The Plains of Passage - Jean M. Auel [386]
Ayla watched the two men leave the Ceremonial Hearth. She felt sure they both had accomplished what they meant to do, but the shorter man had a questioning expression and an unsatisfied set to his shoulders, and the tall one had stiffened and looked rather unhappy, but determined. The strange undercurrent made her even more curious about what went on inside.
“I hope she will change her mind,” Losaduna was saying as they drew near. “I think the best way for her to overcome her terrible experience is to go ahead with her First Rites. We will have to be very careful who we choose for her, though. I wish you were staying, Jondalar. She seems to have developed an interest in you. I think it’s good to see her warming toward a man.”
“I would like to help, but we just can’t stay. We have to leave as soon as we can, tomorrow or the next day, if possible.”
“You’re right, of course. The season could turn any time. Be wary if you notice either one of you getting irritable,” Losaduna said.
“The Malaise,” Jondalar said.
“What is Malaise?” Ayla asked.
“It comes with the foehn, the snow-melter, the spring wind,” Losaduna said. “The wind comes out of the southwest, warm and dry, and hard enough to uproot trees. It melts snow so fast that high drifts can be gone in a day, and if it hits when you are on the glacier, you may not make it across. The ice could melt beneath your feet and drop you into a crevasse, or it could send a river across your path, or open a crack in front of you. It comes so fast that the evil spirits that like the cold can’t get out of its way. It cleans them out, sweeps them out of hidden places, pushes them on ahead. That’s why the evil spirits ride the headwinds of the snow-melter and usually arrive just before it. They bring the Malaise. If you know what to expect and can control them, they can be a warning, but they’re subtle, and it’s not easy to turn the evil spirits to your advantage.”
“How do you know when the evil spirits have come?” Ayla asked.
“As I mentioned, watch out if you start feeling irritable. They can make you sick, and if you are already sick, they can make it worse, but more often they just make you want to argue or fight. Some people go into a rage, but everyone knows that it’s caused by the Malaise, and people are not held to blame—unless they do serious damage or injury, and even then much is excused. Afterward, people are glad for the snow-melter because it brings new growth, new life, but no one looks forward to the Malaise.”
“Come and eat!” It was Solandia who spoke; they hadn’t seen her coming. “People are already going back for second portions. If you don’t hurry, there won’t be any left.”
They walked toward the central hearth where a large fire was burning, whipped up by drafts coming in the mouth of the cave. Though not fully dressed for the intense cold outside, most people wore warm clothes in the unscreened areas of the cave that were open to the cold and winds. The roast haunch of ibex was rare in the middle, though keeping it hot was cooking it a bit more; fresh meat was welcome. There was also a rich meaty soup, made with dried meat, mammoth fat, a few bits of dried roots, and mountain bilberries; nearly the last of their stored vegetables and fruits. Everyone could hardly wait for the fresh greens of spring.
But the hard cold winter was still upon them, and as much as he wished for spring, Jondalar wished even more for the winter to last a little longer, just until they got across the glacier that still lay beyond them.
38
After the meal Losaduna announced that something was being offered at the Ceremonial Hearth. Ayla and Jondalar didn’t understand the word, but they soon learned it was a drink that was served warm. The taste was pleasant and vaguely familiar.