A Castrovel Adventure: Part 3, Chapter 67

In which Vaeol rejoins her house, making her way back toward Elahat, as she sets her next plan in motion.

From the Daylog of Vaeol-Zheieveil Yaranevae be’Son

18. Evelae, 24,542 - Hivaea (3rd day from Son)
I almost fear to start log, for fear I may forget something.
As forespoken, the freightbark and our hosting flatboat left harbor on the Sixteenth, whereon were born not only Lady Erenyae’s newly freed freight, but also Lady Taiase with Istae, a handful of our sister-outriders, their steeds, and a like handful of Korasha footmen in host. Only they did not wait for dawntide. Instead, they offcast slightly after midwatch, under full night, with the harbor-mistress fore-bidden (and paid) that we had done so from fear of a storm blowing over the mountains, and with marked word that I tallied among the boatfarers.
Yet I had not gone on the boat. Instead, I, Kaure, and Nae had taken our steeds aferry from the rear harbor, which meanly would not be let. I can but say it is well to have good nameworth and good links among the Citadel and Watch, which got us a boat fording Father-Yaro when nothing but the flood stirred. Within a half-belltide we offboarded in Hiresim, where we caught a short nighttide’s sleep. Thus we outwilled to steal from the City while all thought us aboard the flatbark poling upstream.
If anyone bethought it odd that the boats had left ere dawn, they would have only the harbor-mistress’s word as proof. If we had gone softly enough, none would have sake to doubt. On our leavetide’s news, Mistress Ane would send farseer-word to Elahat that we were faring northward, with wontful outlook that we would yonder come in about three days, only that Istae and Taiase would bid the boat-skippers to dawdle so long as canny.
Soon as dawntide grayed the leaves, Kaure, Nae, and I climbed the treepath: three riders on steeds, with two other pack-Shota, whomon all our gear, and even harness, was stowed. Thus our steeds bore so light a load: us, our saddles, and weapons merely. Then we ran northward and slightly westward, along this way we had but lately come, cutting Father-Yaro’s bight as if a Treeslayer blew behind from the mountains, and toward Hivaea, home of Oshis’s kindred, and where our flag waits.
I made our goal to reach Hivaea in less than three days, no easy deed. We rode the Shotalashu so swiftly as we dared, and for so long as we dared, until light faded and we feared to fare further, lest a mis-step or bad leap send us falling to death. Where we had broad, easy boughs, we unsteeded and ran with our Shota, to save them for the harder stretches. Though anight we built a fire under wisdom, we raised no shelter but our gumcloaks. Thus when it rained, we wettened and huddled together wretchedly.
After the first day, I could tell the race’s wear on myself and Ess, and doubted not it wore samely on my flagmates. Yet all forbore. Also, along the way we found path-markers left, for all our else flagmates had already come this way, bereading which limb to follow or a threatsome fall. They even had left a stack of firewood. These small boons we athanked greatly, for they saved us time.
Thus this morntide, within a belltide of dawn, we rode into Hivaea, sore and overweary, but glad. We had made the overland fare from Son in right over two days, no small deed. Straightway our housemates gathered, for they had foreset watch, and buzzed merrily. I almost fell from saddle and into Remaue’s arms. After we got the Shota unsaddled, scrubbed, and fed, I first went to Erymi to hear of Oshis. She had word, and he is dwelling bywardly, and doing best to shun Lady Erenyae. In likelihood he can outhold a few more days. Also, all begladdened of our news from Son, that we have found truce with Lady-Mother, are not outlaw, and shall host Lady Taiase on peace-bode.
Then we took stock of our readiness. We met Lady Sael, who also led a guest: a Korasha named Koviss, whom she greeted as from Elahat. He told he spoke for Mistress Anovaeul, who is a longwhile foe of Lady Erenyae, and who would know our plan. I shared whits and time, whereat he forespoke to bear word to his mistress and left by fishing-boat.
I far-boded to Istae and told thus:

~Eafa Hivaea. Stue olu-su? Oeo'sti erimanis thanarrya Elahatra?~

"We are at Hivaea. What is your stead? And when do you look forward to coming to Elahat?"

In answer, I got her word:

~Himyo niroado drimura. O’neamassi vaemora, o’neloshi vundam o maul lehasso. Erimanam hanya thinya.~

“The freight-bark has sprung a leak. To save the freight, we have banked and unloaded while they mend the hull. Outlook a few more days.”

...Happy from her cunning answer, at last I tarried, where I joined my loves, with Remaue and Lanaryel in my arms, in short slumber.
Right erenow I have come from another meeting with Lady Sael and the holdfolk, where we put forth our plan. Oloe and Avahi spoke for their son Oshis’s behalf, reminding they all knew him from youth, and that he is a good man who has suffered sakelessly. Lady Sael tallied the many ills Hivaea has undergone from Elahat, and that this shall become hap to righten the feud’s dearth. The holdfolk have chosen to back us, for which I knelt and prayed thanks.
Also, we have word to forelook another guest.

1. Shenelae, 2nd Day in Hivaea
Yesternight our new guest came: Mistress Anovaeul of Elahat, who bade she would meet me, the Damaya who would overthrow Lady Erenyae. We stood before each other, where I beheld a short elder wife with scowling face, fierce in wrinkled brown-gold eyes under faded bronze hair. I waited while she reckoned me, and wondered on the hardship written thereupon.
Then she outquoth it is fine enough we have come to seek rightness from Lady Erenyae. Yet she would know our toward thought, for this would not be the first time Son had tried to overcome Elahat. I naysaid wish to own her freehold. Instead, in fee I would take two things: my manlove whom Erenyae had rightlessly bound, and a freightbark even now coming toward Elahat, which she should send back to Son and to my sister Lady Risodess’s heed. Whoever would rule Elahat, I swore I should leave that choice to Mistress Anovaeul and her fellows.
Anovaeul reckoned, and then asked what we need to carry forth. I asked whether she can give us income unhindered to the wharf tonight, and a stead to gather within the wardwall. She answered there is a dock the fishing boats use, which she can overtake, and a house nearby. With Lady Sael’s rede, we agreed that a couple fishers shall overgo later today, and moreso a couple more right at dusktide.
So we are foreset. I have seen warfare and raids. Yet my fear now matches anything I have felt against the Formians.
Last word: Avahi lately came. She has told that Zheye hopped a fishing-boat and has overgone to Elahat! What foolishness has overtaken the girl we know not, else than worry for her father, and maybe thrill to watch our deed. Yet she now becomes our other worry. With luck she will find Oshis, and he will keep her safe.