A Castrovel Adventure: Part 3, Chapter 24

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

3. Afaealae, 24,542 - Son
Today’s first thing, I met Istae and Krastaes, who shall be my stead-holders on this trucefare. Together we overwent the path, our fellows, and stocks. At Krastaes’s rede, we shall seek three more bowmen to follow, for he reckons that, even though this is a peacefare, threats still dwell in the mountains, as I remind from my tide hosting Brand to the Hall of Stars. Also, Krastaes knows men with deedfulness hunting the highlands and will ask on our behalf. One of these warriors is his oldest son Raeas, who has lately ended his firdhood. Krastaes wishes hap to serve with him and has besworn his nameworth. With Istae’s yaysay, I agreed.
We next met Ianare and her host, who are two Korasha named Shahis and Ovas. They shall lead us to Noruma, where we will meet their headwife, Lady Karami.

5. Afaelae - Afetch in the Mountains toward Nomura; Tales Farmhold
We are afare as eighteen: myself, Istae, Krastaes, Tae, Draue, Nae, Oshis, Less, and Hanos, with Remaue leading the bag-line and Kaure riding as my shieldbearer (and learning from Remaue), and Nelehi Istae’s shieldbearer. Also at Krastaes’s behest came three more Korasha warriors: Raeas his eldest son and friends Donill and Tass, all who have good deedfulness in the Highlands. I also had taken a groom Orae, who leads a pack-Shota along with her steed, with the other three that Remaue, Kaure, and Nelehi likewise lead. Altogether we asith Ianare on her Shota along with her two Korasha, who jog at a doughty hunting-stride.
Today was easy wayfare, since we know the path here from Son and have erewardly stayed. From here the way to Ta-Shestaru and the Hall of Stars sheds from that toward Noruma. I shrive I had worried for Remaue’s sake, and little Lanaryel’s. Yet the babe took to ride in Remaue’s arms and even sat before on her saddle. She screamed glee when we leapt over tree-limbs. Remaue, for her share, kept her tied with a soft silken harness, which also lets her suckle and sleep when needed.
Whenever she can, Kaure has ridden by my side. I have looked and beheld her gazing worshipfully, for we three - she, I, and Remaue - have borne a secret, one that makes my heart dance even as I can tell it does Kaure’s. Yet not only I noticed, but Erymi, too. At this dusktide she came and outspoke that something has tellingly shifted. She asked what has betided with Kaure.
I had no wise to tell her of yesternight, nor of the oath Remaue and I had sworn to our darling ~Korashe~. Instead, I could at best kiss my antennae to Erymi’s and outlay through mind-share, that Remaue and I have taken Kaure as maidenmate, and she us samely, to share life, hearth, bed, and love. Witlessly, I found myself ashamed, for only yestermonth I had outread to our housemates that Kaure should dwell with us for a tide ere any longtime choice. Yet now I reckoned little worth in withholding truth our souls had already known. I waited for Erymi to scold me, tell that we are overswift, or, even worse, warn that our deed may unsteady our flag-house.
Instead, Erymi laughed. Then she called me a blithe fool, kissed, and hugged me. When I asked why she named me so, she answered our deed was swift, but she had foreguessed our path and that we would so cleave with Kaure. Then she gave her blessing. I held her near and hugged tight.

8. Afaelae - 3rd Day Afetch toward Nomura
Tonight is our second night acamp in the wilderness, and also likely our last dayfare upon the treepaths. The land-height has grown too high, and the trees too slight to upbear any more. Now, however, we perch astride a limbthwart, in sight of Ta-Shestaru’s slope away southward, though his silver peak hides within the sky, and to our north Father-Yaro, though as I have never seen him. Our campstead overlooks a high narrow cliff-race, wheramidst a whitewater rush flows with such quickness that none could hope to swim against and would be overwashed. A mist floats over the seething flood, behinting an unknown wrathfulness.
We have foresightfully brought tents, which we hang from upper boughs to whelm our campstead. They most usefully ward against bugs. Also, I believe I heard a mobat’s wings beat against the gumhide. Likely it has stolen up from the Darkfloor, a mischief we would not seek, though the Shotalashu offdrove and we swiftly grabbed spears and darts. We keep watch against bigger banes, for it will not do to let our flag fall prey to a mountain-eel or a skyfisher, though I believe our sith’s size forestalls any such raid.
I know no feeling quite like nestling on a hammock against Remaue while Lanaryel sleeps upon her breast, and Kaure holds tight from the other side. Within the fire-shadows, our harness and city-trappings fade, and we could almost be a wild clan, such as who had first settled these mountains when the Warrior-Queens still rode. The Shota sit watchfully aring and sometimes hoot against things stirring within the night-gloom, as they have done over twenty yearthousands and even longer, since ere Lashunta came to the strath and hunted the wide Retaea. I can dream us such a house, fierce hunting-wives and our manmates, like Ianare’s forebears, seeking a new home-tree.
I have tried these last few days to know Elder Ianare our lead, and also of Noruma-Freehold. Ianare has come many times to Son, for Noruma holds much trade between the Yaro Strath and the Highland Clans. As such, they are greater and wealthier than others. Ianare shrove that long ago Noruma had even traded with the Elves, and she would see that peace again, though she fears that with the now-ward ill will it may not. She tells Noruma wishes peace with the Elves, though if war outbreaks between the Elves and the other clans, then Noruma will be oath-bound to fight.
I asked what the other clans wish. Here she frowned and shrove she knows not their will. They are wantsome folk, she outlaid, and hold not the high worth we Cityborn have for Elven wise. This has made me think. What can I do if the other clans wish war?
A whit: earlier I tossed my swordbill to Kaure while I unsteeded. Deftly she caught it. Then I saw her eyes lock on the graven blade. Her sturdy arm hefted the haft while she tried the weapon’s weight. I marked that, on our homecome to Son, we must teach her its use. Something lit her eyes. More than a groom, indeed