The valley of horses_ a novel - Jean M. Auel [126]
“Get it away from him. He’s big enough to drink it all!”
“I gave it to Chalono,” Jondalar said.
“I haven’t seen any of those mushrooms—are you going to keep the wine and the mushrooms, too?” Rondo asked.
“Don’t rush me. I’ve been trying to get this bag open. Here, Thonolan, you’re the guest of honor. You get first pick.”
“Markeno, is it true the Mamutoi make a drink out of a plant that’s better than wine or mushrooms?” Tarluno asked.
“I don’t know about better, but I’ve only had it once.”
“How about more steam?” Rondo said, splashing a cup of water on the rocks below, assuming everyone’s assent.
“Some people, to west, put in steam something,” Jondalar commented.
“And one Cave breathe smoke from plant. They let you try, but they not tell what it is,” Thonolan added.
“You two must have tried almost everything … in all your traveling,” Chalono said. “That’s what I’d like to do, try everything there is.”
“I hear flatheads drink something …” Tarluno volunteered.
“They’re animals—they’ll drink anything,” Chalono said.
“Isn’t that what you just said you wanted to do?” Rondo jeered. An outburst of laughter followed.
Chalono noticed Rondo’s comments often provoked laughter—sometimes at his expense. Not to be outdone, he began a story that had been known to cause laughter before. “You know the one about the old man who was so blind, he caught a flathead female and thought it was a woman …”
“Yeah, his pizzle fell off. That’s disgusting, Chalono,” Rondo said. “And what man would mistake a flathead for a woman?”
“Some do not mistake. Do on purpose,” Thonolan said. “Men from Cave, far to west, take Pleasures with flathead females, make trouble for Caves.”
“You’re joking!”
“It no joke. Whole pack of flatheads surround us,” Jondalar confirmed. “They angry. Later we hear some men take flathead women, cause trouble.”
“How did you get away?”
“They let,” Jondalar said. “Leader of pack, he smart. Flatheads more smart people think.”
“I heard of a man who got a flathead female on a dare,” Chalono said.
“Who? You?” Rondo sneered. “You said you wanted to try everything.”
Chalono tried to defend himself, but the laughter drowned him out. When it died down, he tried again. “I didn’t mean that. I was talking about mushrooms and wine and such when I said I wanted to try everything.” He was feeling some effects and becoming a bit thick-tongued. “But a lot of boys talk about flathead females, before they know what women are. I heard of one who took a flathead on a dare, or said he did.”
“Boys will talk about anything,” Markeno said.
“What do you think girls talk about?” Tarluno asked.
“Maybe they talk about flathead males,” Chalono said.
“I don’t want to listen to this anymore,” Rondo said.
“You did your share of talking about it when we were younger, Rondo,” Chalono said, beginning to take offense.
“Well, I’ve grown up. I wish you would. I’m tired of your disgusting remarks.”
Chalono was insulted, and a little drunk. If he was going to be accused of being disgusting, he’d really give them something disgusting. “Is that so, Rondo? Well, I heard of a woman who took her Pleasure with a flathead, and the Mother gave her a baby of mixed spirits…”
“Eeeuch!” Rondo curled his lip and shuddered with repugnance. “Chalono, that’s not anything to joke about. Who asked him to this party? Get him out of here. I feel like I’ve just had filth thrown in my face. I don’t mind a little joking around, but he’s gone too far!”
“Rondo’s right,” Tarluno said. “Why don’t you leave, Chalono?”
“No,” Jondalar said. “Cold out, dark. Not make leave. True, babies of mix spirits not for joke, but why everyone know of them?”
“Half-animal, half-human abominations!” Rondo mumbled. “I don’t want to talk about them. It’s too hot in here. I’m getting out before I get sick!”
“This is supposed to be Thonolan’s party to relax,” Markeno said. “Why don’t we all go out and take a swim, then come back and start all over again. There’s still plenty of Jetamio’s wine left. I didn’t tell you, but I brought two waterbags of it.”
“I don’t think the