Now I can find out what you've been up to since we last heard of you and what Jondalar's home cave is like. Ayla yelled over her shoulder, "Someone please start a fire! Jonayla fell to her knees, tears flowing down her cheeks. I prayed to the Mother, hoping that you would find peace wherever it was you had gone.". They all knew that soon enough the snow would fall and they would be trapped in their caves or nearby them, at best. "Yes, your father's advice is well to heed." Ayla looked around her as if in a daze. That would not work for the pack horses or a large group of people. Most often, even that was omitted and they simply turned away and left. Who could tell? His Clan had lived in these hills for generations, only moving from time to time to a different location in order to allow the necessary natural resources to replenish themselves. Now he was determined to try to accept her and what he was seeing. "You must trust me! He leaned over and kissed her on the lips. Groog looked relieved when he realized that the woman understood his dilemma and was willing to communicate through the man. I'll make it up to you when we get back.". ", "I'm too old; I don't have the stamina, or the desire for it. Afterward, they clung to each other, gasping for breath. Be fearless in this. I know what this meeting will be about and you know my feelings about flatheads. It couldn't be older than a moon phase, if that. This was a time when it was expected that good wishes should be exchanged between different groups, even if some lodges had no one mating at that particular Matrimonial. 14. She had lived up to her promise to the one who had previously been First Zelandoni, as well as to the Mother herself. And since there are more caves in the north, the Summer Meetings would only be held in the south once every five summers, unless suitable areas in the south can be found that would allow more than that without depleting the natural resources required to sustain the people for the duration of a Summer Meeting. She wanted to please this woman, this Donier leader who so impressed her. I am so grateful to you Zelandoni, you are truly First among the Zelandoni. Ever since the troubles had begun with the Others, the Clan had posted lookouts within sight of their caves. Then after a moment looking back at the blonde holy woman, she commanded one of the men to lead them to the guest hearth. He grunted, then signed, "That is not a normal totem mark, there is no ash mixed in and it is larger than any I have seen before. Jondalar and Jonayla had remained there during the night and added their voice to the discussion. They finally arrived at the trailhead above the Third Cave's home site and were able to descend into the valley below for the remaining short trek home. How dare he do something like that, and to a Zelandoni," Joharran said, incensed. He was glad when he'd heard that her wolf companion was dead. "Jondalar, I know how to track silently, I know how to observe without being seen. Latinar looked down at Jondalar, noticing that he'd lost weight and had a gray pallor, he mumbled, "We just wanted to let you know that we wish you and Jondalar well. Doroban had little experience, having preferred to hunt on foot, the way he had always done. Excitedly, Rubio ran to the outdoor fire surround and stood rigidly in front of the line of waiting children. They had heard most of what had been said from others in their encampment. 'I have to stop saying stupid things or I'll end up losing her affection,' he thought. Mageb was frustrated. It had been fun to make them fear him. The year before there had been sadness over the death of a mother and her child and the illness of their previous Zelandoni, but everyone pushed that sorrow away and enjoyed the good luck these births foretold. "Yes I did," Ayla replied. Durcan pointed toward a stand of trees. "That's true I do feel tired, as though I had too much Barma after a celebration feast. Oh well, he thought, another strange thing that he would have to ponder. Look." "Do you think they would want us to interfere?". I was worried that your selfless act in saving us from the cave lion might end with the loss of your own life. The boy would survive. Sometimes when a big story was being told, one that had been announced during the day, they would build a huge bonfire and walk around it, speaking many parts using a group of storytellers. Clearing her throat she finished, "Only the Mother could have told him before it happened that the earth would move and that I would be chosen. Ayla had a small regret that had always remained with her since their departure from the Mammoth Hunters. For the hundredth time he wondered what that flathead loving interfering woman was telling the Chimu. Wrapped in her furs, she gazed upward in to the night sky and surveyed the fixed stars pinned to the cold black canopy above. I wanted it to be a new experience for my daughter. ", Ayla was deeply touched and thanked them all with earnest sincerity. He had warned that the earth would shake and that the sea in its anger would destroy their village. There was no higher praise than to be called a good hunter. Did I understand you to say the Others have a Mog-ur who is female?" I love Jean Auel's books and waited forever for the last one but this book brought something that was missing in her last book. Do you agree?" Everyone from the Nineteenth Cave was excited and curious about what was going on at The White Cave. I 'live' this cave and I know what it should be called. ", "Oh! Also we should make the magic fungus known to all the Zelandonia and their Acolytes so all eyes will be looking for more of it around their own home caves. "Now," Jonayla said as she watched the others rubbing the mats of smelly hair all over their exposed skin. It's good to have you with me now and it would not have been possible if you hadn't made that decision. "You're talking to the person who brought us horses. It was Ayla! he signed. You have nothing to explain or to apologize for. He was an extremely handsome man and she felt the familiar urge deep down inside as she looked into his clear gaze. Even though some of us ride horses now and can't believe we didn't think to do it before, she is the one who brought that knowledge to our people. Ayla looked at the older Donier and smiled, "It was planned, Donier of the Third Cave, that's why I didn't wait a day beyond the prescribed time to make the trek. She now stood with an incredibly penetrating look in her eyes, as if staring into another world, legs in a wide stance, arms flung wide. We'll be here a while and I don't want them to worry any longer than they have to. That was something that an ordinary spear could not have done. Seeing them so comfortable together made her realize that they would mate. She was surprised at the feelings he still caused her to experience - even after all these years. I very much appreciate your help. Jonayla looked at him pleadingly. Yes. I ran away with him when they told me I had to leave him in the snow to die because of his deformities. Finally, as they neared the herd, one by one, the men dropped to the ground to hide among the tall dry grass that covered the valley floor. "I would be pleased to be of some use to you Zelandoni, you and your people may be what save the Chimu people. She was quite beautiful too, in a magnificent sort of way, full bodied and lush curves to show that even though she was strong and muscled, she was a woman. Ayla didn't like the man; she thought he might be even more dangerous than Brukeval. "I wanted to speak to you first thing this morning. When they finished their meal, Jonayla made some red berry evening tea and they settled back to enjoy full stomachs and a companionable friendship that comes from a long history of shared experiences and mutual thinking. Do you think she will really want one?" ", Looking directly at Ayla but addressing Tormaden Denanna spoke, "I don't suppose you talked to the First Zelandoni about this before this meeting? I have complete confidence in you, I know you'll come up with a way to make the others see what's needed and I'm not just saying that because you're my mother, I'm saying it because I know it's the truth.". "According to mother, the Clan men think that a weapon that has been touched by a woman is cursed and can no longer be used to hunt with.". She was even more certain now that it wasn't the name her parents had given her, but she felt it was a name that belonged to her, one that she would always cherish. Ayla tried to reassure the woman. After leaving the inner chamber, most of the Zelandonia gathered in groups outside, each talking in quiet conversations. I don't like the violence and I want it to stop. They shouted a greeting and then were fording the river to reach him. Her fear and confusion were so great that she'd stopped worrying about why they were all there. From what I hear, you're the one who is part flathead. Here, have a little more now." ", "Oh mother! Ayla's bloody Clan spear was nestled in the crook of her arm as they reached the outskirts of the Summer Meeting. I don't want any man's child until he's my mate. Ayla found it hard to fall asleep with so many thoughts running through her mind all at once. No matter how you feel about Clan people, I'm sure you would want to know what is going on before we try to intervene. The only difference between her ability and theirs was the fact that their presentation of the Clan language was sexless. But here it was, three days, almost dusk, and still no sign of his family. "If you can all agree on this, then why shouldn't the northern Zelandoni? He knew instantly that they were in danger. '', Now that The Land of the Painted Cave is over, have we seen the last of Ayla? Groog strained to see better, then was startled by a sudden noise at the curtain. The only other obvious change was that I reduced the title of; "The First among Those Who Serve the Great Earth Mother" to "First Zelandoni" since it has to be used so many times during the story and the longer title had always seemed a distraction in my opinion. 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