Chapter 16
Help Unexpected
~~~~~~~~~~
Thonolan sighed despondently. He hadn't had so much fun and yet so much trouble before. His brother was quite comical being in with love. Ayla also felt love, he was sure of it. Why couldn't they both see past their own faces? Things were not going well, and he didn't seem to be helping matters.
He watched as Jondalar worked on finishing some blanks he had napped. They were preparing to go on a hunt together. Though they weren't reconciled, a truce had been silently agreed to. Jondalar was planning on leaving, alone. Ayla was going to leave next spring, alone except for her horses. I've tried everything I can think of, what else can I do, Thonolan thought in frustration.
"Mend the threads," the Mother whispered.
"Yeah, I've tried, but I just can't do it."
"Mend the threads!"
He stood up and shook his fist at the air. "I just can't do it, I don't know how." He'd given up all hope of accomplishing this mission.
"I'll send another to help."
"You do that! I hope whoever you send has some good ideas." Kicking stones angrily, he started to walk away.
An earsplitting crack sounded, making him jump. Quickly, he ran back toward Jondalar and Ayla, taking a protective stance. Wonderment filled Thonolan as he watched the sky split open. Cracks appeared from the center and chased their way outward. He gasped as he saw a man emerge from the center.
The man fixed him with a hard look. Coming to stand in front of Thonolan he gestured angrily. "You've disturbed me for the second time. As a watcher, your duty is to carry out the Parent's wishes. You should not have need of another to come and help. You would not be asked do something you were not able to do." Thonolan had the grace to look ashamed. "If she was not the daughter of my heart, I might have refused to come."
Dismissing Thonolan, the mog-ur shuffled over to Ayla who was turning a flake of stone in her hand. Mentally, she shivered, aware of forces at work around her. Gently, he laid his one good hand on her shoulder.
"My daughter," Creb said softly. "Their destinies lie together, there is no other way. There will be times harder than now, and you must help them, without assistance." He cast his eye unblinkingly on young veejia.
Thonolan had the distinct impression that he had been weighed and found wanting. If he couldn't help them here, how would he help in the times ahead? "Please, show me what I'm doing wrong."
Giving a decisive nod, Creb reached out his sinewy arm and touched Ayla's head. Suddenly, a mist appeared so thick that it engulfed everyone from his view. "This is what must be done."
Creb appeared in front of him, gesturing him to follow. The fog was heavy and dark, and Thonolan couldn't quite see everything the Mog-ur was telling him. A gentle wind blew through the mists and he saw the cave where he had become part clan. He sensed a beginning of...purpose. The divergence of destinies of the clan and others. Yet Creb led him onward and farther into the path. The mighty Mog-ur had not been able to do that in life, but he was more powerful in death.
Thonolan watched transfixed as a lone woman set her feet away from her only home. She traveled the steppes to the valley.
The scenes picked up speed; the hay colored stallion, firestones, horse hunt, baby, and three odd matched hunters. The visions slowed slightly as he watched two Mamutoi dressed men go near a box canyon. His mind screamed for them to stop. In a flash, their paths divided and one was carried away. The scenes shifted and Thonolan saw that the man and woman were traveling. He saw strange faces of a red-haired man, a distinctively dark colored man and the Mamut. A small puppy huddled alone deep in its den. Jondalar pleading for Ayla deeply lost in a dark void. A mountain burst flowing ash and fire. The thread was separated, yet never severed.
He began to recognize a new purpose as they began to travel again. Home. A sense of longing assailed him. Thunder rumbled and rivers were crossed. His people, Jetamio's people, his boat! Endless plains stretched before the small figures. Wolf clad women! He tried to cry out a warning. The mists shifted and a great ice loomed ahead. Again, Creb was before him, gesturing urgently.
"I don't understand!" Thonolan said in frustration.
Creb motioned again, and then Thonolan understood. "We can be there before dark!"
A sweet peacefulness engulfed Thonolan for he was at his birthplace. The Zelondonii searched out his spirit, and he knew his path was permanently severed from his brother. His journey was complete, yet Creb continued to lead him forward. He sensed a new change in direction, a new purpose. No, the purpose that she was intended for.
A powerful healer...Jondalar, I couldn't breathe!...always loved, almost too much...strength gathered, a force to reckon with...when she worries about others, she forgets to take care of herself...Her amulet lying solitary on the hard packed earth...Creb continued onward...a bulge protruded from his wrap, he was protecting her newborn...He heard her crying in the cavern...thunder echoed...Jondalar stood alone.
"Mother! Motherrr!"
The mists melted away to reveal Jondalar and Ayla sitting in the same place, working with pieces of flint. Ayla shivered and let out a gasp. With a jerk, she found herself looking into Jondalar's concerned face. A shudder passed through her, as she tried to sort the illusion from reality.
"Are you alright, Ayla?"
"Yes. Yes, I'm fine."
Jondalar also seemed affected. Goosebumps were raised on his flesh and the hair on the back of his neck was raised. "I think the weather is about to change, I felt a cold wind." They looked up at the clear blue sky, unmarked by clouds (VOH p. 451).
Creb nudged Thonolan out of his reverie. "That is their destiny. Nothing must stop them form completing it."
Thonolan sat down, heady with the vision still echoing in his head. It was more than he ever thought...more than one person...so difficult...like no other...so loved. His jumbled thoughts searched for direction.
Setting their uneasiness aside, the two set back to the flint, exploring each other's techniques. Thonolan concentrated on shaping his blanks. Using an antler and a smooth beach rock, he chipped away small flakes until the blade had a sharp, narrow point. Taking an end of his breechclout, he took his new blade and poked a hole in it. "This is an awl." He showed the fine craftsmanship to the woman. "It makes small holes to draw sinew through for sewing clothes.
"All, all." she tested the word on her tongue.
"Ahwool."
"Ahh...Auel?" she questioned.
He smiled at her and nodded. It wasn't perfect, but he enjoyed hearing her accent.
Creb motioned to Thonolan; "one more thing I must show you, this thread must be added."
~~~~~~~~~~ * ~~~~~~~~~~ * ~~~~~~~~~~
My apologies I didn't document all the quotes, there were too many. And thanks again RD for staying with me and reviewing. I'm assuming the others who are reading are happy with the story. No news is good news? ;)
Help Unexpected
~~~~~~~~~~
Thonolan sighed despondently. He hadn't had so much fun and yet so much trouble before. His brother was quite comical being in with love. Ayla also felt love, he was sure of it. Why couldn't they both see past their own faces? Things were not going well, and he didn't seem to be helping matters.
He watched as Jondalar worked on finishing some blanks he had napped. They were preparing to go on a hunt together. Though they weren't reconciled, a truce had been silently agreed to. Jondalar was planning on leaving, alone. Ayla was going to leave next spring, alone except for her horses. I've tried everything I can think of, what else can I do, Thonolan thought in frustration.
"Mend the threads," the Mother whispered.
"Yeah, I've tried, but I just can't do it."
"Mend the threads!"
He stood up and shook his fist at the air. "I just can't do it, I don't know how." He'd given up all hope of accomplishing this mission.
"I'll send another to help."
"You do that! I hope whoever you send has some good ideas." Kicking stones angrily, he started to walk away.
An earsplitting crack sounded, making him jump. Quickly, he ran back toward Jondalar and Ayla, taking a protective stance. Wonderment filled Thonolan as he watched the sky split open. Cracks appeared from the center and chased their way outward. He gasped as he saw a man emerge from the center.
The man fixed him with a hard look. Coming to stand in front of Thonolan he gestured angrily. "You've disturbed me for the second time. As a watcher, your duty is to carry out the Parent's wishes. You should not have need of another to come and help. You would not be asked do something you were not able to do." Thonolan had the grace to look ashamed. "If she was not the daughter of my heart, I might have refused to come."
Dismissing Thonolan, the mog-ur shuffled over to Ayla who was turning a flake of stone in her hand. Mentally, she shivered, aware of forces at work around her. Gently, he laid his one good hand on her shoulder.
"My daughter," Creb said softly. "Their destinies lie together, there is no other way. There will be times harder than now, and you must help them, without assistance." He cast his eye unblinkingly on young veejia.
Thonolan had the distinct impression that he had been weighed and found wanting. If he couldn't help them here, how would he help in the times ahead? "Please, show me what I'm doing wrong."
Giving a decisive nod, Creb reached out his sinewy arm and touched Ayla's head. Suddenly, a mist appeared so thick that it engulfed everyone from his view. "This is what must be done."
Creb appeared in front of him, gesturing him to follow. The fog was heavy and dark, and Thonolan couldn't quite see everything the Mog-ur was telling him. A gentle wind blew through the mists and he saw the cave where he had become part clan. He sensed a beginning of...purpose. The divergence of destinies of the clan and others. Yet Creb led him onward and farther into the path. The mighty Mog-ur had not been able to do that in life, but he was more powerful in death.
Thonolan watched transfixed as a lone woman set her feet away from her only home. She traveled the steppes to the valley.
The scenes picked up speed; the hay colored stallion, firestones, horse hunt, baby, and three odd matched hunters. The visions slowed slightly as he watched two Mamutoi dressed men go near a box canyon. His mind screamed for them to stop. In a flash, their paths divided and one was carried away. The scenes shifted and Thonolan saw that the man and woman were traveling. He saw strange faces of a red-haired man, a distinctively dark colored man and the Mamut. A small puppy huddled alone deep in its den. Jondalar pleading for Ayla deeply lost in a dark void. A mountain burst flowing ash and fire. The thread was separated, yet never severed.
He began to recognize a new purpose as they began to travel again. Home. A sense of longing assailed him. Thunder rumbled and rivers were crossed. His people, Jetamio's people, his boat! Endless plains stretched before the small figures. Wolf clad women! He tried to cry out a warning. The mists shifted and a great ice loomed ahead. Again, Creb was before him, gesturing urgently.
"I don't understand!" Thonolan said in frustration.
Creb motioned again, and then Thonolan understood. "We can be there before dark!"
A sweet peacefulness engulfed Thonolan for he was at his birthplace. The Zelondonii searched out his spirit, and he knew his path was permanently severed from his brother. His journey was complete, yet Creb continued to lead him forward. He sensed a new change in direction, a new purpose. No, the purpose that she was intended for.
A powerful healer...Jondalar, I couldn't breathe!...always loved, almost too much...strength gathered, a force to reckon with...when she worries about others, she forgets to take care of herself...Her amulet lying solitary on the hard packed earth...Creb continued onward...a bulge protruded from his wrap, he was protecting her newborn...He heard her crying in the cavern...thunder echoed...Jondalar stood alone.
"Mother! Motherrr!"
The mists melted away to reveal Jondalar and Ayla sitting in the same place, working with pieces of flint. Ayla shivered and let out a gasp. With a jerk, she found herself looking into Jondalar's concerned face. A shudder passed through her, as she tried to sort the illusion from reality.
"Are you alright, Ayla?"
"Yes. Yes, I'm fine."
Jondalar also seemed affected. Goosebumps were raised on his flesh and the hair on the back of his neck was raised. "I think the weather is about to change, I felt a cold wind." They looked up at the clear blue sky, unmarked by clouds (VOH p. 451).
Creb nudged Thonolan out of his reverie. "That is their destiny. Nothing must stop them form completing it."
Thonolan sat down, heady with the vision still echoing in his head. It was more than he ever thought...more than one person...so difficult...like no other...so loved. His jumbled thoughts searched for direction.
Setting their uneasiness aside, the two set back to the flint, exploring each other's techniques. Thonolan concentrated on shaping his blanks. Using an antler and a smooth beach rock, he chipped away small flakes until the blade had a sharp, narrow point. Taking an end of his breechclout, he took his new blade and poked a hole in it. "This is an awl." He showed the fine craftsmanship to the woman. "It makes small holes to draw sinew through for sewing clothes.
"All, all." she tested the word on her tongue.
"Ahwool."
"Ahh...Auel?" she questioned.
He smiled at her and nodded. It wasn't perfect, but he enjoyed hearing her accent.
Creb motioned to Thonolan; "one more thing I must show you, this thread must be added."
~~~~~~~~~~ * ~~~~~~~~~~ * ~~~~~~~~~~
My apologies I didn't document all the quotes, there were too many. And thanks again RD for staying with me and reviewing. I'm assuming the others who are reading are happy with the story. No news is good news? ;)