Chapter 22

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

5. Veaelae, 24,536 - Son
This morn, against my heart’s heaviness, I stood for watch as bidden. When I came to Lady-Captain’s stallroom, I met Lady Istae. She told she had asked to have me with her troop, if I would. I took it gladly. She brought me to her troop, who are newlings but for her Elderspear. She named me Firstspear, forwhy, said she, I am not too proud as to hold myself over other warriors. I took her word kindly, and then led the troop out to the drill-field.
This dusktide, I got word from Lady-Mother, bidding me come. I went to her house, where we met in the elfyard. First, she hugged me, and then begged forgiveness. When I asked why, she said it was for not upholding me, though she spoke herself proud of my choice upyielding myself for Oshis’s sake.
She then asked whether I know why she is proud, towhich I answered nay. She told my sister’s would have not halted to beg her instride, for they often seek goodwill for their ends. She further outlaid that folk wit their goodwill’s use, which besmirches their nameworth. She added that folk will likewise wit I had not begged her instride and had taken the guilt. They will worship my choice, she beread, and though I suffer now, it will add and not lessen my nameworth. She bade me hearten and forbear.

15. Vealae
Istae and I are come back from scoutfare, whereon I had no time to write, a mild path that had led us northward, beyond Elahat, through the canegrass meadows until the Retaea’s edge, to overlook the Qoelu’s wreck. Relievedly, nothing happened. The newlings got deedfulness, and the neighborland starts to rewhelm. After all yesterward thrill, I am glad.
Remaue and Tae met me when we rode into the Citadel’s garth. After kisses, they told good news. Oshis and Less have made truce and healed friendship. It happened yesternight. Luckily, the bounds of Oshis’s thralldom are not so tight that none may see him. Quoth Tae, Oshis had outsought Less and begged forgiveness. Their talk lasted the whole nighttide and undertook a wine-jug, some few blows, and many tears. Yet they are upmade, wherefor I am thankful.
What has gone unspoken, however, is Remaue’s forestalled bridetide. None wishes to upbring it while the day’s wound is still fresh. I will ask when we are alone. While our talk, however, I witted many days had gone since Erymi’s sight. I asked of her, whereat they smiled and told they have news, and that if for tomorrow’s marketday I have leave, then they would show something. Beriddled, I yaysaid.

16. Vealae - Treehold
As yesterday forespoken, we rode Shotalashu (with Less behind Tae) and went along the island’s shore, and then up a path into the highland. There we came to a dale, where grew a stout but much gnarled redtree. Inthriftier, however, were the houses built onto its limbs, and outbuildings aring. It was odd seeing a treehome that is not a milktree, though the riddle’s answer was soon outlaid.
When we rode up, from a limbhouse came Erymi, who greeted us merrily and came down the beam-stair. She outlaid this treehome and meadows belong to the Citadel to host Shota, and that Lady-Captain has given her its oversight. It is a right fast stead where she can bear her child. Furthermore, she bade we are all welcome to stay on free days. It lies an easy ridefare from the City, and also is unfar from my fatherkin’s household, which means good neighbors. In all, it is not quite the flagrhold we had forelooked, but recks something.
After Erymi gave show, I asked aside whether she has seen Oshis. She kissed me and answered yes. She hopes she can gain him to work here with her, though she has no hold on his worklog. I forespoke to see how I may help. At worst, his thrall-bond will end well before she gives birth. At Erymi’s leave, Remaue and I chose an outroom among the upper limbs. It is wonderfully lofty, open on two ends under a stout thatch roof, and room enough under rafters for an upper half-deck where we can sleep. At once we began planning how to dress it.
When we rested after noonmeal, Erymi asked a question that forecaught us: what choice had Remaue made for her wifehood? We all stilled. Remaue, however, stayed unshaken. She answered she had much thought, but had withheld choice until now, for threat of restirring illness among our friendhood. Erymi understood and thanked her. Then she added she has a good guess of whom Remaue would choose, and that she upholds and blesses it.
A long breathtide Remaue sat wordlessly. Then she eyed Tae and asked whether, if she still blessed and deemed meet, Less would become her first Man. Less grinned and but stayed soft, for even he understood better to break the tide’s depth. Tae came before Remaue, clasped her hand, and spoke she indeed blessed this ask, and deemed herself samely blessed. She reckoned she is gaining a nearer bond with a wifelove and housemate. She added, however, that if Remaue wishes, she can brook Less for a wontful yeartide, and then if she wishes to set him aside and breed Oshis afterward, it would be no offthank. Then Less knelt before and kissed her belly, whereat he reckoned himself the luckiest man. We have agreed to keep this thing mild, for we wish not folk to beguess offthank against Oshis. Erymi has said they have already spoken, and he will not gainsay. We shall choose a day free and gather.