Chapter 37

A conclave of confusion, a major loss, a major win…

    The procession of Keepers and priests slowly filed into the auditorium. The conclave to elect the new Poh was beginning. The service held in the main sanctuary had been crowded, and Francos remembered the issue of a new, larger church had been addressed during the last general meeting of the Iglesia Humanos Verdaderos.

    He and Megal joined the other family groups in their assigned area. Only family heads could vote in each Council family, but many of the Unspoken family groups attended. He was surprised at the size of their section of the auditorium. He noticed there were few dampers in the crowd — or at least few who wore their damper colors openly.

    The Senior Keeper rose from his chair next to the empty, black draped throne of the Poh. He placed his hand on the shoulder of a younger man seated on a small stool and addressed the gathering. He spoke about the seriousness of the conclave as well as the need for all to seek the advice of the Three as they made these decisions. The younger man was his amplifier. His own voice was weak and the psy ability of projection from the younger man allowed him to speak to the whole room. Francos found it ironic that while the church condemned the growing psy powers of the people, they were perfectly willing to make use of those same powers.

    Megal had learned from Ser Roblies that on Terra there were electronic systems that accomplished this, but those on Higgins did not have a means to make them now. Before they were stranded on Higgins, their technology was sophisticated. He warned that it was not something to be angry about, but something to work toward regaining.

    “Who is worthy to take his place as the leader of our church?” The Senior Keeper of the church called out ceremoniously.

    “No one,” the crowd answered.

    “Someone must be chosen. Who among us is willing to admit his unworthiness and place his name in consideration?”

    Romerie Malfe rose and stepped to the front of his group of Keepers. “I am willing to take on the duties.”

    Francos heard Emiliano Pesch gasp and saw him lean to say something to his oldest son. Alejandro Mendoza Pesch, a junior member of the family Pesch rose from among the family group. “I also place my name before the church.” Francos found it bold of the family to offer a non-cleric for the position. As far as he knew, no lay person had ever held the role.

    A group of younger Keepers were quietly urging one of their number to step forward. Megal identified a devout younger cleric, Juan Garza, for his father. Garza taught church history and theology when Megal was in the gymnasium. Ser Roblies talked to him, his hand pushing him on. Juan had been a favorite teacher at the gymnasium and was someone Megal respected.

    “I am not worthy of this honor, but I will place my name before the people.” Garza said. He was a good speaker and his voice carried across the room. He bowed his head to the Senior Keeper.

    The Senior Keeper repeated the names of the three and demanded that if anyone knew a reason these men were not worthy, they should now speak. There was a low chatter among the family Pesch, but the head of the family shut it down with a stern glance.

    The Senior Keeper called each of the men to his side. He said they were to make a short statement as to why they sought this position and warned that the Three in One knew what was in their hearts. Romerie Malfe cautioned that the purity of their people was at risk, and he alone could protect the Humanos Verdaderos from the contamination of both the Utopians and the pirates. His followers cheered when he was done. Alejandro Pesch spoke of his management skills and service to his family’s businesses. He stressed his experience would be needed as the church grew, especially managing funds to build the new cathedral. His family group sent a round of applause when he stepped back.

    Juan Garza bowed his head for a moment before he began. “We are not the people we were when we landed on this planet. We have changed and the change is such that we must accept it is from the Three. We have been blessed with the generosity of the Utopians and have with the help of the Three made our home here. I put my poor skills before you as one who loves all of you and all those who have been placed here. I am a teacher, and with your help and support, we can learn who we have become, who we will be, and work for the glory of the creator of the universe who gave us these gifts.” His words were met with a stillness and then applause from all sides of the room.

    “Consider well what has been said,” the Senior Keeper said. “We all seek the will of the Three in One. We will vote in silence and in prayer.” He sat down on his formal chair next to the empty throne.

    Francos felt a mental intrusion. A compulsive was trying to influence him. It was clumsily done, as it seemed to be coming from many minds. Megal sensed it too and began look around. Many people were realizing they were being mentally invaded. Many had the same ability Megal had developed and shut themselves off quickly. The blocking of minds had an immediate effect. Across the crowd, individuals cried out, some fainted, others gasped in pain. Across the room, at least a dozen individuals were ill.

    Attendants from the medical service rushed around the room treating the fallen. Francos whispered to Megal to find out who the stricken were. The stricken were carried out of the main room and the officiating priest commented that any who might be eligible to vote would be given the opportunity when they recovered. The election began over the objections of several members of the Pesch family. They wanted it postponed until all were able to vote. The Senior Keeper pointed out that most of those removed from the room were staff or servants of the voting members. He had just said they would be able to vote if eligible — had Ser Pesch not listened? Emiliano Pesch turned angrily to his oldest son, who rose and left the room out the same door as the stretchers.

    “May the Three in One send his healing grace to these few,” the Senior Keeper said. “Let us begin the vote in silence, please.” At his words, acolytes hurried to set up a table with writing materials and a large, closed box in front of the dais. The clerics began forming a line and a murmur of conversation began across the room.

    “There will be silence.” The Senior Keeper rapped his crosier on the platform and the murmuring stopped.

    The clerics formed a line that moved quickly as they voted. As Overlord, Francos rose and took his place at the back of that line. Emiliano Pesch joined him and attempted to whisper to him. Francos ignored him, as the Senior Keeper was watching them. He saw other house heads joining them and realized how many others were waiting. The number of householders among the Unspoken had grown since he last had a count. Like the many unaffiliated in the city, change was happening whether or not they noticed. The householders were allowed a vote at the insistence of the clergy. Many of the Council of Houses had protested at first, but the clerics overruled them. All needed to be represented when major matters were decided. The leaders of the church rose and gathered around the Senior Keeper. They were conferring softly. The Senior Keeper rose from his chair and rapped his crosier on the floor to get everyone’s attention.

    “It is the decision of the Keepers that because of the number of votes that must be counted, an announcement of who will be the next Poh will be made at the morning service tomorrow,”

    “I object, Ser Mendoza,” said Emiliano Pesch. “Who will oversee the counting of these ballots?” He pushed past Francos and turned to him as if asking for support. “Ser Morales, this must be observed. We cannot allow the church to count them alone. There may be bias. It has always been done here, at the conclave.”

    The Senior Keeper rapped the butt of his crosier on the stage floor again. “Ser Pesch, you question the honesty of our clergy? One who questions another’s honesty is often the first to be dishonest. I have already begun an investigation concerning the number of compulsives just carried from this space.”

    Francos worked hard to keep his satisfaction at Pesch’s humiliation by the Senior Keeper from his expression. It was clear that he was suspicious the attempt to influence the vote had been by Pesch. The Senior Keeper saw the call for compulsives just as he had. Emiliano had been too confident.

    Francos realized he was nearly at the moment to vote. Even without Megal’s endorsement, he knew who would get his vote. He had made up his mind when the young man has spoken. Juan Garza shared his concern for the people.

***

    Marta invited Francos to dinner again, much to his pleasure. He had not realized how he missed her.

    “There are several things we need to discuss before we eat, Fran. Do you remember Gabriella? We call her Gabby. She was that third wife your father insisted you take.”

    “Uh, no, I really don’t. Wait, the beautiful baby girl, with the blue eyes, her mother?”

    “Francos, I am embarrassed for you. Bacillia would be very upset. Gabby was her favorite.”

    “No need to bring my mother into this, Marta. All I remember is a silly young teenager who was afraid of me. What about her?”

    “She wants her freedom.” Marta handed him a cup of warmed spiced cider. He knew it was a distraction, because he loved it, and she knew exactly how to mix it for him. “She has been here for almost twenty years, and you have not asked about her once since Isabella was born. She would like to return to her home and help care for her mother. She is not too old to consider remarrying if you set her free.”

    “There is the politics of that, but both my father and her grandfather are dead. What does her brother say?”

    “Her sister-in-law has asked me if she can come for an extended visit. Her mother is not well and there are few women left in that harem. Her brother likely does not even know who she is.”

    “That does not speak well for either of us. Let her go, Marta. If she finds a new husband, have them let me know and I will get the separation papers drawn up. Wait, how would she find a husband if her brother did not arrange it? Are you women doing that too?”

    “Calm down, Fran. On the haciendas there are many opportunities for unmarried men and women to meet. Just because she is from a spoken family does not mean she cannot find someone for herself.”

    “And I thought I understood our society quite well. Seems I am unaware of many things.” Francos wondered what else his new understanding might reveal. So far, he was certain he needed to have a talk with Serept about his network of information. They had missed a lot.

    “Now, about this girl you are working on for Megal. Who is she?” Marta began clearing the small table for the dinner tray. “You have said she is from a Council House. Not many have daughters of the correct age.”

    “Ha, at least there is something I have kept from the ladies.” Marta laughed in reply. “You may know her mother, Rita Pesch. She was married to Alam Nanna Pesch.”

    Marta gasped. “A daughter of Pesch. Does Emiliano know of this?”

    “So far, no, he knows we seek a woman born in the Trade City of a Council House, but not much more. The family thinks that Rita died in childbirth years ago.”

    “Yes, I remember Rita.” Marta accepted the dinner tray and chatted as she set up dinner. “Such a scandal! The idea of their marrying her to a member of the family but not of the blood. She was training as a healer and her dowery was not high, but something happened and suddenly, she was bonded with Alam and later shipped off to Utopia.”

    “Alam has been a terrible trade representative,” Francos said, shaking his head. “But fortunately, his younger brother Antonio, a blood relative, is his deputy and he knows what he is doing. He found Rita was alive and living among the Utopians. Between them they have offered up her youngest daughter, Sarita. Megal has been adamant his mate has to be a woman of Pesch, so he does not have a repeat of the incident at the hacienda.”

    “That was tragic. Megal will adjust, but I wonder if Sarita will?”

    Francos addressed his dinner. “Time will tell, mi corazón, time will tell.” Marta knew exactly how he liked his food. What a fool he had been! The physical side of marriage was not to be dismissed. He did not realize how much he missed, until his first and oldest wife basically seduced him after dinner last night. Well, she knew him best.

***

    Dawn brought a loud booming sound across Refugio that awakened Francos and Marta.

    “So, they have counted the votes,” Francos sighed. “If the Three in One sent grace as requested, Juan was elected.”

    “You support this young man?” Marta commented from the window. “My grandmother talked of the bells they had in the old church back on Terra. She so wished we could make some instead of having to use the drums. I understand we have tried but casting the metal to get the correct shape and sound needs an artist. One of many skills we have not recovered.”

    “Megal speaks highly of Juan Garza,” Francos said, “and his speech before the conclave was dramatic and convinced me. I am not sure it convinced many of the council.” His communicator buzzed. “It is well, Marta. I will now have some support to make the changes needed. Will you help me, mi corazón?”

    “Will you listen Fran, really listen?”

    “If I want my people to survive on this trampa of a planet, I must have the help of all the people. You have shown me something I had not dreamed existed, a network among our wives and women. I must listen.” Francos took her hands in his and gently kissed her. “Only a fool does not learn from his mistakes. I do not want to continue to be a such a fool.”

***

    Megal dished up his food from the bowls on the tray from the common kitchen. “Papi, have you heard from Captain Okapie? I was searching on the information net and found a paper written by S. Kearney of Family Kearney. I had been told that women in Utopia are educated but this was very well done. I do not agree with her conclusions but, I am looking forward to meeting this woman.” He sat at the small dining table in the office.

    Francos had to laugh. He thought of his evenings that week and how much he enjoyed the company of Marta. “That is where they have it all over us. We need to recognize that what they realized many years ago also happened here. Our women do not have to be brain damaged by the first experience.” He was relieved. He had worried that Megal, having grown up with his brothers’ attitude toward women, would not accept what they both were learning. “So, you think you will find a companion in this woman of Utopia?”

    “Yes, I believe she may be a partner, not just a brood mare.”

    Francos was a bit shocked by the term, but when he glanced at his son, he saw the grin on his face.

    “You say change is needed, Papi. It seems it will begin with me.”

    “Not just you, Mijo. I am ashamed of how much I have overlooked in my own family. Marta is anxious for this young woman to come. Serept told me there had been a large storm, so that may have slowed them. All we can do is be patient.”

***

    “Ser Francos, a message has come from Captain Okapie. They are several days out, but Ser Pesch is with him, as is his party. Shall I notify the House Pesch?” A messenger had brought the message and given it to a guard.

    “No, please notify Lady Marta and Serept.” Francos was annoyed that the message had not been better protected. Spies were everywhere. However, it was only a matter of time before the House Pesch learned of the arrangement.

    The messenger paused and looked puzzled. “Ser, how am I to notify Sera Marta in the harem?”

    “Just let Serept know.” Francos was surprised at how quickly he had included Marta, forgetting that most of the people still believed the harem women to be brain damaged. He needed to watch what he said until it worked its way into the general population. Perhaps he really didn’t have to make announcements for the change to happen. Maybe all they needed was to start.

    “Megal, there is news,” Francos called to his son in the back office. “Captain Okapie has messaged he is on his way. I make it about seven days.”

    “Finally, Papi. I would be lying if I said I was not very nervous about meeting this woman.”

    “So was I, when I first married Marta, and with your mother too,” Francos said with a laugh. “Your mother made me very nervous because she was so young. I really did not want a second wife, but my father insisted, as it was with Bethal. He and Carlos were good friends and wanted the political connection. That led to a third wife, but again, she was so young. Your mother assured me Gabriella was willing. Your mother was wise beyond her years, Mijo. When I lost your mother, it was… I was wrong in what I did. Time has showed me how wrong I was. I hope you and Sarita will have the closeness I have with Marta. But, yes, it is normal to be nervous.”