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“If it pleases you, I will respond to that name”
“What should I call you?” Ayla asked the young ht up the rear
“I’ve only been an acolyte since the last Su, and like Jonokol, I still use ive you a for and introduction” He held out both his hands “I am Mikolan of the Fourteenth Cave of the Zelandonii, Second Acolyte of the Zelandoni of the Fourteenth Cave And I welcome you,” he said
Ayla took his hands in hers “I greet you, Mikolan of the Fourteenth Cave of the Zelandonii I ahter of the Mammoth Hearth, Chosen by the Spirit of the Cave Lion, Protected by the Cave Bear, Friend of the horses, Whinney and Racer, and the hunter, Wolf”
“I seem to have heard that some people to the east refer to their zelandonia as the Mammoth Hearth?” the woman acolyte said
“You are correct,” Jondalar said “They are the Mamutoi Ayla and I lived with them for a year, but I’m surprised anyone here has heard about them They live far away”
She looked at Ayla “If you are a daughter of the Mas You are zelandoni!”
“No, I am not,” Ayla said “The Mamut adoptedto teach s before I left with Jondalar”
The woman smiled “You would not have been adopted if you were not meant to be I am sure you will be called”
“I don’t think I want to be,” Ayla said
“That may be,” the First Acolyte of the Second said, then turned and continued leading them into the heart of Fountain Rocks
Ahead, they began to see a glow, and as they approached, it grew almost brilliant After the total darkness of the cave with only a few sreater illu The corridor opened out and Ayla saw several people waiting in an enlarged area It seenized people she had met, she realized that everyone there was zelandonia, except for Jondalar and her
The large wo on a seat soot up and save both of theht distance, and Ayla suddenly understood that it was a forave to close associates in public
One of the other Zelandonia nodded to Ayla She responded with a nod to the short and slightly built man she identified as Zelandoni of the Eleventh, the one who had irip and self-confidence An older man smiled at her, and she smiled back at Zelandoni of the Third, who had been so kind and supportive when she was trying to help Shevonar She recognized reeted
A small fire had been ht in for the purpose—they would be taken back out when they left A partially filled waterbag was on the ground beside a good-size wooden cooking bowl full of stea wos to fish out a couple of cooking stones fro bowl, then add more from the fire The steam billowed out as the hot rocks touched the water When she looked up, Ayla recognized Mejera and smiled at her