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Zelandoni asked Jondalar if he was satisfied that they had found his brother’s spirit and helped his elan to find his way Jondalar said he thought Thonolan was content, and therefore he was, but Ayla thought it was h it hadn’t been easy for hi about it was over By the time Ayla, Jondalar, Zelandoni, and Jonokol reached the Ninth Cave, only the lonely flickering light

s in the night sky and the sht their way

Ayla and Jondalar were both tired when they reached Marthona’s dwelling Wolf was nervously excited and very happy to see Ayla After cohtafter went to bed It had been a difficult few days

“Can I help you cook this , Marthona?” Ayla asked They were the first take and were enjoying a quiet cup of tea together while everyone else still slept “I’d like to learn how you like food prepared, and where you keep things”

“I’d be happy to have your help, Ayla, but thismeal with Joharran and Proleva Zelandoni has been invited, too Proleva often cooks for her, and I think Joharran feels that he hasn’t had much time to talk with his brother since he returned He seeweapon,” Marthona said

Jondalar woke up re the discussion about abelans and how ied Since she had no er had any connection with the people who had raised her, it was understandable She had even left behind the Mao hoh the ed to the Zelandonii, they were all his family, his Cave, his people Only Ayla was not It was true they would soon be mated, but she would still be “Ayla of the Mamutoi, mated to Jondalar of the Zelandonii”

After a discussion with Joharran about the spear-thrower, exchanging anecdotes with Willaeneral conversation with everyone about the Su at the First Matri to Ayla that there were two est one, was held as early as reasonably possible Most people ould be joined then had been ements for some time The second one was conducted shortly before they left and usuallythe summer There were also tomanhood ceremonies, one shortly after they arrived and the second just before the Su ended

Impulsively Jondalar interrupted her explanations “I would like Ayla to belong, to become one of us After we are mated, I would like her to be ‘Ayla of the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii,’ not ‘Ayla of the Mamutoi’ I know that is usually a decision that a person’s mother, or the e affiliation, along with the leaders and Zelandonia, but Ma, can I have your agreement, mother?”

Marthona was startled by the suddenness of his request and was caught off guard “I would not refuse you, Jondalar,” she said, feeling that her son had put her in an untenable position to ask such a thing in public without warning “But it is not entirely up to me I am happy to welcome Ayla to the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii, but it is your brother, and Zelandoni, and others, including Ayla herself, who have a say in that decision”

Folara grinned, knowing that her mother did not like to be taken by surprise like that It rather pleased her that Jondalar had caught her without warning, but she had to admit, Marthona had recovered well

“Well, I for one would not hesitate to accept her,” Willamar said “I would even adopt her, but since I am mated to your mother, Jondalar, I’m afraid it would make her a sister, like Folara, an unmatable woman I don’t think you would want that”

“No, but I appreciate the thought,” Jondalar said

“Why do you bring it up now?” Marthona asked, still a little miffed

“It see soon for the Suo I knoe haven’t been hootten to know Ayla I think she would be a valuable addition to the Ninth Cave”

Ayla wasDo I want to be adopted by the Zelandonii? She asked herself Does itto be mated, I will be the same as one, whether I have the name or not He seeood reason He knows his people much better than I do