The Land of Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel [240]
“You’re pregnant! Where’s your mate? Why are you back? Did you do something wrong?” her mother said. She couldn’t imagine why a woman would travel what she knew was a long distance—though she didn’t know how long—when she was pregnant. She knew how impetuous her daughter could be and hoped she hadn’t broken any social custom or taboo seriously enough that they would send her home.
“No, of course I didn’t do anything wrong. If I had, the First Among Those Who Serve The Great Mother would not have brought me home. My mate walks the next world now, and I was pregnant and wanted to come home and have my baby near you,” Amelana said.
“The First is here? The First brought you home?” the woman said.
She turned to look at the visitors. A woman was stepping down from some kind of contrivance that was pulled by a horse. She was a large woman, of a size greater than herself, and from the tattoo on the left side of her forehead, she knew the woman was a Zelandoni. The woman walked toward her with great dignity and a certain presence that conveyed authority. A closer look at her tattoo, plus the designs on her outfit and the chest plaque and other necklaces that she wore, made Amelana’s mother understand that the woman was indeed the First.
“Why don’t you introduce me to your mother, Amelana?” the First said.
“Mother, please greet the One Who Is First Among Those Who Serve The Great Earth Mother,” Amelana began. “Zelandoni, this is Syralana of the Third Cave of the Zelandonii That Watches Over the Most Ancient Sacred Site, mated to Demoryn, leader of the Third Cave of the Zelandonii That Watches Over the Most Ancient Sacred Site, mother of Amelana and Alyshana.” It gave her a certain sense of satisfaction to show her mother and those who were watching how well she knew the acknowledged leader of the zelandonia.
“I welcome you, First Among Those Who Serve The Great Mother,” Syralana said, holding out both hands and walking toward her. “We are greatly honored that you have come.”
The First grasped both hands and replied, “In the name of the Great Earth Mother, I greet you, Syralana of the Third Cave of the Zelandonii That Watches Over the Most Ancient Sacred Site.”
“Did you travel this far just to bring my daughter home?” Syralana couldn’t resist asking.
“I am taking my acolyte on her Donier Tour. She is the one with the horses. We have come to see your Most Ancient Sacred Site. It is known even to us, though we live far to the north.”
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Syralana looked at the tall woman, who was holding ropes that were attached to the two horses, with a bit of apprehension, which the First noticed.
“We can introduce you later, if you don’t mind,” she said. “You did say your mate is the leader of this Cave?”
“Yes, that is true,” Syralana said. “Demoryn is the leader here.”
“We have also come to ask your assistance, though it may also be a boon for you,” the One Who Was First said.
A man stepped to the woman’s side. “Here is my mate,” Syralana said. “Demoryn, leader of the Third Cave of the Zelandonii That Watches Over the Most Ancient Sacred Site, please welcome the First Among Those Who Serve The Great Mother.”
“Zelandoni the First, our Cave is pleased to welcome you and your friends,” he said.
“Allow me to introduce our Trade Master. Willamar, please greet Demoryn, leader of the Third Cave of the Zelandonii That Watches Over the Most Ancient Sacred Site.”
“I greet you, Demoryn,” Willamar began, holding out both his hands, and continued with the formal greetings. Then he explained, “We stopped for a while just before we came here to hunt and replenish supplies, and to bring you a gift of some meat.” He watched the leader and some others nod knowingly. It was the kind of thing they would have done. “We seem to have acquired an embarrassment of riches. We found a herd of bison and our hunters were exceptionally