Page 61 of Milking His Lass

He looks me over, his lips turning down into a disapproving frown. “Turn.” Heat licks up my face as I rotate, allowing him to see all of me, naked as the day I was born. “This slip of a human is who you accuse of attacking you?”

I turn, following his gaze. Jakroon’s skin is splotched with blood and bruises. Nowhere near as bad as mine must be, but I do take satisfaction in seeing the havoc I’ve etched into his face.

“I was caught unawares, magnificent judge. She used Earth tricks on me that I had no defense for.”

He snorts and motions for him to sit back down. “Tell me, cow. Is what he says true?” I turn to Master Antroli, not sure if I’m actually allowed to speak or not. “Don’t look at him,” the judge barks out. “Obey me.”

“Forgive me, your honor. I was not sure I was allowed to speak.”

“I commanded it. Why would you question my order?”

“Master Jakroon asked me questions after he kidnapped me. He trapped me with his words and hurt me when I obeyed him. I am still learning the ways of Icora and do not wish to be hurt for doing things wrong.”

Around the room, harsh words and hissed conversations flit about.

“Silence,” the judge cries. “I will have silence in this room.” Turning to me, he frowns. “I will not mislead you, cow. If I ask you a question, you are to speak. Did you cause these injuries to this Rancher?”

“I did, your honor.”

“Then why am I here? She did it. She faces the punishment. You are hereby ordered to-”

I fall to my hands and knees, the action jarring my head until it throbs. As I kneel there, I moo as earnestly as I have ever mooed before. The man stops and smacks his hand against the stone.

“Stop this incessant noise. Speak.”

“Please. It was in defense of my person. He hurt me, drank from me, left me without water. I-”

“Yes. I see the evidence plain as day. That does not mitigate your actions in all of this. He will be dealt with as the law demands, just as you are.”

“Please, your honor. If you are to send me away, I have one final plea, if you will grant it.”

“And that is?”

I turn to look at Master Antroli and Master Vrokjan, my lips trembling as I give them both a watery smile. “What I have to ask of you is for your ears alone.”

He leans back in his chair and strokes his chin. “An odd request. An odd request indeed. If your proposition is of a sexual nature, I am in no need of your services. I am happily mated and get my milk from any number of Ranchers who sell it.”

“I promise you, your honor. It is nothing of the sort. It is, in fact, a revelation of corruption. One that resides under your very nose.”

Soft titters race about the room until the judge holds up his hand. I refuse to look over at Jakroon for fear of tipping him off to what I know. To the whole assembly, save Master Vrokjan and Master Antroli, I’m just a human, a cow, no one of importance. For now, I’d like it to stay that way.

“Such an odd statement from one who lazes about in the fields all day, but I will entertain it. Do not waste my time, cow, or you will wish Earth was your only punishment.”

Waving his hand, he lowers us both to the floor. The enforcers flank me on either side, leading me into a room in the back. Once in there, they stand guard at the door as the judge sits behind a large desk.

“My patience is known throughout all of Icora, but it does have a limit. Speak quickly and plainly. What corruption do you speak of?”

“Master Jakroon is only licensed to sell milk on Icora and nowhere else. Is that correct?”

Without saying a word, he uses the same damned finger motions to turn on his terminal. After a few moments of typing, he turns back to me. “Correct.”

“What if I were to tell you he sells intergalactically?”

He leans back and steeples his fingers. “I would say it is impossible for you to know the transactions of a Rancher. But let’s go on this little journey and pretend you do. It is still impossible. For him to sell outside of his jurisdiction would mean someone within the capitol aids him. You are not accusing the capital of corruption, I hope.”

I hang my head. “No, your honor. I know nothing of this capitol or how the milk is shipped. But I have proof-”

“Proof, hah. You are a cow. A human woman made to give milk. I tire of this stalling.”

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