The taurvi was suspicious at first. The other daeva was larger and more ungainly on its feet, and it tottered as it walked until time smoothed out its stride. They moved in a circle, sniffing each other warily. The girl said nothing and watched them with an old smile on her young face.

Finally, the taurvi raised its head and let out a bellow. The akvan did the same, its tusks twitching.

With a growl, the taurvi sprung onto the akvan. They grappled for several seconds, rolling in the sand. Finally, the akvan let out a gleeful cry, and I realized they were playing.

The taurvi disengaged, shook itself free. It returned to smelling the other creature’s hide. The akvan butted it affectionately on the stomach, and the monster flopped onto its side, purring again.

“If the rest of us could only get along so well,” the girl mused.