A Castrovel Adventure: Part 3, Chapter 18

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

9. Koelae, 24,542 - Son
This first morntide, I asked Less to bear word to the flaghold and Remaue, and tell that I have good news: first that I have enough silver-income to uphold us all, next that Draue, Nae, and Hanos have joined us, and lastly that I need Remaue’s help for house business. Then I stood watch.
While watchtide, I kept eyes open for Arae Elderspear. Bywardly, I saw her in the meal-hall. I asked to speak alone.
I led her to the heartyard, where we stood under the great milktree, and she asked my will. I told I had trusty word that she had bereft the City of a rider. A dumbstricken look crossed her face, and I frankly think she first witted not what I spoke of. So I gave Kaure’s name, whereon unbelief further widened her eyes. She shook her head. So I asked whether she would naysay the deed.
She did not naysay. Instead, she gazed straight at me: ~Korasha di lasha.~ “Korasha do not ride,” outspoke she.
I answered that I knew Kaure had already bound a Shotalashu when Arae bereft it. Furthermore, I know another Korasha who rides well, and, to my mind, better than Arae, and a better Elderspear as well, and so outnamed Oshis. At his name, I cannot well bewrite her look. Not since Valmaeyana fighting the Formians have I seen utter hatred on a Lashunta face. She spat that Oshis has no right to ride as Elderspear. ~O'nae ukezhyas, o Shota halaeassa,~ - "He should be offrun," she answered, "and his Shota slain."
Her hatred shook me. I offshrugged unbelief while my anger rose to match. I stood near, overleaned, and then outquoth that she should never again do as she had done to Kaure. If ever I hear, I swore I would wreck her livelihood, for not only am I Outrider and Flagmaiden, but I have Lady-Captain’s ear, and also Master-Captain Dosuaesh’s (which name I ground into her ear for the flinch outbearing), and moreover would bring my kindred’s full might, both Lady-Mother and sisters.
She outspoke I have no right to so behave her. I asked her why not, forwhy so she had already done to Kaure. Then I offered that she may instead ride spears against me, a Games champion, and who has even beaten Korasha at trial-bout, unlike her! Or better yet, I forespoke she might ride against Oshis, for I hold faith my burly, riding manlove can easily unsteed her. Under my threat she wilted. I forespoke I would be watching, and then bade she should get back to the watch-tide she so unworthily holds. She slunk hastily back to the Citadel while I stayed behind.
The strife left me overwrought, such that I could not quell my heart. Ess bewared my mood soon as I betrod the Shota-barn. He brayed and clawed the stall, which outcome brought me to better mood. I hugged him, laid head on his stout shoulder, and let his rough scales and blithe faith cool me. Then I yielded him a thorough scratching, saddled, and rode him out to the drillfield, where we spent a belltide tilting and at quirts, until I outwore the anger.
This evetide, Remaue came with Lanaryel and eagerly asked my news. Truthfully I had much to tell. Yet she witted something had stirred me. So I told her of Kaure and all that had happened, and also that a grim wound lay upon her soul. At once she thrilled and dearly wished to meet her. She asked if Kaure was ugly or overly manly, whereat I sternly chided her, and furthermore that Remaue had so wrongly asked. Bechided but nevertheless eager, she asked to meet, to which I deem we shall do tomorrow.
Truthfully, we have so much more to talk, for with our house’s ongoing service both at the flaghold and here at the Citadel, we should rightly have a house here. I have asked Remaue to beseech the City Steward and see what we may be let.