Ayla shares a lonely valley with a herd of steppe ponies, harnesses their power, and discovers speech and love with Jondalar, a member of her own race.
In this third of the the Earth's children novels, Ayla and Jondalar meet the Manutoi, the mammoth hunters, and when she is drawn to another man Jondalar becomes jealous. It is not until the great mammoth hunt, when Ayla's life is in danger, that a fateful decision is made.
As Ayla studies to become a spiritual leader to Jondalar's people, the Zelandonii, she faces many challenges, including being separated from Jondalar and their young daughter, Jonayla, and experiences a revelation.