Chapter 7

From the Daylog of Vaeol-Zheieveil u’Zhasael Zolaema be’Son

14. Evolae, 24,535 - Son
We are home, which finds me more relieved and less moody than I had forelooked, after almost four months and a worldhalf away. We dockeded right afternoon, and I had assured all our arms were shined, and crests for our helms and the Shota. I ranked us astand on deck, where we waited less than a bell-farthing ere came Lady-Captain. We hailed, and she welcomed us home. She bade we should go up to the Ofu and show ourselves before the Matrons’ Hall. Then she went before us while I spoke to the troop, readied our march, and then led them out.
Even before we reached the street, a crowd was shaping. I sent Oshis forward and bade him shout our wayfare, how we had gone from Shining Qabarat to Far Candares and had dealt with the Kaymos, and then to El on Sovyrian, where we had hosted the Aslanta through the worldgate to Blue-Queen, and then had fought the banethings on the Darkfloor. We were blessed when children cast myrrhblossoms from upper floors. I have erenever gotten such cheers. For a short while, I even felt herolike as they claimed, until I reminded Seaevomel dead.
The throng and cheer upkept all up the stairway to the Ofu, where trademistresses, matrons, and grooms lined the street until we reached the Heartyard before the Matrons’ Hall. There waited Lady-Mother with stewards beside and many matrons, and my sisters alongwith. I led our troop until the hall’s steps, where I unsteeded from Ess. I climbed the steps and knelt at my mother’s feet. Then I told we had fulfilled our bounden quest and had sent the Aslanta homeward.
Lady-Mother broke all couthness, came down, and hugged me, to great laughter and buzz. She thanked us all for our deed, and then bade me wait on her. So I left the troop to Tae and Erymi with bid to lead them to the barracks. Then I followed my mother to her sunderroom, where we sat and held hands.
She opened her mind as when I had been a child and asked me to show her all we had undergone. So I showed her our boatfare down Father-Yaro to Qabarat, my weapon-trial and wooship with Semuane and feud with High Lady Ivasill, the Aslanta’s foolish sin in Candares and moot with the Moqeva, and then our crafty stay in El until the Aslanta left, until our last night in Qabarat, wherein Remaue and I swore matehood.
Suddenly Lady-Mother drew herself out of mind-share. She asked me straight whether this news was true. In answer, I went to the door and inled Remaue, who had followed until the sunderroom’s door and was waiting. She bowed to my mother, who took her arms and hugged. She swore to welcome her as another daughter and forespoke to spend more time with us. We took our leave with her prayerful blessing.

15. Evolae
A mild day, wherefore I am thankful. Our greatest deed was getting all Remaue’s belongings brought to my room. Then we rehung to fit her taste. Elsewise, I saw my father, who is still mending the temple’s porchway. He gladly hugged and reminded my promise to stand for his new statue, which I again yaysaid. I will find time on my next leave-day.
Later came Erymi. After a kiss, she wished to speak with me alone. She is feeling well, but asked my thought on her and Oshis staying with the Citadel, and not only for their sake, but Tae’s and Less’s too. She told that all four have gladly served under me, and, given their wish, would so akeep. I took her words thankfully, for I have loved being with them. I answered that, if they so wish, I would beseech Lady-Captain; but since I am a new outrider, I cannot warrant they would stay under my reeveship. Still, doughty warriors are in sore need, and a newling crop is already gathered, which to my thought forestands good bet their offer would be taken. To this whit she yaysaid, whereat I agreed to speak Lady-Captain at first forehap.
In less good news, my sister Risodess stopped by, foreseemingly to ask us to a mirthtide she and Raiale will hold in two days’ span to cheer our comeback. Yet also I witted she wished to overlook Remaue. Though I have made my thought of my sisters no secret, I repeated Remaue my warning she should forelook no goodwill.

16. Evolae
Today beheld a bittersweet ceremony. We, along with Erymi, Tae, Oshis, and Less, stood our warriors down. With our return, their firdhood, which was already outlengthened, is ended. With the troop upshapen, I praised their service, and unleastly for their kindliness as my first reeveship. I reminded they have done things few can boast. Not only had they met otherworldly wayfarers but also the Darkfloor’s threats, and fared halfway over the world even until far Candares and El. In all, they had handled themselves warriorly and honorably. I said I could not ask for better, and would proudly serve with them again.
I could not leave my warriors, however, without a gift to show thankfulness. So with Remaue, Tae, and Erymi’s help I had readied a feast, along with sundry roasted Swiftreavers (whereof the token was unlost), rice, spicecakes, a stout meadcask, and even a couple brandy bottles. I made token to share a cup with each warrior - which is why I am half-sotten while I write this - and selfsomely gave thanks. I also got some bold kisses, both from Korasha and Damaya, which Remaue was giftful enough to let, and gave back kindly. I bade the warriors keep merry even after Remaue and I withdrew, and to head to their homes tomorrow to start livelihood with our goodwill.

17. Evolae
Today I spoke with Lady-Captain about Tae, Erymi, Less, and Oshis, and their wish to stay on. Lady-Captain seemed open to the thought and readily acknowledged the foursome’s doughtiness. She asked, though, with Erymi’s bechildness whether it makes good thought to have her stay. I answered we would likely have a year ere she swells too big to ride.
Lady-Captain asked a question I had not forelooked - whether I would selfsomely speak for them. Unthinkingly I yaysaid, which got an odd look in trade. In answer, she spoke it is queer that a maiden would start her own household. I first befuddled, but then soothened, and blushed. Then recklessly I asked if such were canny. She answered she knew not but must see.
Later, this eventide was my Lady-Sisters’ mirthtide, for which Remaue and I readied migivingly, since I did not foresee my sisters welcoming my maidenmate. In good news, they did no such thing, at least to her. I had gotten Remaue and me new clothes, for vainly I wished to catch folk’s wonder at our entry, which I think we did well enough. The hall and garth of Raiale’s house were full of matrons, my sisters’ clients, nameworthy traders, and in short anyone whose goodwill they beworthened. My sisters made much of me as the Citadel’s youngest reeve come home from my worldfare with the Aslanta, and the goodwill I had reaped in Qabarat and Candares (they missed word of my banishment from El). My Lady-Mother too was giftful with words. I also beheld Lady-Captain and even Master-Captain Dosuaesh, who had come home from Qabarat before us, who greeted me heartily.
Yet one face I did not see - my father’s. A dread fell upon me. Had my sisters - be it from spite or light coldheartedness - forgotten to ask him? I could believe it.
I asked Remaue to find Raiale’s steward and ask whether Aeosiss was a guest. She shortly againcame downfallenly and told my father was not on the guest-list. A dark wrath beheld me. Yet I ordered myself and asked whether she felt up to some playcraft at my sister’s dearth. Naughtily she grinned, and I told her where she could find my father's house, whereat she left, and I went to stalk my sister’s house-steward.
Bywardly Remaue againcame, and I called the steward outside for swift speech and hard. When he balked at what I bade, Remaue and I got in his face. I think we frightened him. A breathtide later, the steward outnamed Aeosiss u’Vernneas the Stonecrafter and Father of Vaeol-Zheieveil his beloved daughter, to the hall.
Rather boldly I hosted my father on arm down the forestairs, under the guests’ bemused eyes. The stillness afollowing this breach of couthness was unspeakable, foremostly how it smote my sisters’ pride. Yet my Lady-Mother came forth and kissed my father. I am glad to know she still bears him goodwill. She outspoke it was good to see him, and that his presence healed an outstanding breach (which word my Lady-Sisters surely missed not). Then she took him from my arm and mingled among the guests. At her deed, the throng eased, and the revel stirred to its wontful mood.
I misdoubt my sisters will not take my small wickedness as offthank, and will somehow make me pay. Yet the eventide bore a small goodness - my brother Devaeas is come back after many years away hunting Qoelu. Unlike our sisters, we have always gotten along well. He hugged and cheered my outriderhood and spoke that that with all my quests I should join him ahunt. He was overglad to meet Remaue. I will happily see him more.