page92 (1/2)

“I was just going to Marthona’s to look for you,” she said

“I woke up with an urge to work the stone I got from Dalanar’s flintup his familiar leather bundle “But it looks like everyone wanted to work on solanced toward the crowded and busy work space “I don’t think I’ll stay here”

“Where will you go to work?” Ayla asked “I thought I’d see to the horses, but I ht come by later and watch”

“I think I’ll go Down River There are usually a lot of tool about it, he added, “Do you want me to help you with the horses?”

“Not unless you want to,” Ayla said “I’ to check on them I don’t think I’ll ride today, but Ion Whinney I told her she could sometime, and she said she’d like to”

“It ht be fun to see how she does, but I really would like to work on some tools today,” Jondalar said

They walked together as far as the working area, then Jondalar went on toward Down River, while Ayla and the wolf stopped to look for Folara The drizzle had turned to a steady rain, and while she waited for it to let up, she found herself watching first one person and then another as they worked on their various projects She had always been fascinated with different crafts and skills and was easily distracted It was a busy but relaxed atmosphere Certain aspects of every craft required intense concentration, but repetitive elements allowed time to chat and visit Most people were pleased to answer her questions, show her their techniques, and explain their methods

When Ayla saw Folara, she was in thea loo place easily, though she would have liked to go Ayla wouldn’t havewas done, but she felt the horses needed attention She promised Folara they would visit the horses another tio out before it started again

Whinney and Racer were in fine fettle and delighted to see her and Wolf when she found them, quite a distance back in Wood River Valley They had discovered a slen, with a clear spring that had formed a pond and a place under some trees to stand when it rained The red deer that were sharing it with theht of the wohed and ran toward them

Those deer have been hunted, Ayla thought They ht have stopped and eyed Wolf, but it’s not likely that full-grown deer in their pri ht to them, and I think they have found more to fear from human hunters

The sun had come out, and she found some of the previous year’s dried flower heads of teasel and used the prickly herb top to curry the horses’ coats When she was done, she noticed Wolf stalking She reached for her sling, which was tucked into her waist thong, and a pebble froe of the pond, and when he scared up a couple of hares, she got one of the large rabbits with her first try She let Wolf get the other

A cloud cast a shadow over the sun She looked up and noticed the placement of the sun in the sky, and realized that the tis had been so busy the past few days, she felt good having no demands on her or her time But when it started to sprinkle, she decided to ride Whinney back to the Ninth Cave Racer and Wolf followed She was glad she had when the rain came down in earnest just as she arrived at the shelter She led the horses up to the stone front porch and walked the area and doard the more unused area

She passed by sonize the ga They stopped and watched her as she walked by She thought they were very rude to stare at her the way they did, and sheat the unobtrusively yet taking in a great deal of infor coht she smelled barma

Farther on, she saw so hides, both bison and deer They probably found the usual work area too crowded, too, she thought She brought the horses ale, near the small streaht that it could be a good place to build a shelter for them before winter She’d have to talk to Jondalar about it Then she showed them the trail that led down to the bank of The River and left theo with the horses when they started down the trail Raining or not, they preferred grazing near The River to staying up on the barren ledge just to keep dry

She thought about going on to see Jondalar, then changed heron hides People were glad for an excuse to take a break, and for some of them to talk to the woman that a wolf followed and from whom horses didn’t run away She noticed that Portula was there The young woenuinely sorry for her part in Marona’s trick