Американские боги

           Hewasnotthefirstwhosereturnshehadinitiated,andsheknewthat,soonenough,themillion-yearstarewouldfade,andthememoriesandthedreamsthathehadbroughtbackfromthetreewouldbeelidedbytheworldofthingsyoucouldtouch.Thatwasthewayitalwayswent.

           Sheledtheirwaytotherearofthemeadow.Hermountwaitedinthetrees.

           "Itcan’tcarrybothofus,"shetoldhim."I’llmakemyownwayhome."

           Shadownodded.Heseemedtobetryingtoremembersomething.Thenheopenedhismouth,andhescreechedacryofwelcomeandofjoy.

           Thethunderbirdopeneditscruelbeak,anditscreechedawelcomebackathim.

           Superficially,atleast,itresembledacondor.Itsfeatherswereblack,withapurplishsheen,anditsneckwasbandedwithwhite.Itsbeakwasblackandcruel:araptor’sbeak,madefortearing.Atrest,ontheground,withitswingsfoldedaway,itwasthesizeofablackbear,anditsheadwasonalevelwithShadow’sown.

           Horussaid,proudly,"Ibroughthim.Theyliveinthemountains."

           Shadownodded."Ihadadreamofthunderbirdsonce,"hesaid."DamnedestdreamIeverhad."

           Thethunderbirdopeneditsbeakandmadeasurprisinglygentlenoise,Crawroo?"Youheardmydreamtoo?"askedShadow.

           Hereachedoutahandandrubbeditgentlyagainstthebird’shead.Thethunderbirdpushedupagainsthimlikeanaffectionatepony.