Before Alina set out to plunder the robbers' camp together with Ero, she wanted to change into other clothes first. If she returned to school like this, the boys would have a pleasant sight there.
Earlier, she changed her clothes a bit away from the camp. Far away from the lustful glances of the men, behind a dense bush and low-hanging pine branches.
Right there, she found her clothes again. Unfortunately, not only that.
Also, a wild goat, which had taken a liking to her dress of all things. Apparently, it must have raided the provisions.
"Greedy beast!"
Alina glared angrily at the animal.
The goat raised its head. At first, it seemed peaceful. Alina even dared to take a step closer.
"It's all right," she said soothingly. "I just want my dress, nothing more!"
Her hand approached the dress, which the animal was currently gnawing on. It was covered all over with saliva. The girl wondered why she hadn't taken any of the swords or her daggers. Then there would be a tasty roast for her and her father later.
The animal lifted its head and looked up. Not willing to release the fabric from its mouth. Restless, with its horns threateningly raised, it stood there.
Had the wild goat listened to her thoughts? For a moment, Alina was convinced of it.
This nasty creature pawed restlessly with its hoof on the ground in front of it. And tossed the dress a bit further back.
It needed only a few centimeters, and she could have touched her dress.
The wild goat lowered its head. A leap forward, which Alina narrowly avoided, then the animal ran off through the bushes. All that remained were a few shreds of her dress. Nothing more.
The girl sank despondently to the ground.
Her provisions were gone, as was her spare dress. And Ero would blame her for everything again.
Actually, she was responsible. If she had placed her things higher or stayed in the camp, this wouldn't have happened. So now she had to face the consequences.
Stealing some of their belongings from the robbers was not her intention. She'd rather go back to school with her head held high, naked.
***
The loot was truly meager. A few gold coins, not even enough to cover her full entrance fee.
None of the robbers had intended to reward her. It diminished any pity she could have had for these men. If there was any. With her work, she saved many others from a terrible fate. Potential robbery victims.
In addition to the gold, they took possession of 22 swords. Some of which the boys could divide among themselves. Whatever wasn't needed would surely be taken by a merchant. Just like Mos's sword and the ruby-studded one. Such exquisite pieces would surely find a buyer among the noble class quickly.
Alina barely wanted to talk about the 13 neglected horses. Ridden to the point of ruin by the men, they seemed hardly worth more than a full stomach.
It was ironic that for this meager loot, she now sacrificed her last beautiful dress.
Truly, this was not her day!