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One clan’s specialty was a coumes of milk vetch, seasoned with a secret combination of herbs and thickened with dried reindeer ht a special variety of pinecones, from a tree that was unique to the area of their cave, that yielded large tasty nuts released by the heat of a fire

Norg’s clan toasted chestnuts gathered froe sauce frorains, and slices of s and slowly The area for some distance in the vicinity of the cave was stripped of blueberries, high-bush cranberries, and from the lower elevations, raspberries and wild mountain blackberries

The wo the dried acorns they brought The pulverized nuts were put in shallow holes in the sand near the river and quantities of water poured over the pulpy h was baked into flat cakes, soaked in hly saturated, then dried in the sun The host clan, who also tapped theirdays, were interested as soon as they saw the faars and syrup The sticky, maple-sweet acorn cakes were an unusual treat that the wo’s clan decided to try later themselves

Uba, keeping an eye on Durc while helping the woly endless quantity and variety of food and wondered how they would ever be able to eat it all

Sht filled with stars so thick a gossamer haze veiled the vault of the heavens Theits back to the planet it circled and reflecting its light into the cold depths of space The glow of cooking fires lighted the area near the cave in contrast to the darkness of the surrounding woods Food had been moved away froh to keep it hot, andinto neraps and relaxing for a few moments before the festivities

But even the tired wo The space in front began to fill with aof the cereicians and their ten acolytes filed out of the opening, followed by a scrae that faced the holy men Positions of the audience were not defined by location so much as relationship to other people Orderly ranks were not important, only that each individual was ahead or behind, or on the correct side of certain other individuals There were always last-e point within their sphere of relationships

With dignified ceree fire was lit in front of the dark hole in the mountain Then the stones were re pits The mates of the leaders of the first-ranked and host clans had the signal honor of lifting out the huge haunches of tender meat, and Brun’s chest swelled with satisfaction when he saw Ebra step forward

The -urs’ acceptance of Ayla had finally decided the issue Brun and his clan were a stronger first than they had ever been Unlikely as it had appeared at first, the tall blonde female was a woious line Brun’s obdurate insistence that it was so had been proved correct, it was the will of Ursus Had he wavered, for even a reat, or his success as sweet

Clouds of succulent stearowl as the bear nal for the other wo large boith the food they had labored so long to prepare Broud and Voord stepped forward carrying large flat trays and stood in front of The Mog-ur

“This Feast of Ursus also honors Gorn, chosen by the Great Cave Bear to acco’s clan, Ursus learned that his People had not forgotten his lessons He grew to know Gorn well and found hie, your strength, your endurance, you were selected to show the Great Spirit the bravery of the th and he is pleased You did well, and you are privileged to bring him the last meal he will share with his Clan until he returns from the Spirit World May the Spirit of Ursus alith us”

The two youngbeside dishes heaped with food and selected the choicest morsels of each, with the exception of the h in the wild, he occasionally indulged when it was easily available The trays were placed in front of the bear hide mounted on the poles

Then, the Mog-ur continued: “You drank of his blood, now eat of his body and be one with the Spirit of Ursus”

The benediction signaled the beginning of the feast Broud and Voord received the first portions of the bear meat, then proceeded to fill plates for thehs and grunts rose as they settled down to enjoy their repast The etarian bear was tender and rich with rains, prepared with meticulous attention, were savored to the fullest, and the appetizer of hungertaste even better It was a feast worth waiting for

“Ayla, you’re not eating You know all the ht”

“I know, Ebra, but I’ry”

“Ayla’s nervous,” Uba gestured between ood, I wouldn’t want to be too nervous to eat it”

“Eat some meat, anyway You must do that Do you have some broth for Durc? He should have a little, it will make him one with the Clan”

“I gave hia, is Grev still hungry? My breasts are so full, they’re getting sore”

“I would have waited, but they were both hungry, Ayla You can feed them tomorrow”

“I’ll have enoughtonight, they’ll be sleeping The datura sedative is all ready Next tiry, make them drink that first, so they will sleep Uba will tell you how ht after we eat, and I won’t be back until after the ceremony”

“Don’t be too long, our dance will start after the ood at s is always special,” Ebra motioned

“I haven’t learned to play very well, yet Iza taught ’s clan was showing me, but I haven’t had much practice,” Ayla said

“You haven’t been ayou the healing estured “Medicine women have to know so much”

“I wish Iza were here,” Ebra lad they finally accepted you, Ayla, but Iher with us”

“I wish she were here, too,” Ayla said “I hated leaving her behind She’s sicker than she likes to let anyone know I hope she’s getting lots of sun and rest”