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Then, as Jondalar pulled back to pound his fist once nizable as a face, a led as he felt hi pulled away froround, close to death He fought to free himself from the two enormous, powerful arms that restrained him, but he couldn’t break loose

As Danug held him off, Zelandoni cried, “Jondalar! Jondalar! Stop! You’ll kill him!”

He vaguely recognized the familiar voice of the wo man over her; then his mind went blank While several of the zelandonia rushed in to attend to Laraiant picked Jondalar up in his arms like a baby and carried him away

37

Zelandoni gave Ayla one of the tightly woven reed cups that had been specially made for the festival, nearly full of hot teaShe put another cup on a low table, then sat down on the large stool beside Ayla’s stool They were alone in the large zelandonia dwelling, except for the unconsciouspoultices in place, lying on a nearby bed Several laht around the injured man, and two more were on a low table that held the tea cups

“I’ve never seen him like that,” Ayla said “Why did he do it, Zelandoni?”

“Because you ith Laramar”

“But it was a Mother Festival I am Zelandoni now I’m supposed to share the Mother’s Gift at Festivals that Honor the Mother, aren’t I?” Ayla said

“Everyone is supposed to Honor the Mother at Her Festivals, and you always have, but never before with anyone except Jondalar,” the large woman said

“Just because I haven’t done it before with anyone else shouldn’twith Marona,” Ayla said Zelandoni noticed a touch of defensiveness in her voice

“Yes, but you weren’t available when he did You know men often share the Mother’s Gift of Pleasure with other women when their mates are not within easy reach, don’t you?” the One Who Was First asked

“Yes, of course,” Ayla said, looking down quickly, then taking a sip of her tea

“Does the thought of Jondalar choosing another woman bother you, Ayla?”

“Well, he never has chosen anyone else Not as long as I’ve known hi at the woman with earnest concern “How could I know him so little? I can’t believe what he did I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t been there First he sneaks around with Marona … and I found out he’s been doing it for a long time Then he … Why Marona?”

“Hoould you feel if it was someone else?”