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“Where did they come from?” Thonolan said in a hoarse whisper
“Theythey’ve been out there I’ve been up all night watching for scavengers They could have been waiting until we did so our spears behind”
“They don’t look too sociable; none of theesture of welcome What do we do now?”
“Put on your biggest, friendliest sesture”
Thonolan tried to think self-assured and srin He put both his hands out and started toward them “I am Thonolan of the Zelan …”
His progress was halted by a spear quivering in the ground at his feet
“Any estions, Jondalar?”
“I think it’s their turn”
One of the e and two others sprang toward theed forward
“You don’t have to get nasty, friend,” Thonolan said, feeling a sharp prick “I was going that hen you stopped me”
They were brought back to their own cahly in front of it The one who had spoken before barked another co out The spears were taken froround
“What do you think you’re doing?” Thonolan shouted, starting to get up He was re down his arm
“Relax, Thonolan,” Jondalar warned “They look angry I don’t think they’re in a mood for objections”
“Is this the way to treat Visitors? Don’t they understand rights of passage for those on a Journey?”
“You were the one who said it, Thonolan”
“Said what?”
“You take your chances; that’s what a Journey is all about”
“Thanks,” Thonolan said, reaching for the stinging cut on his arers “That’s just what I needed to hear”
The one who seemed to be the leader spat out a few more words and the two brothers were hauled to their feet, Thonolan, in his loincloth, was given only a cursory glance, but Jondalar was searched and his bone-handled flint knife was taken A rabbed for it The next instant he felt a sharp pain at the back of his head and sluround
He was stunned for only a short while, but when his head cleared, he found hi into Thonolan’s worried gray eyes, his hands bound with thongs behind his back
“You were the one who said it, Jondalar”
“Said what?”
“They’re in no mood for objections”
“Thanks,” Jondalar rerimace, suddenly aware of a bad headache “That’s just what I needed to hear”
“What do you suppose they’re going to do with us?”
“We’re still alive If they were going to kill us, they’d have done it, wouldn’t they?”
“Maybe they’re saving us for so special”