Climate of Change Read Online Free PDF

The impact shoved him back, and he fell, the leopard on top. But he shoved forward and up with the staff, pushing the cat back. He had to stop the teeth and claws from scoring.
    Then the creature jerked away, dragging the spear. It fled. It had been looking for an easy kill, not this complicated fight.
    â€œIt’s gone,” Hero said. “Are you all right?”
    Crenelle stirred. “Yes. You saved me.”
    â€œI saved myself! I shoved it off, and it ran on.”
    â€œIt would have killed me,” she said, shaking.
    He put his arm around her shoulders. “I had to pay for my food and lodging. I agreed to protect you.”
    She was silent, and he knew she was crying. He drew her in to his shoulder.
    â€œDon’t comfort me!” she flared. “You know what will happen.”
    He nodded in the darkness. “I think I wouldn’t mind marrying you, Crenelle. You have courage and good reflexes.”
    â€œI lay on the ground, terrified, and now I’m crying. That’s not courage or good.”
    â€œIt
is
good. You did what I told you, so I could fight it without you getting in the way. I needed to know exactly where you were, in the darkness, so I wouldn’t hit you. You didn’t panic. Now it’s done, and it’s time to react.”
    â€œIf I had been alone, I’d be dead.”
    â€œIf you had been alone, you wouldn’t have gone out from your house.”
    â€œYou’re a decent man. I do want to marry you. But I have to let you see to your family.”
    â€œAnd you are a decent woman. You tried to protect me from myself, after you won our contest of wills. I appreciate that. Now I desire you more than before. It’s not just your body; your music reached me first.”
    â€œBut that’s part of it. You know that.”
    He nodded in the darkness. “You tried to impress me, and you succeeded. I think you are as good a woman as I am likely to find. I think there is a way. Would you leave your home and join my family?”
    Her head snapped up. “Yes!”
    â€œThen maybe I will marry you.”
    â€œWill you rape me?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œBut you have to, or there is no marriage.”
    He hesitated, his desire for her burgeoning again. “Can’t we just. . . just say I did it?”
    â€œNo!”
    â€œBut you were ready to rape yourself, and accuse me. Why not accuse me without violence?”
    â€œI can’t do that now. I owe you my life.”
    â€œThen repay me by marrying me without violence.”
    â€œI would like to, but it wouldn’t be real.”
    He remembered something else she had said. “But you are a virgin. If I have sex with you, it’s rape by your definition, isn’t it?”
    She brightened. “Yes.”
    â€œThen let’s do it.”
    â€œYes,” she said gladly.
    He stood and removed his loinskin, and she removed her skirt. They lay together on the ground. She kissed him ardently and wrapped her legs around him. Her body was hot and eager.
    But when he sought to enter her, she fought him. “No!”
    He stopped immediately. “I’m sorry. I thought—”
    â€œDo it!”
    He started to enter again, but again she struggled. “I don’t understand.”
    â€œI have to fight you, the first time. I can’t help it. That’s the way it has to be.”
    â€œBut then I can’t do it.”
    â€œPlease try, Hero. I think I love you already.”
    â€œBut it’s just not in my nature to do anything like that to a woman.”
    She considered. “Give me your hand.”
    He shifted his balance and held up his right hand. She grasped his wrist with her left hand. “Make a fist.”
    He made a fist. Then she shoved his hand violently into her face.
    â€œCrenelle!” he cried, drawing his hand back and opening it. “What is this?”
    â€œDo it!” she repeated. “Now you have