A son’s demand, a father’s dilemma…
Hearing an exchange of voices in the hall as the men left, Francos probed the hall and found his uncle, his father-in-law and his son had arrived. Megal entered the office and bowed to his father. Francos greeted Carlos Bethal and Tuban Morales. Francos again marveled at how much Megal resembled his mother. His coloring was so like hers, but he was a man now, not a boy. He moved with grace and physical confidence.
“I have come to discuss what must be done, Father. I know I have a duty to the family.”
Francos motioned the men to gather around a small conference table at the end of the room. It held a monitor and data board where they could consult the genealogy lists. When they were seated, he turned to his son.
“Thank you. It will make it easier. I will not force anyone you find distasteful on you. I have been searching the birth records of women currently of age. It must be your choice, but I will allow you free choice.” Francos moved to his data board and called up his notes on the display.
“Father, I too have searched the lists.” Megal leaned back in his chair, gripped the arms, and took a deep breath. “There is only one House whose women are known to be strong enough so I can be assured she will survive our joining. That is House Pesch.”
Francos’ anger flared. The House Pesch was their strongest rival for the Trono Donado. If he did not have a grandson, the most likely candidate was Emiliano Pesch or his eldest son, Joachim Pesch who was known to have sons. He began the mental exercise the Keepers had taught him during his penance for his son’s injury. It was getting easier to control his temper, but this was not the answer he wanted.
“Please understand, Francos.” Megal’s grandfather Carlos sighed. “The healers have assured Megal that with proper coaching he can control his power. But he insists he must have a woman whose family is known for experiencing strong power. I have discussed it with him at length, but he is adamant.”
Francos’ uncle spoke up softly. “Their women are called sponge witches for good reason. They drain power from their men to such an extent that Pesch must give a dowry to get them accepted, instead of asking for a dowry. Many men have suffered what you did and found a later encounter with a bonded woman to be safe and even pleasurable.”
“I do not believe the House Pesch has any women currently of age,” Francos said. “However, the birth lists show females born, and a few denied by the Keepers.” He turned to his display and called up the registry of the Houses. He found the mental activity helped him calm his raging temper. “They have not registered any if they do. There is no requirement to register, but since they have problems bonding them out, they may not find it advantageous to list.” As he spoke, Francos sent a mental probe to test how strong his son’s conviction was. The probe came up against a wall. “You are convinced this is the only way, Megal?”
“Father, I will accept only a woman with the ability to absorb as much power as possible. I will not cause a death again. Blocking a probe has become automatic with me. Please do not be angry. I am telling you the truth. It must be a woman of Pesch.”
Francos knew others who were able to block telepathic probing. Megal had superb mental control. If only Megal could be convinced that he had it. “We will make inquiries, Megal. If there is no woman of age, what would you have us do?”
“Even if the woman is not of the pure line, I would have her — even a daughter of the harem or even of a bought woman. As far as it is Pesch.” Megal looked at his father with pleading eyes. His mother’s eyes, brown mixed with flecks of green and gold, rimmed in black lashes as thick as if accented with kohl, eyes that Francos in his guilt could not refuse.
“We will inquire Megal, but discretely.” Francos turned to his uncle. “Tio Tuban, have you a suggestion as to a broker we can trust to accomplish this?”
“I believe Broker Dol Stein would be an excellent choice. Shall I approach him, or should it be done by Carlos?”
“Carlos, would you be willing to approach Pesch? I do not believe they would be open to a representative of mine. There is a little matter of the trade envoy in Northwest Trade City and a tariff credit that never reached the treasury.”
“I will approach Broker Stein. Megal’s cousin Alberto has spoken about wanting a second wife. It will be an appropriate cover.”
Francos turned to his son, “Megal, I must ask you to take your place here in the Residence. There are duties you will need to learn as First Successor. You will also be besieged by Keepers and men of the Council Houses offering daughters. It is well known you are still unbonded.” Francos smiled ruefully. “You will be safer from ambitious fathers here.”
“I understand, Father. I brought my things from Abeulo’s.” Megal looked more at ease. As the older men were shown out of the office, Megal embraced his grandfather and bid his great uncle a good evening.
“Come Megal, I have a problem I wish to discuss with you,” Francos said. “Since you have chosen Pesch and it concerns them, I would have your thoughts on it.” Francos motioned his son to bring his chair around to the display. Sometime later, Serept found them deep in conversation about the collection of tariffs and the trade with Utopia.
***
The older men walked out of the Residence and down the steep street toward their homes in the city. “He took it well. Better than I had expected,” Tuban Morales said to his old friend Carlos. “Perhaps my nephew is learning some wisdom. It is about time.”
“He succeeded far too early. Your brother’s death was most unfortunate. What do you think of this alliance with Pesch? There are precedents, are there not?”
“Not many, but there is an example of dealing with the power. Alam Nanna Pesch was married to one of their women in hopes it would drain off some of his power. From what I have heard, it did not work. His father was not Pesch, so they bonded him to one of his stepsisters.”
“Ah, yes, I remember the scandal over the gambling debts. He is one of the worst broadcasting telepaths I have ever encountered. And to think he is not aware of it!”
“He refuses to accept what the rest of the world can hear. He is convinced he is the most astute card player ever born in Refugio and no one can convince him otherwise. A fool of the first order. We are better off with him among the farmers.”
“A pity his wife is Pesch,” Tuban said. “I have heard he has daughters bonded into several families. It would seem a good match for Megal.”
“Let us hope then that he has daughters, since it seems none of the family here have women of the right age or at least have not registered them if they do. I must seek out Broker Stein, so he can begin. Will you join me for dinner, Tuban? About dusk?”
“Thank you, about dusk.”
Should you want to read the whole story…
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