A Castrovel Adventure: Part 3, Chapter 7

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

11. Evelae, 24,541 - Qabarat
We have had some days here in Qabarat to ease, much welcome after the long seafare. Ereyesterday, I got seer-bode from Son and Lady-Mother, in answer to a like word Lady Nauve had sent after my coming. Lady-Mother gave thanks for my safeness. She said she will overgladden at my homecoming, as will my house. Also, she told Remaue has much news, whereat I can guess.
Yesternight I had a merry tide with Semuane at her mother’s household, who hosted me with a dusk-meal so big that it threatened to make me beg thralldom to stop. Afterward, Semuane asked me to stay the night. We withdrew to her rooms, which open onto a wide deck under the roof-eaves, where we held hands and watched the rainfall. 
While we watched, she asked my thought of the warfare to Valmaeana. Long I reckoned, and then answered I am glad it is fordone. Meekly she looked and asked why. I answered that, even though I am warrior and outrider, I love not war, dolefully as it is made against the Formians. I outlaid I would willingly keep riding, to ward Son. Yet this overaimful wish to forslaughter all Formians feels wrong. She then asked what I would do if another Formian invasion came to Asana, as happened over and again at the Fall of the Sage-Queens and afterward. I answered slowly that then I would ride to ward Lashunta, for therein my duty falls clear. Yet I added it is a sorrowful strait that our two kinds are locked in endless war, for no other wish than the other side’s wreck.
My words touched Semuane’s soul. She kissed me, and in mind-share I felt her grief. She spoke she would be bidden by me, which first I bethought she meant by wisdom. Something happened amid our love yesternight. We swore something to each other, not quite matehood, such as I share with Remaue, but more than idle maidenlove. Semuane sought a belonging, an acknowledgement of her worth as more than a maiden. For the night I cradled her body against mine, soothing her weariness..
We slept late and little recked duty, for with arrival to Qabarat our warfare has ended. The warriors are already given freedom to spend time in the city. If I showed ere noonmeal at the Embassy, I would do well. We awoke already in mind-share as if we had never offbroken. While we bathed, I asked what she would do. She shrugged and said she would samely as ever. She shared, however, that she knew a group of like-minded wives and maidens here in Qabarat: other outriders and warriors, some tradewives, and even a few matrons. This word heartened me even while it forecaught, for I had never reckoned such folk might gather, and if they uphold each other, then my heart will ease for Semuane’s sake.
Her life choice makes some worry, forwhy her kin, like almost other Lashunta, forelook their daughters to bear forth children and keep the bloodline. Furthermore, without wifehood, she would be withheld sundry rights. And yet, as Outrider, it might only be possible, for we forgo wifehood, at least while our first service (I have already had my sisters goading me to set a bridetide and try for a child, and not for my sake). Since I had arisen to Flag-Maiden, could Semuane follow my example? Maybe so. Our songs and tales are full of yorely outriders who forsook men for a princess’s love, and so dedicated their worth and deeds. In truth, the other mate in these love-tales is ever a wifemate, fully invested and with children whom the maidenmate takes as her own, and ever a matron if not higher, under whose ladyship the outrider-maiden is upheld. Our folk show rough eyes to those who fall beyond tradition.
I left Semuane with a long last kiss. Also, I asked something: doubtlessly I would need to speak with Remaue, but offered her that, if she ever wanted safeness and home, and moreover a household to uphold her, she may ever find one with us. Sadly she laughed, forwhy I already knew she would not accept. Semuane loves her city so much as I love mine, and took the same oath to Qabarat as I took to Son. I do not foresee her leaving, least of all for my sake.
Back at the Embassy, the day is quiet. We await word on flatbarks heading up Father-Yaro to take us home. Lady Nauve has told she has sent word among the skippers and is hearing their bids. I wish to see Son.