Chapter 28: A New Friend
The waiting was becoming almost unbearable for Durcan. He hadn't wanted to stay behind at the Summer Meeting in the first place and had finally talked Proleva into allowing Willamar to bring him north to the Nineteenth Cave so that he could be reunited with his family as soon as they crossed the river back into Zelandonii lands.
It had been three days now since the Zelandonii who had been in the northern country had left the Nineteenth Cave to journey further south. Joharran had said that his family would be close behind, maybe a day or two at most. But here it was, three days, almost dusk, and still no sign of his family.
It had been a difficult summer for him. Durcan felt the absence of his mother and father and even his sister and the fact that they were traveling into danger hadn't made it any easier to stay behind. In addition, the continual teasing he'd received from some of the other children about his mother's past had ended up in many fights.
Durcan knew that there were some adults still talking about the fitness of his mother to be The First Zelandoni because she'd had a child with a flathead man. Hadn't they heard that she'd only been eleven summers when a baby began to grown in her? And that it had been forced on her? What was wrong with people anyway? 'Why did it seem that they only heard what they wanted to hear?' he wondered.
The boy was more than ready to be among his immediate family again. He missed the strong presence of his father. His father would stop the talking; he would make the people listen to sense. Even though Proleva and Willamar had cleaned him up and soothed him after his fights, Durcan still felt like some sort of an outsider now. Even his friends would bring up the stories and they would always act excitedly scandalized that he had a mother who'd actually "been with" a flathead man. In fact, his last fight before coming north with Willamar had been with his friend Artibon. Although Artibon's sister Folrian stood up for him against her brother and her brother's friends, it still rankled that his friends continued to go on about it. At least Folrian didn't, and that made him happy.
Durcan was pacing around the large outdoor gathering place in front of the Nineteenth Cave's massive opening that was used for meetings when the weather was mild enough. He walked around the large hearth stones that designated the fire pit. The large ring of stones were at least as wide across as two tall men standing. On his fourth circuit Durcan finally threw up his hands in frustration and ran to Lightening, jumping up onto the horse's back in one practiced motion. Without looking back he urged his horse into a full gallop toward the river north of the cave.
Willamar watched Marthona's grandson gallop away. The boy was suffering at the separation from his family. He sometimes thought it might have been better if the boy's parents had taken him with them. He knew the child had had a tough summer. It was obvious that there was an undercurrent of tension.
Willamar was sure that Durcan had heard every story going around about his mother's past. Even with the help of that Mamutoi storyteller and his troupe who constantly told the almost mystical stories about Ayla and Jondalar and their exploits in the east, the gossips still spread their lascivious stories to excite and titillate themselves and their listeners. Children listened to their elders and often repeated things that older and wiser people would keep to themselves.
The old man sighed. The boy would survive. Willamar wasn't worried that he would do anything stupid like cross the river to go looking for his family. He had explained to Durcan that his parents might come back from any direction east or west, but that they would surely come through the area of the Nineteenth Cave. This wasn't the first time that Durcan had ridden off in frustration. Willamar just hoped that all was well with the boy's family and that they would soon return.
-o-
Durcan sat mounted on Lightning's back as he looked north across the river. The urge was strong to just ford the river and begin looking for his family. What if they'd been attacked by some followers of that false Shaman? He'd seen the man when the Zelandonii brought him south with them on their way back to the Summer Meeting. He looked like a human weasel, shifty eyes and ingratiating smile. The man had even tried to befriend Durcan, but it was obvious to the boy that he was being insincere and was only looking for some advantage.
'Madman' or something like it was his name. Lost in thought, Durcan was still on his horse, bare-chested as usual with no more than a loincloth and rawhide belt to clothe his hard young body. His every day was filled with hunting and adventure that constantly challenged his growing skills. He felt that if he could be half the man his father was that he would be considered a successful provider. For that matter, if he could compete with his mother's skills as a hunter, he thought, he would be known as the best among his people.
Durcan considered himself skilled in wood lore and in his hunting ability. There was no higher praise than to be called a good hunter. Without hunting skills a man couldn't provide for his family and would have to rely on the support of others. That, to Durcan, was something he couldn't contemplate. He knew of men who shirked their duty to provide and he knew what people thought of them. He couldn't imagine ever wanting to be looked at like people looked at them.
With nothing better to do, Durcan reached up and loosened the sling that he'd wrapped around his forehead. He wore it that way to keep it close at hand and to keep hair out of his eyes on windy days, just like his mother always did. The boy ran the thongs of his sling through his fingers as he looked for a target to practice his aim. It was almost a subconscious thing for him to constantly sharpen his aim and to keep his skill at its peak. Durcan wasn't unusual in this, most boys practiced their hunting skills continuously. It was fun and also an important part of being a young man.
Imitating his mother's skill with a sling, he made two shots in quick succession, one immediately after the other at a large trout near the river's bank and very close to the surface. To his surprise and delight the first stone found its target and the fish began to float belly up. Durcan scrambled down from Lightning's back and waded into the water. Grasping the stunned fish, he held it out before him in excited pride, whooping with joy.
"Good shot son!" A voice from across the river shouted.
Durcan whirled around to see his father waving. A moment later his mother and sister and then Cambarre came into view. They shouted a greeting and then they were fording the river to reach him.
For a few minutes there was joyous hugging and kissing as parents gathered their sun-browned, young son into their arms and voiced their joy at finding him there. They stood for a while just looking at each other and exchanging questions and listening to answers as close family members do when catching up after being apart.
Ayla had been surprised at how her son had grown over the past two moons. He seemed bigger and more muscled, more like a man. There was a look in his eyes that hadn't been there before, he seemed to have grown up during their time apart. Holding him at arm's length, she looked at him critically. "You look so grown up Durc. I've missed you. We all have," Ayla said, hugging him again.
"Mother, my name is Durcan, and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't call me Durc anymore," he said. "It's just that... Well, I'd like you to use my whole name from now on."
"Alright, Durcan it is. I guess you're getting old enough to decide what you want to be called," Ayla replied. But she thought she knew why he was insisting on her using his full name and that thought hurt. She had hoped the uproar with her past might have let up while she'd been away.
Then a sudden unwelcome thought reared its ugly head. What had Durcan been subjected to while she'd been gone? Had the Zelandonii people ostracized her boy? That was hard to believe. Durcan had always been a popular and accomplished child, the people wouldn't take her past out on her boy. Would they?
They mounted and rode down the trail to the Nineteenth Cave, talking about their adventures in happy voices, glad to be together again. But Ayla was worried about her son and would ask Willamar - he was likely the one who would have accompanied her son north. She would see what he had to tell her about her son's experiences since she'd been away.
-o-
Insects were chirping their late summer songs and dusk was just descending into night as they entered the outside hearth area that belonged to the Nineteenth Cave. Willamar was the first to spot them. He had been worried when Durcan hadn't returned and had been keeping a watch out for him.
"Willamar!" Ayla dismounted in one smooth motion and ran into the old man's open arms. "It is so good to see you!" She suddenly felt at home now that they were back in their own land again. Hugging the old man to her she sighed, content to just have him near. Willamar had always been a great influence on her, he'd been a stable male figure for her ever since their first meeting. Ayla had always considered Marthona's mate as a father figure.
"Zelandoni! Jondalar! I'm glad to see you looking so well!" Tormaden, leader of the Nineteenth Cave called from the cave opening as he hurried forward to greet them. Before they knew it, a crowd of people were milling around, enthusiastically greeting them.
"Will you be able to stay with us for a few days Zelandoni? We would like to hold a feast in your honor," Tormaden said, gripping her hands enthusiastically.
"I'm afraid that I must head back to the Summer Meeting tomorrow. I've been away too long and there are some things I have to attend to. This has been a very unusual summer and there are issues that still need to be resolved, but Tormaden, I do appreciate your welcome," Ayla said with a broad smile.
"Then we'll just have to make this evening's meal a feast. It won't be as befits your status, but it will still be a feast none the less. We are so grateful to you Zelandoni. Your actions in bringing conflicts here to a close have saved the Nineteenth Cave from real hardship this coming winter. The little damage those renegades caused was easily repaired, but it doesn't even bear thinking what it would have been like to return to our cave, unsuspecting, after a full summer of damage and theft."
Ayla thanked the leader for his kind words and changed the subject. "We should unpack for the night. Jonayla, would you take our things to the guest hearth and Durcan would you help your sister?" Then she asked Tormaden where his First Wolf Cave Zelandoni would be this time of day.
"As usual, he is where he always is, painting and carving or planning a painting or a carving. The place looks magnificent, you won't recognize it even after just two moons. He hardly ever comes out of it. I can image what it will look like after a few more seasons, assuming he survives on the small amount of food he eats."
"Then I think, since we must leave for the Summer Meeting in the morning, that I should visit the cave now and see what our brother Zelandoni has been up to. Jondalar would you come with me?"
"Yes, I'm curious to see what has been done too." He smiled and took Ayla's hand, assuring the cave leader that they would return soon.
"I remember our first Summer Meeting together," Jondalar reminisced as they walked side by side down the path toward the cave. "It seems so long ago now. Weren't we happy back then? Our mating ceremony and the birth of Jonayla when we arrived back home. Those were exciting and wonderful times," Jondalar squeezed Ayla's hand.
"Yes, they were Jondalar. But our life isn't done yet. There will be more wonderful times ahead of us. It's just that we need to make them happen, we need to remember what is really important."
Jondalar stopped walking and, still holding Ayla's hand, pulled her around to face him. "Ayla, why do I think you're feeling troubled? I've noticed it since we crossed the river. North of the river you seemed eager to come home but as soon as we crossed the river you've had a look in your eyes, a look that I can't really describe other than to say that you look troubled."
Ayla stood on tiptoe and kissed Jondalar on the lips. "I love you Jondalar. Let's not worry about anything right now, let's go look at Wolf's cave. I so want to see it and I don't want to think about anything else right now."
"Alright Ayla, but promise me that we'll talk about what's troubling you," he replied as he walked beside her. Soon they could see a fire burning in the hearth at the front of the cave opening.
As the couple stepped into the firelight a young Acolyte who had been tending it stood and exclaimed, "Zelandoni, greetings!"
The young man looked familiar but Ayla couldn't quite place him. Then suddenly she remembered, "You're Kimadar, you helped me with Groog. So now you're an Acolyte?"
"Yes Zelandoni, I believe I've been called. I guess time will tell if it is a true calling."
"True, it takes time, but if you have a calling, don't worry, when the time is right, you will know," Ayla said to reassure the young man. "You met Jondalar when we were here last."
"Yes. Welcome Jondalar," the young man stepped forward and gripped the older man's wrists in greeting.
"Is your Zelandoni in the cave?" Jondalar asked Kimadar, smiling at the young man.
"Yes, he is meditating at this time of day, but I'm sure he would be happy to see you. I'll go in and get him," the young man said excitedly.
"If you don't mind, we'd like to go in and greet him. We're anxious to see what he's done with the interior. Is it alright if we just go in?" Ayla asked.
"Yes, of course Zelandoni, you don't have to ask, you lead the Zelandonia and we follow you," the young man said, his eyes shining with hero-worship.
"Very well then, we'll go in," Jondalar said, smiling at the young man again. He'd seen that look many times from many men over the years. Ayla seemed to bring that feeling out in men, especially younger men. He was proud of Ayla and her accomplishments, and it always made him feel lucky to be her mate when other men looked at her with such admiration.
-o-
They could see a flame burning from three torches in their upright holders that had been placed in the center of the first and largest room that made up the cave complex. They could also see the back of a man sitting cross-legged at the far side of the flames with his head bowed.
The walls had new relief carvings on both sides now. There were carvings of spirit Élans; some of the ancient's spirits were represented and some newer ones too, including, Ayla noted, that of her predecessor's Élan.
They both looked around at the profusion of paintings both complete and in progress. There were panoramas that told stories of the Spirit World and images of animals and hunting scenes. Some of the images were still only sketches in charcoal but some were completed and showed the artist's skill of execution.
As they reached the sitting man before them, Ayla called out in a quiet voice.
The man jumped to his feet and threw his arms wide, rushing around the torches to embrace first Ayla and then Jondalar. "I hoped you would stop here on your way back!" he exclaimed. "I have something I want you to see, and this is the perfect time of day to see it. It is almost like The Great Earth Mother had a hand in guiding you here at this moment in time. Look! Look! Turn around and look!" he said in an excited voice.
Ayla looked at the man and wondered briefly if he was well. His eyes were red-rimmed and he'd lost some weight over the past few moons. But Jondalar had turned to look and gasped in surprise making her turn to look too.
Suddenly her heart thumped loudly in her chest and she could feel the blood pumping through her body, her mind was numb. She could hear the distant howl of a wolf in her mind's eye and a shiver went down her spine as if she had just entered the Spirit World as an unsuspecting supplicant.
Before her, portrayed in stone, was the most perfect replication of a gray wolf that Ayla had ever seen. It was her Wolf, from the bent ear to the special expression on his face that she'd become so used to. The pain of losing her friend came rushing back as a physical thing. Ayla burst into tears and fell to her knees sobbing uncontrollably.
Jondalar was momentarily shocked by his mate's reaction to the painting, as was her fellow Zelandoni. "What... what is the matter Zelandoni?" The Zelandoni of Wolf Cave knelt down on one side of his leader while Jondalar knelt down beside his mate on the other, taking her in his arms and rocked with her, gently, speaking soothing words into her ear.
After a time, Ayla's sobs slowed and then stopped and she wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. "Zelandoni, you are a magnificent artist. That is my Wolf. For as long as I live I will come back here whenever I can to see this image of my friend. You can't know how much I miss him. He saved my life and Jondalar's too, more than once. He was the protector of our children and an undemanding friend. His loss was a devastating blow to me, one that I wasn't able to mourn properly, because of events that engulfed me.
"I am more grateful to you than I can ever express. I'm grateful that you made this image and I'm grateful that you insisted that we name the cave, 'The First Wolf Cave'. None of these things could I have requested. I will always honor you as my closest friend, one who understands me and knows my sorrows," Ayla said this with real meaning, turning toward the man and hugging him tightly, saying, "Thank you, thank you."
There was an awkward few moments while everyone stood and looked at each other. The artist couldn't help but be flattered and honored that the First Zelandoni had been so passionate about his work. He'd thought it good, but to have such an emotional outburst by such an important leader and a woman he admired, was the ultimate compliment.
It was but a few minutes before they were inspecting the other images and galleries in the cave. Soon Ayla and Jondalar were lost in the other works that were so expertly done. The three spent some time touring the complex of rooms and nooks. The last place they visited was the small alcove at the back of the cave. Ayla had been drawn to it all along, the place of power. She always thought of it as such.
"I see you haven't done anything in this place," Ayla said.
"No, I don't think that I will. If someone does someday it will be their calling. To me this is a place where the Spirit World concentrates. There is nothing I can add to it. That pillar is the focus and I'm afraid to alter it in any way."
"Yes, I think you're right. I feel the power from this pillar that doesn't quite touch the earth but that looks as though it should. Yes. I think you're right to leave it as it is," Ayla said, with a slight shiver. She remembered once before when she'd been in this very space on her own and felt that power surge through her.
-o-
That evening, after the improvised feast honoring their guests had been enjoyed, the people of the Nineteenth Cave began to settle down for the night. Suddenly there came a commotion from outside. A woman's voice rose in anguish and a harsh male response brought people to the cave opening to see what was happening.
Ayla joined the group watching at the mouth of the cave. One of the hunters assigned to guard the cave at night - a precaution that was now being kept - was holding a woman from behind by her arms, bending her over, marching her toward the cave.
Tormaden had come to stand beside Ayla when the noise began and now stepped forward to determine what was happening. Ayla recognized the woman as she was forced toward the outdoor hearth. The guard fire was built up enough to show her face. It was Melodene of the Chimu.
"Melodene," Ayla called as she came toward the woman. "What are you doing? Why have you come here at night?" She was mystified. Why would the woman leave her home and why was she so upset?
"Zelandoni!" Melodene cried out with relief when she saw Ayla coming toward her.
The hunter holding her let go of her arms and the two women embraced.
"I want to come with you. Please let me talk to you," Melodene pleaded. "I must leave the Chimu. It is not a good place for me anymore."
Ayla assured Tormaden that she would be responsible for the Chimu woman and led her to the guest hearth, asking Jonayla to make a small cooking fire and heat water for tea. Ayla could see how distraught the woman was and asked her, "What has happened to make you come to us in the dark like this? What has happened since we left you?" Ayla asked both questions rapidly, one after the other, as she held the younger woman's hands in hers.
"I-I'm considered a bad woman by most of my people. While the men were out with the Zelandonii, looking for the false Shaman they were occupied and didn't think about me that much. Now that everything is done, the men look at me with disgust in their eyes. They think I wanted to be a pleasure woman for the men of the Shaman, that I enjoyed it. Now no one wants me to be there anymore. Even though Camma has told them that I was forced, I still feel like an outcast and all but Camma shun me." Melodene's shoulders shook as she quietly sobbed in distress.
Ayla, hugged the woman and said, "Surely things will settle down in time and if you have the support of your leader then they will get over their hostility. What about the men who have come back to First Place, what are the other men saying about them?"
"They don't like them and treat them coldly. But I am the only woman to survive and return. I can't defend myself when they say nasty things about me and throw garbage at me. I was even tripped and almost fell into a cooking fire this morning and no one said anything to the man who did it to me."
Ayla was shocked. "What about Camma? Didn't she say anything?"
"She was gone, riding one of those horses she traded your daughter for and even if she had been there, what could she do? They hate me, all of them. I need to get away from those people. It wasn't my fault," Melodene sobbed, "I had to follow my mate, didn't I? I've lost my children and my mate and I have no wish to remain there. Isn't there someplace I can go, someplace I can stay?"
"I will take her in."
Ayla looked up. "Willamar?" she said in surprise. "You would take this woman in?"
"Why not? Until she finds a mate of her own she can cook for me and help to care for my dwelling." Looking directly at Melodene, Willamar continued, "My mate walks the Spirit World. She gave me two children, raised them and then sickness took her. I now live alone and it would be good to have someone to share my time with." Willamar smiled at the distraught woman who sat across the fire from him.
Melodene looked at the old man and smiled through her tears. "I would be honored to share your dwelling. I will make you comfortable, cook and clean and help wherever I can. I don't want another mate but I would be grateful to stay with you for the rest of my life."
Willamar smiled in return, replying, "Well, it would probably be more accurate to say that you could stay with me for the rest of my life. I'm old and you're young, but at least I can give you a place to stay and offer you protection. It would make me happy to do that."
Ayla looked at the old man, the man she considered the elder of the Ninth Cave, the man who had mated with Marthona, Jondalar's mother, who in her turn had once been leader of the Ninth Cave. She watched as the woman came around the fire to sit beside Willamar and saw his face light up with a smile. Maybe this would be a good thing for both people, at least for now, she thought.
Ayla didn't think that Melodene would be content to be a caregiver for an old man for too long, she was an attractive woman. Although she was probably beyond child bearing age at twenty-eight summers, some man might still want her and who knew, she might still be able to produce a child, it wasn't unknown. From the look on both of their faces it was too late to try to suggest any alternatives. Maybe this was best for the time being. Melodene could be just what Willamar needed in a companion.
They all finished their tea. Jonayla doused the fire and Willamar made a place for Melodene to sleep beside him using extra furs taken from Jonayla's trade goods, and the family, plus one, settled down to sleep.
-o-
Ayla and her family were up and ready to depart the next morning at first light. The Zelandoni of the Nineteenth Cave as well as her friend, Zelandoni of The First Wolf Cave, were there to wish them a safe journey. Ayla hugged the man tightly and expressed her gratitude again for his memorial image of Wolf. She waved at the other people who had turned out to see them off. Her little group was now swelled by the addition of Durcan and Willamar - and now Melodene, who rode on Willamar's horse mounted in front of him. He held her loosely with one arm so she would not fall. Riding on an animal was new to Melodene. She felt excitement but couldn't decide if it was the horse or Willamar's arm causing it.
