As the matron led Lei'lira, Eri, and Teirue passed the door she had just come out of, Lei'lira could hear the high pitched voice of a child reciting numbers in Common. The child sounded old enough that Lei'lira realized that she must be trying to learn Common rather than how to count.
"That's Carlie. She's fluent in Rakahi, and Xanthea, but when she first came to us, she didn't know a single word of Common. Evan has been working with her, and she's made quite a bit of progress. But that isn't what brought you here this trial. You said you wanted to adopt...Teirue, was it?
Lei'lira nodded.
"I would also like to make a donation of three hundred gold nels. Evan mentioned a book that would help him learn Sulnysian, but that it was rather expensive. Perhaps you could use some of that donation towards buying the book he needs?" she asked as she offered the nels to the matron.
Maybella's eyes widened, and she thanked Lei'lira sincerely as accepted the nels.
"You've just made a young boy very happy, Lei'lira. Really, I can't thank you enough."
Lei'lira smiled. It felt good to help the children of the Little Garden, and she was certain that Evan would make good use out of the book.
"Well, the paperwork you will need to fill out is simple enough. But I am happy to answer any questions you might have."
"I do have one question, Matron Dawson. While you were busy, I met a little girl named Kei'iru. She mentioned having a sister who had bonded to an ose-bori."
Maybella frowned in confusion, but she nodded after a few trills.
"Yes, Kei'iru's sister is named Lil'ari, and she does claim to have bonded to something called an ose-bori. I am uncertain whether that is true, or if it is just an imaginary friend, or a game they are playing. Why do you ask?"
"Ose-bori are quite real, Matron Dawson. They are a type of familiar that bond to Sev'ryn, and half Sev'ryn. I have one myself." Lei'lira explained, glancing at Lei'luna as she did so.
"And the reason that I bring it up is that if the girls are willing, I would like to offer them a home as well. I live on a good sized farm in Warrick, so there is plenty of room for them. Living on a farm is hard work, but there are great rewards as well. And there is plenty of fun to be had for a child."
Lei'lira hesitated.
"I...I cannot give the children my family name. I do not have permission for that. No one in my family even knows that I am here. But the children would inherit the farm when I am gone. If they come to love it as much as I do, they will have a good home, and living waiting for them. But if they do not, the farm would be theirs to do with as they wished. If they chose to sell it and use the nels as a start in their own lives, that would be up to them."
This time it was the matron's turn to hesitate.
"I can see that you are able to provide for the children if I allow you to adopt them, but may I ask why you cannot give them your family name, and why you would need permission to do so?"
Lei'lira hesitated again. When she spoke this time, her words were clearly reluctant.
"I am Lei'lira Warrick. To give the children the Warrick name would make them nobles, and my grandmother would never agree to that. But I can provide the children with a good, loving home and a good future if they are willing."
Maybella's eyes widened.
"Yes. Of course. I can see why...yes. If Kei'iru and Lil'ara wish to go with you, I would be happy to allow it. Why don't you fill out the paperwork for Teiaru while I go find the girls?"
Lei'lira smiled as she agreed. The matron did not address her as "lady," perhaps seeing how uncomfortable the topic made her, and for that, Lei'lira was deeply grateful. She quickly turned to the task of filling out the required paperwork. By the time she was finished, Matron Dawson had returned with the children. Lei'lira recognized Kei'iru, and assumed that the older girl was her sister, Lil'ari. There was a boy with them as well, and he watched her carefully with wary, calculating eyes.
"You wanted to see us, Matron?" Kei'iru asked after smiling at Lei'lira.
"Yes. I brought you in here because Lei'lira here has been kind enough to offer both you, and your sister a home, Kei'iru."
Matron Dawson turned to Lil'ari.
"She tells me that like you, she too has bonded to an ose-bori, so she isn't inclined to believe that you are making it up the way many adults have been."
Lil'ari's eyes widened as she stared at Lei'lira in wonder. But she still hesitated, and glanced back at Atreyas. The older boy looked defensive, but hopeful at the same time. Lei'lira thought that it was more that he didn't want to be separated from Lil'ari than that he wanted to be adopted as well.
"What about Atreyas? Can he come, too?" she practically begged.
Lei'lira didn't even have to think before nodding in agreement.
"I live on a farm, so I have plenty of room. If Atreyas wants to come too, he is welcome to."
All three of the children looked relieved.
"Then we'd love to come live with you." Lil'ari said with a huge smile.
Kei'iru was quick to agree, and after a slight hesitation, Atreyas did as well.
"Then it's settled."
Lei'lira quickly filled out the necessary paperwork while the children packed up what they wanted to take with them. Matron Dawson thanked her again for making such a generous donation, and for opening her home to the children. Then it was time for them to be on their way.
Off Topic
The 300 GN donation has been deducted from Lei'lira's ledger
