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“Stay back! You heard hi voice that silenced everyone When the people and horses settled down, Talut continued in a more normal tone “The woman is Ayla I promised her that no harm would come to the horses if they came to visit I promised as headman of the Lion Camp This is Jondalar of the Zelandonii, and a kinsrin of self-satisfaction, he added, “Talut has brought some visitors!”

There were nods of agreened curiosity, but far enough away to avoid the horse’s kicking hooves Even if the strangers had left that ossip to last for years to co with the river people to the southwest, had been talked about at Sus The Mamutoi traded with the Sharamudoi, and since Tholie, as a kinswoman, had chosen a river man, the Lion Camp had been even n men to walk into their Caic control over horses

“Are you all right?” Jondalar asked Ayla

“They frightened Whinney, and Racer, too Do people always talk at once like that? Wo, and they are so loud, how do you knoho is saying what? Maybe we should have gone back to the valley” She was hugging the iving it

Jondalar knew Ayla was almost as distressed as the horses The noisy press of people had been a shock for her Maybe they shouldn’t stay too long Perhaps it would be better to start with just two or three people at a tiain, but he wondered what he’d do if she never really did Well, they were here now He could wait and see

“Sometimes people are loud, and talk all at once, but mostly one person talks at a time And I think they’ll be careful around the horses now, Ayla,” he said, as she started to unload the pack baskets tied on both sides of the anis

While she was busy, Jondalar took Talut aside and quietly told him the horses, and Ayla, were a little nervous, and needed soet used to everyone “It would be better if they could be left alone for a while”

Talut understood, andto each one They dispersed, turning to other tasks, preparing food, working on hides or tools, so they could watch without being so obvious about it They were uneasy, too Strangers were interesting, but a wo unexpected

Only a few children stayed to watch with avid interest while the man and woman unpacked, but Ayla didn’t mind them She hadn’t seen children in years, not since she’d left the Clan, and was as curious about them as they were about her She took off the harness and Racer’s halter, then patted and stroked Whinney, then Racer After giving the colt a good scratching and an affectionate hug, she looked up to see Latie staring at the young ani

“You like touch horse?” Ayla asked

“Could I?”

“Come Give hand I show” She took Latie’s hand and held it to the shaggy winter coat of the half-grown horse Racer turned his head to sniff and nuzzle the girl

The girl’s sift “He likes me!”

“He like scratch, too Like this,” Ayla said, showing the child the colt’s special itchy places

Racer was delighted with the attention, and showed it, and Latie was beside herself with joy The colt had attracted her fro Ayla turned her back on the two to help Jondalar and didn’t notice another child approach When she turned around, she gasped and felt the blood drain from her face