From the Daylog of Vaeol-Zheieveil u’Zhasaele Zolaemaue be’Son
9. Vinelae, 24,542 - 2nd Day at Noruma Freehold (40th day afetch)
Today akept the truce-moot, which had good speech and forthness. The Clanheads again met at midmorn, where the following forewords were asworn:
- Clan Reul and the Imlarim Elves have taken the landmarch Tolamad put forth: all the dales between their clanhold and the Elfring Dale shall be meanly held as open hunting-land. Also, they shall meet every year at Heavenwatch.
- Clan Sholasa and the Imlarim shall keep the high ridge as the march between their lands. Kazos repeated his oath that his folk shall forbid all from crossing.
- Clan Sholasa has forsworn war against the Elves and the other Clans. Henceforth they shall meet peacefully, and any sakes or feuds shall be brought forth to a moot among the Clanheads. As share, Damyane is her father’s acknowledged afterleader and shall become clanwife when she bears her first child.
- The Moqeva wrecksteads, hitherfore called the Elven Holysteads, shall stay under the Elves’ watch, with foreword that Master Mearthil will lead a thorough inseech. If any Lashunta lorewardens from Son or Qabarat would see them, they shall first read with him, and then bring their sake to the Imlarim.
- The Elves and all clans have forespoken to let trade, from which all will behoove, though dolefully the Reul and Noruma, who hold the tradepath. Here I forespoke Son’s goodwill, for the Noruma are already our trademates, and that we would welcome this new forehap from the west.
Then Lady Karami brought forth a milk-bowl, to which I yielded our last mead bottle and poured it in. Then I forquoth that, with peace among the Clans and the Elves, our flag’s work is done and blessed this peace as witness. Lady Karami yielded me the bowl, which I drank, took, and brought to Lady Lavi, who likewise blessed, and then yielded to Lady Avaere of the Reul. She afterward brought it to Tolamad, who drank on the Elves’ behalf.
Tolamad brought the bowl to Kazos. A breathtide the big, grizzled Korasha halted, almost long enough that I feared him forsaking his word. Then he took the bowl, guzzled, and drained all the drink. He then raised it overhead and came to Lady Karami, whombefore he knelt and yielded it. At this deed, all the watchers buzzed and praisingly lifted their hands.
For tonight, the Noruma have called a mirthtide, which they have forereadied on this peace’s likelihood and have spent many days hunting and cooking. Lady Karami has bidden us take ease while readiness is made, which gives me time to write, though soon I forelook we shall be called.
10. Vinelae - 3rd Day at Noruma Freehold (41th day afetch)
I write of yesternight while we spend a last day here at Noruma, of the mirthtide and other happendom while I try to clear thoughts.
Lady Karami asked the Clanheads, along with Tolamad, Master Mearthil, Semuane, Istae, and me to take high seats upon the main deck while the holdfolk lit tallowblazes, lanterns, and witchlights, and set the board. Song began amid the readiness while we waited and talked about the deck. Semuane and I held hands and stood at the eave-rail when Lady Karami brought wine. She kissed us each, and smilingly added that we are blessed with strong love. Somewhat shamefully we laughed, for by her word we bewared that she had witted our idleness even beyond our bower.
While we spoke, Raeas upcame and gave us and Lady Karami worship. At same time, however, a Damaya came forth, whom Karami greeted as her daughter Kintele, who bowed. Also, she couthly greeted Raeas. I got an odd wit from Lady Karami, as if something unsettled. After some speech, Kintele upbrought some business for the reveltide’s weal and asked her mother’s leave, which the clanwife yielded. Then Kintele asked Raeas to follow, at which he asked our leave. Misgivingly, but with no good gainsake, we yaysaid.
After they left, I warily looked to Semuane, and then asked Lady Karami whether we should fear Raeas has given her offthank. She gazed back, and then sadly chuckled. In answer, she said she had ever foreknown that her tryst with Raeas was shortwhile. Yet she had never forelooked her own daughter stealing her manlove. This word shocked me. I asked what she would have to alay this misdeed. Yet she naysaid and swore she would not hold it against us. At her years, she spoke, she should anywise better hope for a grandchild than a child of her own womb. Then she raised cup and drank our worship.
After we took leave, I found Krastaes underneath, who was drinking with the freehold’s elder Korasha. I thought-asked whether he knows that his son is wooing not only Lady Karami, but her daughter as well. This word gave him halt, and he asked what has outbecome. I answered Lady Karami already knows, and that, though she holds not against us, it would be better that Raeas learn some shrewdness. I would not have us make feud between mother and daughter, I beread, and if they had already stood afeud, I would not have us upcaught. Krastaes swore to speak with his son, for which I kissed him.
The meal proved hearty with more food than my belly should hold, and more drink than is wise, dolefully for a soul-seer like me. The high tide came when Kazos shamelessly flirted not only with Lady Karami, but altogether with Lady Avaere and Lady Lavi, for this Korasha’s boldness recked no bounds. When Avaere asked why a man with four wifemates (two whomof gathered here) needs to seek further idleness, he put forth they should seal their truce in fonder wise than oaths, and furthermore they should take his wifemates as his manliness’s proof. His word had us laughing so hard I sneezed wine from my nose.
However Kazos outwon his beseech to the Clanwives I know not. Bywardly Remaue came, knelt, and whispered in my ear. She told that some would speak with me, and nodded toward the hall’s end. There with Kaure I beheld Ezhani and Heraue, the two Sholasa Housewives, the next eldest who had asithed us from Sholasa, and the youngest bechild, who had hithercome as trucebode with Lady Karami and the Clanheads. While they spoke with Kaure, they bowed at me.
I rose from the board, came to them, and asked what boon they would have. They stepped near and kissed me. In mindshare, they quoth they are thankful for my win over Kazos, for not only does their clan now have peace with the others, but their mightworth within the clan is greatened. They bade they would worship what I withheld from Kazos, forwhy this deed would further wound him, and which they would hold over him.
Afterward, I made way alone through the clanhold. Though I caught no sight of Kazos and the Clanwives, the holdfolk and other guests were making quite merry, with a sixsome Damaya dancing while Korasha sang and beat drums, and others freely knotted and moaned together. A Korasha even caught me in arms and kissed me. Yet at my word he left me wholesome.
I forthcame to the bower Lady Karami had alet us and found our sithmates and others - unleastly Raeas with Kentile Karami’s daughter, Hanos, Nae, and Istae’s shieldbearer. I went to Tae and Less, who lovingly sat together, his hands cradling her childsome belly, her hands cradling Lanaryel to breast while the little one slept. I knelt, kissed them, and bade that if she wished to yield Lanaryel back to Remaue, I reckoned the time right. Haltingly she stood, for so she loves her mate-daughter, though she deemed the babe would soon grow hungry. I asked Less of Oshis and where he was waiting. Less answered he had not seen him in a tide, though reminded he had gone down to oversee the Shota. So I left him with a kiss. Then laughingly I skipped off.
I made way down the beamstair, where aground I headed to the stallbarn, which is little more than a roof with a feeder inside, since folk beyond the city kinderly do not enfold their Shota but let them roam free, where they behave as edgewardens. I reckoned cunning Shota, like my Ess, would already have gathered, forelooking the feast’s scraps. Also I bethought what deed I would work on Oshis, friend and manlove, whom I would make my bridetide’s First Man, and also, if Green-Mother be kindly, my fathermate.
So I walked in boldly. There I beheld Oshis, but not alone. He was lifting Damyane Kazos’s daughter doll-like upon his mighty shoulders and hips. Mill-like he drove between her thighs.
Dumbly I froze, which might be rightly well, for I know not what might happen if they had bewared me. We held no mindshare, though I needed it not to tell the overwhelmed glee rushing from her throat. Too many times I had witnessed proof of what Oshis’s manliness could work upon a wife’s soul. I staggered away until a fence, which I hid behind. Yet even that length could not hide my ears from Damyane’s mewls. I did not sob so much as shudder, while unbelievingly I looked at myself and wondered what I was feeling.
I had forelooked Oshis to await me, in token of our forespoken bridelove. I would have given him my goodwill, a taste of what we would towardly share, and likely also relief. Instead, he had let himself be offled by a highland wanton, albeit a Clanhead’s daughter who will someday lead. I even had a thought that Oshis’s deed may likely foster goodwill between the Sholasa and Son.
I asked myself whether I was jealous, a hard thought to shrive. I even dreamed Erymi rolling her eyes and her laughter when she heard her manmate’s latest misdeed. Then shame crept upon me that I should haughtily bethink one who was not even my sworn mate, which bothered me even more.
By the time I wandered back to the main deck, I was weeping, though still withholding sobs. I ran into Semuane, Istae, and Kaure, who were even seeking me. At once they halted and looked queerly. Shyly Kaure stepped forward, asking what bewronged.
At my maidenmate’s touch, my will broke. My first sob choked out. I staggered forward and fell into her mighty arms.
I wept in wrath and shame, which made me almost wish death. As the others joined mindshare, they wept even while they strove to soothe me. Istae quailed at the balefulness running through my blood while Kaure wardingly reckoned thought of finding Oshis and giving a sound thrash, while Semuane called for mild heart and slow deed. I witted they all feared for me, even though I feared nothing else.
With my tears loosened, wrath hardened and sparked fellness in my heart. I outspoke wish to march right then to the stallbarn, drag Oshis off this Sholasa heathen, and give him a beating ever so harsh as I had given her father. Then I would ban him, I foreswore, and he could scrabble forlorn and alone among the thieves and outlaws. This last word I believe scared the others more than anything.
As I turned away to do so, Semuane caught my hand.
~A valante~ she named me: “Beloved”, and begged me wait. My heavenly maidenlove gazed beseechingly, steadfast Istae and faithful Kaure on each side.
~Di holindam omonya, o’kovassi almya vaea.~ “We do not gainsay your sake,” she said, “and feel your soul’s hurt.” Yet then she asked on his misdeed’s harshness, and why I so earnestly rushed to wifehood that a lone Korasha could wound me so deeply.
~Dei vi vearise lae o’shosilini?~ - “Would you not stay maiden with us a little longer?” she asked.
I stared back. My mouth opened. Yet my tongue stirred not. My breath sped in my breast since I could not get enough. My wrath drained away, oversteaded only by sorrow, which so deepened that I feared it would drown me. My maidenloves bewared a fright-madness rooting. Hastily they took me in arms and hugged me tight while I wailed and wept amidst.
Somewhile later, they bore me shivering and half-mindless back to our hut. There, unluckily, was no withholding the thing from our flagmates, for I had no self-will to keep my heart from wildly broadcasting, and doubtlessly looked like a wreck, half-naked, heart-sick, and tear-strewn. They told Remaue the whole tale, who with Kaure got me into bed. When I forelooked to begin another fright-fit, she cunningly put Lanaryel in my arms and bade word that I must not unsettle the babe. Though she fussed, I steeled nerves and withheld my more baleful heart. Then the darling gazed into my eyes and wrapped her antennae with mine, and more love and bliss overwhelmed me than I could stand. I swooned to sleep and forgot all timelessly.
Meanwhile, afterward I learned, Istae took Krastaes, Less, and Hanos. Together they found Oshis and kept him from coming back to the bower. At mornlight today, Istae and Nelehi her shieldbearer left to bear word to Son of our winfulness, and brought Oshis with her as host. What they told him I know not.
I woke today feeling empty and warily misbelieving that yesternight’s deed had been anything but a nightmare, though also fearful of upyielding Lanaryel to her blood-mother, lest fright and sorrow again crush my mind. Kaure hovered near while Semuane came and went to speak with Master Mearthil, Queen Taiase, and the Clanheads on our behalf. Much laterward I found the strength to tame my frightful look and show myself to the Clanheads, whomto I made outthank that I had overdrunken and now stood ill. I think they believed, though then Damyane incame and stared straight at me. I almost fled the hall.
Moreso thanks to Krastaes, Remaue, and Semuane than me, the following things are settled as tomorrow we shall leave Noruma and head homeward to Son:
- Semuane, her shieldbearer, and Master Mearthil shall asith us to Son, where they shall bear full tale of their fetch and the word they will take to Qabarat, and by which we shall worshipfully host this elder Elfseer and my heavenly maidenlove.
- Ianare shall likewise again come with, this time to bear word of the new trade-deal with the Elves and the Western Clans.
- Queen Taiase shall come with us as well. I know she is fearful. Yet I believe we can help her ashift to this time better than these well-meaning but rough folk. Our loremasters will help her learn this new world and history’s yearthousands that have gone, and can even do so in her own tongue.
- With Taiase’s leave, we have left her crown with Kazos and the Sholasa, and have bidden him keep it as Son’s token of goodwill. In one of my more mindful breathtides, I told him the crown is a hoardloom beyond all worth, for it is the only known crown of the Sage-Queens outstaying. Yet, I added, if he would ever yield it, I asked that he first think of Son, for it would become a great heirloom to our city, and I believe Lady-Mother would name him a most giftful fee. Here he gave thanks almost meekly and forespoke he would reckon the choice.
After that business, I have again withdrawn to our bower, where I have sometime slumbered and elsewise picked my pen over these leaves, I guess in trial to make wit of yesternight’s misdeed, though no outcome shows from my struggles. The others have yielded me wide berth, but for Taiase, who has stayed blissfully unmindful. I wallow among shame, hopelessness, and new-blazing, smith-red anger. In seven days, if the weather and paths hold kindly, we may again ride through Son, where my greatest fear awaits me.
And yet, amid all sorrow, this world, under the gods’ wisdom, still brings forth wonder. While I sit here writing, Taiase stands down in the holdgarth. Over the last belltide she has been making friends with an old Shotalashu, beyond its best years, but mild and well used to saddle. Shyly, as if forelooking a stroke or bite, she neared while it waited forbearingly. Even afar, I could see her hand shudder when she touched its snout. It nuzzled near and rubbed its head against her, almost knocking her down. Yet she rose and softly laid her brow between its eyes, and her antennae upon its long ridgescales. Even now they are bonding. I had once read that the Sage-Queens and their nobles took no Shotalashu, and that in that elder time it was held a low and rough wont, fit only for hunters and farmwives. In this shift I read some small foretoken, that all hope may not be lost. And now I am weeping again.
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