Chapter 13 Leaving and Bartering

At times, plans change and wintering with the Clan proved to be such a time. Jondalar, Durcan, Ava, and Blackie would leave Ayla's Clan in early spring and stay at Lion Camp over the following winter. This was a much shorter time for Jondalar and Durcan to be with Durc than originally planned, but Jondalar, despite logic and counseling, was ill at ease living within the Clan. His discomfort wasn't necessarily rational but nonetheless, it was real.

Bandoman and Jaradal took charge of Blackie and Sky and set up a small but adequate campsite to protect the wolves and themselves from the winter's cold. The main reason for setting up separate housing for the four was the Clan's fear of wolves. This was done so Sky and Blackie would not be seen by Clansmen. The spot was just inside the edge of the forest and in a nook between two hillsides. This was convenient for the two men in that the Clan encampment was below them and only a short distance away. The Clan knew abut the two wolves but didn't like it when they saw them.

Spring was nearing and the winter had not been a hardship what with the different 'learning groups' that Durcan and others had set up. No one had lacked for things to do or learn or practice and those activities forced the cold winter to pass quickly. Ava asked, ''Mother, how long now will it be until father, Durcan, Blackie and I leave for the Zelandonii?"

"You should leave in three days, at the start of spring. Doing so should allow you to reach Lion Camp in mid-fall. Leaving any later would cause you to travel in the early winter cold during the last part of your trek to reach Lion Camp. It may not take that long because Jondalar has traveled much of the route in the past."

"Durcan has told me much the same thing. Mother, I don't want to leave you behind because I am concerned about your safety when you trek back. I feel my trek will be reasonably safe because I will have Durcan and Jondalar protecting me on our way to the Zelandonii."

"No, my daughter, you forget Blackie. She is a hunter few men want to encounter. That means you have three hunters protecting you, and remember, you have a sling for protection as well. I will have two hunters of the Markaii plus three other hunters protecting me, Jaradal, Bandoman, and Sky.

"I too am a hunter and will certainly protect myself. Ava, know that I will miss you. I am planning to leave about this time next spring and will be with you as quickly as the trek will allow. Know that I intend to barter with Leader Kregg in order to bring your sister out of Kregg's Clan and back with me."

"Mother, if anyone can bring Barrie out of Kregg's Clan, I know it would be you." The three days Ayla had spoken of were busy days capped by leaving after the morning meal. There was no fanfare when they left, such was not the Clan way. Spring and summer passed quickly.

Jaradal, Bandoman, and Ayla had now been with Durc's Clan for a full twelve months and the time to barter for Barrie was at hand. Ayla knew bartering with Kregg, the leader of The Clan of the High Hillside, would require something more than the kills Durcan had offered when bartering for Ava; prices go up as time passes and supply decreases.

Meat for the winter and knowledge of firestones were what Ayla planned to use in barter. She knew there was a good chance Kregg wouldn't accept firestones as barter because the Clan has no memory of it. Firestones do have value but getting Kregg to accept the fact could be a problem, Ayla needed to think. 'If I just walk into Kregg's domain, his perimeter guards will turn me away without even hearing what I have to say. I'm an Others female and the guards would feel there could be nothing gained in bothering Kregg with a female's request. Durc could have stepped in but Ayla felt it best to personally handle the situation.

'Even if the guards are willing to tell him of my request to speak with him, the mere fact it is an Others female making the request would make any chance the leader would talk with me even less likely.' Knowing how Durcan had induced Kregg to give audience to his request to barter, Ayla created her own version of the same thing. One way or another she would gain an audience with the leader.

'I don't want to be turned away, so I'll do what I did eight summers ago when I confronted Clan leader Mongar to ask for the help of his hunters in stopping the Chimudonii warriors from escaping Zelandonii hunters.' Ayla's thoughts soon turned into a plan of action. 'I will gain a meeting with Kregg by presenting the painted face of a Mog-ur. Just as leader Mongar was startled by the sight, Kregg's guards and Kregg himself will be startled, perhaps even fearful of what would appear to be an Others Mog-ur standing before them.' These thoughts pleased Ayla.

White chalk mixed with fat was the base of the ceremonial face and a pattern of blood red markings added on top of the white base composed the face. The meanings present within the face were both ancient and sacred. The face was devised by Clan Mog-urs who are now heralded in antiquity. Cave leaders would sometimes wear the face in ceremonies but only Mog-urs know the meanings held within the face.

Ayla spoke to her two shadow hunters, "We are nearing Kregg's Clan and I must travel without you from this point as I do not want to alarm those in his Clan any more than I must... Sky, stay!" Both Jaradal and Bandoman were alarmed at seeing their First Zelandoni with a strangely painted face, Sky looked past the face paint and did as his pack leader had told him.

Reaching the southern perimeter of The Clan of the High Hillside, Ayla was stopped by two guards. Confronting them, she signed, "I will speak with your Mog-ur and Kregg, your leader." This was signed as a command.

Extremely fearful, the two Clan hunters guarding the cave's southern perimeter quickly discussed what to do. Standing before them was a female in a hunter's stance and she appeared to be a Mog-ur... "A Mog-ur of the Others is a female? This can't be real," signed the taller of the two men. Both men were alarmed.

The two men were not the same height and the shorter of the two wanted to get as far away from the female as fast he could. "I will tell our Mog-ur of your request. If he deems it necessary, he will address our leader. Woman, you will stand here in silence." Ayla smiled to herself at the guard's statement; the language of the Clan is silent.

She turned her back to the bigger guard and signed to the shorter man, "When you speak with your Mog-ur, tell him 'The Woman Who Hunts' would speak with him. Speak of this only to your Mog-ur and no one else." Relieved that he would put distance between himself and the Others female, the shorter guard ran to Mog-ur Garsh.

"Mog-ur, I must speak with you right now," signed the guard.

"We are alone, feel free to speak," signed Garsh, the Mog-ur of Kregg's Clan.

"There is a female Mog-ur of the Others at the southern entry and she is demanding to speak with both you and leader Kregg."

"To my knowledge the Others do not have Mog-urs much less female Mog-urs. What does this female call herself?"

"The female gave no actual name but instead signed me to tell you that she is the woman who hunts and then told me to speak of this to no one but you. It was strange that she turned her back to my fellow guard so he could not see what she signed." Mog-ur Garsh felt a cold shiver run through his body. He knew of 'The Woman Who Hunts' from Clan lore known only to the Clans Mog-urs and one and only one leader. It would be impossible for anyone else who isn't a Mog-ur to even know of the existence of such a woman much less know the name she goes by.

Mog-ur Garsh reached into his carry bag and removed a small gray pellet and then handed it to the guard. "This is a reward for speaking of this woman and her request. Swallow it and drink this cup of water and the strength in this one pellet will change your life."

Mog-ur watched as the guard swallowed the pellet and drank the water. "Now go directly to your fellow guard and tell him to bring the female to me, then I will dismiss him. At the proper time I will send my helper to Kregg and request him to come to me. Do as I ask then go to your hearth and rest as you appear to be getting ill. Speak to no one of this female or what we have spoken of."

"Yes, Mog-ur, I will do as you request."

It wasn't long before the taller of the two guards brought Ayla to Mog-ur Garsh and positioned her standing and facing away from him. Releasing his grip on Ayla's wrists, the guard had done as he was ordered. "You have done well in your duties. Now leave us quickly but know your fellow guard will not return to his post today as I believe he is becoming seriously ill." Mog-ur Garsh had chosen not to sign the last four words of his statement; 'because I poisoned him.'

"As you leave, tell my helper to enter." Moments later the guard was gone and Garsh and his helper were alone with Ayla. "Woman of the Others, you are going to die for this. To present yourself to be a Mog-ur has already caused your death." This statement was signed to the Mog-ur's helper who nervously signed it to Ayla. Garsh had no desire to speak directly to an Others woman and even less desire to speak with a woman who would soon be dead; he felt no need to look at her.

"If I am to be killed then you should have no fear of facing me. Do you fear a female Mog-ur?" The helper signed Ayla's question to his Mog-ur and knew the question was a direct challenge.

Seeing the words, Mog-ur Garsh signed to his helper, "Tell the woman to face me, but tell her she is to do so only after you leave my hearth." Garsh wanted privacy and he didn't want to be forced to use another gray pellet. Doing as told, his helper left the hearth. Now alone with Kregg's Mog-ur, Ayla quickly spun around and dropped into a hunter's crouch. The sight of Ayla's face being that of a Clan Mog-ur during sacred ceremonies was a something Garsh had not expected.

The fact she had gone into a hunter's crouch as if ready to attack, caused a natural fear within the man. Ayla slowly rose from her attack stance into a hunter's stance. She stood with her fists on her hips, legs spread wide, shoulders back, and chin up. Garsh was relieved at the change in stance and decided he must sign in a different tone.

"Mog-ur, who are you, and where do you come from that has female Mog-urs?... What do you want of me?" The Clan Mog-ur was confused and rightfully afraid of the apparition standing before him.

"I am 'The Woman Who Hunts.' I am also known as Mog-ur of Mog-urs of the Others. This woman would ask you for something and would give you something in return." Now was not the time to talk about where she came from.

In the proper ritual cadence, Mog-ur Garsh responded. "What is it you wish to have and what is it you wish to give in return?"

"I wish to have Barrie, the Others female living within your Clan. In return, I wish to give you enough large animal kills to carry your Clan through the coming winter."

"What you say is close to what a young Others hunter asked of Kregg twelve summers ago. How is that?" Mog-ur Garsh signed.

"The young hunter has returned to our homeland. "He is my son and he told me of his barter with Kregg, and I ask what are your terms of barter?"

Ayla asked this with a curt tone in her signing; there was method to Ayla's madness. She knew that only the Clan's leader could barter on serious matters and that he would dismiss her request to speak with him simply because she was female, but an urgent call from his Mog-ur would cause him to stop whatever he was doing and come to the Mog-ur's hearth as requested.

"I have no terms of barter because the barter you request is beyond my realm," Mog-ur Garsh signed. "I will have my helper ask our leader to come to us. You must speak with him in matters of barter such as this." The Mog-ur now stepped out of the room for a moment and signed to his helper; "Tell Kregg he is needed immediately at the Mog-ur's hearth."

Garsh quickly returned to Ayla but wondered as he returned, 'Why has this female Mog-ur tried to barter with me on this matter? As a Mog-ur she should know I would have no authority to barter with her in matters such as this. I should test this woman.'

Mog-ur Garsh was unsteady and was now showing a degree of concern. "How is it you are wearing the face paint of a Mog-ur? Do you even know what the markings represent? You cannot truly be a Mog-ur without knowing the meanings hidden within the image. This knowledge is only held by Mog-urs, even leaders who have worn the face in sacred ceremonies are unaware of the meanings. Only Mog-urs have the knowledge."

Ayla now paused and looked directly into the Mog-ur's eyes. "White symbolizes the purity of the Spirit World and the red represents the blood of all living creatures. The pattern of red lines is one 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."

Garsh was astonished at what he had been told. "There is something I wish to know, 'The Woman Who Hunts' is in Mog-ur lore and memory only known by Clan Mog-urs. How is it you know of her?"

"Because, I am she, I am 'The Woman Who Hunts,' and you are wrong in saying only the Clan Mog-urs know of my title." Ayla was answering Garsh's question with a stone-cold face. "One leader knows of The Woman Who Hunts, and that leader is Brun. It was he who gave me the title, and it was Mog-ur Goov that put the hunter's scar on my throat."

Garsh was now convinced the Others female was who she said she was. "Mog-ur, I would also know why you tried to barter with me when, being a Mog-ur, you would know only our leader can barter on such matters?"

"Because doing so would prompt you to call your leader to us... and you have."

Garsh could see no lies in Ayla's signing and he realized he had done exactly what the female had wanted him to do. Kregg would be with them in just a few moments. "We will speak no more at this time but if able, I would speak with you in private after Kregg leaves us."

Kregg arrived alone and approached his Mog-ur signing, "Mog-ur, why have you called for me. What is of such importance?"

Kregg was in for a shock when his Mog-ur answered by signing, "Mog-ur of the Others, turn and face Kregg, leader of this Clan." Ayla was pleased that Garsh had addressed her as 'Mog-ur.' Doing so showed his acceptance as to her truly being a Mog-ur. Kregg jerked back in shock when he saw the female Mog-ur's face. Taking control, Ayla spoke first.

"This woman would ask you for something you have, and probably don't want, and would give you something in return."

In an improper ritualistic cadence Kregg responded, "Wha-What is it you wish to have and what is it you-you wish to g-give in return?" Leader Kregg was shaken at seeing the female Mog-ur of the Others and the fact she was wearing the sacred face.

"I would take the Others child known as 'Barrie' back to her kind. In return I wish to give you enough kills to carry your Clan through the coming winter. Will you agree to barter on this?"

"Yes, I will agree to barter with you Mog-ur, but what are your terms of barter?"

"My terms of barter are that your women will be charged to gut and butcher all the animals my hunters provide and transport the meat to your cave. Do you agree to my terms of barter?"

Kregg had regained his composure now that he knew what the female Mog-ur was wanting. "Yes, I agree to your terms of barter. I too have terms of barter, and you must agree to them. My terms of barter are that if, in my opinion, you do not fully succeed in getting enough kills as agreed, you will not have fulfilled our barter and I owe you nothing in return for what you do kill. Do you agree to my terms of barter?" Kregg had only one barter term at this point yet he had to stick with the ritual format for bartering.

He had met with a similar barter twelve moon cycles ago and still felt a winning situation was his either way. His Clan would get the meat if the female Mog-ur failed and his Clan would get the meat if the Mog-ur succeeded, and he would have the bonus of getting rid of his Others young female as well.

"Yes, I agree to your terms of barter," answered Ayla.

"Mog-ur of the Others, what else do you offer in barter?"

As Ayla had anticipated, Kregg wanted more. "What I have is a valuable and powerful tool... but I am now thinking it may be best not to offer it in barter and I think perhaps we should end our unfinished barter. My barter request can still be withdrawn in its entirety since no final agreement has yet been reached, am I correct in this?" Ayla had told no lies in this; she simply posed a question she already knew the answer to.

"Mog-ur, you are wrong in what you say. You have presented your barter terms and I agreed, and you have agreed to my barter terms. Then you spoke of what you say is a valuable and powerful tool in added barter.

"Once spoken of it becomes an offer that you cannot withdraw. It is up to me to accept or refuse the offer. Show me the purpose and power within the tool.

"Doing so, I will decide to accept or decline your offer. If declined, you then have the right to withdraw your offer." Kregg was pleased with himself.

"What I have are The Firestones of Ursus," Ayla signed this and purposely showed reluctance in her signing.

"I know not of these 'Firestones,' Mog-ur Garsh, do you know of them?"

"Kregg, I do not know of them." Both men supposed the female Mog-ur might be trying to gain advantage through trickery.

"Show us these 'Firestones,' woman," Kregg demanded.

For effect, Ayla hesitated then reached into her travel pouch and pulled out two sets of firestones and handed each man a set. They could see nothing unusual when they examined the rocks. The two men looked at each other, "These are just common rocks and carry no value!" Kregg declared.

Ayla was ready for this moment. "Kregg, do you and your Mog-ur know how to kindle a fire? If you do, I challenge you to kindle three small fires, and then I will light one fire myself in less time than it takes to call your helper to your side, and then I will teach each of you to start a fresh fire just as I will have done. The teaching time will only be the time it takes to chastise a child for acting inappropriately."

"Mog-ur, what you say is impossible and we do not want to waste our time and effort on kindling unneeded fires." Kregg's body language showed he was trying to hold back irritation and anger. This female had just insulted his Mog-ur and himself! To ask, 'Do you and your Mog-ur know how to kindle a fire?' was like asking if the two men-babies still pooped in their bottom wrappings.

Ayla reached into her carry pouch and pulled out some dried moss fire starter. "Kregg, as you can see, this is dried moss fire starter. I request you hand me your two firestones and I will do what you say is impossible." Ayla then reached out to receive the stones.

"I will not do as you demand woman."

"Kregg, I did not demand, I requested, and right now I tire of this. Either hand me your stones or I will withdraw my barter offer in spite and leave you. This is your choice Kregg, and understand, I will be addressed as Mog-ur, not as 'woman' and I suggest you not anger me further."

Hearing this, both leader Kregg and Mog-ur Garsh were taken aback. Rather than allow Kregg to burst into a physical attack, Mog-ur Garsh handed his own firestones to the female Mog-ur and held an arm out to indicate Kregg should stand back and stand down.

Ayla was shocked that Kregg had become so enraged. It was then she thought to analyze what she had said. The realization of what she had said and done came upon her quickly. 'I have really insulted these two men. I challenged their manhood in asking if they knew how to kindle a fire, then I corrected 'demanded,' a word Kregg had used, and then I issued an ultimatum followed by a threat to withdraw my offer of barter and leave. To top it all off I told him not to call me 'woman' and told him not to anger me. In effect, each of these things were threats.' Ayla had well overstepped what was considered proper bounds.

"Leader Kregg... Mog-ur Garsh… I have taken a moment to think about what I have said and realize I have caused you to take rightful offense. I was dealing with you as if you had little ability to understand what I was trying to say. Kregg, please understand that I do have respect for you and your ability to lead and I hold the same respect for you, Mog-ur.

"I also respect your doubt that two stones can start a fire. You have never seen such and probably suspect trickery in my offer. Ursus has not told us of all His gifts and abilities and drawing fire from His stones is one such gift. Please accept my apology. I will leave if you wish but would ask if we might begin again." Now Ayla turned away from the two men to allow them to sign in private.

Mog-ur Garsh turned to Kregg, "I see truth and sincerity in the Mog-ur's apology, and I can understand her drive in trying to get the Others child back to her people. She probably deals with her people in the manner she has just shown us. "The Others may accept her manner as proper but at least she realizes her errors in dealing with higher individuals and has asked forgiveness."

"Yes, Mog-ur Garsh, I can see what you mean. I shall let her continue and will give consideration to her requests."

Kregg had calmed down quite a bit while he consulted with his Mog-ur and now stepped to Ayla to give her a tap on the shoulder, he then stepped back.

Ayla now took conscious charge of the situation. "Kregg, with respect, I want to confirm your understanding of our barter terms before continuing. Ayla felt her statement of 'with respect' might help Kregg to calm down even further.

"I have an Others female in my cave whose name is Barrie. You ask for her release and wish to provide enough kills to carry my Clan through the coming winter. My women would butcher the animals and transport the meat to my cave. These were your barter terms.

"My barter terms were that if, in my opinion, you do not fully succeed in getting enough kills as agreed, you will not have fulfilled our barter and I owe you nothing in return for what you do kill. I asked what else you had to offer as barter and you handed two rocks to both Mog-ur and myself, calling them 'The Firestones of Ursus.' You offer them as additional barter, but I see no value in common rocks.

"I would agree to your barter of meat and 'firestones,' but I must see the power within the stones before determining the worth they possess in our barter."

"Kregg, I apologize if I was unclear in anything I have said or done. Please watch me closely." Now Ayla gathered up dead leaves, twigs and small limbs and kindled a fire. Adding some dried moss fire starter, she then looked up at the two men for their approval of her kindled fire. Given nods from both men, Ayla held the black rock in her left hand and the flint rock in her right.

She then struck the firestone with the flint rock and seven sparks flew into the dried moss. Light wisps of smoke rapidly appeared, and Ayla gently blew on the smoking moss. This started a fire in less time than it takes to chastise a child for acting inappropriately, just as she had said.

Mog-ur Garsh and Kregg were standing side by side and bumped into each other at the shock of seeing hot sparks fly from the female Mog-ur's hand.

Smoke and then fire engulfed the kindling. "I have started a fire as I said, and I will teach each of you how to draw fire from the rocks... providing that in so doing, you accept my barter offer just as I have already accepted yours. If so, our barter terms are set and agreed to. Do you agree?"

"Mog-ur, I agree to your barter terms providing you can teach us as you have said.

When that is accomplished, I will consider our bartering finished." Ayla was looking only at Kregg when she was bartering because Mog-ur Garsh had no say in the matter.

Kregg's words pleased Ayla. "Kregg, would you and Mog-ur mind kindling your own fires? When you feel all is ready, I will teach you how to draw fire from what Ursus has created." Ayla had signed softly and earnestly. She realized she had been far too forceful in her first attempt. Being forceful was somewhat of a normal thing for her but even so, she had a soft side as well. These traits were what had brought her to this moment.

It took very little time for the two men to kindle what would be the first fire each man would start with his own firestones. An extremely pleased look was soon showing in the eyes of both men. This was not the trickery or magic they anticipated. They had been taught how to quickly start a fire by using a gift from Ursus and each man knew the event was important.

After the next Summer Gathering, this information would forever be held in Clan memory and lore and all because this Others Mog-ur of Mog-urs desired to gain the release of an Others child. All Clans, North, South, East, and West, would share in the knowledge during a Spirit Journey. Summer Gatherings are held every seven summers, and Spirit journeys are the only way to reach distant Clans.

The journeys can only be accomplished by drinking the mouth juice created by chewing the sacred memory root. Mongar's 'Clan of the River Neemah' in the far West had also received firestones and would share in the telling of them during the upcoming Summer Gathering Spirit Journey. Durc's Clan knows of firestones and would share the knowledge as well.

"Mog-ur, I accept your barter in full and now our bartering is finished. I also apologize for any disrespect I may have shown. I simply did not believe this was possible. May I ask where you are from that you know such things?" Ayla was not expecting Kregg to apologize or say anything else. Being the leader of a Clan, this would not normally happen.

"Kregg, I was adopted by Creb and his sister, Iza, when I was five summers. After a summer gathering, I left my Clan as a woman.

"I eventually traveled to the far end of the world. There I joined a tribe of Others known as the Zelandonii. Ava, the Others child my son bartered for last fall, told me about her sister. I wanted to return the child to her own kind. This why I came to you... I go now" The phrase 'I go now' was the closest thing the Clan had to 'goodbye.' Ayla's answer was not what Kregg was expecting. He saw no lies in her and since Creb and Iza had adopted her, at least he could understand how she could be a Mog-ur.

Daylight turned to early dark and it was then a man came to Mog-ur Garsh. Kregg was still with his Mog-ur and the two were still discussing what had happened with the Others Mog-ur. "I must speak to you Mog-ur! My fellow guard has suddenly died! His mate told me you had sent him to rest and he did as you had requested. He fell asleep and when his mate tried to wake him for the evening meal, she found he had died in his sleep."

"Tell the woman I have sorrow for her loss and have our Medicine Woman look at the man. Perhaps she can find the cause of his death." Mog-ur Garsh already knew the cause. He had taken no pleasure in handing the gray poison pellet to the guard, but it was his sworn duty to keep even the name 'The Woman Who Hunts' within the confines of those who were Mog-urs. 'I did speak truth to the guard,' Mog-ur thought to himself, 'the gray pellet did change his life.'

Returning to her Clan at dusk, Ayla was pleased with the way her day went. Upon her arrival Durc asked, "Mother, have you eaten an evening meal yet? Would you like to share tonight's meal with us?"

"Yes, I would like to do that, and I have something to ask of you, but it is not an immediate concern. Now tell me, what is the most exciting thing you have done today?" Ayla was seeking conversation with her son.

"Mother, it was a combination of things. First, I killed ten snakes that were going after Ura, then I saved a young child from being eaten by a giant fish. Then I climbed a snow-capped mountain. But actually, I think the most exciting thing I did was grabbing the sun and cleaning the stardust off so it can continue shining brightly. It was difficult but certainly worth the effort."

"Have you been chewing on a sour kill Durc? Every word you said was auroch crap and you know it."

"Now you have spoiled my day mother, and it wasn't auroch crap I was speaking, it was what I call 'creative truth' and at least it doesn't stink like auroch crap does!"

Ignoring what Durc had spoken about his 'creative truth' Ayla asked again, "What is the most exciting thing you have done today Durc?" Ayla signed the question instead of speaking and signed with a phrasing indicating she would be displeased if the truth were not present in his answer.

"I picked a basket of blackberries so Ura could bake a blackberry mash as a treat after our evening meal."

"Durc, you sound much more intelligent when you speak truth."

"Yes, mother, but it's not as much fun as my creative truths." The two shared a smile.

"Reebrun, go tell your father our meal is ready and be sure Grammy knows as well." Ura knew Durc would come quickly just so he could eat his way to the blackberry mash she had baked.

The usual sharing of general conversation and things done during the day took place and Ayla was the last to share her day. "Durc, I have bartered with the leader of the Clan of the High Hillside for release of Barrie, Ava's sister.

"The barter terms were firestones and winter meat in exchange for Barrie. Would you consider calling for volunteers to hunt with me so I may quickly fulfill my barter with Kregg?"

"Mother, I can allow only six of our hunters to volunteer as you ask. There will likely be many volunteers willing to help in your hunt but know that Hunt Leader Jonacas begins hunting the Southwest in twelve moons. This will be our hunting ground for the coming winter, and I do not want to risk a problem of famine by overhunting it. Your volunteers should probably hunt the Northern lands."

Ayla knew Durc was aware of the spearthrower Jondalar and she had created, but he had never seen it in use; now she had an idea.

"Durc, out of the number of animals your hunters see on a fall hunt, how many escape your spears?

"Most of them do and that is why I can't allow you more than six hunters."

"What if your hunters were able to down nearly every animal they see."

"That cannot happen mother, but if it were possible, it would mean an end to winter famine."

"This woman would ask you for something and would give you something in return." Durc realized that his mother was at least partly serious in wanting to barter but could not even begin to guess why. He would give his life for her without the need for barter.

"What is it you wish to have and what do you wish to give in return?" Durc had to follow the normal barter pattern just to see where his mother was taking this.

"I wish to train five of your hunters and yourself how to use a new weapon.

"Bandoman, Jaradal, and I will each train two hunters. After training, we, along with you and your five hunters, should be able to kill all the game needed. Six or seven days is all we should need. What I wish to give in return is what you and your men will have learned in using the new weapon and what your wood crafters will have learned in making the weapon for your hunters. Do you agree to my barter terms?"

"Mother, you are asking me to agree to something I do not believe is possible."

"Durc, do you agree to my barter terms?" Ayla did not speak this time but signed instead and did so showing she expected a direct answer.

"Yes, mother, I agree to your barter terms, and I have no terms to add. Now our bartering is finished." Durc had signed his statement with resignation. What he really wanted to sign was 'Yes, mother, I agree with your barter terms... but I wouldn't do it if you weren't my mother.' Durc's 'inner child' had been awakened. The two looked at each other and shared a smile and a kiss.

Durc didn't believe just he and five hunters plus Jaradal, Bandoman, and his mother, could down all the creatures needed for her barter with Kregg and do it in six or seven moons as his mother had said; but then again, this was his mother. Ayla selected Durc and Hunt Leader Jonacas as her two students then Jaradal and Bandoman each selected their two trainees.

The following morning the six hunters and three instructors headed to a nearby copse of trees and the adjacent open land. As they walked, the six hunters were told what a spearthrower can do. Having Leader Jonacas participating in the training was not a problem. The scheduled hunt would not start for another twelve moons. Teaching from sunrise to sunset for just five moons resulted in a hunting force to be reckoned with.

At the onset of the search for his brother, Durcan had decided to bring an extra spearthrower in case anyone broke or otherwise lost a thrower, this was good.

The spear mounting pin on Jondalar's spearthrower had broken shortly after Durc was found and the extra spearthrower was indeed needed as the mounting pin is key to using the spearthrower.

The broken spearthrower had been left with Bandoman when Durcan, Ava, and Jondalar headed back to the Zelandonii last spring. Still having it allowed the Clan's three wood crafters to make six spearthrowers by using the broken spearthrower and one dart, and one spear, as samples. The crafting of the needed spearthrowers was done while the six hunters were in training. Replacing the broken mounting pin was also done.

When the training was finished, Leader Brac called a gathering of all Clan of the Cave Bear hunters. He wanted all of his hunters to become better at downing game and addressed the gathering.

"I am holding this meeting to make known the efforts of six of our hunters. Leader Durc, Hunt Leader Jonacas, and four more hunters have been taught how to use the same weapon that the Mog-ur of the Others uses. The six chosen hunters were taught by Mog-ur Ayla and her two Zelandonii hunters. Our wood crafters and the women who sew have been busy, and because of their efforts I am pleased to present each of the six hunters with a spearthrower, a set of six darts, six spears, and a leather sling to hold the darts and spears."

Brac and Durc were aware of the weapons being made, but the other five hunters had no idea they were to receive a spearthrower and spears after the teaching. Normally word of the making would have spread in everyday gossip, but the wood crafters and the women sewers had been asked to be silent about what they were doing.

The five Clan hunters not knowing of the upcoming 'graduation' had talked among themselves during training about how they would go about making their own spearthrower and how each would decorate the one they made. "I am going to carve a deer image on the spearthrower I make," signed one hunter. "I'm putting an auroch image on mine." "I want the sun, the moon and some stars on mine!" "I'm going to carve my name signing on the spearthrower I make." Hunt Leader Jonacas planned to carve the name 'Lindra,' his mate's name, on the spearthrower he would make.

This was to show his devotion to her; she deserved it. Durc would carve 'Reebrun' on his spearthrower in anticipation it would pass down to his son.

Each hunter wanted his spearthrower to be identifiable. Now being presented a spearthrower made by the wood crafters, all each hunter had to do was the carving spoken of while they were in training.

Brac addressed the six hunters, "Men, each of you put a great amount of time and effort in being taught how to use a spearthrower. I have spoken with Durc and I want our people to see the result of a one-day hunt using the new weapon. Tomorrow morning, you six hunters, along with your three teachers, will go north to hunt winter game." Brac conveyed this command with pleasure. "We will soon be able to see what using a spearthrower will do for our winter hunts."

The results of the one-day hunt were impressive. On a normal hunt, only three or four animals would be downed in one day. Using spearthrowers, twelve deer were downed and none of them were downed by the teachers; Ayla wanted the Clan hunters to get all the credit. Owning a spearthrower became an instant mark of distinction among all hunters and instilled pride in the hunter who owned one.

Now was the time for Durc to speak. "Leader Brac, my mother has bartered with Leader Kregg for Ava's sister, Barrie. As you know, including myself, we now have six hunters who are able to use the spearthrower weapon the Others use. She has asked that we six join her, and her two shadow hunters in hunting the North for winter game.

"Doing so will fulfill the barter terms for Kregg's release of Ava's sister. In just one day our trained group of six downed twelve creatures. With Jaradal, Bandoman, and my mother hunting with us, we should do even better than our single day hunt yesterday. Based on the results of we six hunters hunting for just one day, I request you allow me and the other trained hunters to first fulfill my mother's need, and then we will hunt for our own Clan. Do you have any objection to this?"

"Durc, I have only encouragement. Remember, it was your mother that saved me from being eaten alive as a four-summer child. Your mother gave us yourself when she departed many summers ago. Then she gave us the gift of instant fire when she arrived after you two found each other. Now knowing your mother as an adult, whatever she wants that I can grant is hers.

"Mother says we can get the needed game within fifteen moons."

"Durc, this morning I sent our other hunters to the Southwest with our second Hunt Leader. You six should continue hunting the North to fulfill your mother's barter with Kregg."

"Brac, you should not need to send any hunters out for winter meat."

"Durc, it is late fall, and I don't want to risk an early snow hindering the annual hunts. Many in our Clan could starve this winter if we don't hunt."

"Mother says roughly fifteen moons is all the time needed for the ten of us to get the winter meat needed."

"For her barter perhaps, but I still fear for our Clan."

"Brac, the fifteen moons are needed to get enough winter meat for mother's barter and for the entire Clan of The Cave Bear."

"Durc, only nine hunters and fifteen moons cannot nearly fill the storage pits of both Clans."

"All I know is what mother says, and if she says it is so, then I must believe.''

"Very well, but be prepared to hunt in the winter's cold, because I will not be pleased to hear of a starvation death. I will send a runner to tell our second Hunt Leader to end his hunt and return to us. I doubt he has reached the hunting fields as yet anyway." Brac knew Ayla was both a friend and a Mog-ur to be trusted and revered, but still...

Being called back, the women butchers were now available for Durc's hunt. As was custom, the women would now gut and butcher the kills Durc and his hunters made. The women who were not butchers were expected to carry the meat back to the Clan of the Cave Bear. It was soon found the rest of Brac's hunters were indeed needed, not to hunt or gut the game, but to transport the butchered meat to the permafrost storage pits near their own caves.

"Durc decided he and his hunters would gut each kill immediately after retrieving their spears. Doing this slowed the rapid kills and thus lessened the pressure on the women butchering the game, and on the women doing the transporting.

The women continued to butcher the downed game, and now the Clan hunters without spearthrowers would work in concert with the women doing the transporting of the butchered game. The term 'working in concert' meant the men were not doing 'women's work.' They were merely lessening the time needed to reach the goal Brac had declared.

This fine distinction in protocol was needed because transporting butchered game was considered women's work. When the hunt was finished, the only thing Kregg's people would need to do was travel the relatively short distance to Durc's Clan and pick up the meat needed to fulfill Ayla's barter.

On the morning of the fifteenth day, two runners were sent to Kregg's cave. "Leader Kregg, you are asked to have your people trek to The Clan of the Cave Bear for a feast. Such will be held two moons from today at high sun. After the feast, you can take all the butchered meat you feel is needed to feed your people.

"This is meat which the Mog-ur of Mog-urs of the Others has bartered. She asks you to bring the Others child, Barrie, with you. Know this invitation is at the request of leader Brac, the Mog-ur of Mog-urs of the Others, and of Durc, the Mog-ur's son." The statement, 'Mog-ur of Mog-urs of the Others,' hit him hard. Kregg had no idea Durc was the son of the Others Mog-ur, and no idea at all that this particular female Mog-ur was the Others 'Mog-ur of Mog-urs.'