Creb

When Iza turns up with a strange, wounded child, Creb is the one who decides what she means. The marks on Ayla's leg show that a cave lion attacked her and didn't kill her.

To Creb, that means the lion's spirit protects her. It's an unusually strong sign for a girl, and it helps convince the clan to take her in.

Creb's word carries weight. Brun is chief, but he doesn't ignore what his brother says about the spirits. By tying Ayla to the lion, Creb gives her a reason to stay.

Creb isn't one for speeches, but he keeps a close eye on Ayla as she grows up. He watches her break rules, anger Broud and defy what's expected of a Clan woman.

He doesn't approve of everything, but he never turns his back on her. For Ayla, Creb becomes the closest thing to a father she has there.

Creb is also Iza's brother, and the two share the job of raising the girl. While Iza teaches her the healer's craft, Creb explains the spirit world and the traditions the Clan takes so seriously.

Ayla comes back from banishment with Durc, a boy with features of both peoples. To the Clan his face is a deformity, and a baby like that should die.

Creb steps in and saves Durc. Ayla gets to raise her son inside the clan.

For Creb, saving the baby is also a way of protecting Ayla, who has already lost so much since she came to the Clan.

Once Iza dies, Broud becomes chief and wastes no time: he throws out Creb, who has always taken Ayla's side.

After Ayla beats Broud in a fight and Brun shames his son, Broud agrees to let Creb stay. When Ayla decides to leave in search of the Others, Creb is the one she leaves Durc with.

Creb knows Ayla has to go. Keeping Durc is the last thing he does for her.

James Remar plays Creb in the film. In both the book and the film he is the Clan's shaman and brother to Iza and to Brun, the chief.