For some moments the two men sat quietly, each wrapped in his own thoughts, then Ivor rose. 'I should speak to Levon about tomorrow's hunt,' he said. 'Sixteen [eltors], I think.'

'At least,' the shaman said in an aggrieved tone. 'I could eat a whole one myself. We haven't feasted in a long time, Ivor.'

Ivor snorted. 'A very long time, you greedy old man. Twelve whole days...why aren't you fat?'

'Becaues,' the wisest one explained patiently, 'you never have enough food at the feasts.

Author: Guy Gavriel Kay