Thonolan paced the hearth in agitation. "And do you know what he did in the valley?"
"Please calm down," Bectie cautioned.
"If what you say is true, then I will must forbid Brazie to continue seeing that veejia," Bruzec stated sadly.
Brazie had been listening covertly but had kept out of sight until now. "You can't forbid me! I like Lumio, he's nice. Thonolan was the one who started arguing with him."
"Brazie! Do you know what kind of veejia Lumio really is?" Bruzec's tone was laced with frustration and anger. "He is not One Who Serves the Mother, but One Who Serves Himself. There is no good end for veejias like that."
"How do you know? You've never met him," Brazie asked sullenly.
"And don't you think that's suspicious behavior?" Bruzec said, "if he had nothing to hide, he could come and be welcome here. But he knows that we would see what he really is. Brazie, for your own sake, please don't see him anymore."
Brazie's lower lip began to tremble. "But he's always been nice. How can he be a bad veejia?"
Bectie knelt down next to the girl. "Child, I know that you genuinely like him, but that's what he wants. Trust me, I've seen this happen before. You know that we have your best interest at heart and wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."
Brazie's head slumped. "I know that. I will not go see him again." Tears formed and ran down her cheeks. Bectie embraced her in relief.
"Thonolan, thank you for alerting us. It's good to be aware of the danger," Bruzec said.
"He said something else that's been bothering me," Thonolan puzzled, "Brazie is not who he is after, but that Ayla was once dear to him. Yet when he chanted a spell, it was on Jondalar. I just don't understand it all."
"Who knows his real purpose? Can you trust what he said to you about that? Can you trust anything he says? Thonolan, you must focus on the purpose that the Mother has given you. If you dwell on the evil, it will come to nothing," Bruzec stated.
"You are right, of course," he conceded. Glancing through the camp, he spotted his brother working with flint. Mentally, he sighed. Where else would Jondalar be?
"I've go to show this to Dalanar! This is unbelievable!" Thonolan heard him exclaim.
Dalanar, how long has it been? Thonolan thought to himself. A pang of remorse touched him when he thought of home. Mother will never see me again on earth. Will she understand why? I never intended to return, but now I must to finish this journey.
Ayla sat quietly next to Jondalar and Wymez. The longing in Jondalar's voice to show Dalanar the new technique was unconscious on his part. 'She had never quite understood before just how powerful was his desire to return home...she knew that he could never be truly happy any other place.'
Thonolan sensed Ayla's conflict; the love of her son and the love of Jondalar.
"Ayla, he must go home. It's not only his longing and happiness, but also your future. You belong with the Zelondonii," Thonolan whispered as his gaze rested on the dark skinned man. If only Ranec were not here to cause conflict between them, he thought to himself. Surely the Mother would not allow anyone to come between them.
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Thonolan looked at the scene with frustration. "How blind can you be?" His voice rose in frustration.
"He is under a spell," Bectie said.
"I know, but it's so hard to watch him make a fool of himself. All of the camp watchers look at him with pity. I know where Ayla's heart is, but he seems to have forgotten."
The two watched as Ayla followed Ranec as he led her to his hearth. Thonolan sighed in resignation as the carver showed her his pieces.
"That is my skirt," Tala said from behind him.
Thonolan beckoned her to come stand with him. "You have come from a much different place. I don't think I've seen clothing made that way before." He admired the grass skirt and then spoke from his heart. "Tala, I don't like the way Ranec is with Ayla. He is not the one that the Mother has chosen for her."
Tala turned to him with arms folded. "How do you know that he is not the one for her? Has this Mother of yours told you? I thought she has only said to 'weave the threads." She folded her arms and glared at him. "Is it not possible that she wanted you to lead Ayla here? After all, the Zelondonii are far away. It's much too far for a woman to travel safely."
"No, I know that Jondalar is the one for Ayla. I've not been told in so many words, but I have no doubt that is what is to be. The future has been shown to me, and it includes them together." Thonolan did his best to stare down the intimidating woman. It was not easy to do.
"Whether or not this is true, I cannot begrudge my son happiness." Tala unfolded her arms and seemed to relax slightly. "My first responsibility is to him and Wymez. The happiness of Ayla and Jondalar are secondary which is unfortunate for you. I'm sorry, but this is the truth for me."
Thonolan shook his head, "I know that your responsibility is great, but you don't know for sure what will bring happiness. Will Ranec be worse off in the end when Ayla leaves? You see how taken he is with Ayla, and they have not known each other long. Would it not be better to discourage this?"
"Thonolan, I admire your persistence, but I will not discourage him." Her voice became softer as she continued; "he is my only son. I want to give him as much happiness as I can."
Thonolan nodded, "I also admire you, Tala. I know that you have their best interests at heart, but I wish you would change your mind."
The two studied each other with measured respect. Both could not win in this battle of the heart. One would lose, and be the worse for it. Tala gave a brief nod and turned swiftly on her heel. As she strode away, Thonolan found himself accosted by another female.
"Get up, Oba." She lay prostrate before him.
The woman didn't move. Giving a frustrated sigh, he reached down and tapped her shoulder.
Oba looked up in excitement. This was too important to not use formal gestures. She began using the motions of the ancients.
Thonolan looked at her in perplexity. She was motioning something over and over. "This female, no woman... please, can't you use the everyday language?" He was having difficulty remembering what all of the symbols meant.
She stopped and hesitated. Then lifting her arms again, she began using the less formal language. "This insignificant woman would ask that Thonolan, highly favored by the Mother, would come quickly."
"Of course I will, what is so important?" He asked impatiently.
Excitement quivering with every move, Oba stood up and motioned, "She is here!"
(TMH p.166)