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Zelandoni stopped and looked directly at Ayla Then she sighed “No, I can’t I can ask people to agree, but you’re right I can’t make them, and there will always be those ill do what they want in any case I suppose I was thinking out loud of an ideal situation, but in fact, it wouldn’t work, not after everyone kno to make fire that way” She made a wry expression “When the Fifth and the Fourteenth were talking about keeping it a secret for the zelandonia, they were si out loud what I think most of us wished, and I have to include myself It would be an impressive tool for us, but we can’t keep it froain

“We won’t be planning the Matrimonial until after the first hunt All the Caves will participate in that,” Zelandoni said “People get very anxious about it They believe that if the first hunt is successful, it bodes well for the whole year, but if it’s not, it portends bad luck The zelandonia will be doing a Search for gaood Searcher can help to locate theame if there are none to be found”

“I assisted Mamut on a Search It was a surprise to me the first tiht up in his Search,” Ayla said

“You Searched with your Mamut?” Zelandoni said with surprise “What was it like?”

“It’s hard to explain, but so over the land, but there was no wind,” Ayla said, “and the land didn’t look the same, exactly”

“Would you be willing to assist the zelandonia? We have some Searchers, but it is always better if there are more,” the donier said She could see some reluctance

“I’d like to help… but … I don’t want to be a Zelandoni I just want to mate with Jondalar and have children,” Ayla said

“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to No one can force you, Ayla, but if a Search leads to a successful hunt, then the Matrimonial will be lucky, or so it is believed, and will produce long s and successful hearths—families,”

the First said

“Yes, well, I suppose I could try to help, but I don’t know if lean,” Ayla said

“Don’t worry No one is ever sure All anyone can do is try” Zelandoni felt pleased with herself It was obvious that Ayla was reluctant and would try to resist becoet her started She needs to be a part of the zelandonia, the First thought She has too much talent, too ent She has to be brought into the fold or she ht create dissension outside of it

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When they neared the ca and braced herself, just in case he junaled hih it seemed it was all he could do to control himself She hunkered down to his level and allowed him to lick her neck while she held him down until he composed himself Then she stood up He looked up at her hat see expression, she nodded her head and tapped the front of her shoulder He junaled and, with a low-ruesture, and then she held his old-flecked eyes

“I love you, too, Wolf, but sometimes I wonder why you love me so much Is it just that I have beco naled him down

“You command love, Ayla,” the First said, “and the love you invoke cannot be denied”