In Hwarhath society, men and women live apart and take lovers from their own sex, but biological necessity requires them to come together to breed. This, of course, is arranged by the old women in the family, and Eyes-of-crystal's relatives want to breed her to the notable warrior, Eh Manhata. But Manhata is too busy in the war to be spared, so his family offers his brother, Eh Shawin, in his place. Shawin turns out to have a rather shameful secret; in Hwarhath terms, he is a pervert—he prefers to have sex with women. Since he is often asked to serve in his brother's place as a breeder, he gets along fairly well in life, and he and Eyes-of-crystal become closer than Hwarhath society would deem proper; they become lovers, and she ends up breaking an important rule for his sake. Of course this can not go on forever. Eyes-of crystal becomes pregnant, Shawin must leave, and there is no reason for them to meet again. Yet their children turn out well, so it was widely considered a good breeding.