Standard Disclaimer: I do not own the Earth's Children series, I am only inspired by it.
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Matagan left in the morning, after Lanoga packed some traveling food for him. He also took the time to learn any messages that people wanted passed to their kin, including Echozar's message to Ayla about Abra's son Creb. A few days later, Crun arrived with more furs. He also brought his family, and Una and her family. He introduced Torg, the man of the hearth, and Una's mother, Eka.
"Would it be possible for us to stay a longer time this visit?" Crun asked. "I wish to give the girl Una every chance to learn your speech, since she seems capable of it."
"You and your people are always welcome at the Lion Cave," Echozar replied. "Of course you may stay."
Latie and Lanoga came forward to settle Abra and Eka into guest spaces at Otter Hearth. They also complimented Abra on her fine new son. Meanwhile, Narg and Una were greeted with happy words and gestures by the children of Lion Camp. Narg told them proudly how he had been chosen as acolyte to the clan's Mog-Ur. And Una happily recited all of the children's names, pleased to have remembered them. Dalzarna suggested that they play a game to learn each other's words; one child would point to something, then tell its name in his or her language. Then someone else had to give the name in the other language and everyone would repeat both word and gesture.
Narg shrugged. "I cannot make your sounds," he said. "But I will join the game. I would like to know the meaning of your words even if I am not able to speak them."
Dalzarna grinned and pulled out a pouch full of hazelnuts. "We can start with these," she said. "Hazelnuts." She shared the nuts out to the children.
Narg and Una accepted with pleased nods. "Hazelnuts," Una spoke carefully as she signed the word.
Soon after the Clan visitors left, the few people who were going to the Zelandonii Summer Meeting also set out. Peridal, accompanied by Danug, Lorimar, and Findevar headed upstream to the new cave, to begin building shelters as a favor to Torolan and Corridan. The women spend most of their time gathering and occasionally fishing, while Echozar and Lanidar hunted. Every few days, Folara or Janida would ride upstream to bring fresh food to the men who were building. Latie began working with the now year old fillies, all of whom were the same dark brown as Racer. Cloud's foal was named Star, for the white star on her face. Amber's foal was known as Honey, and Dusty's foal was called Windy. Once she had them gentled, Latie led them around with one of the children on their backs. She didn't want adults trying to ride them until they had their full growth. But she figured that the children were light enough, and this gave them a chance to become better riders.
Danila spent quite a bit of time coaching Nogala how to help with birthing. Nogala chuckled about being tested when Madenia, Doriza, and Lanoga all gave birth within days of each other. But she handled her new duties well; in fact, Danila let her be in charge of Lanoga's birth, the last of the three. Madenia named her daughter Selirra, after her mother's deceased mate Soleri. Verdegia was ecstatic at having a second grandchild, although she grumbled about the extra work a new baby created, especially with Bologan gone. Doriza called her new son Devaran, and Lanoga named her son Jondathon. Lanidar teased his mate gently about naming her first son for another man. She impishly replied that since she'd already named one of the twins after him, she had to come up with someone else to honor. "And Jondalar has been a good friend to us both," she pointed out, more seriously. "So has Ayla. If Jondathon had been a girl, I would have named her Aylana."
Madenia chuckled at that. "Oh no! That's the name I planned to use for another girl, should I have another one."
Lanoga smiled back. "Well, in that case, whichever of us has another girl first gets to use the name, and the other one has to think of something else. Agreed?"
"Agreed," said Madenia.
Within a moon, the men who had gone upriver to build returned to Lion Cave. They had rough-finished six shelters including the large shelter for Danila as One Who Serves. Danila and Rufina began packing their belongings for the move, figuring that they would be leaving as soon as Corridan, Torolan, and Serena returned. Danila also painted over the hearth symbols on her own shelter, Serena's, and Rufina's. That way, whoever ended up moving into the shelters could paint their own hearth symbol on them.
Corridan returned a few days later, accompanied by his sister Lorena, her mate Jorelar, and her year-old daughter Samana. "The situation that Matagan told us about is getting worse," he told the Lion Cave. "Lorena and Jorelar brought all of their things to the Summer Meeting with them, because they were so determined to leave the Fourteenth Cave that they would have gone to any other Cave that was willing to take them in, had we been unable to accept them. Jerekal, Torolan, and Serena are still speaking with others that wish to join us. They planned to leave the Summer Meeting perhaps a half moon after we left, to give the other families time to fetch their things if they needed to. Bologan will be coming along a bit later; he's gone to the northern tribe with Willomar to trade, and Zelandoni of the Ninth Cave asked him to accompany the Ninth Cave home before he returns here. He didn't say why, though. She may not have told him her reason for asking just yet." Corridan shrugged. His family and his sister's family and Danila left in the morning to settle in at the new cave.
Lanoga was concerned about Corridan's news. She brooded for a couple of days, then approached Latie. "I'm worried about what Corridan told us," she said. "Nogala and Folara are willing to watch my twins. May I take Dusty and go to the Ninth Cave myself? If I've judged my time correctly, I'll get there about the same time they will if I leave in the morning."
"Of course," Latie answered. "If it was my mother in such a situation, I know I'd be worried too."
Lanidar nodded agreement. "I think you need to go, Lanoga. I'm not quite sure why, but I think something is wrong… besides the rivalry and all that." He squeezed Lanoga's hand comfortingly. "Doni knows, I hope I'm wrong. But I just don't see your mother asking Bologan to come for a visit for no particular reason, especially when his mate was expecting a child."
Lanoga nodded unhappily. "That's my thought as well. That's why I want to go." She leaned over to kiss her mate softly. "I'll return as quickly as I can, I promise. Thank you for understanding." She included Latie in her grateful glance, then went to her hearth to pack the few things she would need for herself and Jondathon for the trip.
Three days after she left, Jerekal arrived with five new families. Torolan and Serena had gone directly to the new cave with eight other families. The Zarnadonii tribe was growing rapidly.
Lanoga made even better time than she had hoped traveling to the Ninth Cave. She actually arrived before the Zelandonii, but she slept in her old lean-to at Down River while waiting for them to come home. The next day, her patience was rewarded when she spotted the group marching homeward along the river. But her first glimpse of Zelandoni told her that her fears were justified.
In the year since Lanoga had last seen her adoptive mother, the older woman had aged almost beyond recognition. Zelandoni was heavier than ever, and was obviously having trouble breathing even though she was riding Racer instead of walking. Bologan walked beside her, leading Cloud with Lorala riding. Even at this distance, Lanoga could see the concern etched in her brother's face. She quickly mounted Dusty and rode to meet them.
Zelandoni greeted Lanoga joyfully, not having expected to see the younger woman. She was also quite pleased to make the acquaintance of her new grandson. And she and Bologan were both thrilled to learn of Madenia's new daughter. But she couldn't keep her adopted daughter from seeing the severity of her illness. She didn't want to distress Lorala, however, so she simply told Lanoga that they would talk that evening. Lanoga nodded her understanding and turned to greet her young sister, pleased to see how well and happy the girl looked. Now going on six, Lorala chattered excitedly to her sister about learning to sew and find food plants and fish by hand. Lanoga was glad that Lorala had the opportunity to learn such things. She remembered Tremeda's indifference to her offspring and was more grateful than ever that Zelandoni adopted them. Lanoga also took the opportunity to greet other friends from the Ninth Cave; Matagan, Joharran and Proleva, Salova, Sherola, Ayla, and Jondalar. Ayla grinned and Jondalar blushed when she introduced her newborn son Jondathon to them. She suspected that Jondalar was going to get a bit of teasing, but she knew they were both pleased by the name. By then, everyone was nearing the Ninth Cave, so she headed back to Zelandoni and her siblings to help them bring their belongings inside.
Bologan pulled her aside as they carried packs into Zelandoni's hearth. "I'm glad you came, Lanoga. Mother hasn't said anything, but… I'm afraid, Lanoga. She's a healer, Ayla is a healer… but look at her. If their healing magic isn't working…"
Lanoga nodded unhappily. "I know. I was hoping that I was wrong, that I was panicking for no reason. But looking at Mother… I'm glad I came, too." The siblings stowed the packs neatly, then came back out to the main area of the hearth.
Zelandoni was there, sitting on her stool and trying to catch her breath after the short walk inside. Lorala was carefully heating water for tea, looking proud of herself that she could manage the task. She had already measured out chamomile and linden into the loose basket used for steeping teas. Once the water was hot, the little girl carefully dropped the basket into the pot. When the tea was ready, she scooped cups and handed them to her mother and siblings. "May I go play with Jonayla and Wolf now?" she asked.
"Of course, Lorala," Zelandoni said. "Go on, have fun." Lorala hugged everyone and scampered off.
Lanoga waited until the child was out of hearing, then said, "Mother, what is wrong? I knew when Corridan returned and told us that you had asked Bologan to come for a visit that something must be wrong."
The older woman sighed heavily. "Yes, something is wrong. I'm dying, much as I don't like thinking about it. And I fear for what will happen to the Zelandonii when I am gone." She paused briefly. "And I am worried about what will happen to Lorala. Will one of you take her in?"
The siblings looked stricken. They had known the truth from the moment they had each seen the woman they called Mother, but they hadn't wanted to believe it. "Mother, of course I'll take her in," Lanoga said. "If you hadn't adopted us, she would have already been living with me and Lanidar. I just wish…" she broke down, sobbing. "I don't want to lose you, Mother!" Bologan also had tears in his eyes.
Zelandoni embraced them both. "Believe me, I wish it wasn't true. I wish I could see Lorala grow up to be the beautiful woman I know she will become. I wish I could see the new daughter of Bologan's hearth. But Doni is calling me. I have another moon or two at most. I'm just grateful for the chance to see the two of you again, and to see my grandson, and to arrange for Lorala to go with you." She paused for breath, then continued, "Most of all, I am grateful for the greatest gift that Doni ever gave me… the three of you as my children. I couldn't love you more if I'd given birth to you myself. Thank you for giving me the family I always wanted."
Bologan managed to smile through his tears. "And thank you, for giving me the chance to prove myself. Thank you for seeing that I needed to become my own person and helping me to become the man I am. I love you, Mother."
"I love you, too, Mother," Lanoga sniffled. "I couldn't have gotten over… what happened to me… without your help, and your caring. Thank you." She blinked her tears back and sniffed again. "Does Lorala know?"
"She knows that I'm ill. But I'm not sure if she realizes that I'm dying. She does know that I planned to ask Bologan to take her to the Zarnadonii, but I don't know if she understands I meant for good and not just for a visit."
Lanoga nodded. "Well, we can deal with that when we get to it. For now, I'm going to enjoy this visit as best I can." Jondathon whimpered from the bedspace, and she picked him up and put him to her breast. "And I'm going to see to it that you relax while we're here, Mother. I'll make dinner as soon as Jondathon is finished."
Bologan made himself useful, fetching water and wood for the fire. He also helped Lanoga with her meal preparation, turning the spitted partridges while she assembled a salad of various greens and mushrooms. Lorala came back for the meal, and the small family chatted about everything that had happened since they had last seen each other. They spent the next several days in much the same way, simply enjoying each other's company. Zelandoni grew weaker each day, though. Before half a moon had passed, she could no longer walk beyond the boundaries of her hearth. And she could not breathe unless she was sitting upright. Ayla and Lanoga did what little they could, but it was obvious that Zelandoni's heart was failing.
Ayla and Jondalar took turns with Bologan and Lanoga, sitting with Zelandoni. Lorala, worried by her mother's illness, also stayed near the hearth. Lanoga had told her gently that Mother was dying. Lorala didn't quite understand what that meant, but she knew that people that died stopped talking and got put into the ground. She didn't like the idea of Mother getting put in the ground. So she slipped into Zelandoni's bedspace to ask about it. Zelandoni smiled weakly at her youngest child as she explained that what actually happened was that a person's spirit left the body to go on a Journey when they died. And that the body was buried so that it could catch up with the spirit and be whole again, so that the person could live in the Spirit World with Doni.
Lorala nodded unhappily. "So that's what's going to happen to you, Mother?"
Zelandoni hugged the little girl tightly. "It's happening now, my daughter. I wish I could stay with you, but Doni is calling my spirit." Ayla quietly got up and summoned Jondalar, Bologan, and Lanoga. She could see the truth in the older woman's words. Zelandoni struggled for breath, then told Lorala, "I love you, Lorala. I promise you, I'll watch from the Spirit World so I can see you grow up." She noticed the others filing into her bedspace. "Ayla, you are now Zelandoni of the Ninth Cave. Guide them well in the trouble to come. Jondalar, I always loved you, even though I chose my calling instead. I'm glad you found happiness with Ayla." She struggled for enough breath to finish her thoughts. "Bologan, Lanoga… you have been my pride and joy. No mother could ask for better children. Be happy in your lives. And help Lorala be happy, too. Lorala, remember what I said. I'll always be watching from the Spirit World. I love you, my children." She smiled at them all. "Doni is calling… don't be too sad…" She drew in one last breath and closed her eyes as her children embraced her for the final time.
After the funeral, Bologan and Lanoga set out with Lorala for the Lion Cave.
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Lorala settled into life with the Zarnadonii as the autumn progressed. She still missed her mother, but being with her older brother and sister helped. And she was fascinated with baby Jondathon. It also helped that some of the new families to the Lion Cave had children near her age, so she had the fun of making new friends. The five new families were also settling in well with the Lion Cave.
When he'd arrived at the Summer Meeting, Jerekal had been saddened to learn of the death of his mother's mate. But he was very pleased to welcome his mother, his sister, and his sister's mate and children to the Zarnadonii. Lanidar was both pleased and dismayed to see that his mother had mated again and chosen to come to the Zarnadonii as well. Pleased, because he liked her new mate Thoridan, and because his mother had adopted the two younger daughters of Thoridan's deceased mate. Dismayed, because he was concerned that his mother would fuss and worry over him as she used to do. But either she had calmed down somewhat since he had moved first to the Ninth Cave and then to the Lion Cave, or else seeing him mated and with three little ones at his own hearth finally convinced her that he could take care of himself. Morgana, the oldest daughter of Thoridan's first mate was also with the Lion Cave now. She and her mate Parnelor and her children had lived at the Fifth Cave until it broke up. Then they… and half the other people of the former Fifth Cave… went to the Nineteenth Cave. Sulaman and Allegra, and Varunar and Sedona and her son were also Fifth Cave refugees who had been staying with the Nineteenth Cave.
The new Crane Cave was also settling in well together. Torolan had accepted a total of four families from the Fourteenth Cave, including Corridan's sister, her mate, and her child. All four of those families disagreed with the stance that Zelandoni of the Fourteenth Cave had taken regarding Clan people. He'd also accepted two families who were Fifth Cave refugees at the Nineteenth Cave, plus three Nineteenth Cave families who simply wanted to escape the crowded cave. Torolan did chuckle that it must be a tradition of the Zarnadonii to have twins in the caves. One of the new families had four-year-old twin boys, and another had a two-year-old boy-girl set.
Slightly later that autumn, Jerekal hosted Torg, Eka, and Una for a moon. Una, now nearing five years, was very pleased by her ability to speak like the Others. She and the children of the Lion Cave spent their days chattering and gesturing to each other. Una told them about the Clan Gathering that would happen the next summer. Torg spent much of his time watching Danug make tools and tried to learn his methods. Meanwhile Eka spent her time with Latie and Lanoga learning new variations in seasoning roasts and soups. They also brought some furs to trade, and Una nearly burst with pride when Torg instructed her to act as their translator in the negotiations. Echozar stayed nearby to help out if the little girl didn't know a word, but at Torg's request, allowed the child to handle as much as she could on her own. She did quite well, and the Clan family departed well pleased by the knowledge that the mixed girl would not be a burden on the clan as they had feared when she was born. The Lion Cave looked forward to Una's next visit in the spring. Torg asked Echozar to send someone for the child, because the men would be extra busy hunting because of the upcoming Clan Gathering.
Meanwhile, the work of preparing for the winter went on. Lion Cave utilized the cliff for big drives again, while Crane Cave located a cliff of its own for drives. The two caves worked out a plan to take turns using the horses for drives, although of Crane Cave only Serena, Rufina, and Willona could ride well enough to stampede a herd from horseback. The fishermen of Crane Cave built up enough of a stockpile of smoked fish that they ended up trading some to Lion Cave in exchange for Lanoga's scented soap. Both caves stocked up on vegetables, fruits, grains, and wood. Danila and Lanidar met to discuss the possibility of the two caves getting together for a festival during the winter, as a way to break up the monotony of the season. They agreed to hold it in a cave halfway between the two home caves, at the time when the days began to lengthen.
The Winter Festival proved to be quite a success. In addition to the feast and the more usual competitions, they had contests in sculpting the snow, and in snowball distance-throwing. Trevonan of the Megaceros Hearth of Crane Cave was especially pleased by the celebration to honor the Mother. At fifteen, he was a man, but there were no unmated women anywhere near his age in either cave, and he felt uncomfortable approaching a mated woman under normal circumstances. But a Mother Festival was different.
Danila took note of Trevonan, and also of thirteen-year-old Perinol, just verging on manhood. If nothing else, those two would want to go to the Zelandonii Summer Meeting to meet some women about their age. She pulled Jerekal and Torolan aside before they departed the following morning, to let them know what she had observed. Jerekal nodded in agreement. Torolan sighed. He also agreed, but if the two young men didn't meet anyone, there could be problems the next winter.
For that matter, both leaders worried about what was happening with the Zelandonii. They knew that with the death of Zelandoni of the Ninth Cave, Zelandoni of the Fourteenth Cave was likely to move into the position of First among Those Who Serve. Ayla would have the support of most of the late First's adherents, but she was still a relative stranger to the Zelandonii. Finally, they decided that any families that wanted to go to the Summer Meeting could go, and the Zarnadonii that went would camp together. Jerekal would stay home, along with Latie, Echozar, and the children, and Torolan would lead whoever chose to attend. They decided to spend one extra day at the midpoint cave, so that people could hear the plan and decide what they wanted to do.
As trade master, Bologan opted to go. Madenia and Verdegia said they'd accompany him. Danug and Folara, and Sulaman and Allegra also wanted to attend. From Crane Cave, Mikolan and Wynona decided to go, as did Danila, Lindonar and Marsina, and Trevonan. Jerekal decided that he'd send Parnelor to the Ninth Cave once the thaws came, to find out how touchy the situation among the Zelandonii was. That way, the Zarnadonii attending the Summer Meeting would be forewarned of any potential trouble. Happy with their decisions, Lion Cave and Crane Cave departed for their homes to wait for spring.
When the thaws came, Parnelor set out for the Ninth Cave, while Echozar headed for Crun's clan.
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Echozar returned quickly, bringing Una with him. As usual, she was greeted happily by the children of the Lion Cave. Now nearing six years, Una still enjoyed playing. But at the same time, she was becoming more responsible, always asking how she could help the women. She and Dalzarna became very close friends. The two young girls loved when Latie allowed them to watch the triplets. Una also loved to watch Lanoga make baskets. She showed Lanoga Clan techniques in basketry, and Lanoga showed Una her techniques in return. Sometimes Dalzarna sat in on the basketmaking, but it wasn't her favorite activity. She preferred to work with Folara, twining tiny cords from the fibers of the flax plant and weaving the cords into cloth.
Folara found herself enjoying teaching Dalzarna. The little girl had a sweet and happy nature besides being truly fascinated by the creation of fabric. And Folara, the youngest of her mother's children, was quite pleased to find herself in the role of mentor. She learned quite a bit about how Dalzarna felt about most things, as the child usually chattered brightly while they worked. It was one of those conversations that gave her the idea for the surprise. She talked to Danug that night, since she would need his help.
"Danug, Dalzarna is really going to miss Una when she goes back to her clan," Folara said. "And she is going to miss me when we go to the Zelandonii Summer Meeting. Will you help me make something special for her?"
"Of course, Folara, what do you need me to do?" Danug asked.
"I want to make her a loom of her own…" Folara paused while her mate chuckled, remembering his first experience with her loom. "Seriously, she is skilled enough to start working on her own and not just helping me with my work. And it will be something to take her mind off of missing Una. Especially if I suggest that her first finished cloth be made into a dress for Una."
Danug nodded. "You're probably right, on both counts. Not to mention, the gift of a dress in the 'style of the Others' will show Crun how pleased we are with Una. That can only help in the trading with his clan." The big flint knapper examined his mate's loom, studying how it was put together. "I'll need some help from Lorimar, but I think we can have a loom ready for Dalzarna by the time Una has to leave. I'll speak to him in the morning."
Folara glanced over to make sure that two-year-old Wymezza was sleeping soundly, then wrapped her arms around Danug and kissed him softly. "Thank you," she said, then stretched up to kiss his ear.
A wide grin split Danug's face as Folara murmured in his ear. "Really? Oh, that's wonderful! Your mother will be so happy when she hears!"
"Shh, silly, don't wake Wymezza," Folara chuckled. "Just come to bed."
"You don't need to make that invitation twice," Danug grinned as he picked her up and carried her to their bed.
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Verdegia was chatting with Marala as she looked over her things to see what might need mending before she packed for the Summer Meeting. As usual, she was grumbling. "I don't know why I volunteered to make this trip. It's not like I know very many people there, except for Ayla and Jondalar. All this travel, at my age…"
Marala broke in with a laugh, "You know perfectly well why you're going. You don't want to let your grandchildren out of your sight for a day, let alone the two or three moons the Summer Meeting trip will take."
"True enough," Verdegia said. "And since Bologan will be busy handling the trading, he won't be around to help Madenia with the children all that much. But still…"
"But still nothing," Marala grinned. "You still love to complain, and that's all there is to it. How could you possibly pass up a trip like this, which has so many things to complain about?"
"You're right, Marala," Verdegia cackled. "I consider it a privilege of age!" The two women laughed as they continued to sort through Verdegia's things.
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"Lanoga, I ask you something?" Una's voice called from outside of Otter Hearth.
Lanoga glanced at Lorala and the twins. The twins were busily, if clumsily, scraping rabbit skins while Lorala supervised and offered advice. They would be fine. She picked up Jondathon and hurried out. "Yes, Una, what is it?"
"I want show Jerekal, Echozar and Latie I am grateful they give me place here. Narg told me, Others do nice things to show they grateful. But I not know what nice thing good to show I am grateful. You help, tell me what good to do?" The little half-Clan girl looked pleadingly at Lanoga.
"Of course I'll help you," Lanoga said with a smile. "A gift to show gratitude doesn't have to be large. But it should be something you made yourself."
"Like baskets?" Una asked.
"Yes, like baskets. You make very nice baskets, Una."
The girl brightened. "I start making now, so will be done before I must leave. And maybe, if I have time, I make one more, your way, to take to Clan Gathering to show."
"That would be nice," Lanoga agreed. "And if the women at the Clan Gathering like it, you can teach them how to make baskets that way."
"Me? Show women how to make? But… I am just girl," Una looked incredulous.
Lanoga smiled again. "Yes, you are just a girl. But if you know how to do something that other people don't, why not show them if they want to learn. After all, you've showed me Clan basket weaving styles… and I'm a woman."
Una shook her head. "I not think of it like that. I think because you are Others, not Clan. Others' ways are different, so just more of difference when you ask me to show my ways. I just not think Clan women ask to learn from girl."
"Well, that doesn't matter right now. Go on, get yourself started making the baskets you want for gifts. I know that Jerekal, Echozar, and Latie will like them. I'll join you in a little while. I need to finish the tea strainer basket I'm making for Lanidar's ceremonial teas." Lanoga smiled as Una scampered off to the basket making part of the work area.
As she turned to go back into Otter Hearth and check on the girls, she noticed Danug and Lorimar building something near Folara's big loom. She wondered briefly what it might be, then dismissed it from her mind. She'd find out soon enough. She laughed as Lanada and Zolena spotted her and clamored for her to look at how well they'd scraped their rabbit skins.
Within a few days, Una completed a large cooking basket for Latie, and a pair of open weave storage baskets for Jerekal and Echozar. She also made a pack basket for herself, using the patterning techniques that she'd learned from Lanoga. The day that Echozar was to bring her back to her clan, she brought the baskets out of hiding and presented them to the adults of Lion Hearth, along with a carefully rehearsed speech. "When I first told I would come here, to learn your talk, was scared. All I know was way of Clan. Clan not much like mixtures, I have no status, no hope for status. Always told I am burden to clan. Then Crun say, Una can make words like Others, Una will go to Others and learn to talk. Now I am useful to Crun, to clan. I am just girl, but have skill that give status, almost like medicine woman. Have chance for mate with status when I become woman. I am grateful, you are ones who give me skill and status. You also give place to stay. Please accept gift to show I am grateful for your help."
Even Jerekal had to blink tears from his eyes at her words. He'd known, thanks to Echozar, that the Clan was generally less than accepting towards those of mixed spirits. Una's words drove home just how much better her life had become since Crun decided to permit her to learn vocal speech, which meant that she could be useful as a translator, and possibly even a trader in her own right when she grew up. Latie was sniffling, and Echozar was also rubbing his eyes as he examined the basket in his hands. "I will keep this basket for my good clothing," he told Una. "It is too nice to use for my everyday clothes." Matching his actions to his words, Echozar removed his good outfits from the basket he'd been keeping them in and placed them into Una's gift. The girl looked pleased by his response.
Dalzarna stepped forward then and hugged Una. "You better tell me all about the Clan Gathering when you come back in the fall," she said, trying not to cry.
"I will. I promise," Una replied. Then she and Echozar set out across the river and south to her clan's home.
Dalzarna sighed dejectedly as her friend moved out of sight. Not that she didn't have plenty of friends among the children of the Lion Cave, but it was fun having someone her own age right at the same hearth. And worse, Folara and the others that were going to the Zelandonii Summer Meeting would be leaving in the morning. Parnelor had returned from the Ninth Cave with the news that nothing had changed among the Zelandonii just yet. Zelandoni of the Fourteenth Cave had indeed been chosen as First among Those Who Serve, but so far, she had made no overt moves against those who supported Ayla. Dalzarna thought that it was going to be a boring summer. Not that she especially wanted to go to the Zelandonii Summer Meeting… she remembered the thrown rocks and the taunts of "flathead" all too well… but she did wish that Folara wasn't going. Sighing again, Dalzarna wandered over to the work area.
"Dalzarna, there you are!" Folara spoke brightly, knowing that the child was sad at her friend's departure. "I wanted to make sure you would be able to practice weaving while I'm gone… come and look what I have for you!"
Startled, the little girl quickened her pace. As Dalzarna approached, Folara pulled a rawhide screen away from the nook behind her loom, revealing a second loom, smaller than the first. "I… for me? But… but… how… oh, Folara, thank you!" Dalzarna stammered in her astonishment.
"Thank your own efforts," Folara retorted, hugging the girl. "You are a skilled weaver, Dalzarna. You deserve the chance to work on your own projects and not just help me with mine. I knew you'd be sad when Una left, so I wanted to give you something to help cheer you up. I hope my surprise is a good one?"
"Oh, yes!" Dalzarna nodded vigorously. "I can really start weaving on my own? You really think I can?"
"I know you can," Folara told the child firmly. "In fact, I think the first fabric you make should be used to make a dress for Una."
Dalzarna grinned happily. "That's a good idea! She made baskets for Mother and Jerekal and Echozar, to say thank you for letting her stay with us. So I'd love to give her a gift when she comes back in the fall."
"And I'm sure it will be beautiful, too," Folara said. "Now, why don't you get started today, while I'm still here to give you advice. I think that once you get the fabric started, you will be able to keep working all summer. If you work quickly, you might have to ask someone to help you set up to start a second piece, but that's all the help I think you'll need."
Dalzarna hesitantly stroked the wood of her loom, hardly able to believe it. She noted that it was already set up to begin weaving, and knew that Folara had done that as part of the surprise. She looked up at the woman, her eyes shining. "Thank you so much, Folara. And please, tell whoever helped you with this that I said thank you to them as well."
Folara hugged the girl. "Dalzarna, I will. But remember, your skill and love of weaving is what gave you this loom. I expect to see the results of your hard work when I get back in a couple of moons," she continued with mock sternness. "I'd really hate to come back and discover that you decided to take up training the horses instead."
Dalzarna giggled. "I'll make you proud, I promise! I'm going to make the prettiest cloth for Una! But I have to show this to Mother first, she'll be so happy for me." She darted off to Lion Hearth, returning quickly with Latie's hand in hers.
Latie took in the loom with a smile. "So this is what Danug was building back here," she said. "I heard him muttering in Mamutoi every so often from behind the screen… especially just after I heard a piece of wood splinter."
Folara chuckled. "Yes, I noticed that too. But I think the results are worth it." She gestured at Dalzarna, who had seated herself at the loom and was carefully beginning to weave. "She is quite talented for a girl of her age. She'll be at least as good as my mother when she grows up."