The shelters of stone - Jean M. Auel [103]
“I make it; I weave it on a special frame,” Marthona said. “Do you know the plant called flax? A tall, thin plant with blue flowers?”
“Yes, I’m familiar with a plant like that, and I think Jondalar said it was called flax,” Ayla said. “It’s good for severe skin problems, like boils and open sores and rashes, even inside the mouth.”
“Have you ever twined it into cordage?” Marthona asked.
“I may have, I don’t recall, but I can understand how it could be. It does have long fibers.”
“That’s what I used to make this.”
“I know that flax is useful, but I didn’t know it could be used to make something as beautiful as this.”
“I thought you might be able to use it for your Matrimonial. We’ll be leaving for the Summer Meeting soon, at the next full moon, and you said you didn’t have anything to wear for special occasions,” Marthona said.
“Oh, Marthona, how nice of you,” Ayla said, “but I do have a Matrimonial outfit. Nezzie made it for me, and I promised her I would wear it. I hope you don’t mind. I brought it with me all the way from the Summer Meeting last year. It is made in the Mamutoi style, and they have special customs about the way it should be worn.”
“I think it would be most appropriate for you to wear a Mamutoi Matrimonial outfit, Ayla. I just didn’t know if you had anything to wear, and I wasn’t sure if we’d have time to make something before we leave. Please keep this anyway,” Marthona said, smiling as she gave it to her. Ayla thought she seemed relieved. “You may have other occasions when you will want to wear something special.”
“Thank you! This is so beautiful!” Ayla said, holding it up and looking at it again, then in front of her to see how the loose garment would fit. “It must take a long time to make.”
“Yes, but I enjoy it. I’ve worked out the process over many years. Willamar helped me to make the frame I use, and Thonolan, before he left. Most people have a special craft of some kind. We often trade the things we make, or give them as gifts. I’m getting a little old to do much of anything else now, but I don’t see as well as I once did, especially the close work.”
“I was going to show you the thread-puller today!” Ayla said, jumping up. “I think it would make it easier for someone who doesn’t see as well to sew. I’ll get it.” She went to her travel packs to get her sewing kit and saw one of the special packages she had brought with her. Smiling to herself, she took it back to the table, too. “Would you like to see my Matrimonial outfit, Marthona?”
“Yes, I would, but I didn’t want to ask. Some people like to keep it a secret and surprise everyone,” Marthona commented.
“I have a different surprise,” Ayla said as she unpacked her Matrimonial outfit. “But I think I will tell you. Life has begun inside me. I am carrying Jondalar’s baby.”
10
Ayla! Are you sure?” Marthona asked with a smile. She did think it was a rather strange way of saying that the Mother had Blessed her—carrying Jondalar’s baby—even if it probably was the child of his spirit.
“As sure as anyone can be. I have missed two moon times, I feel a little sick in the mornings, and I’m aware of some changes in me that usually mean pregnancy,” Ayla said.
“How wonderful!” Jondalar’s mother said. She reached over and gave Ayla a hug. “If you are already Blessed, it brings luck to your mating, or so people claim.”
Sitting at the low table, the young woman untied the leather-wrapped package and tried to shake the wrinkles out of the tunic and leggings that had been carried across a continent through every season for the past year. Marthona examined the outfit and quickly saw past the creases as she realized what magnificent garments they were. Ayla would most definitely stand out at the Mating Ceremonial wearing this.
First of all, the style was utterly unique. Both men and women of the Zelandonii, with some differences and variations related to gender, usually wore rather loosely bloused pullover tunics, belted at the hips, with various embellishments of bone, shell, feather, or fur