The Land of Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel [194]
“Greetings, and you are welcome here, Zelandoni of the Nineteenth Cave” was the response.
Willamar came forward next. “I am Willamar of the Zelandonii, mated to Marthona, former leader of the Ninth Cave, who is the mother of Jondalar. I am known as the Trade Master of the Ninth Cave, and I have brought my two apprentices, Tivonan and Palidar.”
The Zelandoni welcomed the Master Trader. When he saw the tattoo symbol in the middle of his forehead, he knew the man held an important position, but it was only when he saw it more closely that he knew Willamar was a Trader. He then welcomed the two young men, who returned formal greetings to him.
“I have stopped here before and have seen your remarkable Sacred Site. But this is my last trading mission. It is these two men that you will likely see from now on. I knew the Zelandoni before you. Is he still Zelandoni?” The question was Willamar’s tactful way to ask if he was still alive. The former Zelandoni had been Willamar’s contemporary, perhaps a little older, and this new one was young.
“Yes, he went to the Summer Meeting, but it was not easy for him. He is not well. Like you, he is giving up his calling. He said this will likely be his last Summer Meeting. Next year he plans to stay here to help care for those who can’t go. But you seem to be in good health. Why are you passing your profession on to these young men?” the young Zelandoni asked.
“It is one thing to continue if you generally stay close to one region, but a Trade Master travels, and to be honest, I’m getting tired of traveling. I want to spend more time with my mate and her family.” He motioned toward Jondalar, then continued. “This young man was not born to my hearth, but I feel as though he was. He lived there from the time he was a toddler. For a while I thought he’d never stop growing.” Willamar smiled at the tall blond man. “And his mate, Ayla, feels like mine, too. Marthona, his mother, is a grandam and has some remarkable young ones, this pretty little one among them. I am grandfa to her,” Willamar said, indicating Jonayla. “Marthona also has a daughter, who is the child of my hearth. She is of mating age. Marthona would be grandma and I am looking forward to being grandda to her children. It’s time for me to stop traveling.”
Ayla listened with interest to Willamar’s explanation. She had guessed that he wanted to spend more time with Marthona, but she hadn’t realized how strongly he felt about the children of his mate, and their children, and Folara, the child of his hearth. She realized then how much he must still miss Thonolan, the son of his hearth, who had died on the Journey he made with Jondalar.
The First continued with the last introductions. “We also have a young woman who is traveling with us, returning to her Cave. Her mate was a man whose home was near ours. He met her on a Journey and brought her back with him, but he now walks the next world. He was climbing a high cliff and fell. This is Amelana of the Southern Zelandonii,” the First said.
The Zelandoni of the Fourth Cave of the South Land Zelandonii looked at the young woman, and smiled. She is quite lovely, he thought, and guessed that she was probably pregnant, not that she showed much yet, but he felt he had a good sense about those things. What a shame that she had lost her mate so young. He reached for her outstretched hands. “In the name of Doni, you are welcome, Amelana of the Southern Zelandonii.”
His warm welcoming smile was not lost on her. She responded politely and smiled sweetly. He wanted to find a place for her to sit, but he felt he had to complete the introductions, and presented, in a general way, the people of his Cave who had not gone to the Summer Meeting, because it seemed that introductions were necessary.
“Our leader is not here. She’s with the others at the Summer Meeting,” the Zelandoni said.
“I assumed as much,” the First said. “Where is your Summer Meeting this