The clan of the cave bear_ a novel - Jean M. Auel [266]
One day near the end of summer, Durc came running into the cave.
“Mama! Mama! A man! A man is coming!”
Ayla rushed to the mouth of the cave, along with everyone else, to watch the stranger walking up the path from the seacoast.
“Ayla, do you think he might be coming for you?” Uba gestured excitedly.
“I don’t know. I don’t know any more than you, Uba.”
Ayla’s nerves were taut, and her emotions mixed. She hoped the visitor was from the clan of Zoug’s kin, and afraid he would be. He stopped to talk to Brun, then walked with the leader to his hearth. Not long afterward, Ayla saw Ebra leave and head straight for her.
“Brun wants you, Ayla,” she motioned.
Ayla’s heart beat wildly. Her knees felt like water, she was sure they would never hold her up as she walked to Brun’s hearth. Gratefully she collapsed at Brun’s feet. He tapped her shoulder.
“This is Vond, Ayla,” the leader said, motioning toward the visitor. “He has traveled far to see you, all the way from Norg’s clan. His mother is sick, and their medicine woman has not been able to help her. She thought you might know of magic that could help.”
Ayla had established a reputation as a medicine woman of great skill and knowledge at the Clan Gathering. The man had come for her magic, not for her. Ayla’s relief overpowered her regret. Vond stayed only a few days, but he brought news of his clan. The young man who had been wounded by the cave bear had wintered with them. He left early the following spring, walking on his own legs, his limp hardly noticeable. His mate had given birth to a healthy son who was named Creb. Ayla questioned the man and prepared a packet for Vond to take back with him, along with instructions for their medicine woman. She didn’t know if her remedy would be any more effective, but he had come so far, at least she could try.
Brun thought about Ayla after Vond left. He had put off making any decision about her while there was hope that some other clan might find her acceptable. But if one runner could find their cave, others could too, if they wished. After so long, he could no longer sustain any hope. Some arrangement would have to be made for her in his clan.
But Broud would be leader soon, and he was the one who should take her. It would be best if that decision came from Broud himself, and as long as Mog-ur lived, there was no need to rush it. Brun decided to leave the problem for the son of his mate. He seems to have overcome his violent emotions toward her, Brun thought. He never bothers her anymore. Perhaps he’s ready, perhaps he’s finally ready. But a seed of doubt still remained.
The summer drew to its polychrome close and the clan settled down to the slower pace of the cold season. Uba’s pregnancy progressed normally until well beyond her second trimester. Then the stirrings of life stopped. She tried to ignore the growing ache in her back and the discomforting cramps, but when she began spotting blood, she hurried to Ayla.
“How long has it been since you felt movement, Uba?” Ayla asked, concern etched on her face.
“Not for many days, Ayla. What am I going to do? Vorn was so happy with me when life started so soon after we mated. I don’t want to lose my baby. What could have gone wrong? It’s so close. Spring will be here soon.”
“I don’t know, Uba. Do you remember falling? Did you strain to lift something heavy?”
“I don’t think so, Ayla.”
“Go back to your hearth, Uba, and go to bed. I’ll boil some black birchbark and bring the tea to you. I wish it were fall—I’d get that rattlesnake root Iza got for me. But the snow is too deep to go very far now. I’ll try to think of something. You think about it, too, Uba. You know almost everything Iza knew.”
“I have been thinking, Ayla, but I