A Castrovel Adventure: Part 3, Chapter 51

In which Vaeol get upcaught in her bridetide plan, and gets a strange offer from Mistress Devae.

From the Daylog of Vaeol-Zheieveil Yaranevae be’Son

13. Soelae, 24,542 - Son
Much to bewrite of yesterday, whose afterthought even wearies me again.
True to Remaue’s oath, she dragged Kaure (who stands better, though still we heed her sorrow) and me, and also Erymi (who had come from the Flaghold) and Oshis to my mother’s house almost at dawntide. Oughtful to the rich breakfast set forth, at least that belltide was no loss. My sisters too were there, though I learned they would see to hall-business and would not come with, and soon left. Yet more forecatching and gleeful was my father’s sight, whom I hugged, and also my brother Shill, who has much grown since last we met, and whom my father (who must work) offered as thew-bearer for our marketfare. We sat to meal, caught news, and laughed, until the morntide bells rang. Then Lady-Mother stood and bade us follow to market.
Ruefully I tell we became more should than I would like, for Lady-Mother selfly brought a steward and groom, along with me, Remaue, Kaure, Erymi, Oshis, and Shill, both Korasha there foreclaimingly to fetch and bear as well, though the day beheld more for giving bids to be brought on my bridetride’s day. Furthermore, all take wit when the High Matron comes shopping. Soon I dizzied under choices of cloth, which blossoms will bloom next week, and which cakespices are tastiest. The free sips of bubblemead did not help but to numb my antennae, so that I barely remind what was chosen. Also, we bywardly met Tae, Draue, Nae, and Sievae, who had been awaiting. Together we upmade a giggling, hooting herd, whose din made the merriest song-call to traders.
Between my mother and wifemate, most all things are settled (and with little enough choice from me), though we must repeat this deed next week, upon the last market-day ere my bridetide. There I forelook more things indeed for the Korasha to bear.

14. Soelae
One thing today. At duskmeal, right a little while ago, Mistress Devae came and asked speech alone. Misgivingly I alet and spoke with her at our rear door.
She said she had outwon the tale’s truth from her three grooms, who had ashriven the guilt they had done Kaure. Thus she was full ready to send them from her service, and even from the city. She asked, however, whether we would forsake the trial, for as she outlaid, these Korasha have kindred beholden. Furthermore, a full doom-trial will besmirch her trade-house’s nameworth. If I yaysaid, she offered, she would speak at firstmorn with the lawspeakers, who could settle a shrift-bargain before the Matrons, and this thing could end. She even asked craftily what this outcome would be worth to our house.
I heard her beseech so mildly as I could, though such was not my mood. Then I asked why she had not brought it straight to Kaure. She answered forwhy I am our househol’s head, which I belet is true. Yet I read back that my maidenmate is grown in her own right, and surely can make her own choice.
~E Korashe,~ “She is Korashe,” Mistress Devae shrugged, as if that word outlaid all.
I reckoned her thought, and then asked what she would do if men did to her as they had done to Kaure. ~Vi distimi hayas.~ - “They would never do so,” came her swift answer. I asked her on that, for surely she knew this sin had not first stricken Kaure, but she must have heard of others who had undergone the same shame. I even told that a Highland Korasha had even tried to reave my maidenhead. She answered she had heard that tale and that he was heathen, and also besides I had smartly beaten him. Also, she feared nothing against her own welfare, for she knows herself, strength and will, and moreover how to overreeve Korasha.
Her words touched on many thoughts I have had since taking Kaure to my house, for ere she came to us, I shrive I had been right so haughtily blithe as Mistress Devae. So I outspoke that this thing, to her mind, seems lesser weight, since her grooms had done the sin against another Korasha. She gainsaid me not. She outlaid that Korasha fight and do all wise of heathen things to each other, which she bespoke as not worthwhile for Damaya to overcome between. I reckoned this shrift, and then asked what she would do if such men had worked such shame upon her daughter. ~Distimi allaya,~ - It will never happen, she answered forecaughtlessly.
So I asked further: ~O'si stara haes o uthe-se Korashe shiafyele, o Kaure kane?~ - “And what would you do if your daughter had been born Korashe, like Kaure?”
Devae gaped. I watched her wrath grow. She asked why I had cursed her. I answered I had not, but merely wished her to reckon the question. Yet her mood swayed not. So I said that, if she wished, I would take her beseech to Kaure. Yet if Mistress Devae still so wished, I would think less of her worth, for I deemed her more reckful of nameworth than the true misdeed.
Then she boldy said that she knows my sisters, and that if we here could not reach some bargain, she would withhold her goodwill from their business. I shot back that, if she thinks I reck a whit for my sisters’ matronhood, then she knows us not, and bade her leave peacefully.
I came inside far angrier than I minded. The others straightway befelt and asked my worry. I could not first tell and asked a while to asoothe. Then I led Kaure and Remaue into a room, and told I was right come from Mistress Devae’s talk, who had offered a deal, but that I believe she has given more ill word to our house, and dolefully to Kaure, and that furthermore she had wrongly asked me to choose on Kaure’s behalf. I then told the whole tale, and then before Kaure knelt and swore that I would put her first overall in this thing. If she wished to take Devae’s deal, I would uphold doubtlessly. Yet Devae wishes foremostly to see her nameworth unbesmirched, and not rightness.
Kaure hearkened long. At last she said that Mistress Devae’s ill word means little, rather to what she had undergone. Then she wondered if this whole thing could be put away. I answered that for now, yes, though not if she should have these three men known as outlaws, which would furthermore mean that the Yaro’s other cities, even Qabarat, would uphold the ban. She atook this word, but then looked from me to Remaue and asked what she should do.
Ere I could speak, Remaue answered: ~Vaeol sere virye yothaste. Theae-si, eshi ve haelm sere zhaemassere virye o’zimi~. - “Vaeol has put you first. The choice is yours, but we would have you put yourself first, too.”
We watched her shudder. A tear fell from her eye. Then her head bowed, and she yaysaid, though, she warned, how much more of this ordeal she can forbear she knew not. We hugged her tight between.
As an afterthought, I sent word of Mistress Devae’s threat to my sisters. Better they first hear from me, for whatever their goodwill may worth.