Categories > Books > Harry Potter > Clanluna
Clanluna
Chapter 6: births
Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling
Earth’s Children is owned by Jean Auel
Brun’s Clan List
Deceased members:
Uba – mother of Creb, Brun and Iza
---Iza – Uba’s mother, adopted mother of Ayla
Dorv
Living Members
Brun (32) – leader (Bison totem)
---Ebra (39) – Broud’s mother
Grod (28) – son of the mate of Zoug (Brown Bear totem)
---Uka (24) – Ebra’s sister
---Zoug (42) – second in command to the leader before Brun
Creb (35) – 1st ranked Mog-ur, 1st Weez-Ur
---Luna (19) – 1st Weech (Spirit Deer totem)
---Zar (19) ½ Clan man from the South (Middle East) (Cave Bear Totem)
---Ayla (13) – Clan’s first ranked medicine woman (Cave Lion totem) 2nd Weech, Zar’s Mate
---Durc (2) – Ayla’s son, Grev’s milk brother (Gray Wolf totem)
Broud (20) – future leader (Wooly Rhinoceros totem)
Oga (16) – Broud’s mate
---Brac (7) – Oga’s first son
---Grev (3) – Oga’s second son
Goov (19) – Mog-ur’s acolyte (Aurochs totem/Ursus totem)
---Ovra (17) – Goov’s mate, childless (Beaver totem)
Droog (30) – toolmaker, Aga’s second mate
---Aga (23) – Droog’s second mate
------Groob (5) – Aga’s son born to Droog’s hearth
---Aba (34)
Crug (21)
Ika (19) – Crug’s mate
---Igra (5) – Ika’s daughter
Vorn (12) –
---Uba (7) – medicine woman, childless
Borg (8) – Boar totem
------Ona (8) – Owl totem
Luna and Uba took up the slack and prepared an evening meal for their hearth and its’ visitor while Ayla discussed the sick member of Vond’s Clan with him. As they talked, she could see in his eye’s his respect for her healing abilities growing. They continued talking until well after dinner. Finally, Vond turned to Zar and said:
“May I have your permission to relieve my needs with your mate?”
Chapter 6: births
Ayla was dumbfounded. None of the other men of the Clan had ever expressed interest in using her to relieve their needs, except her mate, Zar. But he was deformed. She didn’t know how her mate would react to this request. It was customary for men of the Clan to relieve their needs with another man’s mate when theirs was unavailable. Still it was considered polite to ask permission first. But Zar had not been raised within a Clan. In the short time he had been with their Clan, he had only relieved his needs with Ayla. She had come to enjoy it when he did so. She liked making her mate feel good and the closeness of having him inside her. She didn’t know how she’d feel about relieving the need of this stranger. She hoped it wouldn’t hurt as much as Broud had.
Zar nodded his ascent. Vond turned to Ayla and made ‘The Signal’. Ayla got into position facing away from him so he could take her. As he used her, she wondered why the other women, especially Luna, seemed to enjoy relieving their mate’s needs. Finally, it was over.
After Vond was done, he sat back down and returned to their discussion about her healing knowledge. When it was time for bed, Zar gave her ‘The Signal’ before he curled up with her for the night.
The next morning, Ayla lost her breakfast in the night basket. Her totem had been defeated!
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
As summer turned into autumn, Ayla taught Luna how to use a sling. But it would take her many hours of practice to hit a target with it.
The mammoth and aurochs had been a good start to replenishing the Clan’s supplies for winter. The men developed special tactic to take advantage of Zar ability to throw a spear. But none of the men of the Clan chose to imitate the deformed man. They stuck with their clan spears.
As the leaves began to turn, Uba became a woman and was mated to Vorn. When Ona became a woman, she was mated to Borg.
As her pregnancy progressed, she had some sickness, but it wasn’t nearly as severe as when she had carried Durc. Luna had a much easier pregnancy as her potion had done its’ work. It was unfortunate that Luna didn’t have the supplies to make a second batch for Ayla.
Luna had tested the rest of the Clan with her two remaining spare wands, but other than Creb and Ayla, they were all muggles.
Throughout the winter, Ayla and Creb continued to teach the Clan’s language to their Mates. Luna also taught Ayla and Durc to speak English. Zar and Creb proved unable to pronounce the complex sounds of Luna’s language, thought they did learn to understand it.
Luna felt constantly cold in the Ice Age winter, even with the shelter of a cave and fire. The warming charms on her robes only helped a little. But by spring, she had become accustomed to the cold. The was fortunate as her advancing pregnancy was making it hard to fit in her clothes and the hardness of the Clan’s life was taking its’ toll and wearing them out. Luna decided, to only wear her clothes for special occasions and took to wearing Clan style wraps.
The birth of Luna’s was the easiest that Ayla had ever seen. With Uba’s help, Ayla delivered Luna’s baby. But when she saw it, she almost wished she hadn’t.
“What’s wrong?” asked Luna, when she saw the expression on Ayla’s face.
“Your baby is deformed,” informed Ayla. “It will have to be disposed of.”
“Over this woman’s dead body!” retorted Luna. “No! give me my baby!”
Ayla handed the baby to Luna and it stopped it’s wailing and flailing as she held it to her breast. Ayla went to report to Brun.
“This Medicine Woman is pleased to report the birth of Luna’s son,” signed Ayla once the Leader had given her permission to speak. But he could tell she was holding something back.
“And?” asked Brun.
“The child is deformed,” reported Ayla.
“How badly?” asked Brun.
“He is like Durc,” explained Ayla. “He has bumps on his head like Durc, Luna and this woman. And he is unable to lift his head with his weak neck. Oh Brun, please let her baby live! The woman thinks that he is not deformed at all, that he is a mixture of Clan and Others!”
“Leave us, I will discuss this amongst the men,” commanded Brun.
All of the men were still gathered at Brun’s hearth where they had been awaiting the birth.
“The Leader would know the thoughts of the men of the Clan so that you may help in his decision,” signed Burn.
“You all know that I can not be impartial concerning the child of my Mate,” began Creb. “But never the less, the man would ask that you spare the child. This man was born deformed and was spared. This man should have been the Leader. But because he was born deformed, he has never been able to hunt. Still in spite of this man’s deformed leg and the Cave Bear attack that took his arm and eye, this man has gone on to become The Mog-Ur, first ranked of the mog-urs. Zar was born deformed and has become a great hunter. How much more successful have our hunts been since he joined us? Durc’s weak neck had strengthened with time. The man thinks that the child of his mate will grow stronger too. This Mog-Ur says let Ursus decide whether or not the child should live.”
“Well this man disagrees!” retorted Broud. “Why should we let a child live who will be a burden to the Clan? This man says the child must die!”
“This man is with The Mog-Ur,” replied Grod. “Durc was born with a weak neck that has gotten stronger. Let Ursus decide.”
“It is not the Clan way to let deformed children live,” said Crug. “ let the Child die.”
“This man thinks that the deformed child of the mate of the deformed but greatest of Mog-Urs should be allowed to live,” pronounced Goov. “The Mog-Ur is old and will soon walk with the spirits. Then, this man will be the mog-ur. You all know that this man’s mate had has failed to produce a son. For this reason, we have been training Zar to be my acolyte. But when The Mog-Ur discovered Zar’s Ursus totem, he saw in his vision that it was not Zar’s destiny to follow in my footsteps. This new child of The Mog-Ur’s mate could follow in his footsteps though. He will have the memories of the greatest of all Mog-Urs! Zar can fill in as acolyte until the son of Creb is old enough to take his place. Then, when the day comes that this man walks with the spirits, we will have a great mog-ur to take his place.”
“This man is moved by the words of the Acolyte,” stated Droog. “Let Ursus decide.”
“This man may be partial because he shares a hearth with The Mog-ur and his mate,” began Zar. “And no one understands the hardships of being deformed better than one who has lived them. This man says let the child live.”
“This man agrees with the future leader,” stated Vorn. “Let the child die.”
“The newest hunter also agrees, let the child die,” signed Borg.
“The oldest and lowest ranked hunter says that even if the child is not able to hunt with the men, he might still be able to bring meat to his hearth as this man is,” pointed out Zoug. “And don’t forget how much trouble we had when Ayla gave birth to a deformed Child. Let Ursus decide.”
“You have all given this Leader much to think about,” signed Brun. “When this Leader has seen the child, he will decide.”
Luna was nursing her son as the Leader of the Clan approached. He examined the baby. It’s neck was weak as Durcs had been. He had a forehead and chin like Luna, Ayla and Durc. But he also had the occipital bump that children of the Clan had.
“The child is deformed,” signed Brun. “We will let Ursus decide his fate. If he lives until the naming day, he will be accepted into the Clan.”
Ayla was overjoyed! The Child was being allowed to live!
On the Naming Day, Luna put on her best clothes and her Eagle hat. Ayla wore her lion hat for the occasion.
The Mog-ur painted a line on his son’s head and announced:
“The child’s name is: Zeen”
It was as close as Creb could come to pronouncing the name of Luna’s father, Xenophilius.
Each of the members of the Clan came forward and said the name of the newest member of the Clan.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Ayla was continuing to have a difficult pregnancy. Even though she wasn’t as sick as she had been with Durc, it was still hard. One morning, Uba came to visit her in her hearth.
“Ayla! Good news! My totem has been defeated!” signed Uba, excitedly.
“That’s wonderful Uhhn! News Uba!” signed Ayla.
“Ayla, how long have you been in labor?” asked Uba.
“Since last night,” replied Ayla.
Luna helped Creb to his foot and they left the hearth. Zar was out hunting with the men. Uba went and got her medicine bag and started some water boiling to make a soothing tea for Ayla.
Three days later, Ayla was still in labor! The men had all moved to Brun’s hearth and Luna was helping Ebra feed the men as well as see to their other needs.
“Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!” screamed Ayla as she pushed.
“Just one more push, Ayla,” urged Uba.
“AHHHhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“You did it, Ayla!” praised Uba as he sister passed out from exhaustion and she cleaned up the child. But when she realized what she held, she handed it off to Ovra. And went to the Leader’s Hearth to report.
“This woman is grieved to report that Ayla has given birth to a girl,” signed Uba sadly. “She is deformed. More deformed that Durc or Zeen.”
When Brun went to Creb’s Hearth, Zar, Creb and Luna followed him. He examined the baby. Her head was too big, and was lacking the occipital knob of Clan babies. Her forehead was even more prominent that Durc’s or Zeen’s. And her neck was even weaker that the two boy’s had been at birth. Zeen’s neck was already starting to strengthen over the past months. But his neck had not started out this weak. The discussion of Luna’s baby was still fresh in his mind. Brun knew his hunters would have similar things to say about this one. But that neck was so weak!
“The child is deformed,” stated Brun. “We will let Ursus decide her fate. If she lives until the naming day, she will be accepted into the Clan.”
Luna, Ovra and Uba let out the breath they had been holding. Ovra rushed over and held baby up to the breast of the unconscious Ayla and she began suckling her mother.
Luna began pulling out her potion making supplies. She got Ika to maintain the fire as she made a Pepper-Up Potion. It would use up the last of her black pepper, but Luna felt saving the life of her friend was worth using up the world’s entire supply of black pepper. Uba took care of cleaning up her sister and disposing of the afterbirth as Ovra helped Ayla nurse her baby while Luna made her potion. When Luna had finished the task, she carefully poured a few drops on Ayla’s unconscious lips.
Instantly, Ayla’s eyes fluttered open. She tried to ask what had happened but she was too weak to raise her hand enough to sign. She opened her mouth to try to speak in English but Luna shushed her.
“Just drink this,” admonished Luna. “It will make you feel better.”
Ayla drank the potion and instantly felt rejuvenated. Noticing the baby Ovra was holding on her breast, Ayla grabbed it and sat up.
“My baby is deformed!” signed Ayla, one handedly, as she nursed her.
“She’s not deformed,” replied Luna. This is how our children are supposed to look.”
“Brun has left her fate up to Ursus,” added Ovra. “If she lives, you’ll be allowed to keep her!”
“That’s wonderful!” signed Ayla.
After a few hours, the potion wore off and Ayla lapsed back into unconsciousness. But Uba advised that Ayla be allowed to sleep normally. The critical bonding time between mother and child had passed.
On the naming day, Creb painted a line on Ayla’s daughter and announced.
“The child’s name is: Iza,”
Each person came forward and repeated the name of the child.
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
By autumn, both Ayla and Luna had recovered enough to go out gathering herbs. One day while they were doing this, Luna had an idea.
“I understand that we’re not allowed to use the men’s weapons to hunt, but why are we allowed to use a sling to hunt” asked Luna.
“It’s because I learned to use a sling so well before you came,” replied Ayla. “If we can’t use men’s weapons, what else would we use?”
“How about this?” asked Luna as she pulled her wand from behind her ear and transfigured some sticks into a bow and arrows.
“Luna you can’t use those! Those are spears!” exclaimed Ayla.
“No they’re not, they’re arrows,” retorted Luna. “You see, with this you could go after even bigger game.”
Luna notched an arrow, pulled back the bowstring and let it fly. She got lucky and hit a tree, which the arrow stuck into firmly.
“Let me try that!” said Ayla as she reached for the bow. She tried to justify it to her self that women were allowed to use a bow and a pointed stick to start fires when they had gone out and no coal was available. She imitated Luna action and let fly an arrow, but missed the tree. Luna handed her another arrow and she tried again.
They spent the rest of the afternoon practicing. And by the end of the day Ayla could hit the tree most of the time. Luna was not quite as good with a bow. Suddenly realized how late it was and the depth of her offence.
“We’ve been using spears!” exclaimed Ayla. “Brun will curse us for certain!”
“Then don’t tell him!” protested Luna.
“We have too! If we try to hide it we will just make it worse on ourselves!” explained Ayla.
As soon they returned to the cave, Ayla went straight to Brun’s Hearth and sat down in front of the Leader, waiting for permission to speak. He couldn’t imagine what could be bothering the Medicine Woman, until he noticed the overly large bow and baby sized spear she was carrying. Brun tapped her on the shoulder.
“This woman is grieved to report that she and Luna have broken a Clan Taboo,” signed Ayla.
“Where did you get this baby spear?” asked Brun.
“Luna made it with her Weech stick,” replied Ayla. “We used the bow to throw them like a sling throws stones.”
“This Leader will consult with the other men and let you know my decision on the morning,” pronounced Brun.
Chapter 6: births
Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling
Earth’s Children is owned by Jean Auel
Brun’s Clan List
Deceased members:
Uba – mother of Creb, Brun and Iza
---Iza – Uba’s mother, adopted mother of Ayla
Dorv
Living Members
Brun (32) – leader (Bison totem)
---Ebra (39) – Broud’s mother
Grod (28) – son of the mate of Zoug (Brown Bear totem)
---Uka (24) – Ebra’s sister
---Zoug (42) – second in command to the leader before Brun
Creb (35) – 1st ranked Mog-ur, 1st Weez-Ur
---Luna (19) – 1st Weech (Spirit Deer totem)
---Zar (19) ½ Clan man from the South (Middle East) (Cave Bear Totem)
---Ayla (13) – Clan’s first ranked medicine woman (Cave Lion totem) 2nd Weech, Zar’s Mate
---Durc (2) – Ayla’s son, Grev’s milk brother (Gray Wolf totem)
Broud (20) – future leader (Wooly Rhinoceros totem)
Oga (16) – Broud’s mate
---Brac (7) – Oga’s first son
---Grev (3) – Oga’s second son
Goov (19) – Mog-ur’s acolyte (Aurochs totem/Ursus totem)
---Ovra (17) – Goov’s mate, childless (Beaver totem)
Droog (30) – toolmaker, Aga’s second mate
---Aga (23) – Droog’s second mate
------Groob (5) – Aga’s son born to Droog’s hearth
---Aba (34)
Crug (21)
Ika (19) – Crug’s mate
---Igra (5) – Ika’s daughter
Vorn (12) –
---Uba (7) – medicine woman, childless
Borg (8) – Boar totem
------Ona (8) – Owl totem
Luna and Uba took up the slack and prepared an evening meal for their hearth and its’ visitor while Ayla discussed the sick member of Vond’s Clan with him. As they talked, she could see in his eye’s his respect for her healing abilities growing. They continued talking until well after dinner. Finally, Vond turned to Zar and said:
“May I have your permission to relieve my needs with your mate?”
Chapter 6: births
Ayla was dumbfounded. None of the other men of the Clan had ever expressed interest in using her to relieve their needs, except her mate, Zar. But he was deformed. She didn’t know how her mate would react to this request. It was customary for men of the Clan to relieve their needs with another man’s mate when theirs was unavailable. Still it was considered polite to ask permission first. But Zar had not been raised within a Clan. In the short time he had been with their Clan, he had only relieved his needs with Ayla. She had come to enjoy it when he did so. She liked making her mate feel good and the closeness of having him inside her. She didn’t know how she’d feel about relieving the need of this stranger. She hoped it wouldn’t hurt as much as Broud had.
Zar nodded his ascent. Vond turned to Ayla and made ‘The Signal’. Ayla got into position facing away from him so he could take her. As he used her, she wondered why the other women, especially Luna, seemed to enjoy relieving their mate’s needs. Finally, it was over.
After Vond was done, he sat back down and returned to their discussion about her healing knowledge. When it was time for bed, Zar gave her ‘The Signal’ before he curled up with her for the night.
The next morning, Ayla lost her breakfast in the night basket. Her totem had been defeated!
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
As summer turned into autumn, Ayla taught Luna how to use a sling. But it would take her many hours of practice to hit a target with it.
The mammoth and aurochs had been a good start to replenishing the Clan’s supplies for winter. The men developed special tactic to take advantage of Zar ability to throw a spear. But none of the men of the Clan chose to imitate the deformed man. They stuck with their clan spears.
As the leaves began to turn, Uba became a woman and was mated to Vorn. When Ona became a woman, she was mated to Borg.
As her pregnancy progressed, she had some sickness, but it wasn’t nearly as severe as when she had carried Durc. Luna had a much easier pregnancy as her potion had done its’ work. It was unfortunate that Luna didn’t have the supplies to make a second batch for Ayla.
Luna had tested the rest of the Clan with her two remaining spare wands, but other than Creb and Ayla, they were all muggles.
Throughout the winter, Ayla and Creb continued to teach the Clan’s language to their Mates. Luna also taught Ayla and Durc to speak English. Zar and Creb proved unable to pronounce the complex sounds of Luna’s language, thought they did learn to understand it.
Luna felt constantly cold in the Ice Age winter, even with the shelter of a cave and fire. The warming charms on her robes only helped a little. But by spring, she had become accustomed to the cold. The was fortunate as her advancing pregnancy was making it hard to fit in her clothes and the hardness of the Clan’s life was taking its’ toll and wearing them out. Luna decided, to only wear her clothes for special occasions and took to wearing Clan style wraps.
The birth of Luna’s was the easiest that Ayla had ever seen. With Uba’s help, Ayla delivered Luna’s baby. But when she saw it, she almost wished she hadn’t.
“What’s wrong?” asked Luna, when she saw the expression on Ayla’s face.
“Your baby is deformed,” informed Ayla. “It will have to be disposed of.”
“Over this woman’s dead body!” retorted Luna. “No! give me my baby!”
Ayla handed the baby to Luna and it stopped it’s wailing and flailing as she held it to her breast. Ayla went to report to Brun.
“This Medicine Woman is pleased to report the birth of Luna’s son,” signed Ayla once the Leader had given her permission to speak. But he could tell she was holding something back.
“And?” asked Brun.
“The child is deformed,” reported Ayla.
“How badly?” asked Brun.
“He is like Durc,” explained Ayla. “He has bumps on his head like Durc, Luna and this woman. And he is unable to lift his head with his weak neck. Oh Brun, please let her baby live! The woman thinks that he is not deformed at all, that he is a mixture of Clan and Others!”
“Leave us, I will discuss this amongst the men,” commanded Brun.
All of the men were still gathered at Brun’s hearth where they had been awaiting the birth.
“The Leader would know the thoughts of the men of the Clan so that you may help in his decision,” signed Burn.
“You all know that I can not be impartial concerning the child of my Mate,” began Creb. “But never the less, the man would ask that you spare the child. This man was born deformed and was spared. This man should have been the Leader. But because he was born deformed, he has never been able to hunt. Still in spite of this man’s deformed leg and the Cave Bear attack that took his arm and eye, this man has gone on to become The Mog-Ur, first ranked of the mog-urs. Zar was born deformed and has become a great hunter. How much more successful have our hunts been since he joined us? Durc’s weak neck had strengthened with time. The man thinks that the child of his mate will grow stronger too. This Mog-Ur says let Ursus decide whether or not the child should live.”
“Well this man disagrees!” retorted Broud. “Why should we let a child live who will be a burden to the Clan? This man says the child must die!”
“This man is with The Mog-Ur,” replied Grod. “Durc was born with a weak neck that has gotten stronger. Let Ursus decide.”
“It is not the Clan way to let deformed children live,” said Crug. “ let the Child die.”
“This man thinks that the deformed child of the mate of the deformed but greatest of Mog-Urs should be allowed to live,” pronounced Goov. “The Mog-Ur is old and will soon walk with the spirits. Then, this man will be the mog-ur. You all know that this man’s mate had has failed to produce a son. For this reason, we have been training Zar to be my acolyte. But when The Mog-Ur discovered Zar’s Ursus totem, he saw in his vision that it was not Zar’s destiny to follow in my footsteps. This new child of The Mog-Ur’s mate could follow in his footsteps though. He will have the memories of the greatest of all Mog-Urs! Zar can fill in as acolyte until the son of Creb is old enough to take his place. Then, when the day comes that this man walks with the spirits, we will have a great mog-ur to take his place.”
“This man is moved by the words of the Acolyte,” stated Droog. “Let Ursus decide.”
“This man may be partial because he shares a hearth with The Mog-ur and his mate,” began Zar. “And no one understands the hardships of being deformed better than one who has lived them. This man says let the child live.”
“This man agrees with the future leader,” stated Vorn. “Let the child die.”
“The newest hunter also agrees, let the child die,” signed Borg.
“The oldest and lowest ranked hunter says that even if the child is not able to hunt with the men, he might still be able to bring meat to his hearth as this man is,” pointed out Zoug. “And don’t forget how much trouble we had when Ayla gave birth to a deformed Child. Let Ursus decide.”
“You have all given this Leader much to think about,” signed Brun. “When this Leader has seen the child, he will decide.”
Luna was nursing her son as the Leader of the Clan approached. He examined the baby. It’s neck was weak as Durcs had been. He had a forehead and chin like Luna, Ayla and Durc. But he also had the occipital bump that children of the Clan had.
“The child is deformed,” signed Brun. “We will let Ursus decide his fate. If he lives until the naming day, he will be accepted into the Clan.”
Ayla was overjoyed! The Child was being allowed to live!
On the Naming Day, Luna put on her best clothes and her Eagle hat. Ayla wore her lion hat for the occasion.
The Mog-ur painted a line on his son’s head and announced:
“The child’s name is: Zeen”
It was as close as Creb could come to pronouncing the name of Luna’s father, Xenophilius.
Each of the members of the Clan came forward and said the name of the newest member of the Clan.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Ayla was continuing to have a difficult pregnancy. Even though she wasn’t as sick as she had been with Durc, it was still hard. One morning, Uba came to visit her in her hearth.
“Ayla! Good news! My totem has been defeated!” signed Uba, excitedly.
“That’s wonderful Uhhn! News Uba!” signed Ayla.
“Ayla, how long have you been in labor?” asked Uba.
“Since last night,” replied Ayla.
Luna helped Creb to his foot and they left the hearth. Zar was out hunting with the men. Uba went and got her medicine bag and started some water boiling to make a soothing tea for Ayla.
Three days later, Ayla was still in labor! The men had all moved to Brun’s hearth and Luna was helping Ebra feed the men as well as see to their other needs.
“Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!” screamed Ayla as she pushed.
“Just one more push, Ayla,” urged Uba.
“AHHHhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“You did it, Ayla!” praised Uba as he sister passed out from exhaustion and she cleaned up the child. But when she realized what she held, she handed it off to Ovra. And went to the Leader’s Hearth to report.
“This woman is grieved to report that Ayla has given birth to a girl,” signed Uba sadly. “She is deformed. More deformed that Durc or Zeen.”
When Brun went to Creb’s Hearth, Zar, Creb and Luna followed him. He examined the baby. Her head was too big, and was lacking the occipital knob of Clan babies. Her forehead was even more prominent that Durc’s or Zeen’s. And her neck was even weaker that the two boy’s had been at birth. Zeen’s neck was already starting to strengthen over the past months. But his neck had not started out this weak. The discussion of Luna’s baby was still fresh in his mind. Brun knew his hunters would have similar things to say about this one. But that neck was so weak!
“The child is deformed,” stated Brun. “We will let Ursus decide her fate. If she lives until the naming day, she will be accepted into the Clan.”
Luna, Ovra and Uba let out the breath they had been holding. Ovra rushed over and held baby up to the breast of the unconscious Ayla and she began suckling her mother.
Luna began pulling out her potion making supplies. She got Ika to maintain the fire as she made a Pepper-Up Potion. It would use up the last of her black pepper, but Luna felt saving the life of her friend was worth using up the world’s entire supply of black pepper. Uba took care of cleaning up her sister and disposing of the afterbirth as Ovra helped Ayla nurse her baby while Luna made her potion. When Luna had finished the task, she carefully poured a few drops on Ayla’s unconscious lips.
Instantly, Ayla’s eyes fluttered open. She tried to ask what had happened but she was too weak to raise her hand enough to sign. She opened her mouth to try to speak in English but Luna shushed her.
“Just drink this,” admonished Luna. “It will make you feel better.”
Ayla drank the potion and instantly felt rejuvenated. Noticing the baby Ovra was holding on her breast, Ayla grabbed it and sat up.
“My baby is deformed!” signed Ayla, one handedly, as she nursed her.
“She’s not deformed,” replied Luna. This is how our children are supposed to look.”
“Brun has left her fate up to Ursus,” added Ovra. “If she lives, you’ll be allowed to keep her!”
“That’s wonderful!” signed Ayla.
After a few hours, the potion wore off and Ayla lapsed back into unconsciousness. But Uba advised that Ayla be allowed to sleep normally. The critical bonding time between mother and child had passed.
On the naming day, Creb painted a line on Ayla’s daughter and announced.
“The child’s name is: Iza,”
Each person came forward and repeated the name of the child.
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
By autumn, both Ayla and Luna had recovered enough to go out gathering herbs. One day while they were doing this, Luna had an idea.
“I understand that we’re not allowed to use the men’s weapons to hunt, but why are we allowed to use a sling to hunt” asked Luna.
“It’s because I learned to use a sling so well before you came,” replied Ayla. “If we can’t use men’s weapons, what else would we use?”
“How about this?” asked Luna as she pulled her wand from behind her ear and transfigured some sticks into a bow and arrows.
“Luna you can’t use those! Those are spears!” exclaimed Ayla.
“No they’re not, they’re arrows,” retorted Luna. “You see, with this you could go after even bigger game.”
Luna notched an arrow, pulled back the bowstring and let it fly. She got lucky and hit a tree, which the arrow stuck into firmly.
“Let me try that!” said Ayla as she reached for the bow. She tried to justify it to her self that women were allowed to use a bow and a pointed stick to start fires when they had gone out and no coal was available. She imitated Luna action and let fly an arrow, but missed the tree. Luna handed her another arrow and she tried again.
They spent the rest of the afternoon practicing. And by the end of the day Ayla could hit the tree most of the time. Luna was not quite as good with a bow. Suddenly realized how late it was and the depth of her offence.
“We’ve been using spears!” exclaimed Ayla. “Brun will curse us for certain!”
“Then don’t tell him!” protested Luna.
“We have too! If we try to hide it we will just make it worse on ourselves!” explained Ayla.
As soon they returned to the cave, Ayla went straight to Brun’s Hearth and sat down in front of the Leader, waiting for permission to speak. He couldn’t imagine what could be bothering the Medicine Woman, until he noticed the overly large bow and baby sized spear she was carrying. Brun tapped her on the shoulder.
“This woman is grieved to report that she and Luna have broken a Clan Taboo,” signed Ayla.
“Where did you get this baby spear?” asked Brun.
“Luna made it with her Weech stick,” replied Ayla. “We used the bow to throw them like a sling throws stones.”
“This Leader will consult with the other men and let you know my decision on the morning,” pronounced Brun.
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