Note;
The characters and theme of the six-book 'Earth's Children' series belong to Jean Auel. It is not my design or intention to gain monetary profit from this work. 'REUNIONS, The Search For Durc' is an unofficial book eight in the 'EC Series.' Some characters in this book are borrowed from the Earth's Children series, by Jean Auel. Some are borrowed from the unofficial book 7, 'The Sacred Mountain,' by Andy Black, and some are of my own creation. 'CLAREmonde' is one such character. I contacted CLAIRmonde, (one who sponsors), and was pleased she approved my use of the name. I like the earthy sound the name holds and hope this book pleases her and many other fans of the EC series.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I must offer my sincere gratitude to Ms. Jean Auel. Without her creative writing, the reading public would have unknowingly suffered a great loss. I hope Jean and her family will view my book as homage to the characters and base storyline she created. I also wish to speak of a man I respect, Jackie Kemp is his name. He has excellent skills in proofreading, and my book has been greatly enhanced due to those skills and suggested edits.
FORWARD
I enjoyed the Earth's Children series and in May 2015, a friend challenged me to write an unofficial book eight in the EC Series and two years later I accepted the challenge. It took three years to write, proofread, edit, rewrite, and then repeat the process multiple times; it's a good thing I'm retired. Note that I have purposely left many 'hooks' in my text as they may prompt someone to write the next unofficial book in the series.
By the way, if you should spot what you think may be an error, let me know via the comments link at the end of the story and I will take a look and make changes as needed.
'REUNIONS, The Search For Durc' takes place roughly twenty summers after Jean Auel's book 'The Land of Painted Caves.' An alphabetical list of characters, Tribes, and Clans comprise the addendum at the end of the story.
My 'probationary husband' contract was fulfilled two years ago. As such, this book is dedicated to my wife of fifty-two years, and to my three grandsons as well. I am certain all three young men will make a distinct and positive mark on this world; their parents have.
PREFACE
It was prehistoric times; Madroman and his Chimudonii warriors had been stopped. No longer would the people in the 'Clan of The River Neemah' be harassed or killed by the violent Chimudonii 'Others.' An unwritten agreement of coexistence was now in place between the Neanderthal Clan of The River Neemah and the more evolved Cro-Magnon 'Others.' A long period of peace again prevailed.
All those in the lands of plenty were again joyful in living and offering homage to the Great Spirit that created the sun and stars, the land, water, wind, fire, and each of its creatures. 'Ursus, The Great Cave Bear' was the name signed by the Clan when referring to the Great Spirit, while 'The Great Earth Mother' was the name spoken by the Others. One creator but known by two different names.
'Spirit Leader,' and 'Zelandoni,' are titles given within the tribes of Others. The title for a Clan's Spirit Leader is the term 'Mog-ur.' All three designations refer to the person within a tribe or Clan who represents and speaks with the Earth's Creator. Ayla is the only person known to hold all three titles.
When Jondalar officially mated Ayla, it was First Zelandoni who recited the vows. Ayla became a member of the Zelandonii through the mating. She became a Zelandoni in the summers following and was elected to the position of First Zelandoni after the death of she who was First Zelandoni.
Before his death, Creb had taken Ayla on a tour of the Spirit World and the lands and waters created by Ursus. This, and being with him during sacred memory root gatherings, made her aware of things beyond the reach of her fellow Zelandonia.
Using the Sacred Memory Root, Mongar, leader of the Clan of the River Neemah, had been told by Creb, "Treat my daughter, as you would treat me." Creb's statement had caused a change in Mongar's attitude and in his dealings with the Others. Barter would occasionally take place between the Clan and the 'Others.'
The meanings within the Mog-urs ceremonial face
"White symbolizes the purity of the Spirit World and the red ocher represents the blood of all living creatures. The pattern of red ocher lines are those that we Mog-urs paint on our faces during our most sacred ceremonies. The circles represent the active communication between mind and eyes, while the crows foot lines represent the different paths Ursus may choose to send us. The single vertical line separates good and evil in the mind as it crosses the forehead, the five senses at crossing the nose, truth and lies as it crosses the lips, and the centered nature of Ursus in all things as it crosses the chin."
I discerned the meanings in concert with Mog-urs Creb, and Ayla.
We agreed on a 25,000-year limit of silence as to the meanings.
They were first published in 'The Sacred Mountain' by Andy Black.
Ayla is compelled to find Durc, her Clan son.
This is the story of her search.
By the way, a 'Finger of time' is fifteen minutes.
I know this because I asked both Ayla and Creb.
CHAPTER 1: Decisions
The first signs of spring were coming upon the Zelandonii people, and no one had died from illness, injury, or disease over the winter. It had been one of those rare winters when not much snow fell; bitterly cold winds were kind enough to fill the void. Flowers were now springing up and birds were busy searching the ground for tasty worms.
In late winter, Third Cave had given a quantity of firewood to those at Ninth Cave. Now was the time the Ninth Cave would reciprocate, and repayment would come in many different forms such as help in spring cleaning, stable care for horses, and watching children. Being so close to each other was a benefit each cave enjoyed. Helping each other was the way of the Zelandonii society and was the basis for their longevity as a people. This was the reason the Zelandonii people were the largest of all known tribes.
Ayla had been First Zelandoni for five summers now and the people were well pleased. She had quickly proven her worth, but something had Ayla very ill at ease and Jondalar could see it. "Ayla, I can see something is bothering you. Would you speak of it?"
"We have been mated for over twenty-three summers Jondalar."
"Is that a problem? Are you trying to tell me something, Ayla?"
"It is just that I am dissatisfied with myself. I have been evaluating my priorities and I feel they have been in the wrong order. When I became a Medicine Woman, I put helping others first and put family life as second. Now that I am First Zelandoni, I sometimes hold the duties of First Zelandoni above being a Medicine Woman and I have placed my family as third in line for my attention."
"You are doing all these things well Ayla."
"I disagree Jondalar. I can see where I have drastically failed Durc, my Clan son. I have decided my priorities must change. Until I find Durc, my priorities must be family first, Medicine Woman second and First Zelandoni third. Jondalar, I need to find Durc or at least find out if he is still alive. Many summers ago, someone said it may have been Durc who had directed a Clan Medicine Woman to help an Others hunter lost in the far East and suffering a broken leg." Ayla was now in tears. "Jondalar, I must try to find Durc. I must put forward a concentrated effort to find him."
"Ayla, I understand your desire to find Durc, but with all you do, all of your responsibilities, can you bring yourself to leave the Zelandonii for the time necessary to find him?"
"Jondalar, I feel I must do exactly that. The first Zelandoni-south can take over as First Zelandoni while I am searching for Durc, and each cave has at least one Medicine Woman and one Zelandoni. No one should suffer because I am gone. I am giving myself sixteen moon cycles to reach the area of my Clan cave, twelve moon cycles to find Durc, and twelve moon cycles to live with him.
"If I take a southern route to reach my Clan, Willomar feels sure I can save a moon cycle of travel and he feels I am likely to find a tribe of others to stay with over the winter. With first Zelandoni-south stepping in to act as First Zelandoni, I can feel at ease in leaving. I want to take a Southern route going east because Willomar says it would be a more direct trek. I want to take a Northern route coming back and see old friends and winter with them at Lion Camp."
Jondalar thought it was cute that Ayla generally spoke of 'moons, moon cycles, and summers.' while he spoke of DAYS, moon cycles, and summers She grew up in the Clan and it was natural for her. He had knowledge of the spring, summer, fall, and winter seasons, forty-eight fingers of time in a day, and the twelve moon cycles that run from first snowfall to first snowfall but why there were twelve moon cycles between snow to snow eluded him.
Over the summers together the terms 'moons' and 'days' became somewhat interchangeable. "Ayla, adding in the time for the return trek could total better than a four-summer absence. Are you aware of that?... Have you considered Jonayla and Cambarre will not be willing to take little Marthona on such a trek?"
"They wouldn't need to go; they should stay here and you and Durcan should stay also. You know me and the fact I can take care of myself. I can travel light and there should be no problem with food since game is plentiful."
"There is no way I will let you go alone, Ayla."
"LET me go' Jondalar?LET me go?"
"You know what I mean. Hunters should always travel in pairs or groups for safety because being alone in wilderness lands generally leads to disappearing from the earth. Seldom does any single individual survive and return. The traveling traders return because they have experience and knowledge of the lands that other people just don't have, and even they tend to travel in pairs. I insist on going with you. Durcan should stay but I doubt he would, and if we three go, I insist at least two other hunters go with us as well."
"I realize what you say is true Jondalar, but I cannot ask you, Durcan, or any other hunters to put themselves in danger or even to be away from family and friends for such a long search."
"Ayla, I have no problem asking for volunteers. With over a thousand people in the Zelandonii, I am willing to bet there will be at least two unmated men who would volunteer. They would know exactly what they would be getting into and I would insist they have a reason to go other than for a lark."
"Jondalar, it sounds like you have already thought about this."
"Not really, I am just talking common sense and five is the number who should go. Five can travel light and can protect each other reasonably well. I will ask Manvelar of the Third Cave for suggestions on who he thinks may want to volunteer. He is a good choice to ask as he is a friend, he knows almost everyone in the area, and if he is willing to allow me to ask for volunteers, I would talk with each man so they would understand the mission and commitment they are making. Would you allow me this? Is that all right with you Ayla?"
"Yes, please ask. I feel we should leave in three weeks, but I am certain the number going should be six.
"Once you find two hunters, I will send a runner to First Zelandoni-south to inform her of our intent. As I said, I am certain she has the ability and wisdom to act as First in my place. Jondalar, I feel really good about this and I feel a burden has been lifted now that we have spoken."
"Ayla, I am glad to hear your mind is settled but why should we need a sixth hunter and why are you so certain of it?" Jondalar was mystified.
"In your thought-planning, you have forgotten Sky. He the sixth hunter as he is a fierce fighter and can sense danger. His presence alone is threatening to man and beast. I know of no man wanting to be face to face with a growling wolf."
"In that case, the number needs to be seven." Ayla gave Jondalar a quizzical look.
"Jondalar, you first said the number should be five, I said six and now you say seven, who am I missing?"
"Blackie is missing. As I said, Durcan will insist on going with us and he would also insist on bringing Blackie just as you would bring Sky." Now with a teasing smirk, Jondalar finished his reply; "Even fewer people want to be face to face with TWO growling wolves." He had spoken his comment in a teasing voice.
…...
It was early morning when Jondalar went to the abri horse stable. When he arrived, Jaradal offered greetings. "Good morning Jondalar! Say, help me load this bundled alfalfa onto my pole drag," Jaradal's directive precluded any greeting Jondalar could offer in return. Jaradal was like that and had been alone and brushing his horse when Jondalar arrived. He had already readied his horse for a short trek to Third Cave-Two Rivers.
"Jaradal, May I ask where you got the alfalfa and where are you taking it?"
"I bartered horse care for the sweet grass and I am going to take the grass to Third Cave-Two Rivers to give to my friend Bandoman. He helped me deliver a colt two days ago and I want to reward him for his effort."
"Third Cave is where I am going also! We can ride together if you like."
"That would be fine with me Jondalar! I haven't been able to talk much with anyone for quite a while. Tell me why you are going to Third Cave." Asking why would have been proper but telling Jondalar to explain 'why' was inappropriate, yet it was Jaradal's manner.
"Jaradal, the answer to your question is a story best told once we get on the trail."
After reaching the trailhead the two men began to talk. "Jaradal, I am going to Third Cave-Two Rivers to see Manvelar, leader of the cave. This is because Ayla and I, and probably Durcan, are going on a search for Durc, Ayla's Clan son. She was forced to leave him some twenty-five summers ago and wants to find him or at least what happened to him since they were forced to part. Ayla and I figure on a fourteen-month trip going out using a southern route and a sixteen-month trip coming back using a northerly route.
"We will ride horses most of the way going out but will need to walk back. She and I agreed on searching for Durc for a maximum of twelve months once we get to the Eastern Clan lands where she grew up. Ayla and I have talked and have decided two more hunters are needed. If we do find Durc, we would stay with his Clan for at least one year, two years at the most.
"We anticipate wintering at an Others tribe or a Clan cave somewhere along the way out. From where we believe Durc's people are located, the trek back would likely require eight months on foot to reach Lion Camp. We would stay there during the four months of winter and then, in spring, we would trek another four months west to reach Nineteenth Cave-Hilltop Holding.
"Ayla, Durcan, and I are hunters, yet for safety in traveling, we should have two more hunters go with us and stay with us until we return. It could mean being away from the Zelandonii people for as much as three or four summers. Jaradal the thing is, we have no idea if Durc's Clan is where they were twenty-some summers ago or if they have moved somewhere else."
"Jondalar, do you have anyone in mind for the search?"
"No, I don't, and that is why I am going to talk to Manvelar. He knows almost everyone and what cave they belong to and I am going to ask him for suggestions on who might be willing to volunteer to go with us. They need to be unmated and have no children to care for; it would be unfair to the hunter's mate and children to be alone for such a long time. Manvelar would likely know who the best candidates would be."
"Jondalar, I know a hunter that would be good for the search. He is unmated, unhappy where he is, and I know he would volunteer for Ayla's search. I know him personally. He is a bit hard to get along with at times but wants to change. Also, he is a reliable man and doesn't shirk his duties."
"What is this man's name?"
"Jaradal is his name."
"The only 'Jaradal' I kno..." Jondalar interrupted his own words when he realized what Jaradal was saying. "Jaradal, you would volunteer for such a search?"
"I fail to see a reason not to volunteer! What was said a moment ago is true. I am unmated and have no children, I have few friends, I can be unpleasant to be around, and I would like to change somehow. Being away for an extended time would likely be good for me. Would you allow me to come with you on Ayla's search?"
"Jaradal, I think that would please Ayla! I was unaware of your difficulties, but I think you are correct in saying you could change during a long venture. We all change in different ways as time passes, and I know you to be a reliable man and I also know you don't shirk your duties. By the way, how old are you now?"
"I am sixteen years, and I know of another man my age who would also volunteer. He is reliable, free to travel, and not mated. He would like to do more to help First Zelandoni than he was able to do when Brukeval and Madroman were being hunted. I know these things because he, Durcan and I are very close friends."
"Who are you talking about?"
"Bandoman is who I am talking about. I think he would be pleased to volunteer for such a search."
"Jaradal, can we ride faster?" Both men laughed. Various topics of conversation were at hand during the ride to the Third. Jaradal enjoyed the ride; he hadn't spoken to anyone like this in a long time. Generally, his conversations were cut short because he would be invasive, rude, and crude in his talk." His questions were much the same as his general conversations.
Abrasive comments tend to drive people away and being rude and crude tends to kill a love life. Because of this, it was seldom any Zelandonii woman would share kisses or anything else with Jaradal. This caused conflict in his life; he wanted closeness with a woman, but his manner drove women away, this included his first mate, Penree. Their mating lasted only eight months. Experiencing Jaradal's nature day after day told her she mated too young and that she had chosen the wrong man.
It was happenstance the man Jaradal was traveling to see was also the man he recommended to Jondalar as a possible fifth member of Ayla's search group. Jondalar would still speak with Manvelar because they were friends, and to make the leader aware of either Bandoman's imminent departure, or the need for recommendations of a qualified man who might be able and willing to go.
"Jaradal, my friend! Why have you traveled to Third Cave and why have you brought Jondalar with you?"
"Bandoman, you helped me deliver that colt several days ago and I wanted to bring you some sweet grass for your horse just to give a tangible 'thank you' for helping me."
"Thank you Jaradal, my horse will welcome the sweet grass, but again, why have you brought Jondalar with you?"
"It is somewhat a coincidence that we rode together. I was about to head here when he came by. We spoke and he asked where I was going. It turned out we were both going to the Third Cave, so we rode together. I asked why he was going to the Third and we had a long conversation on the ride here.
"Bandoman, I think you may be interested in what Jondalar, Ayla, and Durcan are about to do and that is why I brought him to you."
"Hello, Bandoman!" Jondalar exclaimed. "What Jaradal has told me is that you might be interested in a planned search Ayla and I intend to take. I need two additional hunters for the search and Jaradal has volunteered to be one of the two. May I tell you about our search?"
"A search? Yes, please do. I always enjoy being out and about and if doing so helps our First Zelandoni that's even better."
"Bandoman, let me start at the beginning..." After telling Bandoman what was going on and what would be required, the young man was intrigued.
"Jondalar, I can see why Ayla feels a need to search for her son. If I had a lost family member, I would do the same thing. Jaradal is right, I would like to go on the search with you and being away from the Zelandonii for a long time is not a problem for me as I have no mate or children depending on me."
With a grateful tone in his voice and looking directly at the two men, Jondalar spoke. "Bandoman, Jaradal... Ayla and I will remember this gift you offer. On Ayla's behalf, I accept your offers to search with us. Your help in the search will allow Ayla to put the matter to rest one way or another." At that, Jondalar remounted his horse, waved goodbye, and rode to Manvelar's hearth. He and Manvelar had things to talk about.
Jaradal and Bandoman had things to talk about as well. It was soon midday and the two sat and ate a meal as they discussed the planned trek. "We need to determine and agree on how to best serve First Zelandoni."
"Yes, Bandoman, and you and I must be of one accord. First off, we should be active in providing protection and, of course, in hunting for food. We need to be looking for any threats and for small game animals as we travel."
"Jaradal, I would suggest we also set up and break down the various campsites we will need along the way and get water for all."
"...And collect the firewood needed for every campsite. I think we should also cook the meals to whatever degree Ayla and Durcan will let us. What do you think?"
Bandoman smiled when Jaradal made the statement about cooking. Both men knew Ayla and Durcan were extremely good cooks and may well want to cook for the group at times considering all Bandoman and Jaradal really knew about cooking was how to put meat on a spit and keep the meat turning over a fire.
More was discussed and Bandoman ended the conversation; "...and most importantly, we must be absent in the making of decisions affecting Ayla's search unless directly asked for our thoughts. We must be unobtrusive in all things." This was how the two men would serve First Zelandoni.
The two men had been friends throughout childhood and knew each other well. Jaradal would now stay a few days and hunt with Bandoman then return home to the Ninth Cave. Both men would then begin to prepare for a long absence.
The first thing Jaradal needed to do was to promote his helper to the position of 'Manager' of the rock abri horse stable at the Ninth Cave. Bandoman had no such obligations. Neither man would speak to others of why changes were taking place but would simply say they were going exploring for a few summers.
Since neither of them had ever gone east to any great degree, it was the truth when they said they were going exploring. To mention Ayla's impending departure and search would cause well-wishers to seek out Ayla and Jondalar and thus impede them in preparing for the trek.
There was no real rush to get things ready for the upcoming trek. The two men were capable and would work with whatever came about. They knew, or at least believed, the search they were about to start would be lengthy and would require strength in mind and body. Helping First Zelandoni was an honor that each man had volunteered for and willingly accepted. Doing such showed their honorable nature.