The second chum: the Rekken
The Rekken are dwarfs with flat faces, bowlegs, and ugly narrow eyes. Just like human beings, they erect their chums using struts, but these are made from the bones of birds or fish. They make skis and line them with mouse fur. They possess copper kettles and other such utensils. These dwarfs are armed with tiny bows and with tiny spears whose blades are no longer than a needle. The Rekken carry weapons not so much for hunting (for the same mice for their skins to line skis, or for chipmunks to make fur boots and coats) as to wage war against one another.
For them the greatest joy is to erect their chums in a human dwelling – in the owners’ bed, in the cradle, or on the runners or sleds, and to follow these humans on their migrations and make trouble for them.
