The Shelters of Stone (Earth's Children 5)

“How can I reassure them?” Ayla said.

“You can say that it is up to the Mother now, but there is a chance that he will be all right. Isn’t that your opinion? It’s mine,” Zelandoni said. “I think Doni smiled on that young man, because you happened to be there.”

Jondalar stifled a big yawn as he took off his tunic, a new one he had received from his mother at their mating party, woven of threads of the flax plant that she had prepared and woven. She had arranged for someone else to decorate it with some embroidery and beads, but not too much. It was very lightweight and comfortable. She had given a similar one to Ayla, made very full and loose so she could wear it as her pregnancy progressed. Jondalar had put his on immediately, but Ayla was saving hers for later.

“I’ve never heard Zelandoni speak so openly about the zelandonia,” he said as he prepared to get into their sleeping roll. “It was interesting. I never realized how difficult it could be, but I remember her saying, whenever she had some test to endure, that it had its compensations. I wonder what they are? She didn’t talk about it that much.”

They lay together in silence for a while. Ayla was tired, she realized. So tired that she could hardly think. Between the rhino hunting accident yesterday, and staying at the zelandonia lodge until late, and the mating celebration today, she had slept very little and had been under some strain. She was feeling some pain around her temples and considered getting up and making some willow bark tea for it, but she was too tired to bother.

“And mother,” Jondalar continued, almost as a verbal continuation of his thoughts. “I always thought she and Dalanar just decided to separate. I never knew why. I guess you don’t always think of your mother as anything but your mother. Someone who loves you and takes care of you.”

“I don’t think the separation was easy for her. I think she loved Dalanar very much,” Ayla said. “I can understand why. You are very much like him.”

“Not in all ways. I never wanted to be a leader. I still don’t. I would miss the feel of stone in my hands. There is nothing so satisfying as seeing a perfect blade flake off, one that turned out just the way you planned,” Jondalar said.

“Dalanar is a flint-knapper, too, Jondalar,” Ayla said.

“Yes, the best, but he doesn’t get the chance to work at it much anymore. The only one who could match him is Wymez, and he’s still back at the Lion Camp, making beautiful blades for the spears of the Mammoth Hunters. It’s a shame they will never meet. They would have enjoyed learning from each other.”

“But you’ve met them both. And you understand the stone as well as anyone. Can’t you show Dalanar what you learned from Wymez?” Ayla said.

“Yes, I have already begun,” Jondalar said. “Dalanar is as interested as I was. I’m so glad they delayed the Matrimonial until the Lanzadonii could get here. And I’m pleased that Joplaya and Echozar shared our Matrimonial. It’s a special tie. I’ve always felt a deep affection for my cousin, and this brings us closer. I think Joplaya was pleased, too.”

“I’m sure Joplaya was pleased to share a Matrimonial with you, Jondalar. I think it’s something she’s always wanted.” And this was as close as she could get to what she really wanted, Ayla added in her own mind. She did feel sorry for Joplaya, but she had to admit, she was glad of the prohibition against close cousins mating. “Echozar seems very happy.”

“I think he still couldn’t quite believe it. There were a few others who felt the same way, for different reasons,” Jondalar said, putting his arm around her and nuzzling her neck.

“Echozar loves her almost beyond reason. Such love can compensate for a lot,” Ayla said, fighting to stay awake.

“He really isn’t so ugly when you get used to him. He just looks different, but you can see the Clan in him,” Jondalar said.

“I don’t think he’s ugly at all. He reminds me of Rydag, and Durc,” Ayla said. “I think they are handsome people, the Clan.”

“I know you do, and you’re right. They are handsome people, in their way. You are pretty handsome yourself, woman.” He nuzzled her neck, then kissed her, and could feel his need for her beginning, but he could see she was almost asleep. He knew she wouldn’t refuse him if he pressed her, she never did, but this wasn’t the time. It would be better when she was rested, anyway.

“I hope Matagan is going to be all right,” Jondalar said as Ayla rolled over and he snuggled against her back. He wasn’t all that tired himself, but he didn’t mind holding her.

“That reminds me, Jondalar.” She rolled back over to look at him. “Zelandoni, and the Fifth’s donier, and I were talking to his mother. We had to tell her that he could have problems. He may be able to walk again, but no one can say for sure.”

“It would be a shame if he couldn’t. He’s so young.”

“We just don’t know, of course, but even if he does walk, he may be lame,” Ayla said. “Zelandoni asked his mother if he had shown any interest in any skill or craft. The only thing that came to her mind, besides hunting, was that he made his own points for his spears. It made me think of those S’Armunai boys that Attaroa crippled. You were teaching one of them how to knap flint so he could make a life for himself. I told his mother that if it was something he wanted to do, I would ask you if you’d be willing to teach him.”

“He’s from the Fifth Cave, isn’t he?” Jondalar said, thinking over the idea.

“Yes, but maybe he could come and live at the Ninth Cave for a while. Didn’t Danug live at a different Mamutoi Camp for a year or so to learn more about flint?” Ayla said. “Maybe we could do the same for Matagan.”

“That’s true. Danug had just returned from a year of living with a Camp of flint miners, so he could learn about the stone at the source. Just as I learned at Dalanar’s mine. He couldn’t have had a better teacher than Wymez when it came to learning how to work it, but a good knapper needs to know the stone, too.” Jondalar’s forehead wrinkled as he pondered the implications. “I don’t know. I’d be happy to teach him, but I’d have to talk to Joharran about him coming to the Ninth Cave. The boy would have to have a place to live. Joharran would have to work it out with the Fifth Cave, that is, if Matagan wants to learn. He may have been making points because he couldn’t find anyone else to make them for him, and he wanted to hunt. We’ll see, Ayla. It’s a possibility. If he was hurt that badly, he will need to learn some craft.”

They both settled down in the furs, but as tired as Ayla was, sleep did not come immediately. She found herself thinking about her future, and that of the baby she was carrying. What if it was a boy and he wanted to bait rhinos? What if something else happened? And where was Wolf? He was almost like a son to her, too, but she hadn’t seen him for several days. When she finally went to sleep, she dreamed about babies, and wolves, and earthquakes. She hated earthquakes. They more than frightened her, they were like a personal harbinger of bad news.

“I can’t believe some people are still objecting to Joplaya and Echozar getting mated here,” Zelandoni said. “It’s done. They were mated. They’ve been through their isolation trial, they’re affirmed. It’s over with. They’ve even had their mating party. There is nothing more to be said.” The First

was having a last cup of tea before returning to the zelandonia lodge after spending the night at the camp of the Ninth Cave. Several others were sitting around a large trenchfire, finishing their morning meal before the busy activities of the day began.

“They are talking about going home early,” Marthona said.

“That would be a shame after coming so far,” Jondalar said.