Chapter 3
"Jondalar, I saw him! I saw Durc!" Ayla motioned to him. They had agreed to use the sign language of the Clan to increase his skills and to avoid unnecessary noise. She was crying but smiling, radiant with the joy only a mother can feel. Jondalar was captivated by her face, and missed her next sentence.
"What did you say?" he motioned
"I want to go see him," she repeated impatiently, "Come with me. Please. We can hide in the bushes."
He nodded and they silently crept toward the cave. Jondalar had never seen an entire Clan before. The few glimpses he had before were never at a home cave, and this view of their normal life was surprising. It was very similar to people he had seen everywhere. Of course, it was much quieter. There was no incessant babble of talk, but much gesturing and the occasional spoken word. He caught glimpses of conversations among them, but it was nothing significant; parents telling their children what to do, mates giving orders and everyday conversation was all he observed. He glanced at Ayla, who was crying silently. He could not see the underlying tension that she could. She knew that this was not a happy Clan. She had seen Broud's behavior before he was leader, and soon she saw him come out of the cave. It took only a moment to see that he had not changed at all. He asked a girl of mixed spirits, who must have been Ura, to get him some water, and when she paused to finish setting up her cooking materials he cuffed her. She took it without complaint and scurried off to do his bidding. Ayla was tempted to step out of the bushes and give Broud the shock of his lifetime, but she restrained herself. She would speak to him, but now was not the time. She watched for a long time, thinking of how the Clan's dislike of change had gotten them into this situation. She felt a tug on her shirt, and looked at Jondalar. He motioned that they should leave. She nodded. The sun was starting to set. They walked back to Ayla's secret cave and set up a sleeping place. Ayla had so many thoughts rushing through her head that she could not sleep. She finally stood and walked back to the cave. She peered into the entrance and saw that everybody was asleep. She walked very quietly back to the area where the men's ceremonies were held. The bones that were set at the time of her death curse were there, but they were broken from the pattern. Had they been broken all along? She stood wondering, when she heard a noise behind her. She turned and saw Goov. Though it had only been four years, he had aged considerably. His face was lined and his hair was very gray.
"I knew the curse wouldn't keep," he motioned, "The bones were broken right after you left. I don't know how, but it was the will of the spirits. Broud was wrong. He only thought of himself. I have not told him of this. He has not changed since you left."
Ayla was surprised at the words of the Mog-ur. He could see her? More importantly, he would see her? He did not seem surprised. She gracefully sank into a sitting position at his feet, waiting for him to tap her on the shoulder. When she felt the tap, she looked up.
"This woman came to see her son one last time. This woman is grateful that you have spoken to her. She has found a mate among the Others and has taught him to speak properly. He used to feel as most Others do about the Clan, but this woman made him see that the Clan is human also," she motioned. Goov nodded, and indicated that she should continue. "Goov, how is my son?" she asked hastily.
"He is nearing the age of manhood. He could have his hunt anytime, but if Broud has his way, there will be no manhood hunt for Durc. Nor does he approve of Ura and the mating. He will do all in his power to exile them from the Clan. I have spoken to Brun secretly, and he does not approve of the behavior of the son of his mate," Goov replied.
"This woman would request to ask you a question," Ayla motioned hesitantly. Goov nodded. "How did you know that this woman would be here?"
"This man has been given visions and has watched the signs-the bones. This man knew that you would return once he saw the broken bones just as he knew the death curse was no good," he replied. "You must leave now. This man will send Durc to see you away from the cave. He will be at the cave that was your hiding place. He knows it well. Go, now, and rest. The rest of the Clan will awaken soon."
Ayla nodded and left. She practically flew to her cave. Jondalar was still asleep. She moved her furs closer to him and curled up with her back against him. When she awoke, he had already cooked them a morning meal and the sun was well up. She could barely contain her excitement that she would soon be reunited with her son.