Brand and Vaeol - Chapter 16

3. Neth, 4718 - 2nd Day at the Hall of Stars, 44th Day on Castrovel   Last night, I saw something that has bothered me, and whereof I know not what to do. I had gone to the privy (it’s easy to run plumbing when one dwells on a mountaintop) when I walked by a bedroom where I beheld Vaeol’s two archers, Sievae and Nivaue. More importantly, Oshis the burly lancer-sergeant, who is overmore lover with Erymi the other sergeant who had stayed back at the mountain's foot, had his head buried between their touching bosoms. The threesome were standing together; arms on shoulders or otherwise stroking faces or breasts. More tellingly, their brow-feelers were all twisted together in the wise I have gleaned is more intimate than common. While their play heated, I tore myself away.   Much as I don’t understand relationships among Lashunta, Vaeol had led me to know that things swing more openly than among Humans back home, and maybe even more so than Elves. What confuses me is that Damaya are presumably held to chastity until their military service is ended, which is surely not the sake with the two playing with Oshis. Also, what standing does this have with Erymi? Is this behavior allowed, or is he cheating? I chose not to say anything for fear I might make more harm from ignorance.   After lunch today, the astrologers showed us a record: an enchanted crystal, which when quickened, showed a scrolling vision of Lashunta script, and also a voice that read the same. On translation, it proved a record of a treaty Son had sealed with the Azlanti Empire. There was little to tell other than the Azlanti ambassador’s name - Tarquinius - and the agreed terms, which was access, apparently, to a gate. At this word I gave full attention.   After the record ended, I asked of this gate, which seemingly lies at a place named Khabarat. According to Lady Vaeol, it is well known as one of the Lashunta’s chief cities. I asked if this might be a way home, at which she answered that Son and Khabarat are allies and word has already been sent. Despite myself, the thought drew my excitement.     17. Vinelae, 24,535 - 2nd Day at the Hall of Stars   Today we slept late, and I shrive I rued yesterday’s climb. When I was a loreling, I could climb up or down every day. Shota-riding uses an else set of thews. The priests let us tarry, which was much needed.   On my way out, I walked by a door, whereby I learned how Oshis had stayed warm overnight. He had shared bed with both Nivaue and Sieveae. At first, I froze, for here lay an awkward dightness-breach I could not easily unmind. While he and Erymi are mates, and moreover veterans, both Damaya are newlings within their first firdhood, and like us else, forebidden to stay maiden.    It might be a wrongness on my share, but I kept going. I have told none of this find, else than Remaue, over which we have whispered and asked whether we should speak to Erymi. She raised other mind, pointing out that the maidens' firdhood will end in another month, and whether any true harm lies in them entering wifehood early. Thus we merely hope Oshis got Erymi’s leave ere he dallies with anyone else.   We had noon-meal with Master Raess, Master Nifas the head lorewarden, and Master Hil the head astrologer, who eagerly spoke with Brand. Master Nifas told he believes there was log of an earlier Aslanta hitherfare and foreyielded to show us. We yaysaid and afterward went to the First Dome, where he bade the lorewarden bring a log-glass. He tapped it, and a voice began reading (the only sight was spelling).   It behappened that, while the reign of Queen Aheale in the Third Yearthousand, an Aslanta trucebode came to Son. A peacebond of friendship was sealed between Son and the Aslanta Empire (which word upholds Brand’s claim of Aslanta being a folk moreso than the kind), where the Aslanta swore faith to Son in trade for right to use the Qabarat Worldgate. This catches mind for many reasons, unleastly for all happened within the Age of the Warrior-Queens, wherein many loremasters reckon the history whimsical. It also happened merely a few hundred years ere fall of Son’s eldest empire, but also more inthriftily ere Qabarat’s founding by the Elves, which means the Worldgate had stood even ereward. From what I understand, Son once claimed rulership of the whole Yaro Strath, from the Shattersea shore out to the Retaea Moorlands. So it makes good thought that Son in that age had ruled the Gatestead where Qabarat now stands, and so that the Aslanta would deal with Son. Mindfully, the Hall of Stars was not founded until almost three thousand years later. Master Nifa put forth that this log might be brought from Son, as were once all things linked to starlore.     18. Vinelae - 3rd Day at the Hall of Stars   Yesternight after Moonset, we treated Brand to a worthy sight: his own world. Master Raess led us into the New Dome. He had the Great Farsight-Glass aimed on Blue-Queen and bade brand look through. Brand set his eye to the eyeset. When he withdrew and stood upright, his eyes were bright, and his face pale. He shrove he had never seen his world from afar. Then he joked it was smaller than he recalled.   From what little we can reckon beyond the Blackness, Blue-Queen is roughly our world’s same size. Also, from what I recall from lorehood, Blue-Queen’s moon was the first we found bound to another world like ours, which rose shortly afterward and blessed us with Her glow.   Brand today spent the morntide with Master Raess and Master Hil, who would match the Aslanta’s knowledge against their own. Unhappily, Brand shrove he was not well learned in starlore. He knows the greater worldss’ names and elsewise the star-sets. This last thing caught the lorewardens’ inthrift, and they matched starnames.   I have enjoyed this while at the Hall after so many years. Tomorrow we shall head back down, rejoin the others, and go homeward       4. Neth, 4718 - 3rd Day at the Hall of Stars, 45th Day on Castrovel   Last night, the astrologers invited me to the main observatory. It was scarcely an hour after dusk when they showed me a bright blue star through the dome’s open shutter. They had already aimed a great spyglass I reckoned twenty feet long, the largest I have ever seen, at that spot. They bade me look through the eyepiece, wherein I saw a ball that looked almost like a child’s marble: white shot swirlingly through an otherwise blue gem, and quite pretty. Furthermore, while I watched, a pale bright point emerged from behind, almost like another star, and settled beside the larger azure parent.   I pulled back from the spyglass and eyed the blue star, the night’s brightest. A queer thought struck me. I reckoned how Castrovel, with its distinct green-silver hue, is the brightest star in our sky back home.  When I turned to my hosts, they were all grinning at me. 'The Blue Queen' they named the star: Golarion. The telescope was showing me home. That bright point breaking from its rim was the Moon as it circles endlessly through Heaven’s ether. The white streaks over watery blue were clouds.   I think I made some light joke about it looking smaller than I remember. In truth, I was fighting to keep from tearing up. I know I’d been missing home, but had not forethought it would hit me so hard.   The head astrologer asked why Golarion is blue, to which I answered it is doubtlessly from our many oceans and, I read, forwhy our clouds are thinner and let them show through. They asked whether our world is all sea or if there is land. I assured there is land, though the geographers reckon the oceans’ size is broader.   Later, their moon rose, and we talked of it. They were curious how our moon is different from theirs, for though they can see it, it’s too small to make out whits. I told that it is roughly same, and ours shows smaller in the sky. They explained, according to their legends, their moon Elindrae is an Elf-god and a trickster, which I agreed such sounds like Elves. It is good to know we have like perspectives. Another star they showed me. They retrained the telescope at another bright point and bade me look. To my surprise, I saw not only a small orb, but also it had rings. The Dreaming Queen they named it. At once I wondered if they meant Bretheda, who is called in lore the Dreamer. I remember an old school-rhyme of Bretheda Dreaming in her golden girdle and wonder if it refers to this same ring about its midst. Doubtlessly the Azlanti had known of this feature. Had its memory survived in children's songs?   Today we met the astrologers for lunch, where we resumed our talk on the stars. I know not enough of astrology to discuss constellations at length, but from what I know of the planets, I was stricken by more odd similarities of description. Akiton - Red Warrior they name - is associated with War. Brother Shota - as they name Aballon - with travel. Eox - the Skull’s Eye - with Death. Bretheda with visions. Do our astrologies share the same root, even on different worlds? Maybe the Elves are the cause. They grew fascinated when I mentioned our astrologers use the stars to cast horoscopes and foretell the future, for which they must use other methods.   One new thing, however, is that to the Lashunta the Sun is paramount. Among the overclouded lowlands its sight is a mighty and lucky omen. Here on this mountaintop, they consider themselves walking under perpetual blessing. I have seen not only the lesser warriors but also Lady Vaeol kneeling out on the narrow yard beside the temple and praying in the sunshine. I get the sense that, despite her obvious learning (she apparently studied here and knows almost as much as the residents), she has a deep religion.     5. Neth - Down the Mountain, 46th Day on Castrovel   Today we made the long climb back down to the village, which we reached maybe an hour before dusk. I got the feeling we had some urgency, and caught mention of storms that blow. I had no wish to be caught on that exposed stairway with gale-strength winds screaming, to say nothing of slipperiness. It was cold enough that I could imagine ice, even on this tropical world. Now that we are safe in the inn, with ale and a blazing hearth, let the weather rage all it will.   Thanks to Lady Vaeol’s tongue-spell, I had a lively talk with a couple older Korasha fellows, farmers and hunters with thinning pates and fully, bushy beards, who had come for a drink. They kept calling me Master Elf, seemingly due to my height, and treated me to some cups of bragget. They spoke of their children, some who dwell here or have gone elsewhere, some who even now serve in the militia, and one who has gone off to a war in some stead called Valmae-yana, which was the first I’ve heard. They spoke of their wives, to whom they are beholden though unafraid of voicing complaint, for much of their speech regarded arguments with their mistresses. Of Son they had respectful word, though I got hint they do not misgive the city lying several days away, which leaves these villagers to their own business. After so much strange and wonderful over these weeks, it was refreshing just to listen to common folk. If I shut my eyes, I could see them as a couple old farmers sitting in a tavern back where I grew up.     Soelae Treesong, 24,535 - From the Hall of Stars to Viafill   Today we made the climb back down the Ten-Thousand Stairway, in good time ahead of a storm foretold. I have undergone storms upon the mountaintop while my lorehood, and had not looked forward. I told Remaue how the chill can numb feet and fingers, and even kill the flesh if outside, and even inside how wind-ghosts will shriek through the temple’s walls, and no hearthfire can warm enough when such ill weather comes. She mocked me as a fearful outrider. Much as I knew that but one stormnight would shift her mind, I had no heart to make us stay another night.   The others waiting at the townhold welcomed us gladly, including Erymi’s open arms for Oshis, which Remaue and I helplessly watched. Laterward, however, I asked Remaue to bring Erymi to the stallbarn. She stared startledly when she found me waiting, and asked what betided.    I had never had a question so hard as when I then asked whether she knew what Oshis was playing among our troop’s maidens. Erymi stilled, though I could see a hundred thoughts war upon her face. At last she asked quailingly what I meant by telling her this deed, and also whether I did so as her friend or as reeve. Tearfully I answered as her friend, for my first thought had risen for her sake. This word brought a sigh, for I guess she had feared I would bring reproof against her manmate. With a headshake, she told that she and Oshis have a matebond, under which he is allowed to seek other wives’ goodwill, though erenow she had not ere thought he would seek idleness among the maidens. Remaue and I repeated our deemship that, with but a month left in the newlings’ firdhood, this sin may be foregiveable. I also warned, however, that any reeve else may not deem so easily, whereat she forespoke to hold back her manmate’s lust. Then sobbingly I fell into her arms and shrove my fear of offthanking her and Oshis. Erymi laughed and named me a good and frank friend for bringing her this business. Then she kissed me, which made me blush. She left with a hand-stroke lingering, forespeaking to deal with Oshis, and left me under Remaue’s heed, and stroking my antennae at her touch’s yesterwhit.     9. Neth - Return to Son, 50th Day on Castrovel     After four days travel, today we again reached the Yaro River and ferried across to Son, where Lady Vaeol and the others brought me to our company’s house. Then they left, doubtlessly to make report. I found much awaiting me and have had little time until now.   The men welcomed me back gladly, but were also mightily upset. They told word that we are to leave Son in two days’ time, when we will be taken to another place named Khabarat. At that name my ears perked. I bade them not to worry, for I told I had heard of this other city, and furthermore there are elfgates and maybe even a way back home. This got their eager interest, and I bade them continue readiness for travel, which apparently will be by boat. I then spoke with Thalaes our steward, who confirmed the word had come from Princess Zhasael who heads the Matrons’ Senate (and is Lady Vaeol’s mother). Lady Vaeol doubtlessly was even then receiving the same word, for which I thanked him.   Then Vern hobbled forth on a new crutch and asked to speak in private. He nodded to the house’s front, where we went out to the street and down a way, where only Lashunta could overhear and we could look out for any of our men. Vern informed that morale has worsened, and the men had gotten into an ill mood while the two weeks I’d been gone. Only Draxy spoke Elvish and so could speak with our hosts unless a mind-wizard came down from the Esotericum. Drazy had behooved this to increase his standing among the men and had spun a dire yarn that the Lashunta are planning to hold us captive indefinitely. What he might be thinking to do once the men fall under his sway I have no idea. Yet it would doubtlessly be foolish as it would be evil. Vern has done his best to stem mutiny, but could not refute Draxy’s claims, and on one foot could not harry him fast enough to keep him from whispering in ears. I will need to do something before Draxy makes real trouble.     5. Soelae, 24,535 - Son   Today we came home and brought Brand back to the house in Lowertown, where his men happily welcomed him. We left him there and brought word to Lady-Captain, which truthfully took little time. She told word has come from Qabarat: we have forespoken to bring the Aslanta thither and together reckon their fetch. She bade ready to leave in two days.   Afterward, I went to Lady-Mother’s house, who bade me stay for duskmeal. She gladly saw me after so many days. We talked of Qabarat and our alliance with them, which I know has often wearied my mother’s mind. She read it would do well to remind Qabarat that we are their allies and not their underlings, and bade I shall work with Qabarat but not give them leadership.  She knows their High Matron, Her Highness Lady Ivasill, and bade me deal straight with her.   Lady-Mother also gave me word of a scoutfare she had sent to betrust the Aslanta’s tale of the worldgate through which they had first come. She told they had found it within the guts of an elder wreckstead long overgrown, right as Brand had bespoken. I was startled, for I knew no city in History that lies in that landstead, and so asked which it is. She answered it is Hoshiasa.   My blood chilled. Twenty-four thousand years ago, Hosiasha was capital of the Moqeva, the fiends and their empire that once ruled Asana, where they worked unholiness and hunted the elder Lashunta. Tess, the First Queen, tamed Shotaviras to save her folk from them, and the Warrior-Queen Eieshe founded Son as a bulwark against the Moqeva’s onslaught. Then for a thousand years warfare throed between the two cities until the gathered Lashunta under Queen Inene stormed Hoshiasa’s walls, burst it gates, and slew the fiendish dwellers with fire and blade. Hoshiasa’s wreckstead was then outnamed cursed and lost to history; its secrets deemed forlorn and buried under the rainwood’s trees and brambles, until now. What does it foreman that evil stead has again come to light?