ICE BURIAL: The Oldest Human Murder Mystery (The Mother People Series Book 3) by Joan Dahr Lambert

added. “ It is against nature for people to act as he convinces them to act. ”
    Larak looked doubtful. “ Most people prefer to follow, ” she observed, “ and if the message is strong enough they will follow blindly. ”
    Lief grimaced. “ I , too, have observed that, ” he admitted. “ What I do not know is how they can be weaned from obeying without any thought of what that means. ”
    Larak was as impressed by his answer as he had been by hers. She smiled at him, telling him without words that they understood each other. “ Nor do I, ” she replied after a moment. “ I do know, however, that I am glad you have come to us in time to travel with Zena and the traders. You will be a great help to them, I am sure. ”
    She regarded him for a moment, wondering whether to say more. She was almost certain that his decision to join the tribe was connected to Zena . S he had seen his eyes on Zena, observed how unaccountably shy , even awkward, he and Zena were in each other ’s presence . They were intensely aware of each other but at the same time seemed not to know what to say to each other. Neither of them behaved like that normally , and the reason seemed obvious to her . She hoped she was right. Lief would be good for Zena . There was a steadfast quality in him that might help to make up for the loss of Teran.
    Larak’s face sobered. Zena was struggling, unable to find balance without her twin. Together they had made a seamless whole; alone, Zena felt incomplete, which was not surprising. Still, she would soon have to assume her position as leader of the Mother People, and for this she would need all the strength and power that lay latent within her. That they were there Larak did not doubt, but Zena had to realize this for herself. Perhaps Lief could help her with that.
    “ You have some regard for Zena , I think, ” she remarked , deciding to test her idea. Her eyes twinkled as she saw him redden slightly. So she had been right.
    “ That is true, ” Lief a dmitted , “ though I do not yet know her very well. ”
    Larak nodded. “ That will come, ” she said with a smile. “ And I am glad you are here . Zena is very vulnerable right now, unsure of herself, and I believe you can help her regain her confidence . ”
    “ I would like very much to help Zena , ” Lief confessed, and to his surprise found himself telling Larak about his experience at the Great Sea, his realization that he had to find Zena and be with her. He had never thought to tell anyone of that strange impulse, except perhaps Zena herself if the opportunity arose.
    Larak smiled to herself. So she had been right about that too. She had felt the hand of the Goddess in Lief ’s sudden appearance, as she did in so many unexpected events. Her ways were devious indeed!
    She pressed Lief ’s hand warmly. “ That is good. I am  pleased. Take care, though, that you do not get burned, ” she cautioned, her eyes twinkling again. “ There is more fire in Zena than any of us knows. And more power. One day, these will emerge. ”
    Her face sobered instantly. “ And when that happens, danger will not be far behind. That is always the way, whether we like it or not. ”
    “ I will take that chance, ” Lief assured her, aware that he meant the words. A thrill of anticipation shot through him. A new adventure was about to begin, an adventure that would involve Zena ; he knew that as surely as he knew the moon and the sun and stars moved in the sky. His inexplicable instinct to come to her had not misled him.
    A few days later, the small group was ready. As well as Zena and Lief, there were two other men, Durak and Hular, and another woman called Sorlin. All were loaded down with supplies; as a result the journey was slow, especially on the third day as they climbed toward the high peaks on the southern side of Mara ’s village. Up and up they went, past a cold alpine lake buffeted by winds, then on to the pass. By the time they reached it, Zena