The Land of Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel [319]
“Levela has no end of patience,” Ayla said. “I think she loves it.” She turned to Danug. “You will go with us back to the Ninth Cave, won’t you? We haven’t even started catching up on what everyone in the Lion Camp is doing.”
“We were rather hoping to winter with you. I’d like to go all the way to the Great Waters of the West before I return. Besides, I don’t think there is any way we’re going to get Aldanor away from here before spring, and maybe not then,” Danug said, smiling at his friend.
Ayla looked at him questioningly. “Why not?”
“When you see him around Jondalar’s sister, you’ll know.”
“Folara?”
“Yes, Folara. He is absolutely smitten with her. Completely, totally, out of his mind over her, and I think the feeling may be mutual. At least she certainly doesn’t seem to mind spending time with him. A lot of time with him.” Though Danug had spoken Mamutoi, he was grinning. His language was similar, and he had learned quite a bit of Mamutoi on their Journey, and her name was the same word in any language. Ayla saw Aldanor’s face flush. She raised her eyebrows and then smiled.
The tall, graceful young woman who Folara had become easily commanded attention everywhere she went. She had her mother’s natural elegance and Willamar’s easy charm, and as Jondalar had always predicted she would be, Folara was beautiful. Her beauty was not quite the consummate manifestation of perfection that Jondalar had been in his youth—and for the most part still was. Her mouth was a little too generous, her eyes were spaced a bit too wide, her light brown hair was a touch too fine, but the minor imperfections only made her more approachable and appealing.
Folara had had no lack of suitors, but none had quite excited her fancy, or fulfilled her unexpressed expectations. Her lack of interest in choosing a mate was driving her mother to distraction; she wanted to see a grandchild from her own daughter. After spending so much time with the woman, she had grown to understand her better, and knew that Folara’s regard for the young S’Armunai would be of great consequence to Marthona. The biggest question was would Aldanor decide to stay with the Zelandonii, or would Folara go with him back to the S’Armunai? Marthona needs to be here, Ayla thought.
“Willamar, have you noticed Folara’s interest in this young S’Armunai?” Ayla asked, smiling at the self-consciously blushing visitor.
“Now that you mention it, I guess they have spent a lot of time together since I’ve been here,”
“You know Marthona, Willamar. You know she would want to be here if Folara is getting serious about a young man, especially one who may want her to go with him back to his home. I’m sure she would come here if she could.”
“You’re right, Ayla, but is she strong enough?”
“You said something about carrying her on a litter, Dalanar. How long do you think it would take for a few strong young men to run back to the Ninth Cave and bring her here?”
“No more than a few days for good runners, maybe twice that to bring her back, and however long it would take her to prepare. Do you really think she’s well enough?” Dalanar said.
“Would Jerika be well enough if it was Joplaya?” Ayla asked.
Dalanar nodded with understanding.
“Marthona seemed much better when I left, and if she doesn’t have to exert herself, I think she would be as well here, where there are so many people to help her, as she is at the Ninth Cave. She likes the horses, to watch them or pat them, and I think under the circumstances, she’d even ride the pole-drag to get here, but I believe she’d be more comfortable sitting up on a litter and able to talk to people along the way. I’d ask Jondalar, but he doesn’t seem to be around anywhere. Could you and Dalanar, and maybe Joharran, arrange it, Willamar?”
“I think we could