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Ayla’sto wander, too She wasn’t familiar with Zelandonii burial customs, and she was quite interested, but the present discussion, which seerasp She didn’t even know so about sos she had learned recently

It had been explained that people were usually buried in sacred ground, though burial grounds changed after they acquired a certain nu spirits in one place could give theht be kept together, or if they were especially close, but there was not one single burial ground Instead, burying was done in shout the landscape

Whatever place was chosen, the burial area was raves at close intervals and at the head of each grave The posts were carved or painted with the abelans of the people ere buried there, sy the area Spirits of the dead who no longer had a body to inhabit o beyond the palisade The zelandonia made the exorcistic fence so that the spirits who could not find their way to the spirit world would not be able to cross the boundary and steal the body of so in this world

Without powerful protection, those who entered within the fenced area were in grave danger Spirits began to gather even before a corpse was laid to rest, and they had been known to attee ith the person’s own spirit for control It was usually known by the drastic change of the person, who s that were not seen by others, or cry out for no apparent reason, or become violent, or seem unable to comprehend the world around them and withdraw into themselves

After many years when the poles had fallen down of their own accord and rotted into the earth, and vegetation had grown over the graves and refreshed the gravesite, the sacred ground was no longer considered hallowed, no longer dangerous; the spirits were gone It was said the Great Earth Mother had claiiven the place back to Her children

Ayla, and the others who had been ht their attention back to the discussion when they heard the voice of the First Since the disputing Zelandonia could not seem to work out their differences, the powerful donier decided it was time to step in She made a decision that included aspects of all the points of view and explained it in a way that made it seem the only possible way Then they went on to talk about the safeguards that would be needed for those ould be bringing Shevonar’s body to the sacred burial ground so they would be protected fro souls

There would be a feast to fortify everyone so that each person’s own spirit had the strength to fight off the lost souls, and of course, everyone looked to Proleva to organize it In addition, they talked about the food that would be placed in the grave, along eapons and tools The grave food would not be eaten, but the spirit of the food would nourish the free-floating spirit to give hi possible was done so the departing soul would have no reason to turn back or linger too long

Later thaton Whinney with Racer and Wolf following behind Then she co the

ith the every day with the horses, but since they had arrived, she had been with Jondalar’s people reeted her, with such enthusiastic affection, she thought they probably missed her, and Jondalar, too

She stopped by Joharran’s home on the way back and asked Proleva if she knehere Jondalar was

“He ith Joharran, Rushe a pit for Shevonar,” the woman said Proleva hadfor soet to know this woman with so many talents ould soon be joined with her mate’s brother, and asked, “Would you like some chamomile tea?”

Ayla hesitated “I think I should go back to Marthona’s, but I’d love to have some tea with you another time”

Wolf, who had enjoyed the outing asthe ani toward hi to be petted Jaradal chuckled delightedly and rubbed Wolf’s head

“I have to tell you, Ayla,” Proleva said, “I was very concerned at first when Jaradal said he had touched your ani anientle with children When Folara brought him in here and I saw Marsola crawl all over him, I couldn’t believe it She pulled his fur, poked at his eyes, even grabbed his jaw and looked inside his mouth, and Wolf just lay there like he loved it I was absolutely ah when she first saw her baby girl with, that wolf, she was terrified”

“Wolf has a special fondness for children,” Ayla explained “He grew up playing and sleeping with thee of the Lion Caroolves are always protective and indulgent toward the young of their pack He see to his pack”