Categories > Books > Harry Potter > Clanmariza
Clanluna
Chapter 74: a new Love
Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling
Earth’s Children is owned by Jean Auel
It wasn’t very far into the morning before Mariza was approached by Zuradan. She could tell he was agitated about something. He seemed very nervous as he walked up to her and signed: “Mariza!” before giving her the Signal.
Mariza had forgotten about Zuradan. She suposed she should have expected this. After all last night she had sent the three men of her hearth to ask other men if they could Relieve their Need with their mates. It's not surprising that the man who has no mate would turnabout and ask her to Relieve his Needs. She knew that having be given the Signal, a Clan woman was expected to kneel and present here in the open by the cave and let him Relieve his Needs. But she wasn't Clan and neither was he. Amongst her own people, the few Clan men who were left would avoid an uncomfortable situation by avoiding giving the Signal to a woman who they weren't certain would comply. Usually, their Clan's clanluna would make certain that Clan men had mates, or if their mate was not availible, the clanluna was ready and willing to Relieve his needs. The thought that this might be an attempt by Zuradan to undermine her postition as Leader. Perhaps he thought he'd have more status than her if he could make her Relieve his Needs?
“Let's go back to my hearth,“ signed Mariza, as she turned away from him to head back to her stone-house.
After turning stepping in, she turned to look at him entering. He seemed more nervous than before and she heard his breath hitch when she untied her wrap revealing her naked body to him. She sat down on her furs and patted a spot next to him, indicating that he was to join her.
“Why are you so nervous?“ signed Mariza. “Is it because you've asked your Leader to Relieve your Needs?“
“Yes!- . . . This man means: no!“ signed Zuradan. “This man did not give you the signal so you could Relieve his Needs. This man wants to learn to Relieve your Needs. This man thought since Zuradaz is getting mated, there might be room at you hearth for another man.“
“Oh. Oh!“ said Mariza, before going back to signs. “This clanluna hadn't realized- . . . of course you can move in. This clanluna will be your redfoot like she was for the other three young men. And the first thing you must learn is that you are no longer allowed to give women the Signal until you have completed your training. And even after you have completed it, women will be able to refuse your Signal. So, tell this woman, why do you not have a mate?“
“This man's mother's mate is low ranked, and that makes this man even lower ranked,“ signed Zuradan. “The man had trouble with patience on his early hunts and this hurt his status even further. When we hunted women of the Others for mates one of them escaped. Zezbrakran decided this man's mate was the one who got away.“
“If you do not have a mate, when was the last time you Relieved your Needs?“ signed Mariza.
“This man gave Zuragakaba the Signal once when this man first became a man,“ signed Zuradan. “But Zurvgav was very angry that this man had not asked his permision.“
“Oh you poor dear!“ signed Mariza, as she pressed her hand to his chest. (and I thought I had gone a long time without!) “This woman will let you Relieve your Needs now. But tonight, this clanluna will be redfooting Zuragavab for Zurbgranaza. You will have to watch what I teach him, then I will teach you about Sharing Pleasures.“
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Mariza pulled Zuradan in for a kiss. When their lips finally parted, Mariza turned around, knelt, and presented, like a Clan woman would. After he was done, she sent him off to move his possessions into the stone house.
Later in the day, Mariza was approached by Zuragakadaza and Zuragakaba, with requests simliar to Zurbgranaza's. Mariza was careful not to give an answer. She had a lot to think about. And so, during dinner she waved for attention from the people at her hearth.
“Tonight, after dinner Vojkovica and Zuradaz will be mated,“ signed Mariza. “So there will be some changes. Zurvgak, Zubgranev, this clanluna needs you to help teach the men how to Share Pleasures with their mates. This clanluna will be doing the same, starting tonight with Zurbgranaza and Zuragavab. Zuradan, this redfoot will be redfooting you after they are finished. Vezava, this redfoot will need you to watch Širiža and help Zariz with the animals.“
“Vezava, Mariza need you help Širiža, help Zariz animals,“ repeated Mariza in Vanthoni.
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And so, after dinner, they all went out for the mating ceremony. Zuradaz and Vojkovica had already made a hearth in the cave and moved this posessions into it earlier in the day. Vojkovica put on her leggings and pulled off her summer-dress. Her chest need to be bared for the mating ceremony but she didn't want to be naked for it. She handed her summer-dress to Vezava, who ran into the cave followed by Đak and the cubs and put it in Zuradaz's new hearth. Everyone else left the stone-house to join the Clan outside the cave. Zariz climbed onto Međveđj's back so he could see what was going on. The cubs were pulling on each other's ears growling. But Mariza had patted her thigh to call Đak over and sit next to her. Širiža was nursing under Mariza's wrap to keep her quiet. The whole Clan stood still in expectation, waiting until Zurbgun emerged from the cave wearing a ratty old Cave Bear-skin cloak followed by Zurvragun holding a bowl.
“Tonight we are gathering to witness the mating of Zuradaz to Vojkovica of the Others,“ signed the mog-ur as he indicated for them to step forward. Zurbgun the mog-ur dipped his hand in the bowl of ochre pastes and painted the symbol of the Shamois on Vojkovica's chest and the symbol of the Mammoth on Zuradaz's chest. He then painted the symbol of the other person's chest over each person own totem befor proclaiming, as Mariza had advised:
“The spririt of the Mammoth has joined with the spirt of the Shamois!“
Then, Vojkokica sat at Zuradaz's feet, as Mariza had coached her, with her eyes downcast, waiting. . . . When he tapped her on the shoulder, she looked up at him. He signed for her to follow and the couple walked into the cave to begin their period of isolation in their new hearth.
Now that the ceremony was over it was time for the men's an women's ceremonies. Mariza had forgotten this part and had to put off Zurbgranaza, Zuragavab, and Zuradan for another night.
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Mariza was awoken to an owl pecking on her shoulder. She was still laying on the ground, naked where she had collapsed after the previous night's women's ceremony. Looking around, the sun had not yet risen and she could see that she was the first to awaken. After sitting up, she looked for and spotted her wrap, thrown carelessly to the ground. Wrapping it around her arm, she coaxed the owl onto it and carried it into her stone-house. Vezava and the children were still asleep in there. Mariza removed the letter tied to the owl's leg, fed him a little meat, and tied the letter she had previously written to the owls leg, The owl flew off to begin it's journey.
Opening the letter, Mariza saw that there was one from her mother and one from Iga. Mariza had been careful not to ask for anything from home. She wanted to prove to Luna that she could be self-reliant and pass this test on her own. But she had, in her letters, been telling about all that had happened to her and what she had done. This had prompted Iga to begin coresponding with her. Mariza never asked the Clanluna for advice. But Iga's letters were often filled with advice on how to be a clanluna or redfoot. And sometimes, Iga scolded her for the things she had done wrong.
After reading her letters, Mariza started some stones heating to cook breakfast for her family. She knew that the men would be returning and the children waking soon. As usual, there were many things that needed doing today. Summer was drawing to a close and autumn would soon be here. The trees and bushes were laden with fruits and berries that need to be gathered. She also needed gather potion ingredients and to spend time teach her little group of future women-who-hunt how to use a sling. And the pups needed to be trained. She was trying to teach them to help her hunt. All this, and she had an infant and 4-year-old to care for! Vezava helped . . . but Vojkovica would not be helping her while she was in isolation.
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After working all day and sharing dinner with her family, the men bid her goodnight. Zurvgak now would be spending his nights teaching Zezbrakruk and Zurbgrana how to Share Pleasures. And Zubgranev would be doing the same for Zuradanak and Zurvgakaza. Zuradan stayed, as starting tonight, Mariza would be redfooting him, after she did the same for Zuragavab and Zurbgranaza. Shortly after the two men left, Zurbgranaza came waddling in, dragging Zuragavab behind her. Like most of the women of Zorg's Clan, Zurbgranazaga had been Blessed by Luna. Mariza had done readings and determined that they had all been blessed on the same day she was. Mariza led them to her furs and bade them sit.
“Zurbgranaza wanted me to teach you how to Relieve her needs,“ began signing Mariza. “This redfoot will also be teaching her how to better Relieve your Needs. When Need Relieving becomes mutual, we call it: Sharing Pleasures. So the first thing we need to do is give her Needs to Relieve. We start with a kiss, pressing of the lips together.“
Mariza reached out, grasped Zurbgranaza's cheeks and pulled her into a kiss. Mariza felt her stiffen, then relax into the kiss they were both clearly enjoying. When she released her, she turned to Zuragavab and signed,
“Now you try it.“
Zuragavab kissed his mate the same way he had seen Mariza do it.
“No. Like this,“ signed Zurbgranaza and she pulled Mariza into another kiss.
The rest of the lesson continued like this. Mariza would do something to Zurgranaza, she would do it with her mate, then Mariza again, and then her mate. Mariza was suprised at how much they women were enjoying themselves. She knew that she liked pleasures with women. She didn't expect that Zurbgranaza would enjoy them too. She even let Mariza lick her to demontrate how for her mate. But Mariza hadn't expected Zurgranaza to lick her back. At the first touch of her tongue on Mariza's Pleasure center, Mariza felt a release building up that she hadn't experienced since Harat Pleasured her.
“Oh! Oh! OOOoooohh!!!“
“Mariza are you all right?“ signed Zurbgranaza. “Are you in pain?“
“NO! Don't stop! I was almost there!“ moaned Mariza in English before switching to Clan signs. “No, this woman is not in pain . . .it felt good!“
“But those sounds you were making!“ signed Zurbgrana.
“Those sounds are normal,“ signed Mariza, turning again to Zuragavab. “Those are the sounds a women makes when her Needs are being Relieved. When you can make her moan like that, you will know that you are successful. Now, how about you try licking her again.“
The lesson continued, and after Zuragavab had got to the part where his Needs were Relieved, Zurbgranaza pulled Mariza into a kiss.
Mariza flailed in meaningless signs as the young woman gave her a toe curling kiss.
“This woman wants to thank you . . .“ signed Zurgranaza, “ . . .by Relieving your Needs“
She then proceaded to demonstrate that she had been paying more attention to the lesson than her mate had. She built up the Need in Mariza, then kissed her way down to lick the spot that would Relieve Mariza's Need. Mariza's moan was more like the roar of a cave bear as she got her Needs Relieved for the first time in more than a year. When she was done, Mariza hugged her tightly until she had calmed down. The two women shared another kiss before the couple departed. Mariza could tell by the look in their eyes, that they would be practicing what they had learned before sleeping tonight.
Mariza then turned her attention to Zuradan. She found herself facing the 'chore' of redfooting a man with a little more enthusiasm than usual. Zurbgranaza had lifted her spirits considerably and he reaped the benefit. He also showed that he had been paying close attention earlier in the evening. And he was already showing that he was more studious than the three young men she had previously taught these leasons to.
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When their isolation ended, Mariza invited Vojkovica and Zuradaz over for tea.
“How do you like being mated?“ signed Mariz before saying: “You like mate?“
“Very much!“ replied Vojkovica. “We've been trying out all those things I saw you teach Zuradaz! I think you're right. It IS Sharing Pleasures!“
“Well that's what this clanluna wanted to speak with you about. This clanluna needs Zuradaz to teach one of the couples to Share Pleasures like Zurvgak and Zubgranev are. It will go much faster if there are more of us teaching.“ signed Mariza before saying: “Mariza need Zuradaz. Vojkovica share Zuradaz. Zuradaz learn people Share Pleasures.“
“Of course I will Share Zuradaz. I don't mind if Zuradaz Forces other women to Share Pleasures. Would you like me to help? I could teach the other men how to Force women to Share Pleasures?“ said Vojkovica before switching to signs. “Vojkovica Share Zuradaz. Zuradaz Force women Share Pleasures. Vojkovica help? Men force Vojkovica Share Pleasures?“
“No that will not be nessesary,“ signed Mariza. She feared what Vojkovica might teach the men of Zorg's Clan if she were a redfoot! She was too young anyway.
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After than, Zuradaz began going to the mog-ur's hearth to teach Zurvragun and his mate. Once the lesson was done, he'd return to his own hearth and Vojkovica.
As Summer turned into Autumn, Mariza continued her leasons with Zuragavab and Zurbgranaza. Somehow these leasons always managed to involve the women Sharing Pleasures. It was a while before Mariza realized that Zurbgranaza enjoyed Sharing Pleasures with women, or at least her, in particular. And that both Zuragavab and Zuradan enjoyed watching the two women. What ever the reason, Zurbgranaza Shared Pleasures with Mariza with an enthusiasm that couldnt't be faked . . . the two women had fallen in love.
By the end of Autumn, Mariza had taught the blink-wolves to retreive small birds and mammals she brought down with her sling. The blink-wolves weren't really wolves. They were more like a new breed of dog. They were now larger than Đak, but smaller than Wolfie had been. And they were becoming calmer than Đak. They would make better hunting dogs than Đak. He was more of a companion animal. Mariza ended up giving their 2 favorites to Zuradz and Vojkovica. But all the canines regularlly went from their hearth in the cave to Mariza's stone-house.
By the end of fall, all the the women who had been practicing, were able to hit a target tree with a sling, most of the time. And Mariza had taught herself her mother's 2-stone throw. She hadn't had time to finish that bow. It would have to wait until winter. So she cut more trees, enough to make a bow and arrows for every women that wanted one.
The three women who had lived at Mariza's hearth had finnished a set of winter clothing for everyone who had lived at their hearth this year. They each had a set of boots, leggings, a tunic, and a parka. Mariza's tunic laced up the side but had an underpiece of fur instead of bare skin like last year's summer-dress. This allowed Mariza to loosen it as her pregnacy progressed and tighten it after the baby was born.
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Međveđj curled up in a corner to hibernate, signalling that Winter had begun, a few days before Vezava became a woman. After he moon-time had ended, Zurvgak perfomed her 1st Rites. Everyone else who lived in the stone-house spent the night with Vojkovica and Zuradaz, leaving the couple and Mariza alone. The next morning, after Vezava returned from the trenches, Mariza asked her:
“Did you enjoy your 1st Rites?“ signed Mariza
“Oh, Mariza it was wonderful!“ gushed Vezava. Zurvgak really showed me what it means to Share Pleasures without being Forced! I can't wait to do that again!“
“So you want to mate Zurvgak?“ asked Mariza.
“No. He's good at Pleasures, but I really want to mate you,“ replied Vezava.
“What!“ gasped Mariza, who still thought of Vezava as a girl, not a woman. She should have seen this coming. After all the girl, no, young woman did enjoy Sharing Pleasures with the other girls of the Clan. She'd taught them to do that, having watched Mariza teach the men. And Mariza had still failed to convince Vezava that she was not the Great Mother. . . a failure that was nibbling away at Mariz's faith. And frankly, if she wanted to share a hearth and furs with any woman in this Clan, that woman would be Zubgranaza, not Vezava-barely-a-woman! Finally she composed herself and signed:
“You are already mated to this clanluna. As clanluna, this woman is mated to all the men and women in the clan.“ Before switching to vanthoni: “Vezava mated clanluna. clanluna mated all.“
“Well, since we're mates: . . “ said Vezava before giving Mariza the signal.
Just then, the rest of the family arrived for breakfast. Mariza took advantage of the confusion of their arrival to delay Vezava.
Now that it was winter, she could really take advantage of the runestones she had placed. A set by the doorway and a hole in the bottom of the door pulled air under the door and straight to the the fire. This cool channel of air couldn't be felt unless you stepped in it. More rune stones, carried the smoke out the top smoke hole, making the stone-house much less smoky than the cave. Mariza was brought out of her musings by a howling of the wind.
“Looks like a blizzard has arrived,“ signed Zuradan.
When the wind hit the stone house, it blew through it like it was not even there! Mariza had never seen one of these stone-houses been built by the Đűmbleđores. She'd only seen the finished product. She hadn't seen how much work went into carefully fitting the stones perfectly to prevent leaks. As she looked at all those gaps in the stones that the wind was blowing through, she knew that if she charged a rune on each stone, she could stop the air flowing through . . . but there were so many stones! Tens of thousands of small animals would have to be sacrificed. Or now that she had a lover, she could use Pleasures to charge the runes. But that many peaks . . . would take years!
Međveđj growled to let them know he was awake and knocked the hide door off the entrance as he left for the cave. The blizard was so thick the bear had vanished from sight, not 10 steps from the door. Then the dogs ran out the door.
“Zariz stop them!“ yelled Mariza. She knew they'd need help finding their way back to the cave. But it was too late . . . the dogs were gone . . .
Mariza (19) - Other, (Golden blonde hair, sky-blue eyes) Leader, Ayla’s daughter, Weech, , Đučaviča’s former 2nd mate. clanluna, redfoot, N: Cr,H,R,Div, Care prodigy (Stork totem)
---Zariz (4) – ¼ Clan son of Mariza, Weez-ur
---Širiža (0) – Other, Mariza’s daughter, Weech
------Đak (5) – blink-dog
--------- 5 Blink-wolves (0)
------Međveđj (3) Cave Bear
---Vezava (13) – Other, daughter of Larnva of the Vanthonoi, abducted by Zorg's Clan, Mariza's accolyte
Zurvgak (14) - 1/16 Clan son of Zurvgakava, future mog-ur's acolyte
Zubgranev (14) – 1/16 Clan son of Zurbgrana
Zuradan (17) – 1/16 Clan son of Zurvgakaza
Zezbrakran (40) – 1/16 Clan son of Zezbraka, former-Leader
---Zuragavaka (33) – 1/32 Clan daughter of Zuragava, mate of Zezbrakran
Zurbgun (53)-1/8 Clan son of Zurbga, mog-ur
Zurvragun (38) – 1/16 Clan son of Zurvraga, mog-ur's acolyte
---Zurvgakava (29) - 1/8 Clan daughter of Zurvgaka, mate of Zurvragun
------Zurvgakun (11) - 1/16 Clan son of Zurvgakava,
Zezbrakruk (37) -1/8 Clan son of Zezbraka
---Zurbgrana (37) – 1/16 Clan daughter of Zurbgra, medicine woman, mate of Zezbrakruk
Zuradanak (35) -1/32 Clan son of Zuradana
---Zurvgakaza (32) – 1/8 Clan daughter of Zurvgaka, mate of Zuradanak
Zuradavun (35) – 1/32 Clan son of Zuradava
--- Zuragakada (31) – 1/16 Clan daughter of Zuragaka, mate of Zuradavun
------ Zuragakadava (13) - 1/32 Clan daughter of Zuragakada, mate of Zuragavab
Zurvgav (34) – 1/8 Clan son of Zurvgava
--- Zuragakaba (28) – 1/16 Clan daughter of Zuragaka, mate of Zurvgav
------ Zuragakabaza (13) – 1/32 Clan daughter of Zuragakaba
------ Zuragakabava (10) – 1/16 Clan daughter of Zuragakaba
Zuragavaz (18) – 1/64 Clan son of Zuragavaka, former-future Leader
---Zuragakadaza (16)– 1/32 Clan daughter of Zuragakada, mate of Zuragavaz
------ Zuragakadazad (1) – 1/64 Clan son of Zuragakadaza, former-future leader
Zuragavab (15) – 1/32 Clan son of Zuragavaka
---Zurbgranaza (17) – 1/32 Clan daughter of Zurbgrana, medicine woman, mate of Zuragavab
------ Zurbgranazaga (2) 1/32 Clan daughter of Zurbgranaza
Zuradaz – (14) - 1/16 Clan son of Zurvgakaza, (Mammoth totem)
---Vojkovica (14) – Other, daughter of Larnza of the Vanthonoi, abducted by Zorg's Clan, mate of Zuradaz, (Shamois totem)
Chapter 74: a new Love
Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling
Earth’s Children is owned by Jean Auel
It wasn’t very far into the morning before Mariza was approached by Zuradan. She could tell he was agitated about something. He seemed very nervous as he walked up to her and signed: “Mariza!” before giving her the Signal.
Mariza had forgotten about Zuradan. She suposed she should have expected this. After all last night she had sent the three men of her hearth to ask other men if they could Relieve their Need with their mates. It's not surprising that the man who has no mate would turnabout and ask her to Relieve his Needs. She knew that having be given the Signal, a Clan woman was expected to kneel and present here in the open by the cave and let him Relieve his Needs. But she wasn't Clan and neither was he. Amongst her own people, the few Clan men who were left would avoid an uncomfortable situation by avoiding giving the Signal to a woman who they weren't certain would comply. Usually, their Clan's clanluna would make certain that Clan men had mates, or if their mate was not availible, the clanluna was ready and willing to Relieve his needs. The thought that this might be an attempt by Zuradan to undermine her postition as Leader. Perhaps he thought he'd have more status than her if he could make her Relieve his Needs?
“Let's go back to my hearth,“ signed Mariza, as she turned away from him to head back to her stone-house.
After turning stepping in, she turned to look at him entering. He seemed more nervous than before and she heard his breath hitch when she untied her wrap revealing her naked body to him. She sat down on her furs and patted a spot next to him, indicating that he was to join her.
“Why are you so nervous?“ signed Mariza. “Is it because you've asked your Leader to Relieve your Needs?“
“Yes!- . . . This man means: no!“ signed Zuradan. “This man did not give you the signal so you could Relieve his Needs. This man wants to learn to Relieve your Needs. This man thought since Zuradaz is getting mated, there might be room at you hearth for another man.“
“Oh. Oh!“ said Mariza, before going back to signs. “This clanluna hadn't realized- . . . of course you can move in. This clanluna will be your redfoot like she was for the other three young men. And the first thing you must learn is that you are no longer allowed to give women the Signal until you have completed your training. And even after you have completed it, women will be able to refuse your Signal. So, tell this woman, why do you not have a mate?“
“This man's mother's mate is low ranked, and that makes this man even lower ranked,“ signed Zuradan. “The man had trouble with patience on his early hunts and this hurt his status even further. When we hunted women of the Others for mates one of them escaped. Zezbrakran decided this man's mate was the one who got away.“
“If you do not have a mate, when was the last time you Relieved your Needs?“ signed Mariza.
“This man gave Zuragakaba the Signal once when this man first became a man,“ signed Zuradan. “But Zurvgav was very angry that this man had not asked his permision.“
“Oh you poor dear!“ signed Mariza, as she pressed her hand to his chest. (and I thought I had gone a long time without!) “This woman will let you Relieve your Needs now. But tonight, this clanluna will be redfooting Zuragavab for Zurbgranaza. You will have to watch what I teach him, then I will teach you about Sharing Pleasures.“
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Mariza pulled Zuradan in for a kiss. When their lips finally parted, Mariza turned around, knelt, and presented, like a Clan woman would. After he was done, she sent him off to move his possessions into the stone house.
Later in the day, Mariza was approached by Zuragakadaza and Zuragakaba, with requests simliar to Zurbgranaza's. Mariza was careful not to give an answer. She had a lot to think about. And so, during dinner she waved for attention from the people at her hearth.
“Tonight, after dinner Vojkovica and Zuradaz will be mated,“ signed Mariza. “So there will be some changes. Zurvgak, Zubgranev, this clanluna needs you to help teach the men how to Share Pleasures with their mates. This clanluna will be doing the same, starting tonight with Zurbgranaza and Zuragavab. Zuradan, this redfoot will be redfooting you after they are finished. Vezava, this redfoot will need you to watch Širiža and help Zariz with the animals.“
“Vezava, Mariza need you help Širiža, help Zariz animals,“ repeated Mariza in Vanthoni.
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And so, after dinner, they all went out for the mating ceremony. Zuradaz and Vojkovica had already made a hearth in the cave and moved this posessions into it earlier in the day. Vojkovica put on her leggings and pulled off her summer-dress. Her chest need to be bared for the mating ceremony but she didn't want to be naked for it. She handed her summer-dress to Vezava, who ran into the cave followed by Đak and the cubs and put it in Zuradaz's new hearth. Everyone else left the stone-house to join the Clan outside the cave. Zariz climbed onto Međveđj's back so he could see what was going on. The cubs were pulling on each other's ears growling. But Mariza had patted her thigh to call Đak over and sit next to her. Širiža was nursing under Mariza's wrap to keep her quiet. The whole Clan stood still in expectation, waiting until Zurbgun emerged from the cave wearing a ratty old Cave Bear-skin cloak followed by Zurvragun holding a bowl.
“Tonight we are gathering to witness the mating of Zuradaz to Vojkovica of the Others,“ signed the mog-ur as he indicated for them to step forward. Zurbgun the mog-ur dipped his hand in the bowl of ochre pastes and painted the symbol of the Shamois on Vojkovica's chest and the symbol of the Mammoth on Zuradaz's chest. He then painted the symbol of the other person's chest over each person own totem befor proclaiming, as Mariza had advised:
“The spririt of the Mammoth has joined with the spirt of the Shamois!“
Then, Vojkokica sat at Zuradaz's feet, as Mariza had coached her, with her eyes downcast, waiting. . . . When he tapped her on the shoulder, she looked up at him. He signed for her to follow and the couple walked into the cave to begin their period of isolation in their new hearth.
Now that the ceremony was over it was time for the men's an women's ceremonies. Mariza had forgotten this part and had to put off Zurbgranaza, Zuragavab, and Zuradan for another night.
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Mariza was awoken to an owl pecking on her shoulder. She was still laying on the ground, naked where she had collapsed after the previous night's women's ceremony. Looking around, the sun had not yet risen and she could see that she was the first to awaken. After sitting up, she looked for and spotted her wrap, thrown carelessly to the ground. Wrapping it around her arm, she coaxed the owl onto it and carried it into her stone-house. Vezava and the children were still asleep in there. Mariza removed the letter tied to the owl's leg, fed him a little meat, and tied the letter she had previously written to the owls leg, The owl flew off to begin it's journey.
Opening the letter, Mariza saw that there was one from her mother and one from Iga. Mariza had been careful not to ask for anything from home. She wanted to prove to Luna that she could be self-reliant and pass this test on her own. But she had, in her letters, been telling about all that had happened to her and what she had done. This had prompted Iga to begin coresponding with her. Mariza never asked the Clanluna for advice. But Iga's letters were often filled with advice on how to be a clanluna or redfoot. And sometimes, Iga scolded her for the things she had done wrong.
After reading her letters, Mariza started some stones heating to cook breakfast for her family. She knew that the men would be returning and the children waking soon. As usual, there were many things that needed doing today. Summer was drawing to a close and autumn would soon be here. The trees and bushes were laden with fruits and berries that need to be gathered. She also needed gather potion ingredients and to spend time teach her little group of future women-who-hunt how to use a sling. And the pups needed to be trained. She was trying to teach them to help her hunt. All this, and she had an infant and 4-year-old to care for! Vezava helped . . . but Vojkovica would not be helping her while she was in isolation.
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After working all day and sharing dinner with her family, the men bid her goodnight. Zurvgak now would be spending his nights teaching Zezbrakruk and Zurbgrana how to Share Pleasures. And Zubgranev would be doing the same for Zuradanak and Zurvgakaza. Zuradan stayed, as starting tonight, Mariza would be redfooting him, after she did the same for Zuragavab and Zurbgranaza. Shortly after the two men left, Zurbgranaza came waddling in, dragging Zuragavab behind her. Like most of the women of Zorg's Clan, Zurbgranazaga had been Blessed by Luna. Mariza had done readings and determined that they had all been blessed on the same day she was. Mariza led them to her furs and bade them sit.
“Zurbgranaza wanted me to teach you how to Relieve her needs,“ began signing Mariza. “This redfoot will also be teaching her how to better Relieve your Needs. When Need Relieving becomes mutual, we call it: Sharing Pleasures. So the first thing we need to do is give her Needs to Relieve. We start with a kiss, pressing of the lips together.“
Mariza reached out, grasped Zurbgranaza's cheeks and pulled her into a kiss. Mariza felt her stiffen, then relax into the kiss they were both clearly enjoying. When she released her, she turned to Zuragavab and signed,
“Now you try it.“
Zuragavab kissed his mate the same way he had seen Mariza do it.
“No. Like this,“ signed Zurbgranaza and she pulled Mariza into another kiss.
The rest of the lesson continued like this. Mariza would do something to Zurgranaza, she would do it with her mate, then Mariza again, and then her mate. Mariza was suprised at how much they women were enjoying themselves. She knew that she liked pleasures with women. She didn't expect that Zurbgranaza would enjoy them too. She even let Mariza lick her to demontrate how for her mate. But Mariza hadn't expected Zurgranaza to lick her back. At the first touch of her tongue on Mariza's Pleasure center, Mariza felt a release building up that she hadn't experienced since Harat Pleasured her.
“Oh! Oh! OOOoooohh!!!“
“Mariza are you all right?“ signed Zurbgranaza. “Are you in pain?“
“NO! Don't stop! I was almost there!“ moaned Mariza in English before switching to Clan signs. “No, this woman is not in pain . . .it felt good!“
“But those sounds you were making!“ signed Zurbgrana.
“Those sounds are normal,“ signed Mariza, turning again to Zuragavab. “Those are the sounds a women makes when her Needs are being Relieved. When you can make her moan like that, you will know that you are successful. Now, how about you try licking her again.“
The lesson continued, and after Zuragavab had got to the part where his Needs were Relieved, Zurbgranaza pulled Mariza into a kiss.
Mariza flailed in meaningless signs as the young woman gave her a toe curling kiss.
“This woman wants to thank you . . .“ signed Zurgranaza, “ . . .by Relieving your Needs“
She then proceaded to demonstrate that she had been paying more attention to the lesson than her mate had. She built up the Need in Mariza, then kissed her way down to lick the spot that would Relieve Mariza's Need. Mariza's moan was more like the roar of a cave bear as she got her Needs Relieved for the first time in more than a year. When she was done, Mariza hugged her tightly until she had calmed down. The two women shared another kiss before the couple departed. Mariza could tell by the look in their eyes, that they would be practicing what they had learned before sleeping tonight.
Mariza then turned her attention to Zuradan. She found herself facing the 'chore' of redfooting a man with a little more enthusiasm than usual. Zurbgranaza had lifted her spirits considerably and he reaped the benefit. He also showed that he had been paying close attention earlier in the evening. And he was already showing that he was more studious than the three young men she had previously taught these leasons to.
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When their isolation ended, Mariza invited Vojkovica and Zuradaz over for tea.
“How do you like being mated?“ signed Mariz before saying: “You like mate?“
“Very much!“ replied Vojkovica. “We've been trying out all those things I saw you teach Zuradaz! I think you're right. It IS Sharing Pleasures!“
“Well that's what this clanluna wanted to speak with you about. This clanluna needs Zuradaz to teach one of the couples to Share Pleasures like Zurvgak and Zubgranev are. It will go much faster if there are more of us teaching.“ signed Mariza before saying: “Mariza need Zuradaz. Vojkovica share Zuradaz. Zuradaz learn people Share Pleasures.“
“Of course I will Share Zuradaz. I don't mind if Zuradaz Forces other women to Share Pleasures. Would you like me to help? I could teach the other men how to Force women to Share Pleasures?“ said Vojkovica before switching to signs. “Vojkovica Share Zuradaz. Zuradaz Force women Share Pleasures. Vojkovica help? Men force Vojkovica Share Pleasures?“
“No that will not be nessesary,“ signed Mariza. She feared what Vojkovica might teach the men of Zorg's Clan if she were a redfoot! She was too young anyway.
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After than, Zuradaz began going to the mog-ur's hearth to teach Zurvragun and his mate. Once the lesson was done, he'd return to his own hearth and Vojkovica.
As Summer turned into Autumn, Mariza continued her leasons with Zuragavab and Zurbgranaza. Somehow these leasons always managed to involve the women Sharing Pleasures. It was a while before Mariza realized that Zurbgranaza enjoyed Sharing Pleasures with women, or at least her, in particular. And that both Zuragavab and Zuradan enjoyed watching the two women. What ever the reason, Zurbgranaza Shared Pleasures with Mariza with an enthusiasm that couldnt't be faked . . . the two women had fallen in love.
By the end of Autumn, Mariza had taught the blink-wolves to retreive small birds and mammals she brought down with her sling. The blink-wolves weren't really wolves. They were more like a new breed of dog. They were now larger than Đak, but smaller than Wolfie had been. And they were becoming calmer than Đak. They would make better hunting dogs than Đak. He was more of a companion animal. Mariza ended up giving their 2 favorites to Zuradz and Vojkovica. But all the canines regularlly went from their hearth in the cave to Mariza's stone-house.
By the end of fall, all the the women who had been practicing, were able to hit a target tree with a sling, most of the time. And Mariza had taught herself her mother's 2-stone throw. She hadn't had time to finish that bow. It would have to wait until winter. So she cut more trees, enough to make a bow and arrows for every women that wanted one.
The three women who had lived at Mariza's hearth had finnished a set of winter clothing for everyone who had lived at their hearth this year. They each had a set of boots, leggings, a tunic, and a parka. Mariza's tunic laced up the side but had an underpiece of fur instead of bare skin like last year's summer-dress. This allowed Mariza to loosen it as her pregnacy progressed and tighten it after the baby was born.
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Međveđj curled up in a corner to hibernate, signalling that Winter had begun, a few days before Vezava became a woman. After he moon-time had ended, Zurvgak perfomed her 1st Rites. Everyone else who lived in the stone-house spent the night with Vojkovica and Zuradaz, leaving the couple and Mariza alone. The next morning, after Vezava returned from the trenches, Mariza asked her:
“Did you enjoy your 1st Rites?“ signed Mariza
“Oh, Mariza it was wonderful!“ gushed Vezava. Zurvgak really showed me what it means to Share Pleasures without being Forced! I can't wait to do that again!“
“So you want to mate Zurvgak?“ asked Mariza.
“No. He's good at Pleasures, but I really want to mate you,“ replied Vezava.
“What!“ gasped Mariza, who still thought of Vezava as a girl, not a woman. She should have seen this coming. After all the girl, no, young woman did enjoy Sharing Pleasures with the other girls of the Clan. She'd taught them to do that, having watched Mariza teach the men. And Mariza had still failed to convince Vezava that she was not the Great Mother. . . a failure that was nibbling away at Mariz's faith. And frankly, if she wanted to share a hearth and furs with any woman in this Clan, that woman would be Zubgranaza, not Vezava-barely-a-woman! Finally she composed herself and signed:
“You are already mated to this clanluna. As clanluna, this woman is mated to all the men and women in the clan.“ Before switching to vanthoni: “Vezava mated clanluna. clanluna mated all.“
“Well, since we're mates: . . “ said Vezava before giving Mariza the signal.
Just then, the rest of the family arrived for breakfast. Mariza took advantage of the confusion of their arrival to delay Vezava.
Now that it was winter, she could really take advantage of the runestones she had placed. A set by the doorway and a hole in the bottom of the door pulled air under the door and straight to the the fire. This cool channel of air couldn't be felt unless you stepped in it. More rune stones, carried the smoke out the top smoke hole, making the stone-house much less smoky than the cave. Mariza was brought out of her musings by a howling of the wind.
“Looks like a blizzard has arrived,“ signed Zuradan.
When the wind hit the stone house, it blew through it like it was not even there! Mariza had never seen one of these stone-houses been built by the Đűmbleđores. She'd only seen the finished product. She hadn't seen how much work went into carefully fitting the stones perfectly to prevent leaks. As she looked at all those gaps in the stones that the wind was blowing through, she knew that if she charged a rune on each stone, she could stop the air flowing through . . . but there were so many stones! Tens of thousands of small animals would have to be sacrificed. Or now that she had a lover, she could use Pleasures to charge the runes. But that many peaks . . . would take years!
Međveđj growled to let them know he was awake and knocked the hide door off the entrance as he left for the cave. The blizard was so thick the bear had vanished from sight, not 10 steps from the door. Then the dogs ran out the door.
“Zariz stop them!“ yelled Mariza. She knew they'd need help finding their way back to the cave. But it was too late . . . the dogs were gone . . .
Mariza (19) - Other, (Golden blonde hair, sky-blue eyes) Leader, Ayla’s daughter, Weech, , Đučaviča’s former 2nd mate. clanluna, redfoot, N: Cr,H,R,Div, Care prodigy (Stork totem)
---Zariz (4) – ¼ Clan son of Mariza, Weez-ur
---Širiža (0) – Other, Mariza’s daughter, Weech
------Đak (5) – blink-dog
--------- 5 Blink-wolves (0)
------Međveđj (3) Cave Bear
---Vezava (13) – Other, daughter of Larnva of the Vanthonoi, abducted by Zorg's Clan, Mariza's accolyte
Zurvgak (14) - 1/16 Clan son of Zurvgakava, future mog-ur's acolyte
Zubgranev (14) – 1/16 Clan son of Zurbgrana
Zuradan (17) – 1/16 Clan son of Zurvgakaza
Zezbrakran (40) – 1/16 Clan son of Zezbraka, former-Leader
---Zuragavaka (33) – 1/32 Clan daughter of Zuragava, mate of Zezbrakran
Zurbgun (53)-1/8 Clan son of Zurbga, mog-ur
Zurvragun (38) – 1/16 Clan son of Zurvraga, mog-ur's acolyte
---Zurvgakava (29) - 1/8 Clan daughter of Zurvgaka, mate of Zurvragun
------Zurvgakun (11) - 1/16 Clan son of Zurvgakava,
Zezbrakruk (37) -1/8 Clan son of Zezbraka
---Zurbgrana (37) – 1/16 Clan daughter of Zurbgra, medicine woman, mate of Zezbrakruk
Zuradanak (35) -1/32 Clan son of Zuradana
---Zurvgakaza (32) – 1/8 Clan daughter of Zurvgaka, mate of Zuradanak
Zuradavun (35) – 1/32 Clan son of Zuradava
--- Zuragakada (31) – 1/16 Clan daughter of Zuragaka, mate of Zuradavun
------ Zuragakadava (13) - 1/32 Clan daughter of Zuragakada, mate of Zuragavab
Zurvgav (34) – 1/8 Clan son of Zurvgava
--- Zuragakaba (28) – 1/16 Clan daughter of Zuragaka, mate of Zurvgav
------ Zuragakabaza (13) – 1/32 Clan daughter of Zuragakaba
------ Zuragakabava (10) – 1/16 Clan daughter of Zuragakaba
Zuragavaz (18) – 1/64 Clan son of Zuragavaka, former-future Leader
---Zuragakadaza (16)– 1/32 Clan daughter of Zuragakada, mate of Zuragavaz
------ Zuragakadazad (1) – 1/64 Clan son of Zuragakadaza, former-future leader
Zuragavab (15) – 1/32 Clan son of Zuragavaka
---Zurbgranaza (17) – 1/32 Clan daughter of Zurbgrana, medicine woman, mate of Zuragavab
------ Zurbgranazaga (2) 1/32 Clan daughter of Zurbgranaza
Zuradaz – (14) - 1/16 Clan son of Zurvgakaza, (Mammoth totem)
---Vojkovica (14) – Other, daughter of Larnza of the Vanthonoi, abducted by Zorg's Clan, mate of Zuradaz, (Shamois totem)
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