~My eyes were frozen open in terror.

I had no idea how the creature in front of me was going to react.

Was it going to attack us? Kill us? Eat us?

I was usually able to predict the actions of people around me, but a beast was an entirely different matter.

The fact I had been completely surprised by its appearance didn't help either, and even if I had wanted to run away, I was certain I'd have been completely unable to.

My father looked equally as disturbed, holding the rose as if it were somehow the most dangerous thing he'd ever possessed. He kept it an arm's length away, though he didn't dare drop it.

I assumed he probably felt that if we were going to face some sort of divine punishment for the taking of the flower, he should at least have the privilege of holding it before our lives were ripped away by the monster- I doubted it would be very difficult for the beast to do any ripping, since its feet were immense.

Standing on all fours it was as tall as I was, so I would have probably fainted to see how large it was while rearing on its back legs. It was obviously strong, the lines of its muscles clearly showing through the bulk of the white fur that covered its body.

The fur around its head had been braided and decorated with the glowing stones used by other Aryan's as ornamentation.

With claws like daggers and teeth that looked even sharper I had no doubt that it was the most frightening thing I'd ever seen. But what I found most alarming of all- even more so than the teeth- was the pure and intense hatred that gleamed in its glowing, blue eyes.

As the animal stepped into the light, I also realized that although it was the most terrifying thing I'd ever seen, it was also one of the most beautiful.

 At least, that was until the creature spoke, in a voice so rumbling and low that it shook the very core of me.

"Haven't you destroyed enough? That you would come here and kill what belongs to me?"

Even though the voice and words were harsh, they were spoken in such a clear and dignified manner that I was taken by surprise.

"Forgive me! It was not my intention to harm the flower good sir," my father managed to stumble out.

I wondered how, since words had clearly forsaken me.

"But harm it you did. Roses are rare enough, even in the wilds. To pick one is a terrible crime, one that you must and will pay for," The creature answered, clearly still angry.

 My father blanched, his usually ruddy complexion now nearly as pale as our assailant's fur.

"Who are you?" My father asked, his curiosity getting the better of him in the worst of circumstances.

I moaned at the poor timing, thinking it was far preferable to beg the beast for forgiveness and move on.

The glowing, blue eyes narrowed in mild amusement. He- for I was fairly certain the beast was male anyway- seemed to come to the same conclusion I had.

"I have been told all about you adventurer. You came to the wilds in search of gold and glory to bring back to your world of stone. Have you found what you sought here? Am I all you expected?"

"I meant no harm to you or your people!" My father stuttered back in a rather pathetic way of defending himself. The beast moved closer to him now, craning his enormous neck so that he could stare my father straight in his eyes.

The accusation that my father's goals had been less than admirable offended me. However, taking the rose was another matter altogether- an act of sentiment rather than profit.

I could not bear to stand and watch my father be bullied anymore, not on my account. It wasn't him, but me who wanted to see a rose, and so in my mind, it was only fair that I accept the abuse that the beast had begun to dole out on him.

"You assume too price was nothing more than seeing a smile on his daughter's face," I answered, more forcefully than was wise when faced with a terrifying beast I was sure.

"You I did not expect," the creature said with a hint of curiosity in his voice.

He moved now to examine me. Every step was powerful and assured, making every muscle in my body scream for me to run. But I had no doubt that no matter how far I ran, I wouldn't escape something so clearly strong and agile.

"And you thought you might like a pretty flower?" He mocked when he had finished- as if I was a child.

I lose my head when I get angry, all manner of intelligent and informed speech fails me entirely, and I have always been unable to make any sort of rational decisions under duress.

"My reasons for wanting it are none of your concern. Now my father has apologized, and we will ensure that we don't make the same error twice. He is not in a good condition and your appearance hasn't helped him any."

My mention of the way the beast looked seemed to anger him even more then he already was- abandoning the curious gazes he had thrown at us in exchange for the rage I'd first seen.

"If I am so frightening, then I wonder why you would dare speak to me so crassly, girl. The way in the wilds is balance. A life for a life. Your father has killed this rose, and so it falls to me to execute the same judgement on him," he snarled, almost looking happy at the prospect of ending my father's life- like it would bring him peace somehow.

I jumped in front of him, with my arms outstretched as far as they were able. It didn't do much to stop the creature's progress, only serving to make him feel more amused, or maybe angrier- perh