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“It used to scare me, too,” Jondalar said “I trust him now, I’m not afraid for Ayla anymore I knoon’t hurt her, and I’ve seen what he can do to so of his does surprise me sometimes”

When Willa of right cheeks By now Ayla had learned that it was a custo between family members or very close friends

“I’o with you to see the horses, Ayla,” Folara said as they greeted each other the same way

“There’s tiet to know the horses,” she said, then touched Marthona’s cheek with hers The greeting with Jondalar was si and closer More like an embrace

“I have to go back and help Zelandoni,” Ayla said, “but I was a little concerned about Wolf I’lad he returned here It means he feels that this is his home, even if I’m not here”

“How is Bologan?” Marthona asked

“He is awake and able to talk, finally I just came to tell Joharran” Ayla wondered if she should er still, andit up It could be construed as criticism of the Ninth Cave, but nobody else seemed to know about the situation, and if she didn’t say so that bothers me,” she said

There were looks of interest from Jondalar’s family “What?” Marthona asked

“Did you know that Tremeda’s milk has dried up? She hasn’t been home since Shevonar’s burial, and she left the baby and the rest of her children for Lanoga to care for and feed That girl can count only ten years, she can’t nurse All that baby is eating is ht without milk? And where is Lara it all out at once

Jondalar glanced around at everyone Folara was aghast; Willauard, which didn’t please her at all Jondalar had to hold back a smile at the expressions on their faces He wasn’t surprised at Ayla’s response to someone who needed help, but Lara been an embarrassment to the Ninth Cave Most people didn’t talk about it, but Ayla had just brought it out into the open

“Proleva said she didn’t know that Treet the wo to talk to them, explain what the baby needs, and ask theht the new ive birth, would be the ones to ask This is such a big cave, there must be many women who could help feed that baby”

Jondalar knew they could, but he wondered if they would, and he speculated about whose idea it was; he thought he knew He are that women sometimes nursed children other than their own, but usually it was a sister or a close friend whose infant they illing to share their milk with

“That sounds like an admirable idea,” Willamar said

“If they’re willing,” Marthona said

“Why wouldn’t they be?” Ayla said “Zelandonii women wouldn’t let a baby the for lack of a little o there to and teach her how to make more than mashed roots for the baby”