'These are shiny and very rare. "I don't think they know we are here yet, so we have two options. I'm sure you'll hear all about it before the night is done. Cambarre asked, frowning with worry. Ayla walked to her horse and pulled an absorbent woven cloth from her carry bag and dried herself from head to toe, then dressed in her ceremonial clothes, finally to come and sit beside her friend. The familiar symbols representing the moon names for the passing years were etched on one side, while on the other, the surface was left blank. Instead of bringing the kills back to the gathering place and then transporting the meat to individual caves, the hunting parties can stop off at each cave as they come back south and store their individual supplies at each holding. She belonged to the Cro-Magnon community and was considered as an outsider by the Clan. We're anxious to see what he's done with the interior. "No, no," Proleva smiled. She had never met anyone of her own kind until she'd met him. The Zelandoni led her down the gently sloping floor and into the main cavern, pointing out the work that had already been done and talked about his plans for the other areas. asked Havoe. From all indications there will be She suddenly wondered how she would cope with that. Cambarre and Jonayla had easily reached the place below the Nineteenth Cave that they had decided would be their campsite that afternoon. Camma wished them a good night's sleep, and with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, she left them alone and returned to her own place within the cave. "But I will bury this man. The Zelandonia had filed through the tallow lit cave and then down a passage into a smaller alcove, not a word was spoken but the tension in the air could have been cut with a knife. "Even though I don't plan to trade them all, I'm bringing all nine of mine to the Summer Meeting. She was the one who led the Zelandonii here. "Gandora," Ayla recalled, greeting the young woman who served her friend, the Donier of the Fifth. "Jonayla, Let's stop here for the night. Now he was determined to try to accept her and what he was seeing. It was planned some time ago and I can't delay it." Ayla had been drawn to it all along, feeling that it was a place of power. The other two men who had been part of the ambush saw that there were men behind them in the shadowy forest with spears. That is what I have with Jondalar and I couldn't wish you a better relationship than to be with Willamar. ''I said that we've all got a little Neanderthal in us 30 years ago.''. While I appreciate the offer please support one of these great causes instead (list rotates monthly):Coldest Night of the Year The man said heatedly. "I'll admit it," he said. Jonayla was grateful that Chandalar and Doroban were experienced hunters. It had leaked during the last rain and he didn't want them getting wet again as fall moved forward and the rains became more frequent before the snow fell. Joharran had been watching out for Rushemar and waved to him as they filed down the trail into the valley. There are always people who like to put down those who have attained a higher status in the order of things. She had also heard her call out the question and had seen the Fifth point her out. From the men of his cave who dug the grave-pit in the hallowed ground, to the women from many caves who had prepared the food for the burial feast that would celebrate Blandar's life after the burial ceremony was over. ", "I count thirty-six summers, I believe. The conversation moved back to the Clan hunt and Cambarre was asked to describe it for the men. He had such an infectious smile." "You know, I still remember when you first talked me into riding that horse of yours. While everyone else was busy setting up the temporary camp, they sat with Melodene by the stream and questioned her further about her people. She had spoken of this with both Cambarre and her mother, even asking her mother if she might be excused from her duties as an Acolyte at the next Summer Meeting in order to stay behind to build her herd. The dead man had been laid out on a raised platform covered by a woven mat. I guess the horses spooked over something they smelled from farther off. Cambarre's abandoned spearthrower would weather over the winter and become part of the surrounding earth, and would be no more than a few rotting sticks by the next summer Cambarre and Jonayla had turned their mounts toward the Chimu once again. Against the back wall of the surround were some sleeping shelters and an area with an awning stretched over it for rainy days, but the main area was just a big open space where people could sit and watch and listen, although there was a structure at the side of the compound that had a dugout floor and a pointed roof providing a more intimate space when needed. Jonayla wasn't quite sure why it seemed important to bring Star to this place, much less take him into the cave, but in the back of her mind she felt it was important. Durcan cried. Still chuckling, Joharran moved to the hearth to serve himself some of the stew that had been sending out tantalizing aromas. Wymez always said that next to him, you were the best flint knapper he'd ever met," Ralev said. ", "You have a man of the Clan here? My mother's mother had been forced by a man of the Others and his totem was strong enough to give her a mixed spirit child, a girl child, my mother. He turned his head and winked at Jondalar. At first the shaping was done for practical purposes, such as squaring the openings so entrance coverings would fit better and keep the cold out more efficiently. The First Zelandoni is your mother. "I needed a sign Jondalar and I think Sky was the sign I needed. Ayla looked up from her thoughts. It had been no more than a short time, but when they returned to their campsite everything was trampled and torn. When she tried to bring up the subject of the stories that were circulating about her Clan son Durc, the first Zelandoni of the southern caves held up her hand and said, "There is no need to talk about your Clan son, unless it is to tell us about him. Ayla had tears in her eyes as she stood back to inspect the young man. While Cambarre gathered firewood, Jonayla filled their water skins with the sweet tasting water from the brook and then she began to lay out what they would need for a meal. Groog was propped up on his sleeping furs looking into the fire that burned in the hearth, the flames reflecting in his large dark-brown eyes. It would be a lifetime's work, she knew, but work that she would dedicate herself to and if the Mother supported her, she would succeed in the end. Melodene's shoulders shook as she quietly sobbed in distress. I've never seen the river do this before, it's like the water has dried up suddenly. As the Fifth Zelandoni reclaimed his place by the fire, the first Zelandoni from the south stood. Ayla quickly unloaded her carry bags. Rubio's face flushed as he realized that he'd just imparted bad news to the pair. I thought that my chances of survival were slim at best, so I couldn't take my son with me. He spoke her name quietly, "Ayla," and then he signed, "My personal name is "Brog," softly speaking his name out loud, he continued to sign, "I am First Clan Mog-ur for seven caves. That night they ate from the rations brought from home. Stews with grains and vegetables were plentiful. They followed The River south until early afternoon, then they took a smaller tributary to the east and followed it for a while. We're still about a morning's ride from Hilltop and I don't think it would be wise to try to make it tonight in the dark. The problem was solved by moving the corral to one of the unoccupied caves near Down River. "Jondalar, please drop the wood over there and speak to this man in Clan signs. ", Jonayla pulled away from her mother and looked into her eyes searching for sarcasm in her expression and finding only sincerity, she smiled and nodded, "Yes, he's quite a man, mother. Denanna, looked into her cup and then into the eyes of the new First Zelandoni and said, "Why would you want me to attend? "Yes maybe, but this little one needs attention, look, he's wounded. She allowed her colleague to ply her with medicines and as an accomplished healer herself, she used the opportunity to test her body's reaction to the younger woman's cures and to share her observations as any healer might under the same circumstances. Ayla hugged Jondalar close, hoping they would soon be together like that again. "Maybe Cambarre will come with me to find those Ptarmigan nests and we can also get the pelt for you. They were in awe of her and her reputation. I don't need my resemblance to those abominations thrust into my face everywhere I go. Maybe it had made him reckless because he'd confronted her, but he hadn't been able to frighten her. Our First Zelandoni loved those people and cares for Clan folk in general as much as she does her own people. "Cambarre, I think most of the people from the Nineteenth Cave have returned to the Summer Meeting, so now would be a good time to stop at the First Wolf Cave for a short visit before crossing the river," Jonayla said, struggling to hold the excited little body of Star in his sling holder. We can talk and get to know each other better.". Other Caves to the far north and far south were to meet them within ten days' time. "I will explain to Mongar that in your world, you are a great spiritual leader, a Mog-ur of Mog-urs. He was still impressed that she could speak a real language and not just the gibbering he'd heard from others of her people. I want to know who the father of my children is," Jonayla said in a determined voice. "Yes, Durc and Jondalar went out hunting this morning. Even so, some of them loved me and treated me as their own. "Do you mind if I join you for a bit. In fact, once you've made the decoction, you might also make a relaxing tea. As a pink dawn rose over the hills to the east, the darkness slowly faded on the far side of the valley. "I'm sorry to bother you Ayla," he said, "but I'm worried about Jonayla. The prehistorical milestones were also found to be inconsistent and arbitrary. You disgust me. The one who was supposed to make it was too ill to attend the Clan gathering where the ceremony traditionally takes place. She was there protecting her den and if Jonayla hadn't been prepared with spearthrower in hand, Durcan might not have gotten away from the encounter unscathed. It truly appears to be a burden to you. Once I would have come meekly to him and asked for his help as a female clan woman would, but from what you have said, he might not agree to help even if you yourself asked. Still, even now, no clear answer came to her, no matter how much she meditated on it. She was almost like a child in her joy," Jonayla said. He'd just unwrapped them from the fresh uncured Auroch hide he had tied around them with a rawhide thong for carrying. From her droppings it looked like the horse had been standing there most of the day. Jondalar asked angrily. I'm covered in blood and it feels disgusting," Jonayla said. "I know what my mother told me about him and Iza his sibling who shared his hearth when my mother was adopted by him. "I see, so my daughter and her man are captives or worse" she couldn't seem to focus. "You may go now, but remember that your Matrimonial Thong must not be discarded and also remember, to cut the thong is unlucky." Its strange crude carvings were commented upon and its massive shaft made the people wonder what sort of hunter could wield it. Durcan asked as he dug into his belt pouch. "You're my life Willamar," she murmured into his ear. ", Ayla signed in reply, "Not well Groog, I wish to ask for your assistance. 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. "We saw your family coming along the river bank and thought you might stop. "Ah ha! Durcan rose from his crouch and walked into the open, still holding his sling in one hand and the reins of his horse, Lightning, in the other. You have nothing to explain or to apologize for. ", "Well, considering everything that must be done I can't say I envy you," Jonayla said sincerely, "but I'll do everything I can to help you.". Let me finish making this medicine and I'll be there. I think if it could be found once, then we should be able to find it again. As Lorala neared her, it became obvious that Jonayla was upset, that she had been crying. He'd taken down an adult Elk with his spearthrower and had gutted and dressed it before lashing it to the poles. South stood to trade them all, I still remember when you first me. 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