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“I like Matagan,” Ayla said “I’ him your craft You have so much patience, and you arc the best flint-knapper of the Ninth Cave, probably of all the Zelandoni”

Jondalar smiled at her words One’s mate always made favorable coht it ht if he stays with us all the time?”

“I think I would like that We have so much room in theroom,” she said “I hope the baby doesn’t disturb hiht”

“Young men tend to be sound sleepers I don’t think he even hears her”

“I have beenZelandoni said,” Ayla said

Jondalar thought she looked a bit troubled It was probably his iination

“Zelandoni asked me to be her acolyte She wants to train me,” Ayla blurted out

Jondalar’s head snapped up “I didn’t know you were interested in beco a Zelandoni, Ayla”

“I didn’t think I was, and I still don’t know if I aed in the zelandonia, but the first tiht after Jonayla was born She says she really needs so Just because I’m an acolyte doesn’t mean I will necessarily beco ti

Jondalar walked over to her and lifted her chin to look directly at her Her eyes did look troubled “Ayla, everyone knows the only reason Jonokol is Zelandoni’s acolyte is because he’s such a good artist, he captures the spirit of anireat skill, and Zelandoni needs him for the ceremonies He will never be a donier”

“He ht Zelandoni says he wants to move to the Nineteenth Cave,” Ayla said

“It’s that new cave you found, isn’t it?” Jondalar said “Well, he’d be the right person for it But if you become an acolyte, you would become a Zelandoni, wouldn’t you’

Ayla still could not refuse to answer a direct question or tell a he “Yes, Jondalar,” she said “I think someday I would be Zelandoni, if I join the zelandonia, but not right away”

“Is it what you want to do? Or has Zelandoni talked you into it because you are a healer?” Jondalar wanted to know

“She says I already aht, I don’t know She says I should be trained for erous for me if I feel a call and I’m not prepared for it,” Ayla said She had never told his that happened to her, and it felt like a lie, not telling hi It bothered her, but she still didn’t tell him