“What is it that is troubling your mother?” Zelandoni asked.
“I’m not entirely sure. She complains about stomachaches or cramps, and lately she has no appetite,” the young woman said. “I can see that she’s getting thin, and now she doesn’t want to get out of bed. I am very worried.”
“That’s understandable,” Zelandoni said. “Do you want to come with me to see her, Ayla?”
“Yes, but let me ask Jondalar to watch Jonayla first. I just nursed her, so she should be fine.”
She took the baby to Jondalar, who was talking to an older man who didn’t seem weak or ill. Ayla supposed he was there on behalf of someone else, like the young acolyte. Jondalar was delighted to look after Jonayla, smiling as he reached for her. Jonayla smiled back; she liked being with him.
Ayla returned to the place where the other two women waited and followed them into a dwelling, similar to the ones made by the Ninth Cave, but this one was much smaller than most of those she had seen. It seemed made to house only the woman who occupied the sleeping place within. It wasn’t much bigger than the bed, just a small space around it and a small storage and cooking area. Zelandoni alone seemed to fill it, with very little extra room for the two younger women.
“Mother. Mother!” the acolyte said. “There are some people here to see you.”
The woman moaned and opened her eyes, and then opened them wider when she saw the large figure of the First.
“Shevola?” she said with a raspy voice.
“I’m here, mother,” the acolyte said.
“Why is the First here? Did you send for her?”
“No, mother. She just happened to stop by and said she’d look in on you. Ayla is here, too,” Shevola said.
“Ayla? Isn’t she Jondalar’s foreign woman with the animals?”
“Yes, mother. She brought them with her. If you feel up to it later, you can go out and see them.”
“What is your mother’s name, Acolyte of the West Holding of the Twenty-ninth Cave?” Zelandoni asked.
“Vashona of Summer Camp, the West Holding of the Twenty-ninth Cave. She was born at Reflection Rock before Three Rocks joined together,” the young woman explained, then felt slightly embarrassed, aware that she didn’t need to go through so much explanation. This wasn’t a formal introduction.
“Would you mind if Ayla examined you, Vashona?” the First asked. “She is a skilled healer. We may not be able to help you, but we’d like to try.”
“No,” the woman said softly, and it seemed with some hesitation. “I wouldn’t mind.”
Ayla was a little surprised that the First wanted her to look at the woman. Then it occurred to her that the space inside the dwelling was so cramped, the large woman might have some difficulty getting down to the bedside. She knelt down and looked at the woman. “Are you feeling pain now?” she asked.
Both Vashona and her daughter suddenly became aware of Ayla’s unusual way of speaking, her exotic accent.
“Yes.”
“Will you show me where it is?”
“It’s hard to say. Inside.”
“Higher up or lower down?”
“All over.”
“May I touch you?”
The woman looked at her daughter, who looked at Zelandoni. “She does need to examine her,” the First said.
Vashona nodded agreement and Ayla pulled down the cover and opened her clothing, exposing her stomach. She noted immediately that the woman was bloated. She pressed down on her stomach, starting at the top and working her way down over the rounded bulge. Vashona winced, but didn’t cry out. Ayla felt her forehead and around the back of her ears, then bent closer and smelled her breath. Then she sat back on her heels and looked thoughtful.
“Do you get a burning pain in your chest, especially after you eat?” Ayla asked.
“Yes,” the woman replied, with a questioning look.