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The two brothers were led back to their tent and their backframes were returned, but not their spears or knives Onean eye on theht fell, they crawled into their tent Thonolan was in high spirits, but Jondalar was in no hed every time he looked at him

There was an air of expectancy in the cae party arrived, a Tents were set up, men, women, and children settled in, and the spartan ca Jondalar and Thonolan watched with interest the asseht walls covered with hides, and a domed, thatched roof The various parts of it were preasse speed Then bundles and covered baskets were carried inside

There was a lull in activities while food was prepared In the afternoon, a crowd began to gather around the large circular structure The old wo, and the fur robe draped over it As soon as she appeared, the crowd quieted and for the place in the center open Jondalar and Thonolan watched her speak to a man and point to them

“Maybe she’ll want you to show off your great desire for her again” Thonolan gibed as the man beckoned

“They’ll have to kill me first!”

“Youto bed that beauty?” Thonolan asked, feigning wide-eyed innocence “It certainly looked that way yesterday” He began to chuckle again Jondalar turned and stalked off toward the group

They were led to the center and she ain

“Zel-an-don-yee?” the old woman said to Jondalar

“Yes,” He nodded “I am Jondalar of the Zelandonii”

She tapped the arm of an old man beside her

“I … Tamen,” he said, then so time … Tamen …” another unfamiliar word, “west … Zelandonii”

Jondalar strained, then suddenly realized he had understood so about Haduo you … west … made a Journey? to the Zelandonii? Can you speak Zelandonii?” he asked excitedly

“Journey, yes,” thetime”

The old worabbed the man’s arm and spoke to him He turned back to the two brothers

“Hadu to her “ … Mother …” Tamen hesitated, then indicated everyone with a sweep of his arm

“You mean like Zelandoni, One Who Serves the Mother?”

He shook his head “Haduht for a moment, then beckoned to some people and lined them up in a row beside him “Hadu first at her, then to himself, then to each person in turn

Jondalar studied the people, trying to make sense out of the demonstration Tamen was old, but not as old as Hadue Beside hi the hand of a child Suddenly, JondalarHaduma is mother’s ers outstretched “The enerations?” he said with awe

The enerations,” he said, pointing again to each person

“Great Mother! Do you kno old she must be?” Jondalar said to his brother

“Great mother, yes,” Tamen said “Haduma … mother” He patted his stomach

“Children?”

“Children” He nodded “Hadu lines in the dirt

“One, two, three …” Jondalar said the counting words with each one “ … Sixteen! Haduave birth to sixteen children?”

Taround “ … Many son … irl?” He shook his head, doubtful

“Daughters?” Jondalar offered

Taht for a moment, “Live … all live All … er “Six Caves … Hadumai”