The inspector arrives…
“What do you mean, the girl is gone?” Inspector Charlotte Rhody’s voice penetrated Simon’s skull like a knife. “You were ordered to confine her and insure she had no contact with any one from Refugio, were you not?”
The woman’s gaze made Simon want to turn and run, but he took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice as strong as possible. “Sarita Kearney sailed with her mother and uncle for Refugio at high dark last night. I allowed them to go because Sarita and her mother felt this presented an opportunity she did not have here in Utopia.” Simon stood his ground. Truth would win. “Sarita had not found an anamcara or anyone who attracted her as a power bond. Her uncle offered to take them back to Refugio on the chance she would find someone there with whom she was compatible.” Simon knew better than to mention the First Successor or any of those arrangements. This needed to be kept as a family thing, or it would cause a major diplomatic rift between the two settlements.
“You took it upon yourself to disobey the orders of the Assembly Population Office?” The inspector lowered her voice menacingly. “You realize you will be punished for this, Lord Kearney. The Assembly will not be ignored or dismissed so lightly.”
Simon kept his voice steady. “I have an obligation to protect and promote the welfare of my people, and I believe I have done that,” He stepped to his desk and motioned the inspector to a chair. “Shall we be comfortable as we discuss this, Lady Charlotte?”
She eyed him with suspicion but took the seat he indicated. “I do not understand how allowing a female child of your family to be taken to Refugio against her will represents promoting her welfare, Lord Kearney.” Though the chair was overstuffed and comfortable, the woman looked as if she were sitting on a hard-backed wooden bench, a law bench perhaps. The image made Simon inwardly cringe. This did not seem it was going to come out well.
“First, Sarita went willingly with her mother and uncle. Any information you have received as to her unwillingness was incorrect. Secondly, we have heard from reliable sources that a forced power bond was being considered for her. Since she found that to be abhorrent, this opportunity was much to her liking.”
He leaned in. “Third, her foster mother and I, as well as the discerners of our family, have searched extensively to find her a true power match. We were unable to find anyone who matches her potential.”
The inspector’s face showed a fleeting grimace. She knew who was interested in Sarita. Simon was sure of it. The Bartmore family was second only to the prince in the Assembly and the Bartmores had considerable influence at court. The woman had her orders and Simon had thwarted them.
“The ship will be ordered back,” the inspector snapped, “and a protest will be filed with the Refugio representatives in Amaurot. My report will indicate your negligence and obstinate violation of a direct order from the Assembly Population Office.”
“That is not possible, Honorable. Ser Pesch hired a small private vessel for the journey. It was not a regular trade ship or courier ship. I doubt they have a distance speaker on board. Further, I do not understand how my actions could be deemed negligent.” Simon tried to make his tone as conciliatory as possible, but he knew her anger was more fear of the consequences of Sarita’s disappearance.
“Allowing the girl to leave was negligent. She is perhaps 12, 13, just past her woman’s day? How can she know her mind?”
“You have been given erroneous information Lady Charlotte. Sarita Kearney will be 21 on her next birth anniversary and is beginning to suffer from the failure to manifest her power. She is an intelligent, fully-grown woman, not a child at all. I do not understand how someone could have sent you out here with such poor information.”
“This is ridiculous.” She sank back in the chair and her face softened. “Simon, I have seen you in the Assembly and have respected your opinions on many issues. What is going on here? I was given the information a young female was to be handed over to a Refugio merchant and taken to Refugio against her will. I was furious and alarmed that you of all people would do this. However, your father was warned about behavior like this. Now you tell me she is a woman grown who left with her mother and uncle. How are they of Refugio? You must tell me what you have done.”
“First let me call for some refreshments, Lady Charlotte.” Simon rose and stepped to the door. He motioned to Morianan to bring the refreshments they had discussed.
“I would like for my wife to be here, as she was involved in this too.” Simon moved a small table to the side of her chair and helped Morianan place the tray of juice and cookies on it.
“Fine, I only want to find the truth. I need the full story of what has happened. Very powerful people are involved in this, Simon. There will be serious consequences, I’m afraid.” Morianan gave Simon a frightened glance.
“We were aware of the interest shown by the Bartmore and O’Brian families.” Simon held out a mug of juice so he could watch the inspector’s face when he named names. He was pleased to see she seemed to wince at the mention. Yes, she knew what was planned.
Simon and Morianan had worked out how much of the real story they would tell to protect Tony.
“You must understand Decoman Kearney has long wanted Sarita to bond with his nephew, Fergus,” Morianan explained. “Fergus’s mother too. She frequently pushed the two of them together at recreations and celebrations. Fergus, Decoman, and Deidre were the only ones who could not see that it would never do. Sarita was going to be too powerful. Fergus is a good young man, but not anywhere near as intelligent as she is. It would have been a disaster.”
Simon took up the story. “Decoman is one of our discerners and admitted to me he sent a message to Amaurot. I didn’t realize how much he misrepresented what was going on.” Simon sensed the inspector has lowered some of her defenses and was beginning to relax. He caught Morianan’s eye and smiled at her encouragingly.
“All this is well and good Simon,” the inspector said. “But the Pop Office was quite specific. Sarita was not to be allowed to leave, even if it was with her birth mother and uncle. You may have felt it was in her best interest, but the office and several people in Amaurot will not see it that way.” Charlotte looked pensive as she sipped the juice. “I will have to tell them the truth, but I will include your side of the story. There will be a hearing on this. On that I am certain, and I warn you, you’ll be inspected closely when you clear this farm. You have made some powerful enemies, Simon. I hope you realize that.”
“We do, Lady Charlotte,” Morianan said softly.
“I take the welfare of my children, all of my children, very seriously, Charlotte. I truly believed this is what was best for Sarita, and she very much wanted to go. I will stand by what I have done.” Simon rose and asked if she wished to have use of the messaging unit in his office.
“I want time to think on what you have said and compose my report. If you would allow me the use of this office for a few hours, I will be grateful.” Charlotte rose and helped Morianan gather the remains of the snack onto the tray.
“Of course, please feel free to use whatever you need.” Simon and Morianan left her standing by the window, watching the children herding the geese and goslings toward the pond.
Should you want to read the whole story…
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