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

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The small party set out first thing in the morning, and easily reached Crun's cave shortly before sundown on the second day. Crun welcomed them, although with some surprise. He recognized Ayla and Jondalar from years before, when they had come to help against the raiders that had wiped out his former clan. Dalzarna, of course, was a familiar visitor, but usually Echozar and Logani arrived with her to do the trading. And they usually didn't arrive until the leaves were turning.

Elleron, drawing upon his Clan memories for the correct way to proceed, stepped forward to introduce himself. Narg and Torg remembered meeting him in the spring, when the Clan traders had visited the Zarnadonii, but of course, they were the only men to have met him. Elleron then told Crun of the First and her rabble, of how her followers first forced the Ninth Cave people from their home and then attacked the Zarnadonii Summer Meeting. He spoke of how Jerekal decided that it was too dangerous for the Zarnadonii to remain in their old homes any longer, and of where Jerekal planned to seek a new home. Finally, he voiced Jerekal's request for passage to the clearing.

Crun stroked his beard thoughtfully for a moment. "You say that these attackers forced people from their cave, just for saying that Clan are people? I do not want to take the chance that they will find my clan. You say you have as many people as might attend a Clan Gathering. I do not object to your people camping in the clearing you speak of, but I do not want them passing by my clan's cave. The trail such a number will leave will be all too obvious if this evil leader you speak of decides to follow you."

"That is understandable," Elleron gestured in return. "However, of all of our people, Zarna is the only one who has actually been to the clearing before, and she only knows how to find it from your cave. Will you send one of your people to guide us to the clearing without passing your cave?"

"Yes, I can do that," Crun decided. "Narg and Una will go back to your people with you. And if you do not object, I will also send Creb. He is to be leader after me; it is time that he learned more of these Others that trade with this clan. You will sleep at my hearth tonight, and set out for your people in the morning."

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Elleron and Ayla decided to take advantage of the two-day trip back to the Zarnadonii to ask Narg about the possibility of a ceremony to help Jaradal. Narg was flattered that the two of them thought he could help the young man, especially by Ayla's judgement as a medicine woman. And he was intrigued by the possibility, although he didn't want to make too hasty a decision. "I can see why you believe I can help," he said. "But I have never heard of one of the Others taking part in a ceremony. I must see the young man for myself before I can decide what to do."

"I do know of a man of the Others who took part in a Clan ceremony," Ayla said unexpectedly. "Old Mamut, the Mog-Ur of the people who adopted me after I left the Clan. When he was young, he broke his arm while traveling, and was found by a clan… the same clan that raised me. He lived with them for a while, and he was permitted to join in a ceremony. I heard this from Creb, the man who raised me. I heard it again from Mamut himself, when I lived with his people. He told me that he thought it was the Clan ceremony that led him to become a Mog-Ur of his own people."

Narg looked startled, then a glint of humor appeared in his eyes. "You have surprised me yet again, Woman Who Hunts," he told her. "Remember how you startled me, the day I warned you of the raiders? Never before had I seen a woman use a weapon. And then you called the horse! But I will always remember riding on the back of the horse."

Seven year old Creb was wide-eyed at this exchange. "Narg, you rode on a horse? But… why? And… Woman Who Hunts?" He shook his head. "I am confused," he admitted.

"Ayla, will you tell your tale for my brother?" Narg asked. "I think perhaps it will give him some idea what to expect when he meets your people tomorrow."

So once again, Ayla spoke and gestured her own story. Young Creb was fascinated. "I didn't know the world was so big!" he blurted out.

"The world is bigger than even Ayla has seen," Dalzarna remarked. "Hochaman, mate of my birth mother's grandma, came from a place as far to the east of Ayla's clan as Ayla's clan is east of here."

"Really?" asked Creb.

"Really," Dalzarna confirmed. "He told wonderful stories of his travels. He said that there is an endless salty sea far to the east, just as the Great Waters to the west are salty. And he looked quite different from the people around here as well. For one thing, he was shorter than most of the Others around here, more like the height of Clan men. And his nose was tiny, and his eyes tilted like this," she pushed the outer corners of her eyes upward with her fingers. "My grandma Jerika looked just like him."

"Yes, Hochaman did tell wonderful stories," Jondalar said. "I always liked hearing them. Sometimes I think his stories, as much as anything else, inspired me to make my own Journey to the east."

Ayla hid a smile, knowing that "anything else" referred to his wish to avoid mating the bad-tempered Marona… without confronting her directly. But he had been young then, and not comfortable with direct confrontations, always afraid that he might lose control of his own temper and hurt someone again. "Well, I am glad he inspired you," she said. "Otherwise I might still be living alone with just Whinney and Racer for company."

Lorala gave an exaggerated pout. "I'm beginning to think I am the only one here who doesn't have any adventerous relatives," she said, causing Dalzarna and Una to giggle.

"But your brother is trader Bologan," Una said. "Trader has adventure, yes? Travels much, sees much. And bring you nice things back besides."

"I guess so," Lorala admitted. "But he never talks about his adventures!"

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The next evening, the little band arrived at the Zarnadonii camp and reported to Jerekal. While Jerekal admitted to some disappointment at not being able to take a direct route to the clearing he wished to use, he completely understood Crun's reasons for not wanting the huge group to pass directly through the area of his cave. And he was pleased that Narg had been given the duty of guiding them around the cave area and to the clearing. He was also pleased to meet young Creb. "You are welcome here, Creb," he signed carefully. "I remember when you were newly born. Crun was so pleased with your mother for giving him another son. Do you have other siblings? I always forget to ask Narg when he comes to trade."

"Yes. Mother had a girl after me. Crun named her Agra. And she had one more son as well, called Gor," Creb said politely.

"I am pleased that she is such a good mate to Crun," Jerekal said. "A good leader needs a good mate, and Crun is the best Clan leader I have ever met. You are lucky to learn to lead men from Crun."

Creb swelled with pride. These Others definitely had strange ways, but their leader knew what was important. "I am grateful to learn from Crun," he said. "That is why I am here now. Crun said that I should meet your people as a group, and not just the few traders who come to us each fall."

Jerekal beckoned Talunar forward. "Creb, this is Tal, the son of my mate. He will act as your guide and translator, as not all of my people know your language. He is close to you in age, so I expect you will find many things to talk about, especially learning to hunt. You will share my fire tonight and while we travel. Narg and Una will share Ron's fire. Does this please you?"

Creb nodded, unused to having his wishes consulted by anyone but girls, and boys much younger than he. "It pleases me," he said. "But it also surprises me that you ask," he added honestly.

Jerekal smiled. "You are to be the leader after Crun," he explained. "If I offend you in some way now, it may be that when you become leader, you will decide to stop trading with my people. I do not want that to happen, so I want to be sure that I do not make you unhappy while you are with us."

"I see," said Creb, thinking that there was a lot more to being a leader than he had thought. No wonder Crun wanted him to meet the Others as a group.

Talunar broke in then. "It looks like Mother has the meal ready," he said. "Come on, Creb, Mother makes a wonderful aurochs stew!" The two boys ran off to the fire to claim their meals.

Meanwhile, Elleron was introducing Jaradal to Narg. He'd intended on waiting until later, possibly even until the morning, but Jaradal spotted him and came running over to greet him. "How come you went away?" the childlike man demanded.

"Jerekal asked me to be his messenger," Elleron told Jaradal. "But I am back now. This is my friend Narg, and his mate Una. They will be staying with us for a few days."

"Hello, Narg, hello, Una," Jaradal said. "I'm Jaradal. It's nice to meet you. Elleron is teaching me to find birds to hunt. Do you hunt?" he asked enthusiastically. "I want to hunt, but Elleron says that I have to get better at being quiet first."

"Yes, I hunt," Narg signed as Una translated. "And Ron is right, you must be good at being quiet to hunt successfully."

Jaradal stared at the Clan man in puzzlement. "How come your mate is talking for you? Why don't you talk for yourself? And why are you waving your hands around?"

"I cannot make the sounds that you can," Narg replied through Una. "Very few of my people can make sounds. We speak with our hands. Una is one of the few who can speak as you do, that is why she is speaking for me. I am using my hands to tell her what to say to you, and when you speak, she uses her hands to tell me what you said."

"That's neat!" Jaradal exclaimed. Then he sniffed the air. "Ooh, Mother is making aurochs stew! Time to eat!" He trotted off to his mother's fire just as Lorala and Dalzarna came around the tent with dishes of stew.

"Evening meal, courtesy of Latie," Lorala called. "Come and get it!"

Narg was quiet for most of the meal, obviously thinking. Finally, when the women went off to the stream to wash the dishes, he turned to Elleron and said, "I will do what I can to help that young man. But not until we reach the clearing. I need to meditate first, and it will be better if you are not traveling when I have the ceremony. But I think you are right, a ceremony just might help him."

Although it took several days, the Zarnadonii reached the desired clearing without incident. Jerekal planned to camp here for a while, but no more than half a moon, as they would be traveling through completely unknown territory when they set out once more. By staying for a short while, his people could conduct a hunt or two and have time to dry the meat. They were fortunate that it was still summer, but fall was approaching quickly, and they would need to find a home soon. Jerekal conferred with Jondalar, Peridal, Torolan, and Corridan. The five leaders, with some suggestions from Ayla, Lanidar, and Bologan, decided to start sending scouts out on horseback to find the easiest possible route for the huge group of people.

Bologan took charge of the scouts, asking for volunteers and sending them out in pairs for safety. He ended up allowing some of the older and more responsible boys to help as well, including Logani and Thonolan. The two boys had struck up a close friendship since the former Zelandonii became Zarnadonii. Meanwhile, Torolan took advantage of the proximity of the good-sized river, and organized fishing parties. And Jerekal, Peridal, Corridan, and Jondalar all led hunting parties. Talunar and Creb were permitted to accompany Jerekal's group, although they were forbidden to raise their spears unless an animal charged them. And Narg was usually found either meditating or consulting with Lanidar to determine how the best way to go about the ceremony to help Jaradal.

Proleva was nervous about the proposed ceremony. Oh, she wanted Jaradal to go back to normal, but any dealings with the world of spirits made her nervous. And this ceremony wasn't even dedicated to the Mother! In her mind, she knew that Ayla was right, and that Clan people were people, but still, they were so… so… so different. But when she looked at her son, nearly seventeen in body but not more than five years old mentally, she knew that she had to subdue her fears and permit the ceremony. Jaradal deserved every chance at recovery. She just wished that she could participate, but Narg was firm that the ceremony was strictly for males. She gazed at her son, who was clumsily but eagerly attempting to copy the snare loop that Elleron was showing him how to make, and sighed.

Ayla walked up beside her. "You know it's the best thing for him," she said quietly.

Proleva sighed again. "I know," she admitted. "But the whole thing just scares me. What if he's frightened, and I can't be there for him? He won't even be traveling in the Mother's realm, but in the world of Clan spirits. What if he gets lost and can't come back at all? What if…"

"What if he recovers completely?" Ayla broke in, cutting off Proleva's increasingly hysterical rant. "Proleva, he will not be harmed by this experience. Even if he cannot be helped, he will not be harmed."

"No offense, Ayla, I know you grew up with the Clan. I expect you to trust them. But you don't know, truly know for yourself that no harm will come to my son. You only have the word of your old Mamut that he was not harmed by the ceremony when he participated. And that was years before you were even born," Proleva said. "If it had harmed him, he had years to recover… or for whatever he was like to be accepted as normal for him. You didn't know him before he took part in the ceremony, so you don't know if it changed him somehow."

Ayla sighed. She had known, from the moment she and Elleron had suggested the ceremony to Proleva, that she was eventually going to have to tell Proleva one of the details that she omitted from the story of her past. "Proleva, what I am about to tell you… it remains with you," she said. "No one, especially of the Clan, must ever know this. But I do know, for myself, that this ceremony will not harm Jaradal. I know this because at the Clan Gathering, I accidentally found myself a participant in the most sacred of rites that exist for the Clan."

"What? But… how? Narg told me through Una that women are not permitted to take part in ceremonies," said Proleva.

"They are not," Ayla confirmed. "You know from my story that I was finally accepted as medicine woman and allowed to make the ceremonial drink for the Mog-Urs. What I leave out of my story, is that I accidentally swallowed some of the ceremonial drink while I was making it. Later, I was confused, and I found the bowl, with some drink left over in it. I remembered that Iza told me she couldn't make it for practice, because it was too sacred to throw away. Because I was confused already, I thought that if I drank it, no one would know that I had made too much. After I drank it, I somehow found my way to where the Mog-Urs were having their secret rites. Creb knew I was there, but he kept the others from finding out. It's not something that I can explain, even now, I don't fully understand it. But I have personally been through a Clan ceremony. So I do know that Jaradal will not be harmed."

Proleva was fascinated. "So why does it matter that no one knows of this?"

"Punishment for a woman who views the men's rituals is death," Ayla said simply. "And what I saw that night was even more than the men's rituals, it was the most sacred ceremony the Clan has. Even the men are not permitted to participate, only the Mog-Urs. It is entirely possible that a Clan man who found out about it would try to kill me, because of the sacrilege." She looked down, blinking away tears. "Creb would have been within his rights to have me killed then and there. But he loved me like the child of the mate he never had. He couldn't bring himself to put me to death."

"I don't know what to say, Ayla. Except, I won't tell anyone what you've just told me," Proleva promised. "But… thank you for telling me. I feel much less afraid for Jaradal now."

The two women glanced over at Elleron and Jaradal, just in time to see Lanidar leading them into the woods where Narg waited.

Jaradal didn't know why he was being given this opportunity to go somewhere with his friend Elleron, but he was happy for it. He was even happier when his mother didn't come dashing out of the tent to forbid him from going. Looking past Elleron and Lanidar, he could see a small fire up ahead with two figures beside it, one tall, one short.

Jondalar had also been invited to participate in the ceremony. Narg had decided that it would be better if one of Jaradal's kin was there, and Jondalar and old Willomar were the only men left of Jaradal's kinship. Jondalar, although he was not comfortable with the idea, agreed to take part. He felt much the same way he had back when he'd first returned home and had to help Zelandoni conduct a spirit search to find his brother's spirit and make sure it returned to the Mother. Besides, he'd learned more of the Clan language from Ayla over the years; at least he'd be able to follow whatever Narg was saying during the ceremony.

As Elleron, Jaradal, and Lanidar emerged into the circle of light cast by the fire, Narg silently signaled to Elleron, then glided into the darkness. Elleron, acting as Narg's acolyte for this particular ceremony, had the four men sit around the fire and gave them each a cup of the ceremonial datura drink that Narg had prepared. He also handed each of them a spear; lightweight Zarnadonii spears for Lanidar and Jaradal, thick Clan spears for Jondalar and himself.

Jaradal started to speak, but Elleron hushed him. "Don't talk," he said. "Finish your drink quickly, then do as I do." Following his own advice, Elleron quaffed the drink, then began pounding the butt of his spear in a steady rhythm on the ground. The others did the same.

Narg, wearing his bearskin cloak, appeared in the light and began beating a contrapuntal rhythm on his wooden bowl drum. Even as his thoughts grew hazy from the drink, Jondalar noticed something vaguely familiar about the rhythms, although he couldn't think why. But the rhythms and the drink combined were sending all of them into a trancelike state. He stared at Narg in fascination as the Clan man called upon the spirits to gather, and asked them to help "Dal," Jaradal, find his memories. He felt a strange sensation in his mind.

Lanidar felt it as well, and gladly welcomed it. He felt priviledged to be a part of this ceremony. And as Zarnadoni, he was always curious about what other people considered holy. But he'd never expected to have the chance to actually take part in a Clan ceremony.

Jaradal, the reason for the ceremony, was already fully in a trance. With his childlike trust of Elleron, he didn't think to worry about anything strange that might happen. Elleron gave him the drink and told him to thump the spear on the ground, so he drank the drink and started thumping. His head started feeling funny when the other drum started. He glanced at Elleron. The mixed man had an odd look on his face, but just kept thumping his spear. So Jaradal guessed that his head was supposed to feel funny and didn't worry about it.

They remembered. Narg had a moment of confusion; the brains of the Others were not quite the same as those of the Clan or mixed people. But he found enough similarities to draw the men of the Others along into the memories. And in doing so, he learned for himself that Clan and Others did come from the same beginnings, although they had taken different paths along the way. Narg led them to their beginnings in the sea; they remembered floating in the nurturing water, gaining form and bone, taking that first breath of air. They remembered leaving the sea, learning to walk upright. Narg noted the divergence when the Others developed the beginnings of a forebrain, and this time, followed the Others in their memories rather than forcing them to follow his. They remembered learning to use fire and make tools, much in the same way the Clan did. But Narg sensed within their memories a restlessness, a curiosity bred into their spirits, which made them constantly seek new ways of doing. They reached the point of separation, when each man followed the memories of his own ancestors until he reached himself.

But Narg was to receive one further surprise. It was not uncommon for a man's totem to give him a vision before he came out of his trance. But at this ceremony, the totem spirits manifested themselves for all to see. A cave lion licked Jondalar's face, while a golden eagle perched on Elleron's shoulder. Narg's own totems, the cave bear and the musk-ox stood on either side of him. A snow owl glided silently to land in front of Lanidar, and a mammoth strode up behind Jaradal. The mammoth raised his head and then lowered it so that the young man was within the circle formed by his huge tusks. Then he gently ruffled Jaradal's hair with his trunk, and faded from view. The other totems also vanished. The men fell asleep where they were.

Narg awoke first in the morning, still awed by the glimpse of the totem spirits. Elleron and Jondalar also stirred early. Jondalar had an odd look on his face. The handsome flint-knapper had never quite believed Ayla when she talked about the cave lion as his totem, but he did now. He was just grateful that the spirit didn't seem insulted by his years of skepticism. And now that his mind was clear again, he realized that the rhythms were familiar because of Ayla. She had taught some of them to Deegie and some of the other musicians at the Mamutoi Summer Meeting all those years ago. And the musicians had played them at Rydag's burial.

Just then, Jaradal began to stir. Jondalar hurried over to his nephew's side. The young man's eyes opened and he glanced around, then focused on his uncle. "Uncle Jondalar?" he asked. "Where are we? Why are we out in the woods?" Jaradal sat up, then noticed Narg and Elleron. "Uncle Jondalar, that man is mixed, and the other one… he's Clan, isn't he? What is going on?"

Jondalar wasn't quite sure how to answer. "Jaradal, do you remember what happened?" he finally asked.

"I remember the First telling Joharran that Clan people aren't human. Joharran told her to get out of the Ninth Cave," Jaradal said. "Then someone threw a rock that hit a baby. Did I get hit by a rock too? Is that it?" He looked around again. "But if I was hurt, where is Ayla and why am I not in Mother's shelter? And who are they?" he asked, indicating Elleron, Narg, and the now-awake Lanidar.

Jondalar sighed. Jaradal was back to himself, but he obviously didn't remember the interval from his injury until now. "These people are friends," Jondalar said gently. "What you remember took place nearly three moons ago. I can tell you everything, but it is a long story and a sad one. Do you want to hear it all now?"

The younger man looked stunned by Jondalar's revelation. "I think I had better," he said.

So Jondalar told Jaradal of everything that had happened, of Joharran's death and his own severe injury and memory loss, of being forced from the Ninth Cave and of joining the Zarnadonii. And he told Jaradal of Elleron's thought that a Clan ceremony might help him regain his memory, and of how Narg agreed and offered to arrange and lead it.

When Jondalar was finished, Jaradal had tears in his eyes. He turned to Narg and said, "I am most grateful that you were willing to help me. Without your help, I would be a burden on my people, always needing to be cared for. Thank you."

Narg was pleased by the courtesy as Elleron translated the young man's words. "The spirits are always pleased when people help one another," he replied. "I didn't know for sure if I could help, but I had to try. But come, eat some of the food that my mate and Ayla packed, and we will return to your camp."

No one needed a second invitation, and they feasted eagerly on the cold roast and carrots. Then they proceeded back to the clearing.

Proleva was pacing nervously near the edge of the clearing. Lanidar had told her that Narg's ceremony would keep them away from camp overnight, and that they would return in the morning. Well, it was morning now. She wanted… no, she needed… to know what happened. She had to know if her son had been helped, even slightly. But they weren't back yet, so she paced.

Jondalar was in the lead as the men jogged back to the Zarnadonii camp. Jaradal was close behind. Narg, Lanidar, and Elleron all trotted at a slower pace, knowing that Jaradal was eager to greet his mother and let her know how successful the ceremony had been. And indeed, as they approached the clearing, Jaradal sprinted ahead to where Proleva was still pacing.

"Mother!" he shouted.

Proleva spun around to see Jaradal running toward her. The expression in his eyes told her everything she needed to know. Whatever had gone on in the Clan ceremony, it had somehow restored her son's memory. "Jaradal!" she exclaimed. "Oh, my son, my son, you're back!" She burst into happy tears as she embraced him.

Jaradal was crying as well. "Mother, I'm so sorry about Joharran, and everything. I'm sorry I wasn't able to help. I…"

"Jaradal, you were hurt. Don't blame yourself, blame the First and her mob," Proleva said. "I felt as though Doni gave me a gift when you survived your injury. And now She's given me an even greater gift, by restoring you to the man you were."

He chuckled weakly at that as Jondalar and the others approached. "Doni may have helped, but so did the Clan. I can't quite explain what happened out there… I don't think any of us can… but I just know that is what brought my mind back."

Proleva let go of Jaradal and launched herself at the startled Narg, embracing and kissing him. "You did this… you brought my son back for me… how can I ever thank you enough?"

Narg looked helplessly to Elleron, who was laughing so hard he could barely sign the translation. "It was not me," he signed back, "but the spirits who wanted Dal to regain his memory. If I helped at all, I am glad. But really, it was the will of the spirits."

Jerekal came to Narg's rescue. "Proleva," he said, "I'd like to invite all of Crun's clan to a feast celebrating Jaradal's recovery tomorrow night. Jondalar tells me that you have no equal when it comes to arranging feasts and such. Will you go take charge of the food preparations?"

"Of course," Proleva replied, still teary-eyed with happiness. "Narg? Is there a particular food that you like best?"

"Ptarmigan," he answered through Elleron.

"You will have it," Proleva said as she hurried off to the cooking area to begin organizing the feast.

Jerekal grinned at the discomfited Narg. "Actually, the feast is as much to renew the ties between your clan and my people. I've already sent Creb and Talunar to your cave to invite Crun to bring everyone here for it. But the fact that we are able to celebrate her son's return to normal will make my people quite happy."

Narg shrugged. "I am glad then, that the spirits were willing to help Dal. But perhaps you can explain something to me? Why would his mother show her gratitude by mashing her face against mine?"

Elleron and Jerekal both burst out laughing. "Uh, just call that one of the strange ways of the Others," Elleron finally said. "Among Others, a touch with the lips like that is called a kiss. Kiss," he emphasized the word, giving it a Clan pronunciation. "It is a sign of affection, usually. But sometimes women kiss men as a way of showing gratitude, too."

"Kiss," Narg repeated, eyes twinkling with humor. "It is a strange custom, but then again, you are Others. I think though, that I will prefer the ptarmigan over this kiss."

Jerekal and Elleron laughed again.

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The feast was going well. Proleva had ceremoniously presented Narg with a beautifully cooked ptarmigan as a token of her gratitude, mentioning that Jaradal was the one who brought the bird down. Many other people cooked special dishes, in addition to the huge roast bison that was the main dish. And after everyone had enough to eat came the storytelling, both Clan and Zarnadonii legends and personal stories. Jerekal announced that his scouts had found a possible new home for the Zarnadonii, an area of several caves along the river, about a half-moon's walk from where they were camped.

People began splintering into small groups after that announcement. Dalzarna and Una were cuddling Una's twins and having what they both knew would be their last chat until spring. Lanidar was asking Narg about the datura preparation used in the ceremony. Crun and Jerekal, along with Jondalar, Torolan, Corridan, and Peridal were discussing the possibility of extending the trading to another nearby clan. Jerekal thought that everyone would benefit, but Crun wasn't sure the other Clan leader would be willing to trade with Others. So Jondalar suggested that perhaps Crun or Narg could act for the other clan, bringing the other clan's trade goods along with their own. The other clan could then send someone to Crun's cave to collect their share of whatever trade goods were obtained in exchange.

And then the ground began to shake.