Climate of Change by Piers Anthony Page B

many of the mountain ranges were glaciated. The climate was punctuated by sharp changes, with warm periods followed by devastatingly cold periods. The best land was by the coast and great rivers, for there the soil was richer, supporting more plants and animals, and the extremes were not as great. But there were always those who pushed into the hinterlands, driving back
Homo erectus,
who had lived there almost two million years.
Erectus,
also called Archaic Man, was by this time a different species, distinct from both Neandertal and our own line. But to our ancestors, both of these other variants of mankind were simply the Others, to be displaced from the best hunting and foraging territories.
    The time is 60,000 years before the present era. The place is what is now Afghanistan, northwest of India and Pakistan.

    â€œNow let me make sure I have it straight,” Rebel said. “You got along fine with Crenelle, but it wasn’t serious, but her brother Harbinger raped Haven and got her with child, and when the baby died, she dumped him and came home. Now you think you like Crenelle after all, so you’rereturning to her, even though she won’t take you seriously unless you rape her, as Hero was supposed to.”
    Craft nodded wearily. Rebel was a year younger than he was, and actually the same age as Crenelle, but she was an entirely different creature. She was wild and beautiful and independent, and she loved danger. He had expected to make this journey alone, but she had insisted on coming with him, and actually she was good company and considerable help. “It’s in their culture. They think marriage should begin with a rape. Hero wouldn’t accept that, and neither did I. But I just can’t forget her. So I’ll try to—to rape her. If she lets me. But you had better be wary of Harbinger, unless he has found another woman to marry.”
    â€œI came along to explore new territory, and to see that you don’t get into mischief, dear brother. I mean to be wary of everything.”
    â€œWe are likely to be in close quarters, and Crenelle and I will be having frequent sex. That’s going to give Harbinger ideas.”
    â€œWell, he won’t get any ideas about me.” She paused, pondering. “Remember, you made my knife for me, and taught me how to use it.”
    And use it she would, if so moved. Craft well understood the use of any weapon he made, but hoped never to use one against a human being. Rebel, in contrast, could use a weapon with enthusiasm, when she felt it necessary.
    The region was becoming familiar. Craft hoped that Crenelle was still there, and still unmarried. Otherwise his long journey was for nothing. He wished that he had realized how he felt, before leaving her. But of course he had had to see Haven safely home.
    â€œAnd there’s a tribe of Others in the area,” Rebel continued. “You traded with them, and helped one of their children.”
    â€œThey enabled us to survive the winter,” Craft agreed. “There’s no need to fight them.”
    â€œYet most of our kind calls their kind beast men, and tries to drive them away.”
    â€œThey are just living and hunting and taking care of their children, the same as we are. We should have no quarrel with them.”
    â€œIs it true that their children are as strong as one of our women, and their women are stronger than our men?”
    â€œYes, I think so. At least the ones we met.”
    She shook her head. “That’s hard to believe.”
    â€œBest to stay clear of them, regardless.”
    In due course they came to the familiar house. “I should approach first,” Craft said. “Lest Harbinger think you are Haven.”
    â€œI will let him know I am not,” she said firmly. Rebel was fiercely independent, and seemed to be afraid of nothing. Craft worried about her, for that reason. She was, after all, a woman, lithe and healthy, but without