Pretty Mysterious Bird

Before they left the territory of what seemed to be a hidden garden, Theron guided them toward a steep section of the ground overlooking the village below.

"Look, what do you see?" He asked.

"Huh? Is that… Is that our courtyard?!" Meara gasped in excitement.

"Our courtyard is so pretty from afar. Does it mean…" Calla's thought trailed off.

"Yes, the hidden service gate from your wall leads to this paradise. Next time, we can go through there if you want."

They continued and left the hidden paradise. Their promised secret. Their golden source.

Theron once again led them to another unexplored area with scattered grottos. Grottos are natural small caves, voids in the ground which can be a temporary shelter for sudden rains or hide from the scorching sun. They passed two grottos till there was a bend in the corner and small chirps could be heard. The bird in the small cage held by Calla also chirped.

They went nearer to the sound of chirping birds and found an inconspicuous grotto less than a meter in height that could be explored further inside.

"They are inside huh…". Meara squinted and she could see a large nest inside, 3 meters ahead but no birds in sight.

"Mia, can you bring out one steamed bun?" Theron casually called her a nickname While squatting at the entrance of the grotto.

Meara obediently took one out and handed it to Theron. He broke the buns into tiny pieces and lined them up at the entrance. Calla also put the extra basket near them and went away to check the surroundings for materials to make cages.

In just a quarter of an hour, all remaining eight birds lined up and revealed themselves. They all looked the same except for their tails. Three birds have only gold color, two have silver, and two have bronze. The last one has three color combinations like the one Theron caught earlier.

Theron also noticed that once they were familiar with the one who gave them food, they no longer changed color and they became docile. Theron can easily pick them up and put them in the basket while waiting for Calla to finish a bigger cage where 2 or 3 birds can be caged.

Theron also started building the last cage while Calla was finishing her second. They plan to separate the birds according to their tail colors for now.

"If you don't mind, I will take these birds to my home to avoid suspicions. The ginseng as well. You bring the herbs with you as proof that you went to the mountains. Let's go to the city as soon as possible. Can you make it tomorrow so the flowers and herbs you got can be sold at pharmacies while they're fresh? I will go to my contacts from the auction house to negotiate the ginseng."

"Yes, after breakfast we can go again. Calla and I will prepare the herbs to be sold tomorrow."

"In two weeks, the dried ginseng is ready for auction. I will try to set the auction around that time. Would you want to come with me to watch?"

"Can we?" Meara asked without hiding her excitement.

"Of course. We provide the item, a very rare item at that, so we have the privilege to witness its auction. We should have our private box as well hidden from the public. I will ask everything tomorrow."

They harvested a few fruits along the way and soon their basket was almost full. During this time, Theron is carrying the heavy basket.

They went down the mountains with the path leading to the hidden service gate. Upon reaching the service gate which is also hidden by thick vines, they chose which plants to leave outside the gate. Theron told them to leave some plants there so they only have one basket of herbs, one basket of fruits, and two plants to be transplanted in the yard.

They went separate ways from there. Theron's house is built near the mountains as expected of a hunter. He will have to go a bit around the foot of the mountain since his house is on the other side.

Meara and Calla on the other hand were leisurely walking while discussing what to plant and where in the courtyard. Suddenly they heard the sound of horse hooves in the pathway to the mansion.

Meara looked up and saw Donne's group of 8 people on horseback about to enter the Xelt mansion. The last person, one of the trusted forces around Donne, is known as Steel. He was among the last and saw them approaching the place too.

Meara and Calla at this point are not too clean and have the appearance of exhaustion but happy hikers.

"My lady, let me carry that fruit basket for you. I will drop it off in your courtyard."

"Is that okay?" Meara asked, a bit embarrassed.

"Of course, my lady. I see you harvested some medicinal plants and other vegetables. Having a feast?"

"With vegetables only?" Meara smiled. "No sir, we just want some stock in the kitchen."

"Well, I'll go ahead and leave these by your gate." He left after Meara thanked him and caught up with the others.

Meara took one of the plants from Calla and they continued walking.

Meanwhile, Donne is aware of what Steel did. He did not ask.

"Men, rest for a quarter of an hour and meet me at the study room." He dismissed the seven strong men.

Donne went directly to the back kitchen of the mansion. The head chef saw him and waited, ready for his instructions.

"I will have an early dinner with my men in an hour and a half. Make it with the addition of more meat."

"Yes sir. Would you like us to add a venison dish, sir? We received a fresh kill yesterday."

"From that hunter again? Okay, make an extra dish." He instructed.

"Husband, dear, you're early." Corin coquettishly wrapped her hands around Donne's right arm.

"Yes, I am early. However, we have something to discuss in the study room. Make sure everybody is aware not to disturb us."

"Of course. I will let Milton know. I will go now." Corin turned and walked away. But she heard Donne ask the head chef again.

"The little courtyard, are we short of food for them? I saw them from the mountains just now. They harvested herbs, vegetables, and fruits."

The head cook was stunned and looked back at Corin. Corin stopped walking and waited for the chef's response.

"Uh… we have less fresh vegetables this week sir so we prioritized the wives' rations. We will look for other sources soon sir."

"Okay. Make sure they have enough. It's not good to see my concubine fending for herself outside my household."

"Yes sir, apologies sir."

Before the night ended, the little courtyard ration was delivered with a basket of fresh vegetables.

The head chef and butler decided not to follow the second wife's instructions anymore after the General's reminder.

Corin was very mad at Meara.

Meara doesn't even know.