Alacem and Astradem Ukinix - Patriarchy
Wil Ukinix
((Flashback – Ninth House Estate, Araraniax Village outskirts, Arandel, Betazed -
2341))
Astradem Ukinix, the fourth child and only son of the Ninth House of Betazed, the House of Agriculture (formerly the House of Wealth) walked down from his suite to find his father
in the main entrance of the estate. He was holding a strange thin pole that had a large, rounded protrusion at the end.
He made his way down the marble staircase, watching as his father inspected the strange object.
Astradem: ~~Father?!~~
Alacem Ukinix spun on one foot with a curious yet arrogant stare, before a wicked smile almost split his face in half.
Alacem: Ah! Astradem, my one and only son.
::Gesturing:: Come, come. We must have a discussion.
The youngest Ukinix son made his way towards his father.
He realised hadn’t seen him in person in just under a month.
The tight salt and pepper ringlets in his father’s mop of a hairstyle looked bigger than he remembered.
He also noticed that his father’s greying beard was also thicker than usual.
It was mangy, but in a stylish way.
With his slight pot belly almost hidden by his perfectly tailored red suit, the beard made the elder Ukinix look fittingly like the crazy noble that he was.
Alacem: ::Inspecting object again while speaking loudly:: Ha ha!
My son…
Astradem tripped over a small metal plate that was on the ground near Alacem, almost causing him to fall.
As he regained his posture, he noticed that a small spherical object that was resting on it fell off and rolled along on the ground.
Astradem: ~~What… Father, what-~~
Alacem pressed his finger on Astradem’s forehead.
Alacem: Son, *vocalise*. We’re members of the Federation, we should act more like it.
Astradem swallowed to moisten his mouth and throat, before obeying his father’s request.
Astradem: What… Father, what *is* that?
His father spoke in his usual low, gruff airy tone.
Alacem: ::Waving finger:: Oh noooo, my boy.
It’s not what it is. It’s what it *does*.
As a former talented legal Representative he had a reputation for being ruthless when representing parties at both the Reconciliation Forums of Betazed and the Betazoid Government Council.
His gruff, almost menacing yet at times excitable tone of voice was a well-known characteristic of the husband of the matriarch of the Ninth House.
He gave that career away when his wife Kirolow Ukinix became matriarch of the Ninth House after the death of her mother, Vestrayi.
Now he spent his time plotting and scheming in every way possible to hold on to the land that the Ninth House controlled, and the other houses were trying to get “back.”
Word of the other houses giving their lands to the House of Wealth centuries earlier for developing into a valuable commodity for all of Betazed was passed down from generation to generation.
The stories spoke of how they were considered “loaned” and one day, the Ninth House would give the land back when Betazed was prosperous.
At the start of Earth’s 24th century, the other houses decided it was time to collect.
The Ninth House had been in a political battle for over 40 years to keep their land.
In the previous two years, it had turned into a legal battle.
To the noble Ukinix family, the idea of giving any land to the other houses based only on centuries old stories was preposterous.
There was no legal record, no agreement in writing anywhere that anyone could find.
Kirilow Ukinix (matriarch of the Ninth House, Holder of the Noble Currency Chest of Rixx, Keeper of the Noble Lands of Betazed) along with her legally minded husband and one true imzadi Alacem would never ever give up without a fight.
The ringlet-mop haired elder male Ukinix made his way over to the ball and picked it up, before putting it back on the metallic stand.
He then took a few steps back, and lined up the head of the strange pole with the white ball that had a glowing green tinge.
He swung the pole backwards over his shoulder, before swinging it forward rapidly in an arc.
The head of the pole smashed into the ball.
The ball shot off from the stand, hitting a nearby wall with such force that it left a mark and a dent.
It then bounced onto the ground, before knocking over a large and ornate vase at the end of the hall, which smashed into pieces on the floor.
Alacem: ::Fist pump:: YES!
::Looking at Astradem:: You see, Terrans invented this as a sport, they named it “golf”.
But they were wrong, it’s not a sport. ::Big breath through nose, wicked smile:: It cleanses the soul.
::Exhale:: All of that anger, that pent up frustration, just
- ::animated hand gesture:: - RELEASED from the inner depths of that dark precipice we call a “heart”.
::Excited loud tone:: All smashed onto the ground in little valuable pieces!
HA!
Astradem: Father, shouldn’t you be playing it outside.
Alacem: Where’s the fun in that? We all need a release sometimes, wouldn’t you agree?
He took a step forward, and gave his son a playful nudge with his elbow.
Alacem: Or maybe, if you’re the youngest child of the Ninth House, you have a different method.
For instance, say, an amorous and intimate secret relationship with the
matriarch of the “upper neighbours”. Hmm?
Astradem’s face blushed, and his eyes opened wide.
Busted. The “upper neighbours” was their nickname for the Tenth House, and the matriarch of that house had been enjoying Astradem’s company – so to speak.
Astradem: I... How did you-
Alacem: ::Waving palm:: Uh-uh-uh-uh.
Alacem looked over his shoulders to make sure no-one was around, before he leaned in and spoke quietly to Astradem in his gruff tone.
Alacem: When I sent you out to seduce and influence the nobles of the other houses, I didn’t necessarily mean with a
matriarch. But, ohhh, ::stroking beard:: you’ve done me proud.
There’s no better way to call off the Tenth house’s claims of our land than from the very pillow of the matriarch herself.
Astradem: But I’ve told no-one! I don’t-
Alacem: Shh-shh-shh!
He put his arm around the taller Astradem’s shoulder, and spoke quietly.
Alacem: This is just between you and me.
::Patting Astradem on chest:: OK?
When Astradem slowly nodded, Alacem continued.
Alacem: And your mother.
Astradem: What!
Alacem: And the Fifth House.
Astradem: The Fifth! How do they know.
Astradem took in a deep breath, before speaking quickly and quietly.
Alacem: I told them.
Astradem: ::Raised voice:: Father!
How did you find out! Why would you do such a thing!
Alacem: ::Patting Astradem’s chest again:: Shh-shh.
Relax. You’ve done exactly what your mother and I asked you to do.
I still have friends in other houses.
Including an employee in the Tenth, that’s how I know my boy.
Employees – they know what happens under the covers in all of the houses, if you know what I mean.
::Wink::
Alacem made his way to a nearby ornate gold looking container, and picked up another golf ball.
Alacem: Now that the Fifth house knows, the other houses will inevitably find out that a member of the Ninth House, a Ukinix, has seduced the matriarch another house.
And all we need is one or two houses to stop their claims of land.
It will weaken any joint legal claims from other houses.
::Big smile:: And the Ninth House will not only live on, it will get bigger.
Stronger. Have more control.
We have double the employees of any other house.
We have over half of Betazed’s noble lands.
We are Betazed, my boy!
Astradem: I see.
With a contented smile, Alacem enthusiastically patted Astradem on the back, before walking over with the golf stick to line up another shot.
Suddenly, Astradem felt himself at a cross-road.
What his father didn’t know was that Anacem had been successful at seducing other members in other houses.
The *matriarch of the Fouth House of Betazed*, to be specific.
What hit him at that moment was that eventually the other houses would find out about that affair too.
The feeling of guilt and anxiety rose in his chest.
The name “Astradem Ukinix” would forever be tarnished in the eyes and minds of Betazed nobles…
His thoughts were interrupted by his father sensing his son’s emotions.
Alacem: Hey. ::Waggling finger::
Don’t feel bad.
You did *exactly* what your mother and I asked you to do.
It’s perfect, son. ::Loudly:: Perfect!
::Turning back to line up shot:: You did great.
Astradem: Father… is this all I am to you?
And to mother? A tool to be used to continue our family’s greed?
Like my sisters?
That last sentence completely interrupted Alacem’s golf swing.
He accidently let go of the club. It flew ten metres forwards into the air before hitting a statue, making it fall to the ground and smash into several pieces.
After watching the pieces of the former statue finally stop moving and spiing,
Alacem looked down at the ground and sighed through his nose.
He snapped his head towards his son, his face one of pure anger.
Alacem: Greed! Greed?
::Through clenched teeth:: What is it with you children.
::Deep breath:: Your mother. Matriarch of the Ninth House, Holder of the Noble Currency Chest of Rixx, Keeper of the Noble Lands of Betazed wants to give you and your sisters a better life!
We provide for you! We have a house to protect!
What are you going to do after we’re gone, hmm?
::Sarcastically waggling fingers in air:: Peace and love with the other houses?
Let them take away your family’s wealth!
::Loudly:: No!
Alacem ran over to another nearby statue, then kicked it several times.
Like the other statue, it toppled to the ground, smashing into pieces.
Alacem closed his eyes and took several deep breaths, before turning and giving his son a faux smile with his arms out wide in a gesture of reconciliation.
Alacem: Astradem. Son!
Listen.
He stepped towards him, and placed his arm around his sons shoulders.
Alacem: ::quiet tone:: Listen. Your mother, she’s angry that we couldn’t betroth your older sisters into any of the other houses.
The other houses want to play hard utaberry with the Ninth?
Fine, let them. But you’re more than just a “tool”, my boy.
Let’s talk about your sisters, hmm?
Vaxa, she’s in line to be Matriarch once your mother dies, I know you two don’t get along, but she’s a smart operator.
But not betrothed. ::Shrugs:: That’s a problem.
Reayi… lovely girl, but let’s be honest, ::tapping temple:: lacking a good gong upstairs.
Teaxixa is too busy socialising at every official noble event she can to be taken seriously as a head of house.
Astradem: Then why am I doing your dirty work on behalf of Vaxa!
She’ll be matriarch, regardless!
Alacem: Shh! Shh! Shh! ::Looking around, before continuing quietly:: It’s
*preferential* that the head of house if a female.
But, my boy, it’s not *mandatory*.
::Ginning wickedly:: I mean, let’s just say for example that your mother decided that Astradem Ukinix, Patriarch of the Ninth House, Holder of the Noble Currency Chest of Rixx, Keeper of the Noble Lands of Betazed has a ::rolling hands:: nice sound to it.
Hmm?
Astradem’s jaw dropped as he blinked his eyes.
His shocked expression form into a smile.
Alacem: Nothing is guaranteed.
It’s going to be either you or Vaxa.
But keeping working hard my boy, and you could be the next head of the Ninth house.
You’ll control most of the noble land on Betazed.
You’ll follow my family’s tradition and name a son “Anacem”, and then likewise he’ll name a son “Acradem”, and so-on and so-forth.
All yours for the taking. If you want it.
Astradem slowly began nodding, which got faster as all of what his father had just told him sunk in.
Astradem: Yes, Father. I will do my best.
Alacem: ::Hard pats on Astradem’s back:: I know you will!
You’re my son!
Alacem made his way over to the golf club that lay amongst the ruins of a former statue.
Alacem: Now, go! ::Pointing:: Go and have more fun.
There’s plenty more nobles you could be “meeting”, future patriarch!
Without a word, Astradem spun on his feet and made his way back to his suite.
Along the way, all he felt was conflict.
Being told he could be Patriarch of a Noble Betazoid house made his chest shake with excitement.
But at what cost? He would be forever hated by other nobles (except for ones from the Fifth house, they were always annoyingly neutral).
And what of the human woman,
the university student from Earth named “Hayley”, that he had developed feelings for?
He’d never met her in person. But he couldn’t stop thinking about her.
((Two hours later))
Sitting outside of the large building that was the beautiful estate of the Ninth house, Astrad fingers hovered above the PADD that he held in his hand.
He took a deep breath, before pressing the “connect” button.
The PADD connected to the subspace transceiver that was housed in one of the buildings.
After twenty seconds, a subspace connection was made with Earth in the Sol system.
The PADDs screen was replaced with the face of a young human woman.
Hayley: Astradem! This is a lovely surprise.
Are you well?
[End]