I must be mistaken on the rape count either. Maybe it's just the usage of the phrase 'had his way'. Anyway, moving on. Toughened scales wouldn't protect from blunt force, said force would still deal lots of internal damage, assuming the force in question is great enough, I.E a hammer. Or a large rock. for instance, think about why warhammers were the bane of armored knights... Though it would deter sharp things, sure. 

My hands are sort of tied here, Marky doesn't know shit about the area and he wouldn't ask for help. In any event, he's going to stick around with Roan either way, so he is TOTALLY willing to wait around babysitting a wild animal. He needs to make sure that saving him was the right choice, mostly so that he doesn't freak out and eat people. 

So I'm gonna go with the last option, I'll PM you.