Note: As I no longer post at all to the AuelBoard, if there are any readers who frequent the board and would like to notify the others that I've updated this webpage, you have my permission.
For those on the mailing list, a new part should be arriving soon. Thanks for being so patient.
Thanks!
zzzaney
######################
Long before she could see the water, Ayla knew
they were close. The air had
a salty smell that brought back memories of the peninsula on
Beren Sea. An
unbidden image of her son caused her to draw a shaky breath.
Would she ever
be able to think of him without the pain and longing that gripped
her heart?
The sun was almost at it's highest point in the sky and despite
the shade
they traveled through, Ayla felt hot. It was muggy, humid. The
season had
been changing, it was getting cooler, but the Mother wasn't ready
to let the
small death of winter take over yet. She was still fighting her
battle and
had some strength left. Ayla wished she was wearing her short
summer pants.
Jondalar smiled as he glanced back at Ayla. He remembered this
part of the
journey when he came to the Great Waters before. Joharren and
Willomar,
along with Riklomar were also smiling. Just as they'd neared what
appeared
to be the edge of the forest, all three of the men guided Ayla,
Ranec,
Madenia and Rickolan to the front of the line. They smiled as the
four got
their first glimpse of the Great Waters that were endless.
Ayla couldn't breathe. She'd never seen anything like it. Ever.
Not even
Beren Sea was this big! At least there she could make out land on
the other
side on clear days. Tholiza shifted as if to get away from the
arms holding
her ,but Ayla held tightly to her as she edged closer to the lip
of the rock
face they were on. The water below them crashed against rocks and
sand as
the roar of the great expanse called out to them in greeting.
She watched the birds, seagulls, fly out over the water, then
come back to
land on the sand. The sky was a vivid, crystal blue that
magnified the color
of the Great Waters ten fold.
Ayla couldn't tear her eyes away from the beauty before her. She
felt
Jondalar come up behind her and wrap his arms around her from
behind. She
finally looked back at him as she took a deep breath.
"Oh, Jondalar. It's beautiful. I've never seen anything this
beautiful in my
life." She whispered, still in awe.
Ayla looked at Willomar and Joharren, both looked pleased with
the reaction
of the newcomers. When she looked at Ranec, he was holding
Madenia as they
both stared straight ahead.
After a few minutes, when Jondalar was sure they had a chance to
appreciate
the Mother's gift in all its beauty, he cleared his throat.
"I don't know about the rest of you, but I can't wait to get
down there and
cool off. Who's up for a swim?" he good humoredly asked.
"I certainly am!" Joharren boomed as he picked his pack
up and started
towards an over grown path led down to the water's edge.
Rickolan seemed to snap out of his daze then, and excitedly
hurried after
the leader of the cave as only a youth could.
Both Ayla and Jondalar followed at a slower pace, picking a path
that would
be best for the horses. Wolf ran ahead of everyone, and was
already below
chasing birds as they scattered into panicked flight.
Ayla laughed as she splashed into the water, holding Tholiza
tightly. At
first the little girl clung to her mother, afraid of the water
that seemed
to jump up at her.
"Don't be afraid, Tholiza. The water won't hurt you."
Ayla assured her as
she sank to her knees in the water. Tholiza sucked in a breath as
the water
lapped around her, and Ayla wasn't sure if she would cry or not.
After a
moment, Tholiza stuck a brave hand downward into the water,
watching as it
crashed over her fingers to disappear back again.
Around Ayla, everyone was laughing and running into the water,
shouting with
joy. She couldn't help but to laugh with them, relishing the
sounds. Growing
up with the Clan, laughter was something she had to do in
private. She still
marveled at the joy and wonder laughter caused. Ayla knew that
her children
would have much laughter in their lives. She'd make certain of
it.
Jondalar and Joharren were splashing each other as Willomar waded
nearby,
taking his time getting used to the water temperature. Ayla
watched as the
brothers seemed to have an unspoken signal, then both converged
on Willomar
dunking him under the water.
Even Wolf, Whinney and Racer had decided to venture into the
water a little
farther down.
When they surfaced, all three men were smiling broadly. Rickolan
was busy
doing the same thing to the man of his hearth and Ranec. The
older men made
little work of lifting him up and tossing him into the water
again and
again. Ayla realized that she didn't see Madenia in the water,
and glanced
around the beach to find her holding Wynic as she stared into
ocean.
"Madenia, aren't you going to get in?" Ayla asked the
girl as she settled
Tholiza near the edge of the water.
Madenia shyly approached Ayla, and the older woman could tell
something was
bothering her. When she was close enough to speak privately with
Ayla so no
one would overhear, she spoke.
"I want to, but." Madenia bit her lip and looked out at
the men again. Ayla
waited for her to finish. "I don't want to take my clothes
off."
Ayla understood more than what Madenia was saying. It hadn't
really occurred
to her before, but the entire time they'd been traveling, and
then staying
with the zelandonii, Ayla hadn't seen Madenia take her clothes
off except to
bathe, and even then it had only been her and Madenia. She noted
the
stiffness of the young woman as she watched the men, naked,
carrying on in
the water.
Men and women didn't place much importance on changing in front
of one
another. There were even many ceremonies that required the
participants not
be clothed, even among the Losadunai. Ayla knew Madenia's fears
stemmed from
her attack long ago and wished there was some way to make the
woman feel
more comfortable. She knew with the sun beating down on them
Madenia had to
be hot.
Ayla stood. "Will you watch Tholiza for me?" When
Madenia nodded, Ayla
hurried over to where they'd left the pole drag and quickly threw
on her
traveling clothes. When she returned, she smiled at the young
woman.
"Why don't we go in together?"
Madenia didn't look convinced. "You'll get your clothes all
wet."
"They needed to be washed anyway. Come on. Here, I'll hold
Wynic."
Ayla took the baby and waded in by Tholiza again. Picking up the
girl, she
went in until she was thigh deep before sinking into the water.
Wynic did
cry, not liking the cold sensation of the water just as he was
getting ready
to fall asleep. Ayla crooned to him as Madenia ran her hands into
the water,
then bent to pick up a shell.
She'd never seen anything like it, except on a tunic a long time
ago. She
had wondered what kind of rock it was to have ridges and be
concave. Before
long, Madenia dunked under the water completely and came up
smiling. Ayla
was glad to see her relax.
"Madenia! Come over here! It's great!" Rickolan shouted
happily as he waved
at Madenia. He was farther out than before, with only his head
visible. Ayla
wanted to warn him to not go out so far, but Ricklomar was
already heading
in his direction.
The shouting caused Ranec to look in their direction, and Ayla
noticed how
his smile seemed to get brighter as he started to swim towards
Madenia. As
he neared her, he ducked under the water.
Madenia had also seen him approach, and now looked around
wondering where he
went. She let out a start as he surfaced two feet in front of
her.
If he wondered why she was in the water fully clothed, he didn't
mention it.
When he stood up, Madenia couldn't help but to stare at his broad
chest and
blushed slightly. Taking her hands in his, he slowly moved
backwards pulling
her into the deeper water.
Ayla looked around then and noticed Jondalar walking out of the
water to
her. He looked like a sea spirit as the water glistened off his
tanned body
in the sunlight, matching the color of his hair. Her eyes
traveled downward
and her lips parted as she saw his manhood start to stir. By the
time he sat
beside her she was ready for him.
Jondalar took Tholiza from her and kissed the girl, before
kissing her
mother. "If you keep looking at me like that, I'll have to
drag you into the
water and share pleasures with you." he murmured into her
ear, causing a
tingle to go through her.
"But you're wearing far to many clothes. Why are you sitting
in the water
with your clothes on anyway?" he asked, curiosity getting
the better of him.
"It's a long story. But I do like the idea of going for a
'swim'." Ayla
smiled at him. Wynic started to cry again and Ayla looked
apologetically at
him as she lifted her tunic and bared a breast. It didn't take
long for the
babe to stop fussing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The evening brought a cool breeze that kept insects at bay as the
small
group relaxed by the fire. For their dinner they'd managed to net
fish, and
crabs. Joharren and Willomar surprised everyone when they
returned from a
walk with clams, and then admitted that there was a wonderful
area to
collect them around a bend south of where they were camped.
Madenia was sitting in-between Rickolan and Ranec, laughing at a
joke
Rickolan was telling. Ayla could tell that Ranec, though he
seemed to be
enjoying himself, was tense. She knew it probably had to do with
the
attention that Madenia was paying to the young man.
Jondalar, as if sensing her thoughts, leaned towards her and
whispered in
her ear. "He's too young for Madenia. He only had a Donii
woman this past
summer. But I do understand how Ranec feels."
Ayla nodded and tried to focus on the conversation Riklomar and
Joharren
were having. Out of the corner of her eye she spied Wolf, and had
to smile
at the way he bound up and down the beach, shaking something in
his mouth.
Whatever it was, he'd toss it into the air, wait for it to fall,
then pick
it up again and run with it. Racer also started to get into the
play and
Wolf and Racer started to chase each other across the beach.
Just as the group was getting ready to turn in for the night,
Wolf trotted
into the light of the fire, wet and covered in sand. Ayla shook
her head at
the animal.
"Wolf! You are not going to come into the tent like
that." The animal
dropped its prize at her feet and hunkered down, whining. He knew
she wasn't
pleased with him.
"What's he got there?" Willomar asked as Jondalar
reached over and picked it
up from where the wolf had dropped it.
"It's a knife." Jondalar examined the blade and handle
for the craftsman
ship. It was second nature for him to do so. The blade, though it
had a
large chip in it, was of excellent quality. He ran a finger along
the flat
side of it. "This looks like Dalanar or Joplaya could have
made the blade."
"I wonder who would have left a knife out here? Whoever
owned it must have
dropped it by mistake." Joharren suggested.
"I'm not sure. There's a large chip in the blade, but it
could still be
fixed by a flint knapper with great skill. If Dalanar did make
the blade
then he would have been able to fix it."
Riklomar shrugged. "The Lanzadonii aren't close to the Great
Waters. Perhaps
it was traded for and the owner decided not to keep it once it
was flawed."
Jondalar studied the handle which had been carved out with
intricate details
of animals. "I guess. But look at this handle," he
handed it to Joharren who
was sitting closest to him. "It's also very well made. I
can't see someone
just tossing it out, another blade could always be hefted onto
it."
The knife was passed around so everyone could look at it.
Willomar frowned.
"The carving looks familiar. I don't know whose sign this is
though."
All zelandonii had a habit or marking their tools and weapons so
it would be
more easily identifiable in case it got lost or if during a hunt
more than
one spear struck an animal.
When Ayla held the knife she felt a cold shudder move through her
and
goose-bumps cover her arms. When she studied the pattern on the
handle, she
also felt as if she'd seen it somewhere before. "Maybe we
should take it
back with us. Perhaps the owner simply lost it. I know I'd want
to have a
knife that so much attention went into."
Jondalar nodded in agreement. "He must have traded a lot to
get such fine
quality. I'll see tomorrow if I can fix the damaged area."
"I wonder where the wolf found it? Do you think there are
other zelandonii
camping near by?" Riklomar asked.
Willomar shook his head. "It's possible. But normally this
area is where
most of us collect salt from."
"I think Whinney, Racer and Wolf would have told us if
anyone else was near
by. But I would like to take a look around tomorrow just in
case." Ayla
added as she stood and stretched.
"We're going to have a busy day tomorrow getting the salt
from the water.
Perhaps all of us should turn in." Joharren suggested as he
tossed the last
of his tea into the fire and stood.
It didn't take long for the small group to settle in for the
night as they
listened to the sound of waves lapping against the shore.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Madenia picked her way up the hill, the prickly brush sticking to
her
trousers. They had been at the Great Water's edge for the past
three days,
and they'd been so busy drawing salt from the water that she'd
barely had
any time to look around on her own for a suitable place to
winter. Her
stomach did flip-flops at the thought of leaving Ayla, Ranec and
Jondalar,
but she didn't think she'd be able to stand spending and entire
winter
trapped in a cave with the zelandonii. The prospect of finding a
mate didn't
make her anxious for the winter season either.
She assumed that she'd hidden her desires from Ayla and Jondalar
and
wished, not for the first time, that she'd never told Ranec of
her plan.
Since they'd arrived, she couldn't seem to get away from the man.
Every time
she went to explore on her own, he was right there, watching her
like a
hawk. Madenia found herself getting frustrated with him, and the
more time
that passed without her finding a home, the worse her agitation
became. They
would be leaving soon and if she wasn't successful before then,
she'd have
no choice but to return to the 9th cave.
She considered herself lucky enough that she'd managed to ditch
Ranec
today. Madenia took a deep breath as she reached the top of the
hill,
looking around the area trying to decide which direction to go.
She really
didn't know the first thing about finding a cave, but with the
dense foliage
and high cliffs surrounding the Great Waters, she knew there had
to be caves
somewhere.
As she started in a southerly direction, Madenia mused that
trapping
animals shouldn't be too much of a problem. After all, she'd
already found
eight or nine different sets of tracks. It would be more
difficult to hunt
larger animals, but she knew if Ayla could survive for three
years, alone,
in a valley that she'd be able to make it through a winter.
A small shiver of fear went through her when she thought of
having to give
birth by herself. Madenia really did want other women around when
the time
came. Well, she'd just have to deal with that when it happens.
Madenia traveled for quite some time before she spied what she
was looking
for. She wanted to jump for joy as she ran along the edge of a
cliff,
towards an opening. Getting down on all fours, Madenia leaned
over the edge
to get a better look. It didn't look like it would be too
difficult to
reach. The slope of the ridge wasn't as steep nearer the cave and
she slowly
started to pick her way down to the opening.
Madenia stood on the small shelf ledge as she peered into the
opening. Once
her eyes adjusted, she readied her spear thrower and cautiously
made her way
inside. It didn't appear that any animals were around and she
held on to the
wall of the cave with her left hand as she stepped further
inside. She made
it about six feet before running into the back wall and wanted to
scream.
She was certain the cave was the one she was looking for. After
all, she'd
asked Duna at least a hundred times to help her find a place to
stay.
Not wanting to give up, Madenia ran her hand the entire way
around the cave
until she made it back to the entrance. There was no other
opening leading
farther into the cave. She sat on the ledge as two, then three
large tears
ran down her cheeks. She didn't even bother to wipe them away
when others
began to fall.
The cave wouldn't be big enough to protect her from the elements.
After
what seemed like an eternity, Madenia knew she had to head back
to camp, or
everyone would come looking for her. Wiping her face, she decided
it would
be easier to climb down than to climb back up. The beach was
narrower
below, she noticed, but knew she could just travel north to reach
her
friends. It wasn't until she was a foot or two from the bottom of
the cliff
that she saw it.
Almost directly under the small cave above, there was another
opening.
Madenia didn't want to get her hopes up again, but she still made
her way to
the small opening. It wasn't as large as the other one, she had
to bend over
to make her way inside.
Madenia gasped when her eyes adjusted to the light. It was much
larger than the other cave. She carefully picked her way to the
back, noting
the sand and seaweed on the floor of the cave. It didn't appear
that any
animals had used the cave for awhile. The cave extended back
about fifteen
of her feet and was about ten of her feet wide. It would be
perfect! There
was even a shelf-type ledge in the back that she could use for
storage.
The fact that the cave was right on the beach near the water's
edge was also a plus, she thought. She wouldn't have to climb up
or down
when she became bigger with child. Working quickly, Madenia dug
around the
opening to widen it, but didn't get far before she knew she had
to go back
to camp. It was getting late in the day and chilly.
As she ran along the narrow beach she was unaware of the water
to her left rising with the high-tide that was rolling in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ranec sighed in relief when he saw Madenia walking towards them
along the beach. He'd been helping Willomar bring in the fishing
nets after
they'd packed up all the salt they'd gotten from the water. When
he'd
finished, he realized that she'd snuck off again.
Ever since Madenia had told him of her idea of finding a cave
out here and living alone, he'd had an uneasy feeling that he
couldn't
explain. Instead, he found himself watching her closely. He knew
where and
when she passed her water, which direction she took when she
gathered food
and wood, he even knew how often she was sick each day and
roughly around
what time it occurred.
If anyone else noticed him watching her, they didn't say it.
As Madenia came closer, he turned and busied himself with
repairing a hole
in one of the nets they'd been using.
"Sorry I took so long," Madenia spoke to the small
group around
the fire, "It was such a nice day I decided to go exploring
and didn't
realize how late it had gotten."
Ayla smiled at the younger woman. For the first time in days
she seemed happy. "Are you hungry? I can make you a
plate." She offered.
"No thanks. I'll just get some tea." Madenia dug in her
pack
and pulled out her cup. Pouring the hot liquid, she sank down
beside
Jondalar and sighed. She was more tired than she thought she'd
be.
"It looks like a storms brewing. It's a good thing we got
the salt when we did. I'd hate to be out here just in tents if a
bad storm
rolls in." Willomar commented as he eyed the sky before
taking another bite
of food.
Rickolan frowned. "How can you tell? It's been sunny all
day."
Riklomar, the man of the boy's hearth, answered first.
"Listen to Willomar, Rickolan, The Trade Master's traveled
many places and
seen many different kinds of weather. If he says there's a storm
brewing,
then there is."
Willomar blushed at the praise, but cleared his throat and
went on. "The Great Waters are dangerous for many reasons.
Not just for the
large creatures who live in its depths that have been known to
attack
people, but also because the sea itself can be deadly. The people
that live
along the edge of The Great Waters always warn never to turn your
back on
it, lest the Great Spirit of the Ocean become jealous and raise
the water
up."
"Once when I was staying with the Mosanwanai, who live far
to the north of hear along the waters edge, they told me of a
time when one
of the caves of their ancestors had started to take for granted
the Great
Spirit of the Ocean. They started to hunt the ocean creatures for
fun.
Killing more than they needed for food. Their Wanani- like a
zelandonii-
warned them that they would anger the Great Earth Mother and
Ocean Spirit.
She told them to stop but they wouldn't listen."
"One day, their Wanani packed up and left the cave with the
cave members who listened to her. Some left brothers or sisters
behind, some
Mother's left their grown children and grandchildren. Wanani was
tired of
their foolishness. That evening as the Mosanwanai were getting
ready to
sleep a few of the young men who'd been out came to the cave
shouting that
the water was gone."
Rickolan gasped, "All the water? How could that be? There's
so much of it?"
Willomar smiled at the young man. He looked around at the
others who were just as enthralled. "The others couldn't
believe it either.
At first they ignored the young men. Saying they were trying to
play a joke
on them. But the men grew more frantic. Finally, the rest of the
cave went
out with torches to see what had the men so upset. Just as they'd
said, the
water was gone. Some started yelling that the Great Spirit of the
Ocean took
away the water. What would they do? How would they survive? Until
then, they
had lived from the ocean entirely. The Great Earth Mother made it
that way."
Madenia was leaning forward, listening enwrapped. "So what
did they do?" she whispered.
"Some said they had to make sacrifices to the Earth Mother
and Ocean Spirit, get back into their good grace. They ran after
the water,
begging the Mother not to take away the ocean from them. Before
they got
very far they heard a loud noise as if the entire earth had
spoken all at
once. Out of the dry ocean a great wall of water rose, bigger
than the
highest mountain and crashed down among the people and the cave.
None of
them survived."
"That's terrible!" Madenia wailed as she started
crying.
Jondalar put an arm around her to comfort her.
Joharren eyed the ocean again, then looked back at
Willomar. "If everyone died, then how do you know that
really happened?" he
asked.
Willomar smiled sadly. "The Mosanwanai didn't all die that
night. If you'll remember, Wanani left that day with others from
the cave.
They watched from the top of a nearby mountain and grieved as
their friends
and family perished. They could do nothing. Wanani had told them
that the
Mother was going to punish them for their actions and that she
was to take
the Mosanwanai who wanted to follow Her ways to the highest place
they could
find if they wanted to be spared."
"A few days later they group made it back to where their
cave used to be. Nothing was left. The ocean had even taken the
bodies of
their family and friends. Wanani told them all who died that
night are
spirits of the ocean, and they must help to protect its creatures
from
others who'd make the same foolish mistake. From that time on, no
one has
over hunted for fun, or doubted the power of the Great Spirit of
the Ocean."
Joharren shuddered. "I'll be glad when we leave here
tomorrow. The ocean is beautiful, but I don't want to
accidentally offend
anyone."
Madenia sat up straighter as her heart beat faster. "We're
leaving?" She needed time to make arrangements to stay in
the cave!
"We finished gathering all the salt we and the horses can
carry. The days are getting shorter now also, and with the storm
it's better
if we leave in the morning."
Ayla looked at the young woman with curiosity. Something was
obviously distressing her, and she didn't think it was the story
Willomar
had just told. She noticed that Ranec was looking at Madenia
oddly also.
Ayla knew something was going on, but didn't know what.
Off in the distance, they could see a few clouds moving in.
Ayla wrapped her arms around herself when she saw the lightening.
"Should we
find somewhere else to camp for tonight?" She asked. she
couldn't help but
feel that something bad was going to happen.
Willomar studied the clouds in the distance. "We should be
fine here. We're not near the breaking point of the waves and
unless it's a
very bad storm and hits tonight, we'll probably be on our way
tomorrow
before it gets worse." Joharren nodded in agreement and they
got ready to
turn in.
Ranec stood and stretched as he watched Madenia head into
the small tent they shared, then walked towards the water. He
wasn't certain
what she was planning, but he decided to stay up for awhile to
see if he
could find out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Madenia pushed her pack out of the small tent opening. The wind
had picked
up, but so far it hadn't started to rain and for that she was
grateful.
Ranec hadn't come to bed which had irritated her. She was hoping
that he'd
fall asleep quickly so she'd be able to sneak out without him
seeing her.
She looked around and finally saw him near the waters edge. She
hoped he
wouldn't pick that moment to turn around and see her. Madenia
hoisted her
pack and ran as quickly and quietly as she could in the opposite
direction.
It wasn't until she was around the bend that she paused to catch
her breath.
She risked peeking around the bend and noticed that Ranec was
still looking
in the other direction. She sent a small prayer of thanks to the
Mother
before heading farther down the beach.
Madenia made certain that she walked in the break of the waves so
her foot
prints would be washed away. She knew how skilled of a tracker
Ayla was and
didn't want them to come after her. She couldn't continue to stay
with the
zelandonii, she didn't want to mate any man, and.she thought
sadly. She had
no where else to go.
Part of her wished that Ayla and Jondalar would agree to leave
the
zelandonii too. They could all start their own cave. Ayla was
almost like a
Losaduni and she was a great healer and hunter. She'd know what
to do when
Madenia was ready to give birth. Jondalar and Ranec were also
good hunters
and she knew they wouldn't starve.
The full moon helped her to find the small cave. At first she was
dismayed
that the water seemed to be only about five feet away from the
base of the
opening, but at least she'd still have room to go in and out
freely even
with high tide. After all, a storm was brewing and the water
still didn't
reach her new home. Madenia quickly went inside, then pulled the
brush
around the entrance so no one would be able to find her.
Madenia felt her way to the back of the cave until she found the
bed of
leaves she'd placed their earlier. The ground of the cave was
damp, but she
placed her sleeping furs on top of the leaves for a temporary
fix. Once she
was settled, Madenia would build a sleeping platform. The cave
was chillier
than the small tent she and Ranec shared, but she wondered if she
should
light a fire. Deciding not to take the chance of someone seeing
it or
smelling the smoke, she placed her pack on the shelf ledge above
and huddled
into her furs.
--
