The Valley of Horses by Jean M. Auel Read Free Book Online Page B

said, pleased with his obvious admiration. “I would have known soon enough to get back.”
    “It was as long a Journey as many men make,” he insisted.
    Jondalar, watching the interplay, turned to Laduni. “He’s done it again,” he said, grinning. “My brother never fails to single out the most attractive woman in sight and have her charmed within the first three heartbeats.”
    Laduni chuckled. “Filonia’s young yet. She only had her Rites of First Pleasures last summer, but she’s had enough admirers since then to turn her head. Ah, to be young again, and new to the Gift of Pleasure from the Great Earth Mother. Not that I don’t enjoy it still, but I’m comfortable with my mate and don’t have the same urge to seek new excitement often.” He turned to the tall blond man. “We’re just a hunting party and don’t have many women with us, but you shouldn’t have any problem finding one of our blessed of Duna willing to share the Gift. If none suits you, we have a large Cave, and visitors are always a reason for a festival to honor the Mother.”
    “I’m afraid we won’t be going with you to your Cave. We’ve just started. Thonolan wants to make a long Journey and is anxious to get moving. Perhaps on our way back, if you’ll give us directions.”
    “I’m sorry you won’t be visiting—we haven’t had many visitors lately. How far do you plan to go?”
    “Thonolan talks about following Donau all the way to the end. But everyone talks about a long Journey when they begin. Who can tell?”
    “I thought the Zelandonii lived close to the Great Water; at least they did when I made my Journey. I traveled a long way west, and then south. Did you say you just started out?”
    “I should explain. You’re right, the Great Water is only a few days from our Cave, but Dalanar of the Lanzadonii was mated to my mother when I was born, and his Cave is like home to me, too. I lived there for three years while he taught me my craft. My brother and I stayed with them. The only distance we’ve traveled since we left is across the glacier, and the couple of days to get there.”
    “Dalanar! Of course! I thought you looked familiar. You must be a child of his spirit; you look so much like him. And a flint knapper, too. If you are as much like him as you look, you must be good. He’s the best I’ve ever seen. I was going to visit him next year to get some flint from the Lanzadonii mine. There is no better stone.”
    People were gathering around the fire with wooden bowls, and the delicious smells coming from that direction madeJondalar conscious of his hunger. He picked up his backframe to move it out of the way, then had a thought. “Laduni, I have some Lanzadonii flint with me. I was going to use it to replace broken tools along the way, but it’s heavy to carry, and I wouldn’t mind unloading a stone or two. I’d be happy to give it to you if you’d like it.”
    Laduni’s eyes lit up. “I’d be happy to take it, but I’d want to give you something in return. I don’t mind getting the better side of a good trade, but I wouldn’t want to cheat the son of Dalanar’s hearth.”
    Jondalar grinned. “You’re already offering to lighten my load and feed me a hot meal.”
    “That’s hardly enough for good Lanzadonii stone. You make it too easy, Jondalar. You hurt my pride.”
    A good-natured crowd was gathering around them, and when Jondalar laughed, they joined in.
    “All right, Laduni, I won’t make it easy. Right now, there’s nothing I want—I’m trying to lighten my load. I’ll ask you for a future claim. Are you willing?”
    “Now he wants to cheat me,” the man said to the crowd, grinning. “At least name it.”
    “How can I name it? But I’ll want to collect it on my way back, agreed?”
    “How do I know I can give it?”
    “I won’t ask what you can’t give.”
    “Your terms are hard, Jondalar, but if I can, I’ll give you whatever you ask. Agreed.”
    Jondalar opened his