Chapter 13

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

15. Asealae, 24,535 - Son
Yestereve I waited on Semuane. She asked me to the Embassy’s house, where we had duskmeal with Her Highness, Lady Maiali. Her Highness is an odd lady, and rightly what she thinks of me I know not. She seems offthanked by our maidenlove.
For the nighttide, I had dressed rather down, wearing my older shroudwrap instead of Semuane’s glowsilks. Her Highness so witted and asked whether Qabarat’s gift was not good enough. I flushed and bowed, saying I was right thankful for Lady Semuane’s gift, but that I wished not to look more than myself.
In answer, Her Highness shrove surprise and hard belief that an outrider who dares weapon-trial should not put herself forth. I could only say that such had not been my wish, which word Her Highness begrudged. Afterward, the duskmeal went awkwardly, though the other Qabarat outriders eagerly took our sake to save couthness.

15. Asealae
Today my Father againcame to the City, and withward brought my siblings. They came to the Citadel and asked for me, whereat I greeted them heartfully. They will stay until Newyear, help our Father with work, see the holiday, and the Games. He asked that they stay with us while the holiday, and I said it would become good hap to see warriorly livelihood. So I led them to our room where Remaue made so much fuss that I named her Mother-Shotalashu. Then we found another bed for them and brought it inside.
For duskmeal we brought the children to the mess hall, for nothing bespeaks warriorly livelihood like food. We sat benches with Tae, Erymi, Less, and Oshis, who welcomed them forthrightly. The Korasha took Shill aside and bullied him manlywise while the wives spoke Raeonyl friendly. We were getting along well when Semuane happened in, seeking us. She was much betaken with my siblings and kissed them. For their share, they were overwhelmed when a lissome outrider of Qabarat spent them such heed. She quoth she needs grooms to help her and her shieldbearer while their stay, and begged to borrow the children. I answered that is not my choice but our Father’s, and that she must speak with him. She agreed to seek him tomorrow, whereat she kissed us each and wished goodnight.
While I write here, my siblings are asleep in the nook beside our bed. Remaue is not sleeping but overlooking them fondly.

16. Asealae
Today began the Newyear’s Fair, where farmers and traders from all over the land bring their wares, and whereby the holiday-tide wontly begins. Heaven even graced us with a blue-peek, which all took as a good omen.
As forespoken, Semuane found my Father awork at the Sun-Temple, where she asked for Raeonyl and Shill. They spoke goodheartedly, and he answered that since she is my maidenlove and outrider moreover, he had no will to withstand. He worried, however, that the children should heed well, not make wickedness, work hard, and listen to their betters in all things. He called them before and asked whether they would so behave, to which they yaysaid. Semuane spoke that Raeonyl will help her shieldbearer while Shill will fetch and run words. Then she led them to the Embassy’s house with oath to send them back to the Citadel ere nightfall.
In good news, my Father is better. The while at home with his wifemate and children did him well. He asked whether I am cranky at his children’s secret. I smiled and naysaid, though I shrove it is good foreweft to tease him. He chuckled gruffly and bespoke I sound like my mother, which word got me awonder, for how often they speak I know not.

1. Motorae, 24,535
Today is the first day of the Motorae, the days between years. In childhood, I heard a tale that the Motorae are the tide when Burning-Mother leaves her heavenly palace to run wild with Father-Night. Yet it is known that it is needed to make the monthlog fit the year. Since now is a long year, the Motorae are three days instead of two.
About the Motorae, some talewags say that all bonds are waived, no laws hold, and Korasha may freely slake themselves on any Damaya they wish. Maybe some wantons among the meanfolk do so, though I know none.
I will begin with yestereve when we held our wontful duskmeal with us six, Semuane and her shieldbearer, and also my brother and sister Shill and Raeonyl. It was a good wise to end Oldyear, which we did with toasts of our new beloved meadbrandy and gave sips to the children, along with the best Swiftreaver cutlings. Semuane also brought the blackcake Remaue and I crave so dearly. Semuane also praised her two grooms, whom she told have worked hard and well to make their sister proud. When the drink made them sleepy, Remaue and I led them to the Citadel and put them abed, and then came back to where the grownups dallied. I misgave I had the Games amorrow.
This morn at foredawn, I woke feeling empty but clear-headed and freshened, as if mind-grounded. Remaue and Semuane rose with me and helped dress. Then we kissed Semuane good-day and headed to the Citadel, for we had ahead a long day.
Among the day’s news, both Tae and Less furthered until the arrow-trial’s third tide, whereafter Less reached the top eight. They shot well, and I was proud for their sake ere my own trial began.
It is unwontful that Damaya enter the foot-trial. Though I am also in the spear-tilt, there I must strive with fifty other outriders or more and may reckon myself unsundry. Yet Damaya seldom stand here, for Korasha’s strength is often deemed too rough. I believe I bring something outstanding to this trial, however, as my drill with Less and Oshis had foreled.
We trial-gamers had marched through the City under crowds cheering and throwing garlands, from the Lowergate up to the Ofu and the Sun-Temple, and back down to Lowertown, where we came by Shotaviras’s Shrine and cast sweetnuts at his stonelikeness’s feet, and then came onward to the Gameyard amidst its field. There waited a tent, where Remaue clove to foreready me. She oiled me, helped my harness on, and oversaw my weapons. Then we waited until our list was called.
Onto the sandy garth we marched, where I felt more so than heard the crowd’s roaring cheer. Within the stands I saw Lady-Mother and Her Ladyship Maiali in the first box. Then I beheld Tae, Erymi, and with them Semuane, Raeonyl, and Shill further down. Oshis and Less were too unforbearing to sit, but strode the rail like fold-bound Coeurl. I gazed at them and hailed, whereat they waved me kisses.
My first match was against a Korasha wielding axe and shield, who faltered instead of incoming my spear’s length. Twice I thrust his chest ere he at last shut the length, whereat twice I sidled off and struck his legs and back. The fifth time, he again faltered, and I struck his gut. It is often true that Korasha’s honor makes them withholding to strike a Damaya. I reckon I healed him of that foredeemship, as well as any else watching my fight.
My next fight was not so withholding, for twice my foe brunted and knocked me aback; however, the other fall when he tried to pin me, he waited to let me yield, whereat I kneed his loin and overtoppled him. The marshals called halt and asked our deemship of the trade, and whether he wished to call foul. Yet the warrior told it was well stricken and a warriorly stroke I had made to get from a tight spot. We refought the score and went to four blows each until I struck his ribs while ducking his swing and his shield swerved from ward.
Thereafter, Less stole down to the lists, checked my welfare, and gave heartfulness. Six more fights I fought, and but one more was easy, against a twosword-wielder who could not ward his gaps against my thrust’s reach, and each fought to the best of five hits. I won all, though took my fair share of hits and landed on my rear and back more again. Yet I was but one of three Damaya in the foot-trial, and the lone outrider. By day’s end, I was ashare of a handful unlost, and even had become something crowd-beloved.
I am weary, bruised, and forelook another samely day tomorrow. My maidenloves have made much of my wins and foretell I may win tomorrow’s crown. I try not to think. Yet Remaue has spicebalm and wishes to knead my knotty thews. I can think of nothing better until sleep.