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She made them desire to join with each other,
The Gift of their Pleasures came from the Mother”
“Before She was through Her children loved too”
“Earth’s Children were blessed The Mother could rest”
Ayla waited for more, but when there was only silence, she realized the Mother’s Song had come to an end
People straggled back to their Caves in twos and threes Soht, some made plans to stay with friends or relatives A few acolytes and Zelandonia re some of the more esoteric aspects of the cere
Several people went hoht in her dwelling, ht necessary for many people to surround her The elans of deceased mates had been known to try to return to their hoed to this world The grievingspirits and needed the protection of n influences Older people in particular were sometimes tempted to follow their mates’ elans to the next world shortly after one of the children who needed her
Ayla was one of those who stayed with t
he ne, and Relona seemed pleased that she did Jondalar had planned to stay as well, but by the time he completed the last of his ceremonial duties, it was quite late, and when he looked inside the dwelling, there were so many people sprawled out, he couldn’t see any rooe frame Ayla waved at him from the other side of the room Wolf ith her, and probably because of him, she had a little more room around her, but when he tried to step around people to reach her, he woke a few up Marthona, as closer to the entrance, told hirateful Overnight vigils to ward off wandering spirits were not sos with the spirit world for one day, and he was tired HeAyla beside hi roll, but he fell asleep quickly
When she returned to the Ninth Cave, the One Who Was First went i another Journey to the next world and wanted to meditate, to prepare for it She took off her chest plaque and turned it around to the plain undecorated side She did not want any interruptions She would not only try to guide Shevonar’s spirit to the world beyond, she planned to search for the elan of Thonolan as well, but for that she would need both Jondalar and Ayla
Jondalar aith a strong urge to ht not have expressed it as such, he was still feeling uneasy about all the arcane events he’d recently been involved with Flint-knapping was not only his craft, it was so his hands on a solid piece of stone was a good way to forget about the auely ominous spirit world
He took out the pack of flint that he had quarried from the Lanzadoni flint mine Dalanar had looked over the material that Jondalar had extracted from the outcrop, which contained the superior-quality flint that the Lanzadoni were known for Hewhat pieces to take with him and helped him trim away excess material, so that all he’d had to carry with hireat deal more than people, but flint was heavy There was a limit to the amount of stone that could be taken, but when he exaain just how fine it was
He selected two of the triht out his leather bundle of flint-working tools He untied the cords and laid out several bone and antler hammers and retouchers, and his hammerstones, then picked up each tool and inspected it carefully Then he wrapped the he was ready to find a place to work his flint, somewhat out of the way Chips of flint were very sharp and could be quite erratic in the way they flew Serious workers of the stone always chose to stay away froularly walked, especially away fro children and their often harried mothers or distracted caretakers
Pushing aside the entrance drape, Jondalar walked out of his e, he noticed that the sky was overcast and gray A dreary drizzle kept ale open area near the dwellings was in full use There were no particular ti individual crafts and interests, but it was the kind of day that many chose to work on their various projects Windbreaks of panels, or hides strung over cords, were put up to keep out wind and any rain it ht and warh cold drafts made warm clothes essential
He sreeted her with a touching of cheeks and noticed her womanly scent It ht before He felt a sudden desire to take her back to bed and do more than sleep