Brenan's Search

by willieworks01

Ever wonder what happened to the Lion Camp and the Mamutoi after Ayla left that fateful summer meeting? Well here you go. This is a long story written in book form, with a large cast of both familiar, and new characters. All critiques and comments welcome

25. Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty Three:

Potions, Emotions, and a Baby

Latie had a hard time getting off the raised bed platform, her belly was now big enough to seriously affect her balance if she wasn't really careful. She sat on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath, and looked down to find she couldn't see past her stomach to her feet. This boy is getting big, she thought patting her belly as she waddled off the bed and walked straight to the night basket.

I slept late again, she thought, getting back to her feet and seeing a lot of movement throughout the lodge. There was a small tea basket with steam coming up through the loosely woven top that sat near the freshly stoked Mammoth Hearth fire. Laties favorite drinking cup sat next to it.

Latie smiled and took a seat on a small pile of furs near the fire and the tea. She dipped a cup and enjoyed the quiet solitude of the Mammoth Hearth as she finished waking up slowly. The tea was flavored with very thin slices of strawberry that floated up to the top, so tasty to bite into or nibble on.

Brenan had made it a habit of late to make her special morning teas, and she really enjoyed the attention and the different combinations he put together. It helped to have cold storage rooms that were still relatively full of an abundance of fruit choices. He had put black berries in her tea yesterday, blueberries and clover the day before.

Latie had been a little more uncomfortable lately, the baby was more active now, but he seemed to have moved into a slightly different position inside her. He used to just hit her bladder occasionally, but the last few days he seemed to be almost camped out on top of it. Latie felt an almost constant need to relieve herself.

It had been a little over two moons since the mammoth hunt, and the back of winter had been broken a few weeks ago. It was still cold out most days, and an occasional icy storm came through now and again, but the coldest season was well past its prime.

""""""""""

It had been an interesting winter for the Lion Camp. The Clan had made the Hearth of the Horses into a mini-camp all its own. Not that they didn't socialize, but their normal ways were so different that they did have a tendency to keep to themselves a little more than typical people of the Others would. They ate a lot of their meals in their own hearth, but joined in with the Others smoothly when communal meals were prepared. The children got along as if there were no real differences at all.

The Clan hunters had amassed a wealth of hunting weapons, all finely made and of top quality with flint points made mostly by Wymez, and a few that they had made on their own. Wymez and Brenan had both spent a lot of time with them, teaching their methods of working flint that had been treated with fire. The skills of the Clan hunters had become quite adequate, especially Rugs.

Rug had spent so much time with Wymez and Druwez working the stone that he had developed a deft touch on the larger blades that were a lot harder to make well. Druwez had become serious about working the stone, and he had practiced diligently all winter and was learning his craft well.

Draag and Troog had spent a lot of time learning to make the smaller, lighter spear shafts for the throwing spears. Gralon, the newest Lion Camp member had helped them to discern the finer points of locating and harvesting raw poles directly from the source. Gralon was quite an expert wood bender as well, and together they produced some very finely balanced spear shafts.

Inca and Ova had worked with Tulie, Tricie, Nezzie, and Tronie on new traveling and everyday clothing for the Clan. The women of the Clan had worked hard to cure many of the hides from the cold storage rooms. They got a lot of help from the curious Lion Camp women who enjoyed learning the new methods of working the skins.

Between them, they managed to come up with a hybrid style of cut to shape and sewn together wraps that were more efficient in covering them and staying on their bodies more easily and correctly. It was almost like they used a few heavy stitches of thin rawhide to tie the cut and shaped wraps together with the hides overlapping at the seems.

The Clan men were reluctant to wear the strange looking new clothes at first. Their hesitation receded considerably though when they were brought the new belts that Talut and Frebec had made for them. As wide as their hands, they tapered to narrow ends that could easily be tied at the front.

Barzec had made them a large assortment of pouches of different sizes to go with the belts. The pouches had thin rawhide straps threaded through the backs of them to make it easy for them to tie them onto their belts. The cover flaps had straps also so they could be tied closed quickly and easily.

The inquisitive men of the Clan dissected each aspect of the belts and the pouches. How they were made and the shapes they had been cut from, their interest was incredibly detailed so that they could make their own replacements as needed.

Manuv made them all low hanging scabbards for their spears. They were made to be tied over their shoulders and held the spears across their backs at a slight angle. The Clan men wore them inside the lodge for days on end to try and get used to them.

Brenan had been busy all winter. He helped Wymez teach the arts of working the stone, and learned even more about the difficult craft as he did. Between Druwez and Rug, there were more questions asked and answered than Brenan would have ever thought possible.

There had been two bouts of coughing sickness during the last two months. Brenan had treated Tulie, Troog, Nezzie, and Frebec, they all had a light case of fever along with the raspy coughing spasms.

A few weeks later, the children almost all seemed to get the cough and the fever too. He treated the little ones, Brinan, Tramen, Rugie, Nuvie, and Hartal. Only Hartal and Nuvie got it very bad, and they responded well to the medicines that Brenan gave them after a few days of fairly high fever.

Crozie was the one that gave Brenan the biggest scare, she came down with a high fever and her lungs were congested at the same time. Crozie had a hard time even breathing at times. Brenan spent a lot of time working on her, and following a really tough week of treatments and a few trips into the steam room she finally started feeling better. She was much older than the rest of the camp, and her frail body took more attention and care to get past the sickness.

Talut had an over abundance of different ingredients to try out in his thriving bouza production. He raided the cold storage rooms often, and had many skins of different flavored bouza at varying stages of aging. Talut was having more fun this winter than he could remember, they were so well stocked that he could spend as much time on his fermenting craft as he liked. He liked it a lot. The cold storage room in the Hearth of the Horses had over a dozen skins of his famous drink in there alone.

Tulie and Nezzie had it easy this winter as well. Along with the other women, they worked on new clothes for the fast growing children and the adults alike. Many days were spent sewing and curing hides, with the supply and choices of food they had at their disposal, they had a lot of extra time on their hands. Time that was well spent at a relaxed pace. The clothes they made were beautiful and soft, and they fitted each garment to its owner.

Fralie, Jaycie, Crozie, and Tronie also made new foot coverings for warm and cold weather. Together they were an efficient team and had even made some heavy bottomed traveling boots for the Clan. Inca and Ova helped and influenced the design considerably with their input.

""""""""""

Jaycie and Gralon invited Latie and Brenan to share the evening meal with them at the newly established Falcon Hearth. Jaycie enticed Latie with the promise of a green vegetable soup, pine nut flavored grain cakes, and marinated slices of slow roasted roe deer hind quarter.

Latie played with the little girl, Tonie, while Jaycie finished up the grain cakes. The toddler had light red hair, large green eyes and a smile big enough to melt any heart. She loved to play with Laties lion tooth necklace and to feel her stomach for the baby to move. She giggled when a ripple of movement crossed Laties big belly.

Brenan and Gralon relaxed with a cup of Talut's bouza, this batch was flavored with clover and tart little apples. A bit tangy, it went down smooth and had that definite alcohol bite on the back of their tongues. Gralon was looking at Brenan's long bladed knife that he was making for Thorec of the Aurochs Camp.

"Ranec made this handle?"

"Yes, he had this really nice piece of megaceros antler that he said was just begging to be turned into something pretty." Brenan said with a laugh. "See how he cut the notch so deep that it didn't need very much rawhide to attach it?"

"Yes, that's pretty clever. It sure makes for a nice feel," Gralon said turning the knife over in his hand. "Really nice balance for such a big blade."

"Where is Tramen tonight?"

"He usually eats at the Lion Hearth with Talut. That boy thinks that Talut is the best thing to come along since the spear thrower," Gralon said laughing. "I'm glad that Talut seems to like him hanging around so much, but I do miss him being underfoot sometimes."

Brenan looked up as Jaycie walked over with a large platter of food with a small bowl of soup in off to one side and handed it to him. "Thank you, Jaycie, this smells great."

Jaycie returned with a similar platter for Gralon who got his with a kiss on the cheek. Brenan and Gralon both dug in, savoring the meal with the appreciation it deserved.

It was a pleasant evening, and the conversation was light and friendly. The two young couples did not know each other all that well, and it was a good way to learn more about themselves and their individual histories.

Brenan was pleased to find out that Jaycie had assisted the healer of her camp with more than a few births over the years. He was even happier when she volunteered to help out when it was Laties time. Brenan quizzed her on a few specifics, and asked her to be there when he examined latie the next day. Jaycie agreed, smiling with just a touch of envy at Latie and her advanced state of pregnancy.

""""""""""

Matera pulled the spit stick off the fire, the leg of hog was crisped and brown on the outside. It was done well enough to carve off a large portion of the meat before putting it back up to finish cooking. Averie and Marcie had a large platter of berries and sliced apples cleaned and almost ready to serve.

It was almost dark, and it had rained lightly all day. The temperature was warmer today than it had been for weeks, and the river was beginning to swell with the melt runoff from the north.

Matera took two platters of food back to the Mammoth Hearth where she found Vincavec bent over a smooth skin on the paved floor. He had four different piles of crushed dark green and brown powdered leaves and an empty wooden bowl in front of him. Vincavec was deep in thought, and did not hear her approach.

"Vinc, are you hungry?" She asked softly.

Vincavec heard her as if through a foggy haze, her words brought him slowly back from the place he had been deep within his own mind. He lifted his head slowly, and the aromas of the hot meat filled his nostrils deliciously.

"Wow, that sure smells good, thank you." He sat up, and scooted back carefully to not disturb the separated ingredients he had been contemplating. Matera sat down beside him and waited patiently while he shifted his shoulders from side to side to stretch out the kinks from sitting in one position for so long.

"Get us some of your tea?"

"Of course," Vincavec had a lukewarm basket of tea that he had forgotten about while he was working at the edge of the hearth fire. He dipped two cups and brought the basket back with him and sat back down next to Matera.

They ate in silence for a while, enjoying the tangy meat and tart fruit. The tea was a clover and chamomile mix that was really quite tasty even when lukewarm or cool. Matera set the empty platters out in front of them and put her hand affectionately on his thigh.

"So what are you working on that had you so involved that you would even forget to eat?"

"Aahh, you would just laugh if I told you," Vincavec said, redness encroaching his face from his neck.

Matera just looked at him for a moment, observing the embarrassment he felt so suddenly. This was not like him, this shaman was as confident and knowledgeable as any mamut she knew. Something was definitely up, her curiosity took over and she spoke before thinking.

"What is it?"

When he finally spoke, he stuttered and stammered.

"I am trying to...to find a way...some kind of...some equivalent way...some alternate way...to make or recreate...to reproduce the effects...the spiritual effects...a way to get to...to...to that place again...oohh Mut!" He grinned, his face was beet red now, and he exhaled loudly. Vincavec was flustered as he fought to find the words he wanted-he had to say.

"I want to go back to that place, the spirit place of the root. I want to see Old Mamut and Creb again-I need to see them again." Vincavec hung his head, worn out from speaking aloud what he was not so successfully trying to do on his own. If anyone would understand, it was Matera. He hoped.

Matera grinned at the strong reaction that had come over him. This was a strong, secure man who feared little. This loss of face was so out of the norm it was almost comical-almost. She bit back her grin, then looked up to him.

"What is so important that you need to go there? What is bothering you so much?"

"I don't exactly know, but something is not quite right." Vincavec looked up at her, and was struck again by her beauty and poise. For some reason this relaxed him a bit and he continued speaking, it was a little easier now.

"Ever since Old Mamut came to me at the old Mammoth lodge, something has been a little different inside my mind. It is almost like he or Creb, the Clan Mog-ur, is trying to tell me something-but I can't quite make it out."

Matera thought on this for a moment, and he went on.

"It's like a distant murmur, I can hear their voices but I can't make out their words. Matera, it has to be important, whatever it is they are trying to tell me. Doesn't it?" Vincavec looked to her for answers, to him she was the wisest Mamut left alive, anywhere.

"Tell me more about this spirit trip you took by the influence of this root, tell me everything..."

""""""""""

Branag and Crag put the finishing touches on a new throwing spear, securing the flint point with thin wet strips of rawhide. Brug held the shaft as they pulled the last strip tight and tied it off. Crag got up and carried the spear over to the wall where several other spears stood, in various stages of completion.

Brug handed Branag another spear, a much thinner and shorter spear. A flint tip was wedged into the head of the shaft and held in place by glue, but it hadn't been wrapped and tied yet.

Branag looked it over, then smiled at the young man and pulled another wet strip of rawhide from a small bowl of water.

Crag returned and sat down, and this time he grabbed the shaft of the spear and Brug reached up to hold the flint tipped end. Branag used his knife to poke the end of the wet rawhide strip into a small crevice at the base of the point, and started wrapping it around the flanges of the tip.

Brug's eyes were wide as he watched every aspect of what Branag was doing, he took it all in.

Etra used a sharpened rib bone to separate crushed leaves from the stringy fiber of the stems of some dried purple vines. She had a pouch open and laying to her left, and another to her right on the smooth deer skin that she sat on. Tressie came over from the shelves at the back of the hearth along the wall, and set a small clump of dried, thorny weeds on the skin out of the way.

When she sat down next to Etra, she looked up at her and signed, 'Be careful-thorns.'

Etra nodded and pulled the fibrous part of the vine away from the crushed leaves a little farther. She reached to her side and picked up a wooden bowl and put the brittle weed into it, and started crushing it up with the blunt end of the same rib bone. The weed crumbled quickly and easily, some of it turning to powder almost immediately under the pressure of the smooth bone.

Tressie watched her work, grinning with the expertise that the Clan woman had developed over the winter. Etra had learned so much, she was amazing. She never had to be told anything twice, and had come up with some rather incredible insights concerning some of the plants and their uses. Tressie couldn't have understood how Etra's memories had been triggered by the search that she and Mog-ur had taken on so deep within her mind. Etra had ancestors that were medicine women, and those memories were all there for the taking, now that she knew where and how to look.

Mog-ur sat on a small stone platform covered with loose skins for comfort, sipping tea and observing the two women while they worked. He enjoyed watching the medicine women practice their craft, how they prepared the different plants in different ways. Etra would be more than adequate as the Clans medicine woman, he knew that now. This was a great comfort to the Mog-ur, it had been his biggest single worry concerning their future.

Aba walked by carrying a water bag she had just filled from a runoff crease in the roof of the lodge outside. Her hair was a little wet from the light rain still falling outside. Mog-ur could see her belly just starting to stick out with her pregnancy, he had a sudden pang of emotion that was mostly foreign to him. Mog-ur felt a stab of discomfort in his own lower belly-he shook his head quickly in disgust. Another woman's feeling, he thought, I must not think of this.

Mog-ur pressed his eyes tightly shut, and forced this odd thought from the forefront of his powerful mind. The womans' feelings dissipated, and he relaxed. Will this happen from now on, he thought to himself, will I never be a whole man again?

""""""""""

Latie lay back on the bed platform, naked, with the large bulge of her belly sticking uncomfortably into the air. This was no longer her favorite position to lay in, the pressure of the baby was just too much.

Brenan and Jaycie were at her feet, Nezzie and Tulie on each side of her. Nezzie held her hand, looking down at her daughters swollen belly and breasts, the nipples so dark and pronounced. Nezzie felt all the pride and the slight ever present fear all women felt at their child's first impending birth.

Brenan and Jaycie examined Latie, Brenan feeling deep inside her, probing with his fingers gently but firmly. He smiled and pulled back and nodded for Jaycie to probe her. When Jaycie finished and pulled away, she smiled at Brenan.

"The baby is in the proper birthing position now, Latie." Brenan said as he looked down and smiled at his beautiful mate. She still took his breath away almost every time he looked at her, and when she beamed that smile up at him he melted. What a woman, he thought, my woman.

"It could still be a little while before the birthing pains begin, or they could start today-there is no way to know."

Nezzie squeezed her hand, and beamed at Latie who had a dreamy, far away look in her bright eyes. Tulie was as proud and relieved as Nezzie was, and it showed.

"Everything looks great, Latie," Jaycie added. "The baby is ready when you are it seems."

Latie looked up at Brenan, the light of love flowing out of her to him. She saw the tears in his eyes and felt her own rising. A ripple started at the left side of her lower belly and wandered up past her stretched navel. What a satisfying feeling it was, to be here with all her loved ones now, she thought. Home, here where I want to spend my life with my family-and my baby.

""""""""""

Tressie and Etra packed away the freshly prepared potions into the small pouches and stacked them neatly. Tressie took a silent inventory as she studied the small piles.

"We need to gather some fresh comfry and datura to slice and dry without grinding it into powder. If it is dry tomorrow we can go out and search for some." Tressie said while she signed to Etra.

Etra nodded, thinking that the two plants had different uses in the ways they were prepared. When sliced they held more of the healing properties of slowing bleeding faster than when they were powdered.

Tressie opened Etra's medicine bag, and held it out while Etra put the packets inside. The wolverine bag was marvelous, Borg had made it for her at the beginning of winter. He had made Tressie one also, and Tressie absolutely treasured it. It was the most unusual, best made medicine bag she had ever seen.

""""""""""

Matera felt Vincavec jerk in his sleep. Her arm was around the top of his shoulder and she gave him a small hug as she came out of her deep sleep. The dim light of the dying fire in the Mammoth Hearth allowed her to observe his face when her eyes got used to the faint light. He was dreaming again.

Vincavec's eyes fluttered beneath his closed eyelids. It was a strong dream, and he was right in the middle of it. After a few moments, the dream faded away, at least for now. Matera knew that dreams often came in brief increments, and that it could continue at any time, or not at all.

She saw his expression relax, and his face slowly returned to normal. Matera watched him for any sign of the dream returning for a while, it was gone for now. She relaxed beside him, liking the feel of his warm body next to her own.

Vincavec needed her help, and Matera didn't know just how to help him. She took the confusing feelings and trepidations he had very seriously, Vincavec wasn't one to exaggerate things-especially spiritual things.

With all he and the others had gone through with the renegades, her own intuitions were that he was probably correct in his worries that the whole situation wasn't yet done. Matera knew that Dramen and Darcie from the northern camps both held a strong ambition for leadership, and that they probably wouldn't be satisfied with the current split of the Mamutoi people. But what would they try to do about it, she wondered.

Matera thought back to Vincavec's current problem, how can I help him, she wondered. There were few that knew more about potions and elixirs than she did, but the root presented her with a huge gap in her knowledge. She had no first hand experience with it-or anything quite like it. Her mind ran through all the various mind altering potions and plants, searching for anything that might help. She drifted back off to sleep thinking about it all.

Vincavec's eyes started to twitch again as the dream returned, a thin bead of sweat formed on his forehead. His cheeks clenched up and his eyelids flickered, the dream was back-in full force.

""""""""""

Latie woke up with a pang of tightness in her lower abdomen, it brought her out of sleep with a soft yelp. Brenan sat up beside her instantly, and watched her as she held her belly and took a deep breath-her face was red.

Brenan slid his hand over her belly, feeling the tightness that the clinching muscles caused. It got tighter as he felt lower, and then slowly started to relax.

It was still dark inside the lodge, and by the looks of the fire was getting close to daybreak. Latie deep breathing was the only sounds he heard.

"Brenan, I'm scared," Laties voice was soft and she almost sounded like a little girl.

Brenan smiled down at her, his protective instincts kicking in. "Latie, there is nothing to be afraid of, I'm here and I will not leave your side."

He put his face down next to hers, kissing her cheek and nuzzling up to her. She felt safer and more secure immediately. Latie wrapped her arms around his neck and sobbed once, her emotions flowing out of her as her body trembled.

"Just think, soon you will be able to see your feet again."

Laties tension broke a little as she laughed at Brenan's smart aleck remark.

"I am going to make you a tea that will help you to relax," Brenan began. "You might want to slip a sleeping fur over your shoulders, I'll need to examine you in a little bit."

Brenan got up and pulled on a pair of leggings from the shelf behind the bed platform, then went over to the glowing coals of the fire pit. As calm as he appeared to Latie, he was a jumble of nerves inside. Brenan's mind was going full bore, yesterday he had gone over the different medicines for the birthing procedure to himself and had no trouble remembering each one and the order they should be given-right now he couldn't think of a single one of them.

"May I help you?" Jaycie's soft voice came from behind him, startling Brenan and making him jump.

Brenan stood up and tried to compose himself and looked at Jaycie who had a sleeping fur wrapped around her and a big smile on her face.

"I didn't mean to startle you, but I heard Latie cry out and thought it might be her time. Here, you get the fire going and I'll make the first tea. Chamomile, raspberry and pinch of datura?"

Brenan's mind cleared, "Yes, and add a little linden flower as well."

""""""""""

Vincavec woke up with an urgent need to pass his water, he rolled off the bed platform on a mission. When he turned away from the night basket, he was surprised to see Matera bent over the deerskin near the fire that he had been working over the night before. She had several more piles of herbs piled up than he had left, and she sipped tea studying the ingredients in front of her.

"Vinc, I have tea made when you are ready." Matera said without looking up.

Vincavec pulled on some loose fitting leggings and sat down beside her. A cup of steaming tea sat ready for him. He looked at the added piles of herbs, deciphering them in his mind.

Matera looked at him, and kissed his tattooed cheek warmly. "You were dreaming again last night, do you remember any of it?"

Vincavec sat quietly, sipping the hot, sweet herbal tea and thought back. It was the same dream, or was it?

After a long pause, he looked over at Matera and began.

"I remember seeing Old Mamut and Creb standing across the river from me. They stood together near the bank of the river, but they were out in the water a little way, standing on a floating log that stayed in one place." Vincavec took a sip and went on.

"There were heavy clouds overhead, and it smothered most of the sunlight even though it was mid day. I could see Mamut talking to me, but his voice was so soft and far away sounding, almost like it echoed through a cave. Creb signed to me, but his hand motions were obscured by the dim light-but there seemed to be an urgency to them."

"Could you see their faces?"

Vincavec had to stop and think about this, and he tried to recreate the dream in more detail within his memory.

"Yes-and no," his voice was softer now, and his eyes were closed. "I could see Creb's one brown eye shining at me, but I just can't see what he is trying to tell me. Mamut's face isn't as clear, but he is obviously upset at something-I'm sorry, I just can't see any clearer."

"It's all right, just relax." Matera's voice was soft and soothing. "Let it go for now, maybe we can think of a way to enhance your memory of these dreams."

""""""""""

Tressie and Etra took Ludeg with them down the trail to the west, the valley was the best place to search for the plants they wanted. Ludeg carried a long throwing spear in one hand, and sipped a cup of tea with the other. He had a scabbard of small spears for the spear thrower on his back.

The sunrise was soft and colorful with the low hanging cloud cover, but the light rain had stopped for now. It was cold and brisk, they could see their breath as they walked down the slippery trail.

Two thirds of the way down into the valley, Tressie veered away from the trail and walked to a patch of scrubs to the north. She stooped down and started pushing the wet dirt back with a digging stick.

Etra walked around her to the other side of a gnarly evergreen just past the scrubs, and saw something that caught her interest. She probed the mud with her foot, it was soft and water seeped up from the indent her foot left when she pulled it back. Etra shoved the pointed digging stick into the mud and pulled a chunk of earth away from the base of the tree. There it is, she thought, and a wave of satisfaction swept over her. She really had learned so much this winter.

Ludeg saw movement down close to the creek. He tried to figure out what it was, but couldn't get a good look at it. It looked big enough to eat, though, and he pulled a spear form the scabbard on his back along with his spear thrower.

""""""""""

Tulie brought a small bowl of thin stew to Latie in the back of the Mammoth Hearth. Latie sat on a pile of furs against a raised seating platform near the fire pit. Nezzie, Fralie, and Jaycie all sat around her.

Just as Tulie held it out to her, Latie felt another contraction beginning. Tulie saw what was happening and stepped back to watch. Laties eyes clenched closed as the first wave of tightening gripped her belly, breathing deeply through her mouth. Her fists clenched and pulled at the furs and she trembled as the tightening increased.

Nezzie watched Latie as the contraction slowly subsided. Latie opened her eyes and smiled, reaching for the bowl Tulie held.

Tulie sat down and leaned against Nezzie's side, "So how is she doing?"

"She's doing great, but the birthing pains are still pretty far apart. It will be a while yet."

Brenan came into the small circle of women with a cup of medicinal tea in his hand. He knelt in front of Latie, "Drink this when you finish the stew-don't worry, it tastes good."

Latie smiled up at him, and put the bowl back to her lips for another drink of the stew that was really mostly broth. The last tea Brenan had given her was bitter and hard to swallow, she was glad he said that this one would at least taste good.

"I want to take another look at you when you finish eating," Brenan said with a slight wrinkle on his brow.

"Brenan, it will still be a while," Jaycie said. "The pains are still far apart, why don't you go visit with the men for a little while. I'll come and get you when its's getting closer to her time."

Brenan thought about this for a moment, then nodded and wandered out of the hearth and down the long central passageway in the center of the lodge. Talut and Frebec were at the cooking hearth, and a few others as well. He felt a bit of the anxiousness fall away from him at the sounds of the men as they laughed at something funny.

Brenan had handled all the necessary duties of a healer, he had made the correct teas for slight muscle relaxation and the pain numbing potions that Latie needed. He had examined her to follow the progress of the birthing process, everything was coming along nicely. Brenan had tried to project calm and wisdom when he answered all the questions that Latie asked. But inside he was a wreck, this was taking so long, he thought. Am I forgetting anything, he asked himself again.

""""""""""

Matera ground up a dried meadow mushroom into a fine powder, she used a knuckle bone from a wolf to smash it into the bottom of a magnificent stone bowl. The bowl was made from limestone, Vincavec had chipped out a smooth indentation in the center of the flat rock, and rubbed it smooth with sandstone years before. The bowl was a deep purple color in the bottom, fading into blueish-green hues at the top of the indent from long use of various colored potions and elixirs over the years. The jagged edges of the rock gave it a unique, almost mystical appearance.

She pulled a scoop of reddish brown powder from the leafy pile to her left with a flattened rib bone and dropped in a measured amount on top of the dark brown mushroom powder. Matera added some crushed fiber from a vine, and stopped to think again.

There is something else, what is it, she pondered. Matera looked back down at the small piles of green and brown in front of her. Marigold leaf to enhance the sunami, yes add that, her fertile mind sped up. The inner bark of cherry to make it all last longer-whoa, she slowed her thinking to contemplate the effects of the mixed ingredients. Not too long, but long enough-this is harder than it looks.

Matera sat back and thought about the potion she was blending. Step by step she went through the properties and potential effects of the different ingredients. How they would effect Vincavec and how they would react to each other. She ran it all over through her head again and again. Matera had to be certain because this would definitely involve a strong element of danger. Danger to the man she loved.

""""""""""

Ludeg snuck down the hill quietly and slowly, putting a pair of evergreens between him and the movement that he saw at the creek. He caught a glimpse of more movement in the grass near a tree that was completely bare of leaves.

Taking another three steps to his right, he managed to put the trees back between them again as the grass twitched farther to his left. He snuck up to the pair of trees, and looked out between them.

He heard a high pitched snarl and two young ermine dove into the icy waters of the creek a few steps east of where the grass had been moving. They swam across the creek in a hurry, disappearing into the brush on the other side. The grass started to part in front of him, and he pulled the spear thrower up and into ready position.

A wolverines grizzled head showed through the grass, a full grown ermine in its mouth, he froze for a brief moment when he saw the sudden movement from between the trees. The spear took him in the back of the neck, just behind his head, the impact flattening him to the ground. The stocky wolverine recovered a bit and bounded three times towards the trees but his legs soon gave out and his charge slowed and he died on his feet.

Ludeg had another spear ready, and watched the animal fall for the last time four steps in front of him, the ermine still clinched tightly in his mouth.

Tressie followed a brown vine that wound its way through the scattered clumps of brown grass and weeds, pulling it up carefully as she went. The brown leaves that still clung to the vine were brittle and fell off easily, Tressie gathered them also.

Etra saw a small patch of dusky green leaves at the base of a small tree and moved ahead to investigate. Green was not a very popular color in the valley right now, only the evergreens and two types of bushes still sported the color of spring and summer. The leaves were moldy looking on the edges, and she bent over them to study them closer. When she pinched one of the leaves, it left a greenish brown smudge on her fingers.

It hit her suddenly, and she actually sat down on the damp ground and smelled her fingers. Moldy, musky smells, ancient sandy loam and deep brown dirt, scents from the deepest reaches of her memories suddenly flooded her mind. The memories were incomplete and confusing, bits of recognition and confusing questions without answers.

Etra took her digging stick and probed very lightly into the earth, breaking the dirt carefully and slowly. She felt as if she were digging into holy ground, and treated the dusky plants and the dirt they grew in with great reverence. A fingers length down in the dirt, she hit upon the first twisted, gnarly root. Etra stopped and looked at the root, and was again hit with a wave ancient memories. She clenched her eyes shut tightly and tried hard to concentrate. These memories came from a language that was so old she had a hard time deciphering the exact meanings.

Carefully, she pulled the first root clear of the dirt, and shook it gently to clear the loose soil from the top of the root where the stem came up and out from it. Etra laid it flat in the palm of her hand, looking at it carefully. Mog-ur will know this plant, she knew this to be true, but didn't know just how she knew it.

Etra pulled a small piece of rabbit hide from a pouch that hung from her belt, them smoothed it out flat on the ground next to her leg. She placed the entire plant down on it, then slowly began to harvest the next plant.

When she finished, she had six plants, with thirteen gnarly roots spread out on the rabbit skin. Etra folded it carefully to not damage the plants, and put it back into the pouch and tied it shut.

""""""""""

Vincavec and Matera sat in the back of the Mammoth Hearth with Averie, Frietag, and Jozen. Jozen had a small red deer skull drum in his lap and two small carved sticks in his hands. Frietag had two deer foreleg bones with the ends wrapped with the reddish shed fur of a woolly mammoth. Averie sat between them.

The fire was freshly refueled and burned hot and high, Matera and Vincavec sat facing each other on the opposite side of the fire from the other three. They were nude, with their bodies painted in deep reds and ash grey stripes. The grey stripes somehow seemed to make the single streak of grey in Matera's hair almost glow.

Frietag began a thudding rhythm on the flat paving stone in front of him with the two wrapped leg bones, Jozen waited and got a feel for the rhythm and joined in with the higher pitched, resonating beat he tapped out on the crown of the deer skull.

Averie sang out in a deep, wordless drone in her clear, strong voice. She varied the pitch into a melody that somehow mimicked and enhanced the sounds from the drumming of the two men at her sides. The men joined in softly at first, their voices deeper and undulating in a low harmony to Averie's strong melody.

Matera pulled the rawhide cover off the rock bowl between her and Vincavec. A wisp of steam escaped into the air from the milky, light brown potion. She reached out to Vincavec with her right hand, extending her fingertips as if she held a round bulb. He reached out with his left hand, made into a fist, and slipped it inside her fingers. Their eyes met, and a deep look of love passed between them, Matera squeezed his fist then they slowly pulled them apart and dropped their hands back to their laps.

Vincavec pulled out two small wooden drinking cups, both were ornately carved with the image of a mammoths head, and dyed a deep shade of red. He dipped each cup into the hot potion, and held out one cup to Matera who took it and looked into his eyes as she brought it to her lips. Vincavec followed suit and they drank down the potion slowly, it was still hot, and tasted bitter to the point of being hard to swallow.

Both of them could feel the warmth of the hot liquid as it went down, and had to fight off a strong sudden urge to regurgitate it when it all hit bottom. They could feel the beginning effects of the potion almost immediately, being hot, it absorbed into their systems quicker than normal.

Vincavec felt his vision began to blur, and the sight of Matera sitting in front of him started to sway gently from side to side.

Matera felt roughly the same thing, and when she saw Vincavec swaying, she felt the hot liquid rushing up her throat and she threw up violently all over Vincavec as he lost his balance and fell over backward to the hard rock floor behind him. When Vincavec hit the ground, he also began to retch, throwing up the entire contents of his stomach onto the rock floor.

Averie jumped up and rushed over to them, the two men following closely behind her. She grabbed Matera as she slid to her side, and helped to ease her down to the floor. Matera continued to retch, but it was mostly the dry heaves now, her stomach was empty.

Jozen pulled Vincavec's body out straight, he had doubled over into a fetal position when he threw up the last time. His eyes were rolling behind his closed eyelids, and a low wail came from his tightly closed lips.

Frietag quickly fetched a large bowl of cool water and several soft washing skins and brought them all back to the fire. He doused Vincavec on the face and upper body while Averie did the same to Matera, she began to moan also.

The three of them got them cleaned up, and noticed that both their body temperatures were suddenly rising substantially. They continued to cool them off with the wet rags, laying them onto their chests as they lay prone. Frietag rolled up two sleeping furs and propped their heads up, both of them eventually lost consciousness and fell into a deep sleep.

""""""""""

Latie cried out as Brenan and Jaycie helped her to her feet. The last contraction had been very strong and quite prolonged compared to the few before it. Nezzie stood behind her, and wrapped her huge arms around her daughter under her arms and squeezed her tightly against her large, soft chest. Latie relaxed as the contraction finally finished and faded away. She felt a sudden gush of warmth as her water broke and ran down her legs and onto the birthing blanket.

"Good, Latie," Brenan said with an edge of excitement in his voice. "Now on the next contraction, I want you to push as hard as you can-all right?"

"Yes," Latie gasped out the word, every bone and muscle in her body screamed at her with waves of pain and exhaustion. She felt it coming, and her legs started to feel as if she were being split apart from the inside, she partially stifled a scream that made Brenan jump.

"Push, Latie-I can see the head-push harder. Come on, you're almost there." Brenan knelt between her legs, he held her thighs open wide with his strong forearms.

Latie felt a sudden lessening of the stretching sensation as Brenan caught the babies head and helped her to force him the rest of the way out of her. She gasped and almost passed out from the exertion, Nezzie held her tightly, supporting her with the strength of her large powerful body.

Brenan stepped away from her a step and knelt down again, placing the baby on a blanket between his thighs. He opened the babies mouth and pulled a string of mucous free and wiped his nose clear as well. Brenan picked up a foot, and thumped it with his finger.

The cry of the baby resonated throughout the lodge, and Latie breathed a sigh of relief. The women all took a deep breath as the crying infant soothed their fears.

"Latie, give me one more push to clear the afterbirth," Jaycie said softly, and Latie nodded and gave one final push. Jaycie wrapped the afterbirth in the birthing blanket and turned back to Brenan who was tying off the cord with a thin strip of mammoth hide, dyed red. Brenan pulled his new long blade knife, and cut the cord. This young boy was now on his own.

Tulie stepped into place in front of Latie and knelt down and wiped her off then wrapped her bottom with a soft piece of sewed together rabbit skins, tying it at her waist. When she finished, she and Nezzie helped her over to the bed platform and to lay down.

Brenan and Jaycie cleaned the baby with soft wet skins, then Brenan wrapped him in a soft skin made from foetal aurochs hide and carried him over to Latie. Nezzie and Tulie made her comfortable, then stepped back as Brenan approached.

"Latie, you got your little boy," Brenan said with a proud smile. "He is strong, well formed, and healthy."

Latie beamed up at her mate, and took the small bundle he handed her. She cradled him in her arms, and pulled the skin away from his face to gaze on her son for the first time.

Nezzie and Tulie flanked Brenan as Latie looked at her baby boy. He had a soft fuzz of reddish blonde hair, and blue-green eyes. Laties heart melted at the sight of him, and when he wrinkled his nose at her, her tears fell.

"Brenan, he is so perfect." Her voice was soft and laced with emotion. Latie picked up the babies left hand and examined his little fingers, then squeezed him to her a little tighter before offering him her breast.

"Have you thought of a name for your son, my mate?" Brenan asked, a flush of warmth enveloping him at the sight of the two of them together.

"Brenan, this is Bralut of the Mammoth Hearth of the Lion Camp of the Southern Mamutoi." Latie said, smiling up at him. She felt a completeness that she had never felt before wash over her entire being. A flush of warmth and love so strong that she could never have imagined. She watched the smiling face of her mate, seeing that he approved of the name, and feeling the love that emanated from him.

Latie closed her eyes and relished this glorious moment. A familiar voice came into her head, softly but with the strength of the man it once belonged to.

"Take care of your son, my dear Latie. For he is important to the future of the Mamutoi."

""""""""""

Averie knelt over Vincavec, she had her face close to his mouth, feeling how strong his breathing was. It was weak, but fairly regular. She pulled the wet rag off his forehead and wrung it out, then wet it again and put it back on him. He was so hot to the touch it scared her.

Matera was being tended in much the same way by Jozen. She too was hot, and he kept wetting skins and placing them on her body. Jozen changed the skins out regularly to keep them cool. Matera's breathing was also weak and slightly erratic.

They had been out for a while now, and Averie was starting to really worry. Not only had they both thrown their guts up, but whatever this potion was had knocked them out as well. Vincavec's eyes moved under his closed eyelids, then was still again.

Frietag came back in from the west annex with a pair of heavy water bag he carried over each shoulder. The water was cold, fresh from the river. He took the large basket they had been using outside to empty it, then refilled it.

Matera's arms started to quiver very slightly, beginning first near her hands they had laid out at her sides and moving up. Averie and Jozen got on each side of her quickly, observing her every move. The tremor slowly turned into a full body chill, the goose bumps covered her in short order.

Averie and Jozen quickly pulled the wet skins off her and Frietag brought them two heavy sleeping furs to cover her with. Matera moaned and her eyes flickered briefly, and she wrapped her arms around her chest unconsciously. All of the sudden her eyes opened wide, and a terrified look covered her face.

Averie leaned down close to her, face to face, and spoke softly. "It's all right, Matera. You are back and we are all here to help you."

Matera tried to focus on Averie, but her vision was severely blurred. The sound of Averie's voice was comforting, and she took a deep breath. Her chest felt restricted and her sides were sore, she felt the warmth of the furs as her body heat was held and reflected back onto her.

"Vincavec?" Matera asked in a hoarse whisper.

"He is still asleep, just rest, I'm sure he'll wake up in a little bit." Averie tried to sound confident and to keep the worry off her face. "Just rest and get warm, let me know when you want to get up."

Matera nodded, she was so tired and sore, just a little rest. Just for a little bit longer.

Vincavec still lay motionless, his body heat still high and a sheen of sweat covered him between the wet rags that cooled his limbs. His breathing still shallow, and inconsistent at best.

""""""""""

Etra approached Mog-ur in the back of the Mammoth Hearth and knelt down in front of him. She had tried to speak to him when she first got back, but he had been meditating and she had no desire to interrupt him. The holy man needed his time alone, she knew, but she was so anxious to speak with him she found it difficult being patient.

Mog-ur looked down at his medicine woman who showed such promise and dedication, and tapped her on the shoulder. Etra surprised Mog-ur by looking up at him quickly instead of her usual slow and graceful manner. She instead began signing rapidly and carelessly. Mog-ur held up his hand to stop her, and signed in the usual cadence.

'Slow down, "Etra" and tell me what you need to say.'

It took all Etra's will power to sign slowly and meticulously as she should to her Mog-ur.

'I have found a plant that I need your help to identify, I believe it is important.'

Etra pulled the folded skin from her pouch, and laid it on the ground in front of the Mog-ur. She unfolded the skin carefully and slowly, and sat back as he leaned over to look at the plants and their gnarly root systems.

Mog-ur's heart leapt up into his throat, he did not recognize the plants, but the roots-it was 'the root'. The root of the one eyed Mog-ur.

He took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly as his mind raced. All right, he thought to himself, think about this carefully. He forced himself to calm down inside, and knew he had to go deep into his memories to examine any knowledge of the root from his own ancestors. Mog-ur had no first hand experience with this at all. He needed time alone.

"Etra", wrap these back up and keep them safe and dry." Mog-ur looked into her eyes and gave her a strong look of appreciation.

So much of the language of the Clan was so subtle and nondescript. The meaning was not lost on Etra.

Etra nodded, knowing she had done correctly by bringing the strange plants to him quickly. Her curiosity was great, but the satisfaction she felt seeing his excitement was enough for now.

Mog-ur watched her walk away, he was glad that she hadn't pressed him for answers that he could not, would not have given her. Etra is a good Clan woman, he thought, then he shifted his position on the raised seat and took another deep breath and began to clear his mind.

""""""""""

Talut approached Latie who had Bralut at her breast reclining on a pile of furs on the back of her bed platform. He carried a steaming cup of strawberry flavored tea that Brenan had made for her. The large mans eyes sparkled as he approached, watching the two of them together. The daughter of his hearth had never looked happier, he thought, seeing the look only a new mother could have on her pretty face.

"Latie, would you like some tea? Brenan made it special for you." He asked as she looked up at him with a tired smile.

"Yes, thank you. Please sit with me," she said patting the edge of the bed beside her.

Talut handed her the cup and sat down, looking at Bralut as he suckled.

"Did Brenan tell you my sons name?"

"No, you have named him already?"

"Yes," Latie pulled Bralut off her nipple with a soft plop, and turned him around to face Talut directly.

"Talut, this is Bralut."

Talut melted inside, and his expressive face showed it. His eyes teared and his neck started getting red at the base, the color spread upward rapidly. Talut was suddenly at a loss for words.

Latie couldn't help but to grin at him, she had seldom seen Talut with nothing to say and it amused her slightly. She had hoped he would approve, the name being a combination of her mates and the man of the hearth that she was raised at. No one had ever loved her like Talut, not until Brenan had come along anyway, and this was her way of honoring them both.

Latie held the baby out to Talut, he smiled, his words still caught in his throat. Talut took Bralut with more gentleness that a man of his size should possess, and held him to his massive chest.

Talut wanted to tell Latie how wonderful her boy was, how much he loved the name she had given him. The lump in his throat swelled more, and Talut could say nothing. He slowly twisted his upper body in a smooth, slow rocking motion.

Latie saw the content look on his bearded face, and allowed him a little time to get to know her baby boy. She watched as Talut leaned his head down to kiss the fuzzy top of Bralut's head, and saw the single tear roll into his red beard.

Brenan stopped at the edge of the Mammoth Hearth, seeing this peaceful scene of Talut and Latie together. He had a small basket of the tea he had made for her in his hand. Latie put her hand on Talut's shoulder, and he could see the gentle loving caress she gave him and the tears in his eyes.

He watched for another moment, then turned to go back into the cooking hearth. They could use a little time alone, he thought as he walked. I think I know how he feels, Bralut has that affect on me too, he thought with a satisfied smile. What a wonderful day...

""""""""""

Matera moaned and pulled the fur up tightly around her neck. Another full body chill rippled from end of her to the other. She was slowly gaining control of her thoughts as the cobwebs cleared from her head. Vincavec! She was instantly worried and looked to Averie next to her.

"He's still asleep," Averie answered the silent question. "Just give him a little more time, he'll be all right. You just rest and get your strength back."

Matera gave her a weak grin, and lay her head back down. Her head had spun when she lifted it, and Matera didn't like the woozy feeling in her weakened state.

Vincavec was still covered with the wet skins, his body temperature way hotter than normal. Frietag stayed beside him, monitoring him, waiting anxiously for any sign that he would wake up. He saw Vincavec's eyes darting around behind the closed eyelids again, this had been going on off and on for a while now. Frietag wondered what it meant.

Matera closed her eyes and concentrated her powerful mind inward, looking to examine the brief experience. There was nothing there, she tried again getting the same results. She started a pattern of deep breathing, pausing to hold the air deep within her every few breaths, trying to gain back some of her strength. After several repetitions of this, she felt a little better and stronger.

"Averie, would you help me to sit, please?" Her voice sounded weak and feeble.

"Jozen, get on her other side," Averie said getting beside Matera's right side. Jozen knelt down next to her left side and together they pulled her up by the shoulders into a sitting position.

Matera felt the room turn slowly in her mind, and fought off a wave of nausea as she placed her hands on the ground on each side of her hips to steady herself. When she had found her balance Matera took the cup of warm tea Averie held out to her, and cradled it in her hands.

The tea tasted pleasant enough, anything would have been better than the rancid taste lingering in her mouth. Chamomile, alfalfa, and linden flower-she picked out the ingredients and estimated their proportions unconsciously. She swished it around in her mouth before swallowing, washing away some of the vile taste left in her mouth from the mixed potion.

Averie watched her, then shifted her gaze back to Vincavec who lay so very still. Jozen changed out the wet skins on the lower half of his body, a sheen of sweat dripped off Vincavec's brow.

Matera was deep in thought, trying to dissect what went wrong with the mixture she had come up with. Her thoughts were not pure, and she felt a real difficulty concentrating because she kept worrying about Vincavec. He was so still, I need to help him, she thought.

"Averie, would you bring me my medicine bag, please?" Matera drained the last of the warm tea, and Frietag took her cup and refilled it from the basket.

Vincavec was so still, and his breathing so very shallow and erratic.

""""""""""

Mog-ur walked past the Aurochs hearth, and paused to watch Brydag sitting against the bed platform leaning into a pile of furs. His fat little hands clutched a wooden drinking cup and he lifted it up and down in jerky little motions. Branag and Brug sat in front of him, watching and enjoying his baby antics.

Branag looked up at the Mog-ur as he stopped and observed them.

'I am going to meditate outside.' Mog-ur signed, and Branag nodded. He walked on.

Mog-ur went outside, the late afternoon sun was bright between the scattered clouds that were beginning to break up and blow on through. He followed the northern trail that led up the wooded hillside, it was still muddy and slick and he chose his steps with care. The trail wound through the trees and he finally reached the small clearing where his favorite place to meditate on a small level bluff with three logs and a good view.

He paused before sitting down, looking out over the wooded valley. The valley was mostly still brown and grey, but a few evergreens gave a pleasant break to the bland colors. Mog-ur was about to sit down when he caught a glimpse of movement down toward the creek, he focused on the area for a moment.

A single grey wolf appeared for a brief moment between two bushes, and looked up at him before he disappeared into the brush. Mog-ur felt a strong flush of warmth at the sight of the wolf, the grey wolf was his totem.

With a deep sense of satisfaction he sat on the damp log and raised his hands out in front of him. Placing his fingertips together, he closed his eyes and peacefully allowed his mind to relax and wander for a bit.

The sounds of the wild enveloped him, he could hear the whistles of songbirds, the rustling of the breeze as it passed through the clinging brown leaves. He could almost feel the wetness on the ground and the trees around him.

Mog-ur slowly brought his powerful mind into focus, and started to explore his memories, slowly and purposefully. He could feel the power of being in total control of his search through his memories, the thought was comforting and he began to focus on a summer gathering of many years ago.

The cave glowed in his mind all over again as he and the other mog-urs sat around the fire. A cave bear skull faced the fire in front of each Mog-ur, their faces and naked upper bodies painted in black and stark white streaks and stripes.

A Mog-ur across from him was signing to the flames, calling down the old spirits of wind and fire and rain. A near empty bowl of a light brown milky looking potion sat on the ground beside him, and Mog-ur could feel the swimming sensation beginning to affect him as the flames danced in front of him.

The older, completely grey headed Mog-ur addressed the other mog-urs and signed in the ancient language of the spirit of the cave bear.

'I have been in a ceremony with the mog-urs of the east, it was led and controlled by the Mog-ur with one eye. His medicine woman prepared for us a potion made from the sacred root of the cave bear. This experience took us deep back into our first memories, back to the very beginnings of the Clan...'

""""""""""

Nezzie and Tulie came up to Latie, nursing Bralut at the Mammoth Hearth fire, Nezzie held something behind her back. Both women smiled as they sat down on either side of Latie, watching the baby nurse for a moment before Nezzie spoke up.

"We have something for Bralut," she said with a big beaming smile. Nezzie pulled a small pair of leggings and a small tunic from behind her back and held them out to Latie.

Latie took the tunic with one hand and looked it over with a big grin. The little tunic was an exact copy of Brenan's matrimonial tunic that the Mammoth Camp had given him. The leggings were done in the same way, small but perfect in every detail. They would be a little big on Bralut for a while, but he would grow into them in no time.

"This is wonderful!" Laties voice was laced with her deep appreciation of the surprise. "These are so perfect."

Tulie smiled, and watched Bralut pull away from Laties breast, a drop of milk dripping down his fat little chin. His eyes were bright and curious and he reached a pudgy little hand out toward the tunic that Latie held.

Nezzie reached out and touched his hand with her finger, Bralut grasped it and tried to pull it to his mouth.

"This boy is strong, look at how he pulls on my finger." Nezzie was beaming with pride at the baby boy. She took him as Latie held him out to her.

Bralut looked at her with wide eyes as Nezzie held him out in front of her, looking deep into his eyes. He reached out at her face, and Nezzie giggled when he clasped his fingers on her nose, tugging it gently.

Latie looked at the small clothes that were so expertly made, her heart just melted. Bralut would look just like Brenan in these. My men, she thought, my handsome men.

""""""""""

Vincavec got the chills, his eyes fluttered open and he groaned wrapping his arms weakly around the wet skins that covered his chest. Frietag and Matera sat beside him, and started pulling the wet skins off him and Matera dried him with a soft, dry skin. Averie had three sleeping furs in her arms, ready to wrap him up as soon as he was dry.

The first thing he saw when his eyes came slowly into focus was Matera looking down at him. It gave him more comfort than she could have known, his first conscious thought was of her. He gave her a weak grin, and tried to speak, but she put a finger to his lips and shook her head.

"Just relax while we get you warmed up, we will have plenty of time to talk later."

Matera voice was all he needed to get him past the fearful throbbing in his head, and the aches and pains that wracked his cold body. Vincavec took a deep breath, and felt the constriction of his chest, his whole body felt tight and terribly sore. He felt like he had been mauled by a bear.

Averie tucked the third sleeping fur over him, and she and Matera arranged them to cover everything but his face. Jozen put a rolled up fur under his head as a pillow.

Vincavec could feel his warmth starting to return, and he shivered involuntarily as his body shucked off the cold and sucked in the heat. He closed his eyes reluctantly, not really wanting to look away from the comfort of Matera, but knowing he had to. He concentrated and tried to remember anything from the experience, it was all so foggy and distant. He took a deep, painful breath and tried again.

""""""""""

Mog-ur sat on the log, contemplating his search. He had found no further information on the sacred root. No curing techniques, no preparation methods, no hints of controlling the substance. Not too much of anything in the way of solid first hand experience. A few rumors and second hand innuendo, a pair of legends that spoke around it, but none directly to it.

The soft breeze blew his loose hair away from his face and it wisped out behind him in soft tufts. The sun was on the downhill side of another day, casting long shadows on the valley down below.

Mog-ur enjoyed the tranquility of the afternoon. He had held little hope of finding more information from his memories, so he was not too terribly disappointed in the results of his search. There was still one real hope, the Mog-ur woman of the Lion Camp-Latie. She had made the potion before, with successful results. Latie may know the secret ways and means of the sacred root.

Latie, woman Mog-ur of the Others, how extraordinary it all was, he thought to himself. There had been more changes in the way Mog-ur looked and thought about the world this past year than he ever could have possibly imagined. It still took all the mental prowess he possessed to deal with it all, especially when the women of the Others were involved. This is not a race of stupid people, he thought again, there is still much we can learn.

Mog-ur pondered the mild weather of late, he knew it was time for the Clan to be getting back together. It was time to begin their journey, though he knew there would still be cold storms from time to time before spring was truly here. It had been almost a full moon since he had been to the Lion Camp to visit the Clan there, but the progress they had made in preparing for the trek was incredible. By themselves, they probably had enough supplies, clothes, and weapons for the entire Clan-and the Clan at the Aurochs Camp were well supplied as well.

Every woman in the Clan was pregnant, Mog-ur thought with satisfaction. Though none of them were too far along and it should not hamper their ability to travel quickly at least for a while.

The hunters all seemed to be well schooled in the new weapon, the throwing spear. They were all very proficient and comfortable with the new methods of hunting with them. Even little Brug had brought in a steady supply of meat, and the confidence of the young man was that of a much older hunter. He had grown up so fast this winter.

Brug would miss Bran-nag when they left, he knew, Bran-nag would probably miss the young man of the Clan as well. The two had gotten very close this winter, and it had been satisfying to watch.

Mog-ur's thoughts came around to Etra, she was definitely the most satisfying surprise of the winter. Ever since he had taken her back into her memories she had made huge leaps and bounds in her training as medicine woman. Watching Etra and Tressie working together was a marvelous thing to behold. They had helped several people during the winter with the usual sicknesses, with all the ease of medicine women twice their age and experience. Mog-ur was confident that Etra could function as competently as any medicine woman of the Clan.

The soft rustling in the brush below him brought Mog-ur out of his deep thought, and he looked toward the sound. The head of a grey wolf appeared between two short evergreens at the edge of the bluff in front of him. Mog-ur felt no fear, just a great curiosity as the beautiful creature stared up at him with his deep brown eyes shining. Mog-ur just watched him, studying the wild animal as they stared each other down. The grey wolf sat down, and wagged his bushy tail.

Mog-ur sent out a powerful thought out to the wolf, asking him if it was the correct time for the Clan to leave. He treated the wolf like he was his living totem, and signed eloquently as he sent out his powerful mind probe. The wolf cocked his head, and whimpered softly. Mog-ur repeated the signs and his mental message, the wolf almost appeared to hear and understand him as he cocked his head again.

How extraordinary, Mog-ur thought to himself, watching the peaceful antics of the wolf. Just as he was getting ready to ask the wolf again, the wolf lifted his magnificent head up and started the short yips that led to a full voiced howl. He repeated the howl one more time, then looked back up into the eyes of the human in front of him, and turned to scamper back down the hill and out of sight.

Mog-ur felt a swelling in his heart, and made a sign to the wolf, 'Thank you, my totem, this man is grateful. Go with Ursus.' Mog-ur stood up and started back to the Aurochs Camp. His steps were lively and quick for a man his age, he felt as if he glowed inside. The grey wolf has made it clear, we are doing the right thing.

""""""""""

Vincavec was left alone in the night on his sleeping platform. Matera was beside him, but she had long since been asleep, as had the rest of the camp. His body was tired and sore, but his mind had regained all its sharpness and he felt a need to meditate.

Gently, he pulled Matera's arm off him, and rolled off the bed platform. Vincavec pulled a sleeping fur from the foot of the sleeping platform and wrapped it over his shoulders. He walked quietly over to the shelves at the back of the hearth, and picked up a few supplies.

Vincavec carried his medicine bag, a water bag, and a wooden bowl over to the hearth fire that burned low. He sat down and stoked the fire up a little bit, and took a long drink from the water bag.

He still felt a bit nauseated, and his stomach muscles were definitely tender and sore. The cool water felt so good going down that he took another long drink. He watched the fingers of flame, and the soft flickering shadows they cast against the curtains surrounding his sleeping platform. He could hear Matera's soft breathing, and the popping of the wood as it burned.

Vincavec opened his medicine bag and poured the contents on the rock floor in front of him. His mind wandered a bit as he looked over the packets and small packages of various herbs and extracts. For one of the few times in his life, Vincavec didn't know exactly what he wanted, or needed to do.

The potion that Matera had come up with had gone badly, and he had no memories of anything other than sickness from the experience. He ran over the ingredients and preparation methods that Matera had used, he saw no flaws in her logic or techniques. Nothing is certain in the spirit world, he thought with a grin.

Vincavec started to open three of the packets and sprinkled their contents into his open hand to measure out the proper amounts. He put these into the bowl and poured cool water until it was two thirds full. With his finger, he stirred the powders until they dissolved into a golden colored liquid.

Vincavec lifted the bowl to his lips and drank half of the contents of the bowl in four deep swallows, then set the bowl back onto the ground. He could feel the soothing effects of the datura, his stomach settling out nicely from the cramping soreness of before. The datura also eased the ache in his head, but he could taste the bitterness on the back of his tongue. I should have used more linden flower, he thought.

He opened another small packet, and pulled out a single, thin slice of a deep brown dried mushroom. Vincavec held it out in front of his face, and studied it in the flickering firelight. Just one small slice, he thought, just one. It should be enough to help, but not enough to make me sick again. Should I?

""""""""""

Brenan woke up with a sharp pain behind his ear, and another at the bottom of his rib cage. He lifted his head, and the pain behind his ear increased for a moment before subsiding all together. Another sharp pain hit him at the bottom of his ribs, and he knew what was causing it. Bralut kicked him again as Brenan rolled onto his side and faced the baby stretched out between him and Latie. Bralut had his fist clenched, and a small amount of Brenan's hair was protruding from it. Brenan felt the thick skin wrapped around the babies waist, and found it wet.

He got up and fetched another wrap for Bralut, and put him in the basket padded with furs on Laties side of the bed platform on the floor. Brenan pulled off the wet wrap, wiped down the babies butt and put the fresh wrap on him. He leaned down and gave him a kiss and went to the night basket to empty his bladder.

When Brenan got back into the furs next to Latie, he cuddled up to her and kissed her cheek. He felt so complete, so full of love for his mate and the son of his hearth. Brenan watched the flickering shadows on the ceiling of the lodge, his mind at peace. Can you see us, Mamut, he wondered. Can you see how happy Latie and I are?

Brenan fell asleep with these thoughts on his mind. He dreamed of Bralut growing up, growing into a robust man of the Mamutoi.

""""""""""

Vincavec sprinkled a small pinch of yellow powder into the bowl, and picked up the sliver of dried mushroom. He looked at it and smiled and laid it into the palm of his hand. Vincavec smashed it up with his thumb, watching as it turned into a fibrous powder. He dropped the powder into the bowl and started stirring it up with his finger. The golden color turned into a milky light tan, and parts of it didn't seem to mix as thoroughly as the rest, it stayed in solid light brown streak.

The small hearth fire had a nice bed of glowing coals at its base, and Vincavec used a pair of wooden tongs to set a single heating stone just into the coals. He sat back and took another swallow from the water bag, and closed his eyes to wait on the rock to heat.

The stillness of the night was interrupted only by the soft crackling of the fire, and an occasional cough from the other hearths. Vincavec cleared his mind by thinking of a single star in a deep black sky. He imagined it as a single hearth fire of the spirit world, surrounded by people he knew and loved who had gone on before him. His mother was there, with the man of his hearth and the Mamut of his camp who had helped to raise and train him.

A young girl, also born to the hearth he was born to was there. Her red hair curly and long just as he remembered seeing her last, free now from the red spot sickness that had taken her life so prematurely.

Kamut was there, the old master builder who had taught Vincavec so much about building a lodge that was both strong and beautiful to behold.

Vincavec looked past the fire to the old men who stood behind those seated at the fire, Old Mamut and Creb were there. Creb leaned on the long walking staff and Mamut and another grey headed old holy man whose name Vincavec could no longer remember all spoke quietly amongst themselves.

Vincavec felt these peaceful people, his loved ones, were at peace in this strange and serene place. The calm of this place and these people allowed Vincavec to relax into a state of peaceful concentration that he could control easily with his powerful mind.

He opened his eyes and pulled the hot stone from the coals and set it into the bowl, listening to the soft hiss and watching the small bubbles rise up around the round rock. Vincavec didn't let it stay in very long, and pulled it back out and set it aside. He stirred the warm, but not quite hot liquid with his finger. This time the light brown streak dissipated, melding into the rest completely.

Vincavec raised his head to the shadowy ceiling and sent out a brief plea to Mut for safe passage into Her mysterious spirit world. He put the bowl to his lips and drank down three swallows of the bitter, tangy tasting warm liquid. Vincavec set the near empty bowl to his side and closed his eyes again, breathing deeply. He felt a surge of adrenalin as the potion rebelled against his system and he had to fight to keep it down for a long, difficult moment. The feeling finally passed, and he controlled his breathing into a series of two deep breaths followed by a single, shallow breath. He kept up this repetition almost unconsciously as he cleared his mind again.

Another wave of nausea rippled through his stomach, then Vincavec felt a distinct feeling of lightness starting at the back of his head. He tried to focus on the visual image of Old Mamut and Creb, straining to remember every small detail of their appearance as they were when he last saw them. The lightness in the back of his head spread slowly forward, Vincavec concentrated harder on the images he had conjured up in his mind. He could feel his body start to sway and he put his hands on the ground to keep his balance.

The face of Mamut blurred and started to deform into alternate waves of clear and obscured detail, Vincavec tried to sharpen the image in his mind. A soft surge of weightlessness swept over him, and he pushed hard against the rock floor to stay upright. Vincavec fought this strange light feeling for a while, shifting the force of his hands to which ever side he was leaning.

It got harder to keep himself upright and straight, and he pushed hard with both hands as he felt his body start to tumble over backwards. Vincavec was losing his balance, and he shoved against the flat paving stone hard, then harder still-then it happened. Vincavec felt the sudden release of leaving his physical body and his consciousness escaped out into the open air.

Everything was soft and blurry for a while, and Vincavec had a hard time getting his eyes to focus and he spun slowly in the air above the hearth fire. When he could finally see clearly, he slowed the spin he was in and brought himself into a stationary hover.

Vincavec relaxed, he was in control of his mind and of his surroundings at last. He paused to think on just how to proceed, and lifted his body up and through the roof of the lodge. The night was dark and scattered thin clouds crossed the black sky in streaks, the stars shining bright between them. He could feel the soft breeze as it passed through him, and the sudden realization hit him that the spirit trance he was in was very weak compared to the deep effects of the sacred root. Vincavec knew that he didn't have much time before the potion weakened.

'Mamut, help me!' Vincavec shot this thought out of his mind as strongly as he could, repeating it over and over. He stopped after the sixth repetition, and opened his mind and listened with all his mental power, and waited.

The breeze got cooler, and he felt his mental power beginning to dull and wane. Vincavec tried again, sending his plea out with a note of desperation as hard as he was able. He felt his 'body' getting heavy, and he started to drift down and he could almost feel the ceiling of the lodge as he passed through it, pulling against him. Vincavec looked down at his body, still propped into the sitting position a step in front of the hearth fire.

Just as he was about to reach his body, he looked up to see a light shimmering, blurry vision of Old Mamut floating a few feet above the ground in front of him on the other side of the small fire. Vincavec tried to focus and send his thoughts out but couldn't, he felt so heavy and cumbersome and his vision started to blur even more.

Old Mamut's voice came into his head, softly and as if from a distance just as he was losing consciousness all together.

'It is not yet over,' Mamut's voice faded more as he continued. 'You must return with Matera to the Sturgeon Camp before the winter season is done and...'

Vincavec was rapidly losing all consciousness and as his body fell over backward, a strong hand supported him and kept him from hitting his head on the stone floor.

'Don't let it happen again...'

Vincavec's mind cried out just as he passed out cold, 'What, Mamut, I don't understand...'

Blackness enveloped him, and his body jerked into a few hard spasms. His body quivered then finally stilled, and Vincavec slept.

""""""""""

Tulie sat at the Mammoth Hearth fire with Latie and Jaycie. Nezzie came over with little Tonie at her heals, they each carried a platter of small sliced fruits and joined the other ladies at the fire.

The platters were passed around by Tonie, who started by serving her mother. Jaycie gave the young girl a kiss on the cheek as she turned and offered the platter to Tulie.

Tulie ate a thin slice of a small, tart apple and turned back to look at Latie.

"We need to have a naming ceremony for Bralut soon. If you don't mind, I think Nezzie and I would like to officiate it. Since you are our Mamut, you will have to teach us all the protocol, though." Tulie said, smiling.

"That would be wonderful, I was wondering if I would have to ask Brenan to do it since I will be included in the ceremony. Thank you, Tulie." Latie smiled at the large woman, then looked to her mother and continued. "Mother, do you think you can get through the entire ceremony without crying?"

"Probably not," Nezzie answered with a chuckle as the other women laughed with her. "But what good is a naming ceremony without a few tears?"

The women laughed a little harder, knowing that she was right, of course.

Brenan and Talut both turned their heads toward the laughter from the Fox Hearth where they sat with Wymez, Ranec, and Ralev. Tramen was on Talut's lap and Brenan held Bralut.

"I guess we are the ones that should be laughing," Ranec began, jabbing Ralev in the ribs making him squirm in Wymez lap. "We have all the kids."

Talut looked around him at the men and the children, smiling broadly through his freshly trimmed red beard. Now this is a fine place to raise all these young ones, he thought with great satisfaction. Talut had never been happier, and it showed.

""""""""""

Mog-ur sat with Crag and Branag at the fire pit outside, the morning was cool and brisk and still a little damp. The fire was still growing, Crag and Branag had just built it up and the damp wood popped and sputtered as the flames grew. A basket of tea was on the ground next to Mog-ur and each of them had a cup.

Mortan and Brug came out of the lodge, spears in hand and full of energy. The boys ran around chasing each other for a little, then wandered over to the men at the fire.

Crag signed to the boys, 'Are you going hunting this morning?'

'Yes, "Rym-mar" says that it is dry enough to hunt for beaver today.' Brug signed.

"Rymar says that after a rain the beavers are easier to hunt." Mortan added, signing as he spoke.

The boys took a cup of the tea that Mog-ur offered, but they both drank it down as quickly as they could. Their eyes never leaving the closed entrance flap of the lodge. It was very hard for them to stay still, the excitement of the hunt was already upon them.

Branag grinned watching them, he could remember how exciting it was to hunt at their age.

Rymar finally came out of the lodge, carrying a new throwing spear that Crag and Borg had made for him. Borg had even made the flint point, having practiced all winter, he was now quite adept at working the stone.

"Good morning." Rymar said as he approached the men at the fire, signing a greeting to the Clan men as he sat down next to Mog-ur. He pulled his drinking cup from a pouch on his belt and dipped a cup of tea.

It was all the boys could do to wait on Rymar to finish his tea, and Branag thought that Mortan would pop when Rymar dipped a second cup. Rymar drank this cup a little quicker than he had the first, and he grinned at the men around him as he got up and put the cup back into the pouch.

"Believe it or not, they are learning patience." He said as he bid the men farewell and turned to lead the anxious boys down the northeast path.

As they went through the trees and out of sight, Mog-ur looked to Crag and Branag and signed.

'We need to get packed up to leave in a few days,' he looked directly at Branag as he continued. 'It is time for us to gather at the Lion Camp, our journey is calling for us to begin.'

It took Branag a little bit to understand Mog-ur's signs, and he nodded to him when they all made sense in his mind. "It will be different for us here when you all leave, I will miss you all."

"Bran-nag", this "Clan" will always owe you a kinship debt that we will never be able to fully repay.' Crag answered, surprising Mog-ur with his signs. The older man of the Clan was usually very quiet and kept mostly to himself. 'This man will always remember your kindness and hospitality, if not for the generosity of your Aurochs Camp and the Lion Camp of "Trul-lee", this Clan would not have survived. For this, and much more, we are grateful.'

Mog-ur and Branag both sat quietly stunned, watching as Crag bowed his head slightly to Branag, giving him the ultimate show of respect. Mog-ur was pleased with Crags words and actions, the old hunter was very wise and compassionate.

Branag was speechless. He had worked closely with Crag over the winter, teaching the arts of working the heated stone, but other than talk of flint Crag had not been too open with his feelings. Their conversations were pretty much limited to knapping flint points, and the words took him by surprise. This camp will not be the same without these unusual people, he thought with a tear in his eye, I will miss them a lot.

"Bran-nag", will you come with us to the Lion Camp?' Mog-ur asked.

"Of course, and I am sure others will come as well." Branag suddenly thought of Brug, the very idea of the boy leaving caused a lump to form in his throat. This is not going to be easy, he thought, not easy at all.

""""""""""

Matera woke before first light, and was surprised that Vincavec was not beside her. Her stomach churned as she sat up to look around for him, and she spotted him asleep by the fire in the dim light of the glowing coals. She jumped up and swung her legs off the sleeping platform, and had to pause when the quick stab of a cramp hit her lower abdomen.

Taking a deep breath, she felt the sudden pang fade and took the three steps over to Vincavec's prone body. Her face blanched when she saw the light brown, congealed jelly in the bottom of the wooden bowl beside him. She dropped to her knees and put her arms around his neck, leaning down to kiss his cheek a little forcefully.

Vincavec opened his eyes to Matera's beautiful but worried face, he had never seen a more welcome sight in all his life.