Chapter 19

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

17. Koelae, 24,536 - Son
We are again home in the city, right in time to witness a wondersight. The Thundertail-herd came by, which brought all cityfolk - matrons, outriders, fird-warriors, traders, craftwrights, and grooms - to the docks and walltops. We all bemazed at these hugest Qoelu, snakelike necks wavering gracefully over hill-like bulk, while they waded through Father-Yaro’s flood. Happily they kept to the river’s far side.
Then something dreadful and unforeseen happened. A youngling (big as a flatbark) had wandered up the bank to snag some tree-leaves. Suddenly a new Queenslayer broke from the brushwood and struck afterward. The young Thundertail brayed, swerving back to its kindred and the River’s fastness, while on our shore we all watched. Yet then forth brunted the grown Thundertails. Their tails sail-like whipped and cracked the loft, which we heard even over the river. The first lowered shoulder and struck the Queenslayer, who had overaimed on its prey and so went tumbling under the bigger Qoelu’s hooves. Squealing funnily for so awful a hunter, it scrambled aclaw to flee, right when the next Thundertail’s broad tail slapped against its head. Groggily, like a knocked boxer, it stumbled back into the brushwood; the grown Thundertails afterhunting with earthquaking moans and tails flailing. Our crowd cheered softheartedly for the Thundertails who had saved their child.
The priests took this battle as lucky omen. In elder wont they prayed from the walltop and cast corn. The Qoelu’s wayfare, tell they, forebodes Mahaere - Green-Mother’s showforth upon the world. So she has blessed us and bequeathed toward ripeness and wealth.

18. Koelae - Yaro’s Eastern Bank
With the Thundertail’s leave-fare, we now follow to ensure they go steadily from our lands. Also, the other Queenslayer has given us halt. We now scout to see whether other hunters prowl.
We have seen much wreck. More farmholds stripped of their crops. Even worse loss, we found a hometree uprooted; leaves stripped, bark and woodmarrow shredded to outsuck the milk. Here is a whole farmhold and its history outstricken. How many kindertides of memories are here also forrubbed? The Qoelu’s whole fare-toll we know not, though we will be long rewhelming. Even weightier: it could have been worse.
In small good news, the first raintide storm today flew northward and will bring water to the Retaea. The stuntgrass will again grow, and the Thundertails, Yaruks, and other Qoelu will no longer be trapped starving along our northern march. They can reach Mother-Arasene peacefully.

3. Afaelae - Son
We are again home and relieved. I think not of the wreck we beheld, nor of Lady-Mother and the Matronhood reckoning our loss. I have enough in lying abed and holding Remaue in my arms. I am too weary to heed anything else.
We had no strife further while afterhunting the Qoelu, but Screechlings who overpecked anything yet understrewn, from mud-trampled corn to stocks in shattered houses. Workers and farmers followed and gleaned what they could, which beshrivedly is unmuch.
The first brokenfolk have come to the City. We have set warehouses and yardtents for them. Luckily, though Heaventide is ended, fair weather has againcome, else they would stay as drowned whiskertails.

6. Afaelae, 24,536 - Son
Unrest while marketday. Gossip has rustled the City that food will not be doled to the brokenfolk. A crowd gathered in the Ofu’s Heartyard, and the Citadel was forth-called to keep peace. I beheld many sunken, hungry faces with antennae drooping, though at last they listened to soothness and offshed.
At thought that we Lashunta might not feed our own kin, I quailed. Even more unbelievingly, I was sent to the Matrons’ Hall to stand watch, where I overheard the matrons speaking of this unrest. To my forecaughtness, my sister Risodess led the side calling to forsake the brokenfolk. I had forehap to walk by her, where I brushed my hard shoulderdish against her back. She stumbled and turned back bewilderedly. For my misseeming clumsiness I begged sorry and went onward. What eye she shot me after I headed away I know not.

7. Afaelae
Yestereve for our sixsome’s wontful duskmeal, we did something unlike. We took our eel-roast, cheeses, bread, and cake, and outgave them to the brokenfolk. It is underwordy that they were thankful. We had even grown and stalworthy wives and crones who knelt and kissed our hands. Soon we had no more food, though many hungry bellies.
This ordeal, instead of helping me feel better, made worse, and that some matrons like my Lady-Sister would do nothing. Tonight I go not to Lady-Mother’s duskmeal, for I cannot stand Risodess’s sight. If she speak thereon, I will do more than shove her.

9. Afaelae
Glad news: the Matronhood has deemed to open the cornstocks for the brokenfolk’s sake. Ruth and fairness have outwon. I am relieved, but still rankle that the beseech even needed choice. I hope Risodess feels wisefully ashamed for this business.

12. Afaelae
Marketday, and our readiness for Remaue’s bridetide swings full. So much to do: garlands to bid, seamsters to speak, and guests to wrangle. It is madness, and I would be weary if it were not so thrillsome. I wish all fulsomeness for Remaue’s sake, that this day she owns and will remember all her toward years. I must bewrite that, without Erymi and Tae, I know not what we would do.

15. Afaelae
From today I have leave from the Citadel to ready for Remaue’s wifehood. I spent the daytide with Tae and Erymi hanging glowlamps in our idleyard (where the bridetide will behappen), and then Less and Oshis, whomwith I overwent the rules for their fight-trial. I wish nothing to go wrong.
I must tell that, today and also lately, our two Korasha get an odd mood when near each other, a tightness as if they are already reckoning their fightcraft and match wits in forereadiness. I even worry they wish to win more than they would worship Remaue.

17. Afaelae
Today Lady-Mother asked Remaue and me to noonmeal. It was a small and sundered happentide, but we three, my Father, my brother Devaeas, and Elarue his wifemate. My Lady-Sisters were witsomely away, which I am sure was my Mother’s will. We had a short, merry while over catcorn-bread, spiced berrywort-oil, and Elven blossomwine.
As bride-gift Lady-Mother gave a threadwork-silken bedshroud, the worth whereof I cannot read. Lady-Mother told she had sewn the threadwork herself. Dimly I recall her working such craft in my childhood, as relief from hall-strife. Overcomely Remaue knelt and kissed her hand, whereat my Mother upraised her and bade her be a good wifemate to me. They hugged, and Lady-Mother handed a blessing upon her brow.

18. Afaelae
Last marketday ere the bridetide. Much to do, and too little time. We have run all day, and yet wonder whether all needful is done.
I shrive I cannot sleep, though happily Remaue does. Erenow I made sure to give her full and sound love-bout. The last time I tasted her maidenliness, for when next I do, she will be fully a wife. I love my maidenmate soon-wifemate. I so begladden that she enters this new lifetide. That I get to share with her means all.