"The beautiful and vibrant woman, who was the Earth Mother Spirit, laid down the law of hospitality to the S'Armunai, saying, 'All people from one end of The Great Mother River to the other shall offer true hospitality to visitors without demand, obligation or recompense. "What brings you to us so close to cold weather?" "I'm looking forward to having a baby in the family again. "You may be a medicine woman for your people," he conceded. I want a man who is committed to me without conditions and I don't want to come between you and another woman. Then Jonayla's eyes opened wide in surprise as her mother swung around to face the huddled Zelandonia in a hunter's crouch and screamed, "Listen! It would give Two Wolf Lodge one more evening to put everything in order and to leave the area at a convenient time for everyone. From that moment forward, everyone knew that the Zelandoni of the Ninth Cave would be First Zelandoni and would be chosen by unanimous consent. ", Ayla looked up. Home again. ", Cambarre reached out and took Jonayla's hand in his. Her father was leader before her and it is obvious that she learned a lot from him. They stood in the softly falling rain for a few moments longer. Finally Jonayla wrung as much of the water as possible and whirled the wet clothing around over her head repeatedly to dry them in the air, this would also help keep them supple enough to wear. She loved this man, this strong capable man, this man who could make her feel like this. What he had said was true, there had been no one there, but they didn't look like they would have cared even if there had been someone to ask. You will tell him that he has a friend within the Others, won't you? Ayla whirled around to see Jondalar falling to the ground impaled by a spearhead with three hands widths of shaft attached. Things seemed pretty desperate. Proleva looked at the strange man on the pole-drag. He'd never had women calling him an ugly flathead or had other boys and then men taunting him, saying that he looked like a flathead.'. She wanted as many children as Cambarre could give her. Ayla felt an exhilarating joy and shivered. You were in front of the cave and you stood there facing it and painted the symbols after painting your face white. The grave goods were arranged around him. Ayla dismounted in one smooth motion and ran into the old man's open arms. Then she saw someone standing in front of them in the distance. Ayla was mentally preparing herself for an attack, but it didn't come. "So, you continue to have hidden depths. They were trying to be quiet, but she could hear an occasional moan from her mother and once a surprised gasp from her father and rhythmic noises that made it obvious to her what they were doing. They had grown prosperous and multiplied without any natural disasters to thin their ranks, they had grown to two holdings and were looking for a place to build a third. Durg didn't move, not even a muscle, not even a blink of the eye. But what if some hunters were passing the head of the valley and had made a campfire? "He is tall and well-built and they say he was very sought after before he met your mother. He said he would beat me so badly that no one would recognize me. But now, when he said something it would be interesting or it would be important. Chapter 6 Without a word, Cambarre grabbed Jonayla's hand and they ran straight north; away from any civilization, away from both friends and enemies. Tears welled anew as she untied the rawhide thongs and, with her daughter's help, lifted Wolf's still body to carry him to a grassy area at the edge of the pool. Smiling to herself, Ayla agreed with the anonymous woman. He looked approvingly at the area that Rushemar and his men had reserved for them. Jondalar and Durcan were making their careful descent down the steep path from the Ninth Cave. She had spoken of this with both Cambarre and her mother, even asking her mother if she might be excused from her duties as an Acolyte at the next Summer Meeting in order to stay behind to build her herd. "We fought back then, we had no choice. She expressed an interest. Either way, they would be separated from The River and would have to be sure to site their camps close to water sources. She knew instinctively that this was a gift from the Mother and that it was a singular honor. She did all such jobs for living up to 1976, after which she went on to explore the author inside her. He would be forced to react to their movements. Seeing them so comfortable together made her realize that they would mate. Folrian remained silent as the older women talked about and compared their trial mating times and their men. For the second time Brukeval had the First Zelandoni, the giver of Doni's gifts, the one who acted as the intermediary with The Great Earth Mother, standing with bowed head at the edge of his grave, in prayer. Even though the wild men were supposed to be gone, it would only be prudent to continue a watchful eye to make sure that there was no longer any danger. A Clan hunter was asking a female what he should do. You kept throwing it in my face, again and again. The only real question I have about this change in meeting places is about hunting. When the stallion starts moving to the center, gallop in toward the opening and yell, but stay leaning down so they can't see you!". She hadn't known Madroman that well, but what she had known about him hadn't made her like or trust him. Always in the past it was a status position that we vied for and the strongest among us would win the place of first." "Zelandoni who will be First among us all, the Zelandoni from Lance Rock Cave is down beside the stream.". Teamwork was the only way to survive in their sometimes harsh climate. She knew that they still had five days before the final Matrimonial. It was hard to tell what time of day it was while under the ledge with screens surrounding him, but Groog thought it was probably late afternoon now. I think we all know what he thinks of Clan people. Jondalar was still weak, although feeling better and stronger each day. The next thing I remember was being here. I had expected the gathering to continue for a few more days," Jondalar said, ignoring what would normally have been his traditional response to the other's greeting. What do those symbols mean? ", Ayla continued, "Will you respect her and care for her and the children she brings to your hearth?". ", When Madroman continued arguing, Ayla said sharply, "Silence! The listeners didn't stir at this addition to the story telling, they sat absorbed in the unfolding drama. Ayla spotted a place beside a runoff stream that seemed a likely spot for the night. "We're doing fine. Nervously, the Donier, not knowing what to expect, reached out and took the outstretched hands in hers. The smile was very reminiscent of her mother's - one of the things about her that had attracted Cambarre to her in the first place. With lightning speed she unerringly hurled two stones, one after the other, right at the head of the beast. Not even the leader had them. The idea of naming future generations after their ancestors was appealing to her and she thought to herself that the idea might catch on, that her daughter might have come up with an idea that all the people would eventually use, at least to some degree. She taught me Clan medicine, so let me help this hunter. True, the actual violence had been perpetrated by Brukeval, Madroman just aided him, but without Madroman, there would have been little support from the Chimu men to carry out the violence against the Clan as well as violence against their own people. Joharran, leader of the Ninth Cave, Manvelar, leader of the Third Cave, Trivodan, leader of the First Southern Cave and Tormaden, leader of the Nineteenth Cave stood before Ayla. Jonayla was still standing by the fire when Lorala came to stand next to her. He could always make excuses to Marilla later. She yelled at them to stab the men still rolling around on the ground. Thank you for your service, it is appreciated.". "Maybe Cambarre and I should borrow that soap later," Jonayla said, knowingly. "After Ralev tells the Ocean story, let's go visit the traders on the hill and then I want to go swimming," Folrian chattered. "You had me thinking I was going to be a father again. Then she remembered Madroman, who would leave with the southern Zelandoni to begin his servitude, "And I also learned about wickedness and deceit." He had begun to question his ability to challenge the Zelandoni from the Ninth Cave the second night after his arrival when he had wanted to get away from everyone else and think. He looked her over again as subtly as he could, to make sure she was really a female. Camma noted that the Zelandoni was about her own age, maybe a few years older, and that she was quite attractive. There before him stood a woman of the Others, but one like none he had ever seen before. "It's about time. She and her mate had been living with the S'Armunai since then but now they had made the long journey to the Zelandonii Summer Meeting with plans to stay with the Ninth Cave at least through the coming winter. It was almost second nature to her to blend into the landscape. The other books in the series were all set in the here and now and I felt I shouldn't break away from that format. He could be one of the Shaman's men for all we know. "I'm afraid that I'm going to have to ask you to stay with Groog again this evening during the welcome feast. ", "Well," Ayla said. They had started out for a hunting lesson, only to find a much richer catch than animals for food. The obvious things are the knowledge showing a man's true role in the conception of life. Groog reached into the folds of his wrap and brought out a chunk of flint and another stone that the old Mog-ur thought looked familiar. How far do you think you will need to travel to get back to your cave?". The southern Donier did drink and she did feel better. As Ayla neared the entrance, she stopped in her tracks. But here it was, three days, almost dusk, and still no sign of his family. Apparently it is rare and hard to find. I used a new herb that gives it a unique flavor.". "I didn't really understand all of this until the day Brukeval died. I've been away too long and there are some things I have to attend to. Everyone but Ayla and Jondalar cringed backward in fear. It had leaked during the last rain and he didn't want them getting wet again as fall moved forward and the rains became more frequent before the snow fell. She spent extra time on these panels, making sure they were just right. Ayla thanked the leader for his kind words and changed the subject. "You look so grown up Durc. "Camma, once we get them moving you should fall back about fifty paces so Cambarre and I can herd them together. She said this in a commanding voice, a tone of voice that she was becoming more and more accustomed to using. Everyone knew that The White Cave was an important spiritual place for all the Zelandonii people and it brought importance to their holding. Cambarre knew Jonayla had built up a small herd of horses and that she'd spent many moons in the field doing just what they were doing now. "Maybe I can hunt something for the evening meal. Jonayla stopped and looked back at Cambarre with a question in her eyes. This candidate was second Zelandoni to the First Zelandoni and both served the Ninth Cave. "At Sacred Mountain, when I was chosen, and the Mother spoke to us - you might have felt her voice - the earth trembled.". She watched as the woman came around the fire to sit beside Willamar and saw his face light up with a smile. The only people that I told about my first born son were Marthona and the First Zelandoni before me and they both counseled me not to reveal that part of my past. Cambarre knew a bit more than the other hunters, being the mate of the First Zelandoni's daughter. After a while it appeared the discussion was over and Jonayla had won the argument because she knelt beside the downed hunter and was once again cleaning the wound. Then suddenly the earth shook violently, knocking most of the people to the ground. To Jonayla, her mother was all that was good and strong and just in a person. He was sitting on a submerged rock ledge at the edge of the pool. It was almost as if he had been reading her mind. "Ayla," Jondalar said, "you better explain to that man what you're doing. Ayla knew they would not be overheard from this distance. Doni, The Great Earth Mother, She who's mate and lover is Lumi, who shines down upon us this night in witness with Her. As Ayla moved the hide flap aside and entered the lodge with her daughter right behind her, she heard her daughter gasp as they stood just inside the threshold looking at a beautiful mating outfit, one that Jonayla had never seen before. She dismounted and walked to the river's bank. But she heard the voice call again, now with some concern. They had talked earlier and had come to some decisions that she would now share with their family members. ", Jondalar shouted in surprise, "I knew you looked familiar. If not, then all I've done is to misinterpret the dreams she sent me. Should it be running dry? You weren't like this when we were young. "The First Zelandoni before me said that the Zelandonii people had taken this area away from the Clan back in ancient times," Ayla explained. Groog did believe her. "You might be surprised what your people will say when they are informed," he sneered. Then Jonayla signed to Cambarre to look at the horizon. They would have done more than just look for firewood. It all started when our cave was suddenly attacked by the Others. When the last of the nine Insights is revealed to you, you will have an exciting new image of human life, and a positive vision of how we will save this planet, its creatures and its beauty. Go away! That night for some reason he was suspicious of her. It's a good question to ask." I will follow you shortly. school books or books from other authors. This thing about a Clan son makes no difference to me as far as how I feel about you. At least this woman understood the proper ways. Ayla knew that the man wouldn't fare well if left behind and she didn't want to leave him to the hunters from the north, but neither could she remain any longer at the Nineteenth Cave. I have seen her make fire by striking two stones together; she even gave me a fire stone." He then stood to don the travel clothing that Ayla had laid out for him the night before. Those two had killed more than all his hunters combined and had done it in just moments. They hate me, all of them. Dula signed to Mog-ur that she would speak if he would allow it and he nodded his consent. It was obvious to Ayla that Groog was not convinced by what Jondalar had told him. 'The Woman Who Hunts' was in Mog-ur lore and known only to Mog-urs. "I am grateful to you both for taking on the task of calling on the Chimu during your trial period. Kerouac, Jack - Dharma Bums.mobi - 352 kB. Jonayla regretted having been so harsh with him, but she knew that she was right and was proven correct when they started bringing in twice the amount of kills each day. Willamar only had a belt knife and Melodene had nothing more than a throwing stick to bring down birds. Ayla was delighted, "Isn't this just lovely Jondalar? "I must leave for the Zelandoni lodge soon to prepare for the Matrimonial. Sacred Mountain consists of two unique ranches; Sacred Mountain Retreat and Sacred Mountain Private Ranch. "That's the price one pays when mating the First Zelandoni's daughter, who is also an Acolyte," Cambarre joked. At first Cambarre accompanied her on her hunting forays, but as they had to go further afield, Jonayla had insisted that he pick another direction and they both hunt away from each other. Both Ayla and Jonayla went to the horses to make sure they had access to water and grass. "Groog, why do you assume this woman is The Woman Who Hunts just because she has told you a story and because she is able to speak properly? ", Jonayla responded, "Greetings Groog, I think she will be busy with the leaders and visiting Zelandonia that have arrived. While the women were working on the marker, Cambarre put up a temporary shelter using three of the four ground covers available. So yes, I'm sure you're going to be a father Cambarre.". Against the back wall of the surround were some sleeping shelters and an area with an awning stretched over it for rainy days, but the main area was just a big open space where people could sit and watch and listen, although there was a structure at the side of the compound that had a dugout floor and a pointed roof providing a more intimate space when needed.