The second age had run for what the Painter had calibrated, and at the moment the Painter had calibrated for the second age to end, Eos spoke.
"You have been very busy," his voice was low.
The Painter, who had spoken first at the start of every age and at its closing, did not speak immediately, because the Painter had been preparing the line that closed the second age.
That line had been a question, and the question had been about how Eos was bearing the effect of the Taste, but Eos had spoken before the Painter could pose it.
"You have been deliberating on the response I am to give," Eos said. "I have noticed."
The audience in the Painter's face leaned forward. After such a long time, they hungered for Eos's voice, and hearing it, they could not wait for more.
