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“Ayla, why don’t you give Mardena and Denoda a demonstration of what they can really do,” Folara said

Ayla nodded, then quickly and suided her out toward the middle of the meadow at a fast trot, with Racer and Wolf at her heels She signaled a gallop, and the horse raced at top speed across the field Shethe horse as they got close, pulled to a stop, threw her leg over the horse, and jumped down Both women and the boy ide-eyed

“Well, now I knohy someone would want to ride on the back of a horse,” Denoda said “If I were younger, I’d like to try it”

“How do you have so much control over this aniic?”

“No, not at all, Mardena Anyone could do it, with practice”

“What made you decide to ride on a horse? How did you start?” Denoda asked

“I killed Whinney’s da filly,” Ayla began “When hyenas came after the foal, I couldn’t stand to let them take her—I hate those filthy animals—so I chased them away, and then realized I would have to take care of her” She told the her, and that because she had, they grew to know each other well “One day I got up on her back, and when she started running, I held on It was all I could do When she finally slowed down and I got off, I could hardly believe what I had done It was like flying with the wind in h at first I had no control, after a while I learned how to direct her She goes where I want because she wants to She’s my friend, and I think it pleases her to let me ride”

“Still, it was an unusual thing to do Didn’t anyone object?” Mardena said

“There was no one to object I was alone then,” Ayla said

“I would have been afraid to live alone, with no other people,” Mardena said She was full of curiosity and wanted to ask more questions, but before she had the chance, they heard a call and turned to see Jondalar co

“They’re here!” he said “Dalanar and the Lanzadonii have arrived!”

“Wonderful!” Folara said “I can hardly wait to see them”

Ayla sht “I am also anxious to see theo back to camp The man of Jondalar’s hearth has arrived, in time for our Matrimonial”

Of course,” Mardena said “We’ll go right away”

“Well, I wouldn’tDalanar before we leave, Mardena,” Denoda said “I used to know him”