The Land of Painted Caves (Earth's Children 6)

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Joharran's brow wrinkled in a way that was so much like his taller though younger brother's, it made Ayla want to smile, but it usually showed at a time when smiling would be inappropriate. "Perhaps it would be wiser just to avoid them," the dark-haired leader said.

Big Brother Instinct: She's doing her absolute best to look after her younger siblings, including her infant sister, Lorala. Unfortunately, she doesn't really know what she's doing as she's a child herself and Lorala is underweight because she's not eating properly, though things improve after Ayla steps in to help (and persuades other women to help too). But all the time Ayla has spent in training rituals has caused Jondalar to drift away from her. The rituals themselves bring her close to death, but through them Ayla gains A Gift of Knowledge so important that it will change her world. The spiritual knowledge Ayla's Calling brings to the community is that men are active in the conception of a baby during 'Pleasures', which leads to the start of recognized fatherhood and that men have purpose on earth equal to that of women, and subsequently leads to the need for monogamous relationships to reduce jealousy/possessiveness over sexual partners and for fathers to take responsibility for children, thus shaping this prehistoric culture further to match our current one.

Dude, Where's My Respect?: Laramar is gifted at brewing birch beer, and considers it his primary contribution to the welfare of the Ninth Cave; despite the difficulty of the craft and resulting increases to the Cave's quality of life, he is the lowest-ranked member. That said, he uses it his craft as an excuse to get out of any sort of practical contributions (hunting, gathering, cave maintenance, etc); he's also The Resenter and The Alcoholic, which doesn't precisely help anyone sympathize with him. R]eaders who enjoyed the previous volumes will relish the opportunity to re-enter pre-history one last time.”– Publishers Weekly Loser Son of Loser Dad: She’s treated this way by many people in the cave, along with the rest of her siblings. They're dismissed as a lost cause and looked upon disdain for being constantly dirty and begging for food, and their lazy, freeloading parents are some of the lowest-ranking and least-popular members of the Ninth Cave. However, Ayla points out that it's hardly their fault that they have such awful parents and that Lanoga is doing her best to look after her younger brothers and sisters. Ayla is able to shame some of the neighbours into helping Lanoga care for her family by informing them that in the Clan no child would be allowed to starve, essentially implying they're worse than the "flatheads" they dismiss as mere animals. Screw This, I'm Out of Here!: At the end of the last book, he breaks up with his wife, abandons his children and moves to a different cave. What makes you think so?" Joharran said. He was always surprised at Ayla's wealth of knowledge of four-legged hunters, but for some reason it was also at times like this that he noticed her unusual accent more.

The Alcoholic: She spends most of her time drinking her mate's barma or nursing a hang-over from said drinking. I've tried a spear-thrower a few times, Joharran. I don't have one of my own, and I'm not very good at it," Thefona said, "but I can throw a spear without one."

To Bodoa/S’Armuna as it turns out, though she doesn't learn of his death until years after the fact. Lazy Bum: His sole contribution to his community is making booze... which he then drinks or gives away to his 'friends'. In the book’s second half, five years have passed and Ayla’s acolyte training has occupied much of her time. While refraining from attending the annual summer meeting to complete the last of her obligations, Ayla accidently drinks a hallucinogenic tea that sends her on a three-day psychedelic trip. Vividly described by Auel, Ayla’s trip ends with her in a cave, where she experiences her calling from a higher power known as the Great Earth Mother — Ayla’s experience is a gift that comes at great personal sacrifice. Karma Houdini: Zig-zagged. She ends up moving away from the Ninth Cave and marrying some random guy she met at the Summer Meeting. But, it's implied she did this because she realises that no one in the Ninth Cave really likes her, and that Jondalar, even though he was willing to sleep with her, doesn't actually care about her and isn’t interested in rekindling their relationship. Happily Married: Despite the trouble with Bodoa, he and Marthona were happy together for a few years, before he died.

They know to stay out of the way of those lions, but I don't see Wolf," Ayla said. "I'd better whistle for him."Misery Builds Character: Having to take over leadership duties while caring for a baby and her ailing husband, then being widowed young, has made Marthona a refined and resilient woman who can handle just about anything life throws at her. Disproportionate Retribution: Her being vexed at Jondalar leaving her at the altar is understandable...but she still resents him for it over five years later and after she mated (then divorced) another man. It's clear she never actually loved Jondalar and they weren't even formally Promised; it was simply expected they would get together because she's the most beautiful woman of the tribe, whilst he's considered one of the most handsome and has a high social standing. She is also cruel to Ayla simply for being his new girlfriend, when she'd never even met the woman and Ayla had only ever been nice to her. Jerkass: He's short-tempered, overly sensitive and bigoted towards the Clan and those of 'mixed spirits'. However, he's still quite sympathetic and not completely an asshole. Alpha Bitch: Of the Ninth Cave. Jondalar and Thonolan mention she has a reputation for being vindictive and sharp-tongued even before she actually appears. When she's finally introduced, she soon proves to be even worse than they let on, being very petty, self-centred, manipulative and just generally obnoxious to be around. She's even got a Girl Posse of sorts who follow her around, do her bidding and snigger along with her snide remarks and cruel jokes.