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

“For that matter, a few people could take turns carrying her on a litter,” Dalanar volunteered. “With four people, one on each corner, it would be easy. She’s not heavy.”

“And she could sit

up; she wouldn’t have to look backward. I’m tempted to tell Jondalar to go back and get her, but I haven’t seen him yet. Has he been with you, Dalanar?” Ayla asked.

“No, I haven’t seen him all day. He could be anywhere. You know how it is at a Meeting like this,” Dalanar said. “I haven’t even seen Bokovan all day.”

“Bokovan? Are Joplaya and Echozar here? I thought Echozar said he’d never came back after the big fuss that was made over his joining with Joplaya,” Ayla said.

“It took a lot of persuading. Jerika and I thought he should come for Bokovan’s sake. He’s going to need to find a mate someday, too, and there aren’t enough Lanzadonii yet. All the youngsters are raised like siblings, and you know how it is when children grow up together. They don’t usually think of each other as potential mates. I told Echozar that it was only a few people who objected, but he wasn’t convinced. It wasn’t until this big Mamutoi and his cousin and friend came that he decided to go. They helped most of all.”

“What did they do?”

“That’s just it. They didn’t do anything. You know how people always seem to feel uncomfortable around Echozar when they first meet him—you never did, but you were an exception,” Dalanar said. “I think that’s why he’s always had a special fondness for you. Danug didn’t either, just started talking to him in signs. The young S’Armunai didn’t seem terribly bothered by Echozar either. Apparently they don’t think of the ones of mixed spirits with as much antagonism as some of the Zelandonii.”

“I think that’s true,” Ayla said. “Mixtures seem more common among them, and more accepted, though not entirely, especially when the look of the Clan is as strong as it is in Echozar. He might have some problem even there.”

“Not with Aldanor. All three of those young men accepted him as easily as anyone else. They didn’t make him an exception, or make special efforts to be nice to him. They just treated him like any other young man. It made Echozar realize, I think, that not everyone would hate him, or object to him. He could make friends, and so could Bokovan. In fact, that young couple that mated the same time you did, Jondecam and Levela? They have all but adopted Bokovan. He’s over there all the time, playing with their youngsters, and all the rest of the children that always seem to be running around their camp. I wonder sometimes how they put up with having so many children there all the time,” Dalanar said.

“Levela has no end of patience,” Ayla said. “I think she loves it.” She turned to Danug. “You will go with us back to the Ninth Cave, won’t you? We haven’t even started catching up on what everyone in the Lion Camp is doing.”

“We were rather hoping to winter with you. I’d like to go all the way to the Great Waters of the West before I return. Besides, I don’t think there is any way we’re going to get Aldanor away from here before spring, and maybe not then,” Danug said, smiling at his friend.

Ayla looked at him questioningly. “Why not?”

“When you see him around Jondalar’s sister, you’ll know.”

“Folara?”

“Yes, Folara. He is absolutely smitten with her. Completely, totally, out of his mind over her, and I think the feeling may be mutual. At least she certainly doesn’t seem to mind spending time with him. A lot of time with him.” Though Danug had spoken Mamutoi, he was grinning. His language was similar, and he had learned quite a bit of Mamutoi on their Journey, and her name was the same word in any language. Ayla saw Aldanor’s face flush. She raised her eyebrows and then smiled.

The tall, graceful young woman who Folara had become easily commanded attention everywhere she went. She had her mother’s natural elegance and Willamar’s easy charm, and as Jondalar had always predicted she would be, Folara was beautiful. Her beauty was not quite the consummate manifestation of perfection that Jondalar had been in his youth—and for the most part still was. Her mouth was a little too generous, her eyes were spaced a bit too wide, her light brown hair was a touch too fine, but the minor imperfections only made her more approachable and appealing.

Folara had had no lack of suitors, but none had quite excited her fancy, or fulfilled her unexpressed expectations. Her lack of interest in choosing a mate was driving her mother to distraction; she wanted to see a grandchild from her own daughter. After spending so much time with the woman, she had grown to understand her better, and knew that Folara’s regard for the young S’Armunai would be of great consequence to Marthona. The biggest question was would Aldanor decide to stay with the Zelandonii, or would Folara go with him back to the S’Armunai? Marthona needs to be here, Ayla thought.

“Willamar, have you noticed Folara’s interest in this young S’Armunai?” Ayla asked, smiling at the self-consciously blushing visitor.

“Now that you mention it, I guess they have spent a lot of time together since I’ve been here,”

“You know Marthona, Willamar. You know she would want to be here if Folara is getting serious about a young man, especially one who may want her to go with him back to his home. I’m sure she would come here if she could.”

“You’re right, Ayla, but is she strong enough?”

“You said something about carrying her on a litter, Dalanar. How long do you think it would take for a few strong young men to run back to the Ninth Cave and bring her here?”

“No more than a few days for good runners, maybe twice that to bring her back, and however long it would take her to prepare. Do you really think she’s well enough?” Dalanar said.

“Would Jerika be well enough if it was Joplaya?” Ayla asked.

Dalanar nodded with understanding.

“Marthona seemed much better when I left, and if she doesn’t have to exert herself, I think she would be as well here, where there are so many people to help her, as she is at the Ninth Cave. She likes the horses, to watch them or pat them, and I think under the circumstances, she’d even ride the pole-drag to get here, but I believe she’d be more comfortable sitting up on a litter and able to talk to people along the way. I’d ask Jondalar, but he doesn’t seem to be around anywhere. Could you and Dalanar, and maybe Joharran, arrange it, Willamar?”

“I think we could do that, Ayla. You’re probably right. Folara’s mother needs to be here if she is getting serious about mating, especially to a foreigner.”

“Mother! Mother! You came! You finally came,” a young voice called out. It was an interruption Ayla was delighted to hear. She turned and smiled, and her eyes lit up as she held out her arms to the young girl running toward her, with the wolf happily loping beside her. Her daughter fairly flew into her arms.

“I missed you so much,” Ayla said, hugging her close; then she pulled back to look at her and hugged her again. “I can’t believe how much you have grown, Jonayla!” she said when she put her down.