A Castrovel Adventure: Part 5, Chapter 9

~O'mei Vaeol kove zelya hishya Marauqereth-Ileia.~ (In which Vaeol sees Lady Marauqereth’s other side.)

From the Daylog of Vaeol-Zheieveil Yaranevae be’Son

9. Shenelae 24,545 - 33rd Day in Ofu-Laubu
These late nighttides and morning homecoming are not helping drill or lore. Today has become another tarrytide, which at least bestows time to write.
Yesternight we nine - Taiase, Istae, Nelehi, Semuane, Rivale, Vosaeth, Remaue, Kaure, and I - hied to the Highburgh under Lady-Captain Marauqereth’s welcome. At the palace, Master Kaul hosted us back to the harem. While we strode, I bethought this was the first time we all came hither together, whereas Her Ladyship had ere guested us shedly. While we had overtalked deeds, we now behaved unlike. Vosaeth, even after my wild oathsister had made lovely truce with her Ladyship, seemed newly bothered, making me reckon her stern Retaea pride. It may be one thing to intread and idle in a noblewife’s harem, but another else to do so under friend’s and kindred’s witness.
We found the elfyard no longer swy, but gleefully quick. Drums and songwoods played while dancers leapt, and unmerely the haremmates. When Master Kaul yelled our intread, Lady Marauqereth came forth, wearing jewels from bosom to feet, a row of garnets on silver chains running down her belly, waist and thighs. She giddily greeted our bowed napes, and then ran to us each and bestowed kisses. Then she took my and Vosaeth’s babes and danced a trend with each.
I witted a mood in her I had ere never beheld, something wild, playful, and huntersome. ~Araemi dami~, - “Tonight is for idleness,” she outlaid whisper in my ear, and then wickedly grinned. ~Yazi veara,~ - “Lose yourself.”
I withheld answer that I know my self’s loss too well, since the Komori I underwent on my bridetide. Thus I saw fit to withhold from the meadbrandy and instead took a light elfwine I shared with Remaue. Not so Vosaeth and Kaure, who took snifters of the stronger drink, maybe to soothe their hearts. My oathsister I soon understood was upsizing the other mirthbearers, reckoning their stalwartness and mightiness, as if she uplooked foes. Taiase, who hither came first ever, did samely, staying near Istae whose arm she held, while Semuane learningly watched the dance. I behooved my son and motherhood to claim a bench among the elfring trees with Remaue in tow, whence we sat and tried to read the mirthtide’s flow.
We soon learned that the other guests ingathered, by the breastdishes like outriders they wore with an added winglike shoulderdish, the skyrider wingtroop led by the lady-captain. At once I grew heedful, since I had often heard of a longstanding feud between outrider and skyrider.
While we watched Semuane and Nelehi beseeched to cleave the dance. Lady Novoli, no less worthy than lady-captain’s steadholder, answered something while her antenna flicked sideward. Then she left the dance. Sight enough at our maidenlove’s blue jaw hanging open.
Remaue and I shared a thought: if our housemates even so behaved, we would behold a fight, if not a weapontrial. So forewarned, Remaue hastily stood host on Vosaeth (beshrivedly our most hothearted fellow), I outsought the lady-captain, who stood within a knot of two other skyriders and three of her haremmates, the Damayas tea-groom and two Korasha, While the ladies fondled the men’s shoulders, I nodded at Her Ladyship’s side and outthought whether there might be any unforelooked ill will we should beware. Lady Marauqereth headed, mouth awonder, and asked what had happened. I answered that skyriders might indeed look down on outriders as they fly overhead, but it would behold an uncouthness if they did samely at this gathertide.
Her Ladyship cocked her head. ~Li qoanya athala nezhisanta,~ she lightly answered: “That may make inthrifty sport.” Then she offheaded back to her Damayas tea groom, wrapped a jeweled arm over his breast, and nuzzled his neck. So she left me aloss at her back and further unheeded by the other skyriders, who flirted to make the two Korasha earn their goodwill.
I overlooked the elfyard, which anon seemed more snaresome than when last I had trodden its idle stepstones, and heartened Aeosel to quell a wail growing in his little lungs, reading my mood. Witting Remaue’s hand on Vosaeth’s arm while my wifemate leaned readingly near, and Kaure shifted to trusty stead near Semuane and Nelehi, I deemed our worst threats foremet. I headed to Taiase and Istae, who held a knot of reckful talkers. I outthought them the plight, and behooved our elder friend’s princess-like nameworth to catch awareness and soften the mood.
Soon we began a loud speech about the oldest elflove-tales that had trickled from Qabarat (or Mir-Annuigaer its elvish name, as Taiase had known it) while the Sage-Queens’ time, how the first Lashunta poets had overwrought them, and how elflove’s craft was first wielded among the princesses and noblewives of the Yaro alderhalls and harems, wherein Taiase told it had swiftly grown into another depth among the subtle hallcraft games. Then the talk swerved, although not in evil wise, when the ladies learned Taiase has never read the ~Huael Valmae Yazantae~ - the _Woe for Lost Valmaea_, which (unless I mistake by a yearscore more or less) was written while she had been queen. Lady Tiril, one of Her Ladyship’s haremmates, proved a learned gleewife and sang the Fifth Leed while we danced, wherein Liarduss forsakes the Asana Fleet, fights and fells Krimnyas, and yields to Queen Anmae, who raises him to harem-captain. After the end, Taiase’s heed was sharply drawn to the starkness of Korasha playing a main share in the Huael’s tale, to which we could only answer that it so goes even further.
Even so well as our talk led, anon an angry yell shook the elfyard. I looked right in time to see a skyrider’s hand strike Kaure’s cheek, who stood stalwartly before Semuane. Against this growing feud, my maidenmate had the forbearing wisdom to take the blow even while Semuane’s warning word bade the other lady stand down. My love’s forbearance, however, did not soften my wrath. Yet too far, we could not stay the lady’s ongoing shamelessness that a Korashe so dared withstand, and so set more strongly for another blow.
Kaure, ere another stroke, caught the skyrider’s fist. Our maidenmate twisted, crouched, and swung the lady over her shoulder, whose slight Damaya frame folded like a sail and toppled afloor. Kaure overstrode and locked the lady’s arm behind her back in so smart a grapple (but hurtsome I doubt not) as I have ever witnessed, and whereat I must shrive pride against the shy wretchedness whence my beloved had first come to us. Against the Lauba outshame after Kaure’s boldness, Vosaeth and I bore our babes and loosened birthmight, which rattled the dishes and (later quoth Remaue) made me glow blazelike. Our dare bade the skyriders tell by what right they so idly offthanked our housemates.
Then Lady Marauqereth instrode and bade all stand down. Listfully we stilled. Yet instead of dimming the tightness, Her Ladyship eyed first Kaure, and then the offthanking skyrider, almost as if weighing thurses at the stockyard. ~O’romi risya-ruaelye,~ she grinned: “Let them fight.” I swerved to Marauqereth and loudly outquoth we found Her Ladyship’s guesthood slighter than ereward. The young lady-captain idly looked back with antennae high and that wild mood glowing full. She answered that, if her guesthood showed slighter, it bestood from reason that it so gladdened her.
~Oe shila elma thina zeio’ryri shaere halaezyelf!~ - I snapped back: “And it has been a mere few months since last I slew a queen!”
The stillness following my word rang thunderlike. It was rightly false, since Byreath whom I had slain had been no true queen, though many had bematched her to the elder Thief-Queens whose yestermind she had worshiped. Yet not only had I openly dared Lady Marauqereth, but had fordone an unthinkable awkwardness. I had named what must not be named.
I could only dream what answer, to say nothing of Her Ladyship, the gathered Lauba would behave. Yet against the outshame and wrath growing over all the watchers aring: one din broke through: laughter. I headed again to Lady Marauqereth. The young captain hunched with a mirth choking her throat and clutching her belly. Neither did it soften but kept wild even while her face darkened orange. Breathlessly she neared until her hand lay upon my shoulder, though the laughter ended not, and even Master Kaul hove near, doubtlessly worried for his haremmistress’s healthy mind.
At last, the young captain, still chuckling, said she misdoubted anyone had erever so spoken her. Somewhat ruing my word (and wary of the skyriders, who doubtfully shared their captain’s goodwill), I begged sorrow and beseeched to withdraw my loves and housemates, since we would no longer bother her harem’s peace. Lady Marauqereth naysaid, answering we were far too gleesome to leave. Then she oddly halted: ~Ziari iheshi-si o’nae zheali,~ - “Yet your dare must be answered.” She took my arm and offheaded. ~Zieni~ - “Follow.”
Her Ladyship led me to a sideroom alone from the mirthtide, where she bade us sit. Then, against my forelook, she kissed me. With brows and antennae together, again she giggled, again saying none since childhood had dared so speak. ~Yei o’aeasae moae…~ - “So in wise to a fee…” she merrily muttered.
Against her mirth, my mind tightened, dreading under her mightiness what she might idly deem, which made Aeosel kick my shoulder. Lady Marauqereth sat back, grin broadening. She bespoke my flag’s Firstpear Oshis, who, if she reminded truly, was not only my fathermate (nodding at my son) but also Vosaeth’s. ~Naea evanis,~ - “You know my need,” she said. Thus she bade me loan Oshis, whereby we should have forehap to become childsisters.
A breathtide I halted, reckoning her bid. Then bewinningly I answered that Oshis was indeed my fathermate, and furthermore my bridetide’s First Man. I added, however, that he had so thewed not at my bid alone, but under his sworn wifemate’s leave, my beloved Firstspear Erymi. Ere I could outlay further, however, Her Ladyship spoke: ~Olla. Orya ruqeami,~ - “Good. Bear her my boon.” Then she led me back to the mirthtide.
We found the mirthtide split and awaiting the lady-captain’s doomword, with the skyriders on the elfyard’s one side, our household on the other, and the haremmates amidst seemingly trying to stay truce. Her Ladyship led me to the inner fey-ring and gathered all the guests. Then she raised my hand overhead and outquoth: ~Iqovi homaere valantere vi-kaolassere, oyere urealf yi mie,~ - “Behold my beloved friend, who has my goodwill, and whom I would name sister. Then she kissed me before the throng. Whether the skyriders’ jaws hung lower or my housemates’ I rightly know not.
I hastened to my housemates, who on swift thought asked what had happened. ~Neh’ezimi~ - “Much whim,” I warned, for truly I could be sure of little else. Vosaeth and I made foreshrift to change our sons’ mossnapkins, and also led Kaure and Remaue to the sidenook, where I told the boon Lady Marauqereth beseeched. Their shock shone bright until I warned them to shut mouths and loosen antennae. Vosaeth asked how this lustplay had grown to seeking kinship. I could not answer.
We refound Taiase, who was again talking with Lady Tiril about the bond in the Huael between Queen Anmae and Imaeus her haremmate, who not only behaves as her main rede-bearer, but openly withstands her choice to wield the Moqeva’s eldritch banecraft and then kills himself in gaindeed, and which tale is an oft-bestriven philosophy riddle on how Korasha may embody wisdom where Damaya lack. Herein I could not withhold word (with my arm lovingly on Kaure’s shoulder) that this riddle only stands if one foreguesses Damaya worthier than Korasha. This brought Lady Tiril’s swift question of how one may uphold civilization if Korasha stand no less wise than Damaya. I answered that eyesomely wisdom and civilization share little mean with each other. When she warned that such thought might become foreweft for tearing down civilization’s good dightliness, I deemed back that civilization must seek better right than a lie. Then I gave Kaure my babe, hugged them tight, and left together, and without Her Ladyship’s leave.
Our household’s fare back to the Lowburgh at last bestowed time to overtalk Lady Marauqereth’s beseech for Oshis as her manlove. Vosaeth, against Remaue’s glee and Semuane’s and Istae’s befuddleness, again outspoke shock at this unforewared bid for kinship, while Taiase, with queenly knowledge, warned whether we could rightly withstand. Yet I cut all their words swy. ~Hoae di mei~ - “The choice is not ours,” I overread.
Fittingly today, after our late morntide, we sought Erymi, whom we made aware. My wifelove and childsister sat reckoningly, Tesine held ownersomely on her lap, and reminded the hoverball game in Lea when Lady Marauqereth had cloven us. She again bespoke Oshis flirtsomely betting with Her Ladyship (an ale keg he had forgotten to yield and I had) but had not witted any greater weight. She half-jokingly asked whether they had offsneaked under the watchstand beyond her witness, which we knew had not happened.
~A ile koea lindis,~ - “My lady, you spoke the truth,” she said after my tale. ~Se diahi hoaese, oe ve dizime,~ - “You cannot choose, and neither can I.” Then she said whomto we must speak. I asked what choice she would wish as his wifemate, to which she answered it recked not.
Thus we found ourselves soon sitting before Oshis, holding hands with Erymi while Taiase and Vosaeth stood at our backs, outlaying that Lady-Captain Marauqereth beseeched his good thewdom and manliness to fee back the offthank I had yielded. Erymi swiftly added she would uphold him allwise, to which I eagerly yaysaid. Unforeseenly our manlove halted; antennae forth. ~Stya zayaea-shyaelis?~ he asked: “What are you bidding me?” ~O’lomi domi-sya zayaf,~ - “I bid you nothing at all,” I answered, and outlaid again I was merely boding Her Ladyship’s boon. I reckoned telling that this was a high worthiness, would outcomefully bename him as a queenly haremmate, and even bore forehap to father a princess.
I foreknew these whits recked nonesoever to my manlove. ~Dei o’shili hoae-vei?~ - “Is it truly my choice?” he asked. I yaysaid, and in that breathtide knew his answer ere he spoke: ~Yei di illavas,~ - “Then I will not.”
Arear, I felt Vosaeth bother. She understood not his withhold, dolefully since he had shown no such mood when they had swived up Father-Yaro’s run from Qabarat to Son and laid Sonnauf in her womb, nor since his many brags (often while wine-besotten) of the many children he had fathered between Valmaeana and the Shattersea Shore. Yet Erymi reached forth and squeezed his hand. Then she tearfully sat upon his lap and drew his brow within her bosom. I understood as well, and blessed his choice. It is one thing to besway a haughty wife and behold her weakness, which game Oshis had ever loved (often to his misluck). It is another thing to let a thrallsome bid to bed. My beloved Oshis is proud and deems himself worthier than most wives see him, merely forwhy he is Korashas.
Erymi bade me take Tesine while she stayed to bestow her manmate a right reward. I let my housedaughter play with her half-brother, although Taiase again came to overread. ~Eshi haya kaushunilonassa,~ - “This will make things even more manifold,” which I could not gainsay.
Oshis forewared it, too, when laterward he sought me and asked whether he had chosen well. I assured him so, and added that not he but I had threatened to kill a queen. This wrought a wry chuckle from his throat, whereat I kissed his brow and forespoke the dearth was mine, and that I would meet it straightly.
Oshis in wholesome fathermate-wise knelt and kissed my belly. ~Di hoadaf sere yuassere, a Ile, hei o’hoae-vei zienya-ruaeldaf,~ - “I did not choose to love you, my lady, but did choose to follow you.” Then he swore that I should not meet doom alone, but together. Ere that breathtide, I had never loved him more.
We will soon have hap to tell Oshis’s choice to Her Ladyship, since today we got wordbode to come tomorrow to the palace. Will Lady Marauqereth take his naysaith with the idle mirth wherewith she answered my offthank, or will her ill will waken? Or will it waken the queen?

Recap: Lady Vaeol, Taiase, Istae, and Semuane have received an invitation from Lady Marauqereth to attend a mirthtide, to be held within the royal harem.

Lashunta Words & Phrases:

• Araemi (spir): tonight
• Dami (spir): idleness; pleasure. Alternately, 3rd-person spiritual of ~Damassi~: to pleasure
• Yazi - direct imperative of ~Yazassi~: to lose
• Veaere - accusative of ~Veae~ (fem): self
• Li (spir): 3rd-person/distal adverb
• Qoanya - 3rd-person common conditional of ~Qoanassi~: to become
• Athala (com): sport; game
• Nezhisanta (com): inthrifty; interesting
• Huael (spir): woe; sorrow; tragedy
• Valmae Yazantae - Possessive spiritual of ~Valmaea Yazanta~ (com): Lost Valmaea
• O'romi - auxilliary adverbial of ~Romassi~: to let; allow
• Risya-ruaelye - 3rd-person feminine conditional humble-polite of ~Risassi~: to fight
• Oe: and. Verbal conjunction
• Elma (com): Castrovellian month; eighteen days
• Thina (com): few; seldom
• Zeio-ryri: since last
• Shaere - accusative of ~Shae~ (fem): queen(s)
• Halaezyelf - 1st-person active past dependent of ~Halaeassi~: to kill; slay; murder
• Ziari (spir): yet
• Iheshi-si: your dare. 2nd-person possessive if ~Iheshi~ (spir): dare; challenge
• O'nae zheali: must answer / must be answered
• Zieni - direct imperative of ~Zienassi~: to follow
• Yei - So; then
• Aeasae (spir): foreword; condition
• Moae - spiritual possessive of ~Moa~ (com): fee; payment
• Naea - accusative of ~Nae~ (spir): need
• Evanis - 2nd-person active of ~Evanassi~: to know; understand
• Olla (common): good
• Orya - accusative of ~Ori~ (spir): boon; favor
• Ruqeami - direct imperative of ~Ruqeamassi~: to bode; convey; communicate
• Iqovi - direct imperative of ~Iqovassi~ to behold
• Homaere - accusative of ~Homae~ (fem): friend
• Valantere - fem. accusative of ~Valanta~: beloved
• Vi-kaolassere - fem. accusative participle of ~Vi~ 1st-person adverb + ~Kaolassi~: to favor; accord goodwill
• Oyere - fem. accusative of ~Oya~: relative pronoun
• Urealf - 1st-person conditional of ~Urealassi~: to name; nominate
• Yi: as. Simile conjunction
• Mie (fem): sister
• Neh'ezimi: much whim. Contraction of ~Nehi~ (spir): whim; whimsy + ~Ezimi~ (spir): much; great
• Hoae (spir): choice
• Di (spir): not; negative adverb
• Mei (spir): inclusive pronoun
• A ile - vocative of ~Ile~ (fem): lady; honored female
• Koea - accusative of ~Koe~ (spir): truth; soothness; reality
• Lindis - 2nd-person active past of ~Limassi~: to speak; say
• Se (fem): You
• Diahi (spir): cannot
• Hoaese - 2nd-person feminine conditional of ~Hoassi~: to choose
• Ve (fem): I; we. 1st-person exclusive pronoun
• Dizime (fem): neither; not also; not including
• Stya - accusative of ~Sti / Stei~ (spir): what
• Zayaea-shyaelis - 2nd-person active honorific of ~Zayassi~: to bid; command
• O'lomi: everyway; at all. Adverbial phrase of ~Lomi~ (spir): all; every
• Domi-sya - 2nd-person accusative of ~Domi~ (spir): nothing
• Zayaf - 1st-person active of ~Zayassi~: to bid; command
• Dei o'shili: 'Is it truly?' ~Dei~: interrogative particle + shili (spir): true; accurate
• Illavas - 1st-person masculine passive of ~Illassi~: to will; intend
• Eshi (spir): even
• Haya - 3rd-person common of ~Hassi~: to do; make
• Kaushunilonassa - comparative common participle of ~Kaushunila~: manifold; complex
• Yuassere - accasative feminine participle of ~Yuassi~: to love; desire; lust