The Plains of Passage (Earth's Children 4)

"I've found a way to heat the food you brought, Ayla. You said it would be better warm, and I'm sure you are right. It smells wonderful." S'Armuna smiled.

"How can you heat such a thick mixture in baskets?"

"I'll show you," the woman said, ducking into the anteroom of the small structure. Ayla followed her, with Jondalar right behind. Although no fire burned in the small fireplace, it was quite warm inside. S'Armuna went directly to the opening of the second chamber and removed the mammoth shoulder bone that was covering it. The air from inside was hot, hot enough to cook, Ayla thought. She looked in and saw that a fire had been started inside the chamber, and just inside the opening, some distance from the fire itself, were her two baskets.

"It does smell good!" Jondalar said.

"You have no idea how many people have been asking when the feast is going to start," S'Armuna said. "They can even smell it in the Holding. Ardemun came to me and asked if the men are really going to get a share. It's not only this. I'm surprised, but Attaroa did tell the women to prepare food for a feast, and to make enough for everyone. I can't remember when we last had a real feast ... but we haven't had much reason to celebrate. It makes me wonder what we have to celebrate tonight."

"Visitors," Ayla said. "You are honoring visitors."

"Yes, visitors," the woman said. "Remember, that was her excuse to get you to come back. I must warn you. Do not drink or eat any food that comes from a dish that she has not eaten from first. Attaroa knows many harmful things that can be disguised in food. If necessary, only cat what you have brought. I have watched it carefully."

"Even in here?" Jondalar said.

"No one dares come in here without my permission," the One Who Served the Mother said, "but outside of this place, be very careful. Attaroa and Epadoa have had their heads together most of the day. They are planning something."

"And they have many to help them, all the Wolf Women. Who can we count on to help us?" Jondalar said.

"Nearly everyone else wants to see a change," S'Armuna said.

"But who will help?" Ayla said.

"I think we can count on Cavoa, my acolyte."

"But she's pregnant," Jondalar said.

"All the more reason," the woman said. "All the signs indicate that she will have a boy. She will fight for the life of her baby, as well as her own. Even if she has a girl, the chances are Attaroa won't let her live long once the baby is weaned, and Cavoa knows it."

"What about the woman who spoke out today?" Ayla said.

"That was Esadoa, Cavoa's mother. I'm sure you can count on her,

but she blames me as much as Attaroa for the death of her son."

"I remember her at the funeral," Jondalar said. "She threw something in the grave that made Attaroa angry."

"Yes, some tools for the next world. Attaroa had forbidden anyone to give them anything that might help them in the world of the spirits."

"I think you stood up to her."

S'Armuna shrugged as if to pass it off. "I told her once the tools were given, they could not be taken back. Not even she dared to retrieve them."

Jondalar nodded. "I'm sure all the men in the Holding would help," he said.

"Of course, but first we have to get them out," S'Armuna said. "The guards are being especially watchful. I don't think anyone could even sneak in right now. In a few days, perhaps. That will give us time to talk to the women quietly. When we know how many we can count on, then we can work out a plan to overpower Attaroa and the Wolf Women. We're going to have to fight them, I'm afraid. That's the only way we'll get the men out of the Holding."

"I think you're right," Jondalar said, looking grim.

Ayla shook her head in sorrow at the thought. There had been so much pain in this Camp already that the idea of fighting, of causing more trouble and pain, was distressing. She wished there was some other way.

"You said you gave Attaroa something to make the men sleep. Couldn't you give something to Attaroa and her Wolf Women to make them sleep?" Ayla asked.

"Attaroa is wary. She will not eat or drink anything that isn't first tasted by someone else. That was what Doban did once. Now, I think she'll just pick out one of the other children," S'Armuna said, glancing outside. "It's almost dark. If you are ready, I think it's time for the feast to begin."

Ayla and Jondalar each picked up one of the baskets from the inner chamber; then the One Who Served closed it up again. Once outside, they could see that a big bonfire had been started in front of Attaroa's earthlodge.

"I wondered if she was going to invite you in, but it appears the feast is going to be eaten outside, in spite of the cold," S'Armuna said.