Chapter 5
Ayla was checking on Rydag when someone came walking into the tent. Lomie Wolf camps Mamut walked over and asked her. How is the boy doing today? Ayla replied, The fluid is gone and he is breathing easier, and his heart seems stronger. When Lomie sat down next to the boy Ayla signed, Rydag, this is Lomie, and she is a healer like me. Rydag looked at Lomie and signed, Greeting Lomie, I am glad to meet another healer. She looked at Ayla and she told her what the boy had said. Lomie looked at her and said, I have wondered for a long time about the ones like this boy. And why are they here? Ayla told her that she thought that it was the mixing of spirits between a flathead and people like us. Our men create them when they share pleasures with the females or flathead men with our females. Lomie said, I have thought the same for a long time. But most people will not tell anyone that they have done such a thing as that. The two women sat and talked and when Rydag sat up Lomie picked him up and sat him on her knee. They talked about medicines and how they were used. Lomie described a woman's symptoms and asked Ayla how she would treat her. Ayla gave her the names of several medicines that the woman could use and also said that she could even make a cough syrup out of one. Then Ayla said. I'll make some for you if you would like? The woman looked at Ayla and gave her a sly smile and said, Yes, please. Ayla and Mamut were talking a few days later when Latie came into the tent and asked if she could speak to them. They both nodded and she said, I started my moon time today. Ayla told her that she would need to go to the tent where the not yet women were staying. Just then Tulie came in and Mamut called her over. He told her about it. Tulie told her to get her furs and come with her to the tent. Ayla looked at Latie and wondered who they would get for her first rites. Later Nezzie came in and they talked, just then Torvon came in and Ayla called him over and asked him if he would do it for Latie. He thought for a moment and asked, Do you want me to do this? She replied Yes. Alright I'll do it. He said. They held the first rites three weeks later and the next day Latie came back to tent with a big smile on her face. When she saw Ayla smiling back she blushed and lowered her eyes. Later she walked over to Latie and asked how she felt now that she was a woman. Latie blushed again and said It was the most beautiful night I have ever had. Thank you for letting Torvon be there for me. Ayla replied, You are my friend and you needed someone there to make it good for you. I am sure that after a year Torvon will want you at a mother festival. Latie said, Oh, do you really think so. Ayla said, Yes, I am sure he will. Ayla had been working with some of the other healers and had learned some new things and she had shown them some things as well. Lomie was very satisfied with the talents of the young woman. She felt that Ayla would be one of the best healers of the Mamutoi. It was getting close to the first matrimonial and Deegie and Branag were to mate. The first hunt had been bison and the hunt turned out well. Two days before Ayla asked Torvon if he wanted to mate also. He looked at her and said, “Yes, I would love to make it official in the eyes of the mother. They went to Mamut and asked him to include them as they had never been mated. They went to Deegie and told her that they would be mated that day also. The two women hugged and started making plans. The day of the matrimonial arrived and Ayla and Deegie were both very happy. Ayla found out that she and Torvon would have to leave on a trial period after the ceremony. She went to Lomie and asked, Could you keep an eye on Rydag while I am gone, just in case something comes up.†Lomie replied, Yes, I'll check on him every day until you get back. Besides he and I can talk some more. He and Mamut have been teaching me the silent language. That is a very bright and funny young man. She and Torvon left camp the day after the ceremony and were gone for fourteen days. It was the first time that they had been all alone since before they had met Lion camp and they relished in the time they had together. They had ridden for two days from camp before they stopped to make camp, ten days later they broke camp and on the the evening of the fourteenth day they arrived at the meeting. When they returned they found Mamut, Rydag and Lomie sitting next to the fire outside the tent and both Mamut and Lomie were laughing. Looking at Rydag Lomie said, He was perfect Ayla. He didn't give us any problems. Rydag got up and went to Ayla and signed, I missed you very much mother Ayla. She hugged him and signed, I missed you too young man. Ayla sat near Lomie holding him and said, He looks much better than he did before. I know there is nothing that can fix his heart but he does look better. Lomie said, His fluid started building again but we caught it before it got too bad. Just then Latie walked in and said, Ayla, I think the Mother has blessed me. Ayla and Lomie took her into the tent and examined her. Lomie said, It does not happen often but you were blessed at your first rites. The Mother must have used Torvon's spirit when she blessed you.†said Ayla The summer meeting was going good, the women of the camps had seen the tread puller at work and there was such a demand that Ranec had to get some help to keep pace with the demand. There had been no more flare ups like the first day they had arrived. Torvon and Wymez had been showing the spear thrower to the stone workers and wood workers. There was a lot of interest in the weapon and Torvon was teaching those who wanted to learn how to use the weapon. Many were practicing with it every day. Ayla even saw the tall blond Zelandonii and his brother working with it. She was teaching the use of the sling to those who wanted to learn. She said that you could not always have a spear thrower with you. Soon she had some of the older men that didn't hunt much anymore then she noticed Jondalar watching her one day. She was headed back to the tent one afternoon when Jondalar caught up with her and complemented her on her skill with the sling. He wondered how she had perfected the double throw. She told him about going for a lynx once and missing and it almost killed her, it was a long time before she went out to hunt again. And that was after she learned to throw two stones quickly. When they reached their tent Jondalar said goodbye and continued to the tent he was staying in. As she entered everyone was talking about a hunt that would take place in two days. There had been a mammoth sighting and they were going to go after them. Ayla and Torvon would take the horses so they could use them to haul the meat back to camp afterwards. Two days later they left camp headed north toward the glacier. They were on the trail for three days when the bugs got to be a big problem. The gnats were creating problems in the eyes of the hunters and the horses and the biting bugs were giving the hunters fits. Ayla made up a cream for the eyes and another for the hunters to rub on their bodies to keep the bugs away. Both worked and in a few days they were away from the bugs. As they got closer to the glacier it got colder. They had brought some winter clothing with them just in case the mammoth were found. When they made camp one night Ayla thought she heard a rumbling sounds. When she woke up the next morning she came out and saw the glacier towering above them. When they walked out toward the glacier they came across some large chunks ice that had broken away from the glacier. She and Torvon climbed up and looked around and she saw what looked like something moving toward them. She called down to Talut and he came up and looked. The he exclaimed, Ayla you have made me a very happy man. Now if we could just find a place to drive them in to that would be great.†She looked to the left and asked, Would this work, they could be driven into this and there is no way out that I can see. Talut said, Again you have made me a happy man. Talut called the other leaders and it was decided they would drive the animals into this area then start hunting them. When they asked how, Ayla showed them the firestones and told them that all of lion camps hunters had a fire starting kit with them. They could make torches out of the dead grass then light them when they were ready for the drive. They broke up into five groups with a lion camp member in each group. When each group was in position they lit their torches and started the animals moving in the direction they wanted. Ayla and Torvon were riding and when an animal tried to break away they would ride up with a torch and chase them back. Once the animals went into the ice enclosed area the hunters started moving faster. Now the hunters moved in and started throwing their spears at the mammoths. Some of the hunters were still using the old throwing spears but most had the new spear throwers. They had good luck and brought down eight animals. Afterwards they started butchering the animals and loading the meat on the pole drags built by Ayla and Torvon and the backboards that the hunters would carry. When everything was loaded they headed back toward the summer meeting camp. This time they went around the area where they had encountered the bugs. It took longer but they made good time since they weren't fighting the bugs. Six days later they walked into the camp with their load of meat. Ayla and Lomie were talking when Nezzie came in and asked them to come take a look at Rydag. Ayla went ahead and when she got there the young man was having trouble breathing, when Lomie arrived they both looked at the boy and she asked, Rydag, have you been taking your medicine. He answered, Yes, but it not help. Ayla asked Lomie if there was anything she could think of that they could do. Lomie just shook her head and said, No. Rydag touched Ayla's arm and signed, Don't feel bad, soon I not hurt anymore. She looked at him and said, Who is the medicine woman here? I am! A moment later the boy was asleep. Ayla walked out and started crying. She knew that there was nothing she could do for the boy. She was still outside crying when Nezzie came out of the tent crying as well. Lomie came out looked at Ayla and shook her head. Her friend the one who reminded her of her son was gone. Wolf also showed his grief by howling next to the boy's body, Ayla went back into the tent and took wolf out for a run with the horses. When everyone recovered Ayla and Nezzie went to see Lomie. They wanted to find out if the could have a burial for the boy. Lomie told them that she had gone to the Mamutii and had told them that if they didn't allow the service that they would by denying everything they had learned about the mother and creation. They went back to the tent and started to prepare the body for burial. Lomie had shown them where they could dig the boy's grave. After the service they returned to the tent to grieve by themselves. Everyone from Lion camp felt the loss of the boy. He had taken care of the smaller children when the mothers were busy. After they had learned that he could communicate they knew just how smart and funny the boy could be and he would be greatly missed. Three days later they announced that they would hold a mother festival in honor of the good hunt. Ayla and the rest of the camp didn't fell much like celebrating but they would go. When they arrived the festival was in full swing. Ayla noticed Jondalar walking toward her and she knew that he was going to ask her and she was not interested in being with someone she didn't know, besides she had seen something in his eyes that she didn't like. She saw Ranrc and asked him if he would share pleasures with her and as they headed toward their tent, she saw Jondalar turn away with a disappointed look and go to someone else. When they got to her furs they undressed and crawled into them. It took a few moments for either of them to get into what they were doing but they did enjoy them once they got into it. Later after Ranrc left Torvon came in and lay down beside her. She told him that she had shared pleasures with Ranrc but didn't feel like doing anymore tonight. He said, I was also with someone but could not enjoy it. I'll stay with you. And he lay there holding her while she cried. The next morning Ayla felt better and was outside drinking tea when Deegie and Branag came by. It was getting close to the time for the last matrimonial and then the close of the meeting. Ayla told them she felt she was ready to go back to Lion camp now. Lomie came by sometime later and they talked about Rydag and what he had meant to the entire camp. Lomie said, Remember him with fondness and not sadness because he was a gift from the Mother.†That evening Ayla told the people in the tent what Lomie had told her. They spent the night remembering all the happy times with the mixed child. The next day everyone from Lion camp was in a good mood. The last few weeks of the meeting were uneventful and on the last day Lion camp said goodbye to Wolf camp. The trip home was sad because they had left Rydag behind. But they were happy to be going home. Ayla also knew that she had been blessed. Deegie and Tarneg were planning the set up their own camp. They had talked to a number of young couples and had gotten a commitment from six of them. There was a young acolyte from Wolf camp that was trained as a healer and wanted to be their Mamut. Lomie had said to let her know when they needed him. First they had to find a location for the camp and a name. Since their hearth had been the Aurochs hearth Tarneg said that would most likely be their camp name. His mate Avana would stay with her mother until they found the location. When they were back home Torvon, Tarneg, Braneg, Danug, Druwez and Ranec went out scouting for a location close to Lion camp. They returned a week later and said there was a site about two and a half days east of Lion camp that would be perfect. Torvon said he would ride back to Wolf camp and let those that wanted to join the new camp to meet at Lion camp as soon as possible. Riding at a gallop he was there and back in a little over a week. And he had brought Avana with him. He told them the others would be there as soon as they could. They would need to get Over the next few weeks the six couples and their new Mamut arrived. When everyone was there Lion camp moved out to the new site in the west. As soon as they arrived they set up their large communal tent and started the ground work for the new lodge. Within three weeks the earth lodge was up and the people were moving into their new hearths. Lion camp stayed in their large communal tent. Mamut and the new Mamut of Aurochs camp set a date for a hunt for the camp and a mother festival to follow. They called for scouts and Ayla and Torvon went out. They located a small herd of bison and shadowed them until they were less than a day from camp. They rode in and told everyone where the herd was and they should make it to the area tomorrow or the next day. The next morning the camps left headed for the location where Ayla and Torvon thought they should be. They spotted the herd headed in their direction and pulled back so that they were down wind When the animals were close the hunters ran out and threw their spears. Ayla and Torvon rode out to the herd and got four animals themselves. They turned back to where the other hunters were and saw eight more bison either dead or dying. They started skinning and butchering the animals. The women and older children came out to help. Ayla and Torvon went and brought up the pole drags to help get the meat back to Aurochs camp. Once the meat was stored in the cold rooms the women started cooking two large bison roasts and some vegetables for the meal. Talut had brought his bouza and the festival was getting underway. Just as people are pairing off Deegie goes into labor. Ayla and Tarneg had just crawled into her furs when Tronie came running into the mammoth hearth calling her. Ayla pulled back the drape and Tronie told her Deegie's labor had started. She jumped from the platform and grabbing her medicine bag and ran toward Deegie at the Aurochs hearth. The other women were also not dressed and Ayla started barking orders at everyone. The labor was not long and the baby's head was crowning when she arrived. Before Deegie knew what was going on Ayla was laying her daughter in her arms. The mood in the lodge had changed and most people had gone and gotten dressed now they were celebrating the newest member of the camp. The birth of the first child of Aurochs camp and it was the co-leader's daughter that she named Tula. Torvon walked over to mammoth hearth and brought Ayla her clothing. Once she was dressed she sat next to Deegie and they talked about the new camp and what they wanted to do. A few days later Lion camp was getting ready to head home, Branag and Torvon were standing watching their mates say goodbye. Both women were crying and holding each other. They were acting like they would never see each other again or they would be years apart instead of only three days apart. As they started out Ayla was still crying she had never had a friend like Deegie before and now she would not be there every day. Torvon walked along side her and said that they would go to Aurochs camp anytime she wanted to see their friends. She placed her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Latie came walking up and asked, Can we go to the Valley and catch some baby horses now? Ayla laughted and said, Latie, you will need to talk to Talut about that. The young woman ran off shouting, Talut, Talut can we go get the horses now?