After their epic journey across Europe, Ayla and Jondalar have reached his home, the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii, the old stone age settlement in the region known today as south-west France. londalar's family greet him warmly, but they are initially wary of the beautiful young woman he has brought back, with her strange accent and her tame wolf and horses...

Ayla has much to learn from the Zelandonii and much to teach them. She is intrigued by their clothes, their crafts, and their home, and wants to learn their customs and the ways they live, so she will fit in. She is delighted when she meets Zelandoni, the spiritual leader of her people, a fellow healer with whom she can share medicinal skills and knowledge. TheZelandonii are surprised to learn she was found and raised by the Clan, the ones that they call flatheads and think of as animals, and are sceptical when she tells them they are people.

After the rigours and dangers that have characterised her extraordinary life so far, Ayla yearns for peace and trancluillity, to be Jondalar's mate and to have children. But her unique spiritual gifts cannot be ignored, and even as she gives birth to her eagerly-awaited child, she is coming to accept that she has a greater role to play in the destiny of the Zelandonii.

Jean Auel's fifth novel is a triumphant continuation of the magnificent prehistoric saga that began with The Clan of the Cave Bear. Written with her inimitable narrative gifts, rich in wisdom and meticulous research, it will burst into this new millennium, garnering millions of new fans and delighting those who have followed Ayla's compelling story since the beginning.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

……

Chapter 38