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“You’re suddenly full of excitement,” the older woman said

“I’ I don’t have to watch the sky any There is no reason I can’t go,” Ayla said

“Are you sure you’re strong enough?” There was a note of regret in Marthona’s voice

“You’ve taken good care offine, and I really want to see Jondalar, and Jonayla”

“I ht youus Then you could go back with Forason,” Marthona suggested

“I’et there in a day Two at the most,” Ayla said

“Yes, you’re probably right I’d forgotten that you would be taking your horse, and Wolf, too,” Marthona said

Ayla noticed Marthona’s disappointo, and she was still concerned about her health “How are you feeling? I don’t want to leave if you are not well”

“No, don’t stay on my behalf,” Marthona said “I’ of the season, I ”

“Why don’t you coht take a little longer, but only another day or so,” Ayla said

“No I like the horse we

ll enough, but I don’t want to sit on her back To be honest, it frightens o You need to tell Zelandoni that you were ‘called’ Iine what a surprise it will be”

“There’s notback before long,” Ayla said, trying to ease the separation

“I feel tays about that,” Marthona said “I’ to be over and for the Ninth Cave to co forward to the return of winter I suppose it’s always that hen a person gets old”

Ayla’s next step in preparing to leave was to look for Lorigan and Forason She knew exactly where to find Jonclotan, with Jeralda Al around the co up a meal