The Land of Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel [380]
“The daughter she bore was not physically strong, probably because of her mother’s ordeal, and her pregnancy and the birth of her son was so hard for her, she died as a result. It’s likely that Brukeval bears the imprint of his mother’s difficult pregnancy in his stature and appearance, though it is fortunate that he grew strong and healthy. I think Brukeval was entirely right when he said he is a man. He is a Zelandonii man of the Ninth Cave, a good man who has much to offer. I’m sure he will decide to return to us after he’s had time to reconsider, and I know the Ninth Cave will welcome him back when he does,” the One Who Was First said, then she continued.
“I think it is time to close this meeting. We all have much to think about, and you can all continue the discussion we started here with your own Zelandoni.” As people were getting up again to leave, the First signaled to the leader of the Fifth Cave. “Will the Fifth Cave stay a little longer and join me here, near the lodge?” she asked. “I have a matter of importance that concerns you.” Might as well get this unpleasant chore over with while I’m at it, she thought. The meeting had not gone at all the way she’d hoped. Jondalar’s fight the night before had set the wrong tone in the beginning, and Brukeval’s abrupt departure left people feeling unsettled at the end.
“I’m sorry I have to do this,” the First said to the group of people of all ages that constituted the Fifth Cave. Madroman was among them as well as their Zelandoni. She picked up a carry-sack that was on a table near the back of the lodge and turned to face the acolyte. “Does this look familiar to you, Madroman?” she asked.
He looked, and then he blanched, and glanced around looking worried and wary.
“It’s yours, isn’t it? It has your markings.”
Several people were nodding their heads. Everyone knew it was his. It was quite distinctive; they had seen him with it.
“Where did you get that?” he asked.
“Ayla found it hidden in the deep of Fountain Rock. After you were ‘called’ to go in there,” the First said, with heavy sarcasm.
“I might have guessed it was her,” Madroman mumbled.
“She wasn’t looking for anything. She was sitting on the floor near the large round niche at the back, and happened to feel it in a hidden space at the bottom of a wall. She thought someone had forgotten it, and wanted to return it to him,” Zelandoni said.
“Why would she think someone had forgotten it if it was hidden?” Madroman said. There was no use pretending anymore.
“Because she wasn’t thinking straight. She had just lost her baby, and very nearly her life, in that cave,” the First said.
“What is this about?” the leader asked.
“Madroman has been an acolyte for a long time. He wanted to join the ranks of the zelandonia and was tired of waiting to be called.” She emptied the carry-sack on the table. Out fell the remains of food, the waterbag, the lamp and fire-making equipment, and the cloak. “He hid this inside the cave, then pretended that he felt the call. He stayed inside a little more than two days, with plenty of food, water, light, and even a covering for warmth. He hid this, then came out acting groggy and disoriented, and claimed he was ready.”
“You mean he lied about his call?” the leader asked.
“In a word, yes.”
“If it hadn’t been for her, you would never have known,” Madroman spat out.
“You are wrong, Madroman. We knew. This only confirmed it. What makes you think you can fool the zelandonia? We have all been through it. Don’t you think we’d know the difference?” Zelandoni said.
“Why didn