A Castrovel Adventure: Part 4, Chapter 27

In which Vaeol and Clan Miniada stare death in the face, and life.

From the Daylog of Vaeol-Zheieveil Yaranevae be’Son

18. Afaelae, 24,544 - 6th Day Northbound
Today Vosaeth’s eldest sister Lady Rashe’s riders reclove. Along with the hunt’s butcherwork ending, tomorrow the Clan will fare northward at full strength. This happendom has further strengthened the Clan’s mood, who now talk of meeting war’s threat with a fierceness almost eager.
The word Lady Rashe brought broadly matched her sister’s, with further misluck of a clash with raiders, Zhihuafa riding with Komatha, who are their allies. One rider was slain, and two more wounded: a bitter score that hardens the Clan’s hatred. These folk believe strongly in wrack-geld and will see the blood-fee taken. Another word she brought: a whisper has run through the clans that not only the Zhihuafa struck the Son tradefare lost yesteryear, but enwed warriors from other clans. If true, such may outlay the odd uphold Lady Byreath has had for her misdeeds. In rede-hearth, we and the Miniada’s elders have wondered long, though without any hard witness.

4. Vinelae, 24,544 - 9th Day Northbound
Yesterday outriders found Zhihuafa scouts, who had first fled the Clan’s warriors. When the Clanfolk afterhunted, however, they foolishly followed between two hills, upon which hidden bowmen stood and loosed shots. The bloody outcome could have gone worse, however, had not another clan-troop followed the first, bewitted the fight, and overwhelmed the foe atop one hill ere those atop the other hill fled. Even so, the Miniada have lost three warriors slain and ten wounded.
I was riding with Lady Vei, Vosaeth, Tae, and Remaue, trying best to sit upon Ess with my swollen belly squeezed against the foresaddle, when an updashing wordbode brought the warning. At once we all glanced at each other, and then looked upon the mainward to tally who among our households followed, and who was outsent among scouts and outriders. The same fear overtook us all, that we might lose our housemates after so tightly saving them from the raid-stroke on our southbound wayfare. Vosaeth’s hands tightened upon her son, though I knew they wished a spear. Less and Hanos ran up beside us wives and stood overwatching the moor, for whatever little good, like a twosome of old but faithful Shota warding their riders’ farmhold.
Lady Vei straightway bade the Clan find a wardsome campstead, at which word riders outrode to the forward and flank scouts. Within a belltide we found a stead upon a broad hill and near water. Then while the Korasha upset tents, she gathered a relief troop. She asked Taiase and me to cleave, forwhy she forelooked need of our health-might along with the Clan’s healers. So we yaysaid and rode out with the Clanwife and her elder daughters, as she left Vosaeth at the camp’s leave with the children.
I erenever felt so glad when I saw Erymi and Oshis riding toward us; stern but hale, and though it took all my will to keep Oshis from lifting me heavily from saddle and bearing me back to camp (a doom threatened from his overaimful faith). As it was, he outwilled to host me along after Erymi left, for nothing could besway him from letting his thickly bechild flagwife so freely toward the foes. Our news told our housemates had shunned the plight, but Istae, who had led the first rush to relieve the bestricken warriors.
Taiase tightened at her maidenlove’s gashed and broken arm, which had been crushed through her arm-dishes while she felled the Korasha rider she had fought. We had to wring Taiase from her, for though Istae’s wound was grim, other wounded warriors were losing more blood and nearer death.
We sang through the night to heal them, draining all our strength and leaving us wan, until Lady Vei bade a tent upset over right where we and the other healers lay. While the night, Lady Vei had shieldheads and wagons upbrought, into which the dead and the worst wounded were laid when he came back to camp. Istae, however, outwilled to ride, which sparked a sharp strife with Taiase that had them bickering and sulking over the whole ridefare. I offheld, for I had to deal with Oshis doing his best Shota-bull mime herding me. My tongue let slip that he has grown rather overused to having a harem, which in answer got back a bold and unforgivingly stern look, wholly unbeheft at my fun. I would call him overproud if I did not love him so.
Vosaeth met us at the camp’s edge, with little Sonnauf in arm but wearing byrnie and a ready troop at her back (incleaving her housemates, as well as Erymi, Draue, and Nae, and Kaure) as if she was wholly forelooking a foreweft to leap into war. Only slightly peevishly I bade Oshis mind his other harem-queen and egg while I kissed Kaure. Remaue upcame, who helped the Korasha bear Istae to bed, where we have set her arm and will wield some health-might so soon as we regather strength.
I have stood outside of our tent and heard the wail of mothers, fathers, and lovers for their kin whom we have lost, and whose bodies they have set upon grave-beds over the moor, for the birds and Qoelu to free them to the World-Soul. The Clan’s mood has again shifted grim, and also unsure. Is this the doom awaiting us, the endless strife of foes murdering our best and boldest?
We have right come from a rede-moot with Lady Vei, her daughters, the elders, and lead warriors. Though the word was aimed at none sundry, Lady Vei spoke stern warning that, although the Zhihuafa have undergone setback under our spears, Lady Byreath has lost no cunning, and none must be baited into bushwhack. Though I know the clanwife has already forgiven the misdeed, shame glowed bright on a few brows, and I misdoubt they will not take the wisdom to heart.
Tomorrow we start northward again. Lanaryel now lies between my breast and Remaue’s, while Kaure’s head leans lightly upon my belly, which is so swollen I fear burst. Ital deems I may give birth at any day, be it tomorrow or a month hence, even startled by Ess’s hard leap or sharp laughter. I am enfolded in love, heed, and fear, as we meet not merely this war, but my life’s greatest ordeal.

12. Vinelae, 24,544 - 17th Day Northbound
I have no word to bewrite these last three days, although I try.
Since the fight, I had been wearying while aride. I had been having mild fits for some days, but had owed them to weariness. At Vosaeth’s and the midwife’s bid, I had even yaysaid to tarry in the wagon, though Ess fretted jealously, and I found the wheel-bump almost hurtful as the saddle, and so had been splitting a half-day each. Shrewdness beread I should not gainsay Vosaeth, for I could tell the fear stemmed from her own hard birthtide and the many long nights little Sonnauf had lain on her bosom while fighting for breath.
Ereyesterday we had maybe been faring more than a belltide. Anon, I had another fit, and Ess tightened, leapt, and danced under me. His stir did nothing to ease my belly squeezed against the foresaddle. Yet now I witted his worry.
Then my womb-water broke, which I shrive struck rather shamefully, even against foreknowledge. So strong did my shock broadcast that Taiase, Vosaeth, Remaue, and Tae all halted. Rather soother than I felt, I looked at my loves. Then I headed Ess out of line, unsteeded, and sat upon the moor while he snuffled my nape. Vosaeth and Remaue clove and held my hands while Taiase went to Lady Vei, and Tae to find our housemates.
When Lady Vei uprode, I beseeched her blessing and asked that she lead the Clan onward while Vosaeth’s and my households stayed, forwhy we would not belag the Clanmoot while such dread business forestands. Sharply the Clnawife answered we are at war, and the Clan does not forsake mothers in their greatest need-tide to become the foe’s prize. Then she bade the outriders find the nearest campstead.
Kaure and Oshis together updashed while Erymi aftercame. Even afar, I could see thrill, worry, and fear bewritten on their faces. They leapt from saddle and wallowed smartly afoot, and next I knew their brows shoved against my belly and breast. I kissed both their napes and spoke the time for which we had long yearned and planned was come.
And then the first birth-pang hit. I gasped, groaned, grabbed both their shoulders while they gazed helplessly. Then they lifted me into the wagon.
The outriders had found a campstead within a half-belltide’s ride, which meant soon I was striding about, with Remaue and Kaure holding my hands, followed by all the wives. I swerved back and beheld Vosaeth weeping, clutching her son but a year old to her bosom, while hugged between Oshis and Erymi. The yestermind of her deadly birthtide overtook, reckoning both she and little Sonnauf had almost died. I was thinking of her bold words then: as a wife of the Zhihuafa she would die only in birth or war, and wondered whether now she thought elsely. I wished neither outcome, forwhy I deemed I have too much for which I would live.
Soon enough Ital the midwife-priest came, the tent stood, and my lovemates hustled me inside more strongly than liss ought. The wives stood wall-like at the door and forbade the men gathered, even against their goodwill. Though Oshis knew better, still he roared like a mad bull.
I watched Erymi’s eyes wallow at her manmate’s moodiness. She shared laughter with Vosaeth and Sievae that at least he cared as much about his child outcoming as he had putting it in. Yet in this wise, under the Komori’s sway, I knew Oshis better than she and understood his worry. Almost heedlessly, I outreached thought beyond the tent to Lenis and Tesine. I bade them find their father and soothe him, and had gladness when I bewitted them hug his stout thighs, at which he knelt between, hugged them almost breathless, and wept. Taiase witted my soul-might and startled, but then smiled secretly.
Lady Vei incame. With the midwife-priest she sang a birth-hymn with me. Then she kissed my brow in blessing, kissed Remaue, and gave me to my wifemate’s care. Then she went to Vosaeth and took her grandson to her own bosom, with word she would take this little godling for a tide and give his mother some ease.
I met eyes with Remaue, who was right income from leaving Lanaryel with Less her father, who unlike Sonnauf and Yaraess was old enough to stay motherless. In mindshare her love overwhelmed me, right ere another birth-pang hit. We squeezed hands while I breathed deep and forbore through. Then she whispered, though loud enough that all could hear: ~Steme o’ahi almathi-mya shinyele, o eise.~ - “If anyone can get through this wracktide, it is you.” At her word, we all laughed, which so soon after the pang made my belly fit, until tears wept. Kaure mistook my tears for true hurt and hugged me fearfully, to my kindly chide.
I have not lately written of that little soul riding within me this last half-year, that looking-glass of myself, glinting back my heart and thoughts of the world, which so spooked me at Leiss-Farmhold with Elarue’s kin when I misthought myself bespied. Now for the first time, I felt my babe’s own bother, his first hurt as the only safe, tiny world he had ever known quaked. Thoughtlessly I outreached, and so fell into that queer almost war-mind I had witted with both Tae and Vosaeth. I forespoke all would be well and gave him so much love as I could. At my mind’s touch (though he knew it not from his own), he soothed, though whether he understood from my thought I know not. Within our bond, at times all mindful thought quelled, and we became a lone heart throbbing together.
The hurt came and ebbed, and though my wifemate had bragged of my threshold, it was sore even for me. I withdrew even more into the thoughtless heart-bubble with my babe, trying to shield him so much as I could. Thus when the tent’s belongings started hovering aloft, I witted not. Instead, my awareness became dreamlike with sights of Remaue, Kaure, Vosaeth, Erymi, and Tae earnestly holding me, the midwife crouched inseechingly between my thighs, and Taiase, Istae, Draue, Nae, and Vosaeth’s housemates tightly looking.
Within this dreamy unsoothness, my thoughts swerved to my mother, even against my anger, and what little I remind of her self, flashes and wits, from which my own self grew…

...Anon, I was standing in the Hall of Matrons back in Son. Looking, I beheld my sisters aseat (Raiale with a new babe abreast, for she had been bechild when we left Son), Lady Ihyl my mother’s steadholder, Lady Ane, Lady Menele, Lady Eanyl, and almost the Matrons. I felt my mother’s self and heard her speech, but somewise could not see her. Then her awareness twisted while her words faltered, and she was seeking me. ~A Vaeol?!~ she yelled my name, ringing overloudly in my ears, while fright and worry overswept. Then I staggered and toppled to my knees while my sisters and my mother’s thanes startled toward…

...And then the hardest birth-pang so far struck, which seemingly brought my mind back to body, where my tailbone felt as if cudgel-beaten, and my blithe, wantsome babe quailed within me, and an overwhelming need to shove downward took hold. At the midwife’s bid, Remaue and Kaure got me crouching alean the roofshaft and grabbed my hands to steady. I beheld Vosaeth akneel beside Kaure, hands folded beseeching prayer, tears running down her face. My womb-fit caught again, and I could but fight to breathe while my eyes squeezed shut and my hands squeezed Kaure’s and Remaue’s.
I swooned, though somehow still forebore mindlessly. Neither was I alone, for Remaue, Kaure, the midwife, Vosaeth, Erymi, Tae, Draue, Nae, Sievae, Honosil, Threarde, Zhaunyth, Anmeth, and Eimyl, all gathered their minds with me, singing our hymn, wishing all their strength and will. Overall I witted Taiase, her soulmight bright like the Sun, yielding sooth and strength to all. Afar I even felt Oshis beyond the tent, and all his heed and worry, and through him the other men.
Then the hurt overwashed all as my hips split wide, my belly clenched down, and a sting seared through my overripe blossom-maw. All faded into a scream.
Oddly, the scream akept even after my breath ended. It was still mine, though I had stopped, and had shifted loudness and pitch. Even with eyes shut, light filled my head, so harsh it blurred sight and might bring tears from my eyes had I not already been weeping, and din jangled aching ears.
I opened my eyes. I beheld the midwife holding a babe, afterbirth still dangling from his belly. His squashed eyes opened. His tiny antennae twitched. Then he saw me, and at once we linked, one mind, the same mind, stronger than even the Komori-bond between Oshis and me, as strong as what once I had held with my mother. Ital laid him on my bosom, though we had eyes only for each other as I stared, from myself to myself, only smaller. I could not think but him.
Only slowly did I look about at the others watching, and then at the tent overhead. Yet the tent was not standing. Instead, it floated, the hide outstretched aloft, hems and ropes unstaked, and even the shaft still stuck in its midst, spinning slowly. Haltingly I read the faces near: Kaure and Remaue gazes locked awesomely, Erymi shielding Tae and little Yaraess from a chest floating by, and the others kneeling warily. Only Taiase stood, arms outstretched, and from the soulmight flowing, I reckoned she was the one holding the tent and belongings from flying off. They stared at me, their eyes full of fear and awe.
Against this weirdness, I recked not, but mildly eased a nipple into my babe’s mouth, heartened him to suckle, and let the midwife sing the afterbirth-hymn while she drew it from my womb and read its shape to foretell our health. While she tied his birthrope, she muttered something about soul-seers and that she should never oversee such a birthtide again. Then Taiase neared and beseeched me to loosen. I listened, and dizzily heard the din of the men restaking the tent.
I felt Remaue’s and Kaure’s minds near, looked upward, and smiled at their faces. ~Ithaes utha-mastra~ - “Behold our son,” I whispered while he kicked and snuggled upon my bosom. Remaue bowed near, laid her antennae with his, and wept, while a fit seemingly overtook Kaure. My dearest Korashe stuttered wordlessly. Her body shuddered. I bade her lie beside and set her head too upon my breast. Then I looked to Vosaeth, whose cheeks were still tear-soaked, in which I saw her fear melded with relief. She kissed my brow, and then laid a blessing finger upon the little brow. ~Utha-vas thas teastra!~ - “My son has a brother!” she wondered softly. Then her mood overflowed, and she could utter no more.
After the tent settled, Erymi came, kissed me and the babe, and asked my readiness. Grinningly I nodded. She opened the flap, where stood Oshis; antennae forward, stout shoulders set, and broadcasting such heed I could wit from within. Even so, I could not help playing with him a little: ~Maes, a Das, oyastra thondis. O’tini-dumi ilandis.~ - “Look, Man, on him whom you have wrought. Eyesome you have often drilled.” My smartness, however, reckoned him nothing, but my fathermate uncouthly leapt upon the bed, gathered us into arms, and rained kisses and tears on our brows, and which even got a merry squeal from our tiny son, who shared my glee. Easily as breath, I brought Oshis into mindshare and let him feel our child’s bright wonder at this world he was seeing for the first time.
Bywardly the other wives got Oshis to a more worshipful stead beside. Then Erymi brought Tesine, and Sievae Lenis, and Remaue Lanaryel. They knelt the children upon the bed while I held my swaddled babe before. Then their mothers bade them greet their new brother. To Lenis, as the eldest among Oshis’s children here, I gave doleful word, beseeching if he would ward and overwatch his baby half-brother. The boy, but eight years old, looked from me to my babe with the most earnestness. Then, like a warrior swearing an oath, he bowed low and kissed my belly, a deed that brought laughter and dear sighs from the watching grownups.
Helplessly I wearied and slept with my son suckling. I woke yestermorn still holding him, with Remaue cradling Lanaryel snuggled on one side, and Kaure on the other. First thing after I rose, I brought my babe to Ess, who bowed his neck proudly and shivered with a thrill that brought new tears, as if he had fathered the babe. He licked a slathersome tongue over my babe’s head, who blithely cooed. Then I made deed (against my loves’ chides, who bade I needed more rest) to walk through camp, where many Clanfolk knelt and sang blessing until Lady Vei, whomto I knelt, yielded my son, and spoke I had her boon for my son’s life, health, and welfare. She took him to her bosom and kissed him tightly. Then she knelt with me, hugged me near, laid her brow with mine, and said: ~Di vi urashise, a Mae, yio noa si sevaea-shyaelzyela,~ - “Do not kneel to me, Mother, for the gods have bestowed their blessing upon you.” She then drew me to sit with her and told I had given the Clan a wondershow, for though they are used to a mother’s birthmight, none had ever seen a whole tent hover, and some had called it an omen that must be told to the priests when we reach Clanmoot. I answered I had done worse to Lady Byreath back in Lea, which got wry laughter.
We got today to rest more, for tomorrow we again fare northward, where the Clanmoot and the feud with the Zhihuafa await. I am torn between wish to ride Ess and fear my body is still too hurt. If I stay awagon, I may play and worship my wonderful son, and maybe choose his name.
While I write, my son lies asleep upon Kaure’s mighty bosom. She loves him so fiercely that she has taken him, and will not yield unless I beg to feed him. Yet I need all my will to offtear eyes from his sleeping face to write this. Remaue and Erymi hold their daughters alap and smile knowingly. This blessing I have gotten feels so unsooth I fear to wake from this dream.

Lashunta Terms & Phrases:

• ~Steme~ (f): anyone; any woman
• ~Almathi~ (s): wracktide; torture
• ~Steme o’ahi almathi-mya shinyele, o eise.~ - “If anyone can get through this wracktide, it is you.”
• ~Uthas~ (m): son; male child
• ~Ithaes utha-mastra~ - “Behold our son,”
• ~Teas~ (m): brother
• ~Utha-vas thas teastra!~ - “My son has a brother!”
• ~Das~ (m): man; male
• ~Maes, a Das, oyastra thondis. O’tini-dumi ilandis.~ - “Look, Man, on him whom you have wrought. Eyesome you have often drilled.”
• ~Di~ (s): not
• ~Mae~ (f): mother
• ~Noa~ (c): god; gods
• ~Di vi urashise, a Mae, yio noa si sevaea-shyaelzyela,~ - "Do not kneel, Mother, for the gods have blessed you."