When Zarina and Willora reached Mammoth Hearth Lodge, Vincavec pulled them aside along with Darzie and Saralie as witnesses and formally adopted Willora to his hearth as Tarvec's sister. "I have to go take charge of the men's purification now, but I wanted to get that taken care of first," he said. "Welcome to the hearth, Willora," he added, kissing her on the cheek. Then he turned to Zarina. "And I'll say the same to you a bit later today." With that, he hurried off to wherever the men were secluded.
When Vincavec left, Saralie began organizing the about-to-be-mated women into small groups for ritual purification. They would be washing with heated water, but as they had to be kept from the sight of everyone except the mamuti, they had to perform their ablutions in a small tent erected for the purpose. There just wasn't room for more than five women at a time inside.
Darzie pulled Zarina aside. "You won't need to worry about Tarvie making a fuss tonight," she said. "She is still Mamutoi, and therefor has the right to attend the Matrimonial. But I've let people know that if she even looks as though she might try to start trouble, they are to do whatever it takes to stop her and keep her quiet." Darzie hesitated a moment, then took a deep breath and said, "Also, Zarina, I have to apologize to you. Up until all this fuss with Tarvie happened, well…" the shaman looked embarrassed. "I was among those who thought of fl-, er, Clan as not human. But I've gotten to know you, and you're perfectly nice. So is that young woman who came back from the peninsula with Ranie and her young man… and I understand that woman's mother is a mixture. I was wrong to have believed everything I heard, and I'm sorry."
"You thought that way because you didn't know better," Zarina said. "At least you thought things over when someone told you why they believed you were wrong. You didn't insist on clinging to what you had always thought, even though changing your mind about things can be frightening. As far as I'm concerned, no apology is necessary."
"Thank you," Darzie smiled. "Better get into a group to wash, or the warm water will run out!" Chuckling, Zarina complied.
After they all washed, the women took turns going into the small tent with the mamuti, to make their final prayers to Mut for happy and fruitful matings. Afterwards, they lay down to rest before putting on their finery for the Matrimonial ceremony and feast.
Zarina and Willora stood out from the group. The traditional Mamutoi Matrimonial garb consisted of heavily decorated leather leggings and tunic with a v-hemline and a front opening which displayed the breasts. Usually the mother of a woman's mate-to-be made it as a gift for her son's intended, although it was also common for a Matrimonial outfit to be passed along for several generations. But Zarnadonii tradition called for a young woman to make her own Matrimonial outfit. Both young women brought theirs on the Journey with them, acknowledging that they might not return to their original people. Zarina, the more accomplished seamstress of the pair, reworked both outfits to bare their breasts as was considered proper by their new people.
But that was the only similarity of dress between the two of them and the other women participating in the Matrimonial. Willora wore a mid-calf length full skirt of linen fabric dyed a pale blue that matched her eyes, with a matching bolero top that tied just below her breasts. A fringe of jet beads hung from the bottom of the skirt and the top, with more jet beads highlighting an embroidered pattern of black swirls around the hem, neckline and armholes. With it, she wore a necklace of small pink seashells and jet beads, with a pendant of blue crystal. Her hair was pulled back from her face and held by a matching pink seashell and jet bead headband, but otherwise fell loose in a shimmering white-blond cascade of waves. Zarina's outfit was similar in style, but even more striking in color. Her skirt was striped dark green and yellow with amber and malachite beaded fringe and matching embroidery. Her top was also dark green with amber fringe and embroidery. A headband of malachite beads confined her golden curls, and a necklace of malachite beads with a carved amber lion pendant completed the picture.
The women lined up to walk out to the gathering field and their intended mates, arranging themselves according to the age of their Camp. A woman from Elk Camp, the oldest established Mamutoi Camp, led the way. Veccie of Lion Camp was near the middle of the group, followed immediately by Zarina and Willora, both of whom would be members of Mammoth Camp after the Matrimonial. A chorus of murmurs spread throughout the gathered throng as people noticed Willora and Zarina's unusual garb.
To the surprise of the formerly Zarnadonii women when they first learned of it, the bulk of the Mamutoi Matrimonial was performed as a group ritual. The to-be-mated men were already on the gathering field as the women approached, lined up in the same order, but down on one knee. The women stood opposite.
Vincavec, the most powerful of the mamuti, spoke in a ringing voice. ""It pleases the Mother when Her children choose to live together out of love. We have come here today to witness these men and women declare their love for each other to Mut and ask Her blessing on their unions. Men, what do you bring to the joining for the benefit of the woman?"
In unison, the men replied, "I offer my fire for her protection, my spear to feed and clothe her, and my strength and love to comfort and aid her. I will care for her and her children, in Mut's name."
Now the women stepped forward as one, taking the hand of their intended and drawing him to his feet. "This is the man I choose," they chorused. "To him I bring my hearth, a place to lay his fire, a place to keep his spear. I give him my love and myself for his comfort and aid. I will teach my children to honor and respect him, in Mut's name."
"Then be joined together, with Mut's blessing," Vincavec declared.
The couples moved forward, one pair at a time, for Vincavec to lightly bind their hands together. Old Crozie began sniffling as Veccie and her man slipped their wrists into the thong, then cried openly when it was Willora and Tusec's turn. "Two of my great-grandchildren, joined at the same Matrimonial!" she sobbed happily. "If Mut gives me one more year, I might see my fifth generation!" Hearing her, the brother and sister and their new mates were hard put not to laugh.
Zarina and Tarvec were next. "I'm so happy," she whispered as they were bound together.
"So am I," he replied, touching her stomach lightly with his free hand as they moved on to allow the next couple forward.
Tarvie slumped in the shadows at the back of the gathering field. It was done. Her son, the boy for whom she'd had such high hopes, really was mated to that abomination. She hadn't missed his little caress of her belly, either, and she understood the significance of the gesture. The abomination was already blessed. She'd been tempted to protest during the ritual, but she knew the majority of the Mamutoi would sympathize with the young couple. And that the few who secretly agreed with her would remain silent out of fear of Vincavec's power, public censure, or both.
She sighed. The Mamutoi had been slowly growing more accepting of flatheads, ever since Nezzie had taken in that little abomination all those years ago, mostly because Lion Camp had so much status. Tarvie hoped that she would be able to use her own status as Vincavec's mate to reverse that trend, as Mammoth Camp was as highly ranked as Lion Camp, but to no avail. Vincavec was one of the flathead-lovers, and since he was Mamut as well as headman, people listened to him rather than to her. And now… well, after she'd allowed her anger to get the best of her and been punished for what she'd done in that anger, no one among the Mamutoi was likely to listen to her opinion now.
Maybe that was the answer, Tarvie thought. If the Mamutoi won't listen, maybe I should go find someone who will. I'm not too old to make a Journey yet. After all, there isn't anything to keep me here. My daughters are too concerned with maintaining their own status to speak up for me. And my son… my son is dead to me. That's what I'll do, then, I'll make a Journey. Not right away, though, if I leave too soon, I might be followed. I know people are still watching me, to make sure I don't make any more trouble for that damned abomination. But I can start to make my plans.
She pulled herself to her feet and carefully schooled her expression into one of neutrality. The newly-mated couples had all been served, and everyone was lining up for a share of the feast. Tarvie saw no reason to deny herself a meal, despite the whispers that swirled around her wherever she went. She made a point of standing as far away from the newly-mated couples as possible while remaining in a well-lit area as she ate, to indicate that she had no intention of starting trouble. As soon as she finished, she left the gathering field and returned to Sunflower Camp.
The members of Lion Camp and Mammoth Camp formed a large group within the gathering as they celebrated. People from Mammoth Camp wanted to meet the young woman who would one day be their co-leader as well as the young woman now mated to their future headman. Nezzie and Talut discussed their upcoming move with Vincavec, Avarie, Lativec, and Dannie. And everyone wanted to get a closer look at Willora and Zarina and their exotic garb.
As the evening progressed, bouza flowed freely, and the dancing became more exuberant. Willora was showing Tusec a Zarnadonii dance when Crebulan, Markolan, Ranie, and Oma pushed their way into the crowd. "We've come to say our good-byes," Crebulan said. "Even if you were up early enough to see us off in the morning… which would disappoint me greatly… your isolation period will have started. And even though we're having fun, we're going to go back to Cattail Camp and get some sleep." He embraced his cousin and Zarina. So did Markolan, Oma, and Ranie. "You two are going to have wonderful lives, I just know it. And I'll be sure to report as much to your mothers," Crebulan said, his voice husky.
Willora hugged back fiercely. "You do that," she said. "I just wish I could be there to see Aunt Ayla's face when you present her with both your prospective mate and the daughter of Durc's mate! But this is my home now. I'm happy here, happier than I ever was before." She smiled at Tusec, tears in her eyes.
Zarina was openly weeping. "Tell Mother and Jerekal for me, I love them very much," she said. "And tell them… tell them my first son will be named Echozar." She sniffled as she caressed her belly. Tarvec, unable to put his arm around her because of the thong binding their wrists, leaned over and kissed her gently.
"I will," promised Crebulan. They all embraced once more, then he led the little party of travelers back to Cattail Camp.
Not unexpectedly, Darnev fell in beside them as they left the gathering field. Crebulan had vaguely noticed him sitting with Oma at the feast, but hadn't really paid much attention at the time. "Oma, will you come to my camp for a little while?" he asked. "I have something I want to give you… something so you will remember me."
"Gift not necessary, Darnev," Oma said. "And I have nothing to give you."
Crebulan chuckled. "Go ahead, Oma, if you want to. I know Darnev realizes we're leaving early in the morning. But you can spend a little more time with him before coming to bed, if you like."
"Well…" Oma considered. She did enjoy Darnev's company. "All right, I come," she said. "For little while. But we talk more about gift. Really, is not necessary."
Darnev chuckled as h led her off in the direction of his camp. "I know it isn't necessary," he told her. "But friends sometimes give gifts for no reason… and I like to think I'm your friend, Oma."
"I am not used to man and woman as friends," Oma admitted. "Is not Clan way. But you are nice… I think you must be my friend."
Ranie smiled at Crebulan and Markolan as Oma's voice faded into the distance. "I'm glad we got the good-byes over with tonight," she commented as the trio turned into Cattail Camp. "It will be easier to leave while everyone is sleeping off the Matrimonial celebration. Although I suspect Mother and Ranec will manage to get up to see us off anyway. But that's still better than all of Lion Camp and Mouflon Camp lining up to watch us leave."
"Definitely," Crebulan agreed with a grin. Then he yawned. "I don't know about you two, but I'm going to get some sleep." He kissed Ranie and headed for the small traveling tent he shared with Markolan. Ranie also headed for her tent, shared with Oma.
Markolan was tired, but too excited to sleep right away. He sat by the fire, watching the embers shimmer and glow softly. His packs were full of ivory, amber, and even some salt and shells. In the morning, he and his companions would set out on their return Journey… the Journey that would return him to his beloved Elleroa.
As Ranie predicted, Ranec and Tricie were indeed up early to see the travelers off. Ranec handed a small wrapped object to the daughter of his hearth. "I made this a long time ago," he said. "For Ayla, when I was trying to persuade her to join with me. She gave it back when she told me she was leaving with Jondalar. I certainly couldn't give it to your mother after that, but I just couldn't bring myself to get rid of it, either. I… it seemed appropriate that you should have it, since you are leaving with Ayla's son. Tell her from me, she was right that Tricie was the woman for me. And that I'm glad to know she and Jondalar have been happy."
Ranie unwound the leather to reveal one of Ranec's bird-woman mutas, carved of ivory grown creamy with age. "Thank you," she choked out as she hugged the man of her hearth. "I love you both."
"We love you too," a teary-eyed Tricie replied as she boosted Ranie onto her mare's back. "Be happy, my daughter." She put her arm around her mate and the two of them waved as the four riders urged their horses to the west.
It took Ranie a few moments to compose herself, but then she managed a watery chuckle. "Your mother will be surprised to see this muta again, Crebulan," she commented as she carefully placed the little carving in her pouch.
"Mother is going to have a lot of surprises when we get back," Crebulan laughed. "Speaking of surprises, I see you are wearing something new today, Oma."
The young woman blushed and toyed with her new necklace of white spiral shells. "Darnev insist on giving as gift," she said. "He say he know he not be only one to give me gift, but he want to be first man to give me gift, so I always remember him." She looked slightly puzzled. "But I not understand why he think I need gift to remember him. Do Others forget so easily?"
Her innocent question made the other three laugh. "Others' memory is not as good as Clan memory," Crebulan tried to explain. "You grew up with the Clan, so you have better memory than most Others… most people who know Mother say she has an amazingly good memory. But then again, she also grew up with the Clan."
"You can see the difference in our language lessons," Ranie put in. "I actually started learning Zarnadonii before we visited Durc's clan and met you. But you already know more words in Zarnadonii than I do."
Oma nodded. "But you better at putting words together," she said.
Ranie shrugged off the praise. "That's just because I grew up speaking with words, rather than signs. I already know how words are put together in my own language, so it is easy enough for me to learn how to put them together in another language. You are doing just fine, especially since you never knew how to speak with words at all until just over a moon back." Markolan and Crebulan nodded their agreement with Ranie's assessment.
"I am glad you think I am learning good," Oma smiled. "But I not want to talk right now. I want to race!" With that, she urged her mount into a fast canter with a giggle. The others took off after her.
None of them noticed the lone rider keeping them just barely within sight.
Darnev smiled to himself as he leaned over the neck of his mount to examine the tracks left by the riders ahead of him. As a boy, he'd accompanied his oldest brother and two cousins on a trade mission to the S'Armunai. He was reasonably sure the others were making for the Camp of the Three Sisters. That meant he could slow down a bit, put a little more distance between himself and them… it was pure luck they hadn't already spotted him. But he hoped to surprise Oma.
As he rode along he thought about her. He had been attracted to her looks at first, just like every other Mamutoi man who met her. But at the same time, he'd been a bit put off by what seemed to be her lack of discrimination… she accepted every man who invited her to share furs. Then he'd heard his mother chuckling to her mate about how much Oma reminded her of Ayla when she first came to Lion Camp. Deegie said that it had been Ranec's luck that Ayla didn't realize she was allowed to refuse a man who wanted her, because her Clan upbringing conditioned her to obey male requests. Now Oma was showing the same sort of conditioning, only she was in the middle of a Summer Meeting instead of a single camp.
After thinking over his mother's words for a while, Darnev came to the conclusion that perhaps there was more to Oma than he'd originally thought. So he decided to get to know her better. She was a curious mixture of mature and understanding woman and charming child, thanks to her Clan roots. The better he knew her, the more Darnev liked her. He knew he was taking a chance, following after Oma like this. She was still quite young, still not used to the idea of being free to make her own choices. He didn't want to make her feel obligated towards him, yet at the same time he couldn't bring himself to simply let her go without letting her know he cared.
Well, with any luck, he'd have his chance this coming winter. He knew the foursome planned to winter with the S'Armunai, he just hadn't been sure which camp. Now he knew exactly where they were going, so he would take his time and be sure to arrive a few days after them. As he set up his tent that evening, he thought again of his mother's final words to him.
"When old Mamut adopted Ayla, I was so glad," Deegie had said. "I'd always wanted a sister close to me in age, or at last a good friend in the same camp. Ayla became that friend. When she planned to join with Ranec at the same Matrimonial as Branag and I were joined, I even hoped that one day a child of hers would mate with a child of mine. So how can I refuse my blessing when my son wants to mate her son's hearth-daughter? Just promise me you'll return home if Oma chooses another." Darnev promised, and Deegie saw him off with a smile that belied her sadness at seeing him go. She knew perfectly well there was a chance she would never see him again.
