A Castrovel Adventure: Part 3, Chapter 16

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

5. Koelae, 24,542 - Son
Early this morn, I rode back to the city, along with Tae and Less. Remaue and Erymi selfsomely stayed with the children, along with Sievae. I also sternly bade Oshis to stay, eyesomely to mind all his mothermates and children, and forespoke to outlay his behalf to the Citadel. Awayward, I filled Tae and Less in on the plan to wrack him. Less, ever eager to get his friend’s better share, agreed gleefully, and Tae followed wise.
At the Citadel, I asked moot with Lady-Captain. When I entered her stall-room, I found both her and Master-Captain Dosuaesh, which I found made the speech even harder. Almost I could not speak the words until they worried at my halt. Then I grew fearful after I spoke, that they might take ill my beseech for wifehood.
A long breathtide the two captains sat. In reckonship they nodded while I stood wringingly, and almost bethought they had entered mind-share. Then my ears burned when Master-Captain spoke that he had forelooked tell that I am already bechild. Even Lady-Captain laughed, though she slapped him chidingly. I lost my coolness and asked by what proof he miscalled my sheerness. Still chuckling, he begged forgiveness and outlaid it is well known I overhead a lusty house, and neither does he see in my selfness any withholding trend. Such an anger overtook me that brought my eyes tears, and almost spoke unkindliness. Yet Lady-Captain came forth and hugged me, and asked his forgiveness. Master-Captain swore he had outspoken nothing against me, nor deed done, though he shrove that, even if I had goten bechild under maidenhood’s oath, he would bethink me no less.
After I soothed, Lady-Captain asked if I would take leave from the Citadel, to which I answered that when the time comes, I would, but until then would stand duty so long as I could. Also, I said that no plan is yet made, nor bridetide set, and that my will is to get all my business together ere the deed. Master-Captain asked whether I have chosen the lucky man, which made me blush. I answered it is secret, for I have a plan in mind, and asked they tell none until I give word. They agreed, and I left with their blessing.
I next found Raeonyl my half-sister at drill and called her aside, and asked that, after end, she bear word to Lady-Mother that I would speak with her alone. She agreed, and I left with a kiss, after which I waited on the Captain’s business.
I later got word from Lady-Mother to meet her after duskmeal. I went to her house and found her in the idleyard. She hugged me and at once told I had something amind. Here my tongue almost missed again, though haltingly I told I have asked leave from the Citadel to seek wifehood. I made my mother weep again, overmerry at my news, even until I chided her loudness. Full surely I wish not my sisters to know, for they will try to steer it to their own goals. She agreed to keep it secret, though on forespeech that she must plan my bridetide.

6. Koelae
Today has brought more news, which, though I believe it unlinked to my speech with Lady-Mother yesternight, the timeliness struck me odd. Maybe it is an omen the world is aligning to my goodwill. I got word from Mistress Tessil, my sisters’ blood-aunt, asking me to her household. At slumbertide I showed at her door. A groom led me to the elfyard, where Mistress-Aunt met me under the glowblossom-tree.
My kith with my sisters’ aunt has ever been wry. As bloodless kin, she has treated me kindly, though without understanding that she owes me any boon. Rather, it seemed gainwise, for our household - my mother, and then my sisters and brother - had behooved from her goodwill. Now I found myself wondering why she had called me, and what she might claim.
Mistress-Aunt greeted me fairly and told that she has had word from my brother Devaeas (whomto she is also blood-aunt), and therein a bequest. It outcomes he still has a small share in their kindred’s trade-house, though I had guessed it all forsaken. She told that he had bethought well my rise to flagmaiden and would see my new household upheld. With that, she handed me a writ, wherein my brother has bequeathed that I shall get five hundred silvermarks yearly from his share.
I was stricken speechless. I had not even known my brother yet has a trade-share he can draw. With his bequest, adding to the five hundred also from Lady-Mother, I am no longer a wantsome flagmaiden. With the Citadel’s tithe for our upstanding warriors, I dare reckon we can now live well and keep a ready household. With this one writ-stroke my worries are quelled.
I think I gaped at Mistress-Aunt, who read my overtakenness and smiled. She asked if I have any question or need anything else, at which I shook head and breathlessly thanked her. Then she took my hand and said that my big brother thinks me quite worthy. Also, she forebodes to share his belief. Here I could only thank her again, witlessly.
While I regathered myself, I witted Misstress Tessil watching. We stared a breathtide. Then she asked whether I am happy to stay Outrider. Warily, I answered yes. She nodded and let go of my hand. She spoke she foresees me doing well, but yet, if ever I weary of the Citadel, she added, I may do well in other wises. If ever I again overthink my livelihood, I should come to her.
Her word rang with something my sisters had said when I first became Outrider: that I should think on how I should greaten my livelihood at some time, by leaving the Citadel and seeking matronhood. I am aware that Mistress-Aunt has behooved greatly from my sisters and Lady-Mother, and thereby has strong hold in the City’s Matronhood. Her rank would not lessen by having another matron, such as me, so beholden.
So peacefully as I could, I answered I would reckon her rede. Then I bowed, left, and went straight to the Hoard-Bank, where I put my brother’s writ in my log. Then the next belltide I spent walking the streets, Uppertown, Lowertown, the harbor, and even the Gameyard, to clear my mind. Heady though it may be to think I could tread our City’s mighty halls, something of this offer misgives, unleastly if it must mean walking my sisters’ path.