Американские боги

           Fortoday,"saidtheoldman."Bytomorrow,itwillallbeBielebog.Buttoday,isstillCzernobog."

           "Thenwhy?Whydidn’tyoukillmewhenyoucould?"

           Theoldmantookoutanunfilteredcigarettefromapackinhispocket.Hetookalargeboxofmatchesfromthemantelpieceandlitthecigarettewithamatch.Heseemeddeepinthought."Because,"saidtheoldman,aftersometime,"thereisblood.Butthereisalsogratitude.Andithasbeenalong,longwinter."

           Shadowgottohisfeet.Thereweredustypatchesonthekneesofhisjeans,wherehehadknelt,andhebrushedthedustaway.

           "Thanks,"hesaid.

           "You’rewelcome,"saidtheoldman."Nexttimeyouwanttoplaycheckers,youknowwheretofindme.Thistime,Iplaywhite."

           "Thanks.MaybeIwill,"saidShadow."Butnotforawhile."Helookedintotheoldman’stwinklingeyes,andhewonderediftheyhadalwaysbeenthatcornflowershadeofblue.Theyshookhands,andneitherofthemsaidgoodbye.

           ShadowkissedZoryaUtrennyayaonthecheekonhiswayout,andhekissedZoryaVechernyayaonthebackofherhand,andhetookthestairsoutofthatplacetwoatatime.

           Postscript

           ReykjavíkinIcelandisastrangecity,evenforthosewhohaveseenmanystrangecities.Itisavolcaniccity—theheatforthecitycomesfromdeepunderground.