They looked so happy. When the Mother had spoken the earth had moved and The River path was now blocked by a huge fall of rock. Ayla fell asleep to the comforting sounds of Clan life, the small sounds of people settling in for the night, a child's plaintive cry, the rustle of sleeping furs as others found their places for the night. She wasn't sure if she herself would be this open to criticism if the situation were reversed. ", "They don't like them and treat them coldly. The Clan of the Cave Bear and its sequels are prehistoric fiction about Ayla, a Cro-Magnon orphan with light-colored hair and eyes who grows up among Neanderthals with dark hair and eyes, but wants to find others who look like her. Those would be the young hunters who would take most of the dry-preserved meat with them on pole-drags. "Most of her people fought against the renegade followers of the false shaman so I believe them to be good people as well. That way the Chimu would easily be able to bring enough trade goods to the gathering, even if they had to make several trips back and forth. I'm sorry," she smiled, "you probably already guessed that. She still out does anyone else when planning a feast," Ayla said with true admiration. I just wish we lived at the same cave," Folrian said wistfully, looking up at the boy who was a year older than her. If someone ran from it, they would have to live off the land and Ayla thought that Madroman had not developed many skills that would help him survive an attempted escape into that arid land. I have never been anything but proud of my Clan son. He never had to speak to a strange Zelandoni before and he wasn't sure what to do. "Mother, father Cambarre and I have decided what we will name our child," she announced. He was enthusiastic about their abilities to aid a hunter. "I like to do things that will help you, I know how much you have to think about and this will be one less worry. Ayla watched Jondalar with tears streaming down her cheeks. No one would have been able to stop the huge cat before she had been sent on her way to the Spirit World. Ayla spent some time with the boy; she wanted him to understand that they were special friends. Deep down, she wanted to be relieved of the responsibility of leading the Zelandonia. It would save the Lanzadonii travel time knowing the river trail was altered and they would need to take the Ridge trail. "What happens when you sprinkle tea leaves into the same boiling water?" "I understand you feel that way. Jondalar asked, not seeing the young white wolf in his spot by the door. Our first priority will be to recover your daughter and Cambarre, but we will also look for these renegades that roam the forest and if we find them we may find your missing ones at the same time. "Fine, but only if you go with your sister. Jonayla patted Gray's muzzle affectionately. When the man turned to Ayla she saw his face. At some time in the distant past someone had chiseled Zelandoni symbols into the living rock around the cave opening. As the one who was the highest ranked among the Zelandonia, it fell to Ayla to conclude the issue, but she asked if anyone else wished to speak. ", The Donier smiled, "Hunter. "No, she was just living alone. Ayla walked down the central pathway to the back of the cave. That is no excuse for my mistake, but the mistake saved his life. It seemed like each member knew instinctively what the other was thinking. "Hopefully some of the changes are to your liking" Cambarre gave Jonayla an impish grin then pulled her tightly to his side as they walked toward their lodge. That was interesting, he had just been thinking about them and then suddenly there they were! the woman storyteller rounded on Ralev as if she were truly mad at him. Bullies and thieves are never satisfied. Which one was it? But you're right, he's not recovered enough to ride yet; of course try and tell him that." 6. It was still early summer and he could have crossed the big glacier and found a more receptive people where he could have started over. They don't think that way. Her Earth's Children series has sold more than 45 million copies worldwide and includes The Clan of the Cave Bear, The Valley of Horses, The Mammoth Hunters, The Plains of Passage, The Shelters of Stone, and The Land of Painted Caves.Her extensive research has earned her the respect of archaeologists and anthropologists around the world. Trees were slanting left then right, up then down. At least to him. Durc thrived because of her care and the kindness and understanding of other members of the Clan. She missed the intimacy and the quiet moments they shared together, lying in their furs talking quietly while stroking each other in a leisurely unhurried way. Just as life becomes death, red becomes dark black. But either way they needed the meat, so he sent one hunter running back for the women and their own medicine woman. This was her Matrimonial necklace, the one given to her by Zelandoni, who had once been the First Zelandoni who was her friend. They had talked earlier and had come to some decisions that she would now share with their family members. Yes, there needs to be a book of closure. After a couple of hours, Durcan realized that he had to get back to his hunt. Thankfully, the lion twisted his body toward the sounds for a moment, giving her a chance to reach down and pick up the Clan spear. It is like that in many things, don't you think? He knew he should either announce himself or turn and leave, but he still stood stealthily in the shadows of the trees and watched the woman walk into the center of the meadow. If I can track a pack of wolves and observe them for hours at a time, day after day and not be noticed by them, I think I can do at least as well with humans. And what are we supposed to do with the wild man she has captured and brought with her? Why have you caused all this trouble? She would miss this place, maybe someday she and Jondalar could return, just the two of them, for a few days. The spearhead was buried deep and would have to be cut out, causing further damage. Jonayla had found an appropriate size tree and Cambarre had gone directly to the task and would continue until the grave marker was sized and shaped properly. We would also have to make a surround and the horses would be gone before we could do that. She hadn't known Madroman that well, but what she had known about him hadn't made her like or trust him. Brukeval raised his spearthrower as if to slam a spear into her, but he held back, he looked into her eyes, his own eyes misty with tears, then his body was slammed backwards as a spear shaft materialized in the center of his chest and within the same breath another took him in the throat, tearing a great chunk of flesh away. She signed an apology, but then went on to tell him in his own language that she and her man would follow them willingly. "Jondalar, I'm alright. Mongar remembered them both. She then blew on the live spark and quickly began to build the fire, adding twigs then some of the wood that Jondalar had brought. It is a poor trade for something as valuable as the sacred memory root, but it is all that I have left. I have been speaking to Jondalar about Brukeval and I want you all to understand how I feel about him and why I'm here. He looked wild and free, with his sun reddened face and wide smile. It's so important that we have a resourceful leader in these times. Do you understand Groog?". The decisions made, they all dispersed to their home lodges or to the gather fields to visit friends or extended family members. This hunt would be risky. I needed to get away from everything for a while and Lorala kept me company. You are supposed to be caring for your father," Ayla said, as the two women came together in an enthusiastic embrace then stood back looking at each other. "Stop that! He says both are attacking them and even killing some of them." It was here that Durcan almost stepped on the wolf. ", "Yes, but you have to admit the first person to realize the use of horses had to be very clever indeed," Camma said. "Mother! Brukeval and his uninjured men left right away, saying they were hunting flatheads and that they would be back later. Each member of the community would be required to transport a portion of the construction materials back with them on their family's pole-drag, to be stored in a rock lined pit within the abri that housed them all. Joharran, leader of the Ninth Cave, Manvelar, leader of the Third Cave, Trivodan, leader of the First Southern Cave and Tormaden, leader of the Nineteenth Cave stood before Ayla. I wish I could have spent more time at the Summer Meeting this year so I could have met my son's new friends, but there was so much happening I had to spend a considerable time away." I know that the Donier of Horsehead Rock as well as Elder Hearth have put themselves forward, but you're the obvious choice. "Creb adopted me. Durcan smiled with pride at being included as one of the men. It was her ashes that were now being carried back there to be placed with those who had been First before her. She gently closed Wolf's eyes and knew that he had loved her as much as she had loved him. Just as he realized that they might actually be the man and woman their leader had ordered them to seek out, the woman stopped and stared directly at him. Also, the holding was one of the smaller caves with only twenty-nine people. He was so surprised that he didn't even think to discipline her for looking into his eyes so boldly. Ayla was bone-weary as she slid from Summer Child's back. She knew he was formally addressing him and not her, but she didn't really mind. "Yes my son, forgive me for stating the obvious, I'll try not to do it again." Cambarre had returned to collect Star from his captivity under the shady tree. By now she had become a curiosity to the Clan children. Soon it was time for the people of the Ninth Cave to leave for the north. She knew her mother had nothing of value with her, certainly nothing that was equal to the value of the fever fungus. His friends now think of him as special rather than the son of a woman who had birthed an abomination. All they wanted was to be close to the First Zelandoni who had the Sky Wolf. I blame myself for what has happened, if I had been more skeptical, I would have seen what this "Skytalker" Shaman really was. "Creb! Rubio, Jamicon and the other children watched them grow smaller as the distance between them lengthened. "When you get close enough to the horse, slowly, but firmly compliment the horse and tell them about all their good characteristics to make them feel calmer around you," she said, reaching out. If someone does someday it will be their calling. The hostilities were over and the men who had left their people to follow the false Shaman had been brought back. Jonayla slowly led the colt out and handed the lead rope to Camma. She belonged to the Cro-Magnon community and was considered as an outsider by the Clan. We have work to perform on the dwelling Ralev and his storytellers will be staying in this winter. Ulla was the image of her mother and copied her every move. Not even the leader had them. She would find a way. By the third evening both of them were tired, frustrated and more worried than ever. To Jonayla, her mother was all that was good and strong and just in a person. Three days after the leader's gathering, the Ninth Cave was on the move. Finally, Brukeval walked back to the campfire and now all Cambarre could hear were murmurs as the men talked amongst themselves.. Cambarre watched Brukeval closely after that. Instantly several hunters were at the lip of the cave, weapons in hand. Ayla remained silent, letting the young couple find their own way. ", "Yes mother, I'm sure you could, but these little ones are so friendly, it's very unusual for wolves to be so friendly. Her tears could no longer be held back, but she smiled through them, and standing on her tiptoes she reached up and pulled his lips to hers, giving him a kiss as an expression of her feelings toward him. 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