Chapter 14

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

2. Motorae, 24,535 - Son
Today was the last half of the foot-trial. Here stayed only the best fighters, as yesterday proven. For me, it began as a runoff with the other best fighter from our list-pool: a giant Korasha almost tall as I, and I think twice Oshis’s shoulder-breadth. He fought with great-axe, which gave him reach almost long as mine. Yet my stroke proved swifter and truer, though his blocks threatened to knock my bill-haft from hand. He also once pinned me against the garth’s wall, though I outwon wallowing out by dropping my spear. When he swerved to hunt me down, I had risen to knee and witch-lifted my spear back to hand. While he wheeled high his axe, I strode and smartly thunked his belly, which deed brought a cheering roar from the crowd. My belovedness akept.
This win led me to the last eightsome to fight for the prize-crown, the City’s best warriors and many whom I knew as firdsmen or ere-year champions. All but I and another fought weapon and shield-wise, a truth they brought home when they strove to enter and shut my reach-length, rain short, swift blows on my helm and shoulder, and batter me ruthlessly with shield and greater weight, such that I fought almost much on knee as afoot. Yet I made known my reach by many hits and cunning misdrawals, whereby if ever they loosened, I struck adderlike. I won my first bout in six hits, and then drew the axbill fighter, whom I beat in five (though in standing and waiting it became a long bout). For my almost-last fight we went until all nine hits, though when I got within his shield twice and hacked his arm, it gave all halt that I was so doughty an infighter. My yeartide sparring with Less and Oshis had offpaid.
I had reached the last bout, which was well, since the marshals gave a tidehalf’s break while they reset the list. Remaue helped me doff helm and harness to lighten weight and breath. Less and Oshis both had stolen down among the grooms and shieldbearers, and whispered heartening redes. I sorely needed them, for my last foe was no less than Krastaes, thrice this Game-trial’s champion, known for his light handshield and long axe, of tall height at almost two stridespans, and twice my weight. I had witnessed he could throw blows all day long.
I knew, if I would win, that I must break his will. So when the marshals yelled start, I looked into his mind and thrust his brow, straight on his helm’s brim. It was well, and he grinningly acknowledged the blow. Yet then shoved my spear aside, tangled it with axe and shield, and sent me spinning to regain freedom.
Twelve times we came together, and four times each hit, and another four we double-hit. We stood gasping while the marshals spoke and agreed on the blow-tally. I weighed my odds and reckoned I must beat him soon.
So when start was yelled, I showingly thrust low, knelt, and raised tip under his shield. Cunningly he sidled even while he hastened in ere I could reset. Yet I did not bother to try and instead kicked his gut, which was no right hit. Yet it withstood him back, which gave the half-breathtide to half-choke and knocked his helm, right ere his shield knocked me off foot. The marshals yelled halt and swiftly read. Yet already the crowd was cheering. Then they lifted my hand, and the din greatened eightfold.
I cannot well bewrite my unsoothness standing before Lady-Mother, who set the prize-crown on my brow, while nighmost the whole city yelled for me - oddly ‘Shaemore’, Warrior-Queen, which was my school nickname I had so hated in youth. Yet now it is glory’s token. Next I knew, Raeonyl and Shill were clutching me and shouting. Then Semuane flew into my arms. She joked it well I had won, for thus her own loss under my blade was lessened, whereat all nearby laughed.
Softly came Remaue, who stood behind until I witted. I spoke her name and strode forward. She whispered back Shaemore. Then we kissed.
I will need a long while healing from the beating I took over two days, and tomorrow have the spear-tilt, but now am wearily merry.

3. Motorae, 24,535 - Son
Today beheld the spear-tilt trial, wherein Ess and I rode with forty other outriders, both of Son and neighboring cities. The bout was fought until the best of three broken spears, and for ties after three rides until the next broken spear. Both Oshis and Erymi gained to join me and Remaue in the list, for which I was thankful.
Ess proved in eager and fierce mood, maybe feeling my prize yesterday in the foot-trial, though a few times I feared he might leap the list-rail and strike the other rider’s Shota. The crowd remembered my show and cheered me well. We did well in the morntide list and gained furtherness to the afternoon, wherein but sixteen knights rode. I was thankful for the break, for I was still sore from my two daysworth beating.
In my first afternoon bout, I rode against Lady Leavomel, whomunder I had trained at the Citadel. In our first three rides we both broke three spears. Ere our fourth ride, I witted she grinned and winked at me. Then we galloped our steeds and struck. Though we both struck shield, I outwon slipping sideward in saddle so that, though my spear broke, hers did not. Afterward, I rode to midlist, unsteeded, and hugged and named her a teacher worthy while the crowd’s voice uplifted us.
My next bout was at Lady Aye, who is twelve years my elder. On the first ride, we each broke spears. Yet on the next hit her Shota shied. She lurched badly and fell from saddle. Straightway I unsteeded. She had knocked head aground, and we called the healers to afterlook.
So I reached the last foursome, where I fought my schoolmate Lady Istae. In the first two rides we traded broken spears, and then broke together on the third. Then we rode and struck thrice more, and both breaking. On the seventh ride, I broke spear on her shield. yet her tip slipped off my rim and hit my breastdish. Underneath I felt ribs crack. Though I held saddle, Ess felt my hurt and slowed.
I swerved him back before the list’s end, raised my helm, and called where Istae sat downcastly. When the marshals overcame, I told I could ride no more and asked Lady Istae ride in my stead. They felt my rib under byrnie and agreed it is broken. The head marshal stood before the crowd and outlaid that, though I had rightfully won the bout, I had asked to yield to Lady Istae. Then I unsteeded, headed to Istae, and hailed. Swiftly she leapt aground and hugged me. Then she raised my arm in worship. The crowd buzzed gustily. To their goodwill I limped from the listfield while Remaue took Ess.
From Erymi and Oshis I caught eighteen names of grief, and again from Semuane when she came, for never should a rider’s shield block stroke into her body. The rough words I forgave for the dearness they beheld, and let Remaue offstrip my harness and shirt. Already I had a smart purple welt underbleeding. A healer soon came to stay my rib from stirring. Then they wrapped my ribs and led me up to the gamestand, where I got much welcome and goodwill from the watchers, and got to watch the last match with Raeonyl and Shill sitting beside me. My father was also come and hugged me tenderly.
At end, Lady Istae won the prize after seven rides. Lady-Mother called her forth and gave her the crown. Then Lady Istae asked for me. Slowly I made way down to the garth. There she told she could not win without my liss. I answered I would rather stand with her as champion than over her, and gave her back the crown. While we hugged while the crowd cheered hoarsely.
I now sit in a still nook within my mother’s hall, where a mirthtide to hail Motorae’s End and the Games’ champions is at full swing. No dance for me tonight, and Remaue and Semuane hover almost irksomely and haughtily offsteer anyone who would bother my weariness. Remaue did bring my daylog, ink, and pen, which is how I can now write.