Goraith had already left when she woke up. Fresh anger stirred inside her: how dare he leave while she slept? After all they had done, he should have at least said good bye.
Cosette blushed just thinking about last night – and that was often. Every time she moved, fading pain echoed between her legs. Another pain that was not fading was her bottom. She could barely sit on the bed to pull up her breeches!
Clothes were another problem. She had to use a belt to keep her shirt and coat closed, so few buttons were left! They gaped open at the top, barely hiding her large breasts. She felt like she should cover the gap with her hand, so much was exposed!
No matter. She could ignore it. All she had to do was think of getting the treasure before Goraith. That would show him! As soon as she finished dressing she slipped out, exiting through the kitchens. It wasn't that she was scared of going through the common room. She just thought the back way would be quicker. That was it.
She was surprised to see the camp getting ready to move when she returned. She hadn't given any orders! What did Devrae think he was doing? She stalked through the camp, looking for her second-in-command.
When she saw him, she froze in horror. He was talking to Goraith!
She gritted her teeth, striding over to them. If Goraith had told Devrae anything about last night, she swore she would kill them both.
Devrae smiled when he saw her coming. "Captain!" he called. "Goraith has just been telling me about the plan the two of you worked out! Everything's all ready?"
"Yeah, Captain," Goraith said before she could speak. "I told Devrae why you were out so late. He understood. A good plan is essential, after all."
She gaped at the two of them. Plan? What plan?
Devrae looked concerned. "You do remember, don't you?" he asked. "You were going to disguise yourself as a lady, with us as your escort to avoid notice from the King's Guard."
"Yes, of course I remember," she snapped. What else could she say? Goraith might tell Devrae the truth if she disagreed! "Goraith," she said, "Could I have a word with you for a moment? In private?"
Goraith's smirk grew wider as Devrae walked away. "I wouldn't have thought you'd be eager for more, so soon. Aren't you a little sore from last night?"
"You pig!" she hissed. "What have you told him?"
"Nothing about your antics last night, don't worry."
"My antics...! Last night was your fault!"
"If you say so. But look, don't worry about the plan. Everything'll be fine. I've brought two maids, to help your disguise as a noble. I'm sure you'll enjoy their company. When we get to Dobami we'll start looking for information."
"We? You're not coming!"
"Of course I am. Two treasure-hunters are better than one, after all."
"My men won't accept it."
"They like me already. Even if I take some of the treasure we find, they'll still get more than if you don't find any."
"I'm the best treasure-hunter in – "
"If you say so. Why don't you run along to your tent, meet your new maids? They're getting your disguise ready!" And he strolled away, before she could reply.
She bristled with anger at being told to 'run along'. He couldn't do that! She wasn't a child! How dare he treat her like that?
She made up her mind not to go to her tent, only to remember the current state of her clothing. She couldn't wander around the camp like this! Gritting her teeth again, she walked towards her tent. She was doing it because she wanted to, she told herself. Not because he told her to.
She ducked into her tent, furious when she saw the two women inside. How dare he get maids for her? Her fury only grew when she looked at them closer.
One of them was fine, a wrinkled old women missing half her teeth. But the other...pale golden hair fell in shining waves down her back, framing a heart-shaped face with large blue eyes. A low-cut silk dress accented her breasts, which looked even larger than Cosette's! Pushing down jealousy, Cosette examined the rest of the woman. Her hips were narrower than Cosette's, and her bottom not nearly so round, Cosette saw with satisfaction.
"Cosette?" asked the old woman. "We're here to act as your maids. I'm sure Goraith told you. My name's Adele, and this is Donella," she waved a hand at the beautiful woman. "I have experience as a maid, but Donella's just here to keep you company and help with the disguise." She looked Cosette up and down with a definite look of disapproval. "Do you always dress like that, chicken?"
Cosette almost growled. Chicken! "No, I do not," she snapped.
Adele broke into a wide smile. "Good, good! We've brought along plenty of dresses for you. Donella chose them, she know much better than me what you girls like wearing!" she chuckled slightly, while Cosette looked at Donella in dismay. She wasn't wearing anything like that!
It turned out she was right. Donella's dress, while exposing half her bosom, was at least decent. Cosette felt like her breasts would come popping out any minute, once she'd put on one of the dresses! And how was she going to ride?
It's necessary, she told herself, trying to hitch up the neckline a little. The King's Guard will never think I'm a treasure-hunter dressed like this!
She shrugged her shoulders, and wailed in dismay as her breasts came popping out the top.
*
By the time they reached Dobami, Cosette was incandescent with fury. Everyday, the gowns seemed more and more exposing – and everyday, she found her men harder to command! Whenever she tried to give orders, they just stared at her breasts, and then went to ask Goraith what to do! It was intolerable.
She put on the sturdiest dress she could find, wishing for her old breeches and coat, and went looking for Goraith. She hoped he was somewhere private. She still didn't want her men to know what had happened between them. She didn't want anyone to know. She wished she didn't know herself!
