The Plains of Passage - Jean M. Auel [319]
“You said that you felt responsible for the death of the three young people. Did you teach her about poisons?” Jondalar asked, unable to let it go.
“I taught Attaroa many things, Marthona’s son, but she was not training to be One Who Serves. However, she has a quick mind and is able to learn more than may be intended … but I also knew that.” S’Armuna stopped then, stopped just short of admitting to a grievous transgression, making it clear, but allowing them to draw their own conclusions. She waited until she saw Jondalar frown with concern and Ayla nod in acknowledgment.
“In any case, I did help Attaroa establish her power over the men in the beginning—maybe I wanted power over them myself. In truth, I did more than that. I prodded and encouraged her, convinced her that the Great Earth Mother wanted women to lead, and I helped her to convince the women, or most of them. After the way they had been treated by Brugar and the men, it wasn’t hard. I gave her something to put the men to sleep, and I told her to put it in their favorite drink—a brew they fermented from birch sap.”
“The Mamutoi make a similar drink,” Jondalar commented, listening with amazement.
“When the men were sleeping, the women tied them up. They were glad to do it. It was almost a game, a way of getting back at the men. But Brugar never woke up. Attaroa tried to imply that he was just more susceptible to the sleeping liquid, but I’m sure she put something else in his drink. She said she wanted to kill him, and I believe she did. She all but admits it now, but, whatever the truth is, I was the one who led her to believe that women would be better off if the men were gone. I was the one who convinced her that if there were no men, the spirits of women would have to mix with the spirits of other women to create new life, and only girl children would be born.”
“Do you really think so?” Jondalar asked, frowning.
“I think I almost persuaded myself that I did. I didn’t actually say it—I didn’t want to make the Mother angry—but I know I made her think so. Attaroa thinks the pregnancy of a few women proves it.”
“She is wrong,” Ayla said.
“Yes, of course she is, and I should have known better. The Mother was not deluded by my ruse. I know in my heart that men are here because that is how the Mother planned it. If She didn’t want men, She would not have made them. Their spirits are necessary. But if the men are weak, their spirits are not strong enough for the Mother to use. That’s why so few children have been born.” She smiled at Jondalar. “You are such a strong young man, I would not doubt that your spirit has already been used by Her.”
“If the men were freed, I think you would find they are more than strong enough to make the women pregnant,” Ayla said, “with no help from Jondalar.”
The tall blond man glanced at her and grinned. “But I’d be more than happy to help,” he said, knowing exactly what she meant, even if he wasn’t entirely sure if he shared her opinion.
“And perhaps you should,” Ayla said. “I just said I didn’t think it would be necessary.”
Jondalar suddenly stopped smiling. It occurred to him that no matter who was right, he had no reason to think he was capable of engendering a child.
S’Armuna looked at both of them, knowing they were making reference to something that she wasn’t privy to. She waited, but when it became obvious that they were waiting for her, she continued. “I helped her, and I encouraged her, but I didn’t know it would be worse with Attaroa as leader than it was with Brugar. In fact, right after he was gone, it was better … for the women, at least. But not for the men, and not for Omel. Cavoa’s brother understood;