A Castrovel Adventure: Part 4, Chapter 33

In which Vosaeth holds wake for Vohyd her haremmate, and Lady Vaeol takes stock of the broader world.

From the Daylog of Vaeol-Zheieveil Yaranevae be’Son

4. Zielae, 24,544 - 12th Day at Clanmoot
Yesternight we watched for Vohyd, along with many sorrows from the staying clans. Vosaeth outwon to take it with grim liss, though I could tell she hardly kept her mettle, along with her house. Zaoefoth’s troop stood worshipfully arear, though still eyesome, for few could unmind these erstwhile Zhihuafa had forsaken their clan after Byreath’s faithlessness.
Taiase had yesterday boded farseer-word to Lady Zhaene in Lea of our wayfare, who will forelook us in a few weeks. We have little more to tell. So in our stead’s reckonship, I bethought others whomto I owe tale. For Semuane I far-boded to the beacon in Son, with behest they send leafwrit down Father-Yaro’s flood (since the Qabarat farseers naysay me):

~Thanyelva Ofu-Lauburru, o’si sheazif. Mei-ziari rei kaothae Retaeara. Vosaeth laemante yazte saemazastra Vohydra. Hivusafa Learru. O’vali-komi.~
“When we go to Ofu-Laubu, we will tell you. Yet now war overtakes the Moors. Vosaeth is unsoothable and has lost her haremmate Vohyd. We go back to Lea. With all our love.”

...If the Yaro’s flood holds trusty at this yeartide, she may get the leaf-writ in two weeks.
I next thought of another whomto I owed and had so often forgotten while my livelihood, and so sent this far-bode straight to my father:

~Loma neamafa, eshoni vehae ruhussya reia nirazyelis. Uthaena-sas o’aveae haras zhehuassas. Zhaomilaf hanya o sevaea-shyaelis. O’shoe.~
“We are all safe, though you may have heard whisper of war. Your grandson grows strong and beautiful. I forelook the day you bless him. With love.”

...Unlike the last time, now I got answer, which made me weep:

~Saea shilya limyelis, o foaea-ruaelf taura oe oshastra thoarya-ruaelf o’si avassi. Heili mi ruzhi si zhienaf.~
“If you but speak the word, I will break mountains and dam rivers to reach you. My pride and worry follow after you.”

Lastly, I thought long and hard ere I sent my last far-bode, but could no longer withhold:

~A Mae, trei si eildaf o nae earodi. Shi kehaeuni-vi doromi lini yei kaname. O’illi-vei heilya-shyaelis mi utha-mastra.~
“Mother, my heart reached out to you in my grimmest need. Under this strife our feud seems so small. I would have you be proud of my son.”

In answer, I first got a wave of utter feeling, much like the first time from my father. Then followed:

~Sevaea-shyaelf uthaenastra oyei sere sevaeadaf. Di domonyaes, a Shoeante.~ “I would bless my grandson as I have blessed you. Do not forsake me, Beloved.”

Afterward, Remaue and Kaure found me in the tent curled about our son, after none had seen me in a long while. I was too overcome to say anything, else than to try to understand what welled within my heart. Whether Lady-Mother and I will find peace, I cannot tell. Maybe it is too soon to reckon. Yet maybe we have taken a small stride toward, wherein at least we have acknowledged our love.

9. Zielae, 24,544 - Tihes (5th Day Southeastward since Clanmoot)
Today, in fellowship with not only their Highness Lady Vifaul and Lady Veiamal of Lea but also Her Highness Lady Kueth of Ofu-Laubu, we reached Tihes. Our sith has thus proved no small throng, but rather a clan in our own right, ingathering the High Matron’s host, both ambassadors’ houses and wardens, a further rider-troop against the war, and at last our two households.
Tihes stands on Mother-Arasane’s northernmost shore, where it yields Ofu-Laubu’s trade southward to Lea and the great lake’s other cities. Furthermore it now fills with traders, like us many whomof had come to the Retaea Clanmoot and are now homefaring. Within the wardwalls, since the inn and tradeyard were already full, we got leave, as Her Highness Lady Vifaul’s fellows, to camp tents in the foreyard of the High Matron’s hall. Yet even dearer, this city has an aleyard right down the street, which seldom dearness the Korasha could not withstand. They straightway hied so soon as camp was pitched, and even Kaure! They have utterly forsaken us wives, which was right as well, since Her Highness Lady Mefaeth had beseeched us to duskmeal within the hall.
We have even now come back from Her Highness. Selfsomely, she made much of not only the deed to have such a renowned high moottide between Ofu-Laubu’s ambassador and Lea’s High Matron, but also Taiase, whose name and years cannot be unminded. The war overheld most of the talk, and we learned little news, else than traders are fleeing southward so swiftly as the lakeboats may bear. In faithfulness, Tihes stands more nearly to Ofu-Laubu than Lea, who both bemidge this city’s size, though still they have bonds with their southern sister, as the northern Retaea and Shemez tradehub.
Remaue, I, and our children left the mirthtide early, right after dusk, for, even though Erymi, Tae, Nae, Draue, Sievae, and Vosaeth’s housewives have watched in camp, still I worried of Zaeofoth and our other, formerly Zhihuafa housemates rankling heedlessly. Against the Clanmoot's forgiveness, after all the hurt and ill will from the raid-stroke and Vohyd's death, things have settled tightly. Ess and Vaulos our steeds met us at the doorbough and in right stalwart Shotalashu-wise hosted us back to camp, which we let with no small lot of dear words, scratches, and sweetmeats.
Anon Ess’s head twisted upward as I felt him tighten. My eyes followed and against the dark sky caught a set of low-bowing wings, wider than three Shotalashu end to end, and understood his fear. A word flashed through my thought: ~Thasaka~, whom some call ~Shota-Shalya~ - Shota of the Sky.
But one folk ride Thasaka, and hail from one city, whose ambassador right erewardly lay and ate beside Her Highness Lady Vifaul. Sure enough, the steed folded its scaly wings in the foreyard, not twenty strides from our camp. While we stared, a wordbode climbed down, wearing Ofu-Laubu’s badge, and hastened by us into the hall. Yet we could give her no thought, for all our wills must be spent withholding our Shota from striking. I had ere heard a great and ruthless hatred lies between these two scalykinds, but had never witnessed.
Afterward, in good news, when we reached camp, we found our new Zhihuafa friends behaving their steeds right along with our housemates. Indeed, I heard from Draue they had been holding together rather well. Heartened by this news, Remaue whimsily forespoke we should head downstreet and see how the Korasha were keeping at the aleyard. That outproved a mistake. Soon as we walked in the door, the stench of stale drunken ale smote so much our eyes watered. Happily they saw us, and withheld no glee, nor their lust. Yet they wobbled so drink-besottenly I doubt they could find mindshare with a harpy jasmine. They spent all their strength trying to get us to drink with them. Much as ale enthrives, I shrewdly withheld.
A last whit: Kaure leaned between Hanos and Oshis. Though she was so besotten as they, I could tell her heart: merry and safe. For that deed alone, I forgave all their naughtiness. My thought I shared with Remaue while we dodged their blundery goodwill. Then we together went to camp, kissing our babes abreast and holding hands.

4. Ashelae, 24,544 - Lea (13th Day from Tihes)
Today we reached the city, and more swiftly than by landfare, owing to rowing through the nighttide. We put ashore but a handsworth of times, to let the Shota stretch their legs. They now happily stay aland after we outdrilled their stiffness, and I reckon will not willingly take boat again. I have far-seer word to my brother Devaeas, who answered that his wifemate Elarue, her mother Mirazael, and all their farmhold gladly forelook us. Tonight we stay at Son’s embassy as Her Highness Lady Zhaene’s guests. Tomorrow we will stand before the Matrons, where Vosaeth will give dread witness of our deed-tide, both the Zhihuafa raid-stroke and the Blighttide Clanmoot. It will not be an easy speech, but needful, though most whits are already known.
We sat a late duskmeal with Her Highness, whomfrom we got news of Son, and which soon became a rede-moot. Also at board was Lady Leavomel my old teacher, who has led a rider-sith hosting a tradefare. Her I greeted most gladly and yielded my son, whom both she and Her Highness kissed and blessed. We told them even now Lady Istae rides with Clan Miniada seeking the guilty Zhihuafa, and whom Leavomel praised.
I made sure to ask whether the Citadel has forgiven my misdeed on our leavetide from Son. Lady Leavomel laughed. She shared I have somewise grown a legend among the younger outriders and newlings: the flagmaiden who became a rebel against the High Matron’s unfairness, and who had overthrown an evil holdwife to free her manlove. To hear the newlings’ tale, she added, it has an elflove-song’s suchness. She furthered with a grin I have one doleful outspeaker who takes every hap to sing my worth, and in whose thought I stand a true hero, and who foresets to become an outrider herself. Then she outnamed my sister Raeonyl. I could merely bow blushingly.

5. Ashelae, 24,544 - Lea
Our housemates have gone to Leiss, where my brother Devaeas and Elarue’s kin welcome them. Yet Taiase, Vosaeth, I, Remaue, and Kaure, and Honosil stay another night, along with Oshis by Erymi’s good leave to afterlook me, Vosaeth, and our babes. I yearn for the farmhold’s stillness after these many wild yestermonths. Yet we must first meet oughtful business here in the city. Thus Third Belltide beheld us following Her Highness Lady Zhaene, and dressed in bodyshrouds and jewels while the Highfarthing’s streets hid under Blighttide shroud-flies with bonfires readily stacked, in an eery ring of yesteryear.
Vosaeth spoke before the Matrons’ Hall and well, to my thought. She outlaid she had upyielded her feud with Lady Byreath in good faith, and even offered to undergo any trial or mind-seech they may bid. She spoke not only herself and her clan as bewretched by Byreath’s underhandness, but also Lea themselves. Full moodsomely she bespoke yesteryear’s misdeeds, even my unlucky stroke against the clanwife at Lady Nimizi’s masktide. Yet no couth offthank could overrighten the Zhihuafa’s raid upon our houses, outquoth my oath-sister, and furthermore the raid against Son’s tradefare had happened long ereward, even while Byreath was slathering goodwill on the city.
When the naysaith came from Byreath’s backers, Zaeofoth stepped forth and spoke her tale, of Byreath’s will to take us as war-thralls, and furthermore that the Zhihuafa clanwife had shriven the tradefare’s raid as her bidden deed. Some matrons’ answers rang lacksome to this shrift, for they even strove to cast doubt on Zaeofoth’s witness. Against all wont, a matron Lady Qauleth outnamed Zaeofoth as a liar. In wrathful answer, I bethought the Retaea housewife would almost leap among the benches until Vosaeth withheld her. 
My oath-sister outspoke that Lady Qauleth had given a grim offthank among the Clanfolk. Vosaeth then beswore her trust for Zaeofoth 's word, and that Zaeofoth had not broken faith with Byreath until after the Zhihuafa clanwife had first broken it. She then asked the matron to withdraw her word, forwhy, since Vosaeth has taken Zaeofoth into her household, any offthank evenly smote my oath-sister as well. 
Lady Qauleth rather swiftly left the hall. Vosaeth, for her share, had the good mind to laugh at the matron’s cravenness, whereas any Retaea would wontsomely take this sake to fight.
Tonight Her Highness Lady Vifaul holds a mirthtide, whereat I misdoubt we will get more questions, and more hooded slights. If Lady Byreath no longer holds the city’s goodwill, she still has many friends. Bewinning Lea to stir from their lakeshore and walls proves more daresome than I had hoped. Vosaeth will have a full bodyshroud to weave, as one says, and long.

Afterword
The High Matrons’s mirthtide outhappened rather as forelooked. I spent the tide aseat beside Vosaeth while we fed our babes and broadly watched the ladyhood’s show, along with trademistresses, some trademasters, and other worthies. We took what worship yielded for our motherhood, though elsewise, Remaue and Kaure readily warded any uncouth trials, and giggled dearly at Taiase flirting with Mistress Veiamal while making jokes of building bridges. I also happily greeted Lady-Captain Oraeath and Lady Iman the Headmistress of Outriders, thanked them for their goodwill over this last year, and also bemarkedly told of Istae’s boldness both in warding the Miniada on our northbound wanderfare and even now as she rides with the Clan.
Her Highness Lady Kueth also waited and beheld much talk of a gathership against the war. Yet some throats dared Ofu-Laubu’s inthrift and even hinted that city is Lea’s foe. We wondered whether these throats belonged to Byreath’s friends or merely outspoke elder grudges.
I shrive it has become my wont to withdraw early from such gathertides. Thus I gladdened when Remaue bade we should do so, though forecaughtly witted Vosaeth too came. Kaure greedily took Aeosel while we beseeched leave of Their Highnesses, wished Taiase an idle nighttide with a kiss, and left the palace.
All went idly as forelooked until we reached the Embassy, when Kaure yielded my babe not to me, but to Vosaeth, who gleefully set him abreast with his older brother. At my shaken look, my oath-sister chuckled. ~Sei maes eistryere,~ - "Look to your wifemates," she glibly answered my unspoken question. Then she offwalked with my babe lovingly nestled with hers.

Lashunta Terms & Phrases:

• ~Ofu~ (animal): an acropolis; crag; mesa; butte
• ~Ofu-Laubu~ (animal): Laubu Mesa. City in northern Asana standing east of the Shemez Desert
• ~Lauba~ (common): demonym for the citizens of Ofu-Laubu.
• ~Rei~ (spiritual): war
• ~Retaea~ (common): moor; savanna. Collectively, the northern savanna-moors east of the Stormshield Mountsains, west of Lake Arasene, and south of the Shemez Deserts. Alternatively, the nomadic Lashunta Clans who dwell there.
• ~Lea~ (common): city on the western shore of Lake Arasene.
• ~Vali~ (spiritual): elf-love; romantic love.
• ~Koma~: whole; entire
• ~Loma~: all
• ~Uthaena~ (common): grandchild
• ~Shoe~ (spiritual): familial love; dearness
• ~Sae~ (spiritual): word; report; news
• ~Heili~ (spiritual): pride
• ~Ruzhi~ (spiritual): worry
• ~Mae~ (feminine): mother
• ~Trei~ (spiritual): heart; feeling; sentiment
• ~Utha~ (common): child
• ~Sevae~ (spiritual): blessing
• ~Shoeante~ (feminine): beloved; darling
• ~Thasaka~ (common): pterosaurid creature tamed by the people of Ofu-Laubu as a flying steed.
• ~Shota~ (common): a Shotalashu, four-legged therapoid creatured used by Lashunta as a terrestrial & arboreal mount.
• ~Shali~ (spiritual): sky; cloudcover
• ~Eistrye~ (feminine): wifemate; committed female partner.