Chapter Forty-Four
(Sometime—The People)
The People rejoiced. The Cousins, with their strangely dry humor, would say that such an observation was superfluous. What else had the People ever done?
The Cousins had not yet responded to any of the People’s queries about the Cold Ones; but then, they rarely did. And anyway, by the time they answered a question the People had often forgotten why they had asked.
The Cold Ones schooled less tightly now, less prone to bite and snap. Blood and flesh had swirled freely Above the Sky. Predators had come, as they always did to such a feast. But the waters cleansed themselves, with time. Probably the World Above would do the same.
Some of the People, perpetually hopeful, tried to play with the Cold Ones now that they were less aggressive. But the Cold Ones would not play. Still, it was a good game for the younger of the People. Injuries were usually light, as long as there were others nearby to help when the Cold Ones reacted badly.
Other young ones had been talking to the Great Cold One, up in the parched world Above the Sky. They had discovered that he was like a Cousin to the People Above. The People Below were amazed, and had told their own Cousins about him. The Cousins had not yet replied to that either.
But it seemed the Cousins had been right, as usual. Probably it was time for the People to go Above in greater numbers. The Cousins Below had said so, and now their new Cousin Above had agreed. And their scouts Above were making friends, doing well.
The People swam, and danced on the Sky between the Worlds. Which of the youngest would go next? And what would they find?
This was going to make a very good game.
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Shiver on the Sky Page 70
