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“Jondalar, if She chooses, She chooses If the time comes, we can make a decision then I wouldn’t want you to offend Her”

“Yes, you’re right, Ayla,” he said, somewhat relieved

With a twinge of regret, Ayla decided she would keep taking thebabies that night, so and Durc It was nearwhen she had a dream that took on a different dimension, ominous and otherworldly

In the dreauess were brothers One was tall and blond, like Jondalar, the other, older one, she kneas Durc though his face was in shadow The two brothers approached each other from opposite directions in the reat anxiety; so she had to prevent Then, with a shock of terror, she knew one of her sons would kill the other As they drew closer, she tried to reach them, but a thick, viscous wall held her trapped They were alh to strike She screamed

“Ayla! Ayla! What’s wrong?” Jondalar said, shaking her

Suddenly Mamut was beside him “Wake up, child Wake up!” he said “It is only a sye Wake up, Ayla!”

“But one will die!” she cried, still filled with the emotions of the dream

“It is not what you think, Ayla,” Mamut said “It may not mean one … brother will die YouYou have the Talent; it is very strong, but you lack training”

Ayla’s vision cleared and she sao concerned faces looking at her, both talland handso up a stick of burning wood from the fireplace, to help her wake up She sat up and tried to smile

“Are you all right now?” Mamut asked

“Yes Yes I aetting the old e

“We will talk later,” he said, sently, and returned to his bed

Ayla noticed the drape to the other occupied bed fall shut as she and Jondalar settled back down on their sleeping platform, and felt a little embarrassed that she had created such a stir She cuddled to Jondalar’s side, resting her head in the hollow beneath his shoulder, grateful for his warmth and his presence She was alain

“Jondalar,” she said in a whisper, “how did Ma the other?” But he was already sleeping

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