Chapter 28 Summary

On the night before Creb hands over the title of Mog-ur to Goov, and Broud's becomes leader, Creb finally realizes the implication of Durc's being half Ayla and half Clan. Although the Clan is destined to die out, Ayla's son will be the link between the two species, so the Clan will not die out completely.

The day after Broud becomes leader, he calls a Clan meeting. He announces that Ayla will become his second woman. Although Ayla is not happy, she is not surprised. Broud's next words, however, come as a shock to everyone. Broud announces that he will not have a deformed child at his hearth, and Durc is to live at Vorn's hearth.

The Clan is aghast. It is unprecedented for a woman to be separated unnecessarily from her child. It is obvious to everyone that Broud's intentions are to...