"But I've heard him arguing with the elders. I know Crane wants the water."
Elias nodded.
"The chief thinks my being a white veteran will make it harder for territorial officials to take the land."
Ren looked toward the river.
"And perhaps he's right."
"Perhaps."
Elias hesitated.
"But I don't want to marry you as part of a property arrangement."
She turned sharply.
"Because of my face?"
"No."
"Because you think I'm cursed?"
"No."
"Then why?"
Elias looked directly at her.
"Because you ought to choose your own husband."
Ren stared.
He continued.
"And because this river belongs to more people than either of us. Marriage doesn't give me the right to decide what happens to it."
For several moments, Ren said nothing.
Then she whispered, "You would refuse the land?"
Elias nodded.
"If that's what it takes."
She looked down at her hands.
"You rode six days to come here."
"Yes."
"You have nothing else."
"Not much."
"And you would leave?"
Elias smiled sadly.
"I reckon I'd rather keep my conscience than own land I shouldn't have."
Ren's shoulders began trembling.
He leaned forward.
"Ren?"
She raised one hand.
"Please."
He stopped.
For a long moment, she struggled with tears.
Then she spoke.
"Do you know what everyone says about me?"
Elias waited.
"They say I am a burden."
Her voice broke.
"That I have brought misfortune to my family. That my father has been unable to find a husband for me because no man would willingly look at my face."
She looked up.
"And now you tell me that you would rather lose your dream than marry me for land."
Elias felt his chest tighten.
"Ren."
She shook her head.
"I'm not angry."
A faint laugh escaped her.
"I don't know what I am."
He waited.
Finally, she whispered, "No one has ever given me the chance to say what I want."
Elias leaned closer.
"Then say it."
She looked at him.
"What?"
"Tell me what you want."
Ren stared.
He smiled gently.
"Not what your father wants. Not what Crane wants. Not what the people in town say you ought to want."
He waited.
"What do you want, Ren?"
For several moments, she seemed unable to answer.
Then she looked toward the river.
"I want to stay here."
He nodded.
"I want my family to be safe."
"Of course."
"I want the children to grow up knowing this water belongs to the place they call home."
Elias listened.
Then she turned toward him.
"And I want someone to look at me without pity."
Her voice trembled.
"Someone who doesn't think marrying me is a punishment."
Elias felt something shift inside him.
He moved closer, but left space between them.
"I can't promise I know everything about being a husband."
Ren gave a faint smile.
"I don't know much about being a wife."
He chuckled.
Then grew serious.
"But I know this. I wouldn't consider marrying you a punishment."