After a night's rest at the Elaris Falls, the group finally approached the outskirts of the Beast City. From above, the view stretched out endlessly sprawling, wild, and alive in ways none of them had quite expected.
The Beast City was surrounded by a wide canal, the kind Rayna had once read about in the old tales of European castles. A plain wooden bridge stretched across the water, leading up to a massive gate of thick timber. Two skulls hung from its frame, weathered and bleached, swaying faintly in the wind as if to greet all who entered. Not exactly pleasing but...okay.
They descended slowly, wings stirring the air, before landing with a dull thud just beyond the city gates.
The ground was hard-packed and dusty, bearing the countless pawprints and hoof marks of those who had entered before them.
"Because of this water divider, half beastmen cannot attack the Beast city." Soren said.
"Interesting..." Rayna nodded.
As they walked towards the gate the sounds of the city rushed in—voices shouting, deep growls rumbling, the clamor of busy markets rising like a living chorus.
Rayna could see the busy markets that were crowded and noisy, alive with the sounds of bartering, animal calls, and laughter.
Stalls lined the dusty pathways, their canopies stitched from hides and rough cloth, and merchants displayed everything from raw meat and furs to herbs and hand-carved trinkets.
Unlike the simple wooden huts of Vukari village, here the houses were built of stone, sturdy and weathered, their uneven walls giving the city a rugged charm. Narrow alleyways branched off between them like veins.
And at the far end of the city rose the palace, massive and imposing. Its walls were carved from dark stone, its watchtowers standing tall above all else, surveying every corner of the city. It was not adorned with beauty or artistry and looked rugged.
Rayna's eyes widened as she took it all in the noise, the smells, the sheer presence of the place.
"Ezra, did you bring your token?" Soren asked as they moved closer to the gates.
Ezra smirked and pulled out a rough, wooden placard marked with old carvings. "Yeah. Right here."
Soren gave a small nod of approval. "Good. Yunxi, Rayna, stay close to us once we're inside."
Both of them nodded quickly. Yunxi's eyes sparkled with excitement as he whispered, "I can't believe we're finally here. I'm so excited!"
Rayna's lips curved into a smile, sharing his eagerness. "Me too. This place is so different"
It was Rayna's first time stepping into a city of beasts, just like Yunxi, and her heart pounded with curiosity. The city looked so vibrant she wanted to explore it all.
As the four of them approached the gate, the guards scanned them from head to toe, their eyes sharp and assessing.
But the moment their gaze landed on Soren, their expressions shifted in an instant.
"Oh, Lord Soren!" one of them exclaimed, both guards straightening before bowing with respect.
Soren raised a hand quickly. "No need for titles. Can we go in?"
They nodded at once, though their eyes soon fell upon Rayna. "Is she your mate?" one of them asked with curiosity.
Soren gave a short nod. "Now, I'd appreciate it if you gave us the way," he said, his voice calm yet firm.
"Of course, of course," the guard replied, stepping aside hurriedly. "The Patriarch and the Lord will surely be pleased to see you again."
All of them followed Soren through the gates.
"So, Lord Soren..." Rayna nudged him playfully, "your dear mate is a little hungry right now." Her tone carried a teasing lilt.
Soren smiled, glancing down at her. "Oh, you are, my love? Then I'll bring something for you." He bent and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"And don't call me with those elaborate titles. To you, I'm just your mate." With that, he drifted toward one of the food stalls lining the street.
Meanwhile, Yunxi was turning in circles, eyes wide with delight. "Look, Rayna! They've got bundles and bundles of herbs and food!" she exclaimed, pointing toward a stall stacked with goods.
Ezra chuckled at his excitement. "Yeah, so many beastmen come here, you can find even the rarest ones."
"And... finally, I can buy some jewellery for you too, sunshine." He grinned at Rayna, eyes sparkling with affection.
Rayna clasped his arm eagerly. "Okay, bring me along, I want to see them all."
"Of course," Ezra nodded warmly.
Soren returned carrying a small wooden tray piled with an assortment of nuts, sizzling skewers, and a stack of golden fried rings.
"Here, everyone. Eat up," he said, setting it down.
"You brought for us as well?" Ezra raised an eyebrow.
"Of course," Soren replied matter-of-factly. "I know the two of you are hungry too."
Yunxi and Ezra exchanged a dramatic look, their eyes softening in exaggerated admiration. Aww, he's caring for us too.
Soren groaned. "Stop looking at me like that and eat, or it'll get cold."
He picked up a few nuts and gently fed them to Rayna.
"Mmm, yumm. What's this?" she asked, pointing curiously at the fried rings.
Before she could reach for one, Yunxi had already popped one in his mouth. His eyes lit up instantly. "Oh, these are so delicious! Rayna, try one!"
He held up a ring for her, and she leaned in to take a bite. Her face brightened. "Oh, yumm... it's kind of like onion rings, but tangier. Different, but really tasty!"
"They have a variety of food items here then?" Rayna asked, looking around at the stalls.
Ezra nodded. "As you can see, this entire city is like a melting pot of beastfolk coming from different villages. Each one brings their own foods and specialties to sell here."
"That's why you can find all sorts of things—rare fruits, roasted meats, herbs, even drinks you've probably never tasted before."
Yunxi's eyes were already darting from stall to stall, practically sparkling. "I want to try them all!"
Rayna smiled, the savory scents mixing in the air making her stomach growl again.
As they walked further into the streets, Rayna's eyes caught on a jewelry stall shimmering under the afternoon light. The display was an assortment of pieces—earrings, necklaces, bracelets each crafted from different materials.
Some were strung with delicate shells, others carved from polished bones, and a few glimmered with rough-hewn stones.
Among them, one piece drew Rayna closer. A necklace shimmered delicately, each droplet of violet crystal catching the light like liquid amethyst. Tiny beads of deep purple were strung together with golden accents, cascading down in intricate tiers. At the very center, a single teardrop gem hung lower than the rest. It was a lovely necklace.
The shopkeeper noticed the way her gaze lingered and leaned forward with a grin.
"Ah, pretty female," he said warmly.
"Your eyes have good taste. That necklace is a rare piece I brought it all the way from the Sheep Tribe. They're well known for their fine craftsmanship. Would you like to try it on?"
"Yeah."
Rayna took the necklace and tried to wear it.
"Let me help you." Soren came forward and helped to tie it around her neck.
"How do I look guys?" She turned to them smiling.
Soren, Ezra and Yunxi, all admired her.
"You should take this one, Rayna. It really looks good on you," Yunxi said.
"This necklace was made for my sunshine. I'm glad we found such a fine piece." Ezra stepped forward, gently tracing the necklace. "It's beautifully crafted."
Soren approached the shopkeeper. "We'll take it."
"Excellent choice. That will be one Ignis stone," the shopkeeper replied.
Ezra moved ahead. "Let me pay."
He pulled out a crimson-red stone and placed it in the shopkeeper's hand.
Yunxi's eyes widened. "He must have plenty of those stones."
Rayna tilted her head. "Hm? So these stones are used as currency here?"
Soren explained patiently, "There are three types of stones. Ignis—red, fiery, and the most valuable. Aurels—blue, rarer and of mid-value. And Lumes—white, glowing, and the most common. Since this necklace is costly, the shopkeeper charged an Ignis stone."
Rayna frowned softly. "But that's expensive. Why did you spend it so easily?"
Ezra smiled warmly. "Anything for you, my sunshine. Besides, I've earned quite a few on my visits to the beast city. And Soren here probably has dozens of them lying around."
Soren rolled his eyes, but Rayna's lips curved into a smile. Her mates weren't just strong; they were rich too.
Just then, the shopkeeper called out, "Hey, pretty female! Would you like to see this crystal?"
Rayna leaned closer. "What kind of crystal?"
The shopkeeper held up a shimmering gem. "It's called Aegis Crystal. Many females buy it as a charm for their mates. They say it brings good fortune and protects your beloved from harm."
"Oh, it's so pretty," Rayna whispered, her eyes sparkling. She looked at her mates. "Can we buy it?"
Rayna gave a playful nod. "Pleaseee."
Soren chuckled, leaning closer. "You don't even have to say please, my love. Just say the word."
Rayna smiled brightly. "Then... buy three."
And so, the crystal was theirs.
Rayna tied it around each one of their necks.
"Well, well... this does look exquisite," Ezra said, turning it in his hand.
"It's blue like the sky," Yunxi added softly, admiration clear in his voice.
Rayna had just finished tying it around Soren's neck when his voice cut through.
"Alright, Rayna. Now we must head to the palace. We need the lord's permission to settle here and get a place." Soren said.
Rayna sighed but nodded. "Okay... enough distractions then. Let's go."
The four of them stepped away from the bustling marketplace.
And so, hand in hand with her mates, Rayna walked towards the palace.