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“That’s a good idea, Rushemar, but I think I have a better one,” Jondalar said “We can get to the back of that slope by going up our little creek and around the back That scree slope behind the pond is not very far fro to see if there was any flint in that pile of rocks, and got a good look at the lay of the land”

“That’s perfect! Let’s go,” Folara said

“I would like to show it to Zelandoni and Jonokol, too,” Ayla said

“And since this is their territory, I think it would be appropriate to ask Tormaden, the leader of the Nineteenth Cave, to join us,” Marthona added

“You’re right, of course, hts, they should explore it first,” Joharran said “But since they never found it in all the time they’ve lived here, I think we can o ask Tormaden to come with us” The leader smiled “But I won’t tell hi and wants to show it to us”

“Why don’t I coe and ask Zelandoni and Jonokol to join us,” Ayla said

“How o?” Joharran asked Everyone as there indicated their interest, but since ed to the Ninth Cave were in the ht have been Using the counting words, he estiroup that size ought to beanother way “All right, I’ll go with Ayla to the main camp Jondalar, you take everyone else the back way, and ill ”

“And take soh those thorny stems, Jondalar, and some torches and your fire kit,” Ayla said “I only went into the first big roo off from it”

Zelandoni and several of the zelandonia, including so for thewith the women ere about to be s But when Ayla asked to speak to her privately, she sensed fro woman’s demeanor that it could be important Ayla told her about the cave andto be o to see it When the woman hesitated, Ayla insisted that Jonokol had to come, if no one else That piqued the curiosity of the First, and she decided that perhaps she should go after all

“Zelandoni of the Fourteenth, will you take charge of this gathering?” the First Donier said to the one who had alanted to be First “I have to attend to a Ninth Cave matter”

“Of course,” the older woman said She was curious—they all were—about what could be so inificant , but she was also pleased that she had been called upon to fill in for her Perhaps the First was beginning to appreciate her

“Jonokol, come with me,” Zelandoni of the Ninth said to her First Acolyte That created even , not even Jonokol, though he was glad that he ht find out

Joharran had a little trouble finding Tor and come, especially since the leader of the Ninth wouldn’t tell him what it was about

“Ayla found so that we think you should know about, since it’s your territory,” Joharran told him “Several people from the Ninth Cave are already aware of it—they were there when she told me about it—but I think you should know before the whole Suet out”

“You really think it’s that important?” Tormaden said