The Land of Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel [225]
“I think I do remember a time when a lot of us were sick at a Summer Meeting,” Jondecam said. “They put us all together in one tent, and once we got to feeling better, we felt special because we were getting so much attention. It was like a game; I think we had spots, too. Do any of you remember?”
“I was probably too young to remember,” Levela said.
“And I was just enough older that I didn’t pay any attention to younger children, sick or not,” Jondalar said. “If I didn’t get sick then, I must have had it when I was so young, I don’t remember. What about you, Kimeran?”
“I think I do remember, sort of, but only because my sister was in the zelandonia,” the other tall man said. “At a Summer Meeting, there’s always so much going on, and youngsters from the same Cave tend to stay together. They don’t always notice what others are doing. What about you, Ayla? Have you had the red-spot fever sickness?”
“I remember occasionally being sick and having a fever when I was growing up, but I don’t remember if I ever had red spots with it,” Ayla said. “But I didn’t get sick when I went with a Mamut to the Mamutoi Camp that had the sickness, so that I could learn something about it, and how to treat it. And speaking of that, I want to go out and see what I can find to help you feel better, Beladora. I have some medicines with me, but the plants I want grow almost everywhere, and I’d rather have fresh ones if I can find some.”
Everyone filed out of the tent except Kimeran, who stayed to look after Beladora and her children, as well as Levela’s child.
“Can’t I stay here, mother? With them?” Jonayla asked, indicating the other children.
“They can’t play right now, Jonayla,” her mother said. “They need to rest, and I’d like you to help me find some plants that I can use to make them feel better.”
“What are you looking for?” Levela asked when they got outside. “Can I help you?”
“Do you know yarrow, or common coltsfoot? I also want willow bark, but I know where that is. I saw some just before we got here.”
“Is yarrow the one with the fine leaves and tiny white flowers that grow together in a bunch? A little like carrots, with a stronger smell? That’s one way you can tell the difference, from the smell,” Levela asked.
“That is a very good description,” Ayla said. “And coltsfoot?”
“Big roundish green leaves that are thick, white, and soft underneath.”
“You know that one, too. Good. Let’s go and find some,” Ayla said. Jondalar and Jondecam were standing by the fireplace outside the tent, talking, while Jonayla was nearby, listening. “Beladora and Gioneran still have some fever. We are going to look for some plants to help bring down the heat. And something to help the itchiness of all of them. I’ll take Jonayla and Wolf.”
“We were just saying we should collect more wood,” Jondalar said. “And I was thinking that I should look for some trees that would make good poles for a pole-drag or two. Even when Beladora and the children get better, they might not be up to a long walk, and we should start back to Camora’s Cave before they start worrying about us.”
“Do you think Beladora will mind riding on a pole-drag?” Ayla asked.
“We’ve all seen the First riding on one. She seems to like it. I think it has made the idea less frightening,” Levela said. “Why don’t we ask her?”
“I need to get my gathering basket anyway,” Ayla said.
“I’ll get mine, too, and we should let Kimeran and Beladora know where we’re going,” Levela said. “And I’ll tell Jonlevan we’re going to get something to make him feel better.”
“He’ll want to go, since he is better, especially when he finds out that Jonayla is going with you,” Jondecam said.
“I know he will,” Levela said, “but I don’t think he should yet. What do you think, Ayla?”
“If I knew the area better and knew where we were going, it might be all right, but I don’t think so yet.”
“That’s what I’ll tell him,” Levela said.
“I’ll take Beladora,” Ayla said. “Whinney is more accustomed