"We'll have to give him a proper burial." Jondalar stated grimly. He hoped the Mother would still be able to find his spirit and take it home.
"We should have a zelandonii" Dalanar knew his camp would be leaving for the summer meeting in less than a moon, and he didn't think they could make it there in time.
"Ayla can call him back to the Mother." Ranec announced, much to her surprise.
"I don't know how the Mother calls her children back. I only know the Clan way." She objected.
Dalanar reached over and took her hand. "Any help you could give would be appreciated."
Reluctantly, Ayla nodded.
"How long ago do you think it happened?" Madenia asked as a chill went up her spine. The last thing she wanted was a crazy person lurking around the area. She subconsciously held Tholiza closer, causing the toddler to squirm to get down.
As if sensing her mood, Jondalar spoke softly.
"I don't think whoever did this is around here. He's been....gone for at least a moon."
"I should go prepare him." Ayla stood but Jondalar placed his hand on her arm.
"Wait. Let us bring him out first."
Ayla frowned. Not hat she wanted to see him the way he was, but she felt it was important to see his final place. Perhaps there would be a sign from the Mother that would help his spirit or the family he left behind.
"Jondalar....did he have a mate?"
The blond man frowned. "I don't know. When he was Zelandonii, he was mated but they scattered the hearth."
Dalanar shook his head. "He was promised. Last summer he met a woman from the 3rd cave, Pakena? Dark brown hair, has a son." He directed his words to Jondalar, the younger man didn't remember her, but he nodded for Dalanar to continue.
"They would have made a good match. Pakena's first mate was killed in a stampede a few summers ago."
Ayla looked towards the mine opening, puzzled. Even with knowing where the entrance was a person would have a hard time locating it. She was left with an uneasy feeling.
"Dalanar? Could anyone else know where the mine is?" Ayla carefully asked.
Dalanar frowned as he thought. "No. Not that I know of. Only the Lanzadonii. Why do you ask?"
Ayla had a hard time believing anyone could have so much evil in them, but she knew first hand that wasn't so. "Whoever killed him had to have known where the mine was."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"No!" Dalanar exploded as he stood, causing Ayla to take a step back. Jondalar & Ranec both came forward to protect her if necessary.
"None of my people are capable of.....of this! How dare you imply that!"
"Dalanar, calm down." Jondalar spoke. "She does have a point."
When Dalanar started to protest, Jondalar cut him off. "I'm not saying one of the Lanzadonii did this, but....someone had to have known where the mine was. Maybe someone happened upon him." He finished lamely.
Dalanar glared at him and spoke evenly. "Do you really think your people, your kind, could do such a thing? If it wasn't Lanzadonii, then there's only one other choice."
Jondalar swallowed hard. "I wouldn't want to think so, but after the S'Amurians, I have to say it is possible."
Dalanar stared at them, one at a time before turning and going into the woods.
"What's he going to do?" Madenia asked, feeling overwhelmed and a little frightened. After all, Dalanar wasn't a small man and she didn't know him very well. What form would his anger take?
"I'm sure he just needs some time to think things over." Jondalar said, trying to reassure everyone-himself included. He though about the task at hand and his stomach churned. "I'll start to make a place for Kanolar."
"I'll help you." Ranec offered and Jondalar nodded in appreciation. Silently they headed off into the woods.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ayla found herself in-between worlds. She was traveling across the sky as the land passed below swiftly. She didn't know where she was going but all around he was a sense of urgency. Below, she spotted a man carrying a heavy load traveling south. She tried to will herself closer, but she couldn't.
Next she was coming up on familiar land and as she soared past a cliff, she recognized the Lanzadonii cave! It was still early in the day and a woman was standing outside. Ayla watched as she walked heavy hearted towards the river. Once there, the woman pulled out a pouch and held it above her head as if in offering.
Fascinated, she watched from behind as the woman then poured the contents into the water. When she turned, Ayla saw it was Jerika! Ayla barely recognized the woman who was so full of life and her heart went out to her.
She was gaunt, he eyes shadowed in worry, and Ayla knew it must have been because of Dalanar. At least she knew how she would feel if it had been Jondalar on a dangerous journey alone.
She wished there was someway she could help the woman when a loud rumbling frightened Ayla back into her body. Terrified, Ayla bolted upright in the sleeping furs as flashed of memory, hiding in a cave, sprang unbidden to her mind.
She left out a muffled cry and Wolf whined as he came up and licked her face. Slowly she came to realize that the earth wasn't shaking and she wasn't alone.
Thunder rolled across the sky and in the flashed of lightening she made out the sleeping forms of her children and Jondalar.
Ayla crawled to the tent opening and peeked out to make sure Whinney and Racer were all right. She couldn't see them and nickered softly. When Whinney nickered back, she knew they were nearby. Just as another clap of thunder shook the sky, she laid against Jondalar's naked form and hugged him tightly-drawing comfort from him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The mood of the travelers was subdued as they once again made their way towards the Lanzadonii camp. Each of them were carrying as much stone in their packs as they could, and both travois's also carried their fair share. What gave Dalanar a safe haven from his thought, from having to think of the people he trusted completely and choose among them someone who could....he shuddered involuntarily. Kanolar's pack was missing. Of course, there was always the possibility that some animal could have carted it off, scavenging for food, but now. A moon ago was bitter cold and Kanolar had made camp inside the cave. No animals aside from the biting insects, had bothered his body so the only other option was it had to have been taken by whomever killed him.
It was comforting to the older man. He *knew* that it had to have been an outsider. If someone in his cave had committed the heinous act they wouldn't have taken his things. Everyone would recognize them as Kanolars. He didn't allow himself to think it could have been for show.
Jondalar's stomach had been in knots since finding Kanolar. He knew Ayla was worried about his mood and tried to relax around her, but he knew he was failing miserably. What were they to expect when they reached the summer meeting? Would they be forced out again? What then? How could he accept Dalanar's offer to stay with the Lanzadonii when one of them could be a murderer? At first he hadn't even wanted to believe Ayla's suggestion. He lived with them for 3 years! He knew them. Deep down though, he knew she was right. There weren't many other possibilities.
"This looks like a good place to make camp" Ranec announced, causing Jondalar to come out of the reverie.
"I agree. The stream isn't far from here and there are plenty of animals to hunt." Ayla added with a smile. She always loved early summer. It was nice to make camp while they still had a good part of the day left. Since the flint mine, their pace had picked up considerably. Both Dalanar and Jondalar wanted to get back to the cave before the group left for the summer meeting.