page18 (1/2)

“Let an to doubt they were anian “I was south and west of here, traveling alone The weather had changed quickly, a sudden cold snap, and I was in a hurry to get ho until it was almost dark, and ca When I woke up, I discovered I had stopped right across from a party of flatheads I was actually afraid of them—you knohat you hear—so I watched them closely, to be prepared in case they decided to come after me”

“What did they do?” Joharran asked

“Nothing, except break camp just like anyone would,” Willamar said “They kneas there, of course, but I was alone, so I couldn’t give the hurry They boiled so hot to drink, rolled up their tents—different froround and harder to see—but they packed the”

“Could you tell if any omen?” Ayla asked

“It was pretty cold, they were all covered They do wear clothes You don’t notice it in summer because they don’t wear much, and you seldom see them in winter We don’t tend to travel much then, or very far, and they probably don’t, either”

“You’re right, they don’t like to go too far from home when it’s cold or snowy,” Ayla commented

“Most had beards, I’m not sure if they all did,” Willamar said

“Young men don’t have beards Did you notice if any of them carried a basket on her back?”

“I don’t think so,” he said

“Clan wo trek, wo to dry the e hunting party, just men,” Ayla said

“Did you do that?” Folara asked “Go along on long hunting trips?”

“Yes, I even went along once when they hunted a mammoth,” Ayla said, “but not to hunt”

Jondalar noticed that everyone seeh he was sure many people would be more intolerant, at least his kin see about flatheads … the Clan

“Joharran,” Jondalar said, “I’ to talk to you anyway There’s so you need to know We met a Clan couple on our way here, just before we started over that plateau glacier to the east They told us that several clans are planning to get together to talk about us, and the proble with us They call us the Others”

“I’,” the s to talk about us”