Woman of Sorrows-The Black-Veiled Woman

Motives

Thane had been gone, almost the whole of everyday for nearly three weeks now. Between his work at the smithy's, his work on their house in the mountain valley, and his currier work for Charles, he was at home for far less time than Chalandra would have liked. She rarely complained, and never to him, for she knew it would not serve her any good to make him worry or feel pity for her trapped at home whilst he was away, working for her. Some days, she felt guilt for feeling so trapped and bored, but she likewise knew it was selfish to feel so when he was working so tirelessly so that she might have a good life.

Still, having him to speak with and to entertain her was always the best part of her days, though he often was not up for long after he returned home. The little time she had, to speak and be with him were still enough to keep her going, though that night, he returned home long after dark. When he finally passed through the door, she was about to put aside his dinner for another day, assuming he would not be eating that night given the late hour. He ate in silence, clearly worn from his day, then retired to their bed as soon as he had cleaned out his bowl.

Knowing he was tired, she had done her best to give him his space. To play the role of a housewife, seen and not heard, and for the time he spent eating, she had succeeded. His distance worried her, though she likewise knew he was simply exhausted, rather than quietly brewing anger for her. Yet, though she had struggled to stay silent, once she was seated on the bed pulling off her boots, she could play the part of the meek woman no longer, not when she had earlier reached a realization that startled and stirred her, no matter how tired he was.

"Thane, has it not occurred to you, that these people are trying to divide us?" she inquired, swallowing hard after she spoke.

"How do you mean?" he asked in return, taking a seat on the bed across from her, "What makes you believe anyone here would care enough to try and split us up?"

She shook her head slowly, as though trying to think over the words. Since Charles had hunted them in the market, tried to force himself between them and incite fury in Thane, she had worried. There had to be some reason, some intention in his ways, the tricks and the constant words of others trying to suggest their marriage was not all it seemed.

"Why do they care so much about us?" she finally asked instead, brushing a few strands of her hair aside, "They have tried to do harm to our marriage, and I cannot imagine why they should even care."

"They care because you are a prize, Chalandra," Thane informed her, his tone serious and firm, "They desire you, and if you are married to me, they see they cannot have it, at least not now. The men want to try their luck with you, and they assume that if I leave you, you will be more willing."

"I still do not see how it matters. They clearly want us apart. Can you not see that? Everything that has happened in the last few weeks, they are attempting to drive a wedge between us, one which they assume we will be trapped with and fall apart. But I must ask you again, why do they care? It is not because I am beautiful, that is too shallow."

"Men are shallow, my love."

"I know they are, but I doubt even the most corrupt are that much so. There is more."

Realizing he could not defeat her, he nodded slowly and turned to face her a bit more closely.

"What do you believe they are attempting to do? Why do you believe they are doing it?"

"It must be Charles," she finally said, meaning it, "It must be him. I think he knows."

"Knows what? My darling, you have spent so many years on the run, fighting and hiding, that you cannot see past your obsession for reasons. Men are often simply men, shallow and irrational. I do not know what else to tell you."