A Castrovel Adventure: Part 5, Chapter 13

~O'mei Vaeol-Ile mile assamara emolassara o hafteiatha Motoraea.~ (In which Lady Vaeol watches her housemates take part in the Motorae spear-trial.)

From the Daylog of Vaeol-Zheieveil Yaranevae be’Son

Newyear, 24,546 - Ofu-Laubu
Yesterday beheld the Games’ spear tilt, which if it holds not so much dearness here as home, at least the watchers still love its plight of Shotalashu with claws dashing sand and crash of outriders’ spears shattering. My many loves had spent so much time drilling that I wished to cheer their watch. Instead of watching the Game’s openshow, however, I snuck down from the watchstands to the listground, where not only Kaure and Oshis were readying but also Istae, Semuane, and Vosaeth, along with all their Shotalashu loosening. Also there Remaue, Nelehi, Rivale, Erymi, and Honosil waited as their shieldbearers and oversaw their gear. I went among all and kissed blessing, though I spent the most time with Oshis and Kaure. I fully knew what this tide meant to them: as Korasha, they were bestowed the hap to ride against outriders and the city’s best. I would have stayed longer if Lady Kueth’s thane had not found and beseeched me to come for the first match. (She also warned that, among my flagmates and Vosaeth’s haremmates, a wine-sotten fight might outbreak, and not with each other but with neighboring watchers). Remaue bade me go with her oath to uphold our maidenmate, as did Erymi for Oshis. I left them with last handclasps, and then hastily bore our son back to the watchstand.
After I bowed worship to Her Highness, I sat beside Tae with Yaraess and Threarde, with Taiase at the end nearest Her Highness and Anmeth at the other holding Sonnauf (though we traded babes through the whole row), and thankfully witted our household was not nearly so wine-drunken as the thane had miswarned. Our seat gave overlook of the gameyard ere the heralds called the first match. I witted that, along with a taller midrail shedding the rider lanes, two great logs ran along each side, from the yard’s end to the other. Her Highness outlaid this is the new spear-trial standard from Qabarat, wherein steeds must dash atop the logs to let the riders strike each other and so beseems a treepath's bough. I asked the safeness of raising the tilt four ells from the ground, ingathering the threat of steed falling and rider being hurt. Her Highness answered that, since now was the first time we set the standard, we should learn soon enough.
While we waited, a horn and drum played a fanfare, and the whole crowd rose, bowed, and sang a hymn. All looked to a box high over the watchstand, and hidden in a wrought silver screenfold, ringed by gem-banded wardens. All lifted arms in worshipful beck and bowed again. We looked to Her Highness Lady Kueth, who nodded, thus understanding that Her Hallowness the Heavenly Daughter, Queen Seri-Ilaueth, Liss upon the World and Warder of Berg and Sky, also watched the Games. While the watchers started a throng-dance, I wondered on Lady Marauqereth, and whether anything had shifted.
By misluck, Kaure and Vosaeth drew the first match-set’s same lot. Our housemates all shared worry. While in such a gametrial we understood the likelihood that our loves would surely strive against each other, we unreadily forelooked it so early. Tae, Threarde, and I squeezed hands, and the other clustered near, hands on our shoulders. Three times Kaure and Vosaeth, rode the logs, struck, and broke spears, and three times afterward we cheered, thankful that not only they still outwon but also outcame unhurt, Yet each time they rode again smote our hearts so sorely as the last.
I witted Kaure took every blow as stoutly as a stone, whereas Vosaeth taller and slighter shook a little more. Against my love for them both, I foreboded my Korashe maidenmate held a small behoof.
A fourth time they rode while we clutched hands. Both spears broke. Yet while Kaure stoutly sat, Vosaeth wobbled. Although she is a doughty spear-rider, her Shotalashu, who is still newly tamed, forsook the log, maybe in dread to stay her fall. Unhappily it stumbled aground, and they both tumbled under the crowd’s thrilling buzz while we breathed dread.
Soon as they afterdashed, Kaure halted Vali her steed. Fearing Vosaeth’s hurt, they leapt aground. Kaure unsteeded and ran to my oath-sister, who wallowed to her knees, but luckily showed unwounded. Even so, and against our better hearts, we all feared the reaverwife’s wrathful mood.
Instead she sprang upright, grabbed my maidenmate’s shoulders, and somehow (none knew she could) uplifted all fifteen stoneweights of thew and bone wrapped in fair buttersoft flesh, and laughingly whirled her aloft. ~A valante!~ - “Beloved!” she crowed: ~O’yiadeni-sei haese!~ - “That is how you do it!” Then awkwardly she set Kaure afoot ere they both toppled and hugged her tight, while we all - housemates and all watchers - buzzed and laughed. Shortly Vosaeth lifted hand to the crowd. Then she showily unstrapped her breastdish. ~O’eri-mei shuaef ilinasra o’shiassi saemasra!~ - “Now I am off to suckle my son and swive my haremmates!” she merrily yelled while the crowd roared glee, and then offwalked with her breastdish slung over shoulder and her other arm over her sorry Shotalashu’s neck.
I hastened back downstairs to the listground, and found Vosaeth shoving Kaure up against a wall and kissing her lustily until Remaue offshooed the reaverwife, warning Kaure must ready for her next match. With a last stroke lingering Vosaeth yielded. ~Vi maeavise~ - “You owe me,” she gleefully warned, and that what she lost on the gameyard she would retake in bed. I hugged Kaure’s brow to my bosom. She looked upward with unbelief wide in her eyes, making me giggle and kiss them. ~O’are-yei~ - “Like a champion,” I blessed, and then prayed: ~O’thae inyasse,~ - “Keep winning.”
Meanwhile, Oshis rode through his first match, striking blows like a smith whose arms his beseemed. He offknocked his foe, Lady Mauran an outrider, in the next ride, hardly rocking in his saddle when her spear broke against his shield. Although he and Kaure were not the only Korasha riding in the spear-trial, my faith grew.
I hosted Vosaeth up to Her Highness’s box while Semuane and Istae also won their first matches, and wordlessly yielded my oathsister thanks. There Vosaeth took our housemates’ love and the neighboring watchers’ cheer, and then tossed her merry son aloft. Lady Kueth lissomely bestowed a cup of winewater, which thirstily my oathsister swallowed. Then she idly sat to feed Sonnauf, though happily she withheld from the other, less couth share of her forespeech with her haremmates. I likewise again settled with my son, earnest to watch the next match-set and pray my housemates to winfulness.
Anon my housemates arear startled, and a hand tapped my shoulder. I glanced arear. There stood Lady Marauqereth. Hastily we stood, and she kissed me. ~Hithandise!~ I outspoke: “You have come back!”
Her Ladyship nodded and looked ashamed. ~Dei zhianis?~ she beseeched: “Will you forgive me?”
While Taiase, Vosaeth, and the others waited, I answered I know what it means to lose myself and find the wise back. She laughed ruthfully, squeezed my hand, and kissed my babe’s brow. Then she begged to cleave us. Thoughtlessly I glanced at the high silver box and asked whether she should be elsewhere. She weightily answered the Motorae is a good time to become someone else. Then she glanced again, and I bewared her shame. ~Dei diyanolis o kae ollodi viyae o veae zhyeayelve?~ - “Do you misdeem that I have my best moods when I am not myself?”
Taiase and Vosaeth ruthfully took her hands. I witted a scar on her wrist, which I reminded had not been there when last we met. When I looked askingly, tears gathered in her eyes.
Vosaeth yielded Sonnauf to Her Ladyship. Then while the young captain nestled the babe, my oathsister knelt upon the bench, leaning against Onull arear, and had Marauqereth sit between her knees and lay head upon her bosom. So they stayed for a long while as the crowd danced and buzzed, the Shotalashu howled dare, and horns blew the next match.
Our housemates' rides had not waited idly while we dealt with Lady Marauqereth. Semuane won her next three, and Istae outwon to the last foursome. Kaure, to strong lief in her first gametrial ever, proved uncanny to knock and won her next three matches. Then she next drew Oshis’s lot, and though the watchers else cheered the match between these two becoming crowd-beloved, we quailed to again see our own striking each other, under whose hammer blows and splintering hafts the gameyard’s loft thundered.
Kaure and Oshis broke the first three spears evenly, shifting the match to swift-death. Yet then they broke three more, foretelling a stubborn, grudging Korasha match. On the seventh run, however, Kaure’s speartip slid off Oshis's shield and broke not, while his did. I read she had wearied both in arm and will. Afterward, Oshis swerved Tarami his steed and rode back. He clasped her shoulder, set his brow on hers, and then acknowledgingly raised her hand; shieldbrother to shieldsister. To the crowd’s buzz and singing cheer, Kaure lifted tears and rode back to the listground.
Vosaeth and I again hastened downstairs, where we found Kaure weeping on Remaue’s breast. Our heaven-tressed wifemate kissed her nape while we hugged aring. Then we took her into mindshare to show the pride our words could not bespeak. At last Remaue, ever the haughty shieldbearer, bewon her to offstrip her byrnie and overlook wounds. Her shieldarm bore a bruise, though she had forborne wordlessly, and another on her ribs where a broken spearhaft had after breach slipped her shield. She also had a splinter-cut on her jaw (luckily, the Games’ bylaws forebid a face shield on all helms, a safeness-whit I heartily bless). We forespoke to lead her to Lady Taiase to heal these hurts while Remaue groomed her Shotalashu. Then little Lanaryel, at her soulmother’s bid, took our maidenmate’s hand and led her upstairs to reap our household’s cheer.
We came back and found Taiase oddly weeping while Lady Marauqereth held her hands, and caught word that, of all this nowward time’s new deeds, this spear-trial, where she must witness her friends trying such wrathfulness on each other that she feared murder, the most heathenish. Luckily, Kaure’s wounds misdrew her mind. After she healed them, she begged leaved to withdraw and bade Lanaryel lead her downstairs, where I think she oversaw the riders’ other hurts in trial to unheed. How easily we forget our elder friend understood almost nothing of war ere she woke among us.
Semuane reached the last eightsome until she took a hard hit and toppled out of saddle. Happily, she fell not, but got dragged a long Shota-span against the midrail ere her steed slowed. Again we dashed downstairs to see her welfare, although Rivale with Remaue’s and Nelehi’s help had her well in hand. Our heavenly maidenlove had taken the rail’s knock ahead, which made her see glowmotes, though her helm stoutly spared the worst (it needs a new sheen). Yet I worried more for her knee wrenched while astirrup. The shieldbearers got her abed, where the healers checked her eyes, and then let her sleep under Taiase’s mighty soul-hymn.
Withholdingly, we readied to head back upstairs. I took Erymi’s hand and beseeched Remaue to stand shieldbearer for Oshis’s behalf. Erymi gainsaid, outspeaking none else should thew her manmate, to which I asked: ~Oeo’stei o inyayelas?~ - “And what if he wins?” At my word, her eyes widened with first dream of her manmate’s glory. Remaue gleefully chuckled and forespoke she would worshipfully thew our manlove.
We came back to the box under Lady Kueth’s chidesome ask whether we should choose to stay here or down on the listground. We begged sorrow, outlaying we brought Oshis’s wifemate to watch his doughtiness. Then we sat, giggling and rocking our babes, with Erymi holding Tesine her daughter alap, while Less and Hanos doled winewater and traded jokes and bets on the next match.
Meanwhile, Oshis rode like a quickened, unswerving stonelikeness, like Father-Hunter enfleshed and come to earth. His only ruth he had shown to Kaure after their match, acknowledging her worthy ride. To all other foes he fewtered fierce and flinchlessly. Those who rode against him beheld nothing Korasha-like but his shape, nowise meek, and I wonder even quailed ere they met his might. When he doffed helm between matches, I witted a mood almost like Kazos’s I reminded from our fight in the Stormshields: a man who neither knew nor shrove his evenmatch and would not yield.
I overheard a neighboring watcher mutter it beheld unseemliness under such Korasha pride. Kaure heard, too. She stood, stretched her bruised arm, and anon stumbled, her Korasha weight sprawling the neighbor’s bench and dropping her afloor. Hastily she begged sorrow, and we followed wise, whereunder our high and many housemates, the offthanking Damaya unsurely forgave. I led my maidenmate to seat on the side near Lady Kueth, and outthought: ~Ihise Remaue-yei!~ - “You are so wicked as Remaue!” which got her shy smile. Then I yielded her Aeosel to keep her from more naughtiness.
Oshis beat Lady Iell in three rides, and so rose to the last foursome along with Istae. Again we dreaded to watch our housemates ride against each other. Yet they drew else foes: Istae, Lady Kyriniss of Qabarat (an outlander like us), and Oshis, Lady Riahazi. Hanos boded word to Taiase downstairs to come upstairs and watch Istae her maidenlove ride, though she withheld, eyesomely liking the sight from the listground.
Istae and Lady Kyriniss started, and on the first ride Istae, a proven champion from Son’s Games, rightly broke her spear while Lady Kyriniss offslid. On the next ride, although they both hit and broke, Istae’s Shotalashu stumbled and anon landed awkwardly aground, losing the match. Even worse, however, Istae bucked over its head and badly sprawled. While a great cry rose from the watchstands, Taiase dashed from the listground, swiftly followed by Nelehi and Remaue, mouths gaping whitely. Then Neish, who was sitting abox with us, ran to the rail, overleaped to the yard below and tumbled upright into run. They gathered over our fallen sister-outrider, heedfully doffed her helm, and saw her hurt while the healers hovered near. At last, they beckoned that she outlived. The crowd cheeringly sang our housemate’s worthiness, although I beheld Taiase’s hands shaking while she followed her maidenlove.
Oshis and Lady Riahazi next rode. Here Erymi, who knows the spear-tilt in her own deedfulness and worrying for her manmate, could no longer sit ladylike. but forsook her daughter to Sievae and strode the yardrail, swinging arms as if she wielded her own spear. On the first ride when both struck and broke, our shieldsister behaved unhappy with Oshis’s shape and yelled loud enough for the whole gameyard to hear: ~Ivi aerra kezhantura!~ - “Raise your cursed shield!” to great laughter and Oshis raising his haft in wry hail.
On the next ride, Oshis mightily smote, and Lady Riahazi wobbled, lost her stirrup, and grabbed the midrail to keep from falling. The crowd and heralds yelled foul, and she lifted hand to acknowledge her loss. While all the watchers aring buzzed and sang, we sat still and sobbed as we forsoothed Oshis our housemate had reached the last match.
The gametrial shortly halted while the heralds read and the yardreeves overlooked everything. Erymi fought the mood to rush downstairs. I reminded her Remaue doubtlessly overlooked all Oshis's gear and steed with her ready eye. Yet we all heeded what it would bemean for Oshis’s win, for our flag and also his nameworth.
I outfelt along the bond only he and I share, down to the listground. I witted him laughing with Remaue, who hearteningly kissed him and laid hand on his boardlike shoulderdish, and overheard Rivale and Nelehi likewise singing blessings. Then I reached Erymi’s hand and Vosaeth’s, brought them into mindshare, and bade them gather their children and all our housemates into it as well. Then we outboded upon the link straight to his mind, at which he startled: ~A valantas, sei eava,~ we prayed: “Beloved, we are with you.”
Then we dightened the children afore at the yardrail, and dolefully Lenis and Tesine to witness their father ride, with Erymi and Sievae. Though Vosaeth and I could have owned steads at the rail as well, we happily stood behind and overlooked, since our babes are too young to wit. Aring us, the neighboring watchers unsettledly witnessed our warmind overtaking, happily not wrathful but grim. Many might so misname us uncouth, and even Her Highness Lady Kueth looked oddly. Yet so strong was our mood that we could not withhold, and even Lady Marauqereth clove our ~Zerreima~, whereat we felt her awe at our love and faith.
To start the match, the heralds bade the two foes ride forth and hail. They met at midyard and clasped hands. Oshis shortly nodded but gave no further worship. If Lady Kyriniss had witted his earlier foes quail under his fierceness, she showed nowise such but earnestness. Yet even she could not unheed the dents in his breastplate, proof of blows that would have staggered or felled other riders. Oshis had never faltered. Then they swerved and rode back to their ends, where Remaue yielded him a spear.
As one we waited while the herald waved the flag, and watched Oshis’s steed and his foe’s lope along the logs. Our warmind steeled us together when they neared. Then their stroke’s thundersome crack and flying splinters as they afterrode, reached the far end’s, and took new spears. Twice more they repeated, onsetting swift-death until the next blow’s win, while the crowd buzzed and danced, and then hushed while they swerved into the fourth ride.
At the stroke, Oshis hit, broke spear, and rode through a cloud of shards. Lady Kyriniss bowed backward. She lost neither saddle nor stirrup. Yet she dropped her spear, which fell unbroken. We all stared downward, beholding the whole haft, right ere the heralds raised Oshis’s flag. We hugged tight while the whole gameyard burst into buzz.
As one we stood and dashed downstairs, under warmind almost trampling any walker before. We reached the listground, but the yardreeves withheld us, though happily Remaue, Nelehi, and Rivale had outrun to thew Oshis. While they overlooked his welfare, Her Highness Lady Ziaral the First Alderwife with Lady Kueth and other fellows of the queen’s alderhall came to the yardrail. Her Highness hailed the winner and asked his name. He merely answered Firstspear Oshis Ravaeolmauas, to which she asked whether he belonged to a household. ~Yaoma zieraea Son-Tollodaua,~ - “A noble flag of Son the Eldest,” he answered.
Her Highness asked aloud whether his house would show themselves. At this word, we marched forth, still in warmind, children striding so dightsomely as our elder warriors. Remaue, Nelehi, and Rivale waited thrillsomely until we neared, and fell in. Vosaeth, Erymi, and I stood at the fore, where we hailed Her Highness and the crowd. ~Va Yaranevaea be’Son!~ I greeted loudly: “We are the Yaranevaea of Son!”
Softly I goaded Erymi forward, holding Tesine her daughter’s hand. Sharply, weepingly, they halted afore. Oshis headed to his wifemate, and for the first time all daytide his pride broke. He knelt at Erymi's feet and laid brow against her belly. She sobbed wildly (and we also) and stroked his nape. Then she spoke of her most beloved words for him: ~A zhehuas doauzas,~ - “You beautiful foolish man.” She knelt with him while they wept together and Tesine hugged his broad arm, under the crowd’s cheer.
Then Her Highness Lady Ziaral bade Oshis rise, which he did while also beckoning Lenis forth and held his children’s hands, and while Erymi and I set hands on his shoulders. Her Highness started to outqueathe that she would bestow the game-trial’s prize in the name of Her Hallowness the Heavenly Daughter. Yet anon Lady Marauqereth strode forth and beseeched to speak. Her Highness’s eyes almost bugged from her head, and also most the other alderwives overhead. Shakenly Her Highness gave leave, whereat the young captain beseeched to bestow the prize on the city’s behalf. After some befuddled glances, the alderwives yaysaid, whereat a golden fan with gems beseeming a phoenix-tail’s pattern was sent down.
Her Ladyship took the fan and headed to us. When we started to kneel, she naysaid and bade us stand. She halted right before Oshis. Then she outquoth she bequeathed this prize under the city’s honor to one who had rightly earned it, and laid it in his hand, and then set the crown on his head. Then more softly she said she understands what pride’s bereftness means, and also the hardship of winning it back. She bequeathed this token, she added, not to buy his love or faith, but to show him worthy. Then she bowed, kissed his brow, and strode back while the whole crowd buzzed. After Her Highness Lady Ziaral’s outspeech, Oshis raised the fan overhead to the whole gameyard’s cheer. Then we nighmost tackled and bore him down with our tally, and unleastly from the children clambering his shoulders.
After we at last broke the tangle, Erymi would not let him free. ~Afe sasra o’ezimi-yei siroayelf o meivive,~ - “My womb craves you so much it aches,” she growled. In this tide, I almost believe Oshis could get any wife he might wish, and no few men if he would. Oshis handsomely lifted and set Erymi ashoulder, where she gigglingly kicked her feet.
Lady Marauqereth upspoke that she behaply knew an empty box and well whelmed and stocked. Then she gave Erymi a badge and bade her show it to the wardens overhead, who would let us. We followed Oshis and Erymi upstairs to the silver box, under the watchers' cheers and jokes from Less and Hanos whether he had strength to bear his wifemate after the game-trial’s long daytide. Oshis heedlessly strode until he reached the top. When Erymi flashed the badge, the wardens withholdingly let us through. Inside, we found so fair a room as we could dream, with sunlight blazing through the silver screens, pillowbenches set before the window, seatpillows afloor, hearthstands warm with sweetburn smoking, and cakes with oilhoney, berries, many cheeses soft and hard, smoked thurse-ribs, and ewers of bubblemead and elfwine.
While we hungrily took share, Erymi recked not and instead doffed Oshis’s byrnie and warkilt, offpeeled his drenched undershirt and loincloth, and the rubbed dry the sweat from his hairy shoulders and breast. Though I would have loved to cleave with Erymi and Oshis, Remaue and I had mind only for Kaure. Our stout maidenmate lay weary in our arms, her cuts and bruises better, but overwrought after the game-trial’s thrill.
Laterward while I rose to seek my babe, I came back to see Oshis and Erymi laughing nearly with Tae and Less. The tide seemed right for an earnest nameworth. So I started a praise-hymn and outreached Sievae and Hanos to lead the song, whereat our whole household uptook, with Oshis sitting rather meekly amidst. I strode forth, bade him stand, and set our son in his arms with a kiss on his brow.
~O’hanimi-inyae iqomadis yorao nila di amiadala, oeo’illi hisha si hoathazya,~ - “Today you won and fulfilled what many had not believed, and others would have forbidden from you,” I began, tears already in eye. Then I told I need not tell his worthiness, but did need to worship him. Then I outquoth I would behold our whole household worshiped, and reminded that others had taken share in the Motorae Games, and not all in the spear-trial. Tae, Nae, Less, and Hanos had matched against hundreds else in the shoot-trials and had shot until the upper few. Semuane and Istae had also ridden well, against their hurts. Then I added Kaure had (still lying weepingly in Remaue’s arms), in her first trial ever, had beaten not only three outriders but also a fierce, wild Retaea reaverwife who, if she had overwon, would have most likely offborne her as a playthrall (~O’ahi-veari!~, shouted Vosaeth: “And still might!”). I then bowed to Vosaeth and blessed she had done something none else had: she had bestowed liss and love even under loss, and to one she could have easily given wrath. Then I bade them all take pride in their worth and deeds, and of our housemates.
At last, I headed back to Oshis and said I had left one champion in Son, meaning Krastaes, but had found another here. ~Dei lashis o area-mas o’ruvearassi o naeayelma?~ - “Will you ride as our champion and stand forth when we have need?”
Oshis shrugged our warbling son upon his shoulder, met my eye, and then yielded him back to me. ~A valanteil, lashya-ruaelvas, o’keami se diziniloni risaea-shyaelyelise o utha-mas vearassas o leaume-se,~ - “Ladylove, I will ride for you, if it means you will fight no longer while our son stays on your breast,” which neatly meant my yesteryear weapontrial against Byreath and his anger aftercoming. Against his boldness, I laughed and swore this time only I would yield to his will. Then I held our son to his cheek and kissed his brow under our housemates' buzz.
I withdrew to Kaure’s arms while our housemates gathered to cheer Oshis. No few other wives showing flirtsome with my fathermate, though he still seemed weary. Tae shortly inslithered between him and Erymih but then left to bestow mind to Less, which likely stood well, since he has proven fondly feudsome with Oshis over the years, even though they have shared wives. Then to small shock, Sievae came forth and, knelt before Oshis, and kissed his belly. ~Utha-mas si heilodas,~ - she outspoke: “Our son is so so proud of you.” ~Qoandis dias ollas,~ - “You have become a good father to our son,” she said, meaning Lenis. ~Qoandis das ollas,~ - “You have become a good man.” To her word, Oshis meekly nodded, reckoning how he had taken her son as his own after he had first forsaken her on on boatfare with the Aslanta to Qabarat.
Sievae rose and held his head to her breast. Then she headed to Eyrmi: ~Dei orya nazif?~ - “Do I have your leave?” she beseeched.
Erymi met her eyes. Then she smiled and kissed our child-sister. ~O’sevae-vei~ she answered: “With my blessing.”
Oshis stood ashock while Sievae rose, eyesomely not having foreseen this deed, and maybe faltered. She reached forth, touched his cheek, and then merrily shut his jaw. Then she stood near, set hands on his nape, and softly drew forward until she stroked his antennae’s roots. ~Dei yuaes o’imathi-yei?~ - “Will you love me as you once did?” she beseeched.
Oshis blinked. ~A mae, o’distimi seandavas,~ - “Mother, I never halted.” Sievae laughed, and maybe even wept a little. Then she kissed him.
Laterward, I made mark to meet Sievae at the sideboard, poured her cup, and kissed her. ~A miuthe,~ I greeted: “My childsister,” then I told my thankfulness beholding her in our flag, but also that my son has hers as big brother. Shyly she smiled and kissed my son. I asked what she might want to become more homesome under our flag. Yet she said she wanted nothing else, since the one thing she had lacked she had today gotten: although she had long ago forgiven Oshis his misdeed, she had ever worried he had not forgiven her. Then she brought my hand to her belly.“~O’dum-mei zhiandas,~ - “Eyesome he has forgiven me now.” I knelt and kissed where my hand lay.
Vosaeth waved where she sat with Lady Marauqereth. I came and traded babes with her, whereat she told Her Ladyship would beseech something. The young captain outlaid she would have me begreet her to Erymi. When unsurely I asked why, she answered she believed that she owed my spearsister and Oshis a dearth to mend offthank. Vosaeth deemed it worthy, whereat I yaysaid and took Her Ladyship’s hand. I led her where Erymi sat laughing with Tae and Draue, knelt, and kissed my wifelove and childsister. Then I showed her Lady Marauqereth, which warily stalled her mood.
Beside me Her Ladyship knelt, took Erymi’s hand and set it on her brow. Then she outspoke she would beg sorrow. By then, Oshis had also witted our show and neared wardsomely. Her Ladyship kindly greeted him. Then she told she had wrongly beseeched a boon under haughty pride and now would withdraw it in forgiveness’s stead. She would rather have both mates’ good thought, in hope they would deem her a friend.
Erymi leaned near the young captain and stroked her brow. Beseeching leave, their antennae tangled and reached mindshare. ~Almya kovaf,~ - “I feel your hurt,” she spoke. ~Zhiani-stimya ruaelf,~ - “Any forgiveness we give.” Then she hugged Her Ladyship.
We spent a tide where we played with the babes, whereunder a dear, ruthful mood overtook Her Ladyship. I witted Erymi watching her, and maybe a matching ruthfulness.
The day ended not there, for with Taiase, Draue and her boys, Sievae and Lenis, and with Less and Hanos hosting, and leading Tesine and Lanaryel, we went at Night's Midwatch to the Highburgh before Burning-Mother’s Temple, under Nightheaven keenly sheer, with Elindrae and all the Starry Children glowing downward, with the chill so great our breath misted. Yet we wrapped well to stay warm and wore our new wonderful footsleeves and sandals. There we bore waxlanterns and when the priests bore their lights from the temple doors, helped the children light them. Then under the Motorae’s end, we clove the cityfolk in the first Newyear Dance and lifted throat in the elder hymn: ~Heieni theiarru. O’samae rae,~ - “Peace upon the world. Let there be brightness.

Recap: Lady Vaeol's flag have observed the Motorae year-end festivities while awaiting word on Lady Marauqereth's welfare.

Lashunta Words & Phrases:

• Valante (fem): beloved; full of love
• O'eri-mei: here/now away
• Shuaef (1st-pers cond trans): I will suckle. ~Shuassi~
• Ilinasra (masc accusative): baby son. ~Ilinas~
• O'shiassi: (in order) to swive; copulate
• Saemasra (masc accusative): harem; haremmate. ~Saemas~
• Vi maeavise (2nd-pers fem intrans): you owe/belong to me. ~Maeavassi~
• O'yiadeni-sei - adverb-phrase: ~Yiadeni~ (spir): in such wise + ~Sei~ (spir): 2nd-person adverb: like you.
• Haese (2nd-pers cond fem intrans): you would/may do. ~Hassi~
• O'are-yei: like/as a champion. ~Are~ (fem): champion; hero + ~Yei~ (spir): relative adverb
• O'thae inyasse - imperative: keep winning. ~Thassi~: to have; take keep + ~Inyassi~: to win.
• Hithandise (2nd-pers perf fem intrans): you have come back. ~Hithanassi~
• Dei (spir): interrogative adverb
• Zhianis (2nd-person trans): you forgive. ~Zhianassi~
• Dei diyanolis: do you misdeem? ~Dei (interrogative) + ~Diyanolassi~
• Kae ollodi (spir): best mood; best humor
• Viyae (3rd-pers spir): possesses. ~Viyassi~: 1st-person possession
• O veae zhyeayelve: when I am not myself ~Veae (fem): self; personality + ~Zhyeayelve~ (1st-pers depend intrans): am not. ~Zhyeassi~
• Oeo'stei: and what
• Inyayelas (3rd-pers depend trans) if/when he wins. ~Inyassi~
• Ihise (2nd-pers intrans fem): you are wicked. ~Ihassi~: to be wicked; act wickedly
• Remaue-yei: like Remaue. ~Yei~ (spir): relative pronoun adverb
• Ivi - imperative of ~Ivassi~: to ward; defend
• Aerra (anim accus): shield. ~Ael~
• Kezhantura (anim accus): cursed; full of curses
• Zerreima (com): war-mind; communal psychic state where Lashunta's reactions synchronize in times of crisis
• Valantas (masc): beloved
• Sei eava (1st-pers intrans com): We are with you
• Yaoma (com): flag-troop
• Zieraea (com): noble
• Son-Tollodaua - common possessive of ~Son-Tolloda~: Son the Eldest. Honorific name for Son.
• Va Yaranevaea: We are House Yaranevaea. ~Va~ (com): I; We
• Be'Son: of/from Son
• Zhehuas (masc): beautiful
• Doauzas (masc): foolish; stupid
• Afe sasra siroayelf: My womb wants you. ~Afe~ (fem): womb + ~Sasra~ (masc accus): you + ~Siroayelf~ (1st-pers depend trans), to want; crave. ~Siroaassi~
• O'ezimi-yei meivive: aches so much. ~Ezimi~ (spir): much + ~Yei~ (spir): relative adverb + ~Meivive~ (1st-pers cond fem intrans) - ~Meivassi~: to ache
• O'hanimi-inyae - adverb-phrase: on today of the victory
• Iqomadis (2nd-pers perf trans): you have fulfilled ~Iqomassi~: to fulfill
• Nila di amiadala: many had not believed. ~Nila~ (com): many + ~Di~: not + ~Amiadala~ (3rd-pers plup com): had believed. ~Amiassi~
• Oeo'illi hisha si hoathazya: And others would forbid you. ~Oeo'illi~: adverb-phrase: and will + ~Hisha~ (com): other + ~Si~ (spir): 2nd-person adverb + ~Hoathazya~ (3rd-pers perf cond com): would have forbidden. ~Hoathassi~
• O'ahi-veari: adverb-phrase: maybe still. ~Ahi~ (spir): might; potential + ~Veari~ (spir): still; steady; stable
• Utha-mas - inclusive demonstrative of ~Uthas~ (masc): son; male child
• Heilodas (masc): superlative of ~Heilas~ proud.
• Qoandis (2nd-person perf masc: you have become. ~Qoanassi~
• Dias ollas (masc): good/right father
• Das ollas (mac): good/right man
• Orya (spir accus): leave; permission. ~Ori~
• Nazif (1st-pers cond trans): to get; receive. ~Nazassi~
• Mae (fem): mother
• O'distimi: never
• Seandavas (1st-person perf intrans masc): I halted. ~Seamassi~
• ~Miuthe~ (fem): child-sister; kin by having born children of the same father
• O'dum-mei (spir): by our shared eye; from the current perspective
• Zhiandas (3rd-pers masc perf): he has forgiven. ~Zhianassi~
• Almya (spir accus): hurt; pain
• Kovaf: (1st-pers trans): I feel/sit. ~Kovassi~
• Zhiani-stimya (spir accus): any forgiveness. ~Zhiani~
• Ruaelf (1st-pers cond trans): we will/would give/yield.
• Heieni (spir): peace; truce
• Theiarru - alla/dative of ~Theia~ (com): world; planet
• O'samae - adverb-phrase: in thanks; in grace
• Rae (fem): sun; brightness

Related Historical Events

• 5. Motorae
  Oshis Wins Ofu-Laubu's Motorae Games Spear-Trial