Ayla and Jondalar embark on a journey across an entire continent. Their goal is the Cro-Magnon settlement in southern France, where he lived as a young man. Accompanied by the Wolf, the stallion, Racer, and the mare, Whinney, they brave savage enemies and the dangers of weather and terrain in their search for the place that will become Home.

Ayla and Jondalar have reached home: the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii, the old stone age settlement in the region known today as south-west France. Jondalar's family are initially wary of the beautiful young woman he has brought back. After the rigours and dangers that have characterised her life, Ayla yearns for peace and tranquillity.

Forced to leave the Clan and her young son, Ayla sets out to travel the frigid steppes until she finds the valley of horses. Unable to find people like herself, the Cro-Magnons, she settles there and seeks friendship. Far to the west, two young Cro-Magnon brothers have begun a journey. One of them is Jondalar, whose destiny is bound with Ayla's.

Leaving the valley of horses with Jondalar, the handsome man she loves, Ayla embarks on a journey that will lead her to the Mamutoi. But as she settles into this new life among a people disturbingly different, she finds herself drawn to Ranec, their master-carver. She is compelled to make a fateful choice between the two men.

Suddenly and unexpectedly the city of Aramanth is attacked and burned, and the Manth people taken into slavery. Only Kestrel is free. She seeks to find her beloved brother Bowman, and vows revenge on her family's captors. The hunter is about to become the hunted.

Medieval life and Arthurian magic in a novel that transcends all boundaries.