Американские боги

           "Odin,"saidWednesday,hisvoiceatriumphantshoutthatechoedfromhorizontohorizon.HisnameswelledandgrewandfilledtheworldlikethepoundingofbloodinShadow’sears.Andthen,asinadream,theywerenolongerridingtowardadistanthall.Theywerealreadythere,andtheirmountsweretiedintheshelterbesidethehall.

           Thehallwashugebutprimitive.Theroofwasthatched,thewallswerewooden.Therewasafireburninginthecenterofthehall,andthesmokestungShadow’seyes.

           "Weshouldhavedonethisinmymind,notinhis,"mutteredMr.NancytoShadow."Itwouldhavebeenwarmerthere."

           "We’reinhismind?"

           "Moreorless.ThisisValaskjalf.It’shisoldhall."

           ShadowwasrelievedtoseethatNancywasnowoncemoreanoldmanwearingyellowgloves,althoughhisshadowshookandshiveredandchangedintheflamesofthefire,andwhatitchangedintowasnotalwaysentirelyhuman.

           Therewerewoodenbenchesagainstthewalls,and,sittingonthemorstandingbesidethem,perhapstenpeople.Theykepttheirdistancefromeachother:amixedlot,whoincludedadark-skinned,matronlywomaninaredsari,severalshabby-lookingbusinessmen,andothers,tooclosetothefireforShadowtobeabletomakethemout.

           "Wherearethey?"whisperedWednesdayfiercely,toNancy."Well?Wherearethey?Thereshouldbescoresofushere.