Births at the Residency…
Sarita grew more uncomfortable as fall began to cool into winter. The healer midwives were pleased and said she should expect a healthy baby, probably before Nativity Feast. The older women of the family fussed over her until she was ready to flee the Residency. Marta finally put a stop to it by pointing out that there would be at least two family births before Sarita so please leave the women in peace.
Sarita was able to witness one of those births when Serept’s wife gave birth to their third child. She assured Sarita that it was hard work and if you were given to yelling, you were permitted. Sarita realized Irena was teasing her, but it was a noisy process. The baby boy was healthy and loud. Irena was exhausted—another thing she was assured was normal. She found it so different from births in Utopia.
In Utopia, only the older women attended, and the stories told about birth were a bit frightening. The mother withdrew to a birthing chamber where the midwives supervised her. Sarita’s mother Rita, a talented healer, told her they had pictures of births from the time of Thomas More that showed a dark room with lots of curtains and a huge bed where the woman was placed on pillows. They assumed this was the way births should be. The birth practices of Terra were abandoned in order to emulate More’s time. The healer midwives had worked years to find a better way since the birth was difficult when the infant came out in the mass of blankets and soft pillows. The fluids and after birth meant the coverings might be ruined and that was a lot of fabric to have to destroy. The birthing chair idea had come from Refugio. It had been found in an ancient medical book from Terra. It was so much easier and cleaner. The healers were encouraging it and it was becoming more common.
Sarita was looking forward to her turn on the birthing chair. She had the sympathy of the other women but was told to rest as much as she wanted. Advice she found very easy to follow.
***
Winter was coming. Ciudad Centro was farther north than most of Utopia and the weather showed it. The Residency walls were thick, but the wind seemed to find any small opening around the windows and doors. Sarita realized now that the heavy drapes being hung in the rooms were essential for keeping them reasonably warm. Most of the hangings were thick, pounded felt from the rough coats of the goats and long-haired grazers. Many were decorated with thread work or painted designs and pictures. The sleeping room being prepared for the birth of her baby was hung with light colored hangings and a stove was brought. It had a set of pipes that would take the smoke from the fire out of the chimney. The wide fireplace would not heat the room sufficiently according to Juan Hypath, the elderly steward. Marta had been concerned about him when she was officially recognized as being in charge of the harem. He had known she was not seriously damaged but played the game as did most of the staff. He admitted to her that it was time for him to retire anyway so he was not upset, but getting ready for the next generation of the family became his final responsibility for the family. Marta warned Sarita that he was so excited about the baby. His plans were careful and made Sarita feel very special.
***
The family gathering at Casa Pesch was crowded and happy. Ricky Pesch’s oldest son was finished with his studies at the gymnasium and his older sister had announced a joining with one of her classmates from Ser Roblies’ classes for the older students. She and Justine Berra were working on ways to build better wheels for the delivery wagons. The connection was one that would never have occurred before the women’s revolt. The Berra family was also invited, and it was a noisy and happy crowd.
“You have a glow about you that says volumes,” Sera Fernanda Pesch, welcomed them to the house. “I have had long talks with your mother, but this is the first time I have been able to welcome you to the family, Sarita. The joining of our families was a long goal of my husband, but I am much happier with the way you and Megal have done it. Come, let me introduce you to some of your relatives.” Ricky was standing nearby and leaned over to whisper to Megal.
“That is going to take a while, come with me, there are cool drinks and food,” Ricky grinned. He led the way to the central courtyard of the house where a table was spread. With cool juice in hand, he led the way to a bench near the fountain.
“I have wanted to talk to you about the decision made about my uncle and your father-in-law. Your father was very lenient,” Richy said.
“I think too lenient, to be honest Ricky, but I am biased.”
“It is good to hear it. My cousin who is my second on the hacienda says he is impossible. Any task they give him, he fouls. All he does is complain.”
“My father felt the loss of his position and banning him to the hacienda would be sufficient to encourage change. It doesn’t sound like it has.”
“No, and he keeps talking of revenge. He has been writing to my father and some of the others at the monastery. My uncle reads all of them and sends copies to Serept. They are trying to organize a rebellion, but the group is small.”
“Serept has mentioned it to me. Ser Path warned my father of rumors of plans like that. Poh Juan has also alerted us that the monks have had to punish some of the conspirators for trying to escape.”
“There is some sort of good news. My uncle Roberto Malfe is very ill. The healers said he has damaged his heart so badly, he may not survive,” Ricky said sadly. “My mother was not surprised but she thinks my aunt will be relieved.” Ricky’s cousin and head of the family, Alejandro joined them.
“I have news of that man,” Alejandro said. “Word has just come, he has joined the ancestors.”
“May the Three have mercy on his soul,” Megal said softly. “Who will succeed as family head?”
“Rumor has my sister, Lucia will be chosen. I am pleased. Of all our generation, she is the best qualified.”
“That makes three,” Megal said. The other men smiled and agreed. Three women were now head of their respective family. Change was coming, even if it was slow.
***
Megal and Sarita enjoyed the gathering. It was an opportunity to mend some broken relationships and meet members of the family who were seldom in the city. Ricky was still supervising the extensive dairy business his family’s hacienda ran. He had been expected to take over from his father as head of the family but preferred working with the animals and food production. Management of the family businesses and locations was something he gladly turned over to his cousin Alejandro.
Megal discussed what he had heard from the other men with Serept and his father. It was alarming but Francos believed it could be handled. Serept was not as confident.
“These men’s actions remind me of a diseased animal. You care for it, do what is best for it, but in its pain, it strikes at you,” Serept said. “Perhaps, you were too lenient on them, Ser Francos?”
“Perhaps, Serept, but I always hope there is reformation and redemption.”
“Alam is making life difficult for the family at the hacienda and Alejandro hinted they would rather he was moved,” Megal said. “He thought it might be best to bring him back to the city. He believed he could better monitor him here.”
“If Alejandro is willing to supervise him, I will allow it, but his gambling has to stop. I have tried for years to get that credit waste out of the city. Card playing for fun is enjoyable but once credits are involved, trouble starts.”
“Shall I send a statement to Ser Pesch?”
“I would prefer a meeting. If Alejandro agrees to the conditions, Alam will be on probation or parole if I remember the terms Ser Path uses.” This was a sensitive matter and Francos preferred face to face.
***
Alejandro agreed to a meeting with Francos to discuss the agreement about his uncle. Megal hoped Ricky was still in the city. He wanted to continue a discussion they had started but was interrupted at the party. Megal was pleased when Serept showed both the men onto the patio.
“Serept, is the new patio in the back usable?”
“It is quite safe but empty. I can have chairs brought, Ser Megal.” Megal asked Marta to order a tray to be brought to the new area.
“It is more private there and cooler than the office,” Megal explained to the visitors as he escorted them up the stairs. Serept helped Francos up after the chairs were placed. It had been created from what was left from the destruction that caused his brother’s death. Few of the family wanted to use it due to the sad memories, but Megal knew they would not be overheard there. He wanted to discuss some ideas for changes in Refugio. The view of the caldera slopes was dramatic, and the breeze was cool off the deep ravine. After tea and some tree nut cakes, Megal remembered an issue Sarita had noticed when they were reviewing the reports.
“Ricky, do the cheese curds being made here in the city cut into your credits?” Megal asked.
“No, not at all, the soft cheeses don’t travel well. In fact, it has become so popular that the couple who are making it have contacted us for more milk. Their leaving the hacienda was a loss, but I didn’t have an issue with their joining, only their fathers. The families are rivals over their milkers. It is a stupid fight that caused so much grief.”
“You can bring the milk, but not the cheese?” Francos was puzzled.
“The curds must be kept cool or pressed to make hard cheese. The milk is allowed to warm so it will form the curds. In fact, bringing it to the city helps make it.” Ricky said.
“We have all enjoyed the curds at first meal,” Francos said. “I had not considered they might impact your credits. Good point Megal.”
“Papi, it was Sarita not I who thought of it,” Megal said.
“How did we get things done without our wives?” Alejandro said laughing.
“Now, to permission for Alam to return,” Megal got down to business.
“My main concern is Alam’s problem with gambling,” Francos said. “While I don’t have an issue with playing cards or even games of chance, when credits get involved, it leads to serious problems. When Tony had the books reviewed in Trade City, he found serious shortages in what was sent to my office as compared to what was collected.”
“You have not mentioned this to my office, Ser Francos.” Alejandro said.
“No, it is in the past and Tony said the new trade would more than make up for it. That flavored cheese you sent this last trip is very popular as is the sea silk we are trading with Port.”
“Which is another thing we need to discuss,” Megal said. “We need a better way to determine the value of our trade goods.”
“That is related to the credits lost at card?” Ricky was puzzled.
“Actually, it is,” Alejandro said. “We have wooden tokens for meals and supplies but Utopia and Port do not use them. As I understand it, Utopia insists everything is jointly owned which means what the person making it wants is its value. Port uses barter based on how much they think we value something and how badly they need it. According to all I have read from Terra, our whole system is unfair and far too easy for unscrupulous people to take advantage.”
“Prince Sean said as much in one of our sessions. Sarita also said it has become a problem that some of the heads of the families consider themselves better than the rest and don’t work. Her stepfather did not allow it, but it’s a problem. Let’s get the guidelines set for Alam and then we’ll do some, what did Ser Roblies call it?” Megal said.
“Brainstorming,” Alejandro said. “Back on track, you have not changed a bit, Megal. I remember Benitos complaining that you can always see the wider implicants of any discussion. We do need to work on something for all three settlements or do we have four now?”
“Port is exploring the third land mass, without permission I’ve been told. I suspect they just could not wait any longer. The Assembly gave permission for the move but wanted them to wait until the supplies were gathered.
“What restrictions do you see needed for your uncle?” Megal said. The Pesch men suggested rules for Alam and both Megal and his father were surprised at how strict they were. After some discussion, they agreed that Alam had to accept the rules or be sent to the Casa de Penitencia. That also would be the outcome if he accepted the agreement and did not follow it.
“He has been that much trouble?” Francos said.
“Ser Francos, you have no idea, you really don’t,” Ricky said.
“As one of the security personnel said in Utopia about my cousin Donaldo, he has no one to blame but himself,” Megal said. “Knowing what I do about how Alam treated Sera Rita and her daughters, this is just.”
Francos agreed and suggested they discuss some of the other issues with Ser Roblies and others who had knowledge of Terran history. The younger men agreed and said they would make a list of likely participants. Megal suggested they meet regularly. These problems needed to be addressed if the changes were to be successful.
“I warned Prince Sean that all things change, even communities. Nothing is static. We must change if we are going to survive,” Megal said. Ricky and Alejandro agreed and said they would be in contact to set up the next meeting. Francos was pleased. His father-in-law had done Humanos Verdaderos a great service when he raised his youngest son.
***
Permission to return to the city was sent to the Pesch Hacienda but no word on whether or not Alam would accept the offer had been returned. Ricky had returned home but was busy with rounding up the spring calves to separate the male calves from the more valuable milk animals.
The male calves would be castrated and raised for meat or draft animals. Early on, the Refugio scientists had discovered the Terran bovines could be crossed with the native grazers to produce an animal they could use. The Terran bovines were subject to local diseases and had difficulty thriving on the native grass. Another bonus was that the females were good milkers. They did not need two breeds like on Terra. Utopia’s grazers were crossed with the Terran milk breeds and were not as hardy as the one developed in Refugio. Most of their milk was from the sturdy goats.
Alam confronted Ricky as he was finishing a hard day dealing with the calves. “What is the meaning of this so called agreement? Why is Alejandro in charge? Where are Joachim and Ramon? I will not be treated this way,” Alam screamed at Ricky.
“You will be treated the way you deserve to be treated, Tio Alam. No one wanted the position when my father was punished. Alejandro was best qualified and has done an excellent job. Do you accept the agreement, or do we send you to join my father and Romerie Malfe at the Casa de Penitencia?”
“You would not dare. I will have all of you sent there. Simon Path will hear of this. No one will treat me this way!”
“Ser Path helped draw up the agreement,” Ricky said. “And I want to get out of these bloody clothes. My cutting iron is still hot, shall I use it on you? Maybe you will be less aggressive if I do. I wonder.” Ricky’s wife was aiding with the castrations since she was a healer.
“Ricky, come, let the old man alone,” Rosa said as she broadcast a bit of strength to her husband. She could see he was exhausted. He used some of his animal healing psy power to keep the pain level for the calves as low as possible. Any use of psy power, especially long term like today, took a toll on the practitioner.
Alam stood in the muddy stock yard gasping as Ricky and his wife walked away. Ricky called back to him.
“Make up your mind, Tio Alam. If you don’t choose, the Overlord will choose for you, and he is not happy with you over the credits that are missing in Trade City.”
| ← Chapter 40 | Chapter 42 → |
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