Chapter 6a

“I've a good mind to turn up in my full body armour.” She grumbled, stamping down the lane into the Pit. “What the bloody hell am I supposed to wear?” She ranted. “Dress!” Kore turned back round and headed for the brothel.

Leo spent a good thirty minutes trying to compose himself after Captain Creed had left his house. Dissidents? They still arrested people on suspicion of that? He was quite happy to be 'looked into' as there was absolutely nothing to find, but the fact that the insinuation was there to begin with worried him. Leo had stopped chewing his fingernails down to the skin by the time he'd reached Kore's house. Kore's empty house. He sighed heavily and headed for Dresk's Ale House.

Kore brandished her sword at one of the girls in the brothel who'd produced an item of clothing that was more space than fabric.

“OK! I'll try another one!” Jasmine squeaked.

“Good idea and if there's not more too it than a belt's worth I'll drown you in the Lake.” Kore growled.

“I don't understand why you want to cover yourself from head to toe.” Jasmine chattered. She'd never actually seen Kore in the arena, the girls there didn't usually go to such places, but she'd heard all about the famous gladiator and was a big fan none the less.

“Because I'm not a tart.” Kore answered rudely. “That one! No, not that bit of fluff, the blue one behind it.” Kore pointed into Jasmine's wardrobe with her sword.

“Kore that's my nightdress. Could you put your knife away please? I don't really like you waving it about so close to me.”

“Oh. Umm yes, sorry.” Kore re-sheathed her 'knife'. “There's bound to be something in there Jasmine! Here, let me in it.”

“Can I ask where you're going? It might help me find something suitable.” Jasmine looked on in despair as Kore pulled everything out of her wardrobe and dumped it on the floor.

“Party. Bah look at this, there'd be all sorts hanging out! Villa. How big are your feet? I've no shoes either.” Kore picked up a silver sandal of Jasmine's. Jasmine was looking at Kore with her mouth open.

“The party at the Villa? Lady Toller's birthday banquet?” She said in awe.

“Yes and if you tell anyone I'll fillet you.” Kore grumbled. “Ha! Will this one fit me?” She produced a red satin gown with a chiffon waistband. “Yes it will, I'll make sure it does. Shoes?”

Kore delved back into the cupboard and surfaced with a pair of tan coloured plimsolls. “Perfect.” Jasmine took them off her and tutted loudly.

“I wish I got asked to nice places like that.” She said wistfully. “The most up market place I've ever been invited to outside of working is Gisem's steak house on Tower Road. I used to dream that someone would ask me to a fine party then beg me never to come back here.” Jasmine smiled and handed Kore a pair of red slippers. It had never actually occurred to Kore that the girls here were unhappy or dissatisfied.

“How old are you Jasmine?”

“Twenty five. I've been here since I was sixteen, just as the War was ending.” Jasmine shrugged. “I had nowhere else to go, I still don't. I can't do anything else.” Kore had said the exact same thing to Leo about herself. Her and Jasmine were in a very similar situation, when Kore thought about it. The women went to the window when they heard a commotion from the street below.

“Don't be ridiculous Matthius!” Leo's loud voice could be heard all along the street. “Kore wouldn't be in the bloody brothel for shit's sake!”

“Oh no.” Kore winced and Jasmine tried not to laugh.

“Columbus Fry saw her going in! She's in there I tell you!” Matthias the grocer argued.

“Right!” Kore and Jasmine heard the door bang then a silence.

“Is he angry?” Jasmine whispered.

“Yes but not with this place. He thinks I'm five years old at times. Leo! How nice!” Kore smiled widely as her brother barged into the room. “Do you know Jasmine?”

“Huh? Well of course I don't damned well know Jasmine! How do you know Jasmine?” Leo roared.

“We have the same sized feet.” Kore smirked. “Goodbye Jasmine and thanks. I'll return these soon.” Kore picked up her bag of clothes and breezed past her irate brother.

“Return what? Thanks for what?” Leo trotted after Kore as they left the brothel. “Kore! Why were you in there? What have your feet to do with the brothel?”