One day, the little thing was surprised to see that the humans were holding a bonfire; they dressed in strange clothes, and then one of the women came out in a gown embroidered with flowers, her hair bleached the same red as his master's. She danced around, throwing leaves into the fire, and the children who danced around her were dressed as cats.

The redhaired woman seemed to notice the little thing's consternation, and she spoke to it patiently.

" They take us to be gods, little thing," she said. " That means we must listen to them. It will all be worth the hassle if we can compel them to name you."


<- .....->