The Land of Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel [173]
“I saw them earlier heading toward the horse surround. I think I heard him promise her yesterday that he would take her riding today if it didn’t rain. She’s getting good at riding Gray, as little as she is, even if she can’t get on or off by herself yet.”
Ayla smiled to herself with the memory of Jondalar riding Racer with Jonayla sitting in front of him before she was even walking, and they both trained Gray with the child on her back in front of them, her little arms hugging the mare’s thick neck. The young girl and the young mare grew up with each other, and Ayla thought the tie between them was as close as the one between Whinney and herself. Jonayla was good with all the horses, including the stallion—in some ways even better than her mother because she learned to direct him using the halter and lead rope, the way Jondalar did. Ayla still directed Whinney using body language and wasn’t as comfortable riding a horse using Jondalar’s technique.
“When they come back, would you tell Jondalar I’ll be late tonight? I may not be back until morning. Do you know about the man who fell off the cliff near The Crossing this morning?” Ayla said.
“Yes. A visitor?” Matagan said.
“A neighbor from New Home. He used to be with the Seventh Cave; now he lives at Bear Hill. I can’t understand why anybody would try to climb High Rock when it’s so wet from all the rain. Mud has been sliding down some of the steeper slopes; it was probably muddy up there, too,” Ayla said. This has been a wet spring, she thought. Springs have been more wet ever since we had that cold winter that Marthona predicted a few years ago.
“How is he?” Matagan asked. He knew what it was like to suffer the consequences of poor judgment.
“He’s seriously hurt. Broken bones and I don’t know what else. I’m afraid Zelandoni will be up all night with him. I’ll be staying to help her,” Ayla said.
“With you and the First there, I’m sure he’s getting the best care possible,” Matagan said, then smiled. “And I speak from experience.”
Ayla smiled back. “I hope so. A runner was sent to tell his family. They should be arriving soon. Proleva is making a meal for them and some others at the main hearth. I’m sure there will be enough for you and the boys, and Jondalar and Jonayla, too,” she added as she turned to hurry back.
She found herself still thinking about Jonayla and the animals as she walked back. When she had to be away, Wolf sometimes stayed with Jonayla, sometimes with her. If she went with Zelandoni to help someone at another Cave, Wolf usually came with her, but when she had to make “sacrifices” and endure “tests” as part of her training—go without sleep, give up Pleasures, fast for periods of time—she usually went alone.
She often stayed at the small shelter called the Little Hollow of Fountain Rocks, which was comfortable enough. It was right next to the Deep of Fountain Rocks, sometimes called Doni’s Deep, the long cave that was the first Sacred Site she saw when she came to live with the Zelandonii. Fountain Rocks was about a mile away from the Ninth Cave, plus a gentle-sloped but long climb up the cliff. The long painted cave had other names, especially to the zelandonia, such as Entrance to the Womb of the Mother or the Mother’s Birth Canal. It was the most Sacred Site in their immediate region.
Jondalar wasn’t always happy when she had to be away, but he never minded taking care of Jonayla, and Ayla was glad for both of them that they were developing such a close relationship. He had even started teaching her to knap flint alongside his apprentices.
Ayla’s musings were cut short when she noticed two women walking toward her on her way back, Marona and her cousin. Wylopa nodded in greeting and smiled whenever she saw her, and though it always looked insincere, Ayla smiled back. Marona usually acknowledged her only with the briefest of nods and Ayla responded in kind. The woman didn’t even do that much if no one else was around, but this time Marona did smile at her. It made Ayla look at her again. It was in no way a pleasant smile. It was more like a