A Castrovel Adventure: Part 4, Chapter 51

In which Vaeol looks to heal wounds, both for herself and her household, as politics take a firm hold on the war’s end.

From the Daylog of Vaeol-Zheieveil Yaranevae be’Son

6. Afaelae, 24,545 - Leiss Farmhold
Today Taiase again came. With much love she sang a hymn over my head and has bidden the wrap shall stay another night. Tomorrow we will offlift and see how my eye fares. I fear blindness, and remind Master-Captain Dosuaesh and his half-antenna from some wound against the Formians. Even so hurtful as I am, I cannot dream how much that must have hurt. Guiltily, I reckon I should feel lucky to have outcome so well from the fight, and dolefully alive.
Afterward, I met Devaeas my brother. When he knelt, I upsat and hugged him. He cheered my win, telling word from the city that Her Highness and the matrons are much relieved that Byreath will grow no more wickedness. With her death, the outlasting Zhihuafa have fled back to the moor. What happened with the booty they bore we know not. Yet we may safely deem the war ended. He spoke, however, that farseer-word of my weapon-trial had already sped to Son (doubtlessly from Her Highness Lady Zhaene), and answer come from Lady-Mother. He warned me to shun the city, forwhy Lady-Mother has sternly bidden me to come home, and if I meet Her Highness, she will have no choice but to bode that bid.
Half-laughingly, he kissed antennae to mine. ~O’naeshi-ali, a miline, yeio’imi-diahi maere ihosayelf,~ - “Heal soon, little sister,” he said (which is ever funny, since I am two headspans taller): “for I cannot offhold our mother alone.”
Oshis still withstands, even to see his son. This wound leaves me snared and helpless, a steadship I cannot stand. Tomorrow I have much to reckon.

7. Afaelae 24,545 - Leiss Farmhold
Today, with Remaue’s and Kaure’s help, Taiase doffed my eyewrap. The unwrapping took achingly long, while which I must still, merely soothing my son. I did not even wit when she drew it fully off, for my eye still was stuck shut. With a cloth, Remaue dabbed my eyelashes and bade me open. ~Stya dumis?~ - “What do you see?”
Against my left eye, I saw a watery, shadowy blur. Even so, relief flooded, making Aeosel squeal merrily. At least I had some sight.
More forbearingly I waited while Taiase offdrew the clamlings from my wound’s seam while slowly my sight grew less blurry. In good news, she deemed that under her soulmight it has mostly healed. She slathered aloe muddled with myrrh, which she told will soften the scar. Then Kaure brought near a looking-glass, and for the first time I beheld the wreck I had wrought on myself. An angry orange furrow cut over my eyebrow, starting but left of upright, and skipping the eyehollow ere it trailed my cheek. Most whitfully, it swept at an angle wholly else than my skinstripes, a stark reminder of how near I had come. Remaue spoke that we will lay gold-glue and so show it as a proud badge. Yet looking at myself, and ruing my deed, I felt not so proud.
I outwilled to leave the tent and make unsteady path toward the hometree with Aeosel in arm. There I found Oshis in the oddest stead, helping Mirazael’s manmates, since wontfully he shuns farmwork as if it is cursed. The two elder men bowed and at my beseech withdrew to let me speak alone with my manlove.
Oshis stilled. He would not look. I asked whether he now beheld me so ugly. He flinched but answered not. I straightly bade him look.
Soon as our eyes met, my mind locked with his. His whole anger smote, which grew as I had foreguessed from our feud at yesteryear’s end when he had naysaid me uptaking weapon-drill. His anger grew from fear, and unmerely from me fighting Byreath atrial, but in witness of my wound, the fright of her axebill shearing down on my helm and face and watching blood drown my eye. I felt him tighten again as the yesterwhit ran through our minds. Against my foreset will, I could not help quail.
I took behoof of a trick often used against me, and handed him our son. A wonder stemming from me undergoing the Komori is that Aeosel knows not only my mind, but Oshis’s as well. Our babe wits himself not only as share of me, but of him, which outcome hit so soon as I laid him on my fathermate’s mighty arms. Oshis soothed, enthralled by his son’s mindshare. I took the hap to near, overstand, and daze within their mingled love.
Bywardly, Oshis again looked upward, and if his mind did not show listfulness, at least it no longer shone anger. He chided that I had taken the weapon-trial against Byreath, and then reminded that not only am I a mother, but also I have champions enough, and not only himself, but Less and Hanos, too, who would fight for my sake. ~Vosaeth o’avyri nazya-shyaeldale Vohydra risassastra,~ - “Vosaeth had the wisdom to have Vohyd fight for her.” he deemed, bespeaking the first dare my oath-sister had uptaken with Byreath at the last Clanmoot. Yet the example little overwon, since I had overknelt Vohyd, trying to save his life while he died.
I asked why I should beworth Oshis’s life so less than my own. In answer, Oshis handed our son back to me. As my own answer, I remarked that, if I had died, only Aeosel would be motherless. Yet if Oshis had died in my stead, then not only would our son be fatherless, but also Erymi’s Tesine, Sievae’s Lenis, Vosaeth’s son Sonnauf as well, and his eldest daughter Zheye back home in Hivaea.
Oshis frowned and spoke: ~A ile roaes o vas di doheilafas,~ - “My lady knows I am not unproud." He then said he would dare many outriders and warriors who believe themselves haughty. Yet, as my fathermate, in this wise he would serve me. then he asked that I bestow him the same honor Vosaeth had bestowed on Vohyd.
I asked him whether he would have me slay whom I love. He answered back whether it is so much worse than slaying oneself. ~Va moara, oe se riyae-me ,~ - “We are warriors, and you are our flagwife,” he reminded. ~O’stiadeni-diahi vastra leiris risya-ruaelassastra?~ - “How can you not beseech me to fight for you?”
His words wounded such sorrow that I toppled upon his shoulder. We wept with our son between us, forgiven but unoutriddled, for I know not whether I could bid him to death, and could he again forgive me if I forethreaten my life another time? Is it canny for warriors to love each other too much? If so, under what unbearable steadship do we live?
Afterward, Mirazael as tree-singer beseeched me to take a sheerness bath so that I might come nigh the hometree without blood-smirch from Byreath's death. I had erenever felt meeker while she, Elarue, and Kaure sang a hymn and poured rainwater over my head, and not the first time my maidenmate oversaw my sheerness. I thought of Byreath whom I had slain and prayed her peace within the World-Soul. Then after they wiped me dry, I was alet to worship at the tree’s beam and then climb to our limb-bower.

8. Afaelae 24,545 - Leiss Farmhold
A few wordworthy things today. While we ate mornmeal with the children, the Shotalashu hooted warning from the farm-edge. We rose to see two riders incoming on the treepath. When they neared, we witted one wore outrider harness, and another shrouded ladylike. So we beheld Lady Iman, Lea’s mistress of outriders, and Lady Nimizi, formerly the High Matron ere Her Highness Lady Vifaul. At Mirazael’s call, they beseeched guesthood, which we gladly welcomed.
The Lady-Mistress nodded at my new scar. ~Sei shyael loeanto,~ - “A worthy token,” she cheered, to which I bowed: ~O’eshi ollono yeio vayelise,~ - “And even better since you live.” To which word I had nothing but yaysaith.
With Mirazael’s blessing, Remaue, Kaure, and I beseeched to thew these guests. Lady Nimizi asked whether we might talk sunderly. Remaue and I led them to our tree-bower while Kaure hastened for tea. Remaue then left to help while I sat with the guests and yielded my babe to be overcooed. When they together came back, Remaue held the cup while Kaure poured. Then together we sat, bowed, and shared the cup.
Lady Iman began, saying that their mootfare hither must be deemed selfsome, and in no wise under their city’s lawful stallhood. I bewitted hallcraft and asked outlay. She then spoke they had witnessed my win over Byreath, along with Their Highnesses, and heartily begladdened, as had many else, inmeaning Her Highness Lady Vifaul and her Highness Lady Zhaene. None doubted I had done Lea a great boon quelling this wicked and plighty clanwife. Yet happendom now bade they could not straightly outspeak their thanks. Ere I could speak, Lady Nimizi added that she came as one selfly shamed by Byreath’s underhandness, and which had moreso shamed Lea. Thus my deed offcleansed this shame. Even said, however, she shrove that not all her fellow matrons so wisely bedeemed, even since many had befriended Byreath. ~Iza soarazya unirada,~ - “The next game has begun.”
Misforebodingly, I asked this new game. Dryly Lady Nimizi outlaid that a fellowship of matrons has outnamed Byreath’s War as Son’s guilt. Behooving my enwedship in Vosaeth’s weapon-trial, they have grown the tale backward, claiming that Son had been meddling with the Retaea Clans, and even bespeaking my oath-sistership with Vosaeth as proof. This fellowship has miswarned that, with Son now holding the Marshland Dykeway’s eastern end at Elahat, we forewill to overtake all trade from the moors. Lady Zhaene has swiftly naysaid with right proof, though, quoth Nimizi, ~Doshoali di fili duvaea o’vaeassi,~ - “A lie feeds not on proof to live.”
At word of Her Highness Lady Zhaene, Lady Iman also told that she is bound to bring word back to Her Highness, wiseful to my health, the reason whereof she gave as that Her Highness, after my fight with Byreath, had sent farseer-word to Son, both of my win and wound (as I knew from my brother). This bode had gotten swift answer from Lady-Mother, she outlaid, who bade me home to Son at once. Lady Zhaene is mindfully bound to bring my mother’s bid, shared Lady Iman, but will not do so while I heal. She then wryly nodded at my scar: ~O’dumi-veari doel eiare-ye sohise,~ - “Clearly a wound so grim still ails you.” She forespoke to bring this word back to Her Highness, who she reckons will wait a few days more to let me strengthen ere she send this bid.
The two ladies left with much kindliness, and not only for the boon they had given, but also for their heartfelt thanks. Ere they upsteeded, Lady Iman hugged me sisterly. ~Hizelf osta-sara,~ - “We will remind your deed,” she swore, and also to send forth its word. Then they rode back to the city, leaving us wondering how much time we truly have ere were are bidden back to Son.
Next thing, I called Ess, saddled, and rode him toward the city. At the landfarthing’s edge right where we had held the weapon-trial, I found Vosaeth’s household camped, nevermind the stockyard’s stench. When I inroad and unsteeded, Honosil and Leief met me, though they bowed nape in shame. ~Di kie,~ they told: “She will not meet you.” So openly shone their faces, and so well I know my oath-sister, that I needed not even read their minds to know that Vosaeth seethed wrathfully, shamed at her broken leg, her Shotalashu’s freak snakewound and death, and bereft of her foe’s wrack-geld.
I outwilled I must speak with her. Though they naysaid, I recked not and strode through. Unhappily they withstood not.
I reached the tent and beheld her lying abed, foot upheld in a daub-splint, and holding her son. Soon as she saw me, ~Di soari!~ she yelled: “Do not come near!” Then, as tears welled in her eyes, matching her son’s wail: ~Arya veraztis!~ - “You stole my glory!”
Nothing sorrowed me more, for that thought had hidden furthest from mind when I dared Byreath, and under Vosaeth’s own bid to not let our foe win. Yet her mood, even so wracked from her hurt, shame, and the link-shock from her steed’s death, would not listen. So I did the only thing I could. Against her yells and threats, I stood beside the bed and laid my son upon her breast, next to his brother. Then so kindly as I could, I withdrew little Sonnauf from her arms, sat on the bedside, and nestled him tight. Our sons so traded, we had no choice but to reach mindshare.
Unforecatchingly, Vosaeth’s wrath needed more than frankness to quell. Her thoughts ran right as I had forelooked, but for one more: shaken unbelief that I had not taken Byreath’s head as token. Here we had some strife, forwhy she could not understand my mistaste for skull-gathering, even as I could not understand, from her stead, the glory it bequeathed. I could only say: ~O’eshi loshaf o’ziniloni-dei te mashe,~ - “I reck only that she is no longer a plight.” Without her, the Clan is safe, the city is safe. We are safe. We ended weeping with my brow overlaid on hers; our sons snuggled between.
Laterward, I told her Lady-Mother has already bidden me back to Son, and Lady Iman’s and Lady Nimizi’s boonful wile to forewarn, but that I must forelook Her Highness’s word in a few days. Vosaeth, ever the reaverwife, nodded. ~O’kani-yei hani thini bealassi,~ - “Then it seems we have a few days to flee,” she read. She asked whether I have seen Taiase, to which I answered a few days ago. Vosaeth forespoke to bode word to her, asking whether she will come with us.
I asked whether Vosaeth can forbear a long ridefare, for she has no Shotalashu, and with her broken leg must ride awagon. She grinned harshly and muttered her weakness’s shame. Yet for my sake, and to recleave her Clan, she will go.
I left the tent and told Honosil and Threarde that I will forsake all worship for Lady Byreath’s death. ~O’shili yothadaf miqyere,~ - “I merely upheld my oath-sister,” I outquoth. Then I bade we shall speak the deed no more. When Honosil asked what we shall tell Lady Vei when we recleave the Clan, I answered we will deal with Lady Vei when we must, and let the thing lie.
Erenow, Taiase came, though she rode back to the city for duskmeal. She atrusted that Her Highness is withholding my mother’s bid and has loudly outquoth her wish to call me to the embassy three days hence, when she shall give the bid. I find myself thankful for Her Highness’s ruth, for she stands in a tight spot between Lady-Mother and me. This gives us less than two days. Taiase also reminded that we have an open and unanswered welcome from the queen of Ofu-Laubu, who has long wished our guestfare. ~Zhao omonya Sonnya mi kaolya mivaiaea, o’ami-dei hoathime.~ she said: “For Son’s sake and our ally’s goodwill, we cannot in good faith withhold.”

Lashunta Words & Phrases:

• ~O'naeshi-ali~: 'heal soon'. Polite imperative.
• ~A miline~ - vocative of ~miline~ (feminine): little sister
• ~Stya dumis?~ - 'What do you see?'
• ~O'avyri~: wisely. Adverbial phrase
• ~Va moara~: 'We (1st-person exclusive) are warriors.'
• ~Oe se riyae-me,~: 'And you are our (inclusive) flagwife.'
• ~O'stiadeni-diahi~: how cannot. Adverbial phrase
• ~Sei shyael loeanto~: 'A worthy token [for you].'
• ~Iza soarazya unirada~: 'The next game has begun.'
• ~Di kie~: 'She will not meet [you].'
• ~Di soari~: 'Do not [come] near.'
• ~Arya veraztis!~: 'You stole [my] glory.'