Американские боги

           Theywentthere,andthentheyreturnedtoIceland.Theysaiditwasagoodplaceformen,butabadplaceforgods.Andwithouttheirgodstheyfelttoo…alone."HisEnglishwasfluent,butthepausesandthebeatsofthesentencewerestrange.Shadowlookedathim:close-up,themanseemedolderthanShadowhadimaginedpossible.Hisskinwaslinedwithtinywrinklesandcracks,likethecracksingranite.

           Theoldmansaid,"Idoknowyou,boy."

           "Youdo?"

           "YouandI,wehavewalkedthesamepath.Ialsohungonthetreeforninedays,asacrificeofmyselftomyself.IamthelordoftheAes.Iamthegodofthegallows."

           "YouareOdin,"saidShadow.

           Themannoddedthoughtfully,asifweighingupthename."Theycallmemanythings,but,yes,IamOdin,Bor’sson,"hesaid.

           "Isawyoudie,"saidShadow."Istoodvigilforyourbody.Youtriedtodestroysomuch,forpower.Youwouldhavesacrificedsomuchforyourself.Youdidthat."

           "Ididnotdothat."

           "Wednesdaydid.Hewasyou."

           "Hewasme,yes.ButIamnothim."Themanscratchedthesideofhisnose.Hisgull-featherbobbed.

           "Willyougoback?"askedtheLordoftheGallows."ToAmerica?"

           "Nothingtogobackfor,"saidShadow,andashesaiditheknewitwasalie.

           "Thingswaitforyouthere,"saidtheoldman.