The Land of Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel [407]
The First got up and checked Ayla again. She was still cold and clammy, and her breath was hardly noticeable. If the Donier had just seen her, and touched her, she would have thought Ayla was dead. She lifted her eyelid. There was only a slight response. Zelandoni had thought, hoped, that all Ayla needed was time for the effects to wear off. Now she was beginning to wonder if anything would bring her out of it.
She looked around, beckoned to a particular acolyte. “Massage her, gently. Try to bring some color to her skin, and let’s try to get some warm tea into her, something stimulating.” And then louder, so everyone could hear, “Does anyone know where Jondalar is?”
“He’s been taking long walks lately, usually by The River,” Marthona said.
“I saw him practically running in that direction earlier,” an acolyte said.
Zelandoni stood, and clapped her hands for everyone’s attention. “Ayla’s spirit is lost in the void, and she can’t find her way back. She may not even be able to find her way to the Mother. We have to find Jondalar. If we don’t get Jondalar here, she will never find her way back; she won’t even have the will to try. Search the whole Campsite, every tent; get everyone looking for him. Search the woods, up and down The River; search in The River if we have to. Just get him here. Fast.” Zelandoni was more agitated and upset than most people had ever seen her.
Everyone except for those who were needed to chant rushed out of the lodge and scattered in all directions. When they were gone, the One Who Was First To Serve The Mother examined Ayla again. She was still cold, and her skin was turning gray. She’s giving up, the Donier thought. I don’t think she wants to live. Jondalar may already be too late.
One of the acolytes burst into the fa’lodge used by Jondalar and the two Mamutoi visitors. Willamar and Dalanar were also in the lodge. They had come to look for Jondalar, too. The young acolyte had only seen the tall, red-haired man from a distance and didn’t realize how big he was up close. He felt a bit overwhelmed.
“Do you know where Jondalar is?” the young man asked.
“No. I haven’t seen him since early this morning,” Danug replied. “Why?”
“It’s the new Zelandoni. She drank some liquid that she made from a root and now her spirit is in some dark void and the First said we have to find Jondalar and bring him right away or she will die and her spirit will be lost forever,” he said all in one breath without stopping. He finally caught his breath. “We’re supposed to search everywhere, and ask everyone to help look for him,” the acolyte said.
“Could it be that root she took with Mamut?” Danug asked, looking at Druwez with consternation.
“What root is that?” Dalanar asked, quick to notice their worry.
“Ayla had some root she brought with her from her Clan people,” Danug explained. “Apparently it was used by the ones who talk to the spirit world. Mamut wanted to try it, so Ayla prepared it the way she had been taught. I don’t know what happened, exactly, but no one could wake them up. Everyone was worried and we all had to chant. Finally Jondalar came and begged Ayla to come back, telling her how much he loved her. They’d been having some trouble—kind of like they are now. I don’t understand how two people who love each other so much can be so blind to each other’s feelings.”
“He has always had trouble with women like that. I don’t know if it’s pride or lack of perception,” Willamar said, shaking his head. “I thought when he brought Ayla home, he was past it. He’s fine if he really doesn’t care that much about a woman, but if he loves one, he seems to lose his sense and doesn’t know what to do. You should hear the stories about him, but that’s not important. What happened?”
“Jondalar just kept telling her he loved her and begging her to come back. Finally she woke up, and