The Shelters of Stone (Earth's Children 5)

“During the Clan Gathering,” Ayla continued, “the men compete to see who will have the honor of sending Ursus to the World of the Spirits to speak for the Clan and carry their messages. The three men who have won the most competitions are chosen—it takes at least that many to send a full-grown cave bear to the next world. While it is an honor to be chosen, it is very dangerous. Often the cave bear takes one or more of the men with him to the Spirit World.”

“So they communicate with the world of the spirits,” said Zelandoni of the Eleventh.

“And they bury their dead with red ochre,” Jondalar said, knowing his words carried a deep meaning to the man.

“This information will take some time to comprehend,” the leader of the Eleventh Cave said, “and a great deal of consideration. It will mean many changes.”

“You’re right, of course, Kareja,” said the First Among Those Who Served.

“Right now, we don’t need much thought to consider stopping for a meal,” said Proleva, glancing back toward the eastern end of the terrace. Everyone turned and looked in the same direction. A procession of people was coming with platters and containers of food.

The people at the meeting broke into small groups to eat. Manvelar sat beside Ayla, opposite Jondalar, with his dish of food. He had made a point of introducing himself the night before, but with the throng surrounding the newcomer, he hadn’t tried to get better acquainted. His Cave was nearby, and he knew he’d have time later. “You’ve had several invitations, but let me add another,” he said. “You must come and visit Two Rivers Rock; the Third Cave of the Zelandonii are close neighbors.”

“If the Fourteenth Cave are known as the best fishers, and the Eleventh Cave for making rafts, what is the Third Cave known for?” Ayla asked.

Jondalar answered for him. “Hunting.”

“Doesn’t everyone hunt?” she asked.

“Of course, that’s why they don’t brag about it, just because everyone hunts. Some individual hunters from other Caves like to talk about their own prowess, and they may be good, but as a group, the Third Cave are the best hunters.”

Manvelar smiled. “We do brag about it, in our own way, but I think the reason we have become such good hunters is our location. Our shelter is high above the confluence of two rivers, with wide grassy valleys. This one,” he said, waving a hand that held a meaty bone toward The River, “and another

called Grass River. Most of the animals we hunt migrate through these two valleys, and we’ve got the best place from which to watch for them at any time of the year. We’ve learned to judge when certain ones will likely appear and we usually let everyone else know, but we are often the first ones to hunt them.”

“That may be true, Manvelar, but all the hunters of the Third Cave are good, not just one or two. They work hard to perfect their skill. All of them,” Jondalar said. “Ayla understands that. She loves to hunt, she is amazing with a sling, but wait until we show you the new spear-thrower we developed. It throws a spear so much farther and faster, you won’t believe it. Ayla is more accurate, and I can throw a little farther, but anyone can hit an animal from twice or even three times as far as you can with a spear thrown by hand.”

“I would like to see that!” Manvelar said. “Joharran wants to arrange a hunt soon to add provisions for the Summer Meeting. That may be a good time to demonstrate this new weapon, Jondalar.” Then, turning to Ayla, he added, “Both of you are joining the hunt, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I’d like to.” She paused to take a bite, then, looking at the men, she said, “I have a question. Why are Caves numbered the way they are? Is there some order or meaning to the numbers?”

“The oldest Caves have the lowest numbers,” Jondalar said. “They were established first. The Third Cave was established before the Ninth, and the Ninth before the Eleventh or Fourteenth. There is no First Cave anymore. The oldest is the Second Cave of the Zelandonii, which isn’t too far from here. Manvelar’s Cave is the next oldest. It was established by the First People.”

“When you taught me the counting words, Jondalar, they were always said in a particular order,” Ayla said. “This is the Ninth Cave, and Manvelar, yours is the Third Cave. Where are the people from the Caves with numbers in between?”

The gray-haired man smiled. Ayla had picked the right person to ask for information about the Zelandonii. Manvelar had a long-standing interest in the history of his people, and had acquired quite a store of information from various members of the zelandonia, traveling Story-Tellers, and people who had heard tales that were passed down from their ancestors. Members of the zelandonia, including Zelandoni herself, sometimes asked him questions.

“Over the years since the First People established the founding Caves, many things have changed,” Manvelar said. “People have moved or found mates in other Caves. Some Caves grew smaller, some bigger.”

“Like the Ninth Cave, some grew unusually large,” Jondalar added.

“The Histories tell of sickness that sometimes claimed many people, or bad years when people starved.” Manvelar picked up the story again. “When Caves get small, sometimes two or more join together. The combined Cave usually takes the lowest number, but not always. When Caves get too big for the size of their shelter, they may break off to form a new Cave, often close by. Some time ago a group from the Second Cave broke off and moved to the other side of their valley. They are called the Seventh Cave because at that time there was a Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth in existence. There is still a Third, of course, and a Fifth, up north, but no longer a Fourth or Sixth.”

Ayla was delighted to learn more about the Zelandonii and smiled her gratitude for the explanation. The three of them sat companionably together for a while, eating quietly. Then Ayla had another question. “Are all Caves known for something special, like fishing or hunting or raft-making?”

“Most of them,” Jondalar said.

“What is the Ninth Cave known for?”

“Their artists and craftspeople,” Manvelar answered for him. “All Caves have skilled artisans, but the Ninth Cave has the best. That’s partly why they are so large. It is not just the children born, but anyone who wants the best training in anything from carving to toolmaking wants to move to the Ninth Cave.”

“That’s mainly because of Down River,” Jondalar said.

“What is ‘Down River’?” Ayla asked.

“It’s the next shelter just downriver from here,” Jondalar explained. “It’s not the home of an organized Cave, although you might think so from the number of people who are usually there. It’s the place where people go to work on their projects, and to talk to other people about them. I’ll take you there, maybe after this meeting—if we get away before dark.”

After everyone had eaten, including the servers, the children of several of the people, and Wolf, they relaxed with cups and bowls of hot tea. Ayla was feeling much better. Her nausea was gone and so was her headache, but she noticed her increased need to pass water again. As the ones who had brought the meal were leaving with the largely empty serving dishes, Ayla noticed that Marthona was standing alone for a moment and walked over to her.