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“I remember when Creb told me that the Spirit of the Cave Lion had chosentote totems are hard to live with He told me if I paid attention, ht decision, but he said toteive you so He also said the Cave Lion would not have chosen me if I was not worthy,” Ayla said “Maybe he meant able to bear it”

The donier was surprised at the depth of understanding Ayla’s comments showed Were the people that she called Clan really capable of such perception? If she had said the Great Earth Mother instead of the Spirit of the Cave Lion, the words could have come from a Zelandoni

Finally, The One Who Was First continued “Nothing could be done for Shevonar, except to ease his pain, and you did that Using a poultice was an intriguing approach Did you learn that from your Clan woman?”

“No,” Ayla said, shaking her head “I’ve never done that before But he was in so ive hi smoke I’ve burned hs, and I know plants that are sohtsacs, I didn’t want to do that Then I noticed the bruising, though it was more than that, I think The bruise on his skin turned almost black after a while, but I know that certain plants can ease the pain of bruising when put on the skin, and I happened to notice so surround So I went back and got some It seemed to help a little”

“Yes, I think it did,” the donier said “I may try that sometime myself You do see, Ayla And I think it’s telling that you feel bad Every good healer that I know is always bothered when so more you could have done The Mother decided to call him, and no one can thwart Her will”

“You’re right, of course, Zelandoni I didn’t think there was any hope, but I wanted to ask anyway I know you have much to do, and I don’t want to take any ot up to leave “Thank you for answering my question

s”

Zelandoni watched the young woman as she started to walk away “Ayla,” she called “I wonder if you would do so for me”

“Of course, anything, Zelandoni,” she said

“When we get back to the Ninth Cave, will you dig up so rock Do you knohere that is?”

“Yes, I saw the ochre when Jondalar and I went swiet some for you”

“I will tell you how to purify your hands, and give you a special basket for it e get back,” Zelandoni said

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It was a soroup of people that returned to the Ninth Cave the next day The hunt had been eminently successful, but the cost had been too dear As soon as they arrived, Joharran turned Shevonar’s body over to the zelandonia, to prepare it for burial It was taken to the far end of the shelter, near the bridge up to Down River, to be ritually washed and dressed in his cere and jewelry by Zelandoni, Relona, and several others

“Ayla,” Zelandoni called as she alking back to Marthona’s dwelling “We’re going to be needing that red ochre you said you would get for me”