what you feel they are worth. Do we have a deal?"

"One condition. You show the two employees, which do show a little skill, how to make what you're cooking so they learn something new."

"Deal, but I can't make them learn. I can show them what to do, but being able to make it for themselves? That's up to them."

"Agreed."

"Ren and Toque you're with me in the kitchen. Prowl and Chaza get cleaned up. You're going to do the serving."

"What?" Chaza yelled.

"Well it only makes sense that the two cutest members of the team do the serving. Skit, music is up to you, but try to make it soothing to help with digestion. Once things begin to wind down, then you can play more spirited tunes."

"Uh, okay."

I was a bit surprised at Rider taking charge, usually he insisted I do that sort of thing, probably to help me with my social skills. Still anything to do with cooking and he was completely in charge and knew it.

***

The evening went so well that the Guild Master quietly slipped Chaza a key so she could have her own room and she agreed to pay Rider, Ren, and Togue in local coin to make the same thing for breakfast just to be sure her meager staff had learned to make the dishes properly. I suggested Rider write everything down and sell the recipes to the Master as well. I felt a bit guilty but even he agreed we needed to build up some savings that we could use on the road.

It was nearly noon before we were able to take off, but I'd gained a very valuable piece of information. There was a fortress, dungeon or temple in the direction we were traveling. No one was really sure since no one had ever gotten past the entrance's security. It was a giant door that asked three questions that no one could answer.

It was rumored the place had been built by a reincarnated individual with the ability to bring items from his world to this one. That detail was enough to convince both Rider and myself to visit and attempt to answer the questions. We were just concerned for this world's people, of course. After all, depending on the person, there could be something really dangerous like an inter-continental ballistic missile hidden inside.

We were just making sure it was safe. Totally not thinking of completely looting the place by stuffing everything into the pocket dimension. I tried to keep my excitement down by telling myself all we'd find was items from the 1920's and 30's. Nothing modern or massively destructive.

***