The Mammoth Hunters (Earth's Children 3)

Ranec arrived then, carrying digging tools and dragging a large basket full of compact wet soil. “I’ve never heard of anyone making a lodge, or even part of one, this late in the season,” he said.

Barzec was right behind him. “It will be an interesting test,” he said, setting down a second basket of slick mud, which they had dug from a particular place along the riverbank. Danug and Druwez appeared then, each carrying additional baskets of the wet mud.

“Tronie has a fire started,” Tulie said, picking up the heavy-skin of water brought up by Nezzie and Deegie, by herself. “Tornec and some others are piling up snow to melt, once we get this water heating.”

“I like to help,” Ayla said, wondering how much help she would be. Everyone seemed to know exactly what to do, but she didn’t have any idea what was going on, much less what she could do to help.

“Yes, can we help?” Jondalar added.

“Of course, it’s for the horse,” Deegie commented, “but let me get you something old of mine to wear, Ayla. It’s a messy job. Does Talut or Danug have something for Jondalar?”

“I’ll find something for him,” Nezzie said.

“If you are still so eager after we are through, you can come and help put up the new lodge Tarneg and I will be making to start our Camp … after I join with Branag,” Deegie added, smiling.

“Has anyone started fires in the sweatbaths?” Talut asked. “Everyone will want to clean up after this, especially if we’re going to have a celebration tonight.”

“Wymez and Frebec started them early this morning. They are getting more water now,” Nezzie said. “Crozie and Manuv have gone off with Latie and the young ones to get fresh pine boughs to make the baths smell nice. Fralie wanted to go, too, but I didn’t like the idea of her climbing up and down hills, so I asked her if she would watch Rydag. She’s watching Hartal, too. Mamut is busy doing something for the ceremony tonight, too. I have a feeling he’s planning some kind of a surprise.”

“Oh … Mamut asked me, when I was coming out, to tell you that the signs are good for a hunt in a few days, Talut. He wants t

o know if you want him to Search,” Barzec said.

“The signs are good for a hunt,” the big headman said. “Look at this snow! Soft underneath, melting on top. If we get a good freeze, it will have a crust of ice, and animals always get stuck when the snow is in that condition. Yes, I think it would be a good idea.”

Everyone had been walking toward the fireplace, where a large hide, filled with the icy water from the river, had been propped over a frame directly over the flames. The river water was only to start the process of melting the snow that was dumped in. As it melted, baskets of water were dipped out and poured into another large, stained, and dirty hide that lined a depression in the ground. The special soil, taken from a bank near the river, was added and mixed with the water to form a thick slurry of gummy, slick clay.

Several people climbed on top of the new sod-covered annex with waterproof baskets of the fine, smooth, runny mud, and, with scoops, began pouring it down the sides. Ayla and Jondalar watched, and soon joined them. Others at the bottom spread it around to make sure that the entire surface had a thick coat.

The tough, sticky clay, washed and sorted into fine particles by the river, would absorb no water. It was impervious to water. Rain, sleet, melting snow, nothing could penetrate. Even when wet, it was waterproof. As it dried, and with long use, the surface became quite hard, and was often used as a handy place to store objects and implements. When the weather was pleasant, it was a place to lounge, to visit, to expound in loud discussion, or to sit quietly and meditate. Children climbed up when visitors came, to watch without being in the way, and everyone used the perch when an audience was needed or there was something to see.

More clay was mixed and Ayla carried a heavy basket up, slopping it over the edge, and spilling it on herself. It didn’t matter. She was already covered with mud, just as everyone else was. Deegie was right. It was a messy job. As they finished the sides, they moved away from the edge and began coating the top, but as the surface of the dome became covered with wet slippery mud, footing became treacherous.

Ayla poured out the last of the mud from her basket, and watched it oozing slowly down. She turned to go, not watching carefully where she was stepping. Before she knew it, her feet slipped out from under her. She fell with a plop into the fresh, soft clay she had just poured, and went slipping and sliding over the rounded edge of the roof and down the side of the horse annex, letting out an involuntary scream.

The next instant she found herself caught by strong arms just as she reached the ground, and startled, looked at the mud-spattered, laughing face of Ranec.

“That’s one way to spread it down the side,” he said, steadying her, while she regained her composure. Then, still holding her, he added, “If you want to do it again, I’ll wait here for you.”

She felt warmth where he touched the cool skin of her arm, and she was entirely aware of his body pressing against her. His dark eyes, glistening and deep, were filled with a yearning that stirred an unbidden response from the core of her womanness. She trembled slightly, and felt her face flush before she looked down, and then moved away from his touch.

Ayla glanced at Jondalar, confirming what she expected to see. He was angry. His fists were clenched and his temples throbbed. She looked away quickly. She understood his anger a little more now, realizing it was an expression of his fear—fear of loss, fear of rejection—but she felt a touch of irritation at his reaction, nonetheless. She couldn’t help it that she slipped, and she was grateful that Ranec happened to be there to catch her. She flushed again, recalling her response to his lingering touch. She couldn’t help that either.

“Come on, Ayla,” Deegie said. “Talut says it’s enough and the sweatbaths are hot. Let’s go clean this mud off and get ready for the celebration. It’s for you.”

The two young women walked into the earthlodge through the new annex. As they reached the Mammoth Hearth, Ayla suddenly turned to the other young woman. “Deegie, what is sweatbath?”

“Haven’t you ever taken a sweatbath?”

“No.” Ayla shook her head.

“Oh, you’ll love it! You might as well take those muddy clothes off at the Aurochs Hearth. The women usually use the back sweatbath. The men like this one.” As she spoke, Deegie indicated an archway just beyond Manuy’s bed as they passed through the Reindeer Hearth and into the Crane Hearth.

“Is not for storage?”

“Did you think all the side rooms were for storage? I suppose you wouldn’t know, would you? You feel so much a part of us already, it’s hard to remember that you really haven’t been here that long.” She stopped then, and turned to look at Ayla. “I’m glad you will be one of us, I think you were meant to be.”

Ayla smiled shyly. “I am glad, too, and I am glad you are here, Deegie. Is nice to know woman … young … like me.”