Since the Mother had made the choice obvious to all the Zelandonia as to who should be First among them, they all packed up and left. "No, it has magic. There may be no more root left in this area and without it their memories will fade and their Clan as they know it might disappear from the earth. Stop now!' Would they claim all the kills for their people? We will make these people sorry they did this. She was happier than she'd ever been before. "I will leave it at that for now as we will be speaking further in the days to come. "As the Earth Mother rode into their midst all the people cringed. "Well, I have no intention of losing Jondalar. "Yes, Chandalar is a natural rider. "I must leave for the Zelandoni lodge soon to prepare for the Matrimonial. "First, I know that because of the Clan's way of speaking they can't tell a lie without it showing in some way to anyone else who speaks their sign language. With fingers that felt too numb to untie the intricate ceremonial knot - a knot that signified the sacred memory root - Brog finally managed to open the pouch and looked inside. He had to orientate himself to the sound before moving again. Mageb admitted they had the right to claim most of the kills, but he would insist they allow his people the three they had killed. Maybe that's why they helped them. He had begun to question his ability to challenge the Zelandoni from the Ninth Cave the second night after his arrival when he had wanted to get away from everyone else and think. As she jumped down from her horse he could see her muscled body flex and knew there was still quite a reserve of strength she could tap if necessary. It is very interesting to know that your horses have only been recently introduced to your people. ", Ayla noticed that the Third used the term Clan, rather than the more derogatory "flathead" when describing the people in the north. Joharran looked worried. She didn't even notice when many of the Zelandonia that she passed began to make the secret hand sign given when meeting the First Zelandoni who served the Mother. Look! As Jondalar made his way to the guest hearth he heard excited voices and a man saying, "and we will be there by the end of this moon. Jonayla and Cambarre called out suggestions and instructions to the three Chimu that accompanied them. She pictured the earthen pot that held the old Zelandoni's ashes, a woman who had been her friend and teacher. Both Jonayla and Cambarre were eager to be away, but it was Jonayla who encouraged Cambarre to pack up their travel gear early and she was the one who devised the plan to leave unseen by the others before the feasting was over. She is powerful beyond anyone I have ever known," Groog fell silent, realizing he might have just insulted his Mog-ur by his eager proclamation of this woman's spiritual power. Given to her through that Clan of hers. Joharran was shocked, but he believed her, it made sense. Until now I didn't even know if he still lived. The mesh panels had been removed and the wrapped body of Blandar was then suspended over the grave-pit by wooden poles and ropes made of sinew. Ayla shouted, placing stones in her sling and swinging it blindingly fast. He found there was firewood already stacked beside the campfire ring close to what was left of the tent. I don't remember ever tasting Elk steak with spices like that before, it was wonderful." People want explanations for things that sometimes have no explanation. Chapter 3 Ayla looked up to see her daughter, Jonayla, dismounting her horse with a look of concern as she hurried to her mother's side. This allowed them to announce their place in this world to the spirits of the next and to assist Blandar's spirit in making the transition that he must. Ayla pushed past Tormaden and jumped down beside the unconscious man. They all looked young to him because they had less hair on their bodies than Clan people and that would normally mean they were very young, but he knew better than to think that. It's more fun to walk through the Summer Meeting, you see more that way. As he walked past Willamar the old man said, "Nothing to be embarrassed about young man. It was hard to tell them apart. He was, like many of them, slightly built and had no beard. As the sputtering and indignation began to mount, the Donier of the Fifth Cave rose to his feet and commanded silence. Ayla brought Summer Child to halt. ", "That's fine," Ayla said. But she soon became more feverish and began to sweat profusely as did the child Robinar. Jonayla and I performed a spirit ceremony and spread Wolf's ashes in a protective circle on the pebbles surrounding the ashes of our First Zelandoni who had just journeyed to the Spirit World." "I promised Ayla that if the Zelandonii didn't accept her because of this, I would follow her to another home were acceptance would be unquestioned. Durcan reined his pony around and heeled it into a gallop toward the trees with Jonayla following closely behind him. ", "Yes, well I'm not surprised. You know that we use spearthrowers. "I'm glad that you're happy Ayla," Jondalar hugged her again, slowly rocking her back and forth, secure in his arms. You need to consider what you want your life to be like in the future. I think your sixty summers of experience are just what I need now." Maybe his people can help in the search. It looks like he's getting a little too big to be in a sling anymore," Cambarre observed. It would give Two Wolf Lodge one more evening to put everything in order and to leave the area at a convenient time for everyone. All of the pole-drags were loaded to capacity and slowed the trip. ", "Yes, it is almost exactly like the one Ayla made for me when we were mated. And when you gave me a colt to train," the Third said, with a smile of remembrance. They were coming! Cambarre continued to speak as if nothing had changed and at first Jonayla didn't know how to react. The Zelandoni and I hope the leaders from the Second and Third Caves will be here soon. Camma knew a leader when she saw one and felt a moment of disquiet as the attractive blonde woman walked among them, looking at each of them as if to acknowledge each in their turn with an ease and grace that Camma had to work hard at to achieve. Her daughter watched silently and knew that what had passed between the two Doniers was substantial and just. Ayla thought for a moment. Durc thrived because of her care and the kindness and understanding of other members of the Clan. She had thought that Denanna wouldn't attend if she wasn't personally invited and this just proved that her suspicion had been correct. He hated me and I hated him, but I loved the rest of the people in our Clan. As he saw the boy, Jondalar also noticed the opening of the sacred cave and the mysterious carvings chiseled into the rock lintel. They had been in discussions with several of the leaders who would be staying behind, including Denanna; Ayla was always careful to include her in discussions. But watching them work on the unconscious man, wrapping his injuries and cleaning his wounds, it was obvious that he was like them in many ways and so they were beginning to see him as a human being; a strange looking human being to be sure, but human all the same. "Covered with the red of blood from your mother's womb, you came into this world. Ayla was in totally black despair, numb to everything and everyone. Anyone who could call birds, horses and wolves to do their bidding was more powerful than anyone he'd ever known. The sacred site wasn't visited very often, but with the death of the First Zelandoni it would be the place where the replacement would be decided upon. So here he was, squatting beside a stream in the middle of nowhere waiting for no one in particular and wishing he had something to eat. Ayla hugged them both. "I'm sorry for my awkward words, I didn't mean to offend you. The man spoke in a very stilted version of the Zelandonii language as if he had come from the coastal region. He knew to show fear to this man would be a mistake. ", "Um, sorry," Cambarre said, glad that it was dark enough to hide his flush of embarrassment. Those who believed him, followed him into the hills, and those who didn't stayed behind. ", Ayla opened the folded hide and saw there was little more than a finger's length of fungus left. It was obvious that there was an undercurrent of tension. the man asked in a plaintive voice. But he was happy for a long time and Tulie loved him. "Mog-ur, your daughter told me that you were adopted to the hearth of Creb who was Mog-ur when you lived with our people in the east. Change your circumstances as the tea leaves changed the boiling water. Early the next morning the southern Donier conferred with all of the Zelandonia who had remained in the lodge to tend the child and mother and to watch over their leader. Could this be true? "There is a little pain when I really stretch, but I know that will go away in time. "Think carefully about what I'm going to tell you. This would give them time to prepare. Ayla paused to look up at a brilliant blue sky with hardly a cloud visible to the eye. As the couple clasped hands she tied them together with a simple leather thong as a token of their union. Ayla could see so much of Tricie and Ranec in their son Ralev. She was continually surprised by this new leader of theirs. "Take with you your favorite spear to hunt the spirit animals for sustenance," she said, putting his spear beside him and sprinkled it with red ochre. Of course Cambarre knew that she was able to talk sign language to them. You'll see," she said when she saw a slight flicker of doubt in her lover's eyes. No one had missed the fact they had a flathead with them. No one said anything. As the last few of the assembly found their places around the central hearth within the chamber, the Donier of the Fifth Cave stood to begin the day's meeting. I will never understand these things, but I'm not surprised the wolf cub belongs to the First Zelandoni's daughter. The bases of the logs were evenly spaced and anchored into an earth rampart and then the frame was covered with a patchwork of hides forming a huge pointed tent. These panels weren't as tall as Jondalar, so the top of his head could be seen from the main area when he stood. I'll stop by your story telling lodge to listen to some of your tales before too long. So I guess I'll never have children of my own," Lorala looked into the fire as she stood beside her friend. "Mother, are you all right? I know you said something must have happened to make him act the way he did, but you didn't say what you thought it might be. "The first moon is called Warming Moon, (March). They could both jog all day if necessary, while at a full-out run they would tire out in an hour or two. If I remember right Cambarre was born eighteen summers ago, at least that is what Jondalar told me. They had called her the names they had heard and they said they had heard that he was no better than a flathead himself, because he'd come from her polluted body. There was an awkward few moments while everyone stood and looked at each other. Ayla looked down at Jondalar. Durcan wasn't happy about being left behind, but Ayla reassured herself that at eleven summers, he would soon find things to distract himself from his disappointment. She could tell by his expression that he was eager to contribute something meaningful. His arms and hands were bloody from butchering the animals. Dula forgot herself and stared at the female Mog-ur. During this time they heard a loud singular noise, like a brief rumbling of deep thunder. ", Rubio had been listening to the Donier's voice, it sounded so strange, so unlike what he was used to. "You've been listening to us discuss the situation. [9][10], In October 2008, Auel was named an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture and Communication. Ayla could see that her daughter was struggling with something, but decided to remain silent and let her either talk about it or not. I think we have it just right. I saw the look in your eyes when you talked about Cambarre and a mother makes plans for her children, it's only natural. He noticed tiny little lines at the edge of her eyes, laugh lines, he thought. Satisfied that the fire would take, Ayla then reached for a Bison hide water bowl and filled it with water. "They don't have a complete verbal language. You have our support because we can't think of anyone among us who would be a better leader." Ayla wished that she didn't have to wait for Cambarre and the men that would come with him, but it would be foolish to traverse the forest by herself. The last I heard he was mated to Tulie as second mate. "Yes, of course we gave it to her as you suggested. "The older brother could not believe his eyes. "That is what our job is apparently, if you think about it. Carefully! Ayla screamed kneeling in the dirt beside the hideous find. She would have fallen in love with him and she would now be his mate and her children would be his. You see one thing on the surface, but there is more than meets the eye below the depths. She also wanted to be alone with just her family on the return journey, so she fended off all suggestions that she lead the returning Zelandonii or that she arrive ahead of the others with only the leaders to take credit for their success. 20. Ayla rode on, still not looking around her, but Jondalar could see the reaction of the Zelandonii people. She loved it as much as she loved Cambarre, 'only in a different way,' she thought, and smiled. he asked. 'Good girl, brave girl,' Cambarre thought. This woman's daughter had said that her mother was a Medicine Woman, but if she was, then she was losing this man no matter how well she had been trained. Even with the help of that Mamutoi storyteller and his troupe who constantly told the almost mystical stories about Ayla and Jondalar and their exploits in the east, the gossips still spread their lascivious stories to excite and titillate themselves and their listeners. ", Then suddenly Ayla stood and looked up into the sky, frowning. "You may be a medicine woman for your people," he conceded. Ayla looked to the southern Donier who spoke for all six. This one, however, spoke as if she were born to the Clan. To see the landscape change like this overnight made them both feel small and vulnerable. Although just how many, she wasn't entirely sure She would wait and see how the birth of their first child went. The leaders went off to call a meeting of all the hunters in preparation for the next day's search and to plan for the confrontation that was bound to follow. Many ceremonies in those years were altered to better fit the people's new understanding of the power of conception and the Mother's role in it. "Well, I'm not really sure what is happening north of North River," Tormaden began. Even when younger women teased him, trying to interest him, he thought of how much he loved his mate and how much happiness she'd given him over the years. The Zelandoni of the Fifth Cave stood up before anyone else could speak. He ran from dish to dish tasting the food and marveling at the succulent tastes and aromas. 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