Crown of Purple Fire (English)

~III~

"The nerve of that male, you know?" Tessa seethed. "I should have hurt him when I had the chance--"

"How unladylike of you," Ingrith yawned. "I suppose marriage has that affect on you. Doesn't it, Thalia?"

Tessa's mother didn't respond. It took her the whole night to fly from Roth to Mare, though Tessa was more than determined to get away from Roman. She appeared at dawn, with a wide-eyed Ingrith demanding to her to tell whatever she has to say. It was midday, and the three females were picking at grapes at the windowsill of the kitchen. While Ingrith and Tessa conversed, the latter's mother stared into the horizon, at the golden sun that reflected the flecks of her emerald eyes.

"I don't understand how one could be that cruel? Punishments should be fair and just, not equal--" Tessa went on, but her mother interrupted her.

"You're husband is right."

Ingrith looked at her. "How could you possibly say that? He threatened to burn down a measly thief--"

"He wasn't right about that," Thalia looked at Tessa. "He was correct, however, that you shouldn't have compared the ways of Iasshari to the ways I raised you in."

Tessa was taken aback. "Then what should have I said?"

"Nothing. Nothing good ever comes from meddling in your husband's affairs." Tessa's mother then looked at Ingrith. "You should tell her."

The peahen paled. "I-I don't think that's a very good idea, Thalia--"

"Tell me what?" Tessa interjected.

Ingrith opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, a sound came from the living room. Someone had barged in.

The three female birds took a look, and found a multitude of eagles searching every inch of the room, and one of them being...Rhian.

He was looking very grim and stony, but his eyes met Tessa's, and his gaze softened. "I apologize for the intrusion, my Quee--" he stopped himself. "My lady. Your husband's orders."

"What were his orders?" Tessa demanded. Roman may be her husband, but he had no right to meddle in her personal affairs. King or lord or husband, he had no right. None whatsoever.

Rhian cleared his throat as he obviously recited the order from his brother. "'Roman Lucius Nayelin, King of the Eagles and Rydicen fowl, Lord of the Iasshar and mainland fowl, declares a search on all houses through the Seven Isles for the thief's storage might very well be stashed in one of them. The bounty is still the same; a decade's worth of gold and a diamond of 24 karats."

"24 karats--" Tessa's mother began.

"This is preposterous," Tessa spat. She didn't know what her power was over the guards, but she had to try. "I command you to stop the search. All of you, in all houses. Rhian, take me to your brother this instant. This has to stop." She inhaled, braced and ready for the receiving response of aye--

But no one said that. Instead, Rhian's eyes widened at the direction behind Tessa. She turned and saw one of the guards holding an empty leather sack. But the sack was turned upside-down and open, so Tessa's gaze trailed down the sack to floor, which was filled with......with an abundance of fruit, nuts, and raisins.

"H-How...?" She looked at her mother, and Ingrith, both equally pale and out of breath.

"I--" Ingrith started.

"I did it," Tessa's mother confessed. "I'm the thief."

Tessa's eyes stung. "Mother, how....how could you?"