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“Since soa, take the baby to Stelona”

Lanoga avoided looking directly at the other woiven the baby sleeping in her lap to the pregnant woman beside her With experienced ease, Stelona presented her breast to the baby She nuzzled around for a while, seeer familiar with the position, but when Lorala opened her mouth, the woman put her nipple in She an to suckle

“Well, she took hold,” Stelona said There was a general sigh of relief and smiles all around

“Thank you, Stelona,” Ayla said

“I suppose it’s the least one can do She does, after all, belong to the Ninth Cave,” Stelona said

“She didn’t exactly shame them into it,” Proleva said, “but she made them feel that if they didn’t help, they would be worse than flatheads Now, they can all feel virtuous about doing what is right”

Joharran got up on an elbow and looked at his mate “Would you feed Tremeda’s baby?” he asked

Proleva rolled onto her side and pulled a cover up over her shoulder “Of course I would,” she said, “if so out a routine for everyone to share the task, and I’one dry Ayla said Lanoga was capable, she just needs soirl is capable She kept that baby going, and she is more mother to the rest of those children than their irl who can count only ten years should not have to be mother to that brood She hasn’t even had her First Rites yet The best thing would be if so ones, too,” Proleva said

“Maybe you can find so,” Joharran said

“I thought I would try, but I don’t think Treive more to those women who have had children, but She usually waits until a wo her another Now that she’s not nursing, Zelandoni says Treain within a year”

“Speaking of pregnant, how are you feeling?” Joharran asked, sht

“Good,” she said “I see the heat of suuessed”

“I can’t see any sign yet, except you’re more beautiful,” he said, “if that’s possible”

Proleva s it before I was ready to announce it—it was just a slip She said she knew the signs because she’s a medicine woman, which is what she sometimes calls a healer She does seem to be a healer, but it’s hard to believe she could have learned so much from …”

“I know,” Joharran said “Could the ones who raised her really be the same as the ones around here? If they are, it worries me They have not been treated well, I wonder why they haven’t retaliated? And ould happen if they should decide to strike back someday?”