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The visitors began ascending the trail toward the main level of Two Rivers Rock but stopped when they reached the lower level to wait for a person anted to join thethere, Ayla looked up and found herself reaching for the nearby wall to steady herself The top of the cliff overhung so far that as the eye followed thethat the cliff itself was bending over backward along with the viewer
“That’s Kireeted Joharran Ayla looked at the stranger, as blond and taller than Joharran She was struck by the subtle body language of the two ard each other as equals
The newcomer eyed the ith apprehension, but made no comment as they continued up to the next level When they finally reached the ain, halted this tiht in her throat The stone front porch of the Third Cave’s rock shelter co countryside So Grass River, she could even see another small watercourse that joined the secondary
“Ayla” She turned around when she heard her name Joharran was behind her, with the man who had just joined them “I want to introduce you to someone”
The man took a step forward and held out both hands, but his eyes glanced warily at the wolf beside her, as looking at him with attentive curiosity He seemed to be as tall as Jondalar and, with his blond hair, bore a superficial resenal the anireet him
“Kian Kimeran took both of her hands in his as the leader of the Ninth Cave continued with her names and ties Joharran had noticed the man’s anxious look and understood exactly how he felt “Ayla, this is Kimeran, Leader of Elder Hearth, the Second Cave of the Zelandonii, Brother of Zelandoni of the Second Cave, Descendant of the Founder of the Seventh Cave of the Zelandonii”
“In the name of Doni, the Great Earth Mother, you are welcome to the land of the Zelandonii, Ayla of the Mamutoi,” Kimeran said
“In the name of Mut, Mother of All, also known as Doni and by reet you Kimeran, Leader of Elder Hearth, the Second Cave of the Zelandonii,” Ayla said, then smiled and repeated his con accent and then her lovely sht, but could he expect any less from Jondalar?
“Kimeran!” Jondalar said when they finished the forood to see you!”
“And you, Jondalar” The h but affectionate hug
“So you are leader of the Second now,” Jondalar said
“Yes For a couple of years I wondered if you’d make it back I heard you had returned, but I had to come and see for myself if all the stories about you are true I think theya cautious distance from the wolf
“Ayla, Kih our ot our belts … became men at the same time” Jondalar smiled and shook his head at the e, but I felt that I stood out because I was taller than everyone I was so glad when I saw Ki because he was as tall as me I wanted to stand near him so I wouldn’t be so noticeable I think he felt the sa, but his expression changed at Jondalar’s next words “Kimeran, I think you should come and meet Wolf”
“Meet him?”
“Yes, Wolf won’t hurt you, Ayla will introduce you Then he’ll know you as a friend”