The Mammoth Hunters - Jean M. Auel [316]
At the farthest edge of the encampment, slightly around a curve of the wall of the ravine that opened onto the river valley, they constructed an awninglike lean-to, utilizing the hide tent she and Jondalar had used when they traveled together, supported by small trees and sturdy branches. It was somewhat hidden from the sight of the people camped in the hollow, but the view of the river and the beautiful wooded meadows across was expansive.
They were moving in and setting up places to sleep in the somewhat more crowded quarters when a delegation from Wolf Camp, along with several others, came to welcome them officially. They were in the host Camp’s territory, and though it was expected, it was more than courtesy to extend to all visitors the use of the Wolf Camp’s hereditary fishing weirs, berry, nut, seed, and root beds, and hunting grounds. Even though the Summer Meeting would not last the entire season, hosting such a large group would take its toll, and it was necessary to find out if some particular area should be avoided so as not to overtax the resources in the region.
Talut had been quite surprised when told of the change in the location of the Summer Meeting. The Mamutoi didn’t, as a rule, meet at a home Camp. Usually they chose some location that was out on the steppes or in some large river valley that could accommodate such concentrations of people more easily.
“In the name of the Great Mother of all, the Lion Camp is welcome,” a thin, gray-haired woman said.
Tulie was shocked to see her. She had been a woman of uncommon grace and robust health, who had shouldered the responsibility of her co-leadership with ease, but she seemed to have aged ten years in the last season. “Marlie, we appreciate your hospitality. In the name of Mut, we thank you.”
“I see you have done it again,” a man said, grasping both of Talut’s hands in greeting.
Valez was younger than his sister, but for the first time, Tulie noticed that he also showed signs of age. It made her suddenly aware of her own mortality. She had always thought Marlie and Valez were close to her in age.
“But I think this is your biggest surprise,” Valez continued. “When Toran came running in, shouting something about horses walking across the river with you, everyone had to go and look. And then someone spied the wolf …”
“We won’t ask you to tell us about them now,” Marlie said, “though I must admit I am curious. You’ll just have to repeat it again too many times. We might as well wait until this evening so you can tell everyone at once.”
“Marlie is right, of course,” Valez said, though he had been ready to hear the story right then. He also noticed that his sister seemed especially tired. He feared this would be her last Summer Meeting. That was why he had agreed to host it when the place that had originally been selected was washed out by a change in the course of the river. They would be handing over their co-leadership this season.
“Please make use of whatever you need. Are you settled in comfortably? I’m sorry you have to be so far away, but you are late. I wasn’t even sure that you were coming,” Marlie said.
“We took a roundabout way,” Talut agreed. “But this is the best place. It’s better for the animals. They aren’t used to so many people.”
“I’d like to know how they got used to one!” a voice called out. Tulie’s eyes lit up as a tall young man approached, but Deegie got to him first.
“Tarneg! Tarneg!” she cried out as she rushed to embrace him. The rest of the Aurochs Hearth was not far