Chapter 11 Summary

The difference in Ayla is noticeable. Broud thinks he caused it by hitting her, but Iza knows that Ayla fears losing Iza and Creb's love. Broud, emboldened by the change in Ayla, launches an almost constant attack on her. Ayla is unable to step out of Creb's hearth without Broud demanding that she do his bidding, cuffing her all the while. Ayla works hard to maintain her female subservience, but she suffers for it. She stops eating, becomes despondent, and finally sinks into a depression. Seeing that the girl needs to be out by herself, Iza asks Ayla loudly, in front of Broud, to go and find her a certain medicinal herb.

Ayla sets out towards her cave. She finds her sling and begins throwing stones. After all her practice, she is an excellent markswoman. Her thoughts are bitter. She understands that she...