A Castrovel Adventure: Part 3, Chapter 15

From the Daylog of Vaeol-Zheieveil u’Zhasaele Zolaemaue be’Son

3. Koelae, 24,542 - At the Flaghold
Today I got leave to head to our flaghold, and not only for myself, but for Tae, Less, Remaue, and Oshis also. Oshis dolefully had ended his service to Vosaeth, and I had Erymi’s stark bid to bring him with. So we set off from the City and fared along the island’s shore. Needless to say, all but Oshis already knew what awaited on our arrival. When we rode up to the hold-tree, forth came Erymi, holding her daughter Tesine. Then came Sievae, leading her son’s hand. I watched Oshis’s face while this happened, and bewitted his mirth shift grim.
Erymi came down, leading Sievae and her son, and greeted her manmate staidly. She bade he should speak with Sievae. She left him with a kiss and bade him afterward come to her. Then we others followed her into the tree, leaving Oshis and Sievae below.
Tightly passed the next belltide, for all recked the speech, with shouts and sobs, ongoing below. For Remaue’s and my share, we had had little enough time together, owing to the Motorae lately ended, until now. After we got packs stowed, happily we lay together abed while Lanaryel crawled between and did little but mindshare. Remaue witted something heavy weighed me, and let thoughts follow flow.
Bywardly, Remaue and the babe slumbered. I rose and strolled to the main deck and found Erymi sitting within her cot and holding her sleeping daughter. I witted Oshis and Sievae were walking within the meadow, upkeeping their speech, which I atook from Erymi’s look as good token. At her welcome I sat, put arms around, and kissed her. For a long tide I merely held her.
I asked why I must love a wicked man.
Erymi laughed and hugged me tightly. She answered it is Wifelykind’s selfsomeness to want a mighty man, even one wanton with many wives, for, by claiming him, a wife raises her rank, and also to bequeathe his mightiness to her children. Moreover, most wives haughtily believe they can tame such wildness. She shrove that, from first she met Oshis on their first warfare to the South (ere I went), he had ever proven lusty and miswillfull. Yet she had grown to love him anywise, had forlooked his many sport-tides with others, and had forgiven his sins. She fully wared she cannot change him, but maybe can drive him to better choices.
Then she swiveled to me and asked what I would wish. At her word, I quailed. Though I had readied for this tide, fear overrode and drove words down into my breast.
Long I had thought on my bridetide and the First Man I would choose, and more than only Oshis I had reckoned: Less for his goodness and unleastly to have blood-kinship with Remaue’s child, also Captain Dosuaesh for his masterful doughtiness and meek wisdom. Yet ever my mind came back to Oshis, my first Otherspear and wickedly mighty for the reasons I have written above. Yet I had another, too, for he is the Korasha who rides, and if I bear a Korasha babe, I would love that he may ride as well.
I knelt, took Erymi’s hand, and asked that I would seek blood-kinship with her and her daughter. Erymi wept, smiled, and kissed me. Then she outspoke she could think of no higher worth than to become my child-sister. We hugged and laughingly wept together.
I went back to our cot, where Remaue sat awake and waiting. I sat beside, kissed her, and laid my head in her lap while she played with my hair. Sillily I giggled, and then in whisper told that I am fordone with maidenhood. Remaue leaned low, hugged me tight, and kissed me. She said she had been awaiting this time for a long while. Then she tickled me, which got me squealing. I tried to offwrestle her. Yet her strength overtook me, though I did not find it unmerry.
Later, we outcame to the main deck, where we found Tae, Less, and Erymi. Also came Oshis and Sievae upclimbing. Noteworthily, Oshis bore her son Lenis ashoulder and held her hand. When they betrod, he handed her back the boy. Then shamefacedly he stood before us all. He outspoke he would make shrift, for he had forsaken Sievae when she first came for his help, forwhy he feared her child was not his. Yet now he full-witted his mistake and would do right for her sake. He then asked what we his household should deem meet.
Erymi stood and came to Sievae. She said that once they had been spear-sisters and believed they could be near again. When Sievae yaysaid, Erymi headed to me and asked we would let Sievae join our household for a year or so, until her child grows free, and then we may deem whether they stay or go.
I heard her beseech, halted a breathtide, and asked our gathered house whether anyone gainsaid. None answered. So I looked to both Erymi and Sievae and deemed that we should do as Erymi asked and give Sievae and her child cot and board.
Later while we readied another tree-cot for Sievae, I got time alone to speak with Remaue and Erymi. I outlaid that it seems mistimely to announce my bridehood right at Sievae’s oncome. Moreover, I wished not too eagerly to give Oshis another mothermate when he already has two dwelling with, and another faring northward with child unborn, for I misgive to swell his pride. Then I added I would see him wrack a little ere I give him my boon, at which they smiled and answered they would help.