Beauty and The Beasts: Rain

46. 99 Bottles Of Beer On The Wall

Fifth and final update for today May 20th.

     The trip back was interrupted several times by ferals and rootless beasts. The caravan fought them off easily enough and only lost one more member. Their biggest deviation occurred when they avoided a group of migrating colossus. They were herbivores.

     Rain itched at the chance to investigate, but knew better. Herbivorous colossus were rarer than carnivorous ones, but they were still around. The problem was their immense strength. One would need to be at least of four stripes to effectively and efficiently take one down.

     The caravan processed the strength to hunt them, but it wasn't worth risking the salt that they needed for the city. Alexander had the caravan detour around and give them a wide berth. They weren't as aggressive as carnivorous colossus, so the extra caution may not have been strictly necessary. Rain didn't argue the point as a stampede could destroy all their efforts in an instant.

     Rain found her face twitching more often these days and she tried her best to suppress her irritations. Third and Ezra would constantly wander off and Rain would have to drag them back. Isabella had started humming which would distract the all males in the vicinity.

     Rain would never admit that she also found the female's humming enjoyable. Instead, she constantly reminded Isabella of the dangers her voice could attract. Third disagreed and promised to protect the female if anything happened making Rain grind her teeth. At this point it would be better for something to attack so she can take her irritation out on them.

     Rain got what she wished for and the caravan was attacked for the third time on their return trip. The enemies were mostly weak and Rain crushed as many as she could. She returned to her group covered in blood, scaring Isabella severely. Rain shifted and the blood separated as her scales became skin. None of it was hers.

     Isabella refrained from testing Rain's patience, in any way, after that. She tried to probe Jasper and Third for more information regarding their destination quietly, as to not disturb the potentially insane Rain. The two were more than happy to tell her about the city, its rulers, and laws.

     Isabella decided that she wouldn't be shocked anymore and managed to keep her promise to herself so far. There was no information more ludicrous than what she had learned up until this point.

     Isabella didn't think she would ever grow used to the bloody battles. She always thought she was made of tougher stuff, but apparently, that did not include watching giant animals rip each other apart. Rain said she was weak, but Third and Jasper insisted that Rain was an exception, as most females were weak. That didn't make her feel better.

     At first, Isabella didn't want to go to the city. She was already overwhelmed by the insanity that was her new reality. Being surrounded by a lot of hot men and being pestered to mate sounded like fun, but Isabella wanted to pass. She changed her mind after the first time they were attacked. If being in the city meant experiencing less bloodshed, she was happy to take her chances with would-be-suitors.

     Isabella's gut churned. If this was a dream, it was taking way too long to wake up. Heck, who was she kidding? There was no way this was a dream. Every sensation was too damn realistic. She didn't know how she got here, but she had to find a way back.

     Isabella wasn't stupid or especially dense. She could tell that Third and Jasper were trying to court her in their own ways. Third directly said so at least once to her. She got that the men here mated for life, but was astounded that they would choose a women they barely knew.