He was a powerful horse and when he saw the barrier in front of him he bunched the massive muscles of his hindquarters and secured freedom by leaping over the thorn bushes opposite the surround entry. I was a fool to treat Ayla as I did, as if she had betrayed me. Cambarre tensed for action as Brukeval kicked Jonayla to stop her defiant protests. Ayla calmly stepped forward right into the path of the beast. The boy grinned excitedly up at the mysterious blonde woman who he knew was truly the Mother's surrogate. Wait!". There are many fan-fiction versions of Jeans Earths Children series, mine being but just one of them. To Madroman, in his shock at her attack on his men, it had appeared to be magic. She was the voice, the instrument and surrogate of The Great Earth Mother. Ayla saw the huge lion drop a lifeless man from its jaws and crouch over him, looking at her threateningly. I know you're sad, but lately it seems that your mind has been in the Spirit World and not with us. Now it was up to Jondalar, he would recover or he would not. She reflected how strange it was that once one submerged in cold water, the body soon adjusted and it quickly became comfortable to be in the water, even feeling warmed by it. She knew how impatient youth could be, and she wanted them to remember there were others to consider, not just their family. There was no one to hear him as he said, 'Snake Bowl, give forth! Riding on an animal was new to Melodene. She looked at the stitched wound and then looked up at the young woman of the Others. If we're careful not to disturb the trail too much, they won't notice that we went this way.". Mageb and Durg had been told to look out for a male and female couple from the Others. The questions turned to the man of the Clan after that and his presence at their meeting. She would have gone with him but felt she should stay with the horses and there was Star to consider. I heard her once tell Zelandoni who was First before her, that she felt her name had been given to her by the Mother. Jean's father was a house painter by profession whereas her mother was a homemaker. Jonayla never thought it possible that the Zelandoni from the south would become a friend to her mother. The first sign of her illness had been a rapid loss of weight. What would she become if she never let men past her defenses? "Most of her people fought against the renegade followers of the false shaman so I believe them to be good people as well. "Is Camma not here?". she asked. Ayla didn't like the man; she thought he might be even more dangerous than Brukeval. She hadn't made a conscious decision to replace her friend, but it appeared the Mother had decided for her. The grass that grew on the valley floor had been virtually untrodden all summer long and now rippled in the breeze in golden waves as if it were an ocean. At once the magic bowl began to spin all by itself and out poured the most delicious looking food. I was at my wit's end, having tried everything I knew to control his fever. Then she placed a fingertip over one end. Joharran looked worried. He'd made threats and he knew that Brukeval would act on his threats if he felt himself crossed. 25. That was a time when so much was still to be experienced. Cambarre resolved to wait and found a good position that would allow observation of the clearing. 18. Ayla left Jondalar's side and walked past Joharran, gripping his arm and murmuring, "Stay here. We weren't there all that long," Jonayla replied, still watching the hunt. She had started fire without a friction stick, she rode on the backs of horses and she even knew the sacred name of Ursus. He just needed restorative sleep and to be fed regularly. It would take just about a full day to travel by horseback from Hill Top Holding to Old Valley and the Summer Meeting, but Ayla wanted some time to be with just her family. Then the man spoke. A person on horseback could easily make the journey in one day, but weighed down with heaped pole-drags and with so many people, some of who were walking; they would travel at half the pace at best. Why else would the Mother command me to paint Mog-ur Cave Bear signs on my face?" But this woman knew Clan ways as if she were one of them. I don't know what they will do. If it looks like they are not, send the man back here immediately and we'll come with a large enough group of men to see that they do," Ayla finished. "Are you about done?" Ayla signed this, to show that she was an accomplished healer and not just casually knowledgeable. As his two friends hurried toward their home lodge, Durcan turned toward his own camp but stopped when he saw Willamar watching him with a big smile on his face. She would never have asked to name the cave after her good and noble friend, but to have this Zelandoni suggest it - the one person that the other Doniers would listen to because of his calling to the cave and to even suggest the term 'First' in the name of the cave, was such a powerful sign from the Mother. Then a warm infusion of Butterfly Weed should be poured into the wound, then and allowed to drain. They would stop on the way and leave some of the people from the Nineteenth Cave at their cave to finish repairs to the damage caused by the false Shaman followers and to prepare for their people's return from the Summer Meeting. To the casual observer, the Donier of the Ninth Cave was as serene and confident as always. He suggested they corral and unburden their horses and waited until they had, then led them into one of the many caves. "Where is the surround you spoke of?" Of course Durcan wanted to hunt and everyone agreed that was a good idea and praised his find for their meal that evening. He watched her walk to the hearth area and look around at his handiwork. While I appreciate the offer please support one of these great causes instead (list rotates monthly):Coldest Night of the Year He had seen her using the sling a few times before, but her expertise with the weapon was still surprising. Ayla felt a little embarrassed at the obviousness of their intimacy but the smile on Jondalar's face and that of her daughter's, made her match theirs with her own. She was much too far away to hit something as narrow as a spear shaft. Also, those who were First among the Zelandonia were not actually buried like everyone else, but rested for all time in a special place of veneration, adding their accumulated power to the sacred Zelandonia gathering area. To him his father was just his father. While you do the cooking, I'll unload the horses and hobble them by the brook so they can graze and easily reach the water. ", "Then I think, since we must leave for the Summer Meeting in the morning, that I should visit the cave now and see what our brother Zelandoni has been up to. But she soon became more feverish and began to sweat profusely as did the child Robinar. "Thank you Jaradal," Durcan said. He grew to adulthood alone. Groog, what would be your guess as to how many people are down there waiting? But it kept growing - and it was at this point Auel realised the saga fell neatly into six books. Never having experienced the living arrangements and the mindset of Clan people, neither child could reproduce the submissive/aggressive nature of the language. Cambarre and Willamar became close friends, sharing their worries and pride at their women's pregnancies. Now after many years of experience around children and keeping them interested and entertained, she had become an accomplished story teller. He received several scrapes and a couple of nips before pulling the three little varmints out of their den. It would be better if a man could approach them, but you're the only man among the Zelandonii who could even speak to them and your language ability is limited. Cambarre and Jonayla had easily reached the place below the Nineteenth Cave that they had decided would be their campsite that afternoon. I was trying to cure a fever in one of our hunters who had been clawed by a mountain lion. "Children! "Um, yes First Zelandoni," he replied. The same men who had dug the pit in the sacred burial ground stood at either edge of his final resting place ready to lower him into the ground. I think if we go far enough north; they'll give up and then we can head west and back to First Place," Cambarre said, feeling confident with his plan. She had been able to tell from the man's body language that he wanted Ayla to follow him. Someone befriends a horse, then rides the horse and others see the advantage of riding a horse and soon everyone has a horse. She had walked to her place and silently sat down in her familiar cross-legged position at the head of the main hearth and waited for comment. The beast clawed my leg and left these scars and Creb said it was my totem mark and that no other was necessary," Ayla replied, looking into the Mog-ur's eyes, trying to show him that she spoke the truth by her open expression. Ayla turned toward Jonayla, "Daughter, do you feel strange in any way? Joharran, nodded and without saying a word, turned his horse to face the path then gave a nod to Cambarre. she asked. Cambarre called out as Jonayla ran to her horse, pulling her clothing back into place - tears blurring her vision. I bet you just prayed and prayed for me. She began to wonder if turning back would be the best option, but how would she let the others know. "There, there, you beautiful, wonderful horse, you will be a magnificent horse, a strong hunter who all the people will honor for your bravery and stamina. "We have learned a hard lesson, but with the Zelandonii's help we will come through this and be stronger for it, and, I might add, a less gullible people in the future.". They jogged up the pathway without a break for several hours and then stopped by a small stream to drink some water. It has worked especially well on open wounds that are poisonous. "When you are close to the horse you want, begin to talk quietly and soothingly and avoid making any sudden movements which can scare it. "Good, because I don't want the father of my child to be thinking about past partners," she said playfully. "I hope the horses got away to safety," Jonayla said. She can stop the wild men. She had been surprised when she had received runners from all the close caves that their Doniers wanted to join her. He looked up as she entered and signed a greeting, then asked a question. "Then we'll just have to make this evening's meal a feast. "Yes, tea would be welcome. That they didn't want to insult anyone by helping, but thought extra meat would be helpful to the Clan, and in some small way, help repay the Clan for the trouble caused by some of her people. Jonayla collected her thoughts and looked up but not into his eyes, that was not acceptable, she remembered just in time. He was the First Zelandoni's mate, he'd seen him many times during the Summer Meetings, but never from this close. Or rather, it would be wonderful to be alone together without worrying about being murdered by bad men and without making my mother cry. They are holding a welcome feast this evening and then tomorrow you will be called to speak to the gathering to tell your story.". We've had fun, haven't we? "Would you let me ride back with you Jonayla? "I was hoping to visit our little pool again before we left, but I guess you're right. Ayla was led to the visitor's cave at the base of the cliff. You will have the opportunity to meet the female Mog-ur and decide what you think for yourself.". Both older men caught their breath and wide-eyed they looked up at each other. Mog-ur continued into the cave and to the leader's hearth. "I'm sure you're right, but the reason I asked you to set him on the ground is so I can see if he will enter the sacred cave on his own," the Zelandoni said with subdued excitement in his voice. ", Since all was said now, Ayla wished the others well and the two women walked toward the stream that flowed into the long narrow lake, one blonde haired with a golden complexion and the other with dark hair and a darker complexion. 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