Proceed to the stables

Duncan considered the Felechon's words. "There is wisdom in what you say, Felixia. It would be an unnecessary risk to go to my bedchambers. Let us proceed. There are usually some spare riding clothes in the stables, and I can change in there."

They manage to vacate the castle without further interruption and make their way into the stables. As they enter they see a young man inside, tending to some equipment. Duncan grabs Felixia's arm and says, "That's Horace, the stable boy. He's not the brightest of men, and you can probably talk him into giving us a couple of horses. Just sound as if you are official, and he'll likely believe you."

"Me?" asked the Felixia. "Why don't you do it?"

"Looking like this?" said Duncan. "Who's going to take me seriously when I look like something out of an erotic pop-up book about island life? Just keep your tail under your kilt, and sound like you know what you're talking about, and it will be fine. Tell him you are on a special assignment from the King, and he'll believe you. Oh... and get me some clothes, too, while you're at it."

Felixia starts toward the stable boy when Duncan stops her again. "Oh... and none of this 'vow-of-silence-virgin' stuff, either... Horace has a reputation, and he'll probably be foaming at the mouth if you give him that line about me."

The pirate snaps off a mock salute and says, "Leave it to me, Your Highness," and walked toward Horace, waving to get his attention.

Duncan stands near the doorway, attempting to look casual, while all the while feeling absolutely self-conscious about his behavior. Having left the controlled climate of the palace, he feels the breeze from the stable's open windows threatening to part the grass of his skirt, and every time he looks down to see if that has happened, his large breasts block his view, reminding him of the precariousness of his state.

He watches Felixia speak with Horace. He can't hear what they say, but their frequent looks in his direction tell him what the focus of their conversation is about. In a few minutes, Felixia returns to him.

"Well, we are in luck," said the pirate. "Do you wish to begin complimenting me now on my brilliant negotiation skills, just to make sure you have enough time to include the full depth of your appreciation for my brilliance?"

"So you were successful?"

"More than successful," gloated Felixia. "I have arranged not only to have two horses, but for Horace to accompany us."

"What? Why would we want him to come along?"

"Why? Look at the muscles on that boy! He can protect us from the many dangers that exist on our way to the Eight Falls. In case you haven't noticed, you're no longer the most muscular of specimens. Even before you took on this form, you basically had the upper body strength of a Cornish Pixie."

Duncan protested. "But he will blow our cover! How are we going to explain my transformation back into my own body -- and your transformation to your own?"

"Relax.... Like I said, he's huge, as far as muscles go, but you're weren't kidding when you said he's not all that bright. We'll figure something out. I mean, seriously... you know what he wants as payment for his services? Hold on, this will really crack you up!"

"What?"

"He's going to wash his hair tonight, and he wants to you to dry it for him by breathing heavily on him! Can you believe it? I would have offered him gold, if I had any, but that was his idea!"

"I do not understand... He wants me to dry his hair? That makes no sense!"

"I guess he wants the 'dry look' or something. Me, I just let the fur dry, but I'm not going to judge someone if they want their hair blown dry."

Duncan takes the pirate by the shoulders and looks him squarely in his one eye. "Think carefully, creature... What, exactly, did he ask for?"

"Don't get your fur in a bunch! I told you... He said, 'Perhaps tonight the fair damsel will favor me with a blowjob.'"

Duncan pushes the pirate back and raises a fist. "You imbecile! That is not a request to have his hair air-dried. A 'blowjob' is -- well -- it is oral sex. He wants me to bring him to ejaculation with my mouth."

A look of comprehension dawns on the pirate. "Ohhh..... THAT explains it! Why don't you lot use normal words for things? It would make life a lot less complicated." Felixia begins laughing. "I guess 'oops' is probably a wee bit inadequate?"

"It is far from adequate! I am not going to blow that lout!"

"Well, never say never... You should try it; you might be surprised. I gave you female parts, you know. You'd probably enjoy it."

"I am confident I would not!"

"Well, it probably won't come to that, anyway, because of our cover story."

Duncan looks suspiciously at his companion. "Dare I ask what our cover story may be?"

"Oh, don't take that tone! You'll love this. After all, you're the one who didn't want me to say that you were a virgin...."

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him that I captured you from the half-naked wolf women of the jungle village of Playtex, and that I am taking you to the Eight Falls so you can be treated for your incurable nymphomania."

"WHAT?!!!"

"I know! It's a great cover, isn't it? It was right after I told him this that he was so quick to volunteer to come and help us on our journey. He even said you could share a horse with him so he could keep an extra close eye on you!"

"You told him I was a nymphomaniac? And that I will give him a blowjob?"

"I know... Brilliant, aren't I?" the pirate's tail crept out from under the kilt, and waved back and forth in apparent pride.

"This is absolutely abhorrent. You are the most incompetent Felechon I have ever met."

"Well, excuse me! It's not like I had a lot of options, is it? If you'd like, I can escort you back to your brother's bedchambers, and you can explain to him how horrible your lot in life is. I didn't ask you to come with me, you'll remember."

Before Duncan can reply, Horace approaches them, leading two horses behind. He stands at 6 foot, 2 inches, and is quite muscular. A short, sparse bristle adorns his chin. He lifts his hat when he addresses Duncan and says, "I have your horse ready, m'lady. Would you like to change clothes before we set out?" The tone of his voice suggests that he would prefer Duncan remain dressed as is, but the prince seizes the opportunity to get out of the ridiculous grass skirt. He takes the offered riding clothes and retreats behind a haystack to change.

When he emerges, still tucking his breasts into the tight-fitting shirt, he finds Felixia already mounted on her horse and Horace eagerly looking in Duncan's direction. Taking one last look at himself to make sure his dress is not riding up on him and that his boobs are as covered as humanly possible, he approaches the horse.

Duncan offers his hand for assistance as the prince mounts the beast. "I'll ride behind you, just in case you start to fall, I can grab you," he said, mounting the saddle and positioning his body tightly against Duncan's back. With one hand on the reins and one arm around Duncan's waist, he directs the horse out of the stables.

Felixia, by good fortune, takes up position behind Duncan and Horace. This is good because she keeps forgetting about her tail, and it waves contentedly behind her as her horse trots along.

"You sure are pretty," says Horace, leaning forward and practically resting his chin on Duncan's shoulder. "I could ride like this all day." Duncan can't tell if he is imagining things or if Horace is intentionally grinding his crotch into Duncan's back.

"My name is Horace, but everyone calls me 'Horse,'" he continues. "You wanna know why they call me 'Horse'?"