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“How can I reassure them?” Ayla said

“You can say that it is up to the Mother now, but there is a chance that he will be all right Isn’t that your opinion? It’sman, because you happened to be there”

Jondalar stifled a big yawn as he took off his tunic, a new one he had received fro party, woven of threads of the flax plant that she had prepared and woven She had arranged for someone else to decorate it with sohtweight and coiven a similar one to Ayla, nancy progressed Jondalar had put his on i hers for later

“I’ve never heard Zelandoni speak so openly about the zelandonia,” he said as he prepared to get into their sleeping roll “It was interesting I never realized how difficult it could be, but I re, whenever she had some test to endure, that it had its compensations I wonder what they are? She didn’t talk about it that much”

They lay together in silence for a while Ayla was tired, she realized So tired that she could hardly think Between the rhino hunting accident yesterday, and staying at the zelandonia lodge until late, and thecelebration today, she had slept very little and had been under so so up andsomebark tea for it, but she was too tired to bother

“And mother,” Jondalar continued, alht she and Dalanar just decided to separate I never knehy I guess you don’t always think of yourbut your mother Someone who loves you and takes care of you”

“I don’t think the separation was easy for her I think she loved Dalanar very much,” Ayla said “I can understand why You are very much like him”

“Not in all ways I never wanted to be a leader I still don’t I wouldso satisfying as seeing a perfect blade flake off, one that turned out just the way you planned,” Jondalar said

“Dalanar is a flint-knapper, too, Jondalar,” Ayla said

“Yes, the best, but he doesn’t get the chance to work at it much anymore The only one who could match hi beautiful blades for the spears of the Mammoth Hunters It’s a sha from each other”

“But you’ve met them both And you understand the stone as well as anyone Can’t you show Dalanar what you learned from Wymez?” Ayla said

“Yes, I have already begun,” Jondalar said “Dalanar is as interested as I was I’lad they delayed the Matriet here And I’m pleased that Joplaya and Echozar shared our Matrimonial It’s a special tie I’ve always felt a deep affection for s us closer I think Joplaya was pleased, too”

“I’m sure Joplaya was pleased to share a Matri she’s alanted” And this was as close as she could get to what she really wanted, Ayla added in her own mind She did feel sorry for Joplaya, but she had to adainst close cousins“Echozar seems very happy”

“I think he still couldn’t quite believe it There were a few others who felt the sa his ar her neck

“Echozar loves her almost beyond reason Such love can co to stay awake