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Theto mate, hether the o to live with his In either case, acceptance by both Caves was necessary, but most especially by the people ould have a newwith them Because they knehere Jondalar and Ayla would live, the Ninth Cave’s acceptance of her settled the matter

Ayla kept the wolf close while she and Jondalar listened to the secular and spiritual leaders discuss plans It was decided to have a cereo for the first hunt If all ell, the First Matri after Ayla had learned that there were always two Matrimonials each summer The first was to ion, who had decided tothe previous winter The second was held shortly before they left in the fall Most of those couples were fro the Su met only that year or a season or two before

“Speaking of the Matrimonial,” Jondalar said, “I would like to make a request Since Dalanar is theto come, I would like to ask if the first ceremony can be delayed until he arrives I would like to have hi”

“I wouldn’t object to a delay of a few days, but what if Dalanar doesn’t come until much later?” a Zelandoni asked

“I would prefer tothe first cere to wait for the second I would like him to be present e are joined,” Jondalar said

“That’s acceptable,” the Zelandoni Who Was First said, “but I think we have to decide just how long we can hold off the First Matrimonial, and that depends on the others ant to mate now”

An older wos on her face rushed to join the us this season,” she said to Joharran “He sent a er to Zelandoni of the Nineteenth, since they are closest to the Suhter of his mate is to be joined this summer, and he wants a full Matrimonial for her I understand that he would like to find a donier for his people This could be a real opportunity for an experienced acolyte or new Zelandoni”

“Jondalar told us, Zelandoni

of the Fourteenth,” Joharran said

“That’s one reason he’s bringing his Lanzadonii here this year,” Jondalar explained “They don’t have a healer, although Jerika has soe, and they don’t have anyone to perform ceremonies for them He doesn’t feel they can hold a proper Matrimonial until they have a donier of their own We visited on our way here Joplaya pro to mate with Echozar…”

“Dalanar is going to allow Joplaya to mate a man whose mother was a flathead? A man of mixed spirits?” Zelandoni of the Fourteenth interrupted “How could he do that? His own daughter! I know Dalanar has accepted some unusual people into his Cave, but how can he take in those animals?”

“They are not anier at the woman

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The woman turned to look at Ayla, surprised that the newcomer had spoken out, and even more that she had contradicted her so brazenly “It is not your place to speak,” she said “It is not your concern e say at thisYou are a visitor here, not even Zelandonii” She knew the foreign woman was supposed to become the mate of Jondalar, but she apparently needed to be corrected and to learn proper behavior

“Forgive me, Zelandoni of the Fourteenth,” the One Who Was First interjected “Ayla was introduced to the others, I should have introduced you to her when you first came Actually, Ayla is Zelandonii The Ninth Cave accepted her before we left”