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

Ayla thought for a while. It was possible that the problem wasn’t Joplaya’s, but Echozar’s. He was half Clan, and there could be a reason why a man who was Clan, or even just part, might experience some problem having a child with one of the Others. One child could have been just luck, though some would call him “abomination,” not luck. She wasn’t sure how often someone of the Clan actually coupled with one of the Others, or how many of the offspring lived, or were allowed to live.

Everyone knew about those with mixed spirits, but she hadn’t seen very many. She stopped to consider them: There was her son, Durc, and Ura at the Clan Gathering. Rydag of the Mamutoi Lion Camp. Possibly Attaroa and others among the S’Armunai had Clan mixed in. Echozar was half, and of course, there was Bokovan. It was likely Brukeval’s mother had been half, too, which accounted for his characteristic look.

She was going to ask how well the Mother was honored at ceremonies and festivals among the Lanzadonii. They were still a small group, although there had been some talk, she knew, about where they would locate a second Cave, sometime in the future. It occurred to her that perhaps she ought to talk to their Zelandoni first. After all, she was one of the zelandonia and ought to discuss such thi

ngs with another Zelandoni. Perhaps I should consult with the First. She may have some thoughts on the matter, Ayla thought.

Echozar arrived at the camp then and the subject changed. She was glad for the chance to stop trying to be Zelandoni and just be a friend. He gave her a broad smile, which still startled her somewhat on a face so strongly Clan. An expression that bared the teeth had a different meaning in the clan she grew up with.

“Ayla! How good to see you!” Echozar said as they embraced. He too had noticed the fresh mark on her forehead, and though he understood what it meant, he had been adopted by Dalanar’s people, and it didn’t affect him quite the same way. He knew she was an acolyte, and expected her to become a Zelandoni someday. He might have commented on it, but he’d been exposed to more than his share of comment about the way he looked, and was reluctant to bring up any aspect of another person’s appearance.

“And here’s the wolf,” he said, feeling just a touch of apprehension when Wolf sniffed him. The Lanzadonii were not as familiar with the animal, and though he did remember him, it took a while to get used to the idea of a wolf mingling freely with people. “I heard he was here; that’s how I knew you had arrived. I was afraid we wouldn’t see you after making the trip all the way here. Some of us were even considering going to the Ninth Cave to see you before we left. Your Mamutoi kin and their S’Armunai friend are definitely planning to go, and some of the Lanzadonii were thinking of going along,” Echozar said.

Ayla thought he seemed much more confident and relaxed, and was sure Dalanar was right about how helpful it had been for Echozar to be accepted so easily by Danug and Druwez and—what was his name—Aldanor? She was sure Jondalar had welcomed him, too, along with their kin and and several close friends. Jondalar would be very good about making Echozar feel welcome … but he hadn’t said one single welcoming word to her. The only time she had seen him since she arrived was in the small woods, standing naked with Marona. Ayla had to look away to fight back the sudden tightness in her throat and sting of impending tears, feelings that seemed to come upon her at the most unexpected moments, lately. She said she had something in her eye.

“Just because I’ve come to the Summer Meeting doesn’t mean you can’t come to visit the Ninth Cave,” Ayla said after a moment. “It’s not very far from here, and since you are so close, you might as well. I think Dalanar and Joplaya would be interested in the way Jondalar has set up the training for his flint-knapping apprentices. He has six of them now,” Ayla said, sounding almost normal. After all, she could hardly help talking about Jondalar to Dalanar and Joplaya. “And I’d love to see a little more of Bokovan, and of course, all the rest of you.”

“I think that little one has charmed Ayla completely,” Dalanar said. Everyone smiled benignly.

“He is going to be a big man,” Echozar said. “And I want to teach him to be a good hunter.”

Ayla grinned at him. For a moment, she could imagine that Echozar was a man of the Clan, proud of the son of his hearth. “He may turn out to be more than just a big man, Echozar. I think he’s a very special child.”

“Where is Jondalar?” Echozar asked. “Wasn’t he supposed to come and share a meal with us tonight?”

“I saw him when he was taking Jonayla out with the horses after midday. He said he couldn’t make it,” Dalanar said, sounding disappointed.

“I was going to take Jonayla out, but the zelandonia meeting took longer than I expected,” Ayla said. Everyone glanced up at her forehead.

“Did he say why he couldn’t come?” Echozar asked.

“I don’t know, something about other plans, and promises he made before Ayla came.”

Ayla felt her stomach knot. I can imagine what promises he made, she thought.

It was nearly dark by the time Ayla insisted she had to go. Echozar walked back with her and Jonayla and Wolf, carrying a torch.

“You look happy, Echozar,” Ayla said.

“I am happy, although I still find it hard to believe Joplaya is my mate. Sometimes I wake up at night and just look at her in the firelight. She is so beautiful, and she’s wonderful. Kind and understanding. I feel so lucky, I sometimes wonder how I could deserve her.”

“She’s lucky, too, you know. I wish we lived closer.”

“So you could see more of Bokovan?” he said. She saw his teeth gleaming with a smile.

“It’s true, I would like to see more of Bokovan, and you and Joplaya, and everyone else,” Ayla said.

“Have you considered coming back with us and staying over winter?” Echozar asked. “You know, Dalanar says you and Jondalar are always welcome.”

Ayla frowned, staring into the dark. Yes, of course, Jondalar, she thought. “I don’t think Jondalar would want to leave his apprentices. He has made promises, and winter is the best time to work on perfecting techniques,” she said.

Echozar was silent for a few paces. “I don’t suppose you’d want to leave Jondalar for a season and visit by yourself, with Jonayla and your animals, of course,” he said. “As much as she loves Bokovan, I know Joplaya would love to have that little girl around. She and Bokovan spent a lot of time at Levela’s camp and got to know her.”

“I … don’t know. I guess I never thought about it. I’ve been so busy training for the zelandonia …,” she said, then glanced around looking for her daughter, who was straggling behind. She has probably found something along the path to distract her, Ayla thought.

“We would never object to having another Donier,” Echozar said.

Ayla smiled at him, then stopped. “Jonayla, why are you so far back?”