A Castrovel Adventure: Part 3, Chapter 46

In which Vaeol’s Flag and Queen Taiase adjust to their return to Son, and Vaeol braces for a controntation.

From the Daylog of Vaeol-Zheieveil Yaranevae be’Son

2. Soelae, 24,542 - Flaghold
It has been a long three days, and no hap to write until now. We first had to stay in the City and wait on business. Istae and I had a lengthy wordwrit, though happily this daylog made it easy. Then came the high welcometide for our guests, which, as Queen Taiase’s news outspread, soon became more wonder-show than we had foreseen, and which led to further awkwardness. Taiase swiftly witted the interestt of folk like my sisters.
I waited on Semuane’s arm, again matchingly clothed, at the mirthtide the matrons threw for Taiase’s and Elder Ianare’s welcome. Thus we were standing nearby, talking with the captains when my sister Raiale too thickly gushed praise upon the elder queen, in which my sister begloried outlook of Son holding the lone queen in the whole Yaro Strath, and thus forethought to set our City upon a foremost path. I beread the niceness die in Taiase’s face, the shock and dread as her antennae lowered back. Then unlissomely she fled the mirth-hall, under all witness, who looked to my erswhilely fawning sister with mouth still open.
Lady-Mother openly chided Raiale, a deed she had erenever done. At my mother’s beseech, I went after Taiase.
Happily, I found her not alone, for at the Light-Spire’s foot, she was weeping in Istae’s arms. Mildly I came and hugged them together, where I got strong wit of Taiase’s fear of being indrawn into the hallcraft-games that had wrecked her queendom. We both swore we shall not let it happen.
I left them and bore back word to Lady-Mother’s ear that all would head well with our elder guest. Istae led Taiase to my mother’s house and left her sundrily in the guestroom, the better to soothe her wits. I spotted my maidenlove’s red locks when she came back to the mirth-hall and nodded blessing.
Next I knew, Lady-Captain strode forth, headed at the High Matron, and beseeched a boon. When Lady-Mother bade her speak, Lady-Captain outquoth that under my flag had gathered a doughty if worrisome household (which word brought laughter, unleastly from Master Mearthil and Semuane, who doubtlessly know the name Her Highness Lady Ivassil gave me in Qabarat). Yet she read this household has no name. So she asked Lady-Mother give one.
Lady-Mother looked to where I cowered behind Remaue (still I am too tall), and asked me to stand forth. Withholdingly I came, clutching my wifemate’s hand, and wildly looking for Kaure (who had shily fled the hall). When Lady-Mother asked whether I wished a housename, withholdingly I answered I had never wanted more than the name she had bequeathed, but that (at Remaue’s eager thought), if it bestows worship on my housemates, I would gladly atake.
Lady-Mother nodded, and then headed back to Lady-Captain and asked whether she would put forth a name. Lady-Captain outspoke ~Yaranevaea~ - Flag of the Golden Sun, after the flag Remaue, Erymi, and Tae had given me on Remaue’s bridetide. Lady-Mother smiled and spoke more worthiness shows in earning a name than in holding an old one, nowise the high rank one’s foremothers held (here I wonder that she aimed this slight at my sisters), and blessed it. She bade me go to the Herald-Stall and seal it. Then the whole hall buzzed in cheer.
Afterward, the mirthtide’s end spelled unforsoothly, with Semuane and Remaue hugging my arms. I could not wait to find Kaure, to ground me against shame.
Against my sake, I had gotten leave for our flagmates, who happily took well-earned freedom after our long fetch. Krastaes and Raeas went to their kindred’s farmhold, where doubtlessly their wifemate and mother would merrily welcome them. To them and Donill and Tass, I made gift, along with thanks for their trusty hostship. The others swiftly left for the Flaghold, cunningly away from oversight, watchtide, and work. I even bade Remaue and Kaure go, for they spoke endlessly of planning a household mirthtide, along with nagging hints that I too should swiftly come. I witted what they wished, and shunned it.
Thus Semuane, Istae, and I were left to stay, and also, along with Master Mearthil, to give word to Mistress Kilae, Mistress Laemi, and Master Shovos of our deed with the Moqeva Barrow and Queen Taiase. Though they only asked and told nothing, we swiftly witted they are lorewardens of the Secrets, and not only were they inseeching, but also trying us, maybe to see whether such forbidden lore made trial against our minds. I remind reading the Woe for Lost Valmaea in schooltide, and how Queen Anmaue almost used evil weirdcraft against the Formians, and wonder if they bethought we might samely stray.
Only ereyesternight had things settled enough so that I begged leave to join my housemates, and maybe I too had been lagging. Happily Lady-Mother gave it, though also with the question I had dreaded even ere homecome: when shall we set for my bridetide?
Though I had dreadingly forethought, still I had no answer. My mother looked at me queerly. Her antennae reached forth to kiss. Yet I shied, too ashamed to shrive this thing, no heart to tell I bethought to stay maiden and so begrieve her. Yet neither could I tell my wrath against Oshis.
She read my eyes, took my hand, and bade that we should speak soon. Withholdingly I bowed and left…

[The rest of the 2. Soelae, 24,542 daylog entry will be continued in next week’s chapter]