Chapter 9

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

2. Shenealae, 24,535 - Son
Awatch today, I met with Lady-Captain. Since I now have no troop to command, she has bidden me wait on Master-Captain Dosuaesh. I went to him, and we talked some tide. He spoke on me waiting as his wandbearer until a rider-troop may be found. I agreed on trade that I may have loretide at the Esotericum, and that he tell me of his firdhood against the Formians, at which he nodded and bade good leave.
With the new month, this evetide beheld duskmeal with Lady-Mother, and not only her, me, and Remaue, but also my sisters and their mates and children, and also Devaeas and Elarue. I think my mother gladly gathered all her children, even against my sisters’ snideness. We read they were still smarting from my insult at their revel, though our mother had made clear she had blessed my deed toward my father and deemed the thing settled.
To my surprise, however, Rissodess upbrought my namewoth for lone fight-trial I had earned in Qabarat and Candares. She put forth it would be a worthy deed for our kindred if I should take share in the City Games after year’s end, on the the Motorae. To this thought Raiale agreed and asked Lady-Mother. In answer Lady-Mother bade it should be my choice.
Then they all looked to me. Rissodess asked whether I would honor our kindred and win at the Games. Awkwardly, I watched her. Then I answered I am unafraid to try. She laughed and deemed me foresworn.
I wonder in what I have gotten myself. I have less than two months to train, along with my duties. I cannot but think it was some playcraft to wrack me after my little misdeed at my sisters’ feast. Anywise, it is too late to change word.

3. Shenealae
Today Remaue and I met with Tae, Erymi, Oshis, and Less, where we spoke on me training for the Games. Happily, they agreed to help. Oshis has fought therein, and Tae and Less have taken share in the bowshoot. My share will surely be the Spear-tilt, and also the Footman’s Trial. So agreed, we grabbed blunted weapons. Then Oshis and Less took shifts beating me about the drillyard. I forelook a long two months.

6. Shenealae, 24,535 - Son
No time yesterday to write, for I am quite too busy. I wait on Master-Captain and his sundry tasks. Then while yesterday was spent with Erymi spear-riding astride Ess, today I again dealt with Less and Oshis’s bullrushes. My arms and shoulders are bruised from their axe-blows, and my back and rear sore from being knocked off foot and slammed aground. They are right helpful to teach, but I am weary.
Tonight, since today was market-day, we had Remaue’s forespoken duskmeal. Here she had asked Devaeas my brother and Elarue his wifemate along with our four friends. What forecaught me, however, is that she also asked my father. Rightly my father and brother already know each other, and even get along rather well, unlike my sisters. Devaeas was already grown when Aeosiss met our mother, and had already withstood our kindred’s wish that he uptake his father’s trade-house. Thus he has no share in my sister’s snideness.
Devaeas told he has spent much of the last year-score hunting on the Retaea Moors and along Lake Arasene, where Qoelu are many and great plight to dwellers there, and good trade in hides and ivory. Elarue comes from Lea on the lakeshore, where her kindred dwells. She is a beast-tamer, and also learned as a priestess in youth.
We spoke of the Thundertail Herd on Father-Yaro, who after many years down-strath now are wandering northward. Here Devaeas frowned. Told he, the yeartide has already dried on the Retaea, and grass has died. Thus the great Qoelu grass-eaters are coming southward. He foretells they will come to the strath in search of Father-Yaro’s wetness and ripening foodstuffs. So he is here to find good hunt within the Yaro’s Strath and headwaters. He said it forebodes ill if the Thundertails try to cross the moorlands in Heaventide’s dryness, for he reckons they would head toward Lake Aresene, whence they first came, but find no great food along.
Then he asked whether I would hunt with him. I laughed and yaysaid, though with the Games I am forebound until Newyear. He answered it is no great heed, for he and Elarue will stay until Heaventide’s end and the Raintide comes to the Retaea. We shall speak again.
I witted Remaue flirting with my father, which shook me, though he answered in merry but unearnest mood. When I chided her, she answered she could not help, for he looks too much like me, and also that she would want a child blood-bound to me. This got good laughter from all, and a warning kiss from me.
Yet then Remaue went further. She said she believed it is her time to reach wifehood. We all froze, and I gazed at her, which she met evenly. She asked whether I would stand with her for bridetidee. I asked whether she is truly ready. Tearfully she nodded, and I kissed her again. Then the whole throng cheered and gathered at hug.
Also, I read how eagerly both Less and Oshis so did. I reckon they each wish to be her First Man.
The dusktide with this news had taken a holiday mood. Yet Remaue had not yet done. She spoke she had gathered us all, forwhy she wishes to know my kindred, whomwith she hopes to share life. To Tae, Erymi, Less, and Oshis she said she hoped they will stay within our lives, for she deems together we should make a good household.
Oshis then asked who should head this household, Remaue answered that I should lead. Then he blurted that I am still but a maiden. I blushed.
Awkwardly I told that, true to my word, I had besought Lady-Captain to let the foursome stay on, but that it was yet too soon to tell outcome. Erymi said, however, that with my namesake and rank it makes good thought, even if a maiden-household may sound odd. She gainsays not, and neither does Tae, who added that many outriders who take households stay maiden, and so may even rise to bannerwife (or rather, bannermaid). They even asked whether I would take their oaths now, which honored me more than my ought. In answer, I bade they swear nothing now, for it is too soon, and where this path may lead I know not.
At mealtide’s end, my Father left with a kiss on my cheek, and word that I am beheld in good hands, which I took as his blessing. I think he has outseen that Remaeue overheads things among us, but deems it well. I wonder what he may say to Lady-Mother. Though I am unsure how near they stay in latter years, they still talk.
Devaeas my brother and Elarue took leave and forespoke they would bring word if the Qoelu come. He seems interested at thought of taking me ahunt. It may merely be that he has found a friendly sister, though I wonder whether has something else in thought. Elarue hugged me tightly and said she hoped that someday she may call me friend and sister. I took it as token that she likes me well and answered in kind word.
Ere we left for bed, Tae and Erymi took us aside. After many kisses, they spoke that Remaue will have two eager wooers for her bridetide, which matched my inkling. Remaue grinned and deemed it a tough choice. We left with many lovely words. So now I forelook not only training for the City Games but also planning a bridetide.