Chapter 2.9:

The next day we set out for the Orphanage. Unlike the journey to the Capital, there were other merchant-caravans that shared the road with us on the way to North Haven. Eventually, we split off from the rest at the fork of the road some time before noon. The familiar looming edifice soon came into view.

“Hey, that’s Mother Elaine!” I pointed to the lady visible in one of the windows.

“Ah, that’s perfect then. We can give her the documents directly.” Abram replied.

“She doesn’t look anything like I imagined.” Paul commented.

“What do you mean?” I replied.

“I dunno… I guess I expected a really really old looking lady with a hunched back and permanent scowl… Kind of like a flat-faced owl.” Paul said with a sheepish grin.

Both Abram and I laughed.

“Don’t let her hear you say that. She’ll rap your knuckles until they’re beet red.” I cautioned.

“Duly noted.” Paul answered. “But yeah, she’s kind of pretty like Sister Anna but just a few years older. They could pass off as a real mother and daughter actually.”

I paused at that.

Hmm… They do look pretty similar. I wonder why I never noticed that before.

“Alright boys, remember to mind your manners.” Abram said as we came to a full stop in front of the orphanage.

We knocked on the front door a couple of times, and one of the kids answered the door.

“How may I help you?” The little girl asked.

“Ah hello, little miss. Might we speak to the Head Matron? Please tell her that my name is Abram and that I spoke with Sister Anna the other day.” Abram said courteously.

“Um… okay! Wait here please.” The little girl nodded as she closed the door on us.

Abram was surprised and turned to me.

“The matrons told us to always close the door first if we don’t know the person on the other side. Risks of thieves or kidnappers, you know.” I explained.

Abram shook his head. “Sad state of the world we live in that even children are preyed upon.”

Before long I heard the heavy footsteps belonging to Mother Elaine. My heart leapt out of its rib cage. I hid behind Paul.

Paul gave me a quizzical look. “It’s just going to be lines again, right?”

“No… Sister Anna gave us lines. Mother Elaine… she uses her ruler.” I replied meekly.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine, son.” Abram replied with a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

The door opened and Mother Elaine looked straight down in my direction. I tried to make myself even smaller.

“Adi. Come out of there.” She commanded.

“Yes, ma’am.” I replied instantly as I presented myself and kept my gaze lowered.

“Let me have a look at your face.” Mother Elaine said as she lifted up my chin.

I looked at her stern expression and felt a quiver on my lower lip.

Don’t cry, don’t cry.

“Hmph. Well, as Anna said, you seem perfectly healthy. That’s all that matters.” Mother Elaine concluded as she let go of my chin. She turned to Abram and did a small curtsy. “Pleasure to meet you Master Abram. Anna has informed me of your situation. My sincerest apologies for my absence.” Mother Elaine explained. “I trust that Lord Jerome favored your petition?”

“No apologies necessary madam.” Abram replied. “Indeed, Lord Jerome signed the adoption papers without any issue and I was told to leave a copy with you.” Abram pulled out the certifications and handed them to Mother Elaine.

“Everything appears in order.” Mother Elaine concluded after going over the documents. “Congratulations, Adi. Please behave in your new home.”

“Yes ma’am.” I replied quickly. That’s when I looked up and saw Mother Elaine wincing.

“Um… did you hurt yourself, Mother Elaine?” I asked.

“Just a headache, child. Have been nursing it for a day or two now. It’s probably tied to my missing memories. It seems that I was waylaid on my way to the Capital. I woke up a few days later near the forest to the northeast with no recollection of what had happened. A kind stranger saw me passed out and took care of me. He brought me back to the orphanage.” She explained.

“That’s horrible.” Abram commented.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Sweet boy.” Mother Elaine said as her stern expression softened a bit. “Yes, I am perfectly alright. This should be gone by tomorrow.”

I nodded my head.

“Anyway, now that you have served me a copy of Adi’s certificate of adoption, our business is concluded, correct Master Abram?” Mother Elaine asked.

“Ah, yes madam.” Abram said clearly taken aback by the change in tracks of the conversation.

“Good. If there’s nothing else, I must return to my duties.” Mother Elaine replied. She gave us a small bow and then closed the door.

“Not even a cup of tea?” Paul remarked as we headed back to the caravan.

Abram chuckled. “A no nonsense woman, Paul. Very efficient with her time it seems.”

“So there really are robbers along the King’s Road?” I turned to Abram as we started to pull away from the Orphanage.

Abram paused. “I suppose it’s possible. I haven’t heard of other instances in the North but it is definitely possible. A lone woman traveling makes for an easy mark.”

“Well, at least she only got a headache for it…” I said with a bit of sadness.

“Yes. Thankfully.” Abram looked really uncomfortable. “Alright, lads, we head back to the shop.” As we rounded the fork and started on the road to North Haven.

“Not much of a shop while the frog keeps our permit hostage.” Paul said annoyed.

Abram broke into a huge smile. “Oh, Lord Buck won’t be a problem, son.”

“You have a plan… dad?” I said as I tried on the new moniker.

Abram seemed momentarily stunned by how I addressed him but immediately recovered. “Aye, son. My old buddies from the Capital actually work at the Royal Permits Office. They helped me get a trade permit to do business in North Haven.”

“Will it really be recognized over there though?” Paul said skeptically.

“All permit officers certainly serve the City Lords. But their authority is only delegated by the State. Like how the Head Matron was delegated authority to handle adoption concerns, Lord Jerome’s authority supersedes hers. It’s the same thing with the Royal Permit Officer.” Abram explained.

“That’s great!” I said excitedly.

“Oh, I can’t wait to march back into Lord Buck’s chambers.” Paul added.

“Now, now. There’s no need to aggravate the man, Paul. He could still try to make our lives difficult. Best to maintain some manner of neutrality with him.” Abram cautioned.

“Of course, pa. I would never dream of insulting the man. In fact, I was planning to prepare another token for him.” Paul said sarcastically as he made wiggly motions with his fingers.

Abram sighed and I laughed out loud at the thought of Lord Buck having to deal with more creepy crawlies.