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“Have so to eat first,” Proleva said Joharran’s mate had come with Relona and Zelandoni and a few others from the Ninth Cave “We roasted soht other food”

“I’ry,” Ayla said

“But you must be tired,” Joharran said “You hardly left his side for a moment”

“I wish I could have doneto help hi dejected

“But you did,” said the older man as the Zelandoni of the Third “You eased his pain No one could have done more, and he wouldn’t have field on to life without your help I would not have used a poultice in that way To ease aches or bruises, yes, but for internal injuries? I don’t think I would have thought of it Yet it did seem to help”

“Yes It was a perceptive way to treat him,” the Ninth’s Zelandoni said “Have you done that before?”

“No And I wasn’t sure it would help, but I had to try so,” Ayla said

“You did well,” the donier said “But now you should have so to eat, and rest”

“No, nothing to eat, but I think I will lie down for a while,” Ayla said “Where’s Jondalar?”

“He went out with Rusheetjust to hold torches, but Jondalar wanted to be sure there would be enough to last the night, and this valley doesn’t have many trees They should be back soon Jondalar put your sleeping furs over there,” Joharran said, s

howing her the place

Ayla lay down, thinking to rest a while until Jondalar came back She was asleep almost as soon as she closed her eyes When the fuel collectors returned with the wood, nearly everyone was asleep They put it in a pile near the fireplace, then went to the sleeping places they had chosen Jondalar noticed the wooden bowl she usually took with her and used to heat small amounts of water with hot stones for medicinal teas She had also constructed a makeshift framework of antlers, shed the previous season, to support a waterbag directly over a flah the deer bladder held water, it seeped a little, which prevented it fro water or cooking

Joharran stopped his brother to talk for a few moments “Jondalar, I want to learn more about those spear-throwers I saw that bison fall from your spear, and you were farther away than et so close, and Shevonar ht not have been trampled”

“You know I’ll show anyone ants to learn, but it does take practice,” Jondalar said

“How long did it take you? I don’t h skill to really hunt with it?” Joharran asked