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“We were just out taking a e happened to see you there, and I ad to make you feel a little uncomfortable After all, ere Promised”

They hadn’t been forue with her He knew he had certainly given her the impression that they were

“I didn’t know that you would still be living here I thought you ht have mated someone from another Cave,” Jondalar said

“I did,” she said “It didn’t last, so I ca his hard, tanned, naked body in

a way that was faed much in five years, Jondalar Except for a few nasty scars” She turned her gaze to Ayla “But we really didn’t come here to talk to you We came to meet your friend,” Marona said

“She’ll be for protective of Ayla

“That’s e heard, but we don’t need a forreet her and make her welcome”

He could hardly refuse to introduce them “Ayla, of the Lion Camp of the Mamutoi, this is Marona of the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii, and her friends” He looked more closely “Portula? Of the Fifth Cave? Is it you?” Jondalar asked

The woman smiled and blushed with pleasure to be remembered Marona frowned at her “Yes, I’m Portula, but I’m Third Cave now” She certainly remembered him He had been chosen for her First Rites

But he recalled that she had been one of those young woet hih they were forbidden to associate for at least a year after First Rites Her persistence had spoiled somewhat his low of fondness for the young woman involved

“I don’t think I know your other friend, Marona,” Jondalar said She seeer than the other two

“I a woman said

“We all became acquainted when I was mated to a man from the Fifth Cave,” Marona said “They cas, Ayla of the Mamutoi”

Ayla stood up to return the greetings Although it nor slightly disconcerted to be greeting unfa skin around her, tucking it in at the waist, and put her amulet back around her neck

“Grrreetings, Marrrona, of the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonyee,” Ayla said, her slightly rolled r’s and peculiar throaty accent s, Porrrtula of the Fifth Cave, and Grrreetings to her Sister, Lorrrava,” she continued