Redfork Menace

Patchwork Pattern pt.2

Benjicot had carried Shanda all the way from the godswood back to her room, up several sets of stairs and the winding halls of River Run. Then he had unceremoniously dumped her on her bed. She had rolled over as quickly as she could with the massive folds of her gown, and stood back up. She was across the room in another instance, staring at the heir like he was a lion waiting to pounce. Her heart was hammering in her ears, the sound drowning out all of her more rational thoughts. He just watched her, staring curiously. But she could tell he was going to humor her.
It seemed to her he'd gotten everything from this deal he wanted and had been rather lucky in evading the opposition. Beyond that she still hadn't forgotten the humiliation he'd made her suffer through during questioning. She had smiled and looked nice for the ceremony, as it wasn't just her who would be looking back on it. One day she'd have to share the story with her children as well and it wouldn't be a mess of a story to tell now, granted she only talked of the wedding. The rest was of course ludicrous beyond absurdity. But now, alone in her room, she was not beholden to the ink of history or the wandering eyes of the riverlanders. And she was not about to make this easy for him.

"What did you see when you touched the weirwood tree?"

If anything would kill the mood it was bringing up the gods. Arms crossed, Benjicot leaned back against the wall. He was sizing her up and probably pretty accurately too. Now was her chance to start figuring out how to counteract him. She'd made the first move and now, the dance was beginning.

"Don't you think it's a strange time to discuss visions from the gods?"

His eyes were shining and he pushed off of the wall, taking two steps towards her. Shanda frowned, taking a step back but taking care not to bump the wall. She wasn't going to give him the opportunity to rush her. Instead, she took her shoes off one by one. Flinging them to the side, she nearly hissed at the cold stone floor touching her bare feet. But she wouldn't stand a chance against him if she didn't ditch the shoes, she hadn't forgotten how fast the man was.
She shrugged at him, keeping her eyes on him as she mapped out which way she would move when he lunged. And he would lunge, he was coiled so tightly she was surprised he was still breathing. She knew this room better than him and it was a fairly large room. Her best bet was probably to get around the dining table off to her left but she had a feeling he was expecting that.

"It's as good a time as any. Besides, don't you want to know what I saw?"

When he lunged she threw herself to the right side of the room and just as she had assumed, he moved to the left. They came to rest, both still on opposite sides of the room. Her heart sounded akin to the rapidly flapping wings of a hummingbird, so fast it was nearly buzzing. She labored to keep her breathing steady and even, determined that she not let him know how nervous she was. He stood across from her unaffected, looking just as he always did. Like he was up to no good and had already won in that endeavor.

"Of course I want to know." He began to move as he spoke, she moved in kind.

They were both circling the room now. The sun was blinding as it poured into the row of windows diagonal to her position. She moved with haste to leave from that position, unhappy that she had to throw a hand up to block the light.

"But?" She prompted when he didn't continue.

"But you're stalling and you're trying to distract me. I'm not sure why you want to wind me up but it's working."

He was closer now, forcing her to move around the room faster. She almost laughed, he was impatient. She had finally found a button of his to push at last.

"Me? Wind you up? Don't make me laugh."

She yelped when he lunged in the right direction now, nearly grabbing her before she moved away. He had figured out she was anticipating how he thought she would move and then changing course. The amount of mental gymnastics they were doing would be funny if it weren't so exhilarating. She was panting now, her heart was beating too fast to regulate her breath. And Benjicot remained as calm as he had been when he walked in the room. It dawned on her then that he was just wearing her out, letting her waste all of her energy before he pounced.