Utopia, a hearing, trouble afoot…
Simon arrived in the city late in the evening and checked into the central hostel as usual. He found many messages waiting for him. Inspector Rhody asked him to contact her as soon as he got in and several friends from previous visits left similar messages. He was surprised that Sarita’s leaving had become so widely known.
It was late, so he called Charlotte and suggested they meet for a meal in the common dining room. The inspector told him to get a meal and meet her in the garden near the hostel in an hour. She was worried about being overheard when they were talking. Her concern startled Simon.
After a quick meal, Simon walked out to the garden and wandered the paths looking for Charlotte. She had said to meet her near the fruit trees, but the garden was filled with small trees. Finally, he saw her sitting under a blooming fruit tree. Alarmingly, the tree was full of buzzers, but she waved him over. “The buzz will confuse the listener. You have attracted very powerful enemies with this leaving, Simon.”
“Charlotte, I was aware of some of the interest when we were last here for the education meeting but surely it is not that bad?”
“As I understand it, the prince’s son was aggressive and may have attempted to kiss her. She resisted just as strongly, and he was very offended.” Charlotte shook her head. “He apparently said something to his mother, and she is pushing for a forced union as his request.”
“Sarita did say something to me about the kiss, and she really did not like him. That young man is spoiled rotten. We need to elect a new family as prince. This is becoming too much an inherited monarchy—not elected, as More designed.”
“Well, that won’t help you now,” Charlotte said. “What are you going to say tomorrow?”
“Only the facts, Charlotte, only the facts.” Simon sighed. “That is all I can do, because things have moved beyond my control.”
“You are going to be seen by the prince as well as the head of the Assembly Population Office and the High Adjudicator. The princess has been very active stirring up things. I cannot do much more than present what I saw. Have you heard from Rita?”
“No, and that concerns me, as it does Tony’s people in Trade City. They have tried to contact them and gotten no response. Tony’s steward contacted me, but he had few details. Rita and Tony are trying to keep the rest of the family out of this for some reason. I did not want to know all the details, but they should have been in Refugio by now.”
“Keep that information to yourself tomorrow. We don’t need to get the local trade official involved. I will see you in the morning.” Charlotte rose and walked quickly out the back of the garden. Simon sat enjoying the pollinating of the buzzers as the spring sky darkened. He walked slowly into the hostel and went to bed.
***
Simon arrived at the main administrative building early. He had many friends who worked in the building, and some had messaged him with support. He visited with a few and found them all deeply concerned. He reassured them that the truth would win out, but they were closer to the bureaucracy. They had doubts.
“All rise for Prince Desmond of Utopia,” the doorman called. The prince entered followed by the members of the Population Office board and then the High Adjudicator. Simon had expected only the prince. The other official usually came in from the other wing of the building where they had their offices. Charlotte came in from a side door and the doorman directed Simon to a table on the left.
“The issue before us is the removal of two members of family Kearney to Refugio without permission of the Population Office,” said the Adjudicator’s clerk. “Who speaks for Family Kearney?” Simon identified himself as the current head of the family, but the Adjudicator did not allow him to say more. He turned to Charlotte.
“Inspector Rhody, what did you find when you visited Farm Twenty-Two?”
Charlotte explained how the message sent to the Population Office had incorrect information. “I found that these women were both adults, mother and daughter.” Lady Charlotte then recounted the history of Rita, Sarita, and their relative, Anthony Pesch. When she finished, she snapped the cover of her notebook closed, made eye contact with each of the officials sitting on the dais, and sat down.
One of the members of the Population Office spoke up. “I must say, I believe some punishment must be meted to the individual who sent the incorrect message. It has caused considerable inconvenience for both me and Lord Kearney.” Simon knew the head of the Population Office for years and wondered when the man was going to retire. The prince had an annoyed look on his face and glared at the members of the Population Office Board. All avoided making eye contact.
“Lord Kearney is this account true?” the High Adjudicator snapped.
He stood to answer the question. “Inspector Rhody has the facts of the matter, and I cannot add anything more, other than to say that Sarita was beginning to suffer from late manifesting and our healers were concerned.” Simon decided to follow Charlotte’s lead, adding as little information as possible.
The adjudicator turned to one of the officers of the Population Office, but before he could speak, the prince interrupted. “Lord Kearney, you brought this young woman to Amaurot last winter, did you not? She was one of the young people who gathered at the birthday celebration for my son. Padraig took notice of her. Were you aware of that?”
“Yes, my Lord, she was with me.” Might as well be honest. “Sarita was disappointed that she did not meet anyone with whom she found kindred feelings, your highness.”
“No one? I heard otherwise from my son. He is distraught at the news she left Utopia. It is my order that a far speaker be employed to order the return of the ship and she be brought to Amaurot, where she will be betrothed and joined with my son. Her latent abilities will make her a valuable asset to the ruling family and Utopia.”
The adjudicator slammed his fist on his desk. “You can’t do that, my Lord. Just because you are prince doesn’t mean you can act like a tyrant!”
“I am aware of what I am allowed to do. Yes, I can order this, because I am elected by the families to keep order and preserve our society.” The prince and adjudicator glared at each other across the room. This was obviously a long-standing dispute, one Simon found alarming.
“There is also another factor involved here, Lord Kearney,” the head of the Population Board said. “This young woman had been noticed due to her genetic profile. We need that diversity in Utopia so we can avoid interbreeding.”
“We agreed that would not be discussed,” the prince snapped at the small bespectacled man. “There is no need to worry about the genetic history of my family. Adding her powers to my line will strengthen all of Utopia.”
The head of the board muttered an apology, but the adjudicator spoke over him. “The joining cannot be done without the agreement of the woman, my Lord. Would you force her as they do in Refugio? She has already indicated to her Lord of her distaste for your son.” Simon glanced at Charlotte in alarm and had to suppress a laugh at the expression on her face. Yes, there was animosity between these men, and he wished he was not in the middle of it.
“This hearing is suspended until further notice.” The chief legal officer of the settlement stood. “We will discuss this in my office, Desmond. Lord Kearney, I wish to see you in my office after midday meal. Inspector, please also join us.”
The prince objected loudly. “I will not be dismissed this way, Donnie! I am the rightful ruler of this country, and you cannot order me around like this.” The prince nearly fell off the dais where his official chair was placed as he rose.
“We will discuss this in my office, Desmond. I don’t think you want a discussion of your wife here in public.” He nodded to the rest of the officials and strode out of the room.
“Meet me in the garden by the hostel,” Charlotte whispered as she brushed past Simon to follow the Population Office members out of the chamber by the door where she had entered. The prince pushed past the doorman yelling at the adjudicator that he needed this settled.
***
Simon was surprised to find several messages waiting when he checked his account. One was from a writer on the information com. What to say publicly about the hearing on Sarita’s leaving? Obviously, word had gotten out, but how and why was a puzzle to him. He decided not to call the writer back until talking to Charlotte. Something was going on here that he did not understand. Morianan had encouraged him to stay active in politics, but he hated the busyness of it. He would much rather run the farm they were assigned to and teach. His reluctance was going to haunt him he was certain. The garden would be his next stop because he was just too upset to eat. Charlotte was waiting near the fruit trees but not where they sat the night before.
“Today, we walk and talk,” she said, “but watch out for anyone following too closely.” She set off at a goodly pace on the circular walk around the center fountain.
“What is going on, Charlotte? The information about Sarita leaving is all over Amaurot. I have questions from the news producers and so many others who really should not know about it.” Simon had to lean close to Charlotte to talk over the splashing of the large pool.
“My supervisor warned me you were a reluctant politician. What he didn’t tell me is you are so naïve about what is going on here in Amaurot. The family of the princess is trying to take over but doesn’t want it to be obvious, so they spread rumors and gossip. The Bartmore’s are not popular.” She motioned that they should begin walking past the fountain, but Charlotte slowed their pace and the man following them almost bumped into them. He muttered an apology and was forced to walk past them.
Charlotte motioned Simon to move to another walkway that was closer to the street. “We are still being followed, but it is almost time to join Lord Donnell. Whatever you do, don’t mention the issues we have with the trade representative. It is more complex than you realized.” She led him into the main administration building and up to their meeting. So many questions he had. So many that were not getting answered.
***
A slender young woman stood guard at the door to Lord Donnell’s office. “Naomi Gaughan, so nice to see you again, we have an appointment with Lord Donnell.” She nodded to them and opened the door with a wink to Simon to acknowledge she knew him, but she had a role to play. Simon was surprised to find the adjudicator’s reception area crowded with people wearing brightly colored tabards over their coveralls.
“Charlotte, who are those bright birds? I have never seen such colors on Utopians before.”
“Simon, welcome to the world of the Founding Families!” She spoke softly to him then turned to greet the officials gathered in the office. The prince was collapsed in a soft chair at one side of the room with his eyes closed. The adjudicator sat at his desk glaring at the prince. He waved Simon and Charlotte to the chairs near his desk.
“Desmond, since you insisted on joining this meeting, you could at least wake up. Lord Kearney is here.” The prince opened his eyes and looked blearily at the adjudicator.
“What in the world for, Donnell? I told you what I need done. Do it. Sheila wants this girl for Padraig, so get her back. Can you get me some wine? My head is throbbing.” He slumped back into the chair.
“I will not contribute to your addiction, Desmond,” Donnell snapped. “We have an issue that needs to be resolved and your wife’s request is not a possible solution. You are our elected ruler. Act like it.”
“You have no right to talk to me like that, Donnie boy. I can dismiss you in a minute.”
The threat drew a gasp from the other official in the room. “You go too far, your Highness!” The head of the Population Office spoke indignantly.
The prince opened his eyes and looked blearily at the men standing at the side of the room. “I am the prince for life. I can do what I want. That is what the Charter says, doesn’t it, Simon? I have heard that you are the expert on those antiquated things.”
“I do not believe it says that outright, your Highness, but…” Simon was interrupted by another of the officials, one he did not know.
“Lord Kearney is known for his translations of the original, your Highness, not how it has been interpreted since landing,” Simon finally recognized the legal scholar from the adjudicator training center. “That is not why we are here.
“Lord Kearney, were you certain of the relationship between Lady Rita and the Refugio official?” Iseult O’Malley taught adjudicators at the training school and was not only respected but somewhat feared for her skill in the hearings. Simon had never met her in person but knew her by reputation.
“There was no question,” Simon said. “Tony was recognized by Rita when he visited her at the medical school, and she assured me he was her brother. I had no reason to doubt her.”
“Lord Donnell, you asked that I review this matter since the prince’s family was involved. I can think of no reason why these women must have permission to leave. Lord Kearney, was there pressure on the young woman to go with her mother?”
Simon knew he had better be clear and honest with this woman. “None. My wife and I were concerned that she did not realize how different the customs are in Refugio, but her mother explained much of that to her. It will be a major change, but one she was willing to make. Sarita is a very intelligent young woman.”
“All the more reason she should be brought back to marry my son.” The prince lurched up from his chair. “This has gone on far enough. Get the girl back or suffer my wrath.”
“Really, Desmond, what are you going to do? They have been gone for over a week and if they had a fast ship, are probably in Refugio by now.” O’Malley turned to Lord Donnell. “My Lord, I believe Director Riley mentioned that the proper individual to be punished is the one sending the incorrect message. Inspector Rhody, were you able to identify that person?”
“Yes, it is a discerner in the Kearney family. One who I believe was angry because Lady Sarita rejected a relative of his.”
“Ah, unrequited love, it seems that is the sad state of both the young men who have caused this. I believe we are done, gentlemen. I have an examination to supervise so I must go. Lord Kearney, I compliment you on the translation of More’s Utopia. I have studied the ancient language Latin. Your translation was well done.”
“Thank you, Lady O’Malley. I hope more of our people take the time to read it.” Simon bowed as she walked past him to go out of the chamber.
The prince was swaying and looking stricken. “Come back here, Issie, what do I tell Shelia?”
“The truth, Desmond. She cannot have her way in this, and Padraig will have to choose another. Good day.” She swept out of the office, closing the door firmly as she left.
“Donnie, you need to fix this,” the prince said, “because I can’t go home unless it is fixed.” He looked as if he were going to cry.
“Gentlemen, I do not believe we need any of you for what needs to be done now. Inspector Rhody, please provide me with the name of the sender. And Lord Kearney, please assist her in suggesting an appropriate punishment. I accept Lady O’Malley’s judgment in this.”
“What about me? Donnie? I am the prince. I demand you get that girl back.” The prince stumbled back and fell into the chair where he had been sleeping.
“Gentlemen, I ask you to remember what has happened here,” Donnell said, “but please do not discuss it.”
The adjudicator motioned toward the door as one of the prince’s attendants entered from the back hall. Simon and the others hurried out the door into the crowded reception area. The crowd had thinned, but no one seemed to notice them as they made their way out and walked quickly to the nearby administrative building.
“I need to know what is going on,” Simon said. “I don’t know if we are cleared or if we are in the middle of a dangerous retaliation,” He fussed as they marched into the Population Office.
“Simon, hush! Don’t say anything else.” She hissed as they followed Lord Riley into his office. “There’s treason afoot.”
***
“Simon, we are pleased you are here. We need your expertise about the what the book Utopia says. Please join us.” Brandon Riley motioned towards an open door. Charlotte nudged Simon towards the door when he hesitated. He looked at her with alarm but followed the others. What had he gotten himself into?
Several plainly dressed men and women were milling about in the large meeting room and Riley called to them to take seats around a large table.
“For those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting Lord Kearney, Simon is known in educational circles as the most knowledgeable about the original book, Utopia upon which our nation is based. We are fortunate that he is here in Amaurot at this momentous time. I believe his knowledge of the original…” He was interrupted by a large dour man.
“That is enough, Brandon. We don’t need a lecture. We need information.” Simon recognized the speaker as Sean Johnson one of the Archphilarchs he had seen at meetings in Amaurot. As he studied the men and women in the room, he realized that all of them were Tranibors, officials of the Assembly.
“Oh, all right, Simon, in the original book, is there a way to remove a prince from office? We need to know.” Riley sat down with a plop.
“Well, there is one sentence that translates to something like that. If I remember correctly, it relates to a condition our founders chose to not write into the Charter.”
“That can’t be true,” a woman at the far end of the table half rose in anger. “The Charter is based directly on the original book without changes.” Simon recognized her as Lady Alannah O’Hara, one of his fellow students from his university days.
“Well, actually it’s not because the Founders only had a few sections of the original book and opinions about what it might mean.” Simon had heard this argument before. Most of the residents believed that the original founders had based the setup of the Charter on exactly what had been written in the book more than a thousand years ago. Simon had finally gotten a facsimile copy from the library in Refugio but had not widely shared that copy. He knew it would upset many people.
“There are several things that More included in the book that were common in his time, but not acceptable to our founders,” Simon kept his voice even. He had been through this argument so many times with other scholars, far too many times he thought sadly. They really needed to change the textbooks. “In fact, you are an example of one of them.”
“What do you mean,” she snapped.
“In More’s time, women were pretty much the property of their fathers or husbands. They were not allowed to take part in any civic activities. especially voting and governing. So, you would not be representing your farm. He did believe in educating women, or at least his own family, I have read that in other sources.
“The other common practice was slavery. The residents of the island bought people as if they were livestock from other areas and held them in bondage. Also, they punished people by making them the property of someone and if it were serious enough, it was for life. As I recall, the prince can only be removed for attempting to enslave the people.”
“So, misrule was not addressed?” Johnson asked.
“No, the people were supposed to be so well educated and so philosophically developed that misrule would never happen. As painful as it may be for all of you, the book Utopia was written as a satire of the society in which More lived. It was never meant to be taken as a guide to governing.” His audience sat in stunned silence.
“As one who has studied the original book, I must suggest that we need to make changes in our Charter, changes that reflect how we live,” Simon swallowed hard. He had just said in public, out loud what he had said to Morianan so many times. “Do you realize that Utopia was written in the Terran year 1516? I am not sure of what our year might be if we still counted years that way, but it has been more than a thousand years. It was such a telling satire of the government and society of the country called England that it was not published there but in another European country. We are hundreds of light years separated from that planet. For reasons we do not understand, we are no longer the same as the people who lived on that planet. We need to recognize that and make changes.”
“There are many of us who agree with you, Simon,” Sean Johnson said quietly. “How to go about it is the question.”
“I believe we can get help if you will allow me to use some documents from Refugio. They were able to rescue a library of writings from Terra and are willing to share for scholarly research.” Simon knew there would be resistance to using anything from Refugio but knowing human history might help them avoid the mistakes of others, he hoped.
“Lord Kearney, right now, we have to address the prince and his family’s demands,” Brandon Riley leaned forward and glanced around the table trying to make eye contact with each of the individuals seated there. “How do we answer what the princess wants? We have heard that returning the woman may be impossible, but how do we placate her?”
“Addressing Desmond’s demand is the least of our problems, Brandon. Let’s not be so dramatic. We tell Shelia no and address this at the spring assembly of the Tranibors,” Johnson turned to Simon.
“Simon, how long do you think it will take to get access to these documents in Refugio?” Simon faced a dilemma. Tony had always been his source for scholarly material from Refugio and he had no idea where he was or when he might be found.
“My office has already been packed for our move to the new farm so it may take some time to get access,” Simon realized that his fascination with the book was his undoing. Morianan had said as much when he had first translated the entire book. There was no going back now. He was in the middle of it.
Should you want to read the whole story…
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