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 three bells,” I explained as I got out of bed and put on the clothes from last night. Tessa nodded to me before leaving. Once dressed, I left my room for the training yard to get my typical morning workout 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 Petra 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. I’ll 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 made 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 MP5s 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 and pulled out one of the MP5SD’s and grabbed a few spare mags. Setting the plate carriers out on the bed, I noticed 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. 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 take my seat 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. So negotiate upkeep 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 is that you two wait for me to marry.” A knock interrupted us.

Petra stuck her head through the open door, “We should be leaving soon, Shaun. Shalyndria, we shared the dream last night as well.” Before we could respond, her head disappeared back through the doorway.

I looked to Shalyndria, still conflicted, “I will ask her about it, but I still don’t understand why you would put us together, hoping she would take me from you.”

She threw her hands up, “She’s not going to take you from me, you fool! I want her to join us!” Seeing the look of surprise on my face made her break out in laughter. Once under control, she finished, “Now kiss me and get going. You have a long day ahead.”

I got my faculties in order and did as she asked. After kissing her for a moment, “Ok, I’m going to need some time to adjust to this. I will see you at four bells in your study.”

Before I walked to the door, she handed me one last paper folded and sealed, “Give this to Petra. She knows what it is and what it’s for.” I nodded one last time before walking out the door.

I stopped when I saw Petra looking at me with that smirk on her face. She walked forward and kissed my cheek, “I heard everything, dear one. I’m not going to stop. My dream is coming true, and I’m going to fight for it.” She turned and started walking down the hall, “The shops will open shortly. The sooner we get done, the sooner I can start to teach you more magic,” she called over her shoulder as I watched her taut ass and swaying tail walking out the door. After a moment, I jogged to catch up.

“So, clothes, armor, and weapons in that order?” I asked my guide.

“Yes, we can get your other necessities at the general trader next to the clothier as well,” Petra replied.

“Let’s grab my wagon and be on our way then. I plan on selling it and the contents for some extra coin,” I said as we walked out the door of the manor. We hooked up the wagon and set off. As I followed Petra’s directions, I asked what had been on my mind, “What did you mean we imprinted, and how did we share that dream last night?”

She sighed as we rode on before answering, “Beast-men and beast-folk to a lesser degree imprint with their chosen mates. It is a combination of pheromones, emotional connection, and magical resonance. The only way to end an imprint that I know of is death. If you were to die, I could imprint again.” She took a minute to gather her thoughts before continuing, “The dream throws me a loop. Only a full-blood beast-man pair should be able to share dreams like that. My only guess is because you’re a True Mage, your magic mixes with mine like a beast-man’s would, allowing dream sharing.”

Soon we pulled up in front of a large three-story building with two storefronts. One had everyday goods while the other showcased clothes. We walked into the general store first. Behind the counter was an older, scaled beast folk. Petra walked up and greeted her before I could open my mouth. “Greta, how are you. My new friend Shaun has a wagon and goods to sell ya and needs daily necessities. Afterward, we need to see your daughter about some clothes.”

I rolled my eyes as I walked up and shook Greta’s hand. “While I can certainly talk for myself, she’s not wrong.” I laughed. Greta had an indulgent smile. I pulled out the letters and handed them to her, “There are some circumstances to my owning the wagon. These should clear them up.” I grabbed the sealed paper I had forgotten and turned to Petra, “The princess wanted me to give this to you, sorry, I forgot till now.”

Greta responded after reading through the letters, “This is all in order, I feel sorry for that poor couple, but I’m glad you helped avenge them. I’ll have my son assess the wagon and goods, and I’ll gather the necessities if you want to head over and get started.” I nodded, and we walked through an opening into the clothier.

We were greeted by a younger version of Greta when we came through, “Hello, I’m Vera. What did you need today?” My hand shot out and covered Petra’s mouth before she could jump the gun on me again. “I’m Shaun, I need 3 or 4 sets of clothes for everyday use, three sets of clothes to wear under armor, two sets of formal wear, and I’d like to see about something custom.” I felt Petra’s lips twitch into a smile a split second before her tongue ran up the palm of my hand. As I removed my hand, I gave her a mock glare, “You going to let me talk now? Or do I need to ask for a gag?”

Her laughter could probably be heard back at the manor, “While that might be fun, you win. I’ll let you talk, Shaun.” Vera just shook her head, obviously as used to Petra’s antics as her mother.

She came around the counter with a cloth tape measure, “Come over here, Shaun, I need to measure you. Any idea what colors you would like? And do you need anything immediately?” I set the submachine gun on the counter and removed my plate carrier so she could work.

“The everyday wear and clothes for under armor I would like now if possible as I only have the clothes on my back. The formal wear I can wait for a custom fit, especially as I have some requirements to discuss when I see them,” I responded as she started to measure my shoulders and arm length.

When she finished, she pointed to a mannequin wearing something similar to a tuxedo, “That’s the formal wear. Color can vary to taste. What requirements do you need in those?”

I pulled my Sig from its holster, clearing the weapon and setting it and the magazine on the counter, “I need extra room in the waist to accommodate this just behind my hip between my body and the pants. Also, pockets on the inside left of the jacket for two of these.” I pointed to the pistol and magazine. She measured them and nodded.

As I reloaded the pistol, replaced the carrier, and slung the MP5, Vera told a human with a black bracelet what she needed, then turned back to me, “Now tell me about the custom work you need.” I explained I wanted three pairs of pants as close to the tactical pants I was wearing as she could make them. While we discussed my work pants, the worker brought out a bundle of cloth and set out several outfits for me to choose from.

Petra and I argued over what colors I should wear. I wanted black and browns while she pushed for more bright colors. I chose mostly blacks and browns, but a couple of blues and reds. Petra also got to tell Vera what colors to make my formal wear. I just hoped it wouldn’t be baby blue or some other absurd color. When we finished arguing, I noticed Greta talking to Vera. I walked over and found out that Greta had completed the appraisal, and they were calculating how much they owed me.

Vera was first as Greta turned to her son behind her, “Say 45 gold for everything. The formal wear will take two weeks to complete, and the custom pants can be picked up at the same time.”

I nodded to her and turned to hear Greta’s offer, “Deducting the necessities you need, 85 gold for everything but the horse.”