The Bent World (Formerly: Multiverse Revenge Story): Interlude I

Interlude I

An exhausted Erikla Andry, acting Matriarch for the Andry family sat in her elegant leather high backed chair. Exhaustion evident on her face as she could only stare at herself in her dressing mirror.

Silence.

None of the staff would dare to interrupt her while she was in such a state. Which was why Erikla chose now to let herself relax enough to try to see where it had all gone wrong.

Slam.

Of course, her moment of self-introspection was short lived as someone unannounced barged right in and began immediately walking to her.

The desk and mirror that she sat at perfectly faced the door. Her whole room was designed with multiple mirrors and reflective surfaces around that would be mirrored back behind Erikla and show who was coming in her reflection.

This was a safety feature of the room, one that helped Erikla remain hidden behind her oversized mirror, while being able to observe any threats.

Immediately on notice at the sudden interruption, Erikla sat ready to pounce. Her first attack would be to send a giant burst of flame through her mirror and directly into the oncoming path of any would be attacker.

At least, that was what she would have done, had her current intruder been anyone other than the woman that now gracefully made her way up to the side of her table and waited.

This was a blind spot, a gap in Erikla’s defenses. One that the person who now stood there pointed out upon her relinquishing this room and its role to Erikla.

Silence.

From the position Erikla’s guest just waited, a coquettish smile forming on her lips, the only thing about her features that remained visible. While her hands and the rest of her body remained unseen.

Normally not being able to see the hands of the hands of an intruder would be enough to cause an immediate reaction from Erikla.

But instead, all Erikla could do was finally smile herself at the antics of the old lady. An old lady who had served as steward and impromptu matriarch of the family where needed.

“You going to talk? Or are you going to just stand there wasting both our times?” Erikla was the first to break the silence.

“Oh, you are no fun, dear niece,” the family steward, old matriarch, and current family physician replied as she made her way around the edge of the giant dressing table. As she came around, Erikla could not help but marvel at how young and vibrant the Doctor still appeared, even now.

“Well, of course it’s my job to not have any fun, now. Thanks to you,” Erikla replied, as she did a warm smile began to crest her features.

“That is because, only one of us can have the honor and privilege of being the Andry Matriarch,” the doctor replied.

“You know, despite your protestations to the contrary, I would swear that you did it on purpose.”

“Did what on purpose?”

“Choosing immortality, eternal youth, while forever being denied the right to bear children and thus permanently removing yourself from officially being the matriarch.”

“Oh come now, you know I’ve been matriarch plenty of times,” the old Doctor replied.

“Only as a fill in, while the official heir was able to grow and mature into their role.”

With that the doctor could only nod at the comment.

“Well, I must say that you have blossomed greatly into your role as Matriarch.”

With that Erikla just raised an eyebrow in challenge, before responding. “This coming from you, despite my forever ruining the family legacy by bearing a male child first?”

At that admonishment the Doctor shifted her weight slightly from side to side, “I admit I might have been a bity hasty with some of my recommendations to you at first.”

Stare.

Erikla just stared at the eternal steward of the Andry household.

“Okay, I was really wrong with my original suggestions and your initial reaction to have him raised on the opposite wing of the manor, far away from me, might have been a good idea.” The Doctor finally admitted.

“So, you have fallen for him?” Erikla asked, her mind going through a myriad of scenarios as she tried to understand where the old woman was at with her evaluation of the current Andry family members.

“I must admit that there is a certain stubbornness with him that I do find endearing,” the Doctor admitted.

With that Erikla just nodded. “I hear you even let him call you, Auntie?”

There was a pause as the Doctor first looked indignant but then answered. Well, she answered in her own way, “I see you are still receiving update reports from Sarina.”

Noticing the topic change for what it was, Erikla let the old woman change this topic. Though it was interesting to see that she of all people would accept a nickname, let alone from a boy. To Erikla, this meant that the boy had truly done something worthy of even the old Steward’s attention.

“I am, which is why I must ask if you think there is anything to the claims that he likely killed not one but two giant rodents from the nearby breach?”

Hearing the question, the Doctor could only pause.

“Are you saying that the boy might have been able to defeat more than two beasts from a spatial rift? Well, let me pose a different question to you.”

Hearing this, Erikla just raised her one eyebrow not daring to speak over the Doctor as she attempted to explain what should have been impossible.

“Do you remember the self-immolating instructor?”

At the question Erikla’s eyes went wide as she thought back to the moment in question. A moment that she had mostly managed to forget.

Though how she could forget such a sight was beyond her, as it was something out of a horror story. An elderly fire matron who had an addiction problem, but had since managed to regain sobriety, trying for a second chance at a decent life. Gets hired on to teach etiquette to a male. Only to then pin herself to a wall and blast her face on fire, right in front of the child. A child who never cried.

Despite the horrors they had just witnessed, they didn’t cry. They didn’t cower. Instead, they just stood there stoically, answering questions as if it were just a regular Tuesday.

That was when the Doctor first showed interest in the boy.

Erikla would watch the Doctor watching him run around and train daily from her open bay window. On multiple occasions she had caught the Doctor staring at the young boy with interest.

“Yes,” Erikla finally managed to croak out, her voice suddenly dry.

“Well, do you remember the odd peculiarities of that case?”

Erikla did as she just nodded. At that gesture, the Doctor continued.

“I think there might have been more to it, as I can almost swear the boy is special.”

“Special?”

“He can smell my magical affinities.”

“Smell them?”

“You might not be aware of all the adaptations in males. But, it is proven that the more a male can smell and associate scents to particular power sets, the more they are able to actually awaken in others.” The Doctor stated and then paused.

It took Erikla a moment to fully grasp the full implications of what had just been said, but when she did, her eyes went wide.

“Wait, could he determine all of them?”

“Yes, even my mild affinity for spirit.”

There was another pause as Erikla again took in this information. Then seeing that Erikla had finally processed that, she added other relevant information.

“He could also tell Sarina’s affinities.”

“What should we do, the Oteranskis have already started future proposals?” Erikla asked, in her mind she felt it was a blessing, being able to rid herself of a male before he even became too much of a burden.

“I say we wait.”

“Wait? What for?”

“We should at least wait to see what affinities he can spark in others, then the world might see his true potential. You are likely looking at him to strengthen the ties with the Oteranskis. Which is a good choice and would clearly increase our dominance in the region. But that is rather limiting,” The Doctor stated.

“Limiting?”

“Yes, imagine if you will, what could happen if we waited and the world knew that he could potentially awaken Healing and Holy powers back into the royal lineage?”

At that comment, Erikla could only nod at the wisdom that was being offered.

Right now, the only benefit from selling off her first born early would be if there was fear that he would be a null. From everything that the Doctor was saying, she was almost adamant that the boy would be special.

“You’re saying to wait?”

The Doctor nodded her head, “I’m saying to wait.”

With that Erikla just nodded her head in agreement. Then pausing to herself, she realized that she needed to quickly end her current negotiations with the Oteranskis.

Just as she had this thought, she turned to her family steward and asked.

“You knew about the secret meetings?”

At that the Doctor put on a faux exasperation at the comment.

“Secret meetings? Why whatever are you talking about. I just thought it best to tell you my personal observations.” The Doctor replied with feigned sincerity. Her tone all but dripping with sarcasm.

For a moment, Erikla wondered where the old Doctor got her information from, but then soon realized there was only one source for this information.

“You speak to Sarina?”

At that comment, the Doctor just smiled, a real smile this time, but rather than answering she once again changed the subject.

“You know, at this rate, you will make an amazing Matriarch.”

Scoff.

Erikla only scoffed at the comment, but then decided she had other things to contend with.