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“Jondalar has a high position in the Ninth Cave because you are hisabout her, except that she was raised by flatheads,” Laramar said loudly

“She was also adopted by the highest-ranked Mamut, which is what they call a Zelandoni She would have been adopted by the leader if the Mamut hadn’t spoken for her,” Marthona said

“Why does there always seem to be one who objects?” Ayla said to Jondalar in Ma to have to ive him one to persuade him, like Frebec at the Lion Camp?”

“Frebec turned out to be a good man; somehow I don’t think Laramar will,” Jondalar murmured back

“That’s what she says Hoe know?” Lara his loud objections

“Because ,” Marthona replied “The leader, Joharran, doesn’t doubt them”

“Joharran is fa to doubt her She will be part of your fah status,” Laramar said

“I don’t knohy you are objecting Laramar,” a voice from another quarter spoke out People turned and were surprised to see that it was Stelona “If it wasn’t for Ayla, your hter would probably have starved to death You didn’t tell us that Tre to keep her alive with mashed-up roots Ayla did I wonder if you even knew Zelandonii don’t let Zelandonii starve Several of usstronger I would beto sponsor Ayla, if she needs one She is a woman the Zelandonii would be proud to claim”

Several other wo their infants The story of Ayla and Tremeda’s baby had started to spread, but not everyone knew, or knew the entire story Most people understood what kind of “sickness” Trelad the baby was being fed

“Do you have any more objections, Laramar?” Joharran said The man shook his head and backed away “Does anyone else have any objections to accepting Ayla into the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii?” There was a background ave Ayla a hand to help her up onto the level stone, then they turned to face the people “Since several people are willing to sponsor her, and there are no objections, let me introduce Ayla of the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii, forhter 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 four-legged hunter, Wolf” He had spoken to Jondalar to ht, and memorized theo eat!”

They both got down fro Stone, and as they made their way toward the food, they were stopped by people introducing theeneral welco her

But one person had no wish to welcome her Laramar was not a hly chastened and was not happy about it Before Laralared at Ayla with a look so full of anger, it left her chilled He didn’t know Zelandoni had seen it, too When they reached the place where the food was being served, they noticed that Lara it was his an

As people were beginning to eat, it started raining again They found places beneath the deep overhanging shelf to enjoy their food, sos or blocks of stone that had been brought in at various tiht up with Ayla as she alking toward Jondalar’s family

“I’m afraid you have an enemy in Laramar,” she said

“I’m sorry about that,” Ayla said “I didn’t mean to cause problems for him”