CHAPTER 16: Azalakesh
Ayla was truthful in all she said. What she didn't say was that she had now identified the aroma and taste as being hemp tea. For some reason the tea was notably stronger than the hemp teas she was familiar with. The leaves of the Canab plant were prominent and somewhat ornate as they stood upright to seek sunlight. The bright green leaves were numerous compared to hemp with its skinny leaves on a central stem.
'This Canab plant is similar to what are in Zelandonii lands but having a different appearance tells me it is a different strain and stronger in effect than the Zelandonii hemp tea.' As usual, Ayla's thoughts were correct. Barrie and Ayla spoke to each other on a daily basis and Ayla knew what Barrie had told the young women with certain pains. Now Barrie needed to be told about the two Canab based teas.
Returning from the waste pit, Ronnde continued the conversation. "By the way, our two wood crafters, Ninolin and Fonnte, have told me they are making something called a spearthrower. They are making six of them to match the weapon you and your hunters use. Beyond that, your hunter, Jaradal says six of our hunters will be taught how to use the weapon to down game."
"Ayla, your people being with us is a true blessing. I anticipate the new weapon is something that will enable us to survive the coming winter and the winters beyond for the rest of our lives without starvation being a problem." Ronnde felt strange in being able to say this simply because starvation was always a possibility and now the threat of famine would be ended.
"Ronnde, many of the hunters at The Clan of the Cave Bear have been taught to use spearthrowers. They too had problems in downing enough large game for winter meats. Hunting with throwing spears was a difficult task as deer and other game tried to maintain distance from the hunters. Accepting the spearthrowers has removed that impediment.''
''They are now able to down game animals when needed and have better protection from predator animals as well. They are the only Clan in this land having spearthrowers and the fact they have accepted it may induce other Clan caves to adopt the new weapon as well."
"I didn't know the different Clan caves were in communication with each other Ayla. I know they can't talk so how can they communicate with each other?" Ronnde had never personally met anyone in the Clan and was now curious.
"It is true they cannot speak like you and I do, but they can make recognizable sounds relative to names and such. They communicate with hand signs and slight movements in arms, hands, head, eyes, and body. It is a rich language with many nuances that intone feelings of joy, disdain, love, hope, and all the other feelings you and I express by mouth and with our own hands, eyes, body language, and faces." As Ayla spoke to Ronnde she also signed what she was saying.
"I had no idea they could do that. I guess you could fill a cave with what I don't know about them."
"It is typically like that with nearly all of us Others Ronnde. It is the general inability of both peoples to communicate with each other that creates the distrust and thus the separation of the two peoples."
"What do you mean when you say, 'nearly all of us Others,' I don't understand."
"Ronnde, the Clan calls us 'Others.' I am an Other, you are an Other, and all tribes of our kind are called Others."
"You also said, 'peoples' Ayla.
"That is because they are people like you and me. You may think of them as not being human, and I believe most of our kind think that way. Ronnde, may I ask you something?"
"Certainly."
"What is the only creature that can purposely create fire and uses it to bring forth warmth, light, and to cook food?"
"Ayla, only humans do those things."
"Ronnde, the Clan does these things."
"Are you serious? I was wondering why they would need your firestones."
"Yes, Ronnde, I am very serious. They are just as human as you and I."
"As I said before, they can't speak like you and I do, nor can they run as fast, but can you match them in strength? Can you match them in their ability to withstand pain? By the way, do you use the hunter's signs?"
"No, I can't match their strength, and I have been told they seem to dismiss even serious pain, but why do you ask of the hunter's signs? All hunters use them."
"Because our hunting signs come from the Clan's sign language. By the way, did you know they always speak truth?"
"Ayla, perhaps I could fill two caves with what I don't know about the Clan." Ronnde was serious in what he said and felt somewhat embarrassed by his lack of knowledge.
ooo
Ayla was again checking on the wellbeing of little Barrie and the child's mother when she saw a stranger standing beside a wide path. "Mairee, who is that man talking with Bandoman?"
"Ayla, that man is Azalakesh. He is a traveling trade master and sometimes stays with us. He is from another land and became a member of the Karren Tribe when he mated a Karren woman. He left when his mate passed into the Spirit World, but he never renounced his membership or leadership role within the Karren tribe.''
''The last time he was here was three winters ago. We welcome him as he is a good hunter, and we prosper and are joyful when he is with us. If you meet with him, you will quickly learn he has a jovial nature."
"Do you think he would speak with me?"
"I know of no reason he would refuse. He is a kind and helpful man and is not quiet or reserved. He seems to enjoy speaking with other people."
"Thank you Mairee. You and little Barrie are doing well, and I am happy 'big Barrie' was able to help you deliver your child."
"Thank you for checking on us Ayla. Barrie has checked on us twice and the care you two give is the best I have ever seen or even heard of. Now I think you should go speak with Azalakesh before he disappears into the forest."
"Very well Mairee, you take care of little Barrie now!" The two women smiled as they parted, and Ayla was happy with the way things had turned out. For some reason, all of these things reminded Ayla of her own home at the Ninth Cave. 'I hope there are no problems at home,' she thought. The unfortunate reality was problems did exist.
ooo
A man of unknown descent, Azalakesh looks like some of those Ayla saw in the Spirit World while trying to get her bearings when she was there with Creb. The man's eyes were not slanted at all and he was a good-sized man with broad shoulders. His skin was a natural light brown and he had distinctly sharp lines of nose, brow, and chin, His smallish eyes were remarkably blue, and his teeth were a very bright white.
"Azalakesh!" Ayla called out, "Azalakesh!"
"Yes, who is calling my name?" Ayla was walking quickly to reach the man.
"You are Azalakesh?" Ayla asked as she drew near.
"Yes, I am Azalakesh, and who would you be my child?"
"I am Ayla, First Zelandoni of the Zelandonii people."
"Aahh, you are also First Medicine Woman of the Zelandonii and well versed in using the sling, the spearthrower, and spices. You have tamed wolves, horses, and even tamed a lion. You can predict when the earth will shake, and I am told you are also responsible for bringing horses to the Zelandonii. You also stopped the Chimudonii bandits from killing those of the Clan, and you brought peace to the land... I have never heard of you." His first tease was finished and he was pleased with himself.
Ayla was a bit shocked that the stranger knew so much about her. "... And you are Azalakesh, roaming trade master and expert guide. You were last here three winters ago if I recall correctly, and though traveling in various lands, you retain your Karren citizenship and place among their leadership. You are a friend of Willomar and those at Lion Camp as well. I ask, are the southern snake pits you and Willomar discovered still active?''
''Willomar said the pits were just four weeks southwest of Fourth Cave south and I was surprised they were within Zelandonii lands. Willomar has told me you and he were traveling trade partners for many summers... and I have never heard of you either." Ayla was using some of Durc's creative truth in what she said, and her reply was mostly guesswork; she figured if he was a trader, he would be an expert guide and likely know of Lion Camp and Willomar.
Ayla was pleased to throw a tease right back at the man. "I would like to talk with you if I may."
Now it was Azalakesh who was shocked. 'How could this stranger know so much about me?' "Yes, of course, and I would like to talk with you. It is nearing dusk so let's eat together in solitude and talk, but first, how is my old friend Willomar?"
"Azalakesh, Willomar still lives and gets around well and he is common mate to a woman named Melodene. She is of the Chimu tribe and is half Willomar's age. She gave birth to a son shortly before I left on my search."
"What! Willomar spawned a son? You say this 'Melodene' woman is half the man's age? Old crappers like him usually aren't likely to get a young mate."
"Azalakesh, I am sure you are familiar with what happened when Brukeval and Madroman teamed up to control the Chimu tribe. Part of that event included a woman named 'Melodene' escaping Brukeval's raiding party. She had held back her pace when walking away from Brukeval's confrontation with our Zelandonii hunters and, from her position at the rear of Brukeval's group, she slipped away and found a group of Others hunters a few days later.
''She told the group of Zelandonii hunters that she was being held captive and was abused by the Chimudonii raiders. I was present and saw no lies in what Melodene was saying. I knew if my group turned her away, she would either be killed by a predator or be forced by hunger to catch up with Brukeval's men. That night we held a fireside meeting; Melodene was seeking food and shelter and revealed Brukeval's men had killed her mate so he could not protest her being used by the various men in the group of raiders.''
''In good conscience, we could not just send her away. Surprisingly, Willomar volunteered to take her in. He was without a mate and had room in his dwelling. Melodene accepted his offer of protection and she took over the cooking and cleaning and assisted him whenever the need arose. This closeness provided the opportunity for the two people to get to know each other and led to becoming common mates. Willomar treats her with respect and her presence has invigorated him into a new life of caring and sharing."
"Yes, I can see Willomar making an offer to help a stranger and how a younger woman could have enriched his life and awakened natural instincts within him. I am happy for him." Azalakesh gave a broad smile to Ayla then continued talking, but on a different subject. "Zelandoni, it is an honor to meet you. You will be interested to know I crossed paths with your mate, your son, and his intended mate... I think her name was Ada."
"Azalakesh, you are close as to her name, it is Ava."
"Aahh, that's right. My mind sometimes fails me."
"When did you see them? Did they tell you of firestones?"
"Zelandoni, I was on my way here from Lion Camp when we met. They were three months away from Lion Camp and should have gotten there two weeks ago, and yes, I now have firestones."
"They must be traveling fast; I didn't expect them to reach Lion Camp until about now."
"I told them of a better route to reach Lion Camp and saved them two weeks of travel."
"By the way, Ava is a good-looking woman with that red hair and all. Durcan and she seem to be a perfect match and I envy the young man. Oh yes, I nearly forgot, they all wanted me to tell you of their love if I happened upon you."
"Thank you so much Azalakesh, traveling in the wilderness can be very dangerous and it eases my mind to hear of them."
"Yes, I can understand your relief, but tell me of your current plans if you will. I may be able to shorten your travel time as well."
Pointing to Bandoman, Ayla spoke. "Over there is Bandoman, one of my shadow hunters. He and I will be leaving in the morning and travel six days to The Clan of the Cave Bear. That is where I was raised, and we will winter with them. My other shadow hunter is named Jaradal and he, along with Barrie, Ava's sister, will winter here with the Karren Tribe; Barrie is a Medicine Woman.''
''In the spring Bandoman and I intend to come back to what is left of the Karren tribe to pick up both Barrie and Jaradal, and probably the Karren tribe as a whole and will then begin a trek to Lion Camp; the Karren are expecting to merge with them. In addition, I will have twenty-six former members of the Markaii tribe with me. They will either merge with Lion Camp or travel further and merge with the Zelandonii."
"The Markaii are self-outcasts because they refused to war against some other tribe northwest of their caves. A number of them became nomads and were struggling to find another tribe they could join with." Now Ayla wanted to put Azalakesh more at ease. "Azalakesh, please feel free to call me by my name."
"Most of those in the Zelandonia drop their given name when becoming a Zelandoni but I cherish the name given me by the Clan when I was five summers and, in informal settings, I would prefer you just use my name and not my title."
"Ayla, I would be pleased to do as you request and ask you to feel free to just call me by my shortened name, 'Aza.' Did you not know the Markaii tribe are the people beyond Fifth Cave south? They have elected a new leader named 'Scar' and he is the leader that is causing all the worry for the Zelandonii people in the South. Apparently the Markaii Tribe moved into the area after Willomar quit working as a full-time trader or he would have known of them."
"Aza, I have heard of Scar from listening to the outcasts but didn't know it was his people causing problems for the Southern Zelandonii as I had no knowledge where the Markaii tribe was located. In the past the tribe southeast of the Zelandonii never wanted to expose themselves to us. Our hunters tried to make friends with them multiple times but were repeatedly rebuked." Ayla felt good at being given the information.
"Ayla, I think they feared your people. My guess is sometime in the past they were attacked by nomads who pretended to be friendly, but again, that is only a guess."
"Such is possible, and I can see how something like that would cause a tribe to be wary of other tribes, especially if lives were lost."
"Ayla, if interested, I may be able to save you a full day's walk in getting back to your Clan. I am guessing you crossed the mountain ridge between the Karren and the Clan, am I right?"
"Yes, that was our route," Ayla replied, realizing Aza knew the lands well.
"From here, if you just follow the river south to where it forms a lake of willows, you can then head east and simply cross a small tributary stream and an offshoot creek east of the lake and then head due east to your Clan. Not crossing the mountainside will save you a day's time and walking the riverbed is faster and much easier travel."
"Thank you, I know of the willow lake because that was our path when we were heading east in our search to find my Clan. Jondalar, Durcan, Bandoman, and Jaradal were traveling with me as we were searching to find Durc, my Clan son."
"Yes, Jondalar told me how you and Durc found each other and I congratulate you on being successful in your search. Now, when you reach the Karren in the spring, you should follow the river north to the first mountain range. Follow the base of the mountain going west and you will reach a pass between two mountain ranges. Then go... well, listen, see me in the spring when you reach the Karren and I will tell you the rest. Then it will be fresher in your mind."
"That sounds good Aza, but if I may ask, where do you come from? You speak Zelandonii with an accent I have not heard before. I also have an accent, but it is much different from yours. Please tell me about yourself."
"There is not much to tell. My homeland is across a great sea, but I do not remember any of it as I was just a young child when my parents took me away. It was described to me as being very arid and has lands of sand that go on forever. It is much hotter there than here and does not know snow or freezing cold. In part of the southern land there is a freshwater river the people call 'The Nil' and it has creatures in it like you have never seen. I was told one is longer than a horse and walks on four short legs. It has giant teeth that can tear flesh to shreds, and it can kill a horse with ease.''
''It silently swims the river and swamps The creature can also pretend to be dead on the dry earth by the waterside then erupt in a mad dash to its prey and leaps upon them. Biting hold of its prey, it then drags the animal into the water and drowns the creature before eating it. There are also small fish called 'piran' in the water and they have extremely sharp teeth.''
''If a man were in the water and the fish are present, a hundred or more of the fish would attack in mass and eat him alive in less than a finger of time. My parents told me our people were nomads and My father and mother wanted to find a new land with less heat and more water and to do so, crossed a sea on a raft with a sail."
"Aza, I do not know of this 'sail' what or who is it?"
"A sail is simply wide leaves woven into a framework of wood tied together with sinew. The framework is attached to the raft and the raft moves as the wind blows against the sail. During a three moon cycle float, my parents used a sinew net to catch fish for food and were fortunate to get blown north to this land."
''It rained often, and they collected rainwater to drink since the waters they were sailing on were salty and would make them sick if they drank it. Frequent rains provided drinking water and only two true rainstorms with lightning and thunder came upon them but even during the storms the wind didn't increase much at all. They felt the weather had something to do with the time of summer they made the float."
"That is remarkable Aza! How did you learn to speak Zelandonii?"
"I learned my parent's language as a child and my parent's native tongue is where I gained my accent.''
''When I was eight summers, we joined an Others tribe. We stayed there for seven summers and it was then my mother went to the Spirit World. My father and I moved further east one summer later, and went to the Spirit World when I was twenty summers. No longer with family, I started to wander.''
''A few summers later I mated a Karren woman, and we were together for nine summers. She took ill and died quickly. We enjoyed our time together, but we had no children. I never mated again and began to wander as I had before. I came across Willomar and we hit it off right from the start and he taught me his trading skills. We traveled together for a total of twelve years. Initially this was done for mutual safety in the wild. There were intermittent times when we would be separated within a tribe we reached, and we treated those times as personal recreation time.''
''He was eight summers older than me and at one point decided he had traveled enough. He returned to the Zelandonii before Jondalar brought you to his people and I just kept on trading. By now I knew the lands well and had no desire to stop the trading craft Willomar had taught me. I will add, Willomar wasn't nearly as good in the furs as the women were, but we got by."
"Yes, he told me how you were always after him night after night and how unsatisfied he was whenever he was in the furs with you."
"That man is a liar. He was too satisfied!" At this comment, both broke out in laughter. "It feels good to laugh with you, Ayla."
ooo
"I agree Aza, it does feel good to share laughter."
The following morning, Ayla said goodbyes to Azalakesh, Ronnde, Mairee and child, Jana, Jaradal, and Barrie herself. Sky would stay with Bandoman and Ayla. "Tell me Bandoman, what did you think of Azalakesh?"
"Zelandoni, I could see no wrong in the man. He was very easy to get along with and seems to know the lands well."
"Bandoman, did he tease you at all?"
"Yes, he did tease and make me smile."
"He was the same way with me and was open to my questions about him. Did he speak of his many summers of trading and traveling with Willomar?"
Bandoman now broke out in a chuckle. "Yes, he did speak of Willomar and to speak of his friend in the manner he did, tells me they could not be better friends."
"Sleeping furs?" Ayla said.
"Satisfaction?" Bandoman responded. Now the two were in mutual laughter and were looking forward to teasing Willomar when they reached the Ninth Cave. The teasing would be in private so the old man would not be teased to the extreme by his fellow Zelandonii.
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During Ayla's long term absence, problems for First Zelandoni-south were mostly centered on the merging of the Chimu into the Zelandonii. This was an event that the Chimu people had requested just prior to Ayla's search. This was somewhat challenging for First Zelandoni-south due to the unmated men and women in both the Chimu and the Zelandonii.
Rather than being an insular Chimu society within the Zelandonii, it had been agreed that any ex-Chimu wanting to move to a Zelandonii cave could do so and that any Zelandonii wanting to move to any Chimu cave could do so as well. Everyone was Zelandonii now and as such, they could live wherever they felt comfortable. New names for the caves were a welcome possibility and the nomenclature was a work in process.
As time passed, unmated Chimu women were meeting Zelandonii men and unmated Chimu men were meeting Zelandonii women. The Chimu people were merging well and many joined various Zelandonii caves. A few cases of jealousy arose at the first unified Summer Meeting as some men protested that the new men were seeking the attention of the unmated Zelandonii women. They didn't like the new competition. The same held true for some of the Zelandonii women; the new women are seeking the attention of unmated Zelandonii men.
Open objections drew attention to the twelve men and the fifteen women who were voicing protests. Speaking out as they had done was indirectly making a statement, ''I want a woman to mate with'' and on the other side, ''I want a man to mate with.'' Desires expressed, nature took hold and those protesting began to talk to each other. Seven new couples decided to officially mate in June. Three of the couples were native Zelandonii women and four were new Zelandonii women.
Other 'unresolved' cases were dealt with in private conversations with First Zelandoni-south. She was acting as matchmaker and enjoying the process. The men and women who were still looking for partners formed a new group and decided to call the group 'Mates.'
Meeting once a week, the men and women had the time to take things slow and enjoy getting to know each other. They did activities, projects, and had private parties. As always, nature would continue to take its course.
In the merging of the two peoples no 'Twentieth cave' existed so the number twenty was open for use and the leaders of First Place felt the name 'Twentieth Cave' seemed logical. Those living at Chimu Second Place decided to name themselves 'Twenty-first Cave–Finders Holding.' Chimu 'Third Place' had already been named 'Skull Cave,' and would never be inhabited again.
The Chimu blended in well and no longer called themselves ex-Chimu; they were Zelandonii. The natural mixing of the two peoples put half of the new Zelandonii members into various other caves and some of the native Zelandonii transplanted themselves into the new Twenty first Cave-Finders Holding. Within two summers the various peoples were where they wanted to be; life was good.
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The unknown tribe south of Fifth Cave South were unfriendly but didn't seem to be aggressive, they just wanted to be left alone. First Zelandoni-south had thoughts telling the story; 'The poaching and harassment of game by the tribe southeast of Sixth Cave south is increasing and our Zelandonii hunters in the South are coming back without kills. These people probably speak the same language as we Zelandonii, but the accents are likely to be different.'
'Still, that is no reason for them to scare game away and avoid talking with our hunters, besides, they are hunting in what are known to be Zelandonii lands. Generations of Zelandonii have hunted these lands long before this tribe ever came along. I wonder why these people don't want to at least talk with us about hunting territory. It isn't like they couldn't just hunt the southwest. Why do they persist in hunting our northern lands?'
First Zelandoni-south decided to form a group to officially approach the tribe. She called a group meeting of the Hunt Leaders and the Zelandonia from First, Second, Third, and Fifth Cave-south. She was hopeful the four cave leaders could meet with the disruptive tribe's leader. "Then we agree, the leaders of each affected cave will travel together and will take on the responsibility of our first official attempt to speak with the tribe's leader."
First Zelandoni-south was hopeful she would get a positive outcome from the meeting. "You should approach the tribe's cave as a single group and bring with you a gift of spiced meat. Offer it in peace and ask to speak with the tribes leaders."
The Hunt Leader from Fifth Cave-south knew where the troubling tribe was located because he had tracked the tribe's hunters back to their cave complex after the last harassment. He also found the languages were the same. The trek to the unfriendly tribe only took a day and a half as the ambassadors were stopped by guards before reaching the tribe proper.
"Go back to where you came from, you are not welcome in these lands. Leave now and you will not be harmed."
Leader Kertem replied, "We have a gift of spiced meat and would speak to your leader."
Being the closest leader to the guard that had stopped his group, Kertem was who the guard was speaking to.
"Your meat is not wanted or accepted. I have asked you to leave in peace. If you are unwilling to do so, I warn of injury coming upon your group. Stay away from our hunting lands and away from us. Now go!" There was no kindness in the guard's voice and his message was clear. The attempt to contact the tribe's leader was a waste.