Chapter 1

Author's Note: We pick up right where we left Lady Vaeol and her company of Lashunta warriors, who have just returned to Qabarat after seeing Brand and the Aslanta (Humans) home through the Sovyrian Gate, and where Vaeol and Lady Semuane were pronounced banished from ever returning to the Elven Captial of El, and who now forelook to return to their home city of Son. Vaeol had last met with Lady Ivassil, High Matron of Qabarat, who congratulated her on her successful question, but who also named her ‘Worry-Maker’, and reminded Vaeol that she owes the High Matron a future favor...

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

11. Ashelae, 24,535 - Qabarat
Today was busy and forelooks even busier tonight. Yet I will start with yestereve.
Remaue, Erymi, and Tae had set our duskmeal not at the Embassy, but at a mead-garden between Ship’s End and the Battleyards, on a wealthy street near the Elf-Farthing. Remaue gathered me, Oshis, and Less from our rooms and led us thither, where the two reeve-wives were overseeing the last settings. We found a room with a bough-wall open to an elfyard, set with candles and witchlights. Pillowed benches sat about a table, and lovely wall-paintings aring. Also in a corner played a song-glass, and I cannot even think how much they paid, though its sweetness filled the loft.
Soon came Semuane, and we all cheered and hugged her. She thanked our welcome, and then she spoke she would make shrift to us. When we asked why, she outlaid that, under her captain’s bid, she had first tried to take the Aslanta from us, forwhy her captain had reckoned it a canny chance to further her nameworth. After all we had undergone, we forgave her, for we had already forelooked that such was the likelihood.
Then Semuane gave me a gift: a sword curved like a Queenslayer’s fang and twofold-edged. I looked on the blade’s root and beheld her kindred’s mark etched thereon. I gainsaid I could not take it. She answered that, though it had stayed among her kin for three daughtertides, it sits unwell in her hand, but that she thought it might sit better in mine. When I clasped it and swung, it flew like it was share of my hand. She said I should have a worthy sword. Semuane asked that I take her gift as our maidenlove-token, for she swore she will not forget me, and though we serve different cities, she would dearly rejoin me whenever we cross paths again, for so near as Son and Qabarat stand, it is forebound to happen, and we may forelook our next tide together. I blessed and kissed her.
For my gift, I gave Semuane a pair of armbands, which were so finely wrought as I could find among the silversmiths, but also with a tiny add: each holds a small silver link on the inner curve’s rear. Semuane witted, grinned, and kissed me again. I bade she shall not wear them in shame but in pride, as token of how she won my maidenlove against a fierce warden, whereat all laughed. Then she kissed Remaue.
Semuane also brought gifts for the others: for Less a new bow, for Oshis a new spearhead with warning to beware where he aims it (which made us all laugh for his wanton bedsport), and for Tae a silver horn to call her troop.
Then for Erymi she brought forth a queenly prize: a tenstride-span of honeygolden glowsilk with milktree flowers threadworked. Yet moreso its hue caught us, for it means motherhood. Erymi blushed, which Semuane saw and asked whether she had guessed right. Tearfully my Firstspear nodded.
We all froze with lips aslack. Then Oshis, voice cracking, asked the truth. Wordlessly but smilingly Erymi nodded. Anon Oshis grabbed, lifted, whirled her in his arms. We all cheered her bechildness. Then we knelt and kissed her belly to bless her babe unborn. Oshis served plumwine, his great shoulders quivering so happily he sloshed the drink, and we toasted for their health.
Our mirthtide wound down oddly. We sat with arms aring each other, talked sometimes aloud or in mindshare, and sang. Mostly I soaked in love, which unsoothly haunted my antennae, even from those not next to me. Slowly we dropped into slumber. While adream in mindshare, I believe we still spoke and sang.
By the First Bell, we were awake and dressed, for our warriors awaited, and Semuane had her own duty. We left with many kisses and softness. I bore Semuane’s gift-sword, and Oshis sillily outwilled to bear all Erymi’s things for her sake. Rare, rosy dawnlight glowed through the sky, in hint of Heaventide; the day forelooked fair and lucky.
Then at a corner stepped forth a shape - an Elf who greeted me by name and asked to speak alone. The others looked wonderingly, but I bade them go onward. I greeted him in Elvish, whereat he bowed fairly and named himself Mearthil, a weird-shaper who owns an Elvencraft shop two streets hence in the Elf-Farthing. He told I can ask his nameworth among the city’s guilds. However, he told he bore me word from His High Lordship Amendaris in El.
At my leave, Mearthil wished me health and greetings from the High Lord. He bespoke that, though my banishment must stand, if ever I need to reach El or have business there, Mearthil shall be my messenger, and will warrant my word shall go to His High Lordship. He told I have gained the High Lord’s goodwill, even against his granddaughter Aleriel’s feud. I answered that His High Lordship is so ruthful as he is giftful, and that I am right worshipful. I forespoke to do my utmost to undo the harm done to Lady Aleriel and would strive to be worthy of his boon. Then Mearthil and I both bowed, and I retook the path toward the Embassy.
I have met with Lady Nauve, who told that the flatbark is ready to bear us tomorrow up Father-Yaro to Son. Also, Her Highness, Lady Ivassil will tonight hold a farewell feast to uplift the Aslanta’s forquest as fulfilled and to show the strength of Qabarat’s and Son’s alliance. She foreread I may be called forth to speech before the throng.
In a short belltide we begin readiness for the feast, though truthfully I know not what to say.