ICE BURIAL: The Oldest Human Murder Mystery (The Mother People Series Book 3) by Joan Dahr Lambert Page A
Authors: Joan Dahr Lambert
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wondered if her legs would take her down the other side; even more, she wondered how Mara had managed such a difficult trek so soon after the birth. At least there had not been much for her to carry - not even her newborn son, she thought sadly.
The bleating of goats greeted them when they crested the ridge. Zena stopped , entranced by the vista . Lief joined her, and a jolt of sheer pleasure went through him when he saw her expression. She love d the mountains as he did; her face gave that away. He looked out for himself, and all his old love for high places came rushing back. The scene truly was beautiful. Craggy peaks still covered with snow ringed the lush valley below, making it inaccessible to any but the most determined, and the thick glaciers that thrust out between them gleamed blue-white in the afternoon sun. Waterfalls plunged from their ridges, spilling into steeply contoured hills that were brilliant with greenness. The scent of flowers permeated the air; the meadows were covered with them - red and yellow and white, pinks and blues and purples as well. Around them flitted multi-colored butterflies, and swarms of bees uttered a low monotone of buzzing that sooth ed the ear.
Far below clumps of huts perched near a narrow river that wound lazily through the valley , many more huts than he had seen on his last visit , Lief saw with a frown. The leader must have attracted still more people. The realization made him anxious, and he decided to watch Zena with care during this visit, although he would also take care that she was not aware of his watching . He did not understand th e decision, but instead accepted the fact that his instincts often knew before the rest of him what was needed.
The climb down was eas ier , though steep in places. Children ran out to greet them, as exuberant as children everywhere, but the adults were oddly reserved. Usually in these remote villages traders were welcomed with enthusiasm.
One reason for the villagers ’ reserve soon became apparent. They were preparing for a ceremony of some kind and were busy with their tasks. They were also uncertain whether their leader would welcome traders at such a time. The traders were not sure either . Perhaps they should go into the hills for a day or two and then return.
Their indecision was relieved when a tall man with a commanding presence strode up to them. All of them knew instantly that this was the Leader.
“ Welcome, ” he said , his arms outstretched to confirm his words . “ To have you with us at this special time gives us great pleasure. The ceremony of affirmation for the Great Spirit will soon begin. ” Zena had never heard a voice like that before. It rang in the ears in the same way as the sounds made by a bone flute, penetrating, but beautiful as well. She was aware of wanting immediately to hear it again.
Lief watched her face and felt suddenly cold. No one could fail to be attracted to such a voice. There was no harshness in it, only joyous certainty. This leader was a man to be reckoned with, p erhaps even admired . His uneasiness increased.
“ We thank you, ” Zena answered hesitantly. “ We would like very much to witness your ceremony, if that is what your people prefer. ”
She was about to add that they would leave and come back later if that was best but changed her mind. She wanted badly to see what happened in this ceremony. How else could she learn more about the new leader for Larak, as she had promised?
The Leader smiled at her and held out his arm, to motion her forward. Zena felt herself drawn toward him, though she had not consciously moved. There was no doubt he had power, she thought uncomfortably. Too much power, perhaps.
“ First, ” the Leader said, drawing all of them along in his wake, “ you must have food and drink to refresh you after your journey. ” He beckoned to a woman, who came eagerly to do his bidding. “ Bring food and drink for the strangers, ” he told her. There was no
The bleating of goats greeted them when they crested the ridge. Zena stopped , entranced by the vista . Lief joined her, and a jolt of sheer pleasure went through him when he saw her expression. She love d the mountains as he did; her face gave that away. He looked out for himself, and all his old love for high places came rushing back. The scene truly was beautiful. Craggy peaks still covered with snow ringed the lush valley below, making it inaccessible to any but the most determined, and the thick glaciers that thrust out between them gleamed blue-white in the afternoon sun. Waterfalls plunged from their ridges, spilling into steeply contoured hills that were brilliant with greenness. The scent of flowers permeated the air; the meadows were covered with them - red and yellow and white, pinks and blues and purples as well. Around them flitted multi-colored butterflies, and swarms of bees uttered a low monotone of buzzing that sooth ed the ear.
Far below clumps of huts perched near a narrow river that wound lazily through the valley , many more huts than he had seen on his last visit , Lief saw with a frown. The leader must have attracted still more people. The realization made him anxious, and he decided to watch Zena with care during this visit, although he would also take care that she was not aware of his watching . He did not understand th e decision, but instead accepted the fact that his instincts often knew before the rest of him what was needed.
The climb down was eas ier , though steep in places. Children ran out to greet them, as exuberant as children everywhere, but the adults were oddly reserved. Usually in these remote villages traders were welcomed with enthusiasm.
One reason for the villagers ’ reserve soon became apparent. They were preparing for a ceremony of some kind and were busy with their tasks. They were also uncertain whether their leader would welcome traders at such a time. The traders were not sure either . Perhaps they should go into the hills for a day or two and then return.
Their indecision was relieved when a tall man with a commanding presence strode up to them. All of them knew instantly that this was the Leader.
“ Welcome, ” he said , his arms outstretched to confirm his words . “ To have you with us at this special time gives us great pleasure. The ceremony of affirmation for the Great Spirit will soon begin. ” Zena had never heard a voice like that before. It rang in the ears in the same way as the sounds made by a bone flute, penetrating, but beautiful as well. She was aware of wanting immediately to hear it again.
Lief watched her face and felt suddenly cold. No one could fail to be attracted to such a voice. There was no harshness in it, only joyous certainty. This leader was a man to be reckoned with, p erhaps even admired . His uneasiness increased.
“ We thank you, ” Zena answered hesitantly. “ We would like very much to witness your ceremony, if that is what your people prefer. ”
She was about to add that they would leave and come back later if that was best but changed her mind. She wanted badly to see what happened in this ceremony. How else could she learn more about the new leader for Larak, as she had promised?
The Leader smiled at her and held out his arm, to motion her forward. Zena felt herself drawn toward him, though she had not consciously moved. There was no doubt he had power, she thought uncomfortably. Too much power, perhaps.
“ First, ” the Leader said, drawing all of them along in his wake, “ you must have food and drink to refresh you after your journey. ” He beckoned to a woman, who came eagerly to do his bidding. “ Bring food and drink for the strangers, ” he told her. There was no
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