Chapter 6

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

6. Evelae, 24,535 - 2nd Day at Hanazhyana
After not enough sleep, but breakfast and a bath, I met again with Hanazhyana’s alderwives - Lady Ashi, Lady Berye the High Matron’s steward, and Master Zhoarvas the Head Lorewarden. We overwent what I had yesternight told, and they added some new whits.
Lady Berye read that, not four days ago, their seers had gotten word we were coming overland. The word had come from Son, who had it from Lady Nauve in Qabarat, who happily had gotten my letter. They deemed our landfare half-bold and half-foolishness that we had left the river. Yet they shrove none could foresee we might meet the unworldly bane.
I asked Master Zhoarvas whether he knows what the swart-things are. He answered they are a baleful, otherworldly spawn from the Outer Darkness, which are born beyond Father Night’s warding cloak, and sometimes steal into the Sun’s worlds, and which seek to corrupt life and smother light. How they came here he has no inkling. When I asked whether he had heard of the Aslanta we had hosted, he yaysaid. I asked what word he had of Lost Hoshiasa’s discovery. I told that, rooted on the Aslanta’s tale, we believed they had come through a worldgate in that fallen city. At that word he paled, for he said if elder lore tells true, then the Moqeva had meddled with more than worldgates, but likely also had fellowship with the unholiness that dwells between stars. He then asked whether the Aslanta’s coming might have awakened these balethings, to which I could not read.
In good news, they have taken the swart-things’ tokens off our hands, and we have no more business with them. We have gotten berth here until the next flatbark leaves upflood. Since already Father Yaro has lowered, it is likely no longer than two or three days. After our hardship from Eiha, I would give my warriors some ease, even with the lag homeward. If we are uneasy friends with the Hanata, I believe we can keep peace for a little while. We have berth, board, and leave to tend our steeds, even if we are weaponless and bound. At end, Lashunta will ever uphold Lashunta.

7. Evolae - Hanazhyana
News: our flatbark leaves tomorrow. Despite my earlier reluctance, I have never been so eager to come home.
I have used this barracks-tide to talk with the warriors. Some have shriven hard feeling at the misluck we found on the Darkfloor. I made stand to openly ask their forgiveness. Nae, to my lief, was first to come forward and forgave me. She quoth it was better we had found the unworldly balethings than that they were let to come unforeseenly upon a freehold or farmhold. Lashunta drive back bane, she foreclaimed. She would follow me again, even back to the Darkfloor. Then she hugged me.
Talk ran selfsomely to the Aslanta, who should now be among their world’s Elves. Gossip had run about Lost Hoshiasa and the Moqeva, and I frankly told that, though canny that the Hoshiasa worldgate had brought the swart-things, it is unknown. I read that Son has already sent scoutfare to Hoshiasa, and with this new upcome from the Darkfloor, Hanazhyana would doubtlessly look also. I ended with word that, though Son and Hanazhyana have feuded over millennia, the Hanata are honorable and will not shirk plight.

8. Evolae - Upflood on the Yaro from Hanazhyana
We are once again aboat, and despite our guesthood at Hanazhyana, relieved at our departure. We had gotten cold welcome, and I deem they are likewise glad to be rid. Father Yaro still flows strong, but we make furtherness. I will be glad to see Son’s wall-tops at his headwaters. With luck, swiftness, and strong arms, it will happen in a week.

11. Evolae - 3rd Day Upflood on the Yaro from Hanayhyana
In inthrift today, we caught sight of the Thundertail Qoelu-herd that had meddled with us on our downflood fare. They were peacefully grazing on the lefthand bank, and our boatmen kept us stoutly on the far side. The skipper told they have been the butt of much inthrift while their norward wayfare. Qoelu-hunters and lorewardens have come from all cities along the strath to watch them. In one sake, a boat came too near and was sunk - a doom we had dodged. Their crop-wreck until now had been little. So agreement was made to let them by. I wonder what will happen when they reach Son.

13. Evolae - 5th Day Upflood on the Yaro
We have come to Zhasu, our client-town on Father Yaro. We are thrilled to be so near, though weary, for we have all spelled tides on the oar-poles. In doing so, we will make the whole riverfare from Hanazhyana to Son, upflood no less, in six days. Even the Damaya have taken shifts, though the Korasha made much offshow of their strength. I bought a mead-cask as praise, which foretells we will be early abed. Remaue already sleeps beside me, while I sit propped on a bale. I will shortly join her.