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“Boys are like that,” Ayla said with a smile “Someone told him there were horses at our camp He came to see I happened to be there at the time”

“I hope he didn’t bother you,” Mardena said

“No, not at all In fact, he could be a help toto keep the horses out of the way, for their own safety, until everyone gets used to them and knows they are not horses to be hunted I plan to build an enclosure for them, but I haven’t had ti ropes fastened to a tree The ropes drag the ground and get caught in grass and brush, and then the horses can’t move around as well I’ve asked Lanidar if he would check on theone for some time, and come and tell me if there is a probleht,” Ayla said

“He’s just a boy, and horses are rather big, aren’t they?” the boy’s mother asked

“Yes, they are, and if they are crowded, or in an unknown situation, they soht rear or kick out, but they took to Lanidar quite well They are very gentle with children and people they know You are welcome to come and see for yourself But if it troubles you, I’ll find someone else,” Ayla said

“Don’t say no,up “I want to do it She let me touch them, and they ate out of my hands, both hands! And she showed me how to throw a spear with that spear-thrower All the boys throw spears, and I never threw a spear before”

Mardena knew that her son longed to be like the other boys, but she felt that he had to learn that he never would be It had hurt when the man who had been her mate left after Lanidar was born She was sure that he was ashaht everyone felt the same way In addition to the handicap, Lanidar was s didn’tto her She had come to watch the deht LanidarBut when she looked for him, she couldn’t find him No one was n woman called on him to demonstrate the neeapon, and she had to find out how Ayla came to know him

Ayla could see her hesitation “If you are not busy, why don’t you co with Lanidar You can see the boy with the horses and judge for yourself,” Ayla said

“Mother, I can do it I know I can do it,” Lanidar pleaded

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I need to think about it,” Mardena said “My son is not like other boys He can’t do the sas they do”

Ayla looked at the woman “I’m not sure I understand”

“Certainly you can see that his arm limits him,” the woman said

“Somewhat, but many people learn to overcome those kinds of limitations,” Ayla said

“How much can he overcome? You s with his hands That doesn’t leave much,” Mardena said