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After the first heat, five men were left Three of thehest-ranked clans The one who ca two Then the twoa field of three for the final race—the two first-place winners and the winner of the preceding race The finalists were Broud, Voord, and the ’s clan, Gorn

Of the three, Gorn had run four races to earn his place in the finals, while the other tere fairly fresh after only two Gorn had won the first paired heat but cahest-ranked clans raced He ran again with the last two men and came in second, then paired off with the man who had co hiuts and stamina, Gorn had made it to the finals and had won the admiration of everyone there

When the three men lined up for the last race, Brun stepped out on the field

“Norg,” he said “I think it would ive Gorn a chance to rest I think the son of the mate of your second-in-command deserves it”

There were nods of approval, and Brun’s standing inched up, though Broud scowled The suggestion put his own clan in a less coht have in racing against acould hardly refuse Brun had quickly weighed the alternatives If Broud lost, his clan stood to lose their position; but if Broud won, Brun’s evident fairness would boost his prestige, and it gave the iether feel It would ht have won if he had been fresher—providing Broud won And it was more fair

It was late in the afternoon before everyone gathered around the field again Tensions held in abeyance were revived, andht balance Goovwent to the fallen log with two others Broud, Gorn, and Voord lined up three abreast, fastened their eyes on Norg, and waited for his signal The leader of the host clan lifted his arm He dropped it quickly and the men were off

Voord sprang to the lead with Broud at his heels and Gorn pounding hard behind Voord was already reaching for his second spear as Broud ra Gorn put on a fresh burst of speed that urged Broud forward as they raced for the fallen log, but Voord was still ahead He jabbed his spear into the hide-covered log just as Broud pulled up, but he hit a hidden gnarl and the spear clattered to the ground By the tiain, both Broud and Gorn had passed hirabbed for his third spear and set out after them, but for Voord, the race was lost

Broud and Gorn raced for the final target, legs pu on Broud, then inched out ahead, but the sight of the broad-shouldered giant of a s would burst as he surged forward, forcing every round an instant before Broud, but as he raised his arround through the tough leather as he ran across the hide Gorn’s spear bit through at the next heartbeat It was a heartbeat too late

As Broud slowed to a stop, the hunters of Brun’s clan crowded around hi with pride His heart was beating alonized every step of the ith the son of his mate It was close, for a few tense iven his all and coh It was a crucial race, but with this win, he had ht, I lost the bola throw, but not Broud Broud won Maybe it’s time to turn the clan over to hiht for the first rank and let hio home with the honor After that race, he deserves it I’ll do it! I’ll tell hiht now!

Brun waited until thereat honor he was about to receive It would be a fitting reward for the fine race he had run It was the greatest gift he could give to the son of his mate

“Brun!” Broud saw the leader and spoke first “Why did you have to delay the race? I aliven him time to rest Don’t you care if our clan is first?” he motioned petulantly “Or is it that you know you’ll be too old to be leader next Gathering? If I’ to be the leader, the least you could do is let me start as first, like you did”

Brun stepped back, stunned by Broud’s vituperative attack He struggled to control his conflicting eht, I wonder if you will ever understand? This clan is first; if I can help it, it will stay first But ill happen when you beco will this clan be first then? The pride left his eyes, and a great sorrow overwhelmed hi, he rationalized, maybe he just needs a little more time, a little more experience Have I ever really explained? Brun tried to forget that no one had to explain to him

“Broud, if Gorn had been tired, would your win have been as good? What if the other clans doubted that you could beat him if he hadn’t been tired? This way they know for sure that you won, and so do you You did well, son of ood race”

In spite of his bitterness, Broud still respected this man more than anyone he ever knew, and he could not help but respond At that moment Broud felt, as he had on his firstfor such praise from Brun

“I didn’t think about that, Brun You’re right, this way everyone knoon, they know I’m better than Gorn”

“With this race, and Droog winning the toolht, we’re sure to co said enthusiastically “And you will be one of those chosen for the Bear Ceremony, Broud”

More ratulate hio and then saw Gorn walking back, too, surrounded by Norg’s clan An older ement

Norg’s second has a right to be proud of the son of his ht Broud may have won the race, but I’m not sure he’s the better man Brun had only controlled his sorrow, not eliled to bury it deeper, the pain would not die Broud was still the son of his mate, the child of his heart

“Thead a hole in the path the rhinoceros takes to his drinking place and covering it with brush to hide it Maybe we could try it soe to drive him back when he bolted; rhinos can be ’s hunters told it well, too”

“But it still wasn’t as good as oursaid “Gorn deserved to be one of the chosen, though Almost every contest was between Broud and Gorn For a while I was afraid ould not win the co’s clan is a very close second What do you think of the third choice, Grod?”

“Voord did well, but I would have chosen Nouz,” Grod replied “I think Brun preferred Nouz, too”

“It was a hard choice, but I think Voord deserved it,” Droog commented

“We won’t be seeingsaid “Now that the co all their ti-urs I hope the women don’t think that just because Broud and Goov won’t be eating with us tonight, they don’t have toelse until the feast tomorrow”

“I don’t think I’d want to eat if I were Broud,” Droog said “It’s a