The shelters of stone - Jean M. Auel [260]
“We can start the ceremony without fire and light the hearth after it becomes dark,” Zelandoni of the Twenty-ninth Cave volunteered. She was a pleasant-looking woman with a conciliatory smile, but Ayla’s ability to read body language detected an underlying strength of character and forcefulness. She had met her briefly. This was the woman she had heard people say held the Three Rocks of the Twenty-ninth Cave together.
“But people would think it was strange if there is no ceremonial fire from the beginning Zelandoni of the Twenty-ninth,” the Zelandoni of the Third countered. “Perhaps it would be best to delay the beginning until darkness falls.”
“Is there something else that can be done first? Some people start gathering early. They will get restless if we hold off too long,” another added. She was a middle-aged woman, nearly as fat as the One Who Was First, but rather than tall, she was quite short. Where the size of the First, both height and weight, gave her a commanding presence, this woman looked warm and motherly.
“How about telling stories, Zelandoni of West Holding? The Story-Tellers are here,” suggested a young man sitting beside her.
“Stories may detract from the seriousness of the ceremony, Zelandoni of North Holding,” the Zelandoni of the Twenty-ninth said.
Of course, you’re right, Zelandoni of Three Rocks,” the young man said quickly. He seemed rather deferential toward the primary Zelandoni of the Twenty-ninth Cave. Ayla realized that the four Zelandonia of the Twenty-ninth referred to each other by a name of their respective sites rather than their counting words. It made sense, since they were all Zelandonia of the Twenty-ninth Cave. What a confusing situation, she thought, but they seem to be making it work.
“Then have someone talk about a serious matter,” said the Zelandoni of South Holding.
He was the one who had asked the First if Ayla was here about the animals, and the South Holding was Reflection Rock, which housed the Cave led by Denanna. She was the one that Ayla felt viewed her, or perhaps the horses and wolf, with some animosity, but his tone had not seemed unfriendly. She would wait and see.
“Joharran wants to bring up the matter of flatheads and whether or not they are people,” Zelandoni of the Eleventh said. “That is a very serious matter.”
“But some people won’t like to hear such ideas, and are liable to get argumentative. We don’t want to start this Summer Meeting with contentious feelings. That could make them quarrelsome about everything,” Zelandoni Who Was First said. “We have to create a receptive mood before new ideas about flatheads are broached.”
Ayla wondered if it was appropriate for her to comment. “Zelandoni,” she finally said, “could I make a suggestion?” Everyone turned to look, and she didn’t think all the zelandonia were pleased.
“Of course you can, Ayla,” Zelandoni Who Was First said.
“Jondalar and I visited the Losadunai on our way here. We gave the Losaduna and his mate a few firestones … for the whole Cave … they were so kind and helpful…” Ayla hesitated.
“Yes?” Zelandoni encouraged.
“When they made a ceremony to introduce the firestones, they made two hearths,” Ayla continued. “One was all set to light, but cold. The other was burning. They put that one out completely. It was suddenly so dark, you couldn’t see the person sitting next to you, and it was easy to see that not a single coal in the first hearth gave even a hint of a glow. Then I lit the fire in the second hearth.”
There was silence for only a moment. “Thank you, Ayla,” Zelandoni said. “I think that’s a good idea. Perhaps we can do