A chilling discovery…
The servant said that Sera Fernanda Pesch wished to see her. Marta was surprised. She had never been close to Sera Fernanda but knew her from gatherings of the older women.
“Please take her to my office, and get a tea tray for us,” Marta said. She left her spindle with the group of women on the porch and told Bella to keep reading to them.
Fernanda’s eyes were bloodshot and puffy. “Sera Marta, thank you for receiving me. Given what has happened, it is generous of you.” She had cried much over the losses her family had experienced, as well as those that her family caused. “I have come to give my apologies for my husband’s horrid behavior — and to talk of what needs to be done to correct the sins that my birth family has sponsored.”
“You are not to blame for what your husband planned,” Marta said. “Thank the Three — my husband and the children are recovering. Your loses were far worse.” She bid the steward to put the tray close to them and poured her guest a mug of mint tea. The aroma of the herb calmed her and seemed to calm Fernanda. “I had not heard of any involvement of the House Malfe in the incident at the Cathedral. I know your nephew Romerie has caused some problems for the Overlord these last few weeks. What are you referring to?”
“Romerie demanded to talk to my eldest son Ricky yesterday. He believed Ricky to now be the head of the family, but now Alejandro is, by vote of the senior men. Alejandro called me in to hear what Romerie had to say. Romerie was shocked that I was there. He has no idea if his wives or his mother are not damaged. He said he needed to ensure that the family Pesch would continue to support the work he had been doing as Keeper of the Blood. My family were the technicians who ran the machines that identified the genetic patterns to ensure any infant was pure human. What Romerie, and others who proceeded him have done, is evil.” Fernanda’s eyes filled with tears. “We have lost so many children because of this evil thing they have done.”
Marta was taken aback. This was not what she had expected. “Sera Fernanda, I think what you are about to tell me should be heard by Francos. The Poh was here today and talked to him about something they have been researching. Let me see if Francos has awakened.”
“Marta, please, we women must fix this.” Fernanda wiped the tears from her face. “The men and their stupid craving for power caused all the women of Refugio grief. How many of our children were smothered by the priests? We cannot trust them to fix this. Remember when our grandmothers discovered the trance? The women protected themselves, but they could not make the men understand and change.”
“Fernanda, what have they done?”
“There is no machine to test the genes of a newborn. The Keepers condemn a child based on how the child looks, or worst of all, from which family the child comes. That is why we have more women than men and each must marry more than one. It was not that way before we were stranded. We must stop this killing of our children, Marta. We must, just like our mothers stopped the brain damage.” Fernanda slumped over and again began to weep. “I have lost four sons and four grandsons to the Keepers. It must stop.”
Marta was shocked. “I will not do this without Francos and Megal, Fernanda.” She too had lost sons, but never daughters. The Keepers said women were more susceptible to the blow back from the male manifestation. It was the reason for having more than one wife, according to the Keepers.
“Francos is aware of the gender imbalance,” Marta said, “thanks to help from Megal’s new wife. Sarita did a study of the numbers and saw a problem. I believe the Poh has read her study and plans to investigate. Your information will be essential for what needs to be done. Please, Fernanda, you must speak with Francos about the lack of machines.”
“Perhaps. But first, you must spread the word over our net about what has been revealed. You are considered the senior. You are recognized and trusted. Let the other women know. If you do this, I will speak to the Overlord about the machines.”
Marta turned away and began composing an announcement over the women’s network. She sent the message, took Fernanda’s hand, and they walked together to the sick room.
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