Chronicles of Espiria Season 1

Episode 14 - Brother Matthew

Written by Stormrider

Matthew was born into a life of luxury. He and his younger sister, Rosaline, spent a glorious childhood running amok throughout the kingdom of their parents; but like all good things, it couldn't last forever.

When Matthew was ten and Rosaline was only eight, some refugees sought asylum in their father's kingdom. Being the generous man he was, he granted them sanctuary within his walls. He could not have known that there were necromancers and demon cultists among them. Soon after their arrival, the Path of Ascension visited their land. The master was most gracious, welcoming them with open arms as well; he could not have foreseen what these nuns of Athalia had planned. Because he was gracious to the enemies of Dura, both he and his wife were executed by the nuns, and Matthew and Rosaline were taken into Church custody. Rosaline was sent to a far-off convent to pay further for the sins of her father, while Matthew was sent to a nearby Path of Ascension monastery for a more practical purpose.

The monks of the monastery mistreated Matthew severely. Because of his father's perceived sins, he was constantly surrounded by a layer of mistrust and loathing from the other monks and was made to do the hardest and most menial of labors. When he turned twelve, he began his training as a weapon of the Path. Several years of this training cemented his hatred of the Church and the people within it who thought that this was a proper punishment for those who would try to help those in need.

With his training completed, his job in the Path was as an assassin for the Church, much like the nuns led by Mother Cecilia, who was personally responsible for turning his life upside down. He was regarded as the best of his post due to the grit and manner in which he disposed of his targets. However, he cared not for how or even whether he killed; he only cared about survival, hoping that he might one day be reunited with his younger sister. Though he had not seen her for years and had lost all track of her, that small hope of finding her again was what kept him going since his arrival at the monastery.

He never expected to find a friend in the monastery, and yet the Twins still managed to bring him one, even in that place forsaken by mercy. Brother Edward was a boy of Matthew's age who had joined the temple to flee some family trouble which he never liked to speak of. Like Matthew, Edward had been accustomed to a finer standard of living, but despite his considerable downgrade, remained relentlessly cheerful. His nature provided asylum for Matthew, distracting him from his miseries. Edward was not trained as a weapon; instead, he was a medic and spellcaster.

Their friendship lasted well after Matthew's last day at the monastery. It all started the same as any other day at the monastery; Matthew got up, washed, said his memorized prayers, dressed, ate, cleaned his blade, answered drills...then the day proved unusual. As he was walking to meet with Brother Edward, he was called to meet with Father Godric in the hearing hall. With him was a middle-aged woman he did not recognize, a surprising sight since women were not normally allowed in the monastery.

"Brother Matthew, there you are." Father Godric said when Matthew entered. "Allow me to introduce Lady Oakenfell. She has done a few favors for the church alongside a friend of hers in the Temple of Ascension in Ranhorn, and now she wishes to take custody of you. Because of her favors, we have decided to forgive your past misdemeanors and release you into her custody."

"Good morning, Matthew." Lady Oakenfell said with a warm smile. "I hope you'll be happy in my home. I have searched for you for quite a long time, because I also found your sister."

Matthew's heart skipped a beat. Was he really about to be reunited with his sister, the one beacon of hope throughout his dark time at the monastery? He was overjoyed, until he realized that he would be leaving Brother Edward. He knew he had to say goodbye before he left, for he did not know if he would ever see his friend again. As Matthew ran back to his room to pack his few earthly belongings, he ran into Brother Edward.

"Brother Edward, I..." Matthew began, but noticed that Edward was not his normal bouncy self. Clearly the news of Matthew's new home had spread.

"I'll come see you." Matthew promised. "I'll visit on Exhibition Day, whatever I have to do."

Edward cheered slightly and gave his friend a parting hug. "May the Light guide your path, Brother Matthew. And may we see each other again this side of the next life."

They parted ways, Edward looking happy that Matthew had escaped, but also sad at having to part ways with his friend.

Later that day, the carriage carrying Lady Oakenfell and Matthew arrived at Oakenfell Manor. Lady Oakenfell stepped out onto the slightly moist ground, followed closely by Matthew. He tried to take in his new surroundings. Was this real? Oakenfell Manor was a palace! He held the small bag containing his belongings protectively, as if the house was about to reach out and take it from him. He vaguely remembered his life before the monastery with fondness, but riches now felt so strange after all the long years as an outcast at the bottom of the proverbial food chain, almost as if it had been someone else living the life he remembered. He took a deep breath and followed Lady Oakenfell inside. They were greeted at the door by a tall man with slicked back blonde hair and a sharp black suit.

"Thank you, Oscar." Lady Oakenfell said as she and Matthew passed inside.

If Matthew was impressed by the outside, the inside was even more mind blowing. He felt like he was trespassing in an exhibition. Even his old house looked basic in comparison.

"If you require anything, please let me or Oscar know." Lady Oakenfell then turned to Oscar. "Oscar, Matthew is to have the same rights as Rosaline. Speaking of, where is Rosaline?"

"I believe she is in the gallery at the moment. She said that she wanted to make sure the silverware was ready for her brother's arrival."

Without thinking to ask where the gallery was, Matthew took off in a random direction, hoping to find her eventually. After fearing that he was lost, he heard giggling in an adjacent room. Bursting through the door, he found her, her back to him and, oddly enough, talking to a spoon about how excited she was to meet her brother again. She looked up at the sound of the door opening and realized that he had arrived. Their eyes locked as they ran to each other, wrapping each other in a sibling embrace. The silverware and Matthew's bag were forgotten; it had been too many years since they had last laid eyes on each other, but they were reunited now, and that was all that mattered.