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“But people would think it was strange if there is no cere Zelandoni of the Twenty-ninth,” the Zelandoni of the Third countered “Perhaps it would be best to delay the beginning until darkness falls”

“Is there soathering early They will get restless if we hold off too long,” another added She was a ed woman, nearly as fat as the One Who Was First, but rather than tall, she was quite short Where the size of the First, both height and weight, gave her a co presence, this woman looked warm and motherly

“How about telling stories, Zelandoni of West Holding? The Story-Tellers are here,” suggested a young man

sitting beside her

“Stories may detract fro,” the Zelandoni of the Twenty-ninth said

Of course, you’re right, Zelandoni of Three Rocks,” the young man said quickly He seemed rather deferential toward the primary Zelandoni of the Twenty-ninth Cave Ayla realized that the four Zelandonia of the Twenty-ninth referred to each other by a na words It made sense, since they were all Zelandonia of the Twenty-ninth Cave What a confusing situation, she thought, but they see it work

“Then have someone talk about a serious

He was the one who had asked the First if Ayla was here about the ani was Reflection Rock, which housed the Cave led by Denanna She was the one that Ayla felt viewed her, or perhaps the horses and wolf, with some animosity, but his tone had not seemed unfriendly She would wait and see

“Joharran wants to bring up the matter of flatheads and whether or not they are people,” Zelandoni of the Eleventh said “That is a very serious matter”

“But soet argu with contentious feelings That could ,” Zelandoni Who Was First said “We have to create a receptive mood before new ideas about flatheads are broached”

Ayla wondered if it was appropriate for her to coestion?” Everyone turned to look, and she didn’t think all the zelandonia were pleased

“Of course you can, Ayla,” Zelandoni Who Was First said

“Jondalar and I visited the Losadunai on our way here We gave the Losaduna and his mate a few firestones … for the whole Cave … they were so kind and helpful…” Ayla hesitated

“Yes?” Zelandoni encouraged

“When they made a ceremony to introduce the firestones, they ht, but cold The other was burning They put that one out completely It was suddenly so dark, you couldn’t see the person sitting next to you, and it was easy to see that not a single coal in the first hearth gave even a hint of a glow Then I lit the fire in the second hearth”