The air reverberated with the beat of drums and pipes, singing, and many dancing feet. A bearded, red-haired giant of a man made his way through the crowd to Ayla, pulled her into a bear hug, and then held her at arm's length, beaming.
"I can't tell you how happy I am to see you back, Ayla," he boomed. "Things just haven't been the same without you. You were always meant to stay with us, I think." Ayla gave him a smile. She knew the big man had not meant anything hurtful, it was just his way to say what he thought without reservation.
"It is good to be back, Talut," she said. "It feels like home."
"The Lion Camp is your home!" he nodded vigorously. "Wait, I'll go and fetch some more of my special bouza. This is going to be a real celebration!"
He turned on his heel and disappeared into the earth lodge. Ayla decided that she would not drink any more, the one cup she had was more than enough – she had no wish to wake up next morning with a headache. People all around her, meanwhile, were cheering on Talut, urging him to bring more of the fermented drink he was so good at making.
The sky above still blazed orange and purple, but a big bonfire was already set to ward off the chill. A wide selection of food was brought out, including a huge sizzling slab of mammoth meat to which everybody helped themselves. There were fat tender ptarmigan, freshwater fish and molluscs, and a variety of grains, roots and fruit, both fresh and dry.
Ayla knew the Mamutoi loved to have a reason to celebrate, but still it felt incredibly flattering to be the source and center of all the happiness, though she didn't feel exactly happy herself yet. She was relieved to have completed a long and dangerous journey before winter, no doubt, and she was glad she would not need to go anywhere again before the Summer Meeting, but there was still a dull ache within her which only time would be able to cure.
She walked over to Fralie, who was sitting at some distance from the fire, nursing her baby. Little Bectie was playing by her side. Noticing Ayla, Fralie lifted up her head and smiled.
"Congratulations on the new baby, Fralie," said Ayla, looking at the little face. "This one is a girl too, isn't she?"
"Yes," said Fralie, "I called her Crolie. I was fortunate that this last pregnancy and birth went so smoothly for me, Ayla. If it had been like it was with Bectie, I don't think I would have made it through without you around. I was especially worried after what happened to Tricie," she added, shaking her head sadly.
"What happened?" Ayla asked, lowering her voice. She stole a glance in the direction where Ranec was standing. She noticed that, though not truly withdrawn, he didn't seem too keen on the celebrations.
"Well, nobody anticipated any difficulty," Fralie told her. "Tricie already had one child, and she didn't have any trouble birthing Ralev. The pregnancy went well, too. Tricie's mother came to visit once and suggested that Tricie and Ranec could travel to their camp before Tricie's time came, so that she would birth in the presence of a good woman-healer. But Tricie laughed off her concerns, said she would be fine on her own. And then... the labor began, but it didn't progress. I think the baby was positioned badly, and in the end she just had no strength left. Oh, Ayla," her voice cracked, "it was terrible. She was just slowly dying, and none of us could do anything."
Ayla bit her lip. In some cases, she had been able to shift a baby within its mother's womb when it was badly positioned. And she could make an infusion of raspberry leaves and other herbs, to strengthen the womb and help the contractions. If she had been here... she shook her head. If she had been here, if she had remained behind, most likely Tricie wouldn't be in Lion Camp at all. But still – when she left, she hadn't paused to consider that she is leaving these people, her people, without a competent healer. She had not bothered to look for someone who could replace her, nor to pass at least some rudiments of her knowledge to other women of the camp. If only she had told Nezzie how to make the infusion that helps women in labor...
She got up resolutely. She felt very uncomfortable about what she was going to do, but she thought it had better be sooner than later. Mustering up her courage, she walked out to Ranec, holding her hands to him with her palms open. He acknowledged her friendly gesture by touching his palms to hers.
"Welcome back, Ayla," he said warmly.
"Thank you, Ranec," she nodded, feeling thoroughly undeserving of such a generous welcome. She realized that, despite the time that had passed, he could never forget the circumstances of her departure. "I am sorry for your loss," she offered, because she didn't know what else to say. He nodded.
"I have seen Ralev," said Ayla, "he's beautiful."
"Yes, he is a fine boy," said Ranec. "I only wish that..." he shook his head. "Well, never mind. That is some great feast, have you had any of Tulie's loaf cakes?"
"Yes, they were very good, they always are," said Ayla, "but I don't think I will stay up too long, myself."
"You must be tired. You will be staying at the Mammoth Hearth, of course?"
"Yes," nodded Ayla, and just as she was beginning to feel the awkwardness dispelling, Ranec lifted his dark eyes and stared into hers, and asked the question she feared:
"Where is Jondalar?"
She made herself meet his gaze unflinchingly. "With the Zelandonii," she told him.
"Why..." he started, but stopped himself just in time. "Never mind. I shouldn't be asking – well, anyway, I think Ralev is tired. I had better go and help him to his bed."
Ayla was feeling very tired indeed, but her mind was alive. Someone had arranged a sleeping platform for her at the Mammoth Hearth and piled clean furs on top of it, and Ayla felt very comfortable lying snuggled there and looking at the flickering small light of the oil lamp, but sleep was tardy in coming. She had never seen this hearth without the presence of old Mamut.
She was only just beginning to drift off when she woke because a small hand shifted aside the leather drape that was supposed to give her some privacy in the crowded space of the earth lodge. Ayla looked up and saw Ralev's brown eyes, intelligent and wide awake.
"What is the matter?" she whispered. "Have you woken up?"
The child nodded. "Can I stay here?" he indicated her sleeping furs. Ayla noticed he spoke better than most boys his age.
She patted the space beside her, and Ralev climbed onto her sleeping platform and snuggled in with his head in her lap. Ayla sat with him, running her hand through his curls and murmuring tunelessly to him until the child had fallen asleep. Then she noticed Ranec's dark form stir at the Fox Hearth. He looked around, obviously wondering where the child has gone. He looked in the direction where some tired children were sleeping in a heap, and it was clear to Ayla he was thinking that perhaps Ralev had woken up and decided to join them.
"Ranec," she called quietly. The lodge was asleep.
He turned to the sound of her voice and walked over to her. An odd expression spread across his face when he saw the son of his hearth sleeping with his head on Ayla's lap.
"I'm sorry," he said. "He must have woken you."
"It doesn't matter," said Ayla, "I don't mind." It was true. The gentle weight and warmth of the child was comforting. "He can stay here tonight," she offered.
"Thank you," said Ranec, and after a pause added, "he does that sometimes. Gets up in the middle of the night and wanders around the lodge. I doubt he still remembers Tricie, he was too young – and Nezzie is very good to him – but he sometimes looks for... for his mother, I think. Are you sure you don't mind? I can carry him back to his bed if you like."
"There's no need to," Ayla assured him, and after a lingering look at the little boy, Ranec went back to bed. She lay down and snuggled next to the child, and his soft, deep breathing finally lulled her to sleep.
