The Land of Painted Caves (Earth's Children 6)

“We understand water can be very dangerous, but so can Wind, and that is the Third Element.” She was very pleasant with a nice smile, but an underlying strength, and she knew this was not a time for a digression into anecdotes. The First was discussing a serious matter with important information that needed to be understood.

The First smiled at her, knowing exactly what she had done. “Why don’t you continue to tell us about the Third Element,” she said.

“Like Water, Wind cannot be picked up, nor can it be held or seen, though its effects can be seen,” she said. “When Wind is still, it cannot even be felt, but Wind can be so powerful it can pick up trees and knock them over. It can blow so hard, you can’t move against it. Wind is everywhere. There is no place that you won’t find it, not even in the deepest cave, though it is usually still there. You know it is present because you can make it move by flapping something. Wind also moves inside a living body. It can be felt when you suck in your breath and when you blow it out. Wind is essential for life. People and animals need Wind to live. When their Wind stops, you know they are dead,” the Zelandoni of the Twenty-ninth Cave ended.

Ayla noticed that Jonayla was beginning to squirm; she would be waking up soon. The First was aware of the baby, too, and an air of restlessness in the assembly. It was necessary to finish this session soon.

“The Fourth Element is Cold,” the First continued. “Like Wind, Cold cannot be picked up or held, but it can be felt. Cold causes changes, makes things harder and slower. Cold can harden the Earth, and Cold can harden Water, turn it into ice and make it

stop moving, and turn rain into snow or ice. The color of Cold is Clear or White. Some say that dark causes Cold. It does get cooler when the dark of night comes. Cold can be dangerous. Cold can help dark to drain life, but dark is unaffected by Cold, so things that are partly dark are less affected by Cold. Cold can be helpful, too. If food is put into a cold pit in the earth, or in water covered with ice, Cold can stop it from going bad. When Cold stops, things that are Clear can usually go back to the way they were, like ice back to Water. Old Red things or Elements can usually recover from Cold—the earth, the bark of trees for example—but Green, Yellow, or true Red seldom do.”

The First thought about asking for questions, but decided to hurry through. “The Fifth Element is Heat. Heat cannot be picked up or held, but it, too, can be felt. You know when you touch something hot. Heat also changes things, but where Cold makes slow changes, Heat is quick. As Cold drains life, Heat and warmth can restore it, bring it back. Fire and Sun can make Heat. The Heat from the sun softens the cold, hard Earth, and turns snow to rain, which helps green life sprout; it turns ice to Water, and helps it move again. The Heat of fire can cook food, both meat and vegetables, and warm the inside of a dwelling, but Heat can be dangerous. It can also help dark. The Primary Color of Heat is Yellow, often mixed with Red, but sometimes it is mixed with Dark. Heat can help the true Red of life, but too much Heat can encourage the Dark that destroys life.”

The First’s timing was just about right. Just as she finished, Jonayla woke up with a loud wail. Ayla quickly picked her up, rocked and bounced her to settle her, but knew she needed to be tended to.

“I want all of you to think about what you have learned today and remember any questions you may have so we can talk about them the next time we meet like this. Any of you who wish to leave can go now,” the One Who Was First concluded.

“I hope we’ll be able to meet again soon,” Ayla said as she stood up. “This was very interesting. I’m looking forward to learning more.”

“I’m glad, Acolyte of the Zelandoni of the Ninth Cave,” the First said. Though Zelandoni called her Ayla when they were in a more casual situation, she always referred to everyone by formal titles when they were in the zelandonia lodge at Summer Meetings.

“Proleva, I need to ask you something,” Ayla said, feeling uncomfortable.

“Go ahead, Ayla.” All of the people who shared the dwelling were eating their morning meal, and turned toward her, their expressions full of curiosity.

“There is a Sacred Cave not far from the home of the Twenty-sixth Cave, and their Zelandoni has asked me to go with him to see it, since I am the First’s acolyte. It is very small and the First would like me to go, to represent her.”

Jondalar was not the only one whose attention was piqued. He glanced around and noticed that everyone was watching Ayla, and saw Willamar shudder. The Trade Master loved to travel great distances, but didn’t much care for small, cramped spaces. He could make himself go into a cave if it was necessary, especially if it wasn’t too small, but he preferred the open outdoors.

“I need someone to watch Jonayla, and feed her, if she needs it,” Ayla explained. “I’ll make sure she nurses before I leave, but I’m not sure how long it will take. I would take her with me, but I’m told one must crawl in like a snake, and I don’t think I could do that with Jonayla. I think Zelandoni is pleased that I was asked.”

Proleva thought for a moment. She was always busy at Summer Meetings, the Ninth was a large and important Cave, and she had many things planned for that day. She didn’t know if she had time to take care of another baby besides her own, but she hated to refuse. “I’d be glad to feed her, Ayla, but I have promised to meet with some people today and I don’t think I will be able to take care of her.”

“I have an idea,” Marthona said. Everyone turned to look at the former leader. “Perhaps we can find someone to go with Proleva to watch both Jonayla and Sethona while she is busy, and bring the babies to her when they need feeding.”

Marthona looked hard at Folara, then surreptitiously poked her, wanting her to volunteer. The girl understood the message, and had thought about it even before, but wasn’t sure if she wanted to spend a whole day taking care of the babies. On the other hand, she did love them both dearly, and it might be interesting to see what Proleva was going to be talking about at her meetings.

“I’ll watch them,” she said, then in a moment of inspiration added, “if Wolf will help me.” That would bring her a lot of attention.

Ayla paused to think. She wasn’t entirely sure if Wolf would obey the young woman in the middle of the Meeting area in the midst of so many strangers, though he would probably love to be around the little girls.

Adult wolves, aunts and uncles, were devoted to their young, and happily took turns watching them while the rest of the pack hunted, but a pack could not raise more than one litter. They had to hunt not only for themselves, but for several growing and hungry young wolves. To supplement nursing and to help wean the litter, the hunters brought back meat they had chewed and swallowed, regurgitating the partially digested food, making it easier for the pups to eat. It was the job of the alpha female to make sure no other females of the pack mated when they came into season, often interrupting her own mating to drive males away from them, so that her litter would be the one that was born and raised.

Wolf bestowed his normal wolfish adoration on the human babies of his pack. Ayla had observed and studied wolves when she was young, which was why she understood Wolf so well. As long as no one threatened the little ones, it was unlikely he would cause any trouble, and who would threaten them in the middle of a Summer Meeting?

“All right, Folara,” Ayla said. “Wolf can help you watch the babies, but Jondalar, will you check on Wolf and Folara once in a while? I think he will mind her, but he may get too protective of the little ones, and not want to let anyone near them. He always does what you say when I’m not around.”

“I was going to stay close to our camp and knap some tools this morning,” he said. “I still owe special ones to some people for helping me build our dwelling at the Ninth Cave. There is a knapping area at the edge of the Meeting Camp, and it is paved with stones so it won’t be muddy. I can work there and go to see how Folara and Wolf are doing occasionally. I did promise to meet with some people in the afternoon. After the lion hunt, many more are interested in the spear-thrower.” His forehead wrinkled in a familiar frown as he thought about it. “But maybe we can meet where I can keep an eye on them.”

“I hope we’ll be back by afternoon, but I don’t know how long the cave visit will take,” Ayla said.

They all headed for the main encampment not long after, separating to go to their individual destinations when they reached the site. Ayla and Proleva, with their two babies, Folara, Jondalar, and the wolf, all went to the large zelandonia dwelling first. The donier of the Twenty-sixth Cave was already there waiting outside, and an acolyte Ayla had not seen for some time.

“Jonokol!” she said, rushing toward the man who had been the First’s acolyte before her, and was considered one of the finest artists of the Zelandonii. “When did you arrive? Have you seen Zelandoni, yet?” she asked after they had embraced and touched cheeks.

“We got here just before dark last night,” he said. “The Nineteenth Cave got off to a late start, and then the rain slowed us down. And yes, I have seen the First Among Those Who Serve The Mother. She’s looking wonderful.”

The other members of the Ninth Cave warmly greeted the man who had been, until recently, a valued member of their Cave and a good friend. Even Wolf sniffed him in recognition and was given a scratch behind the ears in return.