Iza

Iza finds a girl of the Others close to death, her leg torn open by a cave lion.

Iza doesn't hesitate and takes her along. Brun objects: the child is from another people and has no place in the clan. Iza refuses to leave her, and Brun gives in.

It's the first time Iza defies her brother for Ayla, and it won't be the last. To her, letting a wounded child die is not an option.

Iza raises Ayla as her daughter. She teaches her what she can, shields her from scolding and tries to explain why the Clan has so many rules.

It isn't easy. Ayla asks too many questions and wants to do what's forbidden. Iza corrects her but never stops defending her.

Iza shares the job with Creb, her other brother, who sees a sign from the spirits in the girl. Between the two of them, Ayla finds the family she lost in the earthquake.

Brun makes no secret that he'd have preferred another way. Iza quietly puts up with the distrust of the chief and the others, and wins room for the girl bit by bit, one custom at a time.

Iza sees that her adopted daughter will struggle to find a mate in the Clan. The answer is to give her a place no one can take away.

She teaches Ayla everything she knows about herbs, remedies and care. A healer has standing of her own, and Ayla learns fast.

Ayla becomes the best student Iza could ask for. What she learns there will protect her in places Iza will never see.

Iza dies, and her death tips the balance of the clan. Without her adoptive mother around, Ayla is more exposed, and Broud, soon to be chief, feels free to go after her.

What Iza taught her stays with Ayla when she leaves to find the Others.

For Ayla, losing Iza means losing the first person who chose her.

Pamela Reed plays Iza in the film. In the book, as in the film, Iza is the one who talks her brother Brun into accepting Ayla.