Chapter 55

A painful confession…

“I tell you we must see the Overlord.” Ricky had bullied his way past the Residence staff but had been blocked by Tuban Morales.

“You were at the ceremony, Ser Pesch. You saw him hit. He is still weak and recovering. Perhaps in a few days.” Tuban did not want the son of the most likely replacement for Francos to get more information about his condition than was public.

“Please, Ser Morales, we have vital information about the attack that we must give directly to the Overlord.” Alejandro bowed as to the head of his own house.

Tuban realized these young men might indeed have something important to say. “One moment, let me see if he is awake,” Tuban entered the sleeping chamber to find his nephew sitting up and finishing a hearty meal with help from his senior wife.

“Who is there? Did I hear someone asking to see me?” Francos was obviously feeling better.

“Young Enrico Pesch, and that fellow they nominated for Poh. They claim they have information you must have quickly.”

“Interesting, please show them in. Marta, perhaps the tray should be moved.” Marta shook her head at his fastidiousness. Ricky and Alejandro entered, bowed, and dropped to their knees a distance from the bed. Francos was startled.

Alejandro spoke first as the new head of the family. “Ser Francos, we come asking your forgiveness for family Pesch.” Ricky then recounted what they had heard from his father. He explained that Alejandro was now head of the family and his father was on his way to Casa de Penitencia.

Francos resorted to deep breathing. How dare Emiliano endanger not just the other families, but his own? At least three members of the Pesch family were on the list of the dead he had seen this morning. He concentrated on calming himself. These young men had humiliated themselves by kneeling before him. They were obviously worried about his reaction.

Alejandro explained that after the family meeting, Emiliano’s brothers had confronted him and in his inebriated state, he had admitted what Ricky reported. His wife and servant packed some essentials for him and sent him off to the monastery the church used as a place of penance. No one in the family objected.

Francos called to Serept to bring chairs and told the two kneeling men to rise and be seated.

“The family council also agreed this was the proper punishment for what he had done,” Alejandro said. “We also know that we will owe indemnities to all the families of the dead. We will request the help of the Ser Path to determine what we will owe.”

“Do you know who did the actual shooting? We have two in custody, but they are not talking,” Francos had a report the men were well known to the security forces. “There is some indication they ran with El Canalla.”

“That is the information we have been given,” Ricky said. “My father paid them in food and woolen cloth.” Ricky was upset that much of the cheese he had produced for sale this year was given to the gang. The samples he had tasted were excellent. He had looked forward to saving a wheel or two for his own family.

“There may be more repercussions than owing the death fee, Alejandro. Ser Path is a good choice, but know his senior wife was hit with one of the poisoned darts. While she is alive, she is still very ill,” Francos did more of the management exercises because he could sense his own anger growing. These young men should not be the target of his anger, but the anger was there. “Some of his staff will be able to begin the assessment but be ready for the anger.

“Do you have any idea why Emiliano went to such lengths? I know he had always wanted to replace me on the throne, but to kill members of his own family in the sacred space, in church,” Francos closed his eyes and breathed deeply to calm himself. Ricky and Alejandro both watched in alarm. The Overlord’s temper was legendary.

“Don’t be afraid,” Francos said softly. “After Benitos’ injury, I was forced to learn to control my temper. It is not easy, but after Marianel’s death I knew I had to master it. My example had disastrous consequences.” He motioned to Serept to bring him his communicator. “Alejandro, I will make an announcement that you are assuming leadership of the family Pesch. I know of your acumen as a manager. It will be well for your family. Ricky, I am impressed with your courage and truthfulness. Our community has need of young people like you.”

“Pray that we soon find Megal and Sarita, your cousin. So far, we have no word on where they are or how they got there.”

Rita came into the room with another cup of the sleeping drink. “Francos, I warned you not to overtire yourself,” She stopped and looked at the young men. “Ricky, son of Fernanda. And Alejandro, son of Benita. Am I correct?”

Ricky smiled at her. “Tia Rita, you are correct.”

Francos held out his hand for the cup. “Alejandro is now head of the family Pesch. I will drink that nasty stuff if I must. You see what we face, now that we know what has been going on in the harems, mi hermanos? We will never have a moment’s rest.” The young men rose and bowed grinning. Serept showed them out.