Pride Goes Before a Fall

Astra planned to buy male attire, since that would be far more practical than women's clothes when it came to dragon hunting. But when she went into the only men's clothing and armour shop in town, the owner refused to serve her. "It isn't proper for women to wear men's clothing," he told her. "It may be different where you come from, but in Allaria that sort of thing is just not done. My wife runs the ladies' fashions emporium next door. Try there."

It hadn't occurred to either Astra or Fred that they would have such a problem in a mining town in the middle of nowhere. They argued with the man till they were blue in the face, but got nowhere. "Maybe my haggling skills aren't as good as I thought," Astra said ruefully as they left the shop.

In a mining town like this, there weren't all that many women - a few shopkeepers, shopkeepers' wives, washerwomen, waitresses and barmaids - and so the female clothing shop was much smaller than calling it an emporium might have led them to expect. As they entered, the hatchet-faced woman between the counter put on an even sourer expression. It was clear that she did not approve of Astra. The selection was limited, and most of the outfits were in sizes for woman who were much fatter or shorter than Astra. Those items in Astra's size mostly appeared to be intended for barmaids - or possibly those who plyed an even less respectable trade. Also, as the only women's clothing shop in town, the prices were not cheap, and many items were too expensive. Eventually, Astra finished up with:

1. A heavy, floor-length, woollen dress and a pair of functional shoes. The dress would be uncomfortably hot, and not good should she need to run.
2. A decidedly skimpy outfit - not that that bothered her a great deal. And Fred was happy.
3. Nothing - she had given up in exasperation.
4. Nothing. "I'm an idiot," she said to Fred. "You simply go into the men's shop and buy me something, and I'll put it on when we're safely out of town."

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree