The Land of Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel [83]
When Jondalar’s mother had first seen it the year before, she knew that whoever had directed the outfit to be made commanded great respect and held a very high position within his community. It was clear that the time and effort it took to make it were considerable, yet the outfit had been given to Ayla when she left. None of the benefits of the resources and work that went into making it would stay within the community that made it. Ayla said she had been adopted by an old spiritual man she called Mamut, a man who obviously possessed such tremendous power and prestige—in effect, wealth—that he could afford to give away the mating outfit and the value it represented. No one understood that better than Marthona.
Ayla had, in effect, brought her own bride price, which gave her the status that she needed to contribute to the relationship so that mating her would not lower the position of Jondalar or his kin. Marthona made a point of mentioning that to Proleva, who she knew would tell her husband, Joharran, Marthona’s eldest son, leader of the Ninth Cave. Joharran was glad to have an opportunity to see the prized possession again, now that he fully understood its value. He realized that if properly cared for—and he was sure it would be—the clothing would last a long time. The ochers used to burnish the leather did more than add color and make it water resistant; they helped to preserve the material, and make it resistant to insects and their eggs. It would likely be used by Ayla’s children, and perhaps their children, and when the leather finally disintegrated, the amber and ivory beads could be reused for many more generations.
Joharran knew the value of ivory beads. Recently, he’d had occasion to trade for some, for himself but especially for his mate, and recalling the transaction, he looked at Ayla’s rich and luxurious clothing with new appreciation. As he looked around he noticed that many people were surreptitiously watching her.
Last year, when Ayla wore it for her Matrimonial, everything about her was strange and unusual, including the woman herself. Now people had become more accustomed to her, to the way she spoke, and to the animals she controlled. She was looked upon as a member of the zelandonia and therefore her strangeness seemed more normal, if one could consider any Zelandoni normal. But the outfit made her stand out again, made people recall her foreign origins, but also the wealth and status she brought with her.
Among those watching her were Marona and Wylopa. “Look at her flaunting that outfit,” Marona said to her cousin, her eyes full of envy. She would have been more than happy to flaunt it. “You know, Wylopa, that wedding outfit should have been mine. Jondalar Promised me. He should have come back and mated me, and given that outfit to me.” She paused. “Her hips are too broad for it anyway,” Marona said with scorn.
As Ayla and the others were making their way to a place that the Ninth Cave had claimed for watching the festivities, both Jondalar and his brother saw Marona. She was staring at Ayla with such malevolence, it made Joharran apprehensive, for Ayla’s sake. He glanced at Jondalar, who had also seen Marona’s glare of hatred, and a look of shared understanding passed between the two brothers.
Joharran moved closer to Jondalar. “You know that if she can, she will cause trouble for Ayla someday,” the leader said under his breath.
“I think you’re right, and it’s my fault, I’m afraid,” Jondalar said. “Marona thought I Promised to mate her. I didn’t, but I understand why she may have thought so.”
“It’s not your fault, Jondalar. People have a right to make their own choices,” Joharran said. “You were gone a long time. She had no claim on you, and shouldn’t have had any expectations. After all, she mated and separated in the time you were gone. You made a better choice, and she knows it. She just can’t stand it that you brought back someone who has more to offer than she does. That’s why she’ll try