The Land of Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel [195]
“Three or four days to the south, at the confluence of three rivers,” volunteered one of the hunters who was there to help out those who had stayed behind. “I can take you there, or go and get her. I know she would hate to miss your visit.”
“I am sorry. We can’t stay long now. I have planned a very extensive Donier Tour for my acolyte and the Zelandoni of the Nineteenth Cave, all the way to the end of the central highland and then quite a ways east,” the Zelandoni Who Was First explained. “We want to visit your Sacred Cave—it is a very important one—but we have many others to see and our Journey will be extensive. Perhaps on our way back … Wait, did you say at the confluence of three rivers? Isn’t there an important Sacred Site near there, a large and richly painted cave?”
“Yes, of course,” the hunter said.
“Then I think we will see your leader. I had planned to go there next,” the First said, thinking how opportune it was that some of the South Land Caves had decided to have their Summer Meeting there this year. It would give her a chance to introduce many more Caves to Ayla, and arriving at the Meeting with the wolf and horses, and so many important people from the north side of Big River, should make quite an impression.
“You can join us for a meal and will spend the night, I hope,” the Zelandoni was saying.
“Yes, yes, and thank you for inviting us. It is welcome after a long day of traveling. Where would you like us to set up our camp?” the First said.
“We have a visitors’ lodging place, but I should check it out first. With only a few of us here, we haven’t had to use it. I don’t know what condition it’s in.”
In winter when the Cave, the semi-sedentary group of people who lived together, typically an extended family, were in residence at the stone shelter they thought of as home, they tended to break up into smaller households, thus spreading out to some extent. But the few who stayed behind during the summer liked to gather closer together. The other constructions used as dwellings, or as the rudiments of what would be finished into living places, were left alone, which tended to invite small creatures like mice and voles, newts, toads, and snakes, and various spiders and insects.
“Why don’t you just show it to us. I’m sure we can clear it out and make do,” Willamar said. “We’ve been setting up tents every night. Just having a shelter will be a welcome change.”
“I should at least check to make sure there is adequate fuel for a fire,” the local Zelandoni said, starting toward the lodge.
The travelers followed behind. When they were settled in, they went to the area where those who had not gone to the Summer Meeting were staying. Having visitors was usually a welcome event, a diversion, except for those who were too ill or in pain and couldn’t move from their beds. The First always tried to make a point of checking in on the ones who were not well whenever she visited a Cave. Usually there wasn’t much she could do, but most people enjoyed the attention, and sometimes she could help. They were often elderly and would soon be walking the next world, or they were sick or hurt, or in the late stages of a difficult pregnancy. They were left behind but not abandoned. Loved ones, relatives or friends, made sure that there was somebody to look after them, and the leaders of the Caves usually assigned a rotation of hunters to help provide for them and to serve as runners if messages needed to be communicated.
A communal meal was being prepared. The visitors brought their own contribution to it, and helped them prepare it. It was close to the time of the longest days of the year and after everyone had eaten, the First suggested to Ayla and the Zelandoni of the Nineteenth, whom Ayla still referred to as Jonokol most of the time, that they visit with the ones who were not at the meal because they were sick or had some other physical condition, while it was still light. Ayla left Jonayla with Jondalar while she accompanied them, but Wolf came along.
No one had any immediate problems that hadn’t been taken care