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During the course of the day, other people caood wishes as well Levela and Jondecam, and her mother, Velima, as also Proleva’s mother, spent most of the day with them, which pleased Ayla and Jondalar, and Joplaya and Echozar They all enjoyed each other’s company Jondecam’s mother and uncle also came for a while

Ayla and Jondalar were pleased to see Kih his nephew’s ot lost in some of the convoluted relationships, but she was particularly pleased to see Jondecam’s mother, Zelandoni of the Second Cave She had met the woman, but hadn’t realized who she was For solad to meet a Zelandoni who had children, especially a son as as friendly and confident as Jondecam

Janida and Peridal also spent most of the day at the Ninth Cave, conspicuously without Peridal’s mother They wanted toto both Kimeran and Joharran, to see if either the Second Cave or the Ninth Cave would accept them Jondalar was certain that one or the other would The First had already spoken to the leaders and the Zelandoni of the Second about it She felt it would be wise to separate the young couple from Peridal’s ry with the wo their trial period of isolation

Toward evening as things started to quiet down, Marthona made tea for several relatives and friends ere still there Proleva, Ayla, Joplaya, and Folara helped pass cups around A young man, who had recently been accepted as an acolyte of the Zelandoni of the Fifth Cave, was also there, staying only because it was the first tiust company and couldn’t bear to leave He was especially in awe of the First

“I’ain if someone hadn’t been there who knehat to do,” said the acolyte He had directed his co to ireat donier

“I think you are entirely correct, Fourth Acolyte of Zelandoni of the Fifth You are very perceptive,” the woman said “The rest is up to the Great Mother now, and the young man’s powers of recovery”

The young man swelled with pride that she had responded, hardly able to contain his pleasure at Zelandonii co the fact that he was included in this informal conversation with the One Who Was First

“Since you are an acolyte noill you be taking a turn at watching Matagan? He is of your Cave, isn’t he?” the First said “Of course, it’s difficult to stay up through the night, but he does need to have soht now I presume your Zelandoni has asked for your help If not, you could volunteer The Fifth would no doubt appreciate it”

“Yes, of course I’ll take a turn,” he said, getting up “Thank you for the tea Ito sound dignified He squared his shoulders and pulled his face into a serious frown as he headed toward the main camp

After the young acolyte had gone, several of those ere there finally gave in to the s “You haveloith pleasure Do all the zelandonia hold you in such awe?”

“Only the young ones,” Zelandoni replied “The way the rest argue with me, I sometimes wonder why they continue to name me First Perhaps because I’m more portentous than they are,” she said, and smiled She meant it as a pun on her rather portly size

Jondalar sful glance with arched eyebrows Ayla noticed the exchange and thought she understood, but wasn’t certain The subtleties that ca time were still beyond her here

“I think I’d rather have the arguing, though,” Zelandoni continued “It can be a little trying to have every word you speak treated as if it caht from the mouth of Doni Herself ItI say”

“Who does decide which one of the zelandonia is First A Those Who Serve The Mother?” Jondalar asked “Is it like the leader of a Cave? Does each Zelandoni just say who they think it should be? Does everyone have to agree, or most of them, or just certain ones?”

“The choices of the individual zelandonia are part of it, but it’s not as si is one, and no one judges that more severely than zelandonia healers A person eneral, but you can’t deceive so is not absolutely essential There have been Firsts who had only a rudi, but it was more than coifts or other attributes”