Climate of Change by Piers Anthony Page B

memory returned. Crenelle had wanted Hero to rape her, and he had demurred. Haven had mostly expunged that aspect from her mind. “But that’s no basis for marriage!”
    â€œYes it is. He never rapes her again, of course; he devotes his life to making her secure. But your brother didn’t like me enough to do it.”
    Haven had much to say, but now the men were coming up the path, bearing huge loads of wood. Still, she had learned a great deal, and her understanding was growing. Having Crenelle here would make things much better. But what a turn this was. Harbinger thought he had married her?
    Harbinger spied Crenelle, dropped his load of wood, and hugged her.Then he turned to introduce her to the others, but Crenelle intercepted that. “I know Haven. Her brother almost married me.”
    Harbinger turned to look at Craft, surprised.
    â€œCraft,” Haven said. “My younger brother.”
    Crenelle nodded. “I met her older brother. I know he liked me, but he had to see to his family first. So I lost him.”
    That had been only part of it. Crenelle had agreed to join Hero’s family. It had been the rape he couldn’t countenance.
    Harbinger turned toward Haven.
    â€œShe told me,” Crenelle said. “You married her.”
    Craft picked up enough of this to drop his jaw. “What?”
    Haven made a sudden decision. “It’s true. We. . . married.”
    â€œBut that’s not possible! There have been no—”
    â€œIt happened very quickly.” She hoped he would settle for that.
    â€œHe raped her,” Crenelle said proudly.
    Craft stared at Haven. “He what?”
    There was no avoiding it. “In their culture, a man wins a woman by raping her. It’s the way they do it. She expects it. I. . . didn’t realize.”
    â€œWhen I was gathering wood alone,” he said, putting it together.
    â€œYes. Now . . .” She shrugged. “I’ll make the best of it.”
    He reflected. She knew he was assessing his chances of killing Harbinger in a challenge of honor. His eyes flicked to his pack, where he had a half-length spear with a very solid and sharp stone head. Harbinger could well misjudge the deadliness of that weapon in close quarters, or suppose the youth did not know how to use it. That would be a fatal error.
    Crenelle, realizing that there was more here than showed, stepped in. “It is our way. Take me similarly, if you want.” She opened her cloak to Craft, in clear invitation. She wore a skin vest beneath it, but the outline of her breasts showed clearly. She had a good figure.
    â€œIt is their way,” Haven agreed. “Please, Craft. We can’t undo what happened. We can only make the best of it.”
    â€œBy having me rape
his
sister?” he demanded.
    â€œShe’s trying to make up for it, knowing it’s not our way.” Haven appreciatedCrenelle’s effort, surprising as it was. But maybe the woman was used to sex. What had she used to trade for supplies? “With the storm coming, we have to be together. This is a way to manage.”
    â€œI’m not raping anybody!”
    â€œNo need to marry,” Crenelle said. “Make it a passing liaison. No fighting. No grudges.”
    Craft looked again at Haven. “This is the way you want it?”
    She sighed inwardly. “Yes.” Maybe Crenelle, having had sex with Hero without persuading him to marry her, was ready to tackle his little brother. What did she have to lose?
    â€œYou two make the meal,” Crenelle said. “I brought supplies. I’ll see to this.” She took Craft’s hand and led him inside the house.
    Craft looked back once more. “You’re sure, Haven?”
    â€œYes.”
    He turned and followed Crenelle inside. He knew she was buying off his outrage, but it was nevertheless a good price.
    Harbinger glanced after them, then at Haven. He spread his