The Earth's Children Series 6-Book Bundle

by Jean M. Auel

  “Who is she mating?” Ayla asked, after everyone was settled, picking up the thread of the recent disclosure.

  “Some friend of Laramar’s who was staying with him and that bunch at the fa’lodge, the one they aren’t using anymore,” Proleva said. “He’s a stranger, but Zelandonii, I understand.”

  “He comes from a group of Caves that lie along Big River to the west of here. I heard he came to our Summer Meeting with a message for someone, and decided to stay. I don’t know if he knew them before, but he got along well with Laramar and the rest of that bunch,” Joharran said.

  “I think I know the one,” Jondalar said.

  “He’s been staying at the camp of the Fifth Cave, since they left that fa’lodge, and Marona has been staying there, too. That’s where he met her,” Proleva said.

  “I didn’t think Marona wanted to mate again, and he seems rather young. I wonder why she would choose him,” Jondalar said.

  “Maybe she didn’t have much choice,” Proleva said.

  “But everyone says she’s so beautiful, she could have almost anyone she wanted,” Ayla said.

  “For a night, but not for a mate,” Danug said. “I hear people talk. The men she’s mated before don’t speak very well of her.”

  “And she’s never had any children,” Proleva said. “Some people say she can’t have any. That could make her less desirable to some men, but I guess it doesn’t matter to her intended. She is going with him to his Cave.”

  “I think I met him,” Ayla said, “when I was walking back from the Lanzadonii camp with Echozar one night. I can’t say that I cared much for him. Why did he move out of that fa’lodge?”

  “They all did after their personal things were taken,” Joharran said.

  “I heard something about that, but I wasn’t paying much attention at the time,” Jondalar said.

  “Someone took things?” Ayla said.

  “Someone took personal things from just about everyone who was staying at that fa’lodge,” Joharran said.

  “Why would anyone do something like that?” Ayla asked.

  “I don’t know, but Laramar was pretty upset when he found out that a new winter outfit he’d just traded for was missing, not to mention his pack carrier and most of his barma. Someone else was missing new mittens, another man lost a good knife, and almost all the food was gone,” Joharran said.

  “Does anyone know who did it?” Jondalar asked.

  “Two people are missing, Brukeval and Madroman,” Joharran said. “Brukeval left without anything, as far as anyone knows. The other men who were staying at the fa’lodge claim most of his things were still there after he left, but later most of them were missing, and so are Madroman’s.”

  “I heard Zelandoni tell someone that Madroman did not return the sacred objects he received as an acolyte,” Proleva said.

  “I saw Madroman leaving!” Ayla said, suddenly remembering.

  “When?” Joharran asked.

  “It was the day the Ninth Cave shared a feast with the Lanzadonii. I was the only one at camp, and just coming out of the lodge. He gave me a look of such hatred, it actually frightened me, but he seemed to be in a big hurry. I remember thinking there was something odd about him. Then I realized I hardly ever saw him without his acolyte tunic, but this time he was wearing regular clothes, except I thought it was strange that his outfit was decorated with Ninth Cave symbols, not Fifth Cave.”

  “That’s where Laramar’s new outfit went,” Joharran said. “I wondered if it was him.”

  “Do you think Madroman took it?” Ayla said.

  “Yes, and everything else that was taken.”

  “I think you’re right, Joharran,” Jondalar said.

  “I would guess he didn’t want to face people after the disgrace of being rejected by the zelandonia, at least not the people who knew him,” Danug said.

  “I wonder where he went,” Proleva said.

  “He’s probably going to try to find some other people to live with,” Joharran said. “That’s why he took the things. He knows winter is coming and he didn’t know where he would be staying.”

  “What will he do to get some strange group to accept him? He doesn’t have a skill, and he never was much of a hunter. I heard he never went out hunting again after he joined the zelandonia, not even on a drive,” Jondalar said.

  “Anyone can do that and almost everyone does. Children love going out and beating the bushes, and making a lot of noise to flush rabbits and other animals out and then chasing them toward hunters or into a net,” Proleva said.

  “Madroman does have a skill. That’s why he didn’t return the sacred objects he got from the zelandonia,” Joharran said. “That’s what he’ll do. He’ll be a Zelandoni.”

  “But he’s not a Zelandoni!” Ayla said. “He lied about being called.”

  “But some strange group of people won’t know that,” Danug said.

  “He’s been around the zelandonia for so many years, he knows how to act like one. He’ll lie again,” Proleva said.

  “Do you think he would really do that?” Ayla asked, appalled at the very idea.

  “You should tell Zelandoni you saw him leave, Ayla,” Proleva said.

  “And the other leaders should know,” Joharran said. “Maybe we can bring it up before your meeting tomorrow, Jondalar. At least it will give people something else to talk about besides you.”

  Ayla’s eyes opened wide. “So soon?” she said. “Proleva, I am going to be there.”

  They were outside on the level ground in front of the sloping sides of the large natural amphitheater. Laramar was seated, and though his face was still somewhat swollen, he appeared to have essentially recovered from the beating he had received at the hands of the man facing him, except for the scars and battered nose from which he would never recover. Jondalar tried not to flinch as he stood in the bright afternoon sunlight looking at the man whose face was so badly damaged. He would not have been recognized by people who knew him well, if they hadn’t known who he was. Originally there had been some talk that Laramar might lose an eye, and Jondalar was grateful that he had not.

  It was ostensibly a meeting of the Ninth Cave and the Fifth Cave, with the zelandonia as mediators, but since any interested parties were free to attend, nearly everyone who had come to the Summer Meeting was curious and had indicated “interest.” Though the Ninth Cave would have preferred to have waited until later for this confrontation, after the summer gathering of Zelandonii was over, the Fifth Cave had insisted. Since they were being asked to accept Laramar, they wanted to know what they and Laramar could expect as compensation from Jondalar and the Ninth Cave.

  Jondalar and Laramar had met for the first time since the incident just before the public meeting inside the zelandonia lodge, along with Joharran, Kemordan, the leader of the Fifth Cave, each Cave’s Zelandoni, and several other leaders and zelandonia. They knew Marthona was not strong, and she was told that she did not need to be at the meeting, especially since Laramar’s mother was no longer alive, but she would have none of it. Jondalar was her son and she was going to be there. The mates of both of them were not a part of the first meeting either since they both presented complications. Ayla, because she had played such a large role in the incident, and Laramar’s mate, because she did not want to move to the Fifth Cave with him, another aspect that would have to be dealt with.

  Jondalar was quick to say how sorry he was, and how much he regretted his actions, but Laramar had nothing but disdain for the tall, handsome brother of the leader of the Ninth Cave. For one of the first times in his life, Laramar had the high ground; he was in the right, he had done nothing wrong, and he wasn’t going to give up any of his advantage.

  There was a slight buzz of conversation among the audience when the participants walked out of the lodge as news that Ayla had seen Madroman leaving the Campsite wearing clothing he had very likely stolen from Laramar was passed around. It was followed by an undercurrent of comment speculating
about the various ramifications: Jondalar’s and the First’s past history with Madroman, his rejection from the zelandonia and Ayla’s role in it, and why she was the only one who saw him leave. People settled in to watch the events full of anticipation. It wasn’t often that they were presented with the opportunity to observe so much high drama. The whole summer was proving to be an exciting one that would fill many long slow winter days with meat for discussion, and stories for seasoning.

  “We have some serious matters to resolve today,” the First started. “These are not matters of the Spirit World but problems between Her children and we ask that Doni observe our deliberations and help us to speak the truth, to think clearly, and to reach fair decisions.”

  She took out a small carved sculpture and held it up. It was the figure of a full-bodied woman with the legs tapering to barely suggested feet. Though they could not distinctly see the object she held in her hand, they all knew that it was a donii, a place for the all-encompassing spirit of the Great Earth Mother or at least some essential part of Her nature, to reside. A tall cairn of stones, almost a pillar, with a large base of fairly big stones tapering up to a flattened top of sandy gravel, had been constructed in the center of the level area.

  With a decided flourish, the First Among Those Who Served The Mother planted the feet of the donii into the gravel and propped Her up for all to see. The primary purpose of the donii in this context was to prevent deliberate lying, and She was a strong deterrent. When the Mother’s spirit was expressly invoked to watch, everyone knew any lies would be seen by Her and brought to light; while someone might lie and get away with it for the moment, eventually the truth would come out, and usually with far worse repercussions. Not that there was not any great danger of anyone lying today, but it could still be a limiting influence on any tendency to exaggerate.

  “Shall we begin,” the First said. “There were many witnesses, so I don’t think we need to go into any great detail about the circumstances. During the recent Festival to Honor the Mother, Jondalar found his mate Ayla sharing the Mother’s Gift of Pleasures with Laramar. Both Ayla and Laramar joined together of their own desire. There was no force, no compulsion. Is that correct, Ayla?”

  She hadn’t expected to be questioned so quickly, to have all the attention of the people suddenly brought to bear on her. It caught her by surprise, but she wouldn’t have known how to lie about it if she had wanted to.

  “Yes, Zelandoni. That is true.”

  “Is that true, Laramar?”

  “Yeah, she was more than willing. She came after me,” he said.

  The First fought a slight urge to caution him about exaggeration, but continued on. “And then what happened?” She was deciding whether to ask Ayla or Jondalar, but Laramar jumped in.

  “You can see what happened. The next thing I know, Jondalar was punching me in the face,” he said.

  “Jondalar?”

  The tall man bowed his head and swallowed. “That’s what happened. I saw him with Ayla, and I dragged him off her and started hitting him. I know it was wrong. I have no excuse,” Jondalar said, knowing in his heart even as he said it that he would do it again.

  “Do you know why you hit him, Jondalar?” the First asked.

  “I was jealous,” he mumbled.

  “You were jealous, is that what you said?”

  “Yes, Zelandoni.”

  “If you had to express your jealousy, Jondalar, couldn’t you have just pulled them apart? Did you have to hit him?”

  “I couldn’t stop myself. And once I started …” Jondalar shook his head.

  “Once he started, no one could stop him, he even hit me!” the leader of the Fifth said. “He was beside himself, in some kind of a frenzy. I don’t know what we would have done if that big Mamutoi hadn’t got hold of him.”

  “That’s why he’s so ready to take in Laramar,” Folara whispered to Proleva, but easily heard by those around her. “He’s mad that he couldn’t stop Jondé, and got hit when he tried.”

  “He also likes Laramar’s barma, but he may discover that Laramar is no shiny piece of amber,” Proleva said. “He is not exactly the first one I would ask to join my Cave.” She turned her attention back to the center.

  “This is the reason,” Zelandoni was saying, “that we try to teach the senselessness of jealousy. It can get out of hand. Do you understand that, Jondalar?”

  “Yes, I do. It was stupid of me, and I’m very sorry. I’ll do whatever you say to make up for it. I want to make amends.”

  “He can’t make up for it,” Laramar said. “He can’t fix my face, just like he couldn’t put the teeth back in Madroman’s mouth.”

  The First gave Laramar a look of annoyance. That was uncalled for, she thought. It wasn’t necessary to bring that up. He doesn’t have the least idea how much Jondalar was provoked in that situation. But she kept her thoughts to herself.

  “But reparations were paid,” Marthona said loudly.

  “And I expect them to be paid again!” Laramar retorted.

  “What do you expect?” the First asked. “What redress are you asking? What do you want, Laramar?”

  “What I want is to punch his pretty face in,” Laramar said.

  There was a gasp from the audience.

  “That is no doubt true, but it is not a remedy allowed by the Mother. Do you have any other thoughts about how you would like him to make amends?” the Donier asked.

  Laramar’s mate stood up. “He keeps making bigger dwellings for himself. Why don’t you ask him to make a big new dwelling for your family, Laramar?” she called out.

  “That might be a possibility, Tremeda,” the First said, “but where would you want it made, at the Ninth Cave, or the Fifth Cave, Laramar?”

  “That’s no compensation for me,” Laramar said. “What do I care what kind of dwelling she lives in? She’ll just turn it into a filthy mess anyway.”

  “You don’t care about where your children live, Laramar?” the First asked.

  “My children? They’re not mine, not if what you say is true. If coupling is the way they start, I didn’t start any of them … except maybe the first. I haven’t coupled, much less had any ‘Pleasures’ with her in years. Believe me, she’s no Pleasure. I don’t know where those children came from, maybe Mother Festivals—give a man enough to drink and even she might look good—but whoever started them, it wasn’t me. The only thing that woman is good for is drinking my barma,” Laramar sneered.

  “That is certainly true. Lanoga has taken care of her siblings more than her mother and now Lanidar is helping. But they are too young to take on so much responsibility,” Proleva said from the audience.

  “Laramar, they are still the children of your hearth. It is your responsibility to provide for them,” the One Who Was First said. “You cannot just decide you don’t want them.”

  “Why not? I don’t want them. They never meant anything to me. She doesn’t even care about them. Why should I?”

  The leader of the Fifth Cave was looking just as horrified as everyone else at Laramar’s callous denunciation of the children of his hearth, and in the audience, Proleva whispered, “I told you he was no shiny piece of amber.”

  “Then who do you expect to take care of the children of your hearth, Laramar?” Zelandoni said.

  The man stopped and frowned. “For all I care, Jondalar can. There’s nothing he can give me that I want. He can’t give me back my face, and I can’t have the satisfaction of giving him what he gave me. He’s so eager to take care of things, to make amends, let him take care of that lazy, loud-mouthed, manipulating shrew and her brood,” Laramar said.

  “He may owe you a lot, Laramar, but that’s too much to ask of a man who has a family of his own, to take on the responsibility of a family the size of yours,” Joharran said.

  “Never mind, Joharran. I’ll do it,” Jondalar said. “If that’s what he wants, I’ll do it. If he isn’t going to take responsibility for his own hearth, someone has to. Those c
hildren need someone to care about them.”

  “Don’t you think you should talk to Ayla about it first?” Proleva said from the audience. “That much responsibility will take away from her own family.” Not that they don’t already take more care of that family than either Laramar or Tremeda, the woman thought, but didn’t say aloud.

  “No, Proleva. He’s right,” Ayla said. “I’m responsible, too, for what Jondalar did to Laramar. I didn’t realize what it would come to, but I’m just as much at fault. If taking on the responsibility for his family will satisfy Laramar, then we should do it.”

  “Well, Laramar, is that what you want?” the First said.

  “Yeah, if it will keep the rest of you off me, why not?” Laramar said, then he laughed. “You’re welcome to her, Jondalar.”

  “What about you, Tremeda? Is that satisfactory to you?” Zelandoni said.

  “Will he build me a new dwelling, like the one he’s making for her?” she asked, pointing at Ayla.

  “Yes, I will make sure you have a new dwelling,” Jondalar said. “Do you want it made at the Ninth Cave or the Fifth?”

  “Well, if I’m going to be your second woman, Jondalar,” she said, trying to be coy, “I might as well stay at the Ninth. That’s my home, anyway.”

  “Hear me, Tremeda,” Jondalar said, looking directly at her. “I am not taking you as a second woman. I said I would assume the responsibility to provide for you and your children. I said I would build you a dwelling. That is the full extent of my obligation to you. I am doing this as reparation for the injury I did to your mate. In no way are you anything close to a second woman to me, Tremeda! Is that understood?”

  Laramar laughed. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Jondalar. I told you she was a manipulating shrew. She’ll use you any way she can.” He laughed again. “You know, maybe this isn’t going to be so bad. It just might give me some satisfaction to see you have to put up with her.”

  “Are you sure you want to go swimming there, Ayla?” Jondalar asked.