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"That's good to know," Echozar said

"Yes, especially if you travel much," Joplaya said

"I don't plan to travel much," he said

"But you will be co," Jondalar said

"For our Matriain" He smiled tentatively "It would be nice if you and Ayla lived here"

"Yes I hope you will both consider our offer," Dalanar said "You know this is always your home, Jondalar, and we don't have a healer, except for Jerika, who is not really trained We need a lanzadoni and we both think Ayla would be perfect You could visit with your "

"Believe me, we appreciate your offer, Dalanar," Jondalar said, "and ill consider it"

Ayla glanced at Joplaya She had withdrawn, closed in on herself She liked the wos Ayla could not overcoht—she had come too close to a similar circumstance—and her own happiness was a constant rerown to like everyone, she was glad they would be leaving in the

She would particularlyto their heated "discussions" The woman was tiny; when Dalanar held his arm out, she could walk under it with room to spare, but she had an indomitable will She was as ued vociferously when her opinion differed from his Dalanar listened to her seriously, but by no means did he always yield The welfare of his people was his main concern, and he often took the question at issue to them, but he made most decisions himself as matter-of-factly as any natural leader He never made demands, he simply commanded respect

After the first few tiue, hardly bothering to hide a sht of the child-size woiant of a man What amazed her most was the way they could interrupt a violent discussion with a tender word of affection, or to talk of soh they had not been at each other's throats, and then resuh they were the bitterest of eneuotten But they seemed to enjoy the intellectual duels, and for all their difference in size, it was a battle of equals They not only loved each other, they had great respect for each other

The weather ar was in full blooain Dalanar passed on good wishes to the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii, and he reain of his offer They had both felt welcome, but Ayla's sensitivity to Joplayawith the Lanzadonii It would be too hard on both of the she could explain to Jondalar

He did sense a peculiar strain in the relationship between the toh they seemed to like each other Joplaya behaved differently toward him, too She was more distant, didn't joke and tease the way she always had But he had been surprised at the vehemence of her last embrace Tears had filled her eyes He had re Journey, he had just come back, and they would see each other soon, at the Su

He had been relieved that they had both been so

warmly welcomed, and he would definitely consider Dalanar's offer, particularly if the Zelandonii were not as accepting of Ayla It was good to know they would have a place, but in his heart, as much as he loved Dalanar and the Lanzadonii, the Zelandonii were his people If possible, that here he wanted to live with Ayla

When they finally left, Ayla felt as though a burden had lifted In spite of the rains, she was happy to feel the weather war, and on sunny days it was too beautiful to be sad for long She was a wo toto her new hoh, full of hope and worry