by Jean M. Auel
'Water must be held in something, a cup, a waterbag, your own body. Your body needs to hold water, as you will find out when you go through your trial of giving it up. All living things need water — plants and animals,' the Second finished and sat down.
'Would anyone else like to say something about water?' the leader of the zelandonia asked.
'Water can be dangerous. People can drown in it,' said the young acolyte sitting on the other side of Jonayla. She spoke softly and looked sad and Ayla wondered if she had personal knowledge of what she spoke.
'That's true,' Ayla said. 'On our Journey, Jondalar and I had to cross many rivers. Water can be very dangerous.'
'Yes, I knew someone who broke through the ice on a river and drowned,' said the Zelandoni of South Face, of the Twenty-ninth Cave. He started to embellish the story about drowning, but the main Zelandoni of the Twenty-ninth interrupted and cut him short.
'We understand water can be very dangerous, but so can Wind, and that is the Third Element.' She was very pleasant with a nice smile, but an underlying strength, and she knew this was not a time for a digression into anecdotes. The First was discussing a serious matter with important information that needed to be understood.
The First smiled at her, knowing exactly what she had done. 'Why don't you continue to tell us about the Third Element,' she said.
'Like water, wind cannot be picked up, nor can it be held or seen, though its effects can be seen,' she said. 'When wind is still, it cannot even be felt, but wind can be so powerful it can pick up trees and knock them over. It can blow so hard, you can't move against it. Wind is everywhere. There is no place that you won't find it, not even in the deepest cave, though it is usually still there. You know it is present because you can make it move by flapping something. Wind also moves inside a living body. It can be felt when you suck in your breath and when you blow it out. Wind is essential for life. People and animals need wind to live. When their wind stops, you know they are dead,' the Zelandoni of the Twenty-ninth Cave ended.
Ayla noticed that Jonayla was beginning to squirm; she would be waking up soon. The First was aware of the baby, too, and an air of restlessness in the assembly. It was necessary to finish this session soon.
'The fourth element is cold,' the First continued. 'Like wind, cold cannot be picked up or held, but it can be felt. Cold causes changes, makes things harder and slower. Cold can harden the earth, and cold can harden water, turn it into ice and make it stop moving, and turn rain into snow or ice. The colour of cold is clear or white. Some say that dark causes cold. It does get cooler when the dark of night comes. Cold can be dangerous. Cold can help dark to drain life, but dark is unaffected by cold, so things that are partly dark are less affected by cold. Cold can be helpful, too. If food is put into a cold pit in the earth, or in water covered with ice, cold can stop it from going bad. When cold stops, things that are clear can usually go back to the way they were, like ice back to water. Old red things or elements can usually recover from cold — the earth, the bark of trees for example — but green, yellow, or true red seldom do.'
The First thought about asking for questions, but decided to hurry through. 'The fifth element is Heat. Heat cannot be picked up or held, but it, too, can be felt. You know when you touch something hot. Heat also changes things, but where cold makes slow changes, heat is quick. As cold drains life, heat and warmth can restore it, bring it back. Fire and sun can make heat. The heat from the sun softens the cold, hard earth, and turns snow to rain, which helps green life sprout; it turns ice to water, and helps it move again. The heat of fire can cook food, both meat and vegetables, and warm the inside of a dwelling, but heat can be dangerous. It can also help dark. The primary colour of heat is yellow, often mixed with red, but sometimes it is mixed with dark. Heat can help the true red of life, but too much heat can encourage the dark that destroys life.'
The First's timing was just about right. Just as she finished, Jonayla woke up with a loud wail. Ayla quickly picked her up, rocked and bounced her to settle her, but knew she needed to be tended to.
'I want all of you to think about what you have learned today and remember any questions you may have so we can talk about them the next time we meet like this. Any of you who wish to leave can go now,' the One Who Was First concluded.
'I hope we'll be able to meet again soon,' Ayla said as she stood up. 'This was very interesting. I'm looking forward to learning more.'
'I'm glad, Acolyte of the Zelandoni of the Ninth Cave,' the First said. Though Zelandoni called her Ayla when they were in a more casual situation, she always referred to everyone by formal titles when they were in the zelandonia lodge at Summer Meetings.
'Proleva, I need to ask you something,' Ayla said, feeling uncomfortable.
'Go ahead, Ayla.' All of the people who shared the dwelling were eating their morning meal, and turned toward her, their expressions full of curiosity.
'There is a sacred cave not far from the home of the Twenty-sixth Cave, and their Zelandoni has asked me to go with him to see it, since I am the First's acolyte. It is very small and the First would like me to go, to represent her.'
Jondalar was not the only one whose attention was piqued. He glanced around and noticed that everyone was watching Ayla, and saw Willamar shudder. The Trade Master loved to travel great distances, but didn't much care for small, cramped spaces. He could make himself go into a cave if it was necessary, especially if it wasn't too small, but he preferred the open outdoors.
'I need someone to watch Jonayla, and feed her, if she needs it,' Ayla explained. 'I'll make sure she nurses before I leave, but I'm not sure how long it will take. I would take her with me, but I'm told one must crawl in like a snake, and I don't think I could do that with Jonayla. I think Zelandoni is pleased that I was asked.'
Proleva thought for a moment. She was always busy at Summer Meetings, the Ninth was a large and important Cave, and she had many things planned for that day. She didn't know if she had time to take care of another baby besides her own, but she hated to refuse. 'I'd be glad to feed her, Ayla, but I have promised to meet with some people today and I don't think I will be able to take care of her.'
'I have an idea,' Marthona said. Everyone turned to look at the former leader. 'Perhaps we can find someone to go with Proleva to watch both Jonayla and Sethona while she is busy, and bring the babies to her when they need feeding.'
Marthona looked hard at Folara, then surreptitiously poked her, wanting her to volunteer. The girl understood the message, and had thought about it even before, but wasn't sure if she wanted to spend a whole day taking care of the babies. On the other hand, she did love them both dearly, and it might be interesting to see what Proleva was going to be talking about at her meetings.
'I'll watch them,' she said, then in a moment of inspiration added, 'if Wolf will help me.' That would bring her a lot of attention.
Ayla paused to think. She wasn't entirely sure if Wolf would obey the young woman in the middle of the Meeting area in the midst of so many strangers, though he would probably love to be around the little girls.
Adult wolves were devoted to their young, and happily took turns watching them while the rest of the pack hunted, but a pack could not raise more than one litter. They had to hunt not only for themselves, but for several growing and hungry young wolves. To supplement nursing and to help wean the litter, the hunters brought back meat they had chewed and swallowed, regurgitating the partially digested food, making it easier for the pups to eat. It was the job of the alpha female to make sure no other females of the pack mated when they came into season, often interrupting her own mating to drive males away from them, so that her litter would be the one that was born and raised.
Wolf bestowed his normal wolfish adoration on the human babies of his pack. Ayla had observed and studied wolves when she was young, which was why she understood Wolf so well. As long as no one threatened the little ones, it was unlikely he would cause any trouble, and who would threaten t
hem in the middle of a Summer Meeting?
'All right, Folara,' Ayla said. 'Wolf can help you watch the babies, but Jondalar, will you check on Wolf and Folara once in a while? I think he will mind her, but he may get too protective of the little ones, and not want to let anyone near them. He always does what you say when I'm not around.'
'I was going to stay close to our camp and knap some tools this morning,' he said. 'I still owe special ones to some people for helping me build our dwelling at the Ninth Cave. There is a knapping area at the edge of the Meeting camp, and it is paved with stones so it won't be muddy. I can work there and go to see how Folara and Wolf are doing occasionally. I did promise to meet with some people in the afternoon. After the lion hunt, many more are interested in the spear-thrower.' His forehead wrinkled in a familiar frown as he thought about it. 'But maybe we can meet where I can keep an eye on them.'
'I hope we'll be back by afternoon, but I don't know how long the cave visit will take,' Ayla said.
They all headed for the main encampment not long after, separating to go to their individual destinations when they reached the site. Ayla and Proleva, with their two babies, Folara, Jondalar, and the wolf all went to the large zelandonia dwelling first. The donier of the Twenty-sixth Cave was already there waiting outside, and an acolyte Ayla had not seen for some time.
'Jonokol!' she said, rushing toward the man who had been the First's acolyte before her, and was considered one of the finest artists of the Zelandonii. 'When did you arrive? Have you seen Zelandoni, yet?' she asked after they had embraced and touched cheeks.
'We got here just before dark last night,' he said. 'The Nineteenth Cave got off to a late start, and then the rain slowed us down. And yes, I have seen the First Among Those Who Serve The Mother. She's looking wonderful.'
The other members of the Ninth Cave warmly greeted the man who had been, until recently, a valued member of their Cave and a good friend. Even Wolf sniffed him in recognition and was given a scratch behind the ears in return.
'Are you Zelandoni, yet?' Proleva asked.
'If I pass the testing, I may be at this Summer Meeting. Zelandoni of the Nineteenth is not well. She didn't come this year; she just couldn't walk so far.'
'I'm sorry to hear that,' Ayla said. 'I was looking forward to seeing her.'
'She has been a good teacher and I've been performing many of her tasks. Tormaden and the Cave would like me to take on the rest of the functions as soon as possible, and I think our Zelandoni wouldn't mind either,' Jonokol said, then looking at the bundles Ayla and Proleva had in their carrying blankets, he added, 'I see you have your little ones. I heard you both had girls, the blessed of Doni. I am happy for you. May I see them?'
'Of course,' Proleva said, taking her infant out of her carrying blanket and holding her up. 'Her name is Sethona.'
'And here is Jonayla,' Ayla said, holding up her child as well.
'They were born within a few days of each other, and they are going to be great friends,' Folara said. 'I'm taking care of them today, and Wolf is going to help me.'
'You are?' Jonokol said; then he looked at Ayla. 'I understand we're going to visit a new sacred cave this morning.'
'Are you coming with us, too? How wonderful,' Ayla said; then she looked at the Zelandoni of the Twenty-sixth Cave. 'Do you have any idea how long it will take? I would like to be back by afternoon.'
'We should be back sometime in the afternoon,' he said. He had been observing the reunion of the artist acolyte and his former Cave and their interactions. He had wondered how Ayla was going to handle visiting a difficult cave with a young baby and quickly understood that she had made arrangements for the care of her infant, which was wise. He wasn't the only one who wondered how a young mother was going to take on the full duties of a Zelandoni. Apparently with the help of family and friends in the Ninth Cave. There was a reason that few in the zelandonia chose to mate and have a family. In a couple of years, when the child was weaned, it would be easier for her … unless she were blessed again. It would be interesting to watch the development of this young, and attractive, acolyte, he thought.
Saying she would be back soon, Ayla left with the others from the Ninth Cave to go with Proleva to her meeting. The Zelandoni of the Twenty-sixth Cave sauntered after them. She tried to nurse Jonayla, but the child was satisfied, and smiled at her mother while the milk dribbled out of the corner of her mouth; then she struggled to sit up. Ayla handed the baby over to Folara, and then stood in front of the wolf and tapped herself just under her shoulders. The animal jumped up, putting his large paws where she had tapped, as she braced herself to support his weight.
The demonstration that followed made people who hadn't seen it before stare in shocked disbelief. Ayla lifted her chin and exposed herself to the huge wolf. With great gentleness he licked her neck, then took her tender throat in his teeth in a wolfish gesture of acknowledgment of the alpha member of his pack. She returned the gesture near his mouth, getting a mouthful of fur; then holding him by his ruff, she looked into his eyes. He dropped down when she let go, and she stooped down to his level.
'I'm going away for a while,' she said softly to the animal, repeating the meaning in the sign language of the Clan, though it was inconspicuous to most of those watching. Sometimes Wolf seemed to comprehend hand signals even better than words, but she generally used both when she was trying to communicate something important to him. 'Folara is going to watch Jonayla and Sethona. You can stay here with the babies and watch them, too, but you must do what Folara tells you. Jondalar will be nearby.'
She stood up and hugged her baby, and said good-bye to the others. Jondalar embraced her briefly as they pressed cheeks, and then she left. She wouldn't say even to herself that Wolf really understood everything she said, but when she talked to him like that, he paid close attention to her, and did seem to follow her instructions. She had noticed that the Zelandoni of the Twenty-sixth Cave had followed them and she knew he saw her with Wolf. His face still showed his surprise, though it wasn't obvious to everyone. Ayla was accustomed to reading meaning from subtle nuances; it was necessary in the language of the Clan, and she had learned to apply the skill to interpreting unconscious meaning in her own kind.
The man didn't say anything as they fell into step and walked back to the zelandonia dwelling together, but he had been astounded when she bared her throat to the wolf's fangs. The Twenty-sixth Cave had gone to a different Summer Meeting the year before and he hadn't seen her with the animal when she first arrived. First, he was surprised to see a hunting meat-eater calmly approaching with the people of the Ninth Cave, then he was amazed at the size of the animal. When he saw Wolf jump up on his hind legs, he was sure it was the biggest one of his kind he had ever seen. Of course, he'd never been quite so close to a living wolf before, but the animal was nearly as tall as the woman!
He had heard that the First's new acolyte had a way with animals and that a wolf followed her around, but he knew how people exaggerated and while he didn't deny what anyone said, he wasn't sure he fully believed it either. Perhaps a wolf had been seen near the Meeting and people were led to believe it was watching her. But this wasn't a creature skulking around the outskirts of the group, who may have been watching her from a distance, as he'd imagined. There was direct communication, understanding, and trust between them. The Zelandoni of the Twenty-sixth Cave had never seen anything like it and it piqued his interest in Ayla even more. Young mother or not, perhaps she did belong in the zelandonia.
It was well into the morning by the time the small group approached the unremarkable cave in the face of a low limestone cliff. There were four of them: the Zelandoni of the Twenty-sixth Cave; his acolyte, a quiet young man named Falithan, although he often referred to himself as the First Acolyte of the Zelandoni of the Twenty-sixth; Jonokol, the talented artist who had been the First's acolyte the year before; and Ayla.
She had enjoyed talking to Jonokol along the way, though it made her realise how much he h
ad changed in the last year. When she first met him he was more artist than acolyte, and had joined the zelandonia because it allowed him to freely exercise his talent. He'd had no great desire to become a Zelandoni, he was content to remain an acolyte, but that had changed. He had become more serious, she thought. He wanted to paint the white cave that she, or rather Wolf, had found the previous summer, but not just for the joy of the art. He knew it was a remarkably hallowed place, a sacred refuge created by the Mother, whose white calcite walls offered a extraordinary invitation to be made into a distinctive place to commune with the world of the spirits. He wanted to know that world as a Zelandoni so he could do justice to its sanctity when he created the images from the next world that he was sure would speak to him. Jonokol would soon be Zelandoni of the Nineteenth Cave and give up his personal name, Ayla realised.
The entrance to the small cave seemed barely large enough for a person to enter and it seemed to get smaller as she looked farther inside. It made Ayla wonder why anyone would want to go inside it. Then she heard a sound that made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end, and gooseflesh appear on her arms. It was like a yodel, but faster and more high pitched, an ululating wail that seemed to fill the cave hole in front of them. She turned and saw that it was Falithan who was making the sound. Then a strange muted echo reverberated faintly back to them that did not quite synchronise with the original sound, but seemed to originate from deep inside the cave. When he finished, she saw Zelandoni of the Twenty-sixth smiling at her.
'It's quite a remarkable sound he makes, isn't it?' the man said.
'Yes, it is,' Ayla said. 'But why did he make it?'
'It's one way we test the cave. When a person sings or plays a flute or makes a sound like Falithan in a hollow, if the cave responds, sings back with a sound that is true and distinctive, it means the Mother is telling us that She hears, and She is telling us that one can enter the spirit world from here. Then we know it is a sacred place,' the Twenty-sixth said.
