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“Well,to be concerned about,” Jondalar said

Joharran’s brorinkled in a way that was so er brother’s, it made Ayla want to s would be inappropriate “Perhaps it would be wiser just to avoid them,” the dark-haired leader said

“I don’t think so,” Ayla said, bowing her head and looking down It was still difficult for her to disagree with a h she kneas perfectly acceptable a the Zelandonii—after all, so, at one time, Joharran’s and Jondalar’s mother—such behavior from a woman would not have been tolerated in the Clan, the ones who raised her

“Why not?” Joharran asked, his frown turning into a scowl

“Those lions are resting too close to the home of the Third Cave,” Ayla said quietly “There will always be lions around, but if they are coht think of it as a place to return when they want to rest, and would see any people who come near as prey, especially children or elders They could be a danger to the people who live at Two Rivers Rock, and the other nearby Caves, including the Ninth”

Joharran took a deep breath, then looked at his fair-haired brother “Your ht, and you as well, Jondalar Perhaps now is the time to let those lions know they are not welcome to settle down so close to our homes”

“This would be a good time to use spear-throwers so we can hunt fro,” Jondalar said It was for just this sort of thing that he had wanted to come home and show everyone the weapon he had developed “We may not even have to kill one, just injure a couple to teach them to stay away”

“Jondalar,” Ayla said, softly Now she was getting ready to differ with him, or at least to ain, then raised her eyes and looked directly at him She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind to him, but she wanted to be respectful “It’s true that a spear-thrower is a very good weapon With it, a spear can be thrown froreater distance than one thrown by hand, and that makes it safer But safer is not safe A wounded anith and speed of a cave lion, hurt and ith pain, could do anything If you decide to use these weapons against those lions, they should not be used to injure, but to kill”

“She’s right, Jondalar,” Joharran said

Jondalar frowned at his brother, then grinned sheepishly “Yes she is, but, as dangerous as they are, I always hate to kill a cave lion if I don’t have to They are so beautiful, so lithe and graceful in the way they th gives thelint of pride and love “I always thought Ayla’s Cave Lion tote inner feelings for her, a hint of a flush colored his cheeks “But I do think this is a time when spear-throwers could be very useful”

Joharran noticed that most of the travelers had crowded closer “How many are with us that can use one?” he asked his brother

“Well, there’s you, and roup “Rusheood Solaban’s been busysome ivory handles for tools for soot the basics”

“I’ve tried a spear-thrower a few tiood at it,” Thefona said, “but I can throw a spear without one”

“Thank you, Thefona, for re me,” Joharran said “Nearly everyone can handle a spear without a spear-thrower, including woet that” Then he directed his coe “We need to let those lions know that this is not a good place for the a spear by hand or with the thrower, come over here”

Ayla started to loosen her baby’s carrying blanket “Folara, would you watch Jonayla for er sister, “unless you’d rather stay and hunt cave lions”