You swindle or steal from me; you’ll end up in the river when the tithe comes calling. You hear me? (River Run Pitch Call)
Listen. I’ll tell you a story.
There is a river.
There has always been a river.
When the first people came to this land, the river was there to greet them, and it was old then.
The river is old and the river is strong and the river runs a long, long way to the sea. It isn’t always safe.
But I have a long way to go.
I’ll risk it.
If I can.
--
River Run is an Mississippi River Gothic audio drama created and produced by Daisy McNamara (@stardustshimmers) and Eelsong Studios telling the story of a traveler and her pursuers, a boat and her crew, a hound and her dog. Telling the story of the Eternal River, its crossings, and the people who use them, both in this world and the Other.
It is set in the year 1885, in a fantastical alternative America alive with cryptids, creatures, and characters both wicked and wise. Where the Mississippi River contains Crossings-- points where this world and another intersect--that can be used for any number of purposes.
As long as one is willing to pay the price.
--
We are seeking writers to create stand-alone Tales expanding the world and its mythos.
Paid- $75 USD for 1 episode
Call is HERE: https://workdrive.zohoexternal.com/external/writer/39cb8b4b238b33b8743f4abcdf7fd8581a89487b7d4cd0ad999c8b13a6f6e1f3
Hi guys. I decided it was high time to make a central blog for all my personal shows, rather than having a bunch of blogs to mantain.
My name is Daisy McNamara. (@stardustshimmers)
My current podcasts are SCP Archives, @thegospelofhaven, @eelerschoice with my cocreator Lou Sutcliffe, and the upcoming River Run. I'll be doing most of my promotional posting here!
Summary - The aftermath of Shanda’s wedding, the beginning of the rest of them.
Warnings - fem!reader, suspense, adult language, period typical misogyny, condescension, adult language, feelings of shame, feelings of guilt, manipulation, benjicot brainrot, Kieran Burton fancast.
Word count - 2.5k
Read Patchwork Pattern pt.2 from the story Redfork Menace by Moseslikellama with 0 reads. benjicotblackwood, sworn, fan...
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.
“You definitely wind me up. You’re so stupidly stubborn and you never admit when you’re wrong.”
She scoffed at that, when was she ever wrong? Did she sometimes miscalculate risk? Yes, but who didn’t? She wasn’t an all seeing witch. It didn’t make her wrong, she was just ill informed at times.
“You want me but you’re scared. So you’re doing what you do best, causing chaos.”
Her face was stained red and she couldn’t tell if it was from anger or embarrassment. She didn’t like being called out.
“Shut up, Blackwood. This entire mess is and has been your fault. Now I’m stuck with you forever. So tell me what the fuck the tree showed you.”
This time when he lunged he caught her by the arm. He swung her around, her back hitting his chest as he grabbed the other arm as well. She swung her head back, intending to crack his open but he was ready for her. He tsk’d at her when she missed his face and her head hit his shoulder instead. He wrapped both of his arms around her, holding her snug against him. His face was buried in her neck and she shuddered when he exhaled softly.
“You aren’t stuck with me.” The sound of his voice made her knees weak in a blissful way. “I’m helping you out, like I always do. Your plan to cause trouble is still intact and you’ve already caused enough. But who am I to stand in the way of my beautiful little wife?”
Electricity shot through her at the affectionate title, and she was so warm under the layers of fabric piled on top of her.
“You snuck into our land.” His voice was a deadly whisper while he stroked her collarbone, his fingers feather light. “You tried to leave me for dead. The wolves did come, you know, chased me halfway to Raventree before they lost interest.”
She would’ve laughed any other time hearing the news, she might’ve gloated as well, finally victorious. But right now she was focusing all of her energy into being still. He’d pounced all right and now she was in between the beast's teeth, waiting for the inevitable chomp that would come.
“And then you came back.” His hand slithered up her neck, holding her softly.
She knew she could break out of his one armed hold if she really wanted to. He was strong but she was clever when she needed to be. She didn’t try to escape though. She listened to him speak a truth she was just beginning to accept despite her heavy reservations.
“You came back after I named you specifically. I told you what would happen but you couldn’t resist. Tired of being a golden statue at home, well don’t worry baby, I would never put you up on a shelf.”
His lips were trailing up her neck and she hardly had to think before she had twisted around to push her own lips against his. The two were an inferno, melted together and whirling as she began ripping layers of the dress off of herself. When she grew tangled in the fabric due to her own impatience she could hear Benji laughing before he helped her pull it off. She stared at him, her whole body flushed a perfect shade of cherry in the morning sunlight. He looked like the god of happiness and warmth, she wanted to be under his skin basking in that glow.
“I did come back.” She grabbed his hand and placed it on her naked hip. “Because you were so odd, so utterly out of place. The heir playing around with borderland guards, it seemed absurd.”
Her hands were busy unbuttoning his shirt one by one.
“You knew I was a lady and you didn’t care. Such a brute, grabbing me all the time.”
Her words had lost all bite, replaced by the smile on her face. There was time enough to learn how to live with such a bothersome man later. For now, she wanted to admire the view in front of her. The two of them stood unclothed and half stupid with joy on the last good day of summer.
***
Something was wrong, Martyn had decided. His sister had not come down for breakfast and she had not been in her room when he’d come by to collect her. His father had been gone as well which he considered suspicious. What was the old man doing up and out so early? And why had he refused to talk about where he had been? The whole thing felt like bad news to him. His betrothed, and soon to be wife, had come to him last night and asked a favor.
“Cause a scene. Preferably a really big one but I suppose a small one will do.”
Martyn stared at the woman, her dark curls looked wild in the humid air.
“At some point Lord Elmo is going to figure out Royce and I keep starting these fights.”
That seemed inevitable even barring the one she was asking for. Alysanne had only smirked at him and pushed him harder than necessary.
“Don’t worry about Elmo. He’ll be much more concerned about the girls than he will be the boys tomorrow.”
That had only made Martyn more nervous. She didn’t elaborate any further and had left him to do whatever it was he was supposed to. A distraction, get Lord Elmo occupied. And he had, Royce had made friends with a few of the Tully staff, as he always did anywhere they went, who had graciously shown them a few hidden passageways. From there it had taken little time to start a ruckus around the castle but centered in the main hall where they’d been holding court. It was a predictable spot for people to be gathering and it was a good distance from Lord Elmo’s study.
Martyn shuddered to think of the look the man had given them at the end of it all. They’d started maybe a tiny bit of hysteria at the idea of River Run being haunted. But in his defense he had been trying to be seen, he’d lingered in hallways and didn’t hide in the main entrance either. But no one seemed to notice him breaking glasses or shooting light fixtures with his slingshot. He was a perfect shot though and perhaps that made a difference. He still wasn’t sure why no one had thought it was him. Well that was until Elmo plucked the sling from his hands. His soul had briefly left his body then but he’d definitely caused a stir. It took Elmo half the night to get everyone settled and assured the castle wasn’t haunted.
“It’s just full of young stupid fools who never stop to think for a moment.” He’d said to many of them, staring at Martyn with venom the entire time.
Then he’d endured an intense but brief interrogation in which he gave away nothing. He hadn’t suffered through that for nothing. He’d slept fitfully thinking of his impending marriage to a woman he hardly knew. She seemed well enough, a bit abrasive at times but smart. She was kind to his sister and that was definitely a plus. But he was also worried about his sister's marriage. It would be odd and strained for both families. He didn’t want it to be though, he wanted to see his sister regularly. He’d hoped whatever the two ladies were planning it wouldn’t pull the two houses apart anymore than they already were.
Now he was sitting anxiously in the Great Hall waiting his turn for the Sept ceremony. He kept glancing at the door and hoping for Shanda to walk through it. There was plenty of time for her to show up and explain where she’d disappeared to. Then maybe she could explain what her plan was to him. The minutes ticked by in a bothersome way, sweat dripping down his back and soaking his shirt. It was nearly afternoon and the sun was high in the sky. The air was heavy and hot. He wanted to take a dip in the gorgeous water down below, he could see out the window. Shining brightly, reflecting the sun back at him.
Around him other couples sat, some were talking. Others sat quietly, staring like Martyn. Anxious for someone familiar to walk through the door or gazing out the windows hoping for a cool breeze. He was starting to think neither would happen on this cursed day. Beside him Alysanne was quiet, she’d braided her hair in a pretty updo. He thought it was smart, all that hair had to be miserable in this heat. He was wishing for a cut of his own right now which neared his collar. She hadn’t said a word since she’d arrived and neither had he. He didn’t have anything to say and couldn’t find it in him to make up something.
What did you say to a stranger who was now your wife? Hello, lovely to meet you. Sorry our families have been killing each other for years, now fancy a meeting in the sheets? The entire thing was doomed from the start. He was loath to let the thought slip into his mind but he was looking forward to simple guard duty. Something that was normal, predictable and easy to navigate. He could see a mile out, he could shoot anything. Whatever all of this was? It did not suit him at all.
“Martyn?”
She spoke at last, looking at him conspiratorially and he wished she had stayed quiet. What could she possibly be up to now?
“If you’re going to ask me to cause a scene, the answer is no. Lord Elmo is still pissed at me, I’ll have you know.”
Martyn hadn’t seen his sister but he had seen Elmo. The man had not been happy to see him but thankfully hasn't spoken to him.
“Hmm. Are you sure? These people seem awful glum, don’t you think? Wouldn’t it be nice if we told them some stories to take their minds off of it?”
He regarded her suspiciously, not for one second buying the innocent look in her eyes. It was an incredibly convincing look but he’d seen the mischief this woman got up to first hand. He also knew his sister had a hand in whatever this was and they seemed a devious pair to team up together.
Have you ever asked yourself what a book for tourist traveling to Westeros would look like ? Well, my intrusive thoughts and lack of sleep helped me come up with this idea. It's just the first part of 9 I'll do one for each region of the land of Westeros, but I already have plan to do it to the region's of Westeros too. I based myself not just on the cultures of the real world but also Westeros, and what they would look like in a modern setting, so yeah enjoy my crazy shit because I sure did when I woke up today and decided to do this.
NORTH. VALE. WESTERLANDS. REACH. STORMLANDS. CROWNLANDS. DORNE. IRON ISLANDS.
