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

That was beautiful, ” a voice said, when they stopped to rest for a moment.
    Mara looked up sharply. It was one of the young men who had come with Zena . Was this the one who had spoken to Rofina?
    The answer was clear from Rofina ’s face. The puzzled look had gone; in its place was a spark of animation. She rose slowly and went to stand near the man, all the while watching his face carefully.
    “ I am Durak, ” the man told Mara. “ I know this is Rofina, but I do not know your name. ”
    “ I am Mara, ” she said quietly.
    “ I am glad to know you, Mara, ” he answered, and to her relief, his face revealed nothing. Either Zena had not spoken her name, or Durak knew enough to be careful.
    “ Would you like to look for flowers with me? ” he asked Rofina. “ I have seen many beautiful ones in the fields. ”
    “ That will be fine, ” Rofina answered, and gave him her hand.
    Mara was beside him instantly . “ The Leader would not like that, ” she said urgently to Durak, deciding she must trust him. “ He does not like us to be alone with a man unless the man has been chosen by him as the woman ’s mate. Rofina... Rofina does not always understand. ”
    Durak nodded, and she saw compassion in his eyes. No wonder Rofina liked him!
    “ Then I will gather some flowers and bring them back, ” he said cheerfully.
    Runor appeared at the entrance to the hut. Gently, Durak disengaged his fingers from Rofina ’s and went to her. “ I am Durak, ” he said again.
    Runor nodded and stared intently into his eyes. “ You are welcome here, ” she said finally, and touched his arm with her gnarled fingers. To his surprise, Durak clasped her hand and held it warmly between his own wide palms. Runor nodded again, seeming to be satisfied with something he could not interpret, then she turned and re-entered the hut.
    “S he is a very wise woman, ” Durak remarked, surprising himself again.
    “ That is true, ” Mara answered distractedly, puzzled by Runor ’s acceptance of Durak. Her mother had been very suspicious of strangers since the Leader had come, but she had accepted Durak right away.
    She glanced at Rofina, who was still watching Durak. She had made no move to go close to him again, but the expression on her face was different. Stubbornness, Mara realized, astonished. Rofina looks stubborn! What might that mean?
    Durak came up to Rofina and touched her lightly on the shoulder. “ Perhaps one day we will find flowers together, ” he said quietly. He nodded politely to Mara and walked away.
    Rofina sighed, a long sigh that seemed to come from a place deep inside her. “ Perhaps one day, ” she repeated, and picked up the pestle again. This time, she tired quickly.
    “ I must go back to the Leader, ” she told Mara. Without waiting for an answer, she walked quickly across the clearing and into the trees.
    Rofina ’s steps slowed when she was out of sight of the hut. The idea of picking flowers had appealed to her and she wanted to do it. Beyond this grove of trees there was a big field of flowers. Her pace picked up again and she walked eagerly into the field. All her attention was absorbed by the multi-colored blossoms, and she did not think of the young man again until he appeared unexpectedly in front of her. He did not speak, only looked at her gravely. Rofina returned the look. Many moments passed while they stood motionless, searching each other ’s faces. Rofina felt something move inside her, and her eyes widened in surprise.
    “ You are Durak, ” she said finally. The feeling inside her grew stronger. She thought she liked it but she was not sure.
    Durak reached out and caressed her arm with gentle fingers. The strength of his feelings astonished him. Never before had he felt so drawn to a woman, even before he knew her. It was as if Rofina was already a part of him, or he was a part of her, and now they must never come apart. His mind knew the thought made little sense, but his heart paid no