‘Ah. That is what I face, back with the Storm. Some canini have bonded to tribesfolk. I do not understand it.’
‘Humans are capable of great love,’ said Mashtuk. ‘Some have given their lives to save canini. Some have dedicated themselves to the wellbeing of canini. Others just feel complete love for us. It was these humans who modified us so that now we live longer, though not quite as long as a humachine. Our span is more like that of the tribesfolk. The bond between an individual canine and an individual human can be intense and deep; humans wanted it to last life-long. Tinashe considered, and Orfeo too, that the best of human love is the greatest love there is.’
‘But it does not compare with ours!’ protested Zélie. ‘They are too selfish. They know nothing of sharing. And they are weak,
