A Castrovel Adventure: Part 3, Chapter 23

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

2. Afaelae, 24,542 - Son
This morntide when I came to watchtide at the Citadel, Lady-Captain called and bade we should go before Lady-Mother. This word forecaught that I should be so called to my mother’s house. Yet I wondered that this must somehow stand for City business. I reminded she had yesterday spoken of a meeting with a Highland guest. So we went together, where we waited a farthingtide ere the groom led us into the elfyard.
There we met Lady-Mother, who sat with a crone wearing a bodyshroud of raw silk dyed in odd wise. Lady-Mother named her as Ianare, an elderwife of Noruma, a freehold that lies six dayfares northwestward among the mountains, nigh Father-Yaro’s headwaters, as I already knew, for Noruma stands as trade-mate with the City.
Lady-Mother outlaid the Elderwife had come seeking help on Noruma’s behalf, and had brought word of strife from the mountains. Lady-Mother then named me as an outrider and flagmaiden, and added that I have deedfulness with Elves, since I had dealt with them not only in Qabarat, but twice also had gone to Sovyrian. This last whit I thought odd, since I knew not what wish a highland freehold might have with Elves. Yet to the Elderwife I bowed and greeted fairly, and asked how we may help Noruma.
Elder Ianare overlooked me keenly. She asked what I know beyond Elves, or whether I am merely a pretty striped face who plays as truce-bode. I answered I have seen war, both within the rainwood, on the Darkfloor, and away south against the Formians. This seemingly gladdened her.
Lady-Mother outlaid the strife whose word Ianare had brought: the mountain clans are caught in feud with Elves. This word surprised me, since I had last forelooked this thing. While I had heard tales of lost Elf-clans dwelling along the Stormshield Shore, I had never much believed.
Ianare told the strife had begun yesteryear, when Noruma had gotten word from clans further westward of feud with Elves. They had sent elders to meet with these clans, had witnessed Elf-wrought wounds, and had heard of the threats made against Lashunta coming onto Elf-claimed land. Ianare fears that, if truce be not soon made, open warfare may break out. So her holdwife has sent her, in hope that Son may help overwin all to peace.
At Lady-Captain’s nod, I knelt and took the Elderwife’s hand. I spoke that I know something of Elves and have named some friend, though I have had my own feud with others. I forespoke that, if it lies within our might, we will go as truce-bode among the Elves and Clans and do our utmost to forestall war.
I then asked what Ianare knows of these Stormshield Elves, for I have heard only tales. She answered they seem little like Qabarat Elves, whomof she has heard word but never met. Yet they live wild, dwelling off mountain game, birds, and fish. She told there had been strife in yore, but well over two hundred years ago in her grandmother’s lifetime, and that sinceward they had held peace by shunning each other’s lands. That steadship had shifted yesteryear, however, when the western clans had stirred westward when their hunting-game faded, to reap the hinterland’s wealth. This had brought Lashunta into hunting-lands ere claimed by the Elves. The Elves had offwarned, and had even shot some hunters. Yet the Lashunta had not listened. She added it is a wonder warfare had not yet outbroken, but feared it beneeds merely time.
I headed at Lady-Mother and Lady-Captain and outspoke that, with their leave, I will ready an outfit with haste, and that we shall go among the Mountain Clans and deal for peace. I also read that farseer-bode should forthwith be sent to Qabarat, and sunderly to Master Mearthil who dwells within the Elf-Farthing, of the worry between the Stormshield Elves and Lashunta, and with beseech that if they have any sway with their kind, they should swiftly stir.
Lady-Mother yaysaid that we shall lend help to the Mountain Clans to find a truce between Lashunta and Elves. Lady-Captain bade we shall leave in three days and host Elder Ianare back to her folk. Then Lady-Captain and I made worship and withdrew.
Afterward, Lady-Captain and I overtalked the outfit. We agreed this would not be a warfare. Therefore it shall be a small sith under my reeveship. For warriors, I asked merely Lady Istae and my flag, which she blessed.
Straightway I sent word through the Citadel to gather my flagmates, and then headed to the house. Remaue at once bewared something afoot. Yet I bade her wait until the others. When Istae came last, I yielded the news: we have a quest and must ready to leave for the mountains in three days. The news unleashed a word-storm of frains and whits, which after a belltide and more we settled. Erymi needs to stay at the Shota-field under duty. Also, Sievae will stay and mind the new house. Krastaes my champion will shift to come with, as will Istae and her shieldbearer.
Remaue, my heavenly wifemate, looked torn. I asked her worry. She asked back whether this is truly a truce-bode or more threatsome. Weightily I answered that we cannot know until outcome, but our hope is to offstave war. Grimly she thought, and then spoke that she shall come with, with thought that she will teach Kaure to ride as my shieldbearer. I hugged her tightly while she held Lanaryel and withstood the fear for our darling babe.
Then I gazed upward and beheld the look on Kaure’s face. She had overheard, and I could tell was overthinking the word that she should become my shieldbearer. She had erenever reckoned being more than a mere groom. The outlook unsettled, even as it thrilled her.
We have much to do ere leavetide. I feel much rides on our uptake.