A Castrovel Adventure: Part 3, Chapter 8

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

12. Evelae, 24,541 - Qabarat
Today’s word: we shall leave upriver in three days. I am thrilled and have already bidden readiness begun. We have shortened the warriors’ freedom-leave to make sure all is ready when the flatbarks leave.
Also, I am planning a small mirthtide for my underreeves, fellows, and near friends. I strongly wish to show my thankfulness for all they have done.

14. Evelae
Yestereve, I threw a mirthtide-feast for my under-reeves, many whomof I had reckoned as friends even before our warfare to Valmaeyana. I chose the same mead-garden Erymi and Remaue had used on our return from El, unleastly for its fond memories. So I sent word to Lady Istae, Lady Vosaeth, Krastaes, Tae and Less, Oshis, Draue, Nae, and Hanos, who all forespoke to join our merry nighttide. Semuane also came, though I think moreso for my sake.
For duskmeal, I had found an Elven cook, a craft found only here in Qabarat, with thought to give my friends a dear treat. He readied dishes of salted greens and sourworts in oilwine, honey-roasted thurse-rump oversodden with thick tea-broth, grassberry-bread and cheese, and for the last show-dish: a glazed pie baked with with spicy wormworst, sweetworts and nuts, then slathered in creamsap, and then whereover we drizzled meadbrandy. We cheered these dishes and yielded the cook many glasses of bubblemead. He took them thankfully, for I had stocked many bottles. I also hired a drummer and singer, who also played harp and upkept our mirth.
The evetide started with good news, and which I already knew, for Tae and Less had made good worth of the shipfare back from Qoaronaea - she is bechild. I had them a gift of honeygold threadwork-silk, rather like Erymi had gotten years ago. I kissed them both and spoke that, if they still wish, they may welcomely follow my flag, and furthermore may have both household and love, and also Remaue’s, who I already know is waiting for them so much as I.
Then Oshis knelt while I brought another gift. He declared he needed nothing more, for I had already given him a gift unmatched: his honor. After his fall and thralldom on Remaue’s bridetide, he feared himself ever mis-stood until I raised back him to under-reeveship. He swore himself already my faithful flagman, and that as his lifetime’s fullness. I bade him peace and answered he has my strongest faith. Then against his word, I gave him a new saddle, for he is the Korasha Who Rides. Then he swore that, after Erymi his wifemate and their child, he holds none dearer than me. Him too I kissed and gave love.
Next, Draue stood forth and asked to speak. At my willing leave, she told she has a beseech, and not only for herself but others, too, whereat Nae and Hanos also stepped forth. She spoke that she recalled my first time as flag-maiden and was honored then to ride after me. She, and also Nae and Hanos, had sorrowed at my downfall, and then likewise gladdened at my new uprise. Now they asked that they also might follow my flag and join our household. I stood speechlessly, so stirred as surprised by this ask. At last, I stammered their words struck me more than I could tell, for so long as I had known them, all three had served worthily. I then warned that, though I was named Flag-maiden, my wealth is limited. I could not warrant I can afford so many warriors. They answered they would reck not and would have faith.
To Draue I gave a blade engraven and damasked in Elven-wise, as is mean here in Qabarat, which will set well on a swordbill. To Nae and Hanos each I gave new bows and quivers of Elven make. I bade them take these gifts as my love’s token, and furthermore in hope that we may towardly come together, and that they should seek me later.
Then I called Krastaes, who stood forth proudly. I declared I had in him found my true champion, moreso than even I had hoped when he first besought me after the City Games. I said I had never met a nobler Lashunta, who serves meekly and yet is worthier to stand his own reeveship even among the Damaya. I gave him a new greataxe of Valmaean make, with word only that he wield it more nobly than our southern kin. Ere he left, I asked that on homecome I would meet his wifemate, for I have ever wondered that such an enthralling Damaya who can make a Korasha so manly and proud (and furthermore handsome) forswear all other wives.
Next, I called Istae. For her I gave a necklace of Shota-fangs staggered with garnets, though I named it unworthy for her love. She knelt and spoke that she too would ride under my flag. Yet I naysaid, raised her up, and told that she must forelook uprise for her own sake amongst the outriders. I named her my true spear-sister and swore her ever my hearth, bed, and fellowship.
Then I looked to Semuane. I told that for her I have no gift, for nothing is worthy. She smiled and answered I had already given it, whereat I wept and kissed her. I doubt not the others wondered and maybe even guessed something had happened between us two. She asked merely that we forget her not in far Son when we gather with household, lovemates, and children. I swore we shall never, but only she must send word, and we will come for her sake. She offkissed my tears and bade me peace until later.
Last stood Lady Vosaeth, wild like the tall moorland Shotalashu whom her folk tame and ride, and in whose veins flows blood of the Thief-Queens who once had ruled from the Retaea to the Shattersea. I asked her to name the gift she would have, for she had joined us whom she had not known, but had freely yielded friendship, and by her leadership had upheld us all. In answer, Vosath grinned and laughingly warned that, the last time Son had offered a Retaean such a gift, the Thief-Queens had taken not only Son but the whole Yaro Strath. In goodwill we all laughed.
Yet earnestly instead, she spoke she would claim three things. First, she told while her hips swayed, she would have my love; next, her pick of our Korasha; and third, even a child if the gods so will, for she longs to bring a babe back to the Retaea’s wide skies and would reckon it a boon if that child bears the blood of Son.
At her word, Oshis boldly stepped forth, as if I ever doubted he would withhold. He knelt, kissed her hand, and offered himself, telling he holds proven manliness with children already. We all laughed, though some chided him so offering with Erymi his wifemate so far at home. Yet I knew her mind, and foresaw she would bless his deed.
At nighttide’s end, I sagged against Istae, who led me to a bench, set thereon, and found me bubblemead. I overlooked the innstead, at my friends and under-reeves. I beheld their mirth, and also relief that we had overcome war’s awfulness. I would lead our flag home and take more honor therein than in the outbound fare. Then I leaned between Semuane and Istae, a last mindshare amongst us three, ere dreams claimed me.
I woke this morn and early came to the Embassy. We have much to do, and only today. I have a mixed heart for leaving Qabarat, from Semuane’s loss, whom I hold so dearly, against at last homecoming and sight of Remaue and my kin.