A Castrovel Adventure: Part 3, Chapter 30

In which Vaeol tries to interpret a riddle as her guests arrive for the truce-moot.

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

8. Vealae, 24,542 - 6th Day at Elfring Dale
This morntide, I again read the omens, which showed Elindrae, four trees and a hood-adder. Doubtlessly Elindrae meant the Elves, forwhy the Moon is believed to be an Elf-God, and the hood-adder meant hidden plight. Yet the four trees showed a harder riddle. Might it be the clans? Noruma, the Reul, and the Sholasa tally three. Were the Elven Imlarim thus the fourth? If so, where among these four clans lay the threat?
As my worry overcame, I sent twofold scouts to watch the dale’s thoroughfares. Tae and Nae bore back word of a well-sized sith coming down the main path from the Reul Clanhold. I forbore my best and waited.
Right afternoon Oshis came, and also Lady Karami and Elder Ianare of Noruma (and Raeas, whom she gave back with goodwill), Lady Avaere and Elder Sefavi from the Reul, and in host a twosome each of Korasha warriors. Also with them came a headwife I had never met: Lady Lavi of Clan Inella and a warrior ahost, who dwell south of Noruma, but had heard of this feud, and so had come in witness. I came forth and greeted them right gladly, along with a stout kiss for Oshis, and another for Raeas.
I overlooked this throng of clanheads, reckoning who had come, and who not. I looked to Lady Karami and asked of the Sholasa. Her head shook. They had withstood the call, she told.
Noruma, Reul, and Inella tallied three trees. The Sholasa, even withstanding, made four. I began overthinking my earlier omen-rede.
Somewhat misgiftfully, I led the way to our campstead, where we made room for our guests to set tents among ours, and also a broader stead with our hearth under the glass-caps, where mindfully a group can gather and talk when the Elves come. We offered drink and got meal acook and fell to kindliness.
I first thanked these ladies and elderwives for coming and told the Elves would willingly hear their peace-sake, which I deemed is canny if all shareholders believe. I then outlaid my share in this bargain. I shrove I have no right to speak for any clan’s behalf here unless they so wish. Instead, I should safeward the truce, and also ensure that all are heard. I also told that I and Istae speak Elvish and through my soulcraft can give this tongue to all, so they may speak and understand hinderlessly. Then I asked whether they would let me host this truce-speech, to which all yaysaid.
I then outspoke my worry. The Sholasa’s lack, as the most warlike clan in these fells, I outlaid could forespell loss for any truce we may reach. The elders first frowned, and then bickered, with some saying we must go forward anywise, while others outspoke there is no hope while the Sholasa outstand, and that furthermore this stead outcomes from a Korasha as head, which thought, though it strengthened these leaders’ self-pride, did little to unsnarl the riddle.
While they bickered, a grim thought shaped amind. As I again bethought my omen-rede, I witted the plight lay in four clans, not three. Therefore, the threat stemmed from the fourth clan, the one not here.
I called for stillness and asked leave to speak. I then said that this truce’s forehap we have with the Elves we may never find again. Therefore we must not waste it. Even so, I added the Sholasa outstood as our forehap’s grimmest threat. ~Vi diahi dozelif,~ - “We cannot unmind it,” I bade, and must do something. Then I asked Lady Karami whether she deems Kazos of the Sholasa wishes war.
Karami thought weightily, and then answered that war is all Kazos knows, and as surely as an axeman tries to chop all down like a tree, he will so be drawn.
Her word I lissomely took, and then asked what game they thought the Sholasa might be playing. When they answered not, I told that one dareship of fighting Elves (as the Reul know well) is bewaring where they hide. And yet, I added, if Kazos follows us here, he will know keenly where his Elven foe may be found. A breathtide I halted to let them understand. If Kazos wishes war, I marked strongly, and moreso if he wishes to win, then he must strike where he knows his foe.
I held each of the clanheads' gazes in shift while I spoke my last word doomfully: ~O'nae Kazos muara urrisaeas.~ - "Kazos must strike here."
Stillness clutched the clanheads, but for their antennae quivering, for until now none had forereckoned such ruthlessness. Lady Lavi naysaid, for she could hardly believe any Lashunta would reave honor by a truce’s breach, I answered I could easily believe, and moreover that, if he do so, he would catch all these elders gathered and bring them under his mightiness, and thereby make the Sholasa the foremost clan among the Highlands. At this thought I saw the first hint of fright among my guests.
I asked Lady Avaere and Lady Karami if they could tell all the necks and thoroughfares that lead into this dale, which they answered readily, for they are few. I then bade we must set watches at all, and also pray that we spy the Sholasa first, ere the Elves. Lady Avaere agreed, and even bade a rider back to her clanhold for more watchers.
After our guests settled, I spoke I must tell the Elves their coming. So I bade Tae blow the horn, upsteeded Ess, and headed downdale, toward the Elfring.
I halted at my same stead out from the grove’s edge and waited asaddle. Bywardly Tolamad stepped forth. I hailed him, unsteeded, and told that the Clanheads have come, though frankly the news is less good than I had forehoped. He asked my meaning, and I answered that Clan Sholasa has not come, and that we fear they seek war anywise.
I watched his look bleaken. I asked what he would do, and beseeched that the clans hithercome earnestly seek peace, but none can speak for the Sholasa. Therefore, I yielded him the choice. Long he thought, then at last said that he will meet tomorrow with the Clanheads here and see what forehap may be reached. Relief flooded me as I thanked him and forespoke that I shall see all ready for tomorrow’s truce-moot.
I then also read that, if the Imlarim hold any necks through the lower dale, then, if I were they, I should set watch. Tolamad keenly gazed and asked what I wit. I answered I know not, else than, though I hope for the best, I should ready for the worst. He nodded, bowed in a wise most mindful of Sovyrian, and then faded.
I came to camp and spoke earnestly with Istae, Krastaes, and Remaue, to have all ready for tomorrow. I would have all be fulsome and bethreaten no sake that any side may take offthank. Then I gathered all, sithmates and Clanheads, and swiftly overwent Elven couthness, and sunderly the things that may easily make ill will. Then I thanked all, gave freedom, and withdrew to soothe my worry. I have combed and drilled Ess, prayed to Burning-Mother unseen overhead, and at last written this log to cleanse my thoughts. Still I fret.