Chapter 17

A telling meeting, a trouble revealed…

    Francos Morales, Overload of the Humanos Verdaderos, was not looking forward to a visit from El Poh Grande, head of the Iglesia Humanos Verdaderos. The old man was pompous, long winded, and usually boring. Francos attended services in his private chapel whenever he could, and only went to the cathedral for major ceremonies when his presence was required. They had notified him it was urgent. The elderly head of the church seldom ventured outside his home and the cathedral compound. Unfortunately, Francos had nothing on his calendar that could delay the meeting, so he walked to the main entrance of Residence as a show of respect. If he flattered the old fool, maybe he’d forget why he came and leave early.

    The size of the delegation was ominous. The Poh, his chamberlain, and a few Keepers got out of the air car idling on the street. The makeup of the Keepers caused Francos to send a quick mental warning to Serept for backup. The most conservative of the Senior Keepers of the Blood were in attendance. This was not going to be a typical complaint about tithes or how many infants were not being presented to the Keepers.

    He had a quick mental burst from Serept that the visitors were angry, and he was calling in a damper as well as setting up the meeting in the audience hall. Francos thanked him for the arrangements. Sitting on the dais in his chair of state would elevate him above them and perhaps remind them who was in charge of the settlement. He led them to the room and walked quickly to the stone throne, then sat while making a sweeping evaluation of the deputation before him. He was satisfied to see some of them look nervously at their leaders. The ploy was working.

    “Welcome, Reverends. How can the office of the Overlord be of service today?” Francos nodded his head in acknowledgment of their slight bows.

    “Ser Morales, it is vital we discuss this issue with you in private and quickly,” Romerie Malfe was Senior Keeper of the Blood and known to Francos.

    “Now, Romerie, please do not exaggerate this rumor you have discovered,” the Poh complained plaintively. “But it is as you say. This is an important matter that should not be put off.”

    “Serept, please bring a chair for the Poh We should not keep him standing. His age and position demand our respect.” Francos did not suggest a chair for any of the others. Let them stand. Perhaps they would get through their speeches more quickly.

    Venda arrived as the chair for the churchman was delivered. “Where are the rest of the chairs? Should we not be meeting in the conference room, Ser? I can have it prepared in the time it takes to walk there.”

    “We are meeting here, Venda. You will stay. And I believe you are the cause of this.” Francos received a mental note from Serept that Venda was feeling very proud of himself but was frightened of what Francos would do to him when he realized who had tipped off the church. At his nod, Serept closed the doors to the large hall.

    “Now we are alone. What is it that brings you in such haste, Reverend Ser?” Francos was pleased to see Serept’s arrangements had the desired effect. The churchmen were off their stride, but he could see they were recovering quickly.

    Romerie Malfe stepped forward. “Ser, it has come to our attention…”

    Francos interrupted him. “You speak before the Poh, Ser? I had not heard of your elevation to his place. He seems healthy and fit to me. I will hear what he has to say, since he called this meeting.” Malfe looked as if he would explode but he withdrew and bowed to the now seated head of the church.

    “Ser, it is probably only wild rumor, but someone has reported to Keeper Malfe you are considering a bonding for the next First Successor with a woman of Utopia. I personally found the very idea absurd, but the Keeper insisted his information was from high in the government and much trusted. The very idea is repugnant to the Church. To bond one who will be Overlord to a heathen of tainted blood cannot be even considered. I am sure you understand that and will assure the Keeper of your adherence to the precepts of Iglesia Humanos Verdaderos. The faithful would never accept a bonding like this, nor would they accept a child of such a union. So, if you will assure the Keeper his information is in error, we will depart and not take up any more of your valuable time.” The fat old man leaned back in his chair and let out a far sigh as if he had just climbed a long staircase. Malfe shot him a look of pure malice and stepped forward as if he had the floor to speak.

    “So, you have a spy in my office, Keeper Malfe?” Francos leaned back and gazed at the churchman through half closed eyes. “But I must tell you your spy has his information garbled. I will not announce the bonding arrangement until it is signed and the woman in question has been genetically verified. I assure you she is of the Humanos Verdaderos. More than that, you will have to wait until the official announcement.

    “Venda, since you seem to prefer the office of the Keeper over loyalty to me, I release you to join his administration.” The man rushed toward the seated Overlord. “Serept will accompany you to turn in your keys and remove your belongings and family from the office and the Residence. I will have no one in my house who betrays a confidence.”

    “Ser, please, I told them nothing.” Venda threw himself on his knees in front of Francos.

    “You are a poor liar, Venda. I am tired of your sniveling, superstitious ways. Since you have shown your loyalty to the church, work for the church, — but remember Keeper Malfe, one who carried tales for one master will carry them for another.

    “If there is nothing more, your highness, I will escort you to your car.”

    “Hear me, Ser Morales, if you bond your son to a woman of Utopia, the city will rise up and curse you. You will be replaced as Overlord.” Malfe raised his fist and shook it at Francos.

    “You threaten me, Keeper?” Francos’s voice was flat and emotionless. Serept motioned to the damper to be ready in case he lost hold of his temper. “Leave before I punish you for your insolence.”

    A younger Keeper pushed forward. “You will answer to the people, Overlord. The church will see to it.”

    “Hush you fool, before he strikes you like he did his son.” The Poh caught the arm of the younger man. “My apologies Ser. We leave now.” Francos did not rise as the men filed out of the hall. Serept took Venda by the arm and led him away. The man was blubbering.

    The damper approached and bowed. “You handled that well, Ser. I will not send an invoice, since my services were not needed.”

    “Perhaps, but the headache it caused will require the services of a healer. Will it always be so, Ser Paz?”

    “I will have Healer Hypath call upon you. She has developed some excellent ways of dispersing strong emotions and can teach them to you. It will take time, but you have begun.”

    “More than my control has begun, I am afraid. This meeting is only the beginning. This confrontation has been brewing for some time — a pustule ready to be lanced is what it is. I ask your silence on what was discussed here please.”

    “Of course, Ser, as always.” The heavily bearded man with his odd blanket robe bowed and withdrew. Francos sat for a while longer and went in search of the healer.