The Land of Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel [241]
“Yes, of course we’ll help you, and will be pleased to share your good fortune,” Demoryn said, then looked closely at Willamar and saw the tattoo in the middle of his forehead. “Master Trader, you have been here before, I think.”
Willamar smiled. “Not to your particular Cave, but I have been in this region before. The First is taking her acolyte, the woman who controls the horses, on a Donier Tour. She is mated to the son of my mate. He is back at our campsite guarding the meat, along with my assistants, two young traders who will be following in my footsteps, and some others. I think Amelana was fortunate that we had planned this trek before she asked to come with us. She was eager to return to her home and have her baby here, near her mother.”
“We are pleased to have her back with us. Her mother was very sad when she left, but she was so determined to go with the young man who came to visit, we couldn’t refuse her. I am sorry that her mate now walks the next world. It must have been hard for his mother and family, but I’m not sorry to see Amelana. I didn’t think I would ever see her again after she left,” Demoryn said, “and she may not be so eager to leave home next time.”
“I think you are right,” Willamar said, with a knowing smile.
“I presume you will be going on to the First Cave to the meeting with all the other Zelandonia,” the leader said.
“I haven’t heard about any meeting,” Willamar said.
“I thought that’s why the First was here,” Demoryn said.
“I don’t know anything about it, but I don’t know everything that the First knows.” They both turned to look at the large woman. “Did you know there was a meeting of the zelandonia?” Willamar said.
“I certainly look forward to attending it,” she said with an enigmatic smile.
Willamar just shook his head. Who could really know a Zelandoni? “Well, Demoryn, if you can get some people to help us unload the meat we brought, and go back with us to get what’s left, then the rest of our travelers can come and visit, too.”
As she helped Zelandoni unload her personal travel things, Ayla asked, “Did you know there was going to be a gathering of the zelandonia near here?”
“I wasn’t certain, but meetings do tend to take place in a sequence of a certain number of years, and I thought this might be the right year for one in this region. I didn’t mention it because I didn’t want to create any expectations in case I was mistaken, or missed the timing.”
“It looks like you were right,” Ayla said.
“Amelana’s mother seemed nervous about the horses, so I didn’t rush to introduce you yet,” the First said.
“If she’s nervous about the horses, what is she going to think about Wolf?” Ayla said. “We can deal with formal introductions later. I’ll take your pole-drag off Whinney and go back with her and Gray. We can make a new pole-drag for her to help bring the meat here. There’s still so much left. I’d forgotten how big a bison was. Maybe we can bring some of it to the zelandonia gathering.”
“That would be a good idea. I can ride in behind Whinney on my pole-drag, and Jondalar and Jonayla can bring in some meat on theirs,” Zelandoni said.
Ayla thought a smile to herself. Arriving on the special travois with a horse pulling her always seemed to cause a commotion, and the First did like making an entrance. Everyone seemed to think it was some kind of magic. Why was it so amazing? Why couldn’t people realize that they could make friends with a horse? Especially after seeing not only Jondalar and herself, but Jonayla riding? There was nothing magic about it. It took determination and effort and patience, but not magic.
When Ayla jumped up