The Land of Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel [385]
As she was sobbing into the thickening fur of the yellow horse, the young gray mare and the brown stallion joined them. Gray tried to get her nose under Ayla’s hand while Racer bumped her back with his head to let her know he was there. Then he leaned against her, the way he had done so often before, keeping her between himself and his dam. Ayla hugged and stroked and scratched them all, then found a dried teasel to use as a currying brush and started to clean Whinney’s coat.
It had always been a relaxing activity for her, to clean and care for the horses, and by the time she finished with Whinney and started on the impatient Racer, who had been nudging her for his share of her attention, her tears had dried and she was feeling better. She was working on Gray when Joharran and Echozar came looking for her.
“Everyone was wondering where you were, Ayla,” Echozar said, smiling to see her standing in the middle of the three horses. It still amazed him to see her with the animals.
“I haven’t spent much time with the horses lately, and their coats needed a good cleaning. They are already thickening up for winter,” Ayla said.
“Proleva’s been trying to keep the food warm for you, but she says it’s drying out,” Joharran said. “I think you should come and get something to eat.”
“I’m almost through here. I’ve already brushed Whinney and Racer. I just have to finish up Gray. Then I probably should wash my hands,” Ayla said, holding up her hand to show him her black palms, grimy with oily horse sweat and dirt.
“We’ll wait,” Joharran said. He had been given strict instructions not to return without her.
By the time Ayla arrived, people were finishing with the meal and starting to leave the Lanzadonii camp for various afternoon activities. Ayla had been disappointed that Jondalar was not at the big feast, but no one could get him out of the fa’lodge, short of picking him up and bodily carrying him. Once she was there Ayla was glad she went. After she picked up the plate piled high with food that had been saved for her, she had been pleased to have a little more time to talk to Danug and Druwez, and to get to know Aldanor a little better, although it appeared that she would have plenty of time for that.
Folara and Aldanor were going to be mated at the Late Matrimonial, just before the Summer Meeting ended, and he was going to become Zelandonii and a member of the Ninth Cave, much to Marthona’s delight. Danug and Druwez promised to stop at his Camp on their way back home and tell his people, but that wouldn’t be until next summer. They were wintering with the Zelandonii, and Willamar had promised to take them and a few others to see the Great Waters of the West, soon after they returned to the Ninth Cave.
“Ayla, will you walk with me back to the zelandonia lodge?” the First asked. “There are some things I’d like to talk over with you.”
“Yes, of course, Zelandoni,” Ayla said. “Let me talk to Jonayla first.”
She found her daughter with Marthona, and inevitably with Wolf. “Do you know ’Thona is my grandmother? Not just my grandam?” Jonayla said when Ayla approached.
“Yes, I do,” Ayla said. “Are you pleased to know that?” She reached to stroke the animal who was so excited to see her. Wolf had hardly left Jonayla for a moment since they arrived at the Campsite, as though trying to make up for their long separation earlier, but he seemed overjoyed to see Ayla whenever she was near, anxiously seeking her affection and approval. He seemed most relaxed when they were both together with him, which usually was only at night.
“Although I’ve always felt that I was, it’s nice to be acknowledged as the grandmother of the children of my sons,” Marthona said.