Nation is a slightly different Terry Pratchett novel in that it isn't fantasy; it takes place on Earth, although in an parallel universe, "a phenomenon known only to advanced physicists and anyone who has ever watched any episode of any SF series, anywhere" according to the Author's Note.
Some background: there is a tidal wave in the South Pacific which destroys Mau's home (an island); he is the only survivor of the Nation. The wave also brought a ship that crashed into the island; only Daphne survived. Mau and Daphne are in around 14 or so. Eventually other people arrive, refuges first, then the Raiders. The Raiders are cannibals. They have rules, though: first they talk with the people they want to raid. They prefer single combat to determine who wins, and if they lose, the Raiders go away.
This bit takes place after Daphne has been talking with one of the older Raiders:
"You are very clever," said the old man shyly. "I would like to eat your brains, one day."
For some reason the books of etiquette that Daphne's grandmother had forced on her didn't quite deal with this. Of course, silly people would say to babies, "You're so sweet I could gobble you all up!" but that sort of nonsense seemed less funny when it was said by a man in war paint who owned more than one skull. Daphne, cursed with good manners, settled for "It's very kind of you to say so."
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