Resistance was useless, and she moved to the hatch; she'd cooperate until someone tried to take her clothing, soaked though it was.Resistance was useless, and she moved to the hatch; she'd cooperate until someone tried to take her clothing, soaked though it was. As her party was herded down into the lower decks, the thought of exchanging her cold, wet clothes for warm, dry ones began to appeal and by the time they were directed to the brig and ordered to strip by the men who had followed them down, Jess and Janesse did just that, ignoring their presence. Jess had bivouacked with hired guards many times and a long succession of lovers had made Janesse impervious to male scrutiny. Brianna protested loudly, especially when she saw the dirty commoner's clothes that were to replace her regal garb, but gruff hands and voices coerced her into a waiting cell and cooperation. Agnes, although modest, reluctantly stripped without a word. All belongings were placed in an empty chest, which was promised to be returned after the captain had approved. After a quick once over by one of the crew, during which Brianna screamed and threw a tantrum as one of the men entered her cell to collect her things, the promised change of clothing was handed over and the party was locked into their cells. Four armed guards were posted at the doors, while the others hurried up to rejoin the battle. Jess flopped angrily onto the floor and examined the shackle that secured her left ankle to the wall. Brianna wore one too, and as fate would have it, in the chaos of situating the prisoners, Jess had drawn the princess as her cell mate, while Janesse got the more agreeable and considerably quieter Agnes. |