Redfork Menace

Lot in life

Martyn had talked for what felt like forever by the time his testimony ended. Shanda's legs were shaking with the sheer mental effort it kept to keep herself there under the weight of collective judgment. But eventually they had taken their seats and watched in a helpless sea of torment as Joth Piper weaved his own tale. His main argument was hinged upon their mother having left the kingsroad to cross unauthorized, across the pinkmaiden road. He argued that it was only reasonable that the guard acted, regardless of the inhabitants. It was a stupid argument and she knew it was to rile Martyn up. It was paltry defense but enough of a cover for anyone bribed into supporting him to hide behind.
    When Violet Smallwood, Fisher now she amended mentally, gave her testimony she felt satisfaction at the enraged look on the various Piper 's face. They had already presented the dagger and necklace as evidence. Several Bracken family members and guards had confirmed that they belonged to the deceased parties. Martyn and Alysanne were pivotal in that they witnessed Pipers with the items in their possession. But she knew it wasn't enough to sway all of the riverlords. Years of riverland politics was at play undercutting the trial and she would need more to sway years-long alliances. The very thing Elmo was trying to eliminate. Something was nagging at her about Violet's testimony but she couldn't decide what it was. So she put it off to the side as she listened to a member of house Frey testify on the behalf of the Pipers.

"We will have a short three hour break. Lunch will be served shortly."

No warnings accompanied Elmo's words after the Frey's finished speaking. She didn't think anyone was willing to try him at the current moment. The lackluster energy was accented by how quietly people dismissed themselves from the hall. She watched as her father darted out of the room with a worrying speed.

"I've got to speak to Elmo." Alysanne said, hardly looking at them before she was on the lord's heels as he left the room.

"What is sh-"

"I better go with her." Benjicot interrupted her, his eyes never leaving his aunt as he left.

She turned to her brother. "What is their problem?"

He shrugged. "Maybe they're bribing Lord Tully. Can't hurt to try."

She rolled her eyes at him and grabbed his arm, dragging him up from the table. "While I wouldn't put it past Alysanne to try, I don't think that's what they're up to."

She felt a heavy weight come off of her shoulders as they stepped outside of the room full of people milling about, waiting for lunch. The hallways were less crowded as they made their way to a familiar drawing room with a set of large windows. The rain was coming down in a torrent that never ended. She could see the trees whipping in the wind and the ground was littered with debris. The two of them stood together staring out at the madness, watching the lightning light up the dark clouds.

"Martyn, you said you got into a fight with Royce the day Stone Hedge was set ablaze right?"

She felt his eyes on her face as she stared at the ripping water beneath them, the rain causing the surface to dance.

"Yeah. I told you, he thought it was you. When he saw you at the river."

She nodded, still thinking about Violet's testimony. She'd given them plausibility that the Pipers were headed in that direction and Mellara could confirm she had seen them in the area. But no one could place them at Stone Hedge. Martyn hadn't seen who started the fire, he had admitted that himself.

"But you didn't know where he was during the fire?"

He stared at her bewildered. "I assume he was in the stables. I never asked him though because well, we weren't exactly on speaking terms."