The Plains of Passage - Jean M. Auel [450]
“No, it’s a new process, developed by a Mamutoi man named Wymez. He’s the only knapper I’ve ever met who compares with you, Dalanar. He heats the stone. That’s what gives it the sheen, and the feel, but even better, after it’s heated, you can remove those fine flakes,” Jondalar was explaining with great animation.
Ayla found herself watching him.
“They almost chip off by themselves—that’s what gives you the control. I’ll show you how he does it. I’m not as good as he is—I need to work on perfecting my technique—but you’ll see what I mean. I want to get some good flint while we’re here. With the horses, we can carry more weight, and I’d like to bring some Lanzadonii stone home with me.”
“This is your home, too, Jondalar,” Dalanar said quietly. “But, yes, we can go to the mine tomorrow and quarry some fresh stone. I’d like to see how this is done, but is this really a spear point? It looks so thin, and graceful, it almost seems too fragile to hunt with.”
“They use these spear points for hunting mammoth. It does break more easily, but the sharp flint pierces the thick hide better than a bone point and will slide in between ribs,” Jondalar said. “I have something else to show you, too. I developed it when I was recovering from the cave lion mauling, in Ayla’s valley. It’s a spear-thrower. With it, a spear will fly twice as far. Wait until you see how it works!”
“I think they want us to come and eat, Jondalar,” Dalanar said, noticing people at the mouth of the cave, beckoning. “Everyone will want to hear your stories. Come inside where you can be comfortable and all can hear. You tease us with these animals that obey your wishes, and comments about cave lion maulings, spear-throwers, new stone-knapping techniques. What other adventures and marvels do you have to share?”
Jondalar laughed. “We haven’t even begun. Would you believe we have seen stones that make fire and stones that burn? Dwellings made out of the bones of mammoths, ivory points that pull thread, and huge rivercraft used to hunt fish so big, it would take five men your size, one on top of the other, to reach tip to tail.”
Ayla had never seen Jondalar so happy and relaxed, so free and unrestrained, and she realized how glad he was to be with his people.
He put an arm around both Ayla and Joplaya as they walked toward the cave. “Have you chosen a mate yet, Joplaya?” Jondalar asked. “I didn’t see anyone who seemed to have a claim on you.”
Joplaya laughed. “No, I’ve been waiting for you, Jondalar.”
“There you go, making a joke again,” Jondalar said, chuckling. He turned to explain to Ayla. “Close-cousins can’t mate, you know.”
“I have it all planned,” Joplaya continued, “I thought we’d run off together and start our own Cave, like Dalanar did. But, of course, we’d only allow flint knappers.” Her laugh seemed forced, and she looked only at Jondalar.
“See what I mean, Ayla?” Jondalar said, turning to her but giving Joplaya a squeeze. “Always joking. Joplaya is the worst tease.” Ayla wasn’t sure she understood the joke.
“Seriously, Joplaya, you must be promised anyway.”
“Echozar has asked, but I haven’t decided yet.”
“Echozar? I don’t think I know him. Is he Zelandonii?”
“He’s Lanzadonii. He joined us a few years ago. Dalanar saved his life, found him almost drowned. I think he’s still in the cave. He’s shy; you’ll understand why when you meet him. He looks … well, different. He doesn’t like meeting strangers, he says he doesn’t want to come with us to the Zelandonii Summer Meeting. But he’s sweet when you get to know him, and he’d do anything for Dalanar.”
“Are you going to the Summer Meeting this year? I hope so, at least for the Matrimonial. Ayla and I are going to be mated.” This time he gave