Standard Disclaimer: I do not own the Earth's Children series, I am only inspired by it.

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The two young women stared for a moment in astonishment. In all the time the Zarnadonii had been living there, the only visitors had been a few people's kin from the Zelandonii and members of Crun's clan. They weren't quite sure what language this man was using, but it wasn't Zelandonii. Lorala found her wits first, and stepped forward with her hands outstretched. "In the name of Doni, Mother of All, I greet you. I am Lorala of the Otter Hearth of the Lion Cave of the Zarnadonii," she said.

As the man drew close enough to clasp her hands, the young women were astonished to note that he was mixed! Now more than ever, they wondered who he could be. His clothes were definitely not Clan, and he spoke perfectly well, whatever language he was using. He seemed to be returning Lorala's greeting and introducing himself in return. Dalzarna frowned in concentration for a moment. His words sounded vaguely familiar to her. Dalzarna gestured, but he didn't seem to notice. She also offered the stranger a greeting and an introduction, although she wasn't sure if he understood them any better than they did him. She quickly tossed her digging stick into her collecting basket, then settled the basket to a comfortable carrying position for the walk back to the cave. Lorala did the same, then beckoned the stranger to follow them.

As they walked, Dalzarna spoke quietly to Lorala. "The words he used sounded a little like Mamutoi. I wonder if Mother or Danug can speak with this man. One of us should run ahead, but not until the cave is within sight. Do you want to go, or should I?"

"I'll go, if you don't mind," Lorala grinned. "I'm taller and I can run faster. I wonder where he came from? I noticed that he didn't seem to see your gestured greeting, so he hasn't lived with a clan even if he is mixed." The trio reached the bottom of the cliff trail, with the cave mouth just barely visible downstream. Lorala set out at a run.

The stranger looked startled when Lorala suddenly bolted, but Dalzarna smiled at him. She noticed that he wore an amulet like Narg's, which puzzled her, since he hadn't responded to her gesture. In the distance, they could hear Lorala calling a few names, then they could hear and see the commotion as Lorala pointed back in their direction. Jerekal, Echozar, Latie, and Danug started upstream to meet them.

Danug stepped forward with his hands out. "In the name of Mut, I welcome you," he said, speaking in Mamutoi. "I am Danug of the Zarnadonii."

The stranger's face lit up with a smile. "In Muna's name, I greet you," he replied in the same tongue. "I am Elleron of S'Armunai. You talk Mamutoi good, for one lives wrong way from Mamutoi land. But is good, for me," he grinned.

Danug's booming laughter filled the air. "I speak Mamutoi like one born to it, because I was. I made a Journey and decided to settle here. But let me introduce you to everyone." Danug acted as translator for the introductions for Echozar, Lorala, and Dalzarna. Jerekal remembered enough Mamutoi from his own Journey to make his own introduction, and of course Latie could also speak for herself. Danug spoke up again when the introductions were done, "Come inside, Elleron of the S'Armunai. We'll get you settled at the hearth of our One who Serves. Then perhaps after you've shared a meal, you can tell us your story. You are only the second visitor who comes as a complete surprise to us. Most of the few visitors we get are kin or people with whom we trade every year. Everyone will want to know of your Journey."

"And I am happy to tell," Elleron replied with a smile. "I think I also like to hear your story. Two from Mamutoi here, and mixed man like me, that is surprise… Zarnadonii have stories, yes?"

"We certainly do," chuckled Danug. "We certainly do."

Dalzarna stayed at Otter hearth chatting with Lorala as Elleron settled himself. Lanidar smiled as he caught the inadvertent glances that both young women were sending in the visitor's direction. So, someone finally sparked their interest, he thought. It didn't surprise him at all that Dalzarna would be attracted to a mixed man; after all, she had grown up at Echozar's hearth. It hadn't escaped his notice that many women chose to mate a man who reminded them in some way of the man they grew up with. But he was a little puzzled by Lorala's evident attraction to the visitor. Still, she had chosen Echozar for her First Rites… ah, maybe that was it. Echozar was short, but nearly as muscular as Danug. And yet he was one of the kindest, most protective men that Lanidar had known. Being mixed, Elleron had a similar build to Echozar's. And at least on the surface, he seemed to have something of Echozar's kindness. So perhaps it wasn't so strange after all, that Lorala was attracted. Lanidar just hoped that the friendship between the two young women would not be broken over this man.

Lanoga strolled over to her mate of nearly eleven years. "You look like a man who is thinking," she said with a smile. "Dare I ask what is going through your mind?"

"They are," Lanidar replied, nodding towards Lorala and Dalzarna. "I have no idea what if anything will come of it, but they both seem intrigued by our guest."

Lanoga chuckled. "Well, all we can do is be there for Lorala, whatever may happen. My baby sister is a grown woman now. She has to make her own choices." She gave her mate a mischievous look, "Besides, if she does mate soon, that will be one less person at the hearth. And since it's about to get more crowded…"

It took a moment for her meaning to penetrate Lanidar's musing. "More crowded? I know we're expecting Narg and Una in a moon or so, but…" He caught the grin on her face then. "Oh, Doni! You're telling me that you're blessed again?" He embraced her and spun her around. "When?"

"I think late summer or early fall, probably soon after the first rains." She started to smile, then looked distressed. "Uh, tell Lorala to cook tonight," she said, and dashed from the shelter with her hand over her mouth.

Lanidar watched her run outside, shaking his head, then he walked over to where Lorala and Dalzarna were talking. "Lorala, your sister isn't feeling well. She wants you to handle the evening meal," he said.

"Me? All right, I guess I can manage," Lorala looked nervous.

"I'll help, if you want," Dalzarna volunteered.

"Would you? Thank you!" Lorala sighed, glancing toward the visitor's sleeping space. "I want this meal to be perfect!"

"Trust me, you aren't the only one!" Dalzarna grinned.

The two young women laughed and headed out to the cooking hearth with a final glance over their shoulders.

Later that evening, following a spring feast of fresh trout, watercress, dried bison stew with carrots and barley, clover roots, puffball mushrooms, and dried apples, everyone gathered to hear the stories. Elleron spoke first, with Danug translating.

"As you can tell by looking, my mother was a woman of the Clan. Anderon, a man of the S'Armunai, was injured while out hunting, and found by the Clan. He lived with them for a while, and was given my mother as a mate. I was born to his hearth there, and he told me that their S'Armuna gave me the totem of the golden eagle. He also told me that he might have stayed with them, but that my mother was killed by a hyena before I could count my first year. He took me and went back to his own people. His sister cared for me for a few years. Then ten years ago, Anderon joined with a woman at the Three Sisters Camp, and she adopted me. I could count perhaps five years then. I grew up there, and S'Armuna chose me as her acolyte. But I never truly felt called to Serve. So I decided to make a Journey. I thought that perhaps whatever fate Muna has in store for me, I might find it while traveling.

"I left the Camp of the Three Sisters late in the winter, for I decided that I wished to see the Great Waters of the west, and I knew from speaking to the older members of the camp that I would have to cross a glacier. They told me that the glacier could only be crossed in the winter. I saw no one before crossing the glacier, but I had plenty of traveling food and I made it across before the thaws came. I continued traveling. I also learned that not everyone is as accepting of those of mixed spirits as you and the S'Armunai are."

Elleron paused to compose himself; this was obviously a painful experience. "Just about a moon ago, about the time of the thaws, I came across some signs of people. So I followed them, guessing that I would find a camp. To my regret, I did. When they saw me without my hood, they threw stones and threatened me with spears. So I turned south, in hopes of avoiding any other camps of that tribe. I saw no other people until today. Although, if I had seen more than just the two women, I think I would have avoided you as well, for fear of getting the same greeting. I thought that even if they turned on me when they saw what I am, they were only two, and I could get away. So imagine my pleasure when two such lovely women not only offered a welcome, but didn't seem at all uncomfortable around me. Of course, I can see why," he said, glancing from Dalzarna to Echozar, then to Talunar and little Zarina.

Jerekal smiled at the visitor. "When I founded the Zarnadonii eleven years ago, it was because of small-minded people who didn't like the idea that Latie wished to have me and Echozar as co-mates, and who liked it even less that I was perfectly happy to be a part of such a hearth. I suspect that you encountered the Zelandonii, or at least, the part of the Zelandonii that considers Clan and mixed people to be abomination. But there are others among the Zelandonii who think as we do, that all people are children of the Mother. Unfortunately, the Zelandonii have been a divided people for the last few years, ever since their old First among Those who Serve left to walk the next world. We have been avoiding them, even though many of us have kin there, because of that division. I'm just sorry that you had to stumble into their troubles like that."

Jerekal's sister Darsina passed around skins of wine as Jerekal and Bologan told the story of their own journey to the Mamutoi and back, then Danug told his story as well, intertwining it with theirs. Then Jerekal told of the formation of the Zarnadonii and all that had happened since then. After the stories, Doriza and Jonetta brought out their drums and people danced. Danug chuckled when Dalzarna and Lorala both tried to be the first to offer to show Elleron the steps, and told the young S'Armunai man what they were saying.

"You tell me, both these women like me?" Elleron asked incredulously. "I am not used to women liking me. Even among S'Armunai, I am accepted, but ugly. Most times I not get partner until late, when maybe women have had much bouza and not able to see I am ugly."

Danug laughed. "Well, we of the Zarnadonii try to raise our children to look past the outside when they meet people. After all, we all will grow old and lose whatever outer beauty we have. But a kind heart stays beautiful forever." He grinned at Elleron. "Just enjoy the opportunities and try not to hurt their feelings. They've both just had their First Rites last summer, and I don't think they've really been interested in anyone since then."

Elleron chuckled, "I try not to hurt them. Maybe I say tonight I need sleep. Not think about women yet. When I learn some of language, so I can talk to them, maybe then I think about." He smiled at the two young women. "But tell them for me, I happy to have them show me dance."

Danug translated, and Lorala and Dalzarna led Elleron to the dancing area.

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A few days later, Dalzarna and Lorala were washing clothes together and discussing the visitor.

"I wonder if he'll stay very long," Lorala said. "I hope so."

Dalzarna smiled. "I hope so too," she said. "But…"

"But what?"

"But we have to stay friends, Lorala. No matter what."

Lorala smiled. "I don't think that will be a problem," she replied. "I… well, it's been almost a year, I guess it's all right to talk about it now. Remember when we were in seclusion before First Rites, when Danila gave us that odd tea and told us to listen to our dreams?"

"I remember," Dalzarna said. "Not that I understood my dream."

"Well… I won't go into the details. But what I dreamed made me think that we might be co-mated someday," Lorala said as she wrung out a woven dress and draped it over a bush to dry.

Dalzarna was silent for a few minutes, thinking about that. Her hands moved automatically, soaping, rinsing, and wringing several garments before she spoke again. "You are of Otter Hearth," she said thoughtfully. "There was an otter in my dream."

"There, you see?" Lorala asked. "Now all we have to do is make sure that Elleron stays… and make sure he isn't too scared of our status to ask for us!"

Both women laughed as they spread the last of the wet clothes over bushes, then headed upstream towards the cave.

Elleron watched discreetly as the two young women walked along the riverbank. He was still flattered by how eager they both were to dance with him the night of the celebration. Attractive women fluttering around him was a new experience for the young half-Clan S'Armunai, but he had to admit, it was a pleasant one. He just wished that he knew more of their language. It was difficult enough to forge new friendships with women, attractive or otherwise, without having to rely on a translator. He sighed, because he did need a translator. And even then, he still had some difficulty, as his own command of the Mamutoi language wasn't complete. Still, he was grateful that of all the people he might have found, he'd managed to locate a group that had anyone he could speak to. He wished now that he'd paid more attention when old S'Armuna talked about her time in the west when she was a young woman. If he'd thought about it, she probably would have been willing to teach him a little of the language she had learned then.

He wandered out to the riverbank and got a drink. He also realized that the opposite bank looked like the sort of muddy clay that old S'Armuna used to make her ceremonial figures. Without stopping to think, he hopped aboard the raft that Lion Cave kept tied to the landing and poled his way across for a better look. The clay here was paler in color, but felt the same to his hands. Without even thinking about it, he molded a lioness and an otter, then a Mother figure. Elleron set his sculptures aside and began to look for materials to build a small firing chamber.

A few hours later, Dalzarna noticed that the raft was still tied up across the river. She and Lorala had seen Elleron crossing earlier, when they were coming back from doing the washing. She shaded her eyes and gazed across, wondering what he was doing. It almost looked as though he was building himself a shelter. Only, whatever he was building looked far too small to actually be a shelter. She didn't think that he'd be able to lie down inside of it. Whatever he was building, she was very curious. And, she thought to herself, Lorala is off gathering plants. Maybe, just maybe, if there's only one of us at a time…

She wasn't entirely comfortable in the dugout canoe, but she could manage well enough to get across the river. She pulled the little craft up onto the bank and casually wandered over to see what Elleron was doing. The structure he had built indeed resembled a shelter, or maybe just a sleeping room. It had two small openings near the bottom, but was otherwise featureless outside. And he had amassed a big pile of bones just to the side of one opening. As she watched, he came jogging up from downstream with another armload of bones.

"Heyyoo," she said with a smile that broadened into a grin as he dropped his bones in startlement.

"Heyyoo," Elleron replied with a smile of his own. He wondered why she had come. Surely not just for his company, not when she could have any man she wanted. He'd already determined that Dalzarna was a favorite of everyone who knew her, because of her sunny personality.

Dalzarna tried desperately to come up with a way to tell Elleron that she was definitely interested in getting to know him better. She bent to pick up a few bones that had bounced and rolled to her feet when he dropped them. Handing him the bones with a smile, she asked, "May I help?" Then she pantomimed picking things up and adding them to the pile.

Elleron nodded hesitantly, then beckoned her to follow him to the pile of remains he'd found at a bend in the river. Firing his little sculptures would require burning a lot of bone.

She followed him, noting that the path he was using couldn't be seen from the opposite bank. After dropping off the first armload of bones, she grew bold. Once they were headed back to the bone pile and effectively screened, she took Elleron's hand. He froze, not quite sure that Dalzarna really meant what she seemed to be implying. She smiled warmly at him, then stretched herself up on tiptoe and kissed him.

"Dalzarna, I… you…" Elleron couldn't seem to think, much less speak. Not that she would understand his words anyway.

"Shut up and kiss me again," she said, knowing that he wouldn't understand her words. But she suited her actions to her words, kissing him again.

This time she got the response she was hoping for. Trembling, still only half-believing his good fortune, Elleron pulled her close, and they sank down together on the mossy ground.

It was some time before any more bones got transferred to the pile beside the little structure.

The next day, Elleron returned to the little structure he had built. First he checked the figures he had molded. They were dry and ready to be fired. He looked at the pile of bone, but figured that he would need more to complete the firing process, so he started for the bend in the river to get more.

Dalzarna and Lorala watched him from the cave mouth. "I wonder what he's doing over there," Lorala said.

Dalzarna shrugged. "I don't know, but why don't you go offer to help him with it," she suggested with a grin. "I did, yesterday."

Lorala raised an eyebrow at the slightly smug note in the younger woman's voice. "Oh, did you now? And what exactly did you do to help?"

"Oh, I carried some bones… among other things," came the reply. Both young women giggled.

"Well, perhaps I will go offer to help," Lorala said. "Oh, I know! I can bring some soap. I'm sure he'll want to clean up after picking through that refuse pile." With a wave to Dalzarna, she climbed into the dugout to cross the river.

Dalzarna watched for a moment, then headed back inside the cave to her loom. She hummed happily to herself as she worked. Echozar and Jerekal, passing the work area, paused in their conversation to smile at each other. Her interest in the visitor hadn't escaped their notice. Nor had her disappearance of the previous afternoon.

"What do you think?" Jerekal asked Echozar once they had moved beyond Dalzarna's hearing.

"I think he seems nice enough. Latie thinks so as well. I just wish he knew our language," Echozar fretted. "I'd like to be able to speak to him directly."

Jerekal nodded. "Well, the longer he stays, the more of our language he'll learn. I'm more worried because Lorala seems interested as well. I'd hate to see a rivalry develop."

Echozar frowned. "I hadn't thought of that. And he does seem to be planning to stay for a while; look at that…that… whatever it is that he built across the river yesterday. He spent hours at it, and it isn't something that he can just pick up and carry away with him." Echozar gazed broodingly across the river at the structure, then sighed. "I guess all we can do is wait and see what happens. And hope things work out in a way that everyone can be satisfied with." He pulled out his sling and ran it through his fingers. "I think I'm going to go hunting," he said. "I wish someone had told me how difficult it would be, watching the daughter of my hearth growing up."

"If anyone was able to tell people that," Jerekal laughed, "humans wouldn't have lived past the second generation!"

Echozar laughed as well as he headed toward the cliff path.

Meanwhile, Lorala and Elleron carried several loads of bone to the pile beside the little structure. Lorala wondered what it was for, but knew he wouldn't be able to tell her. He simply hadn't been with them long enough to have learned more than a few basic words and phrases. Elleron eyed the pile and smiled. "Good," he said. "Thank you."

Lorala smiled. "You're welcome," she said. "I want to clean up, do you?" she mimed washing her hands to give him the sense of her question.

He nodded and started to turn toward the river, but she beckoned him into the woods. "There's a smaller stream this way," she said. "The water won't be so cold as the river."

Elleron wasn't sure what she said, but he shrugged and followed. She led him to a pretty stream and handed him a small yellow object. He looked at it in confusion, noting the pleasant scent of lemongrass, but not quite sure what he was supposed to do with it.

Lorala grinned. "You wash with it," she said. She pulled out another yellow object and knelt at the stream to wash her hands.

He smiled and washed, noting that whatever the thing was, it lathered much better than soaproot. He wished he had the words to ask about the objects. Did the people of Lion Cave find them somewhere? Or were they made somehow? He made a mental note to ask Danug or Latie; hopefully his Mamutoi was good enough to understand whatever the answer was. He got to his feet and turned, intending to give the thing back to Lorala. But she wasn't next to him anymore.

"Elleron," her voice called from somewhere nearby.

He turned towards the sound, stopping in shock when he saw her slim arm holding her shirt out from behind a large tree. She giggled at the sudden silence, and stepped out into his line of sight.

"Do you like what you see?" she asked.

His hands were shaking as he reached out towards her. Twice in two days? He must be dreaming. "Lorala," he murmured as he bent his head to kiss her.

Lorala returned to Lion Cave that afternoon with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. Latie and Lanoga watched as she headed straight for her worktable by Dalzarna's loom, and the two young women immediately fell into an intense discussion.

"Well, they seem to be handling things so far," Lanoga commented. "I wonder…"

Latie chuckled. "So do I. But I suspect they'll have to figure things out on their own. Give them time and space, that's all we can do. That, and be there for them if it goes wrong."

Lanoga smiled and sipped her mint and chamomile tea. "I know. And he certainly seems like a nice enough man. I just wish I knew what sort of plans he has, you know?"

"I know," Latie said. "I think maybe I'll ask Danug to go have a chat with our visitor. After all, we're the only two that can, at least for now… but I'm also Dalzarna's mother. Danug isn't, and he's a man besides."

"Good idea," Lanoga said, and they strolled over to the flint knapping area to talk to Danug.

Danug agreed to speak with Elleron, and promptly headed across the river. The S'Armunai visitor was on his knees putting pieces of bone into the little structure. Danug wondered what he was doing. There was a familiarity to the structure, but Danug knew it wasn't anything Mamutoi. Well, first things first. He was here to ask about the man's plans. He could think about the little structure later.

"Elleron," he said. "I'd like to talk to you for a moment."

Elleron straightened up, startled. He'd been concentrating on setting up for firing, placing the bone so that it would burn evenly and last overnight, so he hadn't heard Danug's approach. "You want talk, yes, we talk," he said with a smile. "And maybe I ask you questions as well, after."

Danug was glad that the visitor was S'Armunai. In general, they were nearly as forthright as the Mamutoi. That would make this conversation somewhat easier. "Elleron, we… everyone, I mean, but especially Jerekal… we were wondering if you had any particular plans. Especially since you've built this… this thing. Not that anyone objects," he hastened to reassure the young man, "but people are starting to wonder."

Elleron blushed. In his excitement over finding the clay, it hadn't even occurred to him to ask permission before building his firing chamber. He'd only been aware of an opportunity to exercise his craft, without having old S'Armuna telling him yet again that he was wasting his skill and ought to dedicate himself. "I sorry," he said. "Not thinking when I make. As for plans, not sure. I like here, good people. Would like stay, learn ways, learn language. Know people better."

Danug chuckled. "By my guess, you're already getting to know certain people better."

Elleron blushed even brighter red. "Uh…"

Still laughing, Danug clapped the young man on the shoulder. "No one objects to anyone enjoying themselves. I think the families are just a little concerned, because they are quite young. They don't want to see anyone get hurt."

Now Elleron looked Danug straight in the eye. "I cannot promise no one get hurt," he said. "That not a promise can be kept. But I can promise, I will be honest with Dalzarna and Lorala. Not ever lie to them. Right now, Pleasures are nice. I admit, is nice when women approach. Not something happened much with S'Armunai. But I not yet able to talk to Dalzarna and Lorala. Maybe when I can, I find out I not have…" he paused to think of the word he needed, "enough same likes for good friends. Maybe hurt, yes, but better than I lie. Lie get found out, hurt is worse then."

"Elleron, you impress me," Danug said. "I can't argue with your reasoning. So, now that the difficult part of the talk is over, what is this thing that you've built here anyway?"

"Not sure how to say in Mamutoi," he replied. "I think, fire room closest."

Danug looked at the little structure again. It finally dawned on him where he had seen such a thing before: The Camp of the Three Sisters! This was tiny in comparison, but it was the same sort of thing. But he was still puzzled. "But what does it do?" he asked.

"Turns mud to stone," Elleron said with a smile.

"It what?!?"

"Turns mud to stone. With fire. I learn as acolyte of old S'Armuna," Elleron explained. "She learn long ago, Muna show her how. I have skill in carving, is why she choose me as acolyte when Cavoa move to new Camp. She choose Anaroa same time. Anaroa want be One Who Serves. I do not. Is why I went on Journey."

Danug nodded, still stunned. Now that he thought about it, every Mother figure that he'd seen when he visited the S'Armunai was made of something he couldn't identify. But he had been much more interested in discussing flint with Ardoban than investigating the odd substance. After all, knowing how they made their Mother figures wasn't going to have an impact on his own Journey. "But what made you build this here?" he asked.

Elleron couldn't help but grin at the puzzlement on the big man's face. "I came for drink, saw the mud here look like mud near Camp of Three Sisters, but lighter. I cross river to feel, is same, only color not same. I make things from mud, but need Muna's sacred fire to turn to stone. Need very hot fire, burn all night, all day. Then mud turns to stone, not melt when gets wet."

"There is one thing I don't understand," Danug said. "If this is a secret of your S'Armuna, why do you know how to do it?"

"Not know for sure. I think S'Armuna hoped I would be One Who Serves," he sighed. "I think she show me to try to make me stay and be One Who Serves. Anaroa not so good making figures, I much better. But I not like to make ceremony, chants, legends. Anaroa much better. She good healer, I not." Elleron looked somewhat uncomfortable. "And I think, is skill maybe good for more things, not just munai. S'Armuna not let me make more things. I think, maybe I find place I can make more things."

Again, Danug couldn't argue with the young man's reasoning. He knew that Those Who Served liked to keep things secret from outsiders. He remembered overhearing a discussion between Lomie and Vincavec after Ayla demonstrated the firestones. Vincavec had said that it was a shame that Ayla had given so many away already, because the power to draw fire from a rock would have given the Mammoth Hearth a lot of prestige, if only other people didn't already know how to do it. "Well, you won't find anyone of the Zarnadonii who will tell you not to try, except maybe Verdegia," he grinned. "But don't let her fool you. She is the sort that hides a kind heart under a lot of grumbling. Are you going to start your fire tonight?"

"I like to," Elleron said. "Not many pieces this time. New munai for Lanidar, as gift for staying at hearth. And hearth-signs for Dalzarna and Lorala, as gifts for… kindness to stranger," he said with another blush.

"I'll let you get back to your work then," Danug said as he got to his feet. "Try not to be late to the evening meal. I suspect that certain people will want your company." He grinned and headed back across the river.

Elleron went back to laying his fire. With a silent plea to Muna, he placed the three figures inside the firing chamber and lit the fire.