The Plains of Passage (Earth's Children 4)

"But you're not always lucky," Verdegia said.

"No. Lots of things can go wrong. Sometimes you can stir and stir and stir, and it won't mix. If that happens, heating it a little will sometimes help. Sometimes it separates and you get a layer that's too strong and a layer that's too greasy. Sometimes it curdles into lumps that are not quite mixed. Sometimes it comes out harder than others, but that's not bad. It tends to harden as it ages, anyway."

"But sometimes it does work, like the first time," Ayla said.

"One thing I've learned is that both the fat and the liquid from the ashes have to be about the same warmth as the skin of your wrist," Solandia said. "When you sprinkle a little on, it shouldn't feel either cool or warm. The ash liquid is harder to tell because it's strong and can burn a little, then you have to wash it off right away with cool water. If it burns too much, you know you need to add more water. It doesn't burn too bad, usually, but I wouldn't want to get it in my eyes. It can sting if you just get too close to the fumes."

"And it can stink!" Madenia said.

"That's true," Solandia said. "It can stink. That's why I usually go out into the middle of the cave to mix it, even though I get everything ready to mix here."

"Mother! Mother! Come quick!" Solandia's second daughter Neladia came dashing in, then ran out.

"What's wrong? Did something happen to the baby?" the woman said, rushing out after her. Everyone else followed behind and ran to the mouth of the cave.

"Look!" Dosalia said. They all looked outside. "The baby is walking!"

There was Micheri, standing up beside the wolf, hanging on to his fur, with a big self-satisfied smile, taking unsteady steps as Wolf carefully and slowly moved forward. Everyone smiled with relief and then delight.

"Is that wolf smiling?" Solandia asked. "It looks to me as though he is. He seems to be so pleased with himself that he's smiling."

"I think he is, too," Ayla said. "I have often thought he could smile."

"It's not only for ceremony, Ayla," Losaduna was saying. "We often use the hot waters just to soak. If you want to take Jondalar in just to relax, we have no objections. The Sacred Waters of the Mother are like Her other Gifts to Her children. They are meant to be used and enjoyed, and appreciated. Just as this tea you made should be appreciated," he added, holding up the cup.

Nearly the whole Cave, those that had not gone hunting, were sitting around a fireplace in the open central area of the cave. Most meals were very unstructured, except for special occasions. The people sometimes ate separately, in family groups, and sometimes with others. This time, those who had stayed at the cave had stopped for a midday meal and eaten together, largely because they were all interested in the visitors. The meal consisted of a hearty meat soup of lean, dried deer, made rich with the addition of some mammoth fat, which made it filling and satisfying enough. They were finishing off with tea that Ayla had made, and all had remarked on how good it was.

"When they come back, maybe we will use the pool. I think he'd enjoy a hot soak, and I'd like to share it with him," Ayla said.

"You'd better warn her, Losaduna," a woman said, with a knowing smile. She had been introduced as Laduni's mate.

"Warn me of what, Laronia?" Ayla said.

"Sometimes you have to choose between the Mother's Gifts."

"What do you mean?"

"She means the Sacred Waters can be too relaxing," Solandia said.

"I still don't understand," Ayla said, frowning. She knew everyone was talking about the subject, and there was an element of humor involved.

"If you take Jondalar for a hot soak, it will relax the strength right out of his manhood," Verdegia said, more direct than the others, "and it may take a couple of hours before it can stand up again. So don't expect too much of him, after a soak. Not right away. Some men won't soak in the Mother's Sacred Waters for that reason. They are afraid their manhood will drain out in the Sacred Waters and never come back."

"Can that happen?" Ayla asked, looking at Losaduna.

"Not that I've ever seen, or heard about," the man said. "If anything, the opposite seems to be true. A man is more eager, after a while, but I think that's because he's relaxed and feels good."

"I did feel wonderful after the hot soak, and I slept very well, but I think there was more than water to it," Ayla said. "Perhaps the tea?"

The man smiled. "That was an important ritual. There is always more to a ceremony."

"Well, I'm ready to go back to the Sacred Waters, but I think I'll wait for Jondalar. Do you think the hunters will be back soon?"

"I'm sure they will," Laronia said. "Laduni knows there are things to do before the Mother Festival tomorrow. I don't think they would have gone today, except that he wanted to see how Jondalar's long-range hunting weapon works. What does he call it?"

"A spear-thrower, and it works very well," Ayla said, "but like anything, it takes practice. We've had lots of practice on this Journey."

"Do you use his spear-thrower?" Madenia asked.