"That's why yer didn't brin' rope... Is yor cousin gertting ready ter hang 'imself or cop the bloody food?" Questa asked.

Sileas turned to look in the direction Questa was. "Lek?" she called out. "What are you doing?"

"Getting sashes to use to bring the food up." Lek said, dropping the sashes on the floor next to the hole. "I think it's enough."

"Excellent idea! Now, who's the best knot tier? We need them very secure so they don't come apart." She looked around the assembled guests.

Yehudit looked at the sashes. They were not very different from the sheets she used to tie together to climb out of windows to escape doing chores at the inn. Several falls into the bushes taught her the best knots. She sat on the floor and began knotting the sashes together.

Sileas blinked in surprise. It all made sense now how Yehudit managed to sneak out of the inn  all of the time. She headed over to Dyfrig. "You'll have ropes shortly."

Lek walked back to one of the windows. He pushed the drape aside so he could look out.

Wulfsen slipped behind Sileas and squeezed her shoulders.

Dyfrig found a bench to act as a platform and attached the sashes to it.

"We just need some stout fellows to haul away, now."

Sileas turned to Wulfsen. "Why don't you and Lek help with that?" She raised up on her toes and whispered in his ear, "I'd like the chance to watch you flex your muscles."

Wulfsen blushed, but he grinned too.

"Lek, come over here and help." Wulfsen called to his page.

He took off his dress jacket and neatly hung it over a chair. He loosened his collar, then removed his cuff links, dropped them in a pocket, and rolled up his sleeves. He stretched his arms and shoulders, flexing his muscles for Sileas's benefit.

Lek wiped his eyes and turned from the window. He had no appetite, but the sooner the feast was served the sooner this could all be over and he could leave. He went over and took up one end of the makeshift rope.

Sileas sat down in the chair and made herself comfortable. She smiled, watching her husband move about, thoroughly enjoying the view.

Yehudit forced herself to look away. This was her best friend's husband- not for her to look at! She knew she should not have come.

In reply to Sileas Thornblade (msg # 94):

Wulfsen winked at Sileas, loosening his collar another two buttons. He picked up the sash rope.

"Okay Lek, let's lower this slowly- don't want it to drop on someone's head." Wulfsen planted his feet and slowly pushed the bench into the hole and began feeding rope.

Lek lowered the bench slowly with Wulfsen's help. Lek had built up a lot of muscle while training so this was not as hard as it looked. His thoughts traveled to Pinja. He wondered if she was safe where she was, outside of the magical barrier Bai had set up. He wished he could protect her, that Pinja felt safe enough to accept his protection.

Sileas grinned at Wulfsen and winked back, before he and Lek started lowering the bench. She didn't know why everything always had to be so difficult, but at least this was enjoyable.

Wulfsen relaxed when someone in the kitchen rested the bench on top of a work table. He casually undid a few more buttons on his shirt for Sileas's benefit as he waited for the food to be set on the bench.

Sileas fidgeted on her chair. She suddenly hoped the feast and entertainment was over quickly.
This message was last updated by the player at 04:36, Mon 17 Dec 2018.

Raising the bench was a lot harder than lowering it- trying to keep it steady while loaded with so much food was not easy. Lek's biceps bulged against his sleeves.

"Quick- someone take the food!" Wulfsen was straining now, not flirting with his wife though she would now have a very nice view of his chest muscles at work.

Shawn hurried over, calling on his cousins, Aislyn and Aron, to help him.

Liadan touched Aron's arm. "Be careful!"

"Always." He gave her a quick kiss before hurrying over.

Lek held his end steady. He wished they would hurry.