“I kept some food warm by the fire. What took you so long?” she said, leading them to the traveling tent they were sharing. She seemed particularly solicitous of Joharran’s mother.
“We walked back along Wood River and found a slope that was easier for the horses to climb, so it was easier for me, too,” Marthona said.
“I didn’t think that the horses would have difficulties. Ayla said they were strong and could carry the loads,” Proleva said.
“It wasn’t the size of the loads, it was those pole things trailing behind them,” Marthona said.
“That’s right,” Jondalar said. “The horses need a wider, easier path up a steep hill. They can’t turn as sharply when they are pulling the pole-drags. We found a way up that allowed them to traverse their way up the hill, but we had to backtrack a ways down Wood River.”
“Well, it’s nearly level and open for the rest of the way,” Manvelar said. He and Joharran had just joined them, and had heard Jondalar’s comments.
“That will make it easier for everybody. Keep the food warm for us, Proleva. We have to unload the horses and find a good place for them to graze,” Jondalar said.
“If you have a nice bone with some meat left on for Wolf, I’m sure he’d appreciate it,” Ayla added.
It was dark when they returned from settling the horses and were finally able to have their meal. Everyone using their family traveling shelter was gathered around the fire: Marthona and Willamar, and Folara; Joharran and Proleva, and her two children, Jaradal and Sethona; Jondalar, Ayla, and Jonayla, and Wolf; and Zelandoni. Although she wasn’t technically part of the family, she didn’t have any other family in the Ninth Cave and usually stayed with the leader’s family when they traveled.
“How long until we reach the Summer Meeting, Joharran?” Ayla asked.
“It depends how fast we go, but Manvelar said probably no more than three or four days.”
It rained off and on most of the way and everyone was glad when, by the afternoon of the third day, they saw some tents ahead. Joharran and Manvelar, and Joharran’s two close aides, Rushemar and Solaban, hurried ahead to find a place to set up their camps. Manvelar chose a place along a tributary, near its confluence with West River, and claimed it with his backpack. Then he found the leader of Sun View, and they all went through a short form of the formalized greeting.
“… In the name of Doni, I greet you, Stevadal, leader of Sun View, the Twenty-sixth Cave of the Zelandonii,” Joharran finished.
“You are welcome to the Gather Field of the Twenty-sixth Cave, Joharran, leader of the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii,” Stevadal said, letting go of his hands.
“We are glad to be here, but I’d like to ask your advice about where to set up our camp. You know how big we are, and now that my brother has returned from his Journey with some rather unusual … companions, we need to find a place where they won’t disturb neighbors, and won’t feel too crowded by people they don’t know yet.”
“I saw the wolf and two horses last year. They are rather unusual ‘companions,’ ” Stevadal said, grinning. “They even have names, don’t they?”
“The mare is Whinney—that’s the horse Ayla usually rides. Jondalar calls the stallion he rides Racer; the mare is his dam, but it’s three horses now. The Great Mother saw fit to Bless the mare with another young one, a little female. They call her Gray, for the color of her coat.”
“You may end up with a whole herd of horses at your Cave!” Stevadal said.
I hope not, Joharran thought, but he didn’t say anything, just smiled.
“What kind of place are you looking for, Joharran?”
“You remember last year we found a place somewhat out of the way. At first I thought it might be too far away from all the activities, but it turned out to be just right. There was a place for the horses to graze and for the wolf to be away from the people of the other Caves. Ayla controls him perfectly, and he even pays attention to what I say sometimes, but I wouldn’t want him frightening anyone. And most of us liked that we were able to spread out a bit.”
“As I recall, you also had plenty of firewood right to the end of the season,” Stevadal said. “We even came and got some the last few days.”
“Yes, we were fortunate. We weren’t even looking for that. Manvelar told me he thought there might be a place for us a little closer to your Sun View. A little valley with some grass?”
“Yes, we sometimes have small gathers there with nearby Caves. Hazelnut grows there and blueberries,” Stevadal said. “It’s actually not far from a Sacred Cave. It’s a little distance from here, but it might work for you. Why don’t you come and take a look at it?” Joharran beckoned to Solaban and Rushemar and they followed after him and Stevadal.
“Dalanar and his Lanzadonii stayed with you last year, didn’t they? Are they coming this year?” Stevadal asked as they walked.
“We haven’t heard. He didn’t send us a runner, so I rather doubt it,” Joharran said.
Some members of the Ninth Cave, who had planned to stay with other kin or friends, left the group to find them. Zelandoni went to find the large special dwelling that was always set up for the zelandonia, right in the middle of everything. The rest waited just beyond the field where most of the Caves had gathered for the Summer Meeting, greeting many friends who came to see them. While they waited, the rain began to let up.
When Joharran returned, he went to the waiting group. “With Stevadal’s help, I think I’ve found a place for us,” he said. “Like last year, it’s a little distance away from the main meeting place, but it should work.”
“How far is it?” Willamar asked. He was thinking of Marthona. The trek to the Meeting had not been easy on her.
“You can see it from here, if you know where to look.”