THE SHELTERS OF STONE

"That's true. Danug had just returned from a year of living with a Camp of flint miners, so he could learn about the stone at the source. Just as I learned at Dalanar's mine. He couldn't have had a better teacher than Wymez when it came to learning how to work it, but a good knapper needs to know the stone, too." Jondalar's forehead wrinkled as he pondered the implications. "I don't know. I'd be happy to teach him, but I'd have to talk to Joharran about him coming to the Ninth Cave. The boy would have to have a place to live. Joharran would have to work it out with the Fifth Cave, that is, if Matagan wants to learn. He may have been making points because he couldn't find anyone else to make them for him, and he wanted to hunt. We'll see, Ayla. It's a possibility. If he was hurt that badly, he will need to learn some craft."

They both settled down in the furs, but as tired as Ayla was, sleep did not come immediately. She found herself thinking about her future, and that of the baby she was carrying. What if it was a boy and he wanted to bait rhinos? What if something else happened? And where was Wolf? He was almost like a son to her, too, but she hadn't seen him for several days. When she finally went to sleep, she dreamed about babies, and wolves, and earthquakes. She hated earthquakes. They more than frightened her, they were like a personal harbinger of bad news.

"I can't believe some people are still objecting to Joplaya and Echozar getting mated here," Zelandoni said. "It's done. They were mated. They've been through their isolation trial, they're affirmed. It's over with. They've even had their mating party. There is nothing more to be said." The First was having a last cup of tea before returning to the zelandonia lodge after spending the night at the camp of the Ninth Cave. Several others were sitting around a large trenchfire, finishing their morning meal before the busy activities of the day began.

"They are talking about going home early," Marthona said.

"That would be a shame after coming so far," Jondalar said.

"They have what they came for, Joplaya and Echozar are officially mated, and they have their Zelandoni, or rather, Lanzadoni," Willamar said.

"I was hoping to spend some time with them. I don't think we'll be seeing them again for a while," Jondalar said.

"I was hoping the same," Joharran said. "I've been talking to Dalanar about why he decided to establish the Lanzadonii as a separate group. It's more than the fact that they live a good distance away. He has some interesting ideas."

"He always did," Marthona said.

"Echozar and Joplaya don't even like to go to the main camp area because they say people stare at them, and the looks are not especially friendly," Folara said.

"They may be feeling a little sensitive since the objections during the Matrimonial," Proleva said.

"I've looked into every one. None of those objections has merit. It was all started by Brukeval, of all people, but everyone knows what his problem is," the First said. "And Marona is just trying to make trouble because the Lanzadonii are related to Jondalar, and she still wants to get back at him and anyone around him."

"That woman seems to be training herself in the craft of carrying a grudge," Proleva said. "She needs something to do. Maybe if she had a child it would give her something else to think about."

"I wouldn't wish her as a mother on any child," Salova said.

"Doni may agree with you," Ramara said. "She's never been Blessed as far as anyone knows."

"Isn't she related to you, Ramara? You both have the same pale blond hair," Folara said.

"She's a cousin, but not a close one," Ramara said.

"I think Proleva is right," Marthona said. "Marona does need something to do, but it doesn't mean she has to have a baby. She should learn a craft of some kind, something to devote herself to that would be worthwhile, and that would take her thoughts away from making trouble for people just because her life hasn't turned out the way she wanted. I think all people should have some craft or skill, something that they enjoy, are naturally drawn to, and do well. If she doesn't, she will just continue to make trouble to get attention."

"Even that may not be enough," Solaban said. "Laramar has a skill, one he's recognized, and even admired for. He makes good barma, but he's been making all kinds of trouble. He sides with Brukeval about Joplaya and Echozar, and he's getting attention for it, too. I heard him say to some people of the Fifth Cave that Jondalar's hearth shouldn't be among the First anymore because he mated a foreign woman, and she has the least status. I think he's still resentful that Ayla wasn't behind him at Shevonar's burial. He pretends to ignore it, but I think he doesn't like being last."

"Then he should do something about it," Proleva said angrily, "like take care of the children of his hearth!"