Set in Ice Age Europe, Ayla, the horse Whinney, which she tamed, and her lover Jondalar encounter the Mamutoi, a tribe of mammoth hunters, who, because of her control over animals, her healing skills, and the magic firestone she discovers, adopt Ayla into their clan. Ayla finds herself drawn to the Mamutoi master carver Ranec, which makes Jondalar wildly jealous. It isn't until after the great mammoth hunt, in which Ayla's life is threatened, that a fateful decision is made.