The shelters of stone - Jean M. Auel [197]
Marthona was startled by the suddenness of his request and was caught off guard. “I would not refuse you, Jondalar,” she said, feeling that her son had put her in an untenable position to ask such a thing in public without warning. “But it is not entirely up to me. I am happy to welcome Ayla to the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii, but it is your brother, and Zelandoni, and others, including Ayla herself, who have a say in that decision.”
Folara grinned, knowing that her mother did not like to be taken by surprise like that. It rather pleased her that Jondalar had caught her without warning, but she had to admit, Marthona had recovered well.
“Well, I for one would not hesitate to accept her,” Willamar said. “I would even adopt her, but since I am mated to your mother, Jondalar, I’m afraid it would make her a sister, like Folara, an unmatable woman. I don’t think you would want that.”
“No, but I appreciate the thought,” Jondalar said.
“Why do you bring it up now?” Marthona asked, still a little miffed.
“It seemed as good a time as any,” Jondalar said. “We’ll be leaving soon for the Summer Meeting, and I would like it settled before we go. I know we haven’t been home very long, but most of you have gotten to know Ayla. I think she would be a valuable addition to the Ninth Cave.”
Ayla was more than a little surprised, too, but she said nothing. Do I want to be adopted by the Zelandonii? She asked herself. Does it matter? If Jondalar and I are going to be mated, I will be the same as one, whether I have the name or not. He seems to want it. I’m not sure why, but maybe he has a good reason. He knows his people much better than I do.
“Perhaps I should tell you something, Jondalar,” Joharran said. “I think to those of us who know her, Ayla would be a more than acceptable addition to our Cave, but not everyone feels that way. When I was walking back from Down River, I decided to tell Laramar and some others about the bison feast, and when I approached, I overheard them talking. I’m sorry to say, they were making disparaging remarks, in particular about her healing skills and treatment of Shevonar. They seem to feel that anyone who learned healing from … the Clan, could not know much. It’s their prejudice talking, I’m afraid. I told them no one, not even Zelandoni, could have done more, and I must admit they made me angry. That’s not always the best time to make a point.”
So that’s why he was so angry, Ayla thought. The knowledge gave her mixed feelings. She was upset by what those men said about Iza’s healing abilities, but pleased that Joharran had spoken up for her.
“All the more reason to make her one of us now,” Jondalar said. “You know those men. They do nothing but gamble and drink Laramar’s barma. They haven’t even bothered to learn a craft or a skill, unless you consider gambling one. They are not even decent hunters. They are lazy, worthless men who contribute nothing, unless they’re shamed into it, and they have little shame. They will do anything to avoid making an effort toward helping the Cave, and everyone knows it. No one will pay attention to what they say if the ones people respect are willing to accept her and make her Zelandonii.” He was obviously upset. He wanted Ayla to be accepted for herself, and this put a different character on it.
“That’s not entirely true about Laramar, Jondalar,” Proleva said. “He may be lazy about most things, and I don’t think he likes to hunt much, but Laramar does have a skill. He can make a drinkable beverage out of almost anything that will ferment. I’ve known him to use grains, fruits, honey, birch sap, even some roots, and turn out a drink that most people like, and he makes it for almost every