A Castrovel Adventure: Part 5, Chapter 16

~O'mei yaoma Vaeol-Ilea hithana Qabaratru o'mi seilyaru lomyaru thassyaru.~ (In which Lady Vaeol’s flag returns to Qabarat, and all the wonders it holds.)

From the Daylog of Vaeol-Zheieveil Yaranevae be’Son

14. Soelae, 24,546 - 13th Day in Qabarat (14 days since last log)
I must upcatch this log. Erenow the swiftness of Qabarat’s livelihood has yielded no time. Eyesome we are here and safely come through our gatefare from Ofu-Laubu, which was right like every tide else we had stridden through an elfgate. We beheld the shimmering, sloshing rift, went through leading our Shotalashu (who fight the income even against our mindbond), and ~toe!~ - we stood in the gatestead on the Stormshield’s southern arm, beyond the Seagate from the Threefold House. Unshockingly, it showered, since here in the South, Floodtide had well begun, although back in the North, Heaventide’s drought will last another month. Yet after such a droughttide, this loft’s dampness felt oddly heavy. As already known, the Qabarata ken the first half of Floodtide as ~Nisaqua~ - the Snake-Rain, when the first storm blows from the South, and as they say: ~nisa qura mi dahazura~ - it rains snakes and rats - when rising water drives them out of the undercrofts (and yields wealth for the reaveling-hunters).
I could not help reminding that the last time we came through this gatestead had been our hostfare taking Brand and the Aslanta to Sovyrian when we sent them home to Kyonin - or ~Qolaryon~ as they named - more than ten years ago. Yet mated with our maudlinness leaving Vosaeth and her housemates, the mood hung heavier on things I would rather not think.
Soon as we stepped forth from the elfgate, we had our first big-city show-throe, when no less than three thanes awaited: one from the Matronhood welcoming Taiase to the city, then Lady Riahi the Embassy's head thane bidding us come to Her Highness Lady Nauve, and also Semuane’s older sister Noael, whose mothers had already forespoken to guest us. Right there outbroke a short feud, wiseful to who - the Matronhood or Son’s Embassy - owned foremostness to lead us to their forewilled mistresses. The end outcame that, since neither the Matrons’ thane nor Lady Riahi would yield, we followed Noael, even though she had the least sake, and we should settle at their kindred’s house ere we get caught in the city’s hallcraft.
Thus we came to the house of Semuane’s kindred, before Mistresses Shotheiae her mother, whom I had ere met while our Formian Warfare. She and her wifemate Mistress Nimaue greeted us right dearly, with worshipful show to Taiase, and furthermore made much of our babes. They gushed sweetness in such a wise that I wondered might unsettle Semuane, since I knew the hard choice our heavenly maidenlove had made to stay evermaiden (although since she has sisters, Shotheiae and Nimaue lack not grandchildren). Rather shakenly, however, I learned that neither Noael nor their eldest sister Nivae had undergone warriorhood in Qabarat’s fird as maidens, but instead had straightly worked in their mothers’ tradehouse as shipmates (and whereof Nivae is now a skipper), although Semuane’s elder brother Theleas had served warriorhood, and her youngest brother Rell even now is a newling. I had heard that Qabarat lets youths forsake warriorhood if they yield a geld (and which is not cheap). More shocking, however, I have learned many households deem warriorhood an overmean service. Thus many wealthy households yield the geld to keep their children free, unless, as in Semuane’s sake, they wish to become outriders.
Along the way home, we had also forgotten that, not only had Taiase never come to this greatest city on Asana (which she told might even be bigger than Wicked Nivaea at its greatest), but also back in her time it had been a much smaller elfburgh, whereof today’s Elf-Farthing reminds. A full 250,000 lives now dwell here, of which a fifth are Elves, crowdedly clinging from the Ofu where the Threefold House and Temple-Farthing stand, downward to the Highfarthing, the Elf-Farthing, the Richfarthing down to the Battleyard, Ship’s End overlooking the Harbor, and even the Marshfarthing boldly trying to stay overwater on the harbor’s southern side. Yet even this is a weak likeness of Qabarat’s wonder, whereunder, even with all the halls and houses, there are so many hometrees that from the Ofu the city looks almost a rainwood. Their dwellers set witchlights upon their upper boughs even now in Floodtide, making them look like stars fallen to earth, and all glittering back by shimmershells set in all the walls. Along with the world-renowned faircraft halls, there are the play-yards (as unlike from the danceyards), gameyards, songhalls, open idleyards, and more wineyards than one can ever count, even until dreamsmoke yards, in a dizzy bestowal of not only gleecraft but also trying misdrawsomeness, which bestows to Qabarat one of many nicknames: ~Soelaura~ - the Elfpriest - a byword for Kaulisrye’s worshipers, or the Idlesting, as that Elfgod is often named, from both the bliss and hurt She bestows.
Of this misdrawsomeness, we got our first taste wherein, of our thirteen days here until now, today marks our first when we will not cleave a mirthtide. Even Mistress Shotheiae on our first night threw one, wherein she gathered, as she bespoke, ~homaea shola thina mi vaenma~ - ‘a few dear friends and trademates’ to welcome us coming, but whereof I tallied at least twenty guests else than ourselves, and Lady Eneae, a seated matron whomto our hosts owe bond.
While all this hasty mirth, although we had forelooked Taiase’s princesslike nameworth, I heard myself also benamed, stemming from my win over Byreath, as ~Zheieve halaeasse Shaverazere~ - the outrider who slew a Thief-Queen - and so hailed like a war-hero. I beheld the same trend on the next evetide, when the gathered Matronhood at the Threefold House lawfully welcomed Taiase. After the rites and speeches, the gathership shifted to a mingling mirthtide, where the city’s full ladyhood danced in glowsilk and crowns, and wherein I got tallyless matrons, outriders, and reeves - incleaving captains and steadholders - reach and cheer my win over Byreath, thereby headstoning the war’s end, until I feared I might misdraw mindfulness from Taiase.
Under this overdoneness, I had an inkling of Lady Nauve’s hand at work, wherein she sought some folksome nameworth among the city’s whisper-mongers, which I deemed true when afar I saw her speaking with Her Highness Lady Ivassil the High-Matron. For Her Highness’s share, she spoke me little else than, after she greeted me and kissed my babe, she rather overkithly outreached and drew her finger along the goldglue marking my brow and cheek’s scar. ~Zhefualya di yaztis, a Ruzhyahaze,~ she said: “You have not lost your knack, Worry-maker.” By this nickname she had first bestowed, I uplooked the dearth I had sworn her after my weapon-trial with Semuane, and whereof still I wonder whether she may find sake to call it.
Else than the unforelooked mindfulness, the awkwardest breathtide happened when I learned that the hallcraft wherewith matrons and high ladies gladden themselves ends not, but also reaches to outriders. Qabarat, unlike other cities, has not merely one outriders’ ladyhood but twelve, since as both the biggest Asana city and the stead where Outriderhood was first founded, it is good thought it has here become the most manifold. This whit drove to heart when with Semuane we met Lady Ezare, a fellow of Semuane’s same ladyhood, while I had offyielded Aeosel to Remaue to shift a clean mossnapkin. Lady Ezare greeted us merrily enough and, like so many else, cheered my win over Byreath. 
Then the young outrider told how, although she and Semuane were sister-outriders of the Ladyhood of the Roseclaw, she beseeched to cleave the Ladyhood of Issendil, which is not only the foremost outriderhood, but also the sheerest and sternest, since, and unlike lesser ladyhoods (as she outlaid), only true-sworn maidens may be inlet. Thus she outspoke gladness to meet such a stalwart outrider as I from another city, and who held Semuane’s highest love.
Right then, Remaue came and yielded me back Aeosel, before Lady Ezare’s eyes. Given my son's hunger, I unhooked my halter’s left breastdish, drew aside the undercloth, and popped my wet nipple into his mouth. 
Lady Ezare watched speechless while I suckled my son, her mouth open. Then she falteringly stepped backward and withdrew. I looked to Semuane, who chuckled swyly, and asked whether I had met a foe. Our maidenlove answered she deemed Lady Ezare more ashamed than offthanked, and moreso by her own word than my deed. She beread me worry not.
The next day, I got bretrust of Lady Nauve’s meddlesomeness when at last we met in her sunderrom ere the mirthtide she held at Son’s Embassy. She fully shrove as her deed the overdone tale of my win over Byreath, unleastly, she answered forwhy my nameworth, and not only Taiase’s, grows Son’s. ~O’himiadeni, Halaeaze-Shaverazeve o’amahi hinae,~ - “Besides, Slayer of the Thief-Queen has a nice ring,” she wryly added.
I asked what word Her Highness had read from our tide in Ofu-Laubu. She answered she had right heard our benamehood as haremmates, and guessed there must lie a tale, although she lissomely forwent ask. I asked what she knew of that far city’s stand against the Formian War, which she had heard. When I told what Lady-Captain Marauqereth had beseeched, that I find hapful tide and stead to outspeak against the war, Lady Nauve warned, under eyesome reasons, and dolefully since Qabarat has strong links to Valmaeana and earnestly upholds the war. I forespoke to heed.
I then asked Lady Nauve what knowledge she had of the Elves meeting the Formians, as Lady Marauqereth had also told. Her Ladyship grimly answered she had indeed heard whisper, though nothing sure. She forespoke to inseech more and share what she learns.
Her Highness then shared she has already gotten beseech that we stay the coming year, and that I fight in the next Motorae Games, to which I yaysaid. Also, along with my nameworth, and since the whispertale of ill will between me and Lady-Mother is rather known, it best forehappens to take behoof. She then forespoke that I should show myself as against Lady-Mother and Son’s outspoken wishes, watch who may come and seek mean heed, and bring word to Her Highness, whereby we may outlearn our foes’s hidden wisdom. I yaysaid, since I found this play no hardship. So we forelook to stay until next year in Qabarat ere we must reckon coming home to Son and once again meeting my mother who so misbehaved my house.

3. Vealae, 24,546 - 2nd Month in Qabarat (7 days since last log)
I had no time to log erenow, which makes fear I may forget something weighty. Our unforsooth princess-hood keeps astride in this great and dizzy city, although I fear it a fickle thing that may swiftly dim.
On the 18th, Semuane’s Ladyhood of the Roseclaw welcomed me and Istae as guestfellows, although my motherly stalldom made some strife within this elsewise sheer maidenhood (and Istae shrewdly forgot to shrive her love with Neish). No shock that Lady Ezare, after our awkward word-trade at the Threefold House, dared my right to intread. Yet her evil was overspoken when the full ladyhood deemed better to outreach goodwill to an outlander and friend, whom anywise they may laterward send away.
Inthriftier proved the welcome-bid I got, however, from the Ladyhood of the Spearcradle, whose gathership I clove, and who tally almost wholly outriders who are mothers, whitsomely older than the Roseclaw’s fellows, and many reeves and trucebodes (and markedly unfew former fellows forsaken from the Roseclaw and other maidenhoods). They welcomed me with an easy liss of veterans who had made stallworth and worry not of further proof. We sat sipping light mead while we suckled babes or oversaw their play, trading tales of work, war, and home. Of the twelve Outrider-ladyhoods in Qabarat, they are one of but four who ingather wives and mothers - yet those four are the biggest by fellowship-tally - and all four’s fellows are forbidden from beseeching to cleave the Ladyhood of Issendil, the oldest and foremost outriderhood begun by the Elflady Issendil herself while the Elder Time of the Thief-Queens. Yet my hosts bade me sorrow not for this seeming loss of nameworth with a word: ~Ste hishe shiafye zheievere linere o’ussi ve-de?~ - “Who else would make little outriders if not us?”
Among these ladies of the Spearcradle, I got soft worship for having gotten so soon back into fighting shape after Aeosel’s birth, which they acknowledged made my win over Byreath greater. ~Eshiliha di mi thina,~ - “There are no few stoneweights among us,” they ruefully shrove. Yet they gladly forelooked my toward fight in the next Games and swore to cheer me.
I learned, however, that here in Qabarat’s Games, Damaya do not fight Korasha, but instead hold shed foot-trials. When I asked how they then acknowledge the city’s foremost footwarrior, they answered that such does not even reck. ~Sti o’nae risim Korashra~ - “Why should we fight Korasha?” they asked back. They were utterly outshamed at my tale of Kazos, meeting him in even fight and under such threat to my worth. Of my win over Krastaes in Son’s City Games, they deemed it quaintly needful, since Son is so upper-strath and small that Damaya may have no choice. Yet while they begladdened of my win, they warned Korasha should not be so heartened to upstand. This speech missettled me, until I could not tell whether they held my worth greater for so having fought Korasha, or less for having besmirched myself by the same deed. I wonder what they would think of Oshis’s spear-trial win in Ofu-Laubu, although given that city’s size and farness like Son, they might likely outleave it.
Yet more reckful than these ladygames was the welcome-bode Taiase and I heard from the Philosophy Lorehall, selfsomely brought by High Mistress Tinuiel, head of the history-teachers, to a mean moottide among all three of Qabarat’s lorehalls, since all their teachers wished to meet Taiase. Thus the next day we came to the Diremoshu, which forehall with its stonelikenesses of both Burning-Mother and Green-Mother overlooking Heaven and Earth, rightly beweighed Taiase. So she met and got worship from all the lorehoods, and ingathering Master Hileas, Master Desh, and Master Tholias, whom we had met while hosting the Aslanta, who kindly cheered me. Their friendship gladdened among the dizzy swarm of lorewardens who wished to greet Taiase, though the three would not let me leave without oath to come to Master Desh’s next loretide and tell my fare with the Aslanta.
Thus when today earlier I stood in Master Desh’s readhall and looked on his lorelings’ upright antennae and reckful faces among the benches, I full-witted I have earned a small tithe of nameworth. Among the wars I have fought, the weapontrials, and slaughter, maybe my greatest deed - and the most bothersome - was the small sith of outworlders we had found out among the eastern marshwoods, lost, wounded, and stinking of their queer red blood, and what we had done to bring them home, and thereby awakened the twenty thousand year-old riddle that beringed even this great city: why had the Aslanta forsaken Qabarat (or ~Kasrovelaryum~, as they had named it), which they had settled here on Green-Mother ere their otherworldly empire’s end? The answer, however wantsomely misunderstood, lies in the ~Kezha Shamya-Voaea~ - the Curse of the Fallen Star, as we learned from the Elves, the same sake that made them leave Kyonin, even while it drove the Aslanta hence (some say to Red-Queen where their afterbears still dwell). Wiselessly and to our best knowledge, there had until then been no new link between our world and Qolaryon. Although we had stumbled on them by luck, we had chosen to send them home, whereof who can foretell whither will lead that small deed?
At the end, I spotted Master Mearthil at the hall’s rear: an Elf outstanding among so many Lashunta masters. He stayed until right ere my speech ended, and I feared to miss him. Yet almost as i reached, his words dinned in my mind, in Elvish, bereading that we shall speak soon.

Recap: Lady Vaeol's flag have said farewell to Vosaeth's household, and have left Ofu-Laubu to reach Qabarat by elfgate.

Lashunta Words & Phrases:

• Toe (spir): poof. onomatopeia for a sudden burst
• Nisaqua (com): the Snake-Rain; first flooding rain of Floodtide
• Nisa (com): it rains
• Qura (anim acc): snake. ~Qu~
• Mi: with; and
• Dahazura (anim acc): rat. ~Dahazu~
• Qolaryon (com): Lashunta rendition of Golarion
• Soelaura (com): elfpriest; nickname for Qabarat
• Homaea (com): friend
• Shola (com): true; good
• Thina (com): few; seldom
• Vaenma (com): trademate; trading partner
• Zheieve (fem): outrider; knight
• Halaeasse (fem partic): slaying; who slays/slew.
• Shaverazere (fem acc): Thief-Queen. ~Shaveraze~
• Zhefualya (spir acc): knack; skill. ~Zhefual~
• Di: not; negative adverb
• Yaztis (2nd-pers perf): you lost
• Ruzhyahaze (fem): Worry-Maker
• O'Himiadeni (adv): Besides
• Halaeaze-Shaverazeve (fem): Slayer of the Thief-Queen
• O'amahi (adv): nicely
• Hinae (spir): rings. ~Hinaeassi~
• Ste hishe (fem): who else
• Shiafye (fem cond): would/may birth
• Zheievere linere (fem acc): little outrider(s)
• O'ussi ve-de: if not us
• Eshiliha (com): stoneweight. ~36 pounds / ~18 kg
• Mi (adv): inclusive adverb
• Sti (spir): interrogative adverb; why; how
• O'nae (adv): must; should
• Risim (inc. cond): we would/may fight. ~Risassi~
• Korashra (masc acc): Korasha
• Kasrovelaryum (com): Lashunta rendition of Azlanti 'Castrovellarium'
• Kezha (com): curse; occurrence of a curse
• Shamya-Voaea (possessive): falling star; meteor; ~Shami-Voae~