A Castrovel Adventure: Part 3, Chapter 21

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

13. Koelae, 24,542 - Son
Many whits today. Though we woke wontfully early, many bore the marks of yestereve’s mirthtide, including Less with a wine-heavy head, for which we mildly mocked him. Sievae came, knelt, took my hands, and prayed me thanks. When I asked her meaning, she answered that, though she had already been thankful for letting her join our house, she was even more so after yesternight. I gathered her tide with Nae and Hanos had given a deep balm upon her mind. Blessingly I kissed her.
In talk of going to the City, I asked when she might deem herself ready to stand watch at the Citadel, if her son is old enough. She asked that she be given another year before she leave her son. Yet, sunderly if we soon have a house in the City, then she would willingly serve as groom. We agreed, whereat she went to help breakfast.
Then Oshis, as yesterday forespoken, asked Kaure to follow him to the Shota-field. We all riders witted this will and followed to watch.
Oshis led the way to the meadow, where the Shota meanly gather to glean fodder and scraps we put out for their welfare. He then bade Kaure stand in the pack’s midst. She went slowly, easily so to not startle them. We watched their boxy, scaled snouts swerve to smell and see her. A few younglings gamboled near. Yet she unheeded.
Bywardly an older Shota sidled near: a big queen who bore scars on her hide and had doubtlessly borne many egg-clutches. Also likely, she had bonded and carried a rider ereward, maybe even at warfare. She neared Kaure with a trustiness that bespoke she knew Lashunta and had a good math already of Kaure’s self. In answer, Kaure knelt and forth held her hand. The big queen upcame and snuffled her fingers, doubtlessly seeking a snack. Kare sat forbearingly and slowly drew her near, until her antennae could reach forth and touch the fine scale-ridges along the Shota’s brow, which thew the same purpose.
We others stood softly for the tide, lest we do anything that might break the bond. Yet we beheld good token when Kaure reached arm about the Shota’s neck and softly hugged her. The steed’s mouth opened and let forth her great tongue, which slathered Kaure’s face. Kaure stood and stroked and scratched the Shota’s hide, who stood and stretched gladly underneath. Hand on the beast’s shoulder, Kaure walked together to us. She gave her steed’s name as Vali, which we thought well. Then she hastened back to the Flaghold, for she said Vali was mightily wantsome of roast meat. Laughingly we followed back and readied for the City.
It outcame we had no saddle for Kaure and Vali. Yet Kaure climbed asteed and rode back, even though it meant a hard ride and I doubt not she was sore afterward. Soon as we came to the Shota-barn, we asked a saddle for her.
In all, Remaue, Kaure, Tae, Less, Draue, Hanos, and Nae came with, while Erymi and Sievae stayed at the flaghold. I went straight to Lady-Captain’s wand-bearer and logged Draue, Nae, and Hanos as ready for watch under my name. I also bade that Kaure henceforth thews under me, for I wish to get her away from anyone who holds her ill will. I then told them all to take their rooms in the Citadel but not unpack too much, for Remaue forelooks to soon find a house, for which she outwent with Kaure, soon as word waiting from the City Steward.

14. Koelae
After our night-wrought idleness, we have had a busy day. At forenoon, Remaue and Kaure found me. They told they have found a likely house, which they wished me to see. So at slumbertide I got leave and left with them.
Remaue led us to Lowertown, where a neighborhood off the harbor stands, to a house. It is ungreat, and half-built from an older wreckstead, but has room enough for us all, and even an open Shota-barn for hire at the bight. I have learned enough from my father’s stonecraft to wit its framebones are strong. It even has a young milktree within the midyard, along with a lesser myrrhblossom. A glowrose has also begun crawling up the inner deck to the roof, but with time more will grow. I believe it will meet our needs. Even better, the house’s rear gate stand across a street from our idleyard atop the elder wallworks, where we have so gladly spent our marketday mirthtides. I am sure Remaeue chose it with this whit in mind. I deem it a lucky token.
With my blessing, Remaue and Kaure hastened back to the City Steward. By her hands knotting, I could already tell she is making plans to dress and dighten this new stead. They have gone to tell the others.
...Erenow, Remaue and I spoke. She wished to speak of Kaure, for she worries for her. She asked whether I witted the dark dread linked in Kaure’s dreams and idleness. I yaysaid.
Remaue then asked whether I understood the dread’s root. I thought back to my shared mindwhit with Kaure on our first day: the three fell men with blood on their knuckles. Yet my heart forsook, and cravenly answered I was unsure.
Remaue sat on my lap, hugged my shoulders, and nuzzled my head into her swollen bosom. She reckoned what to speak next while she toyed with my hair. Sighingly she said that Kaure is no maiden. Yet neither is she upraised to wife. Remaue believed a fell wrong has been done. I shrive that, against all the clues outlaid, my mind missed thought. Shamefully, I did not wish to believe. The thought made no good wit. How could a man so overcome a wife?
Sorrowfully Remaue read my befuddleness. Then she kissed and named me her blithe beauty. She told that things are never quite so neat and fair among the farmlands as Wellborn like me believe. She then told a tale that, in a farmhold neighhboring her kindred’s, a maiden had gotten bechild ere her firdhood. It outcame that an older Korasha, a man much misliked and beyond the neighborwives' goodwill, had behooved his years and strength to breach her maidenhead and slake his lust. The man was afterward banned, and the erstwhile maiden upyielded the child after birth, and then had left altogether, from shame that a Korasha so overborne and wrongly used her.
Misgivingly I hearkened. The more I thought on this thing, the more overwrought I became. By tide I shoved Remaue from my lap and stood, wrath was shivering me. I beheld this sin as a threat to all Lashunta, and not merely Damaya and not merely wives and maidens, but to our kind’s whole way of life. I strode back and forth while I reckoned likelihood of getting the evil mens' names from Kaure and banning them myself.
Remaue watched forbearingly, and I think beheld my mind. Grudgingly I slowed while my fists curled. Then I forsook the wild mood overholding me, drew near, and kissed her. I forespoke, however, that I would have these men’s names when Kaure readily yields them, and also that we may never forsake her. Remaue hugged me tight.