The Land of Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel [107]
They were watching the crowd who were gathered around the large shelter, watching to see who would come out, not that there wasn’t enough to see anyway. The special pole-drag with the seat that had been made for the First had been hitched to the dun yellow mare of Jondalar’s foreign woman, and Lanidar, the young hunter from the Nineteenth Cave with the deformed arm, was holding a rope attached to a halter, a device made of rope that went around the horse’s head. He was also holding a lead attached to the young brown stallion, who had a similar pole-drag hitched to him, loaded with bundles. The gray foal was standing near him, as though looking to him for protection from the crowd. The wolf was beside them, sitting on his haunches, watching the entry, too.
“You were still weak and weren’t here when they arrived,” Stevadal said to his mate. “Do they always get so much attention, Joharran?”
“It’s always like that when they load up,” Joharran said.
“It’s one thing to have the horses around the edges of the Main Camp, and the wolf at Ayla’s side; you get used to seeing the animals being friendly to a few people. But when they attach those things they pull, and load them up, when they ask the horses to work and the horses are willing, I think that’s what comes as a real surprise,” Proleva said.
There was a stir of excitement as people started leaving the summer dwelling. The four of them hurried so they could make their farewells. When Jondalar and Ayla came out, Wolf stood up, but stayed where he was. They were followed by Marthona, Willamar, and Folara, several Zelandonia, and then the First. Joharran was already planning a large hunt, and though Stevadal was a little reluctant to accept their warning of a short summer entirely, he was more than willing to go along on the hunt.
“Will you be coming back here, Ayla?” Danella asked, after she had brushed cheeks. “I’ve hardly had time to get to know you.”
“I don’t know. I think that depends on the First,” Ayla said.
Danella also brushed Jonayla’s cheek with hers. The child was wide awake, held to her mother’s hip with her carrying blanket, and seemed to be sensing the excitement in the air. “I wish I’d had the chance to know this little one better, too. She is such a delight, and so pretty.”
They walked to where the horses were waiting, and took the lead ropes. “Thank you, Lanidar,” Ayla said. “I am grateful for your help with the horses, especially these past few days. They trust you, and feel comfortable around you.”
“I’ve enjoyed it. I like the horses and both of you have done so much for me. If you hadn’t asked me to watch them last year, and taught me how to use the spear-thrower, and given me my first one, I never would have learned how to hunt. I’d still be following my mother around picking berries. Now I have some friends, and some status to offer Lanoga, when she’s older.”
“So you still plan to mate with her,” Ayla said.
“Yes, we are making plans,” Lanidar said. He stood for a moment, as though he wanted to say more. Finally he did. “I want to thank you and Jondalar for the summer dwelling you built for them. It made such a difference. I have stayed there a few times—well, most nights—to help her with the little ones. Her mother came back two, no three times. Tremeda always asks me for something, but not until the next morning. At night, she can hardly walk. Laramar even spent the night once. I don’t think he noticed that I was there. He left in the morning right after he got up.”
“How about Bologan? Does he stay there at night and help with the younger children?” Ayla asked.
“Sometimes. He’s learning to make barma, and he stays with Laramar whenever he makes it. He’s also been practicing with the spear-thrower. I’ve been showing him. Last summer, he didn’t seem interested in hunting, but this year, I think after he saw what I’ve learned, he wants to show that he can do it.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear that. Thank you for telling me about them and yourself,” Ayla said. “If we don’t come back here after our travels,