Redfork Menace

Patchwork Pattern

Shanda was shaken awake by a hand maid before dawn much to her chagrin. Bleary and blurry eyed she rose from bed and dressed, questioning the woman the whole time.

"Why am I up this early?"

Shanda was momentarily blinded as the woman threw the shift over her head. Muffled through the fabric she heard the woman say, "Your wedding my lady."

She huffed once her head was freed of the fabric.

"No, they are all supposed to take place after dawn."

The hand maid had only shrugged and told her she was doing as the Lord bid her. That response made her worry. Had Lord Elmo figured them out sometime in the night? Shanda had been extra careful sneaking into his study, even going so far as to find a similar book of shape and size to replace the one she took. Alysanne's map had been flawless and she had no issues finding the room. She resigned herself to waiting in order to see the full scope of how much was known.

"Go on out." The maid shooed her. "Someone is waiting for you out in the hall to escort you to the godswood."

Now she was a bit nervous. She hadn't had any time to herself last night to really put herself in the right frame of mind for marriage. And now she wouldn't have the time now either. Slowly she walked over to the door, resting her hand against the rough wood she breathed deeply before pushing it open. Outside stood Benjicot, looking so beautiful it stole the air from her lungs. He was smiling so sincerely though she wondered why he was here. Shouldn't her father be the one to escort her down?

"You look like a thousand twinkling stars." He grabbed her hand and delicately kissed her knuckles.

Shanda hadn't paid attention to the dress the lady had thrown on her but it was silver and hand beaded with a thousand iridescent shells. The same technique she'd seen displayed at the ball. This was a Tully gown no doubt. She smiled back at him, feeling a rush of joy that if she had to be tied to a man forever she was glad to have one so thoughtful.
He took her arm in hand and they began to walk. She let them walk in silence for a while, wondering if Benji would spill the beans on why the ceremony had been moved up. She did not have to wait long for him to bring it up.

"I found out about your little prank with Alys."

Shanda's blood froze in her body and she fought not to expose herself on the spot. She kept her expression casual.

"Oh yeah? Is that the reason for this lovely time change?"

She nearly rolled her eyes at him. Hadn't he said he wouldn't ruin her plans?

He slowed their pace before looking around and pulling her into an unoccupied room. The door creaked loudly and she sneezed from the sheer amount of dust in the room. It was an ordinary bed chamber with a table and bed. No fire was lit inside so the air was damp.

"I told you I wouldn't mess your plans up but, I couldn't have you upset our wedding. So I talked to Elmo last night and arranged for us to do ours at dawn. A full three hours before anyone else begins."

He looked so proud to have figured her out, circumvented himself from any embarrassment and managed to stave off her ire at being foiled. It was an impressive display of beating her at her own game. She didn't even really know what to say in response.

"I suppose that's fine."

Benji was grinning at her like the cat who'd gotten the cream. And he had in a sense, everything he wanted was finally coming to fruition.

"You and I are a dream team baby. I'm just waiting for you to figure that out."

Now she did roll her eyes but the effect was lost by the smile creeping into her face.