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“Jondalar, Ayla, Zelandoni!” a familiar voice called out Ayla noticed a s around Willa with Stevadal, the leader of the Twenty-sixth Cave

“How nice that you decided to come,” Stevadal said “I didn’t know if the First would be able to visit Sun View”

“Sus are always full for the zelandonia, but I do try to make at least one courtesy visit to the Cave that hosts the Meeting, Stevadal We do appreciate the effort,” she said

“It is an honor,” the leader of the Twenty-sixth said

“And our pleasure,” said a wo beside Stevadal

Ayla was sure the woh she hadn’tCaer than Stevadal, but there was so on her thin frame, and she seemed wan and frail Ayla wondered if she had been ill, or had suffered sorievous loss

“I’ to see the First, and to o to the Meeting Camp, yet”

“You didn’t tell me she was ill, or I would have come sooner, Stevadal,” the First said

“Our Zelandoni has been here for her,” Stevadal said “I didn’t want to bother you I kno busy you are at Sus”

“Not too busy to see your mate”

“Perhaps later, after everyone else has seen you,” Danella said to the First, then turned to the tall blond man, “but I would like to meet your mate, Jondalar I’ve heard so much about her”

“Then you shall,” he said, beckoning to Ayla She approached

the wo of openness, showing she had nothing to hide Then Jondalar began

“Danella, of the Twenty-sixth Cave of the Zelandonii, mate of the leader, Stevadal, may I present to you Ayla of the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii …” He continued with her usual introduction until he got to “Protected by the spirit of the Cave Bear”

“You forgot ‘Friend of horses and the four-legged hunter she calls Wolf,’ ” Willa