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

“You’re suddenly full of excitement,” the older woman said.

“I’m going to the Summer Meeting. I don’t have to watch the sky anymore. I’m through with my training. There is no reason I can’t go,” Ayla said.

“Are you sure you’re strong enough?” There was a note of regret in Marthona’s voice.

“You’ve taken good care of me. I’m feeling fine, and I really want to see Jondalar, and Jonayla.”

“I miss them too, but it’s a long way to go alone. I thought you might wait until the next hunter comes to take a turn helping us. Then you could go back with Forason,” Marthona suggested.

“I’m going to ride Whinney. It won’t take long. I can probably get there in a day. Two at the most,” Ayla said.

“Yes, you’re probably right. I’d forgotten that you would be taking your horse, and Wolf, too,” Marthona said.

Ayla noticed Marthona’s disappointment, and suddenly realized how much the woman would like to go, and she was still concerned about her health. “How are you feeling? I don’t want to leave if you are not well.”

“No, don’t stay on my behalf,” Marthona said. “I’m much better. If I had felt this good at the beginning of the season, I might have considered going.”

“Why don’t you come with me? You could sit on Whinney’s back. It might take a little longer, but only another day or so,” Ayla said.

“No. I like the horse we

ll enough, but I don’t want to sit on her back. To be honest, it frightens me a little. You are right, though, you need to go. You need to tell Zelandoni that you were ‘called.’ Imagine what a surprise it will be.”

“There’s not much summer left anyway. Everyone will be coming back before long,” Ayla said, trying to ease the separation.

“I feel two ways about that,” Marthona said. “I’m anxious for the Summer Meeting to be over and for the Ninth Cave to come back, but I’m not looking forward to the return of winter. I suppose it’s always that way when a person gets old.”

Ayla’s next step in preparing to leave was to look for Lorigan and Forason. She knew exactly where to find Jonclotan, with Jeralda. Almost everyone was sitting around the community fireplace, finishing up a meal.

“Ayla, come join us,” Jeralda called. “Have something to eat. There is plenty left and it’s still warm.”

“I think I will. I’ve been so hungry the last few days,” Ayla said.

“I can understand why,” Jeviva said. “How do you feel?”

“Much more rested,” Ayla said, then smiled. “I’ve decided that I’m going to go to the Summer Meeting soon. I’ve finished my sky watching, so there is no reason for me to stay, but I thought we ought to go hunting once more before I leave, both for those who are here, and for something to take with me to the Meeting. The animals around the Meeting Camp are likely to be almost gone, and those that haven’t been killed are probably avoiding the area.”

“You aren’t going to leave before my baby comes, are you?” Jeralda said.

“If you don’t have it in the next few days,” Ayla said. “Though I would like to stay and see that nice healthy baby born. Have you been walking?”

“Yes, I have, but I was so looking forward to you being here to help me.”

“Your mother is here, and several other women who know about babies, not to mention Jonclotan. I don’t think you’ll have any problems, Jeralda,” Ayla said. Then she looked at the three hunters. “Would you like to go hunting with me tomorrow morning?”

“I hadn’t planned on going for a few more days, but it doesn’t matter to me,” Lorigan said. “I can go tomorrow, especially if you’re leaving soon. I have to admit, I’ve gotten used to our little hunting pack, including the wolf. I think we work together well.”

“Which way do you want to go?” Jonclotan said.

“We haven’t been north for a while,” Forason said.

“I’ve been avoiding that direction because I don’t know how far the hunters from the Summer Meeting are having to range now. I’m sure animals are gettting scarce around the Camp by now. That’s why I want to bring something with me. I have Zelandoni’s pole-drag, I can use it to haul a good-sized carcass with me,” Ayla said.

“Is that safe?” Jeviva said. “Won’t you attract a hunting animal? Maybe you shouldn’t go alone.”

Marthona had joined them, but didn’t say anything. She didn’t think it was anything that would concern Ayla, if she had made up her mind to go.

“Wolf will warn me, and I think between us, we can drive off a four-legged hunter,” Ayla said.