The Mammoth Hunters - Jean M. Auel [128]
“What kind of gifts?” Ayla asked.
“Oh, just gifts … they can be many things,” Tulie said. “Furs are nice, and clothes … tunics, leggings, boots, or the leather to make them. Deegie makes beautifully dyed leather. Amber and seashells, and ivory beads, for necklaces and decorating clothes. Long teeth of wolves and other meat eaters are quite valuable. So are ivory carvings. Flint, salt … food is good to give, especially if it can be stored. Anything well made, baskets, mats, belts, knives. I think it’s important to give as much as possible, so when everyone shows the gifts at the Meeting, it will appear that you have an abundance, to show your status. It doesn’t really matter if most of it is donated to Talut and Nezzie for you.”
“You and Talut and Nezzie do not have to give for me. I have things to give,” Ayla said.
“Yes, of course, you have the firestones. And they are the most valuable, but they don’t look very impressive. Later people will realize their worth, but first impressions make a difference.”
“Tulie is right,” Nezzie said. “Most young women spend years making and accumulating gifts to give away at their Matrimonials, or if they are adopted.”
“Are so many people adopted by the Mamutoi?” Jondalar asked.
“Not outsiders,” Nezzie said, “but Mamutoi often adopt other Mamutoi. Every Camp needs a sister and brother to be headwoman and headman, but not every man is lucky enough to have a sister like Tulie. If something happens to one or the other, or if a young man or a young woman wants to start a new Camp, a sister or a brother may be adopted. But, don’t worry. I have many things that you can give, Ayla, and even Latie has offered some of her things for you to give.”
“But I have things to give, Nezzie. I have things in cave at valley,” Ayla said. “I spent years making many things.”
“It’s not necessary for you to go back …” Tulie said, privately thinking that whatever she might have would be very primitive with her flathead background. How could she tell the young woman that her gifts probably would not be suitable? It could be awkward.
“I want to go back,” Ayla insisted. “Other things I need. My healing plants. Food stored. And food for horses.” She turned to Jondalar. “I want to go back.”
“I suppose we could. If we hurried and didn’t stop along the way, I think we could make it … if the weather clears.”
“Usually, after the first cold snap like this, we get some nice weather,” Talut said. “It’s unpredictable, though. It can turn any time.”
“Well, if we get some decent weather maybe we’ll take a chance and go back to the valley,” Jondalar said, and was rewarded by one of Ayla’s beautiful smiles.
There were some things he wanted, too. Those firestones had made quite an impression, and the rocky beach at the bend of the river in Ayla’s valley had been full of them. Someday, he hoped, he would return and share with his people everything he had learned and discovered: the firestones, the spear-thrower, and for Dalanar, Wymez’s trick of heating flint. Someday …
“Hurry back,” Nezzie called out, holding her hand up with the palm facing her, and waving goodbye.
Ayla and Jondalar waved back. They were mounted double on Whinney, with Racer on a rope behind, and looked down on the people of the Lion Camp who had gathered to see them off. As excited as she felt about returning to the valley that had been her home for three years, Ayla felt a pang of sorrow at leaving behind people who already seemed like family.
Rydag, standing on one side of Nezzie, and Rugie on the other, clung to her as they waved. Ayla couldn’t help noticing how little resemblance there was between them. One was a small image of Nezzie, the other half-Clan, yet they had been raised as brother and sister. With a sudden insight, Ayla recalled that Oga had nursed Durc, along with