In The Arms Of The Beasts

Alone again...naturally

After two weeks
I'd never thought being on my own after learning what I had would be so hard. My claws were drenched in animal blood from having to hunt so much, now I remember why I hated it so much.

The rain had begun to fall three days ago, and it wouldn't stop no matter how much I screamed curses at the sky. I'd set up a little fire next to the road with little logs around it to perch on and debate why we even started this journey.

I could be in a warm dry cozy bed right now cuddled up to royalty and what'd I choose?! Wet cruel wilderness that wants to kill me, just for a childhood fantasy of making a 'sacred' journey all on my own grown up. Now was when I really regretted having an undercut, it just felt so cold!

As I rested my head on my knees, another traveller entered my little set up "Mind if I sit here?" I gestured for him to continue "thanks, friend!" We both sat in silence for a short bit watching the flames dance around as the wind blew before he continued feeling uneasy with the lack of conversation.

"Hey, did you hear what happened in the west to that dragon kingdom? In the barbarian islands, I think?" My ears pricked up at the mention of home. This was the first I was hearing of possible problems.

"Humour me, what's that king gone and done now?" I attempted to make my voice undetectable or at least so the man wouldn't know who i was, or remember my voice. It was dumb but it could mean the difference between life or death sometimes.

"The king, his knight and then their commander. The three musketeers apparently, people are talking about the commander's disappearance. If I found them...I've got so many questions. Personally I think the commander is a man but it doesn't matter, all its little spies say it was a woman"

This guy really had the nerve to take a seat at my camp and insult me?! Wait, no! He insulted the 'commander' who just so happens to be me. And if the rain wasn't bad enough, he carried the scent of dead carcasses and cigarettes...wonderful.

"Maybe I could ask her for you?" Crap! Why didn't I change the gender to what he said?! I'm so busted! Bakugo, come save my ass now please! I said two months right, I'm gonna stick to that!

"No, the commander was definitely a guy" I let the man meet my eyes, he would've probably seen a drawing of me in the throne room or at least the painting that hung next to a portrait of Kirishima's.

"WAIT! I know those eyes. You're 'her'?! You're the dragon king's commander?! But how?! And why?!"

A small smile came across my face at his realisation. It was honestly so satisfying to see karma slap him around the face. I watched his mind whirring at the regret of his previous words.

"as much as I hate it, I'm catfolk. We have a tradition every year that we return to our hometown for the rain season. That's why, 'how' because I've been through some stuff and the king is a good man. I started walking two weeks ago and never looked back"

He seemed more bored than impressed like I hoped he'd be, this was a big step for me! Even though I was a fully grown woman completely capable of travelling on my own, but it's been a rough year. The man was still processing everything I'd said when I looked back up.

"Hey, you wouldn't be heading back to the barbarian islands, would you?" An idea slipped into my mind, I wanted to let the king know I was alright, just in case he had strayed from his path at all.

"Briefly, why? Is there something I can do for you?" There was a small spark in his eye at the thought of helping his 'commander' and redeem himself further.

"As a matter of fact, yes. Tell the king I'm 'okay'" he nodded saluting as I climbed a nearby tree to nestle into. I'd never liked sleeping on the floor in fear of being taken advantage of.

Despite the branches being wet, my cloak kept my reasonably dry compared to the drenched forest around me. After a few hours, the man put of the fire and left to continue his journey without a word.