Redfork Menace

A Golden Net pt.3

{the plot is, unavailable at the moment}

The dancing was still going on into the wee hours of the morning. The men had become so sloshed that Shanda was watching them engage in competitions to see who could lift the most stacked chairs. A hiccup escaped her as she laughed at the sight.

"Who's winning?"

She sat up straight, knocking her wine glass over in the process.

"Martyn! Where have you been? Nevermind, look at these fools." She snorted and gestured to the men gathered around the only table in the room.

She could make out ser Joth amongst the men though he looked to be enjoying the spectacle rather than trying to win the competition. She thought maybe she should give him her thanks right now. While the room was warm and blurry from the wine flowing through her veins.

"I needed some air. Seems everything's gone fine without me anyway."

Shanda had already forgotten her brother's presence but happily replied, giving him a dopey smile.

"It was splendid. You should've seen the last hour. This lot is about to forge a lifetime friendship in the drunken hours of the night."

"Night? The sun's nigh upon us now!"

"Well, whatever. Say, have you got any more wine? I've drunk all the unattended glasses."

Her eyes were wandering around the room hoping to spy another unattended glass she could snatch up. Drunks were terribly bad at keeping track of their cups but she was doing a fine job as the clean up crew. She hiccuped again, the sound made her laugh.

"I'll see you tonight."

Her brother had said putting a hand on her shoulder and kissing the top of her head before leaving. She shrugged, more wine for her. She stumbled to her feet, lurching towards her destination which was the table of men across the room. She had decided to chat up ser Joth after all. Maybe he would tell her all about that pink maiden on his coat of arms. Or rather she could convince him to give her a tour of Pinkmaiden, where it set upon the Redfork not far from Stone Hedge. Better still, maybe he would whisper something pretty to her and make her into a pink maiden.

She was nearly upon them when an arm wrapped around her midsection and pulled her backwards.

"By the seven, what in the name of the mother?" She exclaimed confused as to how she was rapidly moving away from her intended destination.

She tried digging her heels in but could find no traction against the stone floor. Her skin felt too sticky and close and the room was starting to spin around her.

"Wait." She cried but the dragging did not stop.

Outside in the hall she was disoriented when suddenly she was lifted into the air. A squeal of fright escaped her before another round of hiccups started and sent her laughing again. She found she didn't mind being jostled around so much as she looked at the ground moving below her. It felt so good to be off of her feet. And she felt soft and giddy under the effects of the wine. She had never drank so much at one time before and was finally starting to understand why people liked it. It was only after rounding the third corner in the halls that she realized someone had been talking to her.

"Irresponsible! I leave for two seconds and come back to find you drunker than a skunk. Really, I shouldn't be surprised."

Shanda frowned, why were they upset at her? She was having a good time and so rarely did that ever happen.

"That's about the only thing you're consistently good at, isn't it? Causing drama and starting trouble, you just can't be a good girl can you?"

She huffed at the continued scolding. She was good at plenty of other things. The problem was they weren't any fun. Life was terribly dull all the time, if she didn't start trouble who would? A man most like and then there would only be bloodshed. Another stupid tragedy for families to get wound up about.