Interlude I

  Pruning

  It was the annual fostering declaration day. A day that families fully legitimized fostering exchanges between bloodlines. While the official paperwork was handled elsewhere, this meeting held behind closed doors served two functions.

  First, the meeting legitimized the fostering exchanges. This was important for if a fostering child acted out, their actions would no longer reflect poorly on the birthing family, but be considered a stain on the upbringing and nurturing aspects of the exchange family.

  Second, this meeting helped to let the exchange family declare what provisions if any they are willing to make for the fostered child under their care. This can be as simple as declaring a full exchange of last names, or actions that would show signs of increased or decreased favoritism with a given foster.

  It was not entirely unheard of for an exchange family to brainwash the child they were fostering to go back to their birthing family and act as spies from within. Legend has it, that this is exactly what happened with the third generation of the DiVoratore family. In an effort to promote peace and prosperity between the families the DiVoratore, a family who had just begun its ascent upwards looked to naively curry favor with all families of the country. In a way, the mad plan worked, as Greigold DiVoratore had indeed done what his parents and grandparents could not. He brokered peace with the Necrotins, but only after he managed to become the head of his family after killing off all prior members of his family.

  From then on, the story of the DiVoratore became a cautionary tale and is how the phrase “Altruism is the self-correcting sin” came to be.

  Once Greigold came into power, many sweeping changes came to the DiVoratore, probably the most notable function was that Spirit Magic began to rise, while Pure Healers, that is people who were capable of learning multiple Magical Healing related Skills were rare, but they did appear.

  The Blooms also had a brief brush with their own sin of Altruism, where one of their ancestors fell in love with a Necrotin. Of course, the love was later found to be false, as it was only a want to spread the seed of the Necrotin further that Raphiel Necrotin even tried to seduce a member of the Bloom family. Unfortunately, altruism again prevailed, for while Raphiel was indeed kicked out of the family, his children were allowed to carry on. Particularly as they all took after their mother’s side. And for a moment, everything was going well, and the whole event likely could have gone unnoticed, until Johny Bloom appeared, the grandchild of the treacherous union.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Hearing of the child, the remaining members of the Necrotins paid little interest in their demon spawn, preferring to leave his corrupted genes within the Bloom family, in order to further corrupt their once proud lineage. But fortunately, the creators of the democracy realized that such events would happen, and that exchanging of unwanted offspring might be worthwhile at some points, thus the fostering system for unwanted children was adopted and enacted. At first, the exchange was a straight one-for-one exchange, but as times went on business dealings clouded the picture. Land grabs, mines, businesses, everything and anything could be used to sweeten the pot for the exchange. This was why Madame Bloom made sure to coat her exchange with a poison pill, knowing that the family most responsible for the desecration of her family park was the same family she wished to exchange children with. That was why she developed a plan that would get rid of sweetly poisoned assets, that is assets that on the surface look like they are well prepared to thrive, but will ultimately fail when the need to update or change with times comes along.

  For again, “Altruism is the self-correcting sin,” and no one knew this better than Madame Bloom. The same Madame Bloom who watched her own sister end her own life, after realizing the depths of the betrayal she suffered at the hands of the Necrotins. This was also why she now had Maddie Bloom with her, the very daughter of the altruistic event that took away her own mother, and forced her own son to be pruned as part of a way to save the family tree.

  “Today’s agenda only covers one noted fostering exchange, along with the attached business venture associated with facilitating the exchange,” the Moderator began, a mask covering his face as he spoke impartially on the topics.

  “Yes, the matter of the Blooms and the DiVoratores, where one Catarine DiVoratore has been set to foster with the Blooms, in exchange for one Johny Bloom. As matter of course the Blooms have offered a medicinal shop at the heart of the city, in exchange for unclaimed wild lands under the DiVoratore’s control. There is one condition on the unclaimed lands, that is if they are not developed within five years time, they will revert back to the control of the DiVoratores” the clerk read out the petitions.

  Murmur.

  Hearing what was being offered, the crowd began to talk loudly at the proposed dealings.

  “It’s a steal?”

  “I know.”

  All around people could be heard discussing the arrangements that were offered, and by all accounts it was a steal, a productive herbal remedy shop, in exchange for waste lands, and likely toxic and haunted lands at that.

  “SILENCE!” The moderator cried out, their voice deafening in the sealed room.

  A moment of silence passed before the Moderator continued.

  “Do we have representatives from both families here today?”

  “We do,” both Monsieur DiVoratore and Madame Bloom both called out in near unison.

  “How do you declare your family’s actions?” The Moderator asked.

  “The DiVoratore agree to all terms and conditions,” Monsieur DiVoratore cried out, his voice slightly hollow.

  “The Blooms agree to all terms and conditions as well,” Madame Bloom stated.

  “Then by the power of this court, we find that the fostering exchange of Catarine Bloom and Johny DiVoratore are hereby complete. Any further declarations to make about the fosters in your care at this time?” The Moderator asked, a courtesy as this was the first meeting, but it had to be asked. Still, no one made any notes about the children they would foster on the first day, it was too soon.

  “The DiVoratore have nothing to state at this time,” Monsieur DiVoratore declared.

  With that all eyes turned to Madame Bloom, who seemed to steady herself for a moment before speaking. Then she uttered a statement that sent the whole meeting of aristocratic nobles into complete pandemonium.

  “I wish to note that I will offer my foster child first right to refuse to be my Apprentice,” Madame Bloom declared.

  CHAOS!