two of them. This has been his ultimate goal since The Valley of Horses. Their daughter, Jonayla--named for her mother's belief that a man's "essence" creates babies, which leads to Jondalar and Ayla each being part of the baby, not just their spirits--is born sometime after this event. Not long after the birth, Ayla finally decides to become Zelandoni's acolyte, if only so that the members of the Zelandonii will accept her as a healer. This book is set in what is now the Vézère valley, near to Les Eyzies, in the Dordogne, southwest France. It was relatively densely populated in prehistoric times, with many open cliff-top dwellings that can still be seen, some of which have been turned into tourist attractions. The national museum of prehistory is located in this valley. Ayla also discovers the world-famous cave of Lascaux, which her adopted people subsequently paint. Character list Ninth cave of the Zelandonii Ayla - of the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii, formerly Ayla of the Lion Camp of the Mamutoi, Daughter of the Mammoth Hearth, Chosen by the Spirit of the Cave Lion, Protected by the Cave Bear, Friend of the horses, Whinney and Racer, and the four-legged hunter, Wolf Jondalar - of the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii, Ayla's intended mate, son of former leader, brother of leader, called Jonde by his sister Folara Zelandoni - (Zolena) Current Zelandoni, former lover of Jondalar Thonolan/d - Jondalar's younger brother, killed on Journey Folara - Jondalar's younger sister Marthona - Jondalar's mother, former leader, also mother of Joharran, Folara, Thonolan Willomar - Marthona's mate, Trade Master, Traveler Tivonan - Willomar's apprentice trader Joconan/d - Marthona's first mate, dead, man of Joharran's hearth Joharran - Jondalar's older brother, leader of Ninth Cave Proleva - Joharran's mate Jaradal - Proleva's son, Joharran's hearth child Levela - Proleva's younger sister, Jondecam's mate Jondecam - Levela's mate, nephew of Kimeran and son of Zelandoni of the Second Cave Velima - mother of Proleva and Levela Solaban - Hunter, adviser, and friend of Joharran Ramara - Solaban's mate Robenan - Ramara's son Rushemar - Hunter, adviser, and friend of Joharran Salova - Rushemar's mate Marsola - Salova's daughter Marona - Jondalar's former girlfriend Wylopa - Marona's cousin Portula - Marona's friend Lorava - Portula's younger sister Ramila - Folara's friend Galeya - Folara's friend Charezal - New member of Ninth Cave, stranger to Jondalar Shevonar/d