Chapter 18

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

8. Koelae, 24,536 - North of the Yaro
Little to bewrite today. I have had some well-wishers come, whomfrom I have learned I am now named the bannermaid so foolish to dare a Queenslayer. Both Istae and Krastaes came, unleastly to cheer, but also to thank me, for they quoth they both could have died if I had not rushed the dread-thing.
We got word the fird has slain six Yaruks and offdriven a score more, though three trampled warriors have died and a twelvesome more wounded. Meat is already roasting on spits outside. Cuts will be shared with all fird-warriors from the neighboring farmholds, and already traders are coming to bid for bones, teeth, and hides. The fird-moot has shifted rather from hunt to fairtide.
We also await news of our Queenslayer, whichafter Lady-Captain has sent scoutboats and a strong troop to afterhunt. We will all feel better knowing it is dead.
I am let from bed, though am still sore, foremostly my arm.
9. Koelae
The Queenslayer is found, right where Devaeas and Elarue foretold. It had crossed Father-Yaro (which here is unbroad), clambered with hardship up the bank (which ground-tear bewared the scouts), and had stolen a couple leagues until the foothills, where it found a dry gulch and hid. Happily, its bloodspoor led the way, and they unwhelmed where it outbled and died.
Since Lady Istae and I feel better, we asked fare to the death-stead. Lady-Captain gave leave, and our little flag-troop took boats (without the Shota, from room-lack) to the far side. There we met Korasha bearing carven meat and hide, to ferry back to camp. A short, hard hike led to canegrass-choked gulch, whereamong another team was carving the body. Their reeve told that, though the Queenslayer had fled our fight, our weapons wounded it lastly. Thus the kill is benamed as ours, and we may claim a hefty prize. I cheered our warriors and forespoke them the best shares.
Even better, when the flesh-carvers hacked open the breastbone and outdrew the Queenslayer’s heart, they found my swordbill-blade. It had nicked the heart’s edge, not enough to slay outrightly but had quickened its death. All cheered the stroke, with rede that I should dodge better next time. We waited while the carvers worked until they offchopped the skull and stripped it. then I asked right for our fla to bear it campward as trophy.

10. Koelae - Son
Today homeward, where we made triumphant end to the Qoelu hunt and reckon many lives were saved, nevermind grim wreck to crops and homes. The Yaruk herd could beggar the City and bereave us many years’ wealth. The Queenslayer, against its threat, was an added luckstroke, from which our little flag has behooved. As prize, we got a box full of silver coin and gold arm-rings, whose share I forsook and split among my shieldmates. Draue and Larye her Elderbow were thankful, though undoleful of my flag, they had shared evenly in our plight. Of them I spoke well before the captains, and that I would gladly ride with them again. Then I thanked Lady Istae and Krastaes as our champions, whose prowess brought us through the Queenslayers’ threat.
After bearing our fallen firdmates to the Temple of the Foremothers, the rites and songs, Erymi waylaid me back toward the Citadel, who spoke she has word from Lady-Mother. Then she named me a dumbfool outrider for striking the Queenslayer, and who has no good right to life and health. She said she had my mother’s full uphold in bringing this offthank-bode. Then Erymi kissed me, though she spoke I am yet unforgiven, and with rede to earn wisdom along with boldness.

12. Koelae - Son
Duskmeal with our friendloves. Though Devaeas my brother and his wifemate Elarue are gone, we added Lady Istae and Krastaes. Also, after all thrill while these last months, heed has at last turned to Remaue’s bridetide upcoming, where now seemingly we have too little time. Happily, we have many willing hands. Again rose the question of whom Remaue will choose for her First Man, with Oshis and Less the most outspoken beseechers. To them she has found a wicked answer. She will choose neither, she tonight spoke, but instead shall make them strive for her honor. When she spoke, their faces’ slackness was laughable. Then truth inset, and they full-witted they must wreak wrathfulness on each other, and I beread them reckoning the steadship. Wiselessly, neither is craven enough to withdraw, and they swore to fight fiercely and worthily. I forespoke to oversee the trial. This will be like something from the yore-tales, when warrior-queens bade Korasha slay each other for the fittest manmate.
At a kiss from Istae, we had a deep and unwhelming mindshare. I learned she had erever wondered at me, both in newlinghood and school, but had bethought me aloof, whence thus so many schoolmates had named me Shaemore - Warrior-Queen. I think I had missed a friendship which now I can grow.

13. Koelae
Little time to write but one news-bit: the Thundertail-herd has reached Son’s southern edgemark. the warning has gone forth. We have not yet ended dealing with the Qoelu.

16. Koelae - 2nd Day Ascout the Yaro’s Eastern Bank
Some news over these last days. We are have crossed back to Father-Yaro’s eastern side, where we go as scout to overwatch the Thundertails’ path. Unlike the Yaruks, and even moreso than the Queenslayer, we have no thought to withstand them. We may try to frighten them or with the beastmasters’ might lead them astray. Yet the Thundertails oncome as the World’s own doom, which has brought many priests to this witness. Also, I have gotten many half-joking redes, along with unstern warning, that I should not try to add a Thunderail to my trophy-crown. I will forbear.
Today we got to see the full wreck the Thundertails make. We had ridden aring and arear their path, where we came upon a farmhold forsaken. While the hometree stood rather unscathed (but a few fences and outhouses broken), the fields were stripped. Nigh three farm-lots of riceberry reeds, likely ripe and awaiting harvest, lay bereft, as if a band of unskilled scythe-mowers had done rough but fulsome work. In some spots even the ground was dug as if the Qoelu had eaten it as well to fill their huge bellies. I cannot reckon this household’s dearth-loss, though they will not be alone.
In good news, the Thundertails forelookingly have stayed on this bank and will not reach the City. Though they can easily ford the River, and the burghwalls would do little to outkeep them, the folk-stench and fire-stench hopefully offstays. While we may hope the gathered might of the soulseers, priests, beastmasters, and the wall-steaded boltlooms could withstand, the misluck would be reckonless. We have word that tomorrow we will ferry back to the City, since the captains reckon the Thundertails are beyond the reach-stead where they may head Cityward. All the farmholds along this path are warned, and the beastmasters do utmost to beswerve these godlike Qoelu from further wreckship, and word is even outsent to the freeholds beyond. All holdfolk should be well afled, wiseless of their crop’s doom. If by some misluck the Thundertails now swerve back to the City, our strength is better spent in its wardship.