Redfork Menace

"Strange and Wild"

Shanda and Benjicot finally managed to pull themselves from the bed before dinner. Only because Alysanne had busted in so hard the door slammed against the wall, waking them. But they were up nonetheless. Shanda quickly threw her hair into a long braid and changed into a pale purple dress. Then they were off, walking at a breakneck pace behind Alysanne who was unusually cheery even for her. Shanda left it alone though and soon they were in a smaller dining room, an intimate set up waiting for them.
   The rest of the guests were already seated, it seemed they were the last to rise from their prolonged slumber. Shanda waved at lady Darla, who so far she had not heard utter a single word as far as she could recall. Darla waved back and gave her a timid smile. Once seated, Shanda reached for the flagon of wine and poured herself a glass. She would need it. She had a distinct feeling Alysanne was up to something. Her thoughts were all but confirmed by the suspicious glances Benjicot kept throwing towards his aunt.

"Sorry weren't late." Shanda said, joining in the table conversation which had been on the sweltering heat that pervaded the riverlands as of late.

"Don't apologize." Marcelle said from across the table and Shanda gave her a soft smile.

"Since we're all here, I spoke to Mellara." Bellena cut in, sounding bitter.

"And what did she say?" Martyn asked, looking exasperated.

Shanda didn't think it was possible for Bellena's face to twist further but her expression grew more sour at Martyn's question. She fiddled with the rim of her wine cup before answering.

"Oh she saw something alright, mouthy cunt. She'll testify but I almost wish she wouldn't."

"Oh don't be a baby, Bellena. It's for their mother for the gods sake."  Rebecken said, throwing a stink eye at Bellena who was gripping her fork in a dangerous manner. Shanda saw Harry Fisher discreetly scoot away from her apparently thinking the same thing.

"This is me being mature, you absolute sack of dung!"

"Alright you whiny lot of babes, shut it!" Alysanne stood at the head of the table, holding a  rather large crossbow. "I have it on good authority that Joth is going to ask for a trial by combat. Shanda and Martyn will need to choose a champion."

They all looked at each other, tension palpable in the room. To everyone that is besides Benjicot who was seconds away from outright whooping. Shanda seethed in frustration beside him. Her mother was dead and this idiot was so eager to join her in the grave.

"No." Came Martyn voice over the chatter of discussion. "He'll ask for a trial of the seven. He doesn't want someone to fight for him and it will give him the opportunity to have his name cleared if he wins."

Now Shanda was on her feet, outrage written across her face. She could see it written in the set of his jaw, as plain as the sun rises, Martyn would be one of the seven if that happened.

"No, no, no! By the gods are you all so eager to die?" She exploded, throwing her wine glass to the floor and ignoring the crunch of glass. "Our mother is dead but you will live to old age." She felt the wrath of a thousand people well up inside of her. She would chain him in the dungeons if that's what it took. The rest of the people in that room ceased to exist to her as her vision tunneled in on her brother. Whose face was still set in stubborn determination.

"We don't have a choice. If he asks for a trial of the seven, we must have seven. Who else do you think will stand up there?" Martyn asked, his eyes half glazed with agony as he looked at her.

"You're not even good with a sword." She snarled, heavy wet tears begin to roll down her cheeks in anger and fear.

"Good enough to hold it up and that's enough."