The Charm

Chapter 2 - Genesee

Chapter 2

Genesee

“Dai, I’m ready to be sold.”

It seemed like eons ago when Genesee ii Duuru made that decision, when in fact it had been less than a month. She remembered when her mother turned from the stove where she was fixing their supper, and gave her only child a strange but sad look. She didn’t ask Genesee if she was certain. She didn’t question her in any way. All she did was turn back to slicing vegetables and placing them into the pot of boiling water.

Laying aside the glass rose she was sculpting, Genesee arose and walked over to the viewing port and gazed out into the vast darkness punctuated with color. A bright orange nebula arched overhead. A pale blue sun glowed to the far right. Gliding below and barely visible from this angle was the Speranta, Crede's sister ship. Along with the others in their caravan, they were in the middle of some galaxy. A galaxy that looked like all the other countless star systems they'd passed through during her twenty-five solar cycles.

And yet, this galaxy was different. As soon as they had exited hyperspace, she'd felt its tug on her psyche. It seemed to call to her. Tried to draw her toward it. Almost begged for her attention. A field of nearly tangible misery seemed to seep through the impenetrable hull and fold itself around her. Its thickness made it nearly impossible to breathe.

Closing her eyes, she forced herself to concentrate. Gradually, the sensation eased enough to where she was no longer suffocating. Another minute, and she was back in control of herself.

She went directly to the main bridge where she found her father bent over as he checked the main sensors on the navigation console. Jala ii Duuru sensed her presence and straightened to greet her with a smile. The moment he saw the expression on her face, his smile dropped slightly.

"It's rare to see you here, my rose."

Genesee glanced around at the otherwise empty room. Before she could ask, he responded.

"We are in the middle of a shift change. Middee and Lass are due to relieve me shortly. I told Falbon he could go ahead and leave." He tilted his head. "What brings you on board?"

"I can feel it. Them. I mean, I can feel them." She stumbled with her words, unable to clearly explain what she meant, but it appeared her father understood.

"Chey, do you hear them?" he softly inquired.

She nodded. "But not as voices. I feel... There is sadness. Despair. Hopelessness."

Her father sighed. "We are due to arrive on Roh Torom in less than two days. Let me know if the voices grow louder as we approach."

"I will. Dadro, is this unusual?"

"Unusual how?"

"I mean, to be heading for a planet, and having one of us called while we approach?"

He smiled, his eyes softening with love. "Most of the time, we follow a pre-ordained route given to us by the chief. We received a call for help from Roh Torom, and fortunately it was on the route." He snorted lightly. "Or perhaps the Elder Mother was aware the planet would send us a message, and designated our course with them in mind. Have you told your mother?"

"Yes. She’s fixing dinner."

"Good. Return home. I will join you shortly." Walking over to her, he placed his hands on either side of her face and kissed her forehead. "You are ready."

"I've been ready," she reminded him with a wistful smile.

"Yes, you have. All you lacked was your purpose. Now...now it appears you have found it." He kissed her forehead a second time, then patted her on the shoulder. "Go."

Without answering, Genesee left the bridge, passing through the observation room to pick up her crystalline piece on her way to their quarters.

Upon her return, she found her mother setting the table, but her movements were slow, her eyes filled with tears. "Once you said you were ready, we knew this time was imminent."

"I hear so much sadness. It's like thousands of voices crying out loud." At the sight of her mother's tears, she felt her own face go hot as her vision blurred. "I want to help."

"It is our way. It is your heritage. You are blessed, and you can bring them those blessings."

"If they allow," Genesee amended.

"That is true. If they allow. Too many times we have tried to help those desperate and in need, only to be turned away. If such a thing should happen to you, don't fight it. Accept their denial."

"If they do deny my help, will the sound of their sadness go away?"

It took her mother several moments before she replied. "Eventually." Giving her daughter a hug, she ordered, "Go set the table. Your father is always ravenous when he gets off duty. Have you told him yet?"

"Yes. I was on the observation deck. He was closest."

"Does he know where your feelings are from?"

"He said it was a small planet called Roh Torom. We are due to dock there in less than two days."

Her mother's eyes widened. "So soon?"

"Yes, that soon." Jala strode in, pausing by a small tier of shelves inset in a corner to set a few items on the lower one. Without looking, Genesee would know one of those items he'd leave behind would be his communications band. Once his shift was over, he was adamant about spending the rest of his time with his family, rather than remain on call.

"What's for dinner? I’m starved."

They ate in relative silence, speaking little, and none of it pertaining to their next stop. It wasn't until they were finished, and Genesee got up to clear off the table, when her mother grasped her arm and gestured toward the living area.

"Come."

Wordlessly, Genesee followed her mother over to the sofa and sat beside her as her father made himself comfortable in the overstuffed chair across from them. "I have already asked for an audience with the chief regarding Roh Torom," he began, watching his daughter. "I will inform him that you felt a calling."

"What if another was called?"

Her mother laid a hand on her thigh. Genesee could feel its warmth through her skirt's thin material. "No, my child. Only you. Jala, tell us what we know about this world."

"There is a series of small, out-of-the-way planetoids circling a yellow dwarf star called Torom. The fourth and fifth bodies are inhabited, Roh being the inner planet. Once we achieve orbit, we will take the shuttle down to the town of Goddenslau. It's the largest populated port. That's where we'll put you up for sale."

"What if I fail?" Genesee voiced her doubts.

The hand on her thigh tightened its grip. "You won't fail," her mother assured her. "You already feel their despair, right?"

Genesee nodded.

"Then you have already succeeded."

Taking a deep breath, she looked to her father. "For one solar cycle, correct?"

"Correct. You will remain with them for one of their solar cycles. At the end of that time, we will return for you."

“Is there anything I need to do to prepare before we get there?” Genesee question.

Her mother patted her knee. “Until then, just listen to the voices. They will help guide you.”

When they arrived two days later, and the caravan was placed in orbit around the small planet, Genesee was called before the gypsy chief. Standing in front of the man, whom she’d known all her life, she tried to remain calm, taking on a stoic expression she’d practiced in front of the mirror. But inside she was nervous and quaking. To help steel herself, she clasped her arms around her middle.

Zellan smiled warmly. “Little Genesee, you have grown into a beautiful young woman.”

“Thank you.” She dipped her head slightly to honor him.

“I’ve been told you’ve declared yourself ready to be sold.”

“I have,” she confirmed. “I am.”

“This meeting is only a formality,” the older man stated. “It is my duty to remind you of your obligations, and to make sure you completely understand them.”

She quickly glanced around the small cabin where the chief held audience. Other than a few Elders and her parents, there was no one else present.

“Swear to me, Genesee, that you will uphold your duties as a Charm, those duties being as follows. First, you will be fair and equal to all who approach you.”

“I will.”

“Secondly, you will not cause harm unless harmed yourself.”

“I will.”

“Good. And finally, you will take no recompense for your actions. You will not be swayed by power or money, or any other promise in order to gain your favor. Do you swear by this?”

“I do.”

The man stood and held out his arms, and she happily walked into his embrace. A quick buss on both cheeks, and he stepped away to gaze directly into her eyes. “Go with my blessing.”

She thanked him and left the room, going directly to the shuttle bay. Before she reached the double pressurized doors, she spotted a familiar figure leaning against the bulkhead, his arms crossed over his chest. The look on his face did not bode well.

“I’m leaving, Borol.”

“I heard…from others. Not from you. Why, Genesee? Why couldn’t you at least give me the courtesy of telling me to my face that you were leaving?” Undoing his arms, he approached her, hands out, as if to take hold of hers. Genesee halted, keeping her distance. Borol saw her reluctance, and his frown deepened. “You promised to marry me.”

“No.” She held up a hand to stop him from proceeding. “I did nothing of the sort. I was promised to you.”

“Our parents signed a contract,” the young man clarified. “You were going to become my wife at the advent of your twenty-fifth solar year. Your twenty-fifth birthing day is fast approaching.”

She met him frown for frown. “What are you trying to say?”

“I’m saying I find it very suspicious that you would decide now that you’re ready to sell yourself.”

He was challenging her, daring her to contradict him. To tell him his suspicions were wrong. Sadly, they weren’t, but truthfully, their impending nuptials only played a minor part in her decision. Regardless, she refused to accede.

“I have been thinking a lot these past few months about my duty, Borol, when I felt my abilities strengthening. I hear the voices. I sense their pain. Have you been paying attention to Zellan’s speeches these past few weeks?”

Borol made a disparaging sound. “That old vaida spouts so much propaganda, it’s hard to tell when he’s telling the truth, and when he’s blowing things out of proportion.”

She felt her face flush with anger. “Then I strongly suggest you listen harder to our chief. Our people are in dire straits. We’re running very low on funds.”

“Did he ask you to sell yourself?” Borol interrupted.

“No,” she firmly replied. “He did not ask me. He did not imply that I should.”

“Did your parents?”

She was galled by his audacity, but held her tongue. “I volunteered of my own free will.”

Borol pressed his lips together. She could tell he wanted to ask her to reconsider, but he already knew it was too late. Once Zellan gave her his blessing, the deal was sealed. And, short of extenuating circumstances, there was no backing out. And she knew as well as he did that a promise of marriage was not one of those circumstances.

The young man let out a long sigh of defeat. “I will be here when you return. You can take that reassurance with you.”

She hung her head. “If you wish.”

“Yes, I so wish.”

He moved toward her and took her by the arms. She raised her face to accept his perfunctory kiss, but gave him no other sign of affection because she felt none. She’d never had any romantic feelings for this man-child she’d known all her life. When she was six solar years, her parents had selected him to be her husband, and the contract had been signed by both families. Yet she’d never felt anything other than friendship for the man. Unfortunately, among those in the tribe, most marriages didn’t require an emotional attachment.

Truthfully, she’d known she would be planet-side when her twenty-fifth birthing day came around. Although she regretted not being able to be with her family at that memorable time, she simply wasn’t ready to become Borol’s wife.

He stepped away, allowing her to enter the docking bay without any further word. Genesee breathed a sigh of relief as the door closed behind her.

Her mother was waiting for her. She could already tell the woman had been crying, and the realization of what she was about to do stared baldly back at her. After exchanging kisses, her mother hugged her as they both tried to hold back further tears.

“I know you packed yourself, but I placed a few extra items in there to help you remember us by,” Maora whispered with a hitch in her voice.

“Thank you, Dai.”

The woman caressed her daughter’s cheek and gave her a sad but beautiful smile. “Be well and happy, Chey. I will rejoice on the day you return to us.” Handing Genesee a needlepoint bag containing her clothes and other accouterments, the woman remained where she stood and watched her daughter enter the small two-seater where her father already sat buckled up behind the controls.

The man raised an eyebrow at her. “Take a seat. Are you ready?”

She knew he wasn’t asking if she was ready to leave. He was asking if she was prepared for this new journey in her life. Genesee nodded. “Yes, Dadro.”

Yes, she was prepared. She was also terrified, but she would never admit it. She’d taken that first step, and now she had no choice but to find her destiny.