"I think if we reinforce the platform with a second piece of leather, it will give enough support," Willora said to Lativec as they examined a pole drag. "And let's also add a backrest so the rider doesn't slide off going uphill." She bent a flexible yet sturdy willow branch into an arc and tied it to the ends of the poles, then stretched a hide over the hoop. "Help me lash it down, then we'll get Talut to try it. If it holds for him, Crozie won't have any problem at all."

Lativec chuckled as he held one end of the hide tightly against the pole. "I don't know why we didn't think of this before," he said. "It's such an obvious solution."

Willora laughed in return. "Isn't it, though? But you said yourself that Crozie just stayed here the last few Summer Meetings because riding hurts her hips. So, I just tried to think of a way she could ride without hurting herself. Anyway, I remembered Aunt Ayla using a pole drag to move an injured person who couldn't walk. So I thought, why not? And with the extra hide, it should be firm enough for her to sit up." She tied off the lashing on her side, then braced the pole drag so Lativec could do his side.

He worked quickly and competently. "That should do it," he said. "Let's try it with Sunny. She's the calmest of our mares." Lativec left Willora holding the modified pole drag for a moment, returning with Sunny in harness and Talut walking alongside.

"I hear I finally get a ride from a horse," the huge former headman grinned. "Even if I won't be sitting on her back."

Willora hitched the pole drag to Sunny's harness with a grin. "You do indeed," she said. "If you would be seated?"

Talut gingerly settled himself into the hide platform and gripped the poles tightly. "I'm ready," he said.

Lativec led Sunny around the earthlodge, then down the slope to the river and back. "So, how was it?" he asked as they came to a halt.

"Not bad, if you don't mind the view," Talut chuckled. "That backrest is very clever. And I doubt even Crozie will mind looking at a horse's behind for several days if it means she can see her great-granddaughter's Matrimonial. It's amazing that she's still with us… she's nearly as old as Old Mamut was when Mut called him to Her."

"Oh, I expect Mut is leaving Crozie here as long as possible, because She knows Crozie will find something to complain about even in the Spirit World," laughed Lativec. "I know you tell me Crozie is a lot nicer than she was when Crane Hearth first moved to Lion Camp. All I can say is, I'm glad I didn't know her then! I like that old woman, though, even when she's driving everyone crazy."

"Why don't I send Crozie out to try it now," suggested Willora. "After all, she'll need to pack tonight." She headed into the earthlodge and gave Crozie the message. About half the people inside trooped out to watch. But she had already seen Talut riding in the modified pole drag, so she decided to look over her packs one more time.

Zarina wandered over. "Ready for our first Mamutoi Summer Meeting?" she asked quietly.

"I think so," Willora said. "I hope I have enough cups and bowls to trade. How about you?"

"I'm nervous," Zarina admitted. "Not so much about what strangers might think about me… but I am worried about Tarvec's mother. I just know Tarvie won't accept me. When… when he apologized, he told me flat out it was his mother who taught him to fear and hate the Clan and mixtures."

"But he's been fine since then, hasn't he?" Willora asked. "And everyone says Vincavec doesn't have problems like that. And he seemed nice enough when we stayed at Mammoth Camp that night. I'm sure he'll get Tarvie to behave."

"I really hope so," Zarina sighed. "I'm just so tired lately, I don't want to have to deal with anything like that anytime soon."

Willora started to ask a question, but then decided a change of subject was in order. "I wonder how Crebulan and Markolan are doing," she said. "And if Ranie has made any progress with Crebulan."

Zarina giggled, all worry forgotten. "I think he does care for her. I just bet he doesn't realize it until they're on the way back from the peninsula. I also think it's a good thing Ranie's with them… she'll be able to bring them straight to the Summer Meeting site if they return before fall."

"I hope they do make it before then," Willora said. "I know Markolan wants to get back to the S'Armunai before winter. And if they winter at Three Sisters, Crebulan will make it home by next summer. And Ranie with him, I expect. I wonder… I know we promised Aunt Ayla to keep quiet about that tea she gave us. But if Ranie is going to make the same Journey we did, maybe we should give it to her?"

"You're right, she would need it, wouldn't she," mused Zarina. "I think we should give it to her. But privately, the way Ayla gave it to us. So she knows to keep quiet about it as well."

Just then, everyone came piling back inside, chattering excitedly. Crozie marched straight to Willora and gave her a fierce hug. "Thanks to you, I'm going to see Veccie's Matrimonial," she announced. "Fralie and Mollie are packing for me. You are a fine and thoughtful young woman, and I intend to make sure the men of the Mamutoi know it!"

Willora was too busy blushing and protesting to notice Tusec observing her with a thoughtful expression.

The trip to the Summer Meeting site proved uneventful. As usual, the people of Lion Camp chose to set up Cattail Camp in a more out-of-the-way area so the horses would have enough space. Many people were surprised to see Crozie, who lost no time telling them how Willora made it possible for her to attend.

Thanks in part to Crozie's enthusiasm and assisted by talk from Mammoth Camp and Mouflon Camp, word quickly got around the meeting that Lion Camp had adopted two new women. And that the women in question were Latie's daughter and Danug's hearth-daughter. The number of "friends" who showed up to help set up the shelters of Cattail Camp, especially as most of them were young men, amused Nezzie and Talut.

Willora drew the majority of the attention, as the visitors quickly realized that Tarvec had already claimed Zarina's affections. That bit of news quickly worked its way back to Birch Camp, Mammoth Camp's summer home, and brought Vincavec and Tarvie in a hurry. The Mamut-headman and his mate exchanged polite greetings with Lion Camp's young co-leaders. They also paused to speak to Talut, who as a former headman, was an old friend of Vincavec.

"Talut, you old bear!" Vincavec exclaimed. "I hear Tarvie's boy found himself a mate as well as a skill this winter! Makes me glad Tulie isn't still with Lion Camp to negotiate the Bride Price," he grinned. "And makes me understand why the boy didn't come see us as soon as you folks arrived."

Talut's booming laughter filled the air. "Now, Vincavec, do you really think Tulie won't get herself involved anyway? You know as well as I do how much she enjoys bargaining! And I don't think anyone in Mouflon Camp plans to join this summer. You can bet she'll be here to help!"

"If there is a joining at all," Tarvie sniffed. "I haven't given my blessing yet. Nor have I properly met this woman. I don't count the one night she and her companions spent at Mammoth Camp early last winter. We were never formally introduced. I want to know a little more than, 'she's Latie's daughter from the Zarnadonii' before I'll bless this union."

Uh-oh, Talut thought. Trouble ahead. He signaled Nezzie to join them, appreciating the irony of using Clan language in front of a notorious Clan-hater. Nezzie saw who was with him and hurried over.

"Vincavec, how nice to see you," Nezzie said, giving the tattooed man a hug. "Tarvie, you're looking well." Nezzie didn't bother hugging the other woman. Tarvie never permitted Nezzie to touch her since the long-ago day she'd adopted Rydag.

"We hear Tarvec wishes to mate one of the foreign women who visited us briefly," Tarvie said with cool civility. "I can't say I recall anything particular about her. We came to meet her properly."

"Of course," Nezzie said, immediately knowing trouble was brewing. "But Zarina and Tarvec have been working to settle the animals. Why don't you two sit down and have a cup of tea with Talut while I let them know you are here? Give them a few moments to wash the dust off and put on clean tunics. I'm sure Zarina will want to make a good first impression."

"Very well," Tarvie agreed. She glided stiffly towards the fire, trailed by Vincavec and Talut. Frebec, Fralie, and Crozie were already there, enjoying a light rose hip and lemongrass brew. The three men continued to exchange jests as they drank their tea. But Tarvie, disapproving of Lion Camp in general because they insisted on believing in the ridiculous notion that flatheads were human, remained silent.

Nezzie hurried to the freshly–built horse shelters. "Tarvec! Zarina!" she called.

"Over here," Tarvec replied. Then she heard, "Don't try to move just yet. Nezzie will know what to do."

Worried, Nezzie hurried over. "Is Zarina hurt?" she demanded. "What happened?" Zarina, looking pale, lay crumpled on the ground.

Tarvec looked near panic. "I'm not sure what happened," he told Nezzie. "She said she's been tired for a few days. But, well, with getting ready for the Summer Meeting and all, who hasn't been? So neither one of us thought much about it. But we were just putting away the pole-drag harnesses when she fainted."

"I was fine until I stretched up to hang the harness," mumbled Zarina. "I got dizzy."

"Tarvec, go get some water from the stream," ordered Nezzie. She knew he would feel much better for actively helping, even in a minor role. As soon as he was away, she looked Zarina in the eyes. "Do you think you might be…?" she asked her granddaughter.

Zarina nodded. "But I don't want to say anything yet. I can't be sure unless I miss another moon time. Please don't tell Tarvec!"

"I won't, child," Nezzie reassured Zarina. "But why not?"

"I… it's his mother. He says he knows better now, but what happens when his mother finds out about Echozar? I'm scared, Grandmother… scared he might listen to her again," admitted Zarina. "I want him to make his own choice. And I don't want him to feel an obligation to me… which he might, if I make an announcement."

Nezzie nodded, understanding perfectly. "As it happens, child, you'll have the chance to know what he'll do right away. I came out here looking for you because Tarvie and Vincavec are in Cattail Camp right now." She helped the younger woman sit up as Tarvec returned from the stream with a cup of water. "Sip it slowly," she told Zarina. "Tarvec, your mother and Vincavec are in Cattail Camp looking for the two of you. It seems as though the gossip reached Birch Camp already, about your plans to join with Zarina."

He sighed. "I really hoped I would be able to tell them myself," he said. "I would have preferred to tell them privately. But is Zarina all right? Is she sick?"

Well, thought Nezzie, that was a hopeful sign. The boy was more worried about Zarina than his mother. "I think she's just been a little stressed about the Summer Meeting. You know what some people here will think about her background," she added pointedly. "This will be the first time she will have to put up with widespread prejudice. Worry like that can drain a person… that's why she fainted when she overexerted herself. Anyway, I think she's fine now, she just needs to take it easy for the next day or two."

Tarvec nodded and helped Zarina to her feet. "Let's go get it over with," he said.

"Go back by way of the shelters," suggested Nezzie. "You can change into something clean and have a quick wash before joining us at the fire." She smiled and took the more direct route back to the central hearth. "They'd gone a bit further out than I thought," she called to Vincavec and Tarvie as she approached. "But they'll be along in a moment."

And they were. Zarina looked every inch a high-status woman, wearing a dress Nezzie hadn't seen before. It was loose, belted just below her breasts and flowing in graceful folds to just above her ankles. Nezzie couldn't begin to identify the material, which was much lighter than leather, and pale green in color. As they drew closer, Nezzie could see amber and black beads outlining the neckline of the garment and decorating the belt. A carved ivory lion pendant hung from a matching amber and black beaded necklace. Amber earrings and an ivory bracelet completed the picture. Nezzie smothered a chuckle as she saw Tarvie mentally reassessing Zarina's possible Bride Price.

"Ah, Latie's daughter," Vincavec smiled as he greeted her. "I must apologize, Zarina. When the gossip reached us, your name was mentioned, but I found I couldn't remember which name went with which woman. And I'm afraid we didn't realize how much work would be needed to settle so many animals, otherwise we would have given you more time before coming to see you. Please, allow me to introduce Tarvie of Mammoth Hearth, daughter of Rindie, second Mamut of Badger Camp, born to the hearth of Lendec, first Mamut of Badger Camp."

Tarvie held out her hands to Zarina, who took them in greeting. Tarvec jumped in with the introduction. "Mother, this is Zarina of Lion Hearth, formerly Zarina of the Zarnadonii, daughter of Latie formerly of Lion Hearth of the Mamutoi, born to the hearth of Echozar, late of the Zarnadonii, and of Jerekal, leader and founder of the Zarnadonii."

Tarvie thawed slightly with the confirmation of Zarina as legitimately coming from high status. "I must say, your ties are impressive. Plenty of people start new Camps, but very few choose to start a whole new people. But I am slightly puzzled, dear. If this Jerekal is leader, why did Tarvec mention the other one first? I would think Jerekal would have the precedence. Or is it just because the other has returned to the Mother?"

"Actually, it is because I am of Echozar's spirit," replied Zarina. "Among the Zarnadonii, we say the child born to a woman with two mates is the hearth-child of both, just as it is done here. But we count the spirit of the man as having slightly more importance than the relative rank of co-mates to a woman. If the child is decidedly of the spirit of one, his name is mentioned first, regardless of the rank of the other."

"I see," Tarvie nodded. "And I take it that Echozar bore no resemblance at all to Jerekal, so that it was obvious which one's spirit was used for Latie's children. But tell me, what made Jerekal form a new people? I remember when Latie left with him and his friend, and I thought I remembered them as being Zelandonii." She didn't notice her son's face grow white.

Zarina remained outwardly calm, but paused to take a deep breath before answering. "Jerekal decided to form the Zarnadonii when he agreed to co-mate with Echozar, because he knew the Zelandonii wouldn't accept Echozar. You see, Echozar was of mixed spirits."