Outlander Pt. 02

I grabbed a drink of water from a nearby barrel before picking up the bokken with a wooden saya I had chosen. Petra surprised me with a pair of katars, the Indian weapons looking right at home in her hands. Petra quizzically looked at me as I left the sword in its sheath when we prepared to face off again. The questions in her eyes let me know that she had never faced this style of swordsmanship just as my jiu-jitsu and kicks had surprised her. Her look became determined and she rushed forward with her katars in attack position.

I waited until the last second before making my move. I sidestepped her attack, using the iaijutsu katanas were made for, I struck her closest wrist knocking the hand straight over her head. Continuing my strike, I touched the edge to the bottom of her chin in a killing blow.

We froze at that moment, the shock of the loss apparent on her face. As we lowered our weapons, her look changed from shock to piercing. "I said not to use magic," she accused. I just stared back knowing I hadn't used any. "If you're not going to take this seriously, I'll just tell Terrence you're not worth our time!" She shouted angrily.

Milla came running out of the back door, "Petra, stop," she shouted. "There has been no magic use in the ring all day. I was monitoring the enchantments just in case something happened." Petra's countenance fell as she realized how shameful what she had accused me of was. "Dinner is in about an hour. So, finish up and go get washed up." Was Milla's parting words as she went back inside.

"I'm sorry Shaun, I just got angry when you beat me so easily that I lashed out," she apologized with her eyes on the ground.

I reached over and lifted her chin, so she was looking me in the eye, "It's ok, I understand how you feel. I felt the same way when we fought with the longsword, I honestly thought the way I learned to fight with a katana would transfer over. I was very unhappy to be proven wrong."

She smiled then looked away from my eyes before responding, "Thank you for that. We have time for one more bout, so grab your last weapons and we can finish up. I'll test your magic and start your training after we go shopping tomorrow." I nodded in acknowledgment as I turned to set the katana down and pick up the pair of kukris. I did some twirls, flourishes, and slashes to get used to the weight and shake some of the rust off my non-dominate left hand. Like all martial artists, I had trained to be near ambidextrous with weapons. However, I had neglected my weapons training lately, making me hope my off-hand would be up to the task.

I entered the center of the ring and faced Petra for the last time today. I had the left kukri in a reverse grip covering my forearm for protection and parrying, while I held the right in a forward grip for attacking. We nodded, letting the other know we were ready, then both moved forward at the same time trying to dominate the other. Grunts of exertion and the thud of our wooden weapons colliding were the only sounds. I didn't know how long we fought, suddenly there was a loud crack during or last exchange. We separated and looked at the weapons in our hands. All four were splintered and destroyed half of my right kukri was sticking out of the ground between us.

Cheers and clapping broke us from our stupor. I was shocked to find a dozen city guards watching us along with Shalyndria, Terrance, Hank, and Milla. As Petra and I walked over to collect the weapons we used, I was approached by Terrance and Hank. Terrance smiled and clapped me on the back, "That was a hell of a show. I had brought the guards outback so Petra could organize them for Manor Duty, but we all got to see what the two of you could do instead." Hank mirrored the praise as I walked toward the armory.

I went through every bout again in my head as I put the weapons back, marking my mistakes and putting together a plan to fix them and get better. I had a feeling, being the best just wasn't going to cut it anymore. As I wondered what to do with the broken kukris, Petra walked in and started to do the same. When she was done, she sauntered up to me and took the broken weapons from me and put both sets into a crate I had missed next to the door. She turned to me and winked just as I felt another smack on my ass before I could turn around. I chuckled to myself at her antics as I walked out and followed everyone inside for dinner.

As I walked toward my room, I noticed a girl with rabbit ears and a maid uniform standing outside my room holding what looked like clothes. I greeted her as I opened the door, "Hello, I'm Shaun, is there something you need, or I can help you with?"

She bowed her head as she responded, "I'm Tessa Linger, mistress Milla has assigned me to your room, and she asked me to bring you these." Tessa handed the clothes to me before continuing, "She believes Sir Terrance and you are of similar size and asks you to change before dinner. If you leave your current clothes in the basket outside the door, I can have them clean and ready for you in the morning sir."

I walked inside the room, noticing the basin of water, soap, and washcloth on my small table. I set the borrowed clothes on my bed before turning back to the maid, "Thank You, Tessa, I would prefer to be called Shaun, but I understand if I must be addressed as sir. If I need anything else, I'll let you know." She nodded in acknowledgment and turned to walk down the hallway. I closed the door and took a better look at the clothes she had brought. The simple white cotton shirt, brown leather pants, a pair of wool socks, and cotton boxers all looked well-made, and while a little big, they should fit well enough. After checking the cases and locking my sidearm away for the night, I quickly disrobed and washed up as best I could before putting on the new clothes. As I put my dirty clothes in the basket, I noticed Terrance's clothes weren't as big as I thought they would be and smiled.

Tessa was standing outside when I opened the door, "Sir if you'll leave the basket there, I will take you to the dining room for dinner." So, I set the basket down, closed my door, and followed the happy rabbit beast folk to dinner.

Chapter 8

I entered the dining room to find Shalyndria at the head of the table still wearing the teal dress from earlier, Terrance on her right with Milla next to him, both in uniform as always. Petra on the left wearing a burgundy dress similar to the princess's but lower v-cut showing more of her small pert breasts with an empty seat between her and the head of the table. Once I took the seat left open for me, Shalyndria pulled a rope behind her sounding a bell down the hall. A few moments later, Tessa and another maid pushed in a cart of food and began serving. Once everyone had been served, the maids left closing the door behind them.

Shalyndria spoke before we started to eat, "To a reunion with old friends, and the making of a new one." She raised her glass and looked to Petra and me. We all cried "CHEERS!" and took a sip of the wine. She continued, "Shaun, Tessa will bring meals to your room normally. I, unfortunately, must have you and Petra start your duties a little early. Baron Eldritch Lichvus will arrive at 6 bells supposedly to welcome me to the city. With what we learned from that assassin, I believe his real reason from coming to ascertain what I know and plan to do."

Shalyndria looked from Petra to me and back, "I need you here and ready at 4 bells in case he decides to show up early to catch us off guard."

I got the look from Petra confirming we would be good to go before responding, "It will be done, Princess. Hopefully, shopping goes quickly in the morning." I look to Terrance as something rushed the front of my thoughts, "Terrance, I plan to sell the wagon and goods in it tomorrow, can I get a title of ownership or something for it if they ask questions and could I keep the horse in the stables?" Everyone else had started to eat while I conversed with him.

He finished swallowing and answered, "That will be easy enough. Stop by my study on your way out in the morning and I will have it ready. Listen to Petra while at the armorer. I know you have some similar pieces from your world, but for duty, you need a uniform set for official functions." I nodded in response and we continued eating. The rest of the meal was filled with small talk and the swapping of stories. When told of my response the first time I saw Milla, Petra laughed hard enough wine almost came out of her nose. When dinner was over, the others left but Shalyndria caught me at the door.

She looked into my eyes with a conflicted look before grabbing the back of my neck and kissing me, hard. "Starting tomorrow, we are going to have to go formal almost all of the time. If I can grab a moment with you, believe me, I will. But please know they will be few and far between for now. Goodnight Shaun, and please, don't hurt my best friend." She gave me that small sad smile that broke my heart before turning and walking away before I could respond.

I turned and headed to my room for the night. I stopped a maid to pass along that I would like to speak to Tessa before calling it a night. I thought about what tomorrow would hold as walked to my room. As I topped the stairs, I noticed two people conversing in front of my door, I looked closer and noticed Tessa and Petra talking. I started sneaking closer, but Tessa caught sight of me, but I put my finger on my lips for her to keep quiet.

A very naughty plan that could seriously backfire came to my mind as I crept right behind Petra. I grabbed the middle of her tail as I pinched her butt at the same time, causing her to jump three feet off the ground. She spun with her claws out and ready to find me rolling on the ground laughing my ass off at the adorable look of rage on her face. As I finally stopped laughing, Petra's look of indignation set me right back off again. I could hear Tessa's giggles from behind the angry otter.

Once I got myself under control finally, I stood and responded to look in her eyes, "Much better ass than mine." I motioned for Tessa to follow me in and was surprised to see Petra follow as well with a smirk on her face. Before I could light the lamp on my desk, I heard Petra speak and then I globe I hadn't noticed on the ceiling light-up the room comfortably. I thanked her as I turned to Tessa, "Please make sure I am awake an hour before sunrise every day. If I need anything else for the day, I will let you know then, is that acceptable?"

Her response was quick and with a grateful smile, "That would be fine sir. I'll have your clean clothes with me in the morning, now if you'll excuse me, have a good evening." She then turned and left, leaving me alone with Petra.

I sat across from her at the little table in my room, after finding a wine bottle and two glasses already on it. After pouring one for myself than one for her I asked, "So what do I owe the pleasure of your company tonight?" As she sipped her wine and looked at me, I noticed a change in her demeanor. Her pupils almost covered her irises, her whiskers were vibrating, and there was a new smell in the air, pine and fresh rain were what came to mind.

Once Petra finished her wine, she stood and walked over to me. The smell surrounded me as she leaned in close and whispered in my ear, "It seems Shalyndria helped make my dreams come true." Her breath tickling my ear sent shivers down my spine as she continued, "I've imprinted with you, hope you're ready for me." She giggled at the shocked look on my face before kissing my cheek and walking out, her hips and tail swaying with every step. I stopped her just before she walked out the door.

"What are the commands for the light?" I asked with a confused look on my face.

"Alight will activate the mage glass; dimmer will slowly darken the room till you say stop and darken will extinguish the light completely." She answered looking over her shoulder at me. "Goodnight dear heart, soon you won't be able to get rid of me," she said as she walked out my door.

I turned and sat on the bed, my thoughts a hurricane. If my instincts are right, she just told me she was in love with me. My stress skyrocketed. Shalyndria's parting words sounded through my head again, "Please don't hurt my best friend." As I stressed over the two women now in my life, I stood and started to undress for bed. Once I was down to my shorts, I crawled under the covers, extinguished the light, and was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

I opened my eyes to blackness. Not knowing where I was, I pinched myself. The lack of feeling told me I was dreaming. As I looked around, my old apartment started to form around me. A knock on the front door surprised me, even before coming to this new world, no one would visit me, so I did the obvious thing and opened the door. Petra stood there in a black t-shirt that dropped to her knees, the look she gave me sent shivers down my spine. As she sauntered to me, I heard her whisper to herself, "Since this is just a dream, I can do what I want right?" Then she kissed me hard, one hand on the back of my neck and head pulling my lips down to hers while the other grabbed my ass and started kneading.

Not being sure what to do, I wrapped my arms around her chest and lifted. She immediately wrapped her legs around my waist, the shirt riding up revealing the fact she was naked underneath it. My hands dropped to cup her taut ass and help support her. She looked into my eyes at this time and breathed, "I've been thinking about this since we sparred earlier." She started to rub herself up and down my hard cock through the boxers I was wearing as she kissed me again. She pecked my nose just before dropping her feet to the ground and crouching down, pulling my boxers to my ankles at the same time. My erection dropped down hitting her right between her eyes, causing us both to giggle. I panicked once she took it in her small hand.

"I'm a virgin," I said, my voice thick with embarrassment. "Shalyndria was the second woman I've even kissed you are now number three." I turned away from her with tears in my eyes and sat on the couch, holding my head in my hands and crying for the first time in years.

I heard her gasp as I sat down. Even in my state, her next words ran through me like a shot, "This isn't MY dream? Shaun, are you there, or am I dreaming about you?" Petra asked, her voice shaking.

I looked up and saw her beautiful shocked face and gave a self-deprecating laugh as I responded, "Nope, thought you were my dream. This is the apartment I lived in before I came here." I leaned back into the couch hoping she was just a figment of my subconscious and not the real Petra. My hope was proven false when I felt her weight on my thighs and her forehead pressed against mine.

"Oh dear one, are you truly a virgin? A good-looking powerful man like you should have women throwing themselves at you. I know Shalyndria wishes you could be like this with her and hopes you prove yourself quickly." Petra whispered our lips centimeters apart. She closed the distance and pressed her lips to mine again, his time slowly and filled with love. "I'll wait for the real world to ravage this delectable body. But I want plenty of kisses and petting for now." She said as she grabbed both my hands placed them on her firm breasts, I could feel the nipples pushing into my palms as I started to massage them. I felt her claws scratch up and down my back as she moaned seductively. I have no idea how long we kissed and teased each other on that couch, but all too soon, a loud knocking could be heard coming from everywhere.

Petra looked at me one last time before smiling, "I'll see you soon dear heart. Shalyndria will be with Terrance when you get the letter, I told her about the imprint, and she wants to talk to you." After one last peck on the nose, she faded from my dream immediately followed by everything else.

Chapter 9

I awoke to Tessa opening my door and walking inside. She set the clothes in her hand at the end of my bed before greeting me, "Morning sir, sunrise, and the first bell is in an hour as you asked. I'll deliver your breakfast half an hour after that."

"Thank you, Tessa, after breakfast I won't need anything besides a washbasin and cloth before breakfast every day. For today, the only thing I need after that is a second washbasin at half-past 3 bells," I explained as I got out of bed and put on the clothes from last night. Tessa nodded to me before leaving. Once I was dressed, I left my room for the training yard to get my normal morning workout in before the day started.

I finished my workout about 45 minutes later and started to head back to my room. I bumped into a sleepy Petra as she emerged from her room, "Morning sunshine." I greeted her with a smile. She turned to me with an eyebrow raised.

"What has you so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning?" She retorted as we walked down the hallway together.

"Just finished my morning workout, now heading back to my room for a quick wipedown and breakfast," I answered. As we walked, I noticed she kept looking at me out of the corner of her eye with a satisfied smile on her adorable muzzle. "So, meet me outside Terrance's study in an hour?" I asked once we got to my door.

Petra replied as she walked away, "That will do, see you later lover."

I shook my head as I entered my room. The washbasin sat on my desk while the food sat on the table. I reminded myself to thank Tessa while I stripped and put the dirty clothes in the basket. I dipped the cloth in the warm water and quick work of my bath. Once dried and dressed in my original clothes, I sat at the table for an excellent plate of food. I then grabbed my duty belt and opened the weapon cases to determine what to carry today. I debated between an M4 and one of the MP5's while I loaded and holstered my Sig P320 and filled my mag pouches with spares. I opened the duffle with the plate carriers once I decided on and pulled out one of the MP5SD's and grabbed a few spare mags. Setting the plate carriers out on the bed, I noticed there were two carriers set up for each weapon, aside from the sniper rifle. I grabbed one for the MP5, as I loaded the spare magazines into it, I noticed two grenade pouches on it as well. Thinking better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them, I locked the other cases back up before opening the grenade case. Selecting one frag and one flashbang, I relocked the case and placed them into the carrier.

Once I was loaded up and ready, I left my room and walked down the stairs to see Terrance and Shalyndria, worry twisting my gut over what she was going to say. Never having had a girlfriend before, let alone two stone-cold foxes wanting me, I had no idea what to do or say. Hell, I didn't even know if I would be able to choose between them if forced to. Still wrapped in my head, I knocked and entered the study.

I was surprised to find Shalyndria seated on one of the couches in the room alone. She gestured to the couch opposite her and waited for me to be seated before beginning, "First, this is the letter of ownership and a signed account from Terrance so you can sell the wagon without any trouble, also the mare may stay in the stables. She is yours, and as such her upkeep costs will need to be negotiated with the stablemaster before the end of the week." I accepted the papers, and after skimming them I placed them in a pocket for such things in my vest.

After doing so, my raw emotions got the better of me and I asked, "What does it mean when Petra says we imprinted, and what does that mean for us?" Were the first things to rush from my burdened brain.

"Silly man, how would any relationship you have with my best friend change the relationship we have? Is your world so ass-backward they would limit love? Shaun, I put you and Petra together hoping this would happen," was her response. My mind went blank as she shook her head in exasperation. After a moment she continued, "Ask Petra what imprinting means. All I ask, and Petra knows this as well, please wait for me to marry." A knock interrupted us.