A Long Time Coming

"I could eat you," said Lovehowl.

"Let's say you could," Krenen answered, resting his head on the trunk of the tree he was sitting at. "Why shouldn't you?"

"Because I'm not hungry."

"And if you were?"

"If I were, and you were the only thing around--"

"He's not a thing!" said Afena the lorsul. "He's our grandfather!"

"He's not. He's not like us."

"Let him speak, Afena," Krenen asked of the cub. "Let him express himself. I would be even weaker than he thinks I am if I let words hurt me."

"I'd eat him before he eats you, grandfather," she replied still.

"Try it!" said Lovehowl.

"Stop," Krenen interceded before they started playing again. "We're talking. So, if I were hungry, and you were the only one around, I would do well to eat you?"

"You couldn't. I'm too strong for you."

"Ah. And you think your might gives you the right to do as you please."

"Why wouldn't it?"