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“Come on, Wolf,” Ayla said as they headed back toward the Ninth Cave

But the way Jondalar as not the way they had co the steep path up to Down River and on to the Ninth Cave across the stone ledges, he led the the right bank of The River in front of the shelters of stone Depending on the bends and turns the ay took across its floodplain, the path was soe and The River and sometimes close to the stone front porch

There were several paths leading up to the shelters along the way, and one Ayla recalled using when she’d had to relieve herself after that longabout the Clan The ain; she had to pass water nant Wolf sniffed her water; he seemed more interested in it lately, and she wondered if he could tell she was expecting

A few people noticed the back and waved or beckoned Jondalar was sure they were curious about why they had returned, but he didn’t respond They’d find out soon enough When they reached the end of the line of cliffs, they turned into Wood Valley, and Ayla whistled Wolf raced ahead

“Do you think he knoe’re going to get Whinney and Racer?” Ayla said

“I wouldn’t doubt it,” Jondalar said “I’m always amazed at what he seems to know”

“Here they come!” Ayla said, her voice full of happiness She realized she hadn’t seen them for more than a day and had missed theht to her with her head held high, but she lowered it over the woed her neck Racer let out a loud neigh and pranced toward Jondalar with his tail high and his neck arched, then presented his favorite scratching places to the man

“I’ve missed them, but I think they’ve s and strokings, and nose touchings with Wolf, she suggested they go up and get riding blankets and Whinney’s harness for the pole drag

“I’ll go,” Jondalar said “We’d better get going if we’re planning on hunting today, and everybody will be asking questions I think it will be easier for me to say we have to hurry If you do it, so, since they don’t really know you yet”

“And I don’t really know theood idea I’ll check the horses over andbaskets, too, and a water bowl for Wolf Andtonight You should probably bring Whinney’s halter, too”

They caught up with the rest of the hunting party just as they were reaching Two Rivers Rock They had ridden along The River, splashing along the edge of the left bank after crossing

“I was beginning to wonder if you’d make it back b

efore we started,” Kareja said “I did stop off and pick up a disguise for you, Ayla” Ayla thanked her

At the Two Rivers confluence, the hunting party turned into Grass Valley Kimeran and so theone to the ceremony at the Gather Field, had waited upstream When the rest of the hunters reached theot down from the horses and moved closer to listen

“ … Thefona said the bison were“It looked as if they would be in a good position by today, but they changed direction and headed east, away from the surround Thefona’s one of our best She can see farther than anyone, and she’s been watching that herd for soood position to chase into the trap soon, but probably not today That’s e thought the aceros would be a better choice They watered upriver froreens near the tall grass”