We ate the seasoned deer meat and Harvey asked me, "When would you like to go to the City of Beasts?" I told him, "The sooner, the better. Thank you!" I thought to myself, 'I don't want to stick around long enough to meet a scary snek man! I know he is a good guy and good to Bai, but I have always had a phobia of snakes ever since I was little. During a camping trip with my uncle and my younger brother and sister, we came across a 6 foot Diamondback Rattlesnake! We were just exploring by the river with our sticks and I heard the rattle! We froze until I saw the snek. I started to back up slowly and my siblings did the same. Since I was the oldest I had the responsibility to and they had to listen to me. I also had to keep them safe. We backed up cautiously about 4 feet and once I felt we were out of strike range, we took off running! Luckily the snek didn't follow us, but I have always been afraid since then. Just thinking about the venom of the snek and what it could do to us made me terrified. We were out in the middle of nowhere and would have died before we could reach a hospital. Curtis was supposed to be as big as a building in his snek form and his venom could kill a 3 stripe beast. I didn't even want to know what it could do to me! Plus, I don't want to live a feral lifestyle. I was too spoiled by my husband.
The City of Beasts was supposed to have more advanced housing than the village. They still don't have indoor plumbing, but I will change that as soon as I figure out how. Maybe something with bamboo and resin? I'll see what Winston has to say about it. He was the ingenious inventor in the original story. He only needed an idea and would run with it! There is a reason he becomes a king and rules his own village eventually. That is for a little later in the story. First, I need to find him and convince him to be my beast guardian. I know he is loyal and I can't stomach the idea of cheating on my husband. Even if this is a dream, I would feel really guilty, so I will just let him be a guardian and be really nice to him. He still gets something out of the deal. I will help him win the respect of the other beast men.
Harvey gathered some necessary supplies and 'medicines' in a leather bag that he had made himself. I noticed the stitching was a lot better than Parker's loincloth. Harvey also wore a robe instead of just a loincloth. He caught me admiring his robe and bag and asked if I would like one for myself. I was hesitating to reply, but thought it might come in handy. My clothes did make me stand out as Parker had said. I was wearing a blue shirt, a pair of black house pants that had multiple butterflies of different colors on them and a pair of black fuzzy house socks. They were all wet and ruined from running outside earlier. I thought I needed to make some shoes or at least sandals to save my feet from the uneven floor. Harvey took in my clothes in detail and asked what kind of fur they were made from. I told him my tribe found a way to stretch and color cotton. He was very impressed and interested to learn more. I wasn't sure of the specifics, so I just told him the little bit I did know. Harvey made me a dress from the deer skin at my request and some leather shoes that I tied around my feet. Once I wash and dry my socks, I will wear them so my feet won't smell. For now I was glad to not be stepping on rocks or sharp sticks. Harvey gave me an extra bag he had that looked like a hobo bag. I put my clothes in it and a few spices that Harvey let me keep.
The ride to the City of Beasts was not too long, about 3 hours. Harvey was very considerate and didn't go too fast. He tried to run at a smooth pace and had experience in dodging tree roots and plants. The journey would have taken a lot longer if I was running. I hate to run! It was better to have a beast mount, but a little difficult to hold on without a saddle. I wonder if beast men would be ok with wearing saddles for females. It would be like installing seat belts. Lol! Maybe if I stress the safety of the females they would be more open to the idea. Beastmen tend to be obsessed with the safety of females. I get it, they will go extinct without females. In a world where men outnumber women 5 to 1, women are rare commodities that are treasured! I hope I can help this world from their problems. First, I need to help myself and then I can help others.
We arrived at the gates of the City of Beasts and Harvey stopped. The guards questioned him. "Stop, who are you? Who is this female? What tribe is she from?" Harvey explained, " I am a doctor from the leopard tribe. She is an Ape female who was kidnapped. I am bringing her to the City of Beasts to help her find stronger males for protection." The guards let us pass and sent an eagle ahead to inform the Ape King of our arrival. I was technically a new female in their city and the Apr king was in charge of the females well being. I rode on Harvey's back as he walked through the city. I noticed all different types of beastmen and a few females who were riding on their beastmen.
The Ape king approached us with the Wolf King and a few wolf warriors. Harvey let me slide off of him and he transformed into his two legged form. He retrieved his robe from the bag I was carrying and quickly put it on. The ape king inspected me as if I was a new car he just got for free. He was a little skeptical, but overall very happy. The wolf king stood next to the Ape king with a neutral expression. The warriors stood straight with no facial expressions, just the occasional wandering eyes. The Ape King reached out his hand to me and was hesitant to speak. "I can tell that you are barren, female. What do you have to offer our city?" I was a little surprised that he could tell right away. Harvey was not at all surprised. He just gave me a look of pity. I held my head up high and addressed the ape king. "It is true that I can not bear young, but I have knowledge to share and am wise beyond my years." The ape king seemed to consider my words carefully and then nodded his head. Harvey spoke up to confirm my statement. "It is true what she says. I have already experienced some of her knowledge! She knows how to use medicines to make the most delicious meat I have ever tasted! She even knows ways to make different clothes!" At the mention of delicious meat the wolf warriors became more alert! Their gray tails were wagging as if they were dogs begging for a treat, but their faces tried not to drool. The ape king invited me to his palace to show him my culinary secrets.
I remember from the book the Ape king is not a good guy and causes Bai and her family to be run out of the city. My instincts told me not to get too close to him unless he figures out my secret and I suffer the same fate. I told him, "I am tired from my journey now, but will share my secret recipe with you after I have rested." The Ape king agreed begrudgingly. He instructed Harvey to find a den for me to stay. He also offered to send guards for me. I declined the guards but accepted the den. I am really tired and need to find a nice quiet place to take a nap! It has been a long day! The Ape king informed us there would be a feast later to celebrate my arrival and hoped I could show him my recipe then. I agreed and they left. Harvey shifted again so I could ride him.
We found a stone house that was empty along the outskirts of the city. It was near the river and perfect for me! Now we just need to clean it up and decorate. Harvey swept the floors and got rid of the cobwebs with a few straw pieces tied to a stick that I 'invented'. I called it a broom and he immediately saw its usefulness. He wondered what other inventions and secrets I had!