Adoption

James moved quickly to fulfil his Madam's orders. He grabbed Roderick then Charles before rushing off to the stables. "Mom what's going on?" Ariana asked but the Countess was the first to look at her then looked at the maid remaining at the main door. "Leigh, go find suitable closes for everyone to travel in, and I mean everyone."

The maid bowed then swiftly moved up the stairs. "Zula, I need you to go wake up your cousin, we are going to need all the help we can get. I will go wake Tillie and Roland, see if we can get food, supplies and the adoption done for you." Lady Zula just nodded and then hesitated for a bit.

The Countess pinched the bridge of her nose and let a deep breath out. "Garnet wing, third door on the left. If you can't find him just start yelling out his name, he will rush out." Lady Zula rushed up the stairs without saying a word.

The Countess looked at Ariana again, she wasn't hostile but there was something wrong with the look in her eyes. Cayden, narrowed his gaze and brought a protective arm up.

"Sorry... my thinking face scares people easily. Ariana take your friend to the kitchen, he needs stamina for the travel back and... I have a plan. I will protect you and your mother, I promise you so please trust in me." Before Ariana could says anything the Countess pointed to the direction of the kitchen before rushing down the hall.

Cayden tried to stand but found he barely had any strength left. Ariana wrapped his arm around her shoulders and half dragged him towards the direction the Countess had pointed. It wasn't very far from where they were but with Cayden's inability to properly walk, it took them longer to get to their destination. After she turned on the lights, she helped Cayden sit down into a chair and looked around the kitchen. Her breathe was taken away.

The tiles on the floor were a light tan colour but polished to the point it shined. All the pantries and cabinets were white, framed with embossed trim that has ivy vines etched into it and silver handles. The countertops were all black, Ariana placed her hand on top of one and it felt cool and hard. She could only think that they were made of marble.

The appliances were all made of a polished steel and the backsplash behind the double sink was done in small white tiles except for a small strip that went from one end to the other, right down the middle. It was brown with small streaks of gold framing alternating grey, tan and white tiles. Right in the center of the backsplash was a mosaic tile of the kingdom's emblem.

She gulped as she spun one last time at the kitchen. She placed her hands together in front on her face, as if she was ready to pray and shut her eyes tight. "I'm sorry, I'm going to be using this beautiful kitchen!" She shouted then opened her eyes and started to go through pantries then fridge. She pulled out all the necessary ingredients she needed and paced them on the countertop. Then she moved towards the cabinets and tried looking for a pan, a bowl and a pot.

She quickly got to work cooking the brown rice she found. She then started to flake some smoked salmon and placed it in a bowl. She grabbed the pan and buttered it up. She sautéed some diced mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and cooked ham she found in the fridge.

She then poured the beaten egg mixture over top. She went to grab a plate, a flipper and a fork then ran back to the stovetop. She flipped the omelet, sprinkled some cheese on top and plated it. She then placed it in front on Cayden then rushed back to stove.

She checked on her rice and was relieved it wasn't close to being done. She grabbed another bowl and cracked two eggs. She poured some white vinegar, white whine, salt and pepper then went looking for whisk. Her eyes sparkled when she found one and rushed back to her bowl.

She started to whisk the ingredients together pausing every so often to add a drop of extra virgin olive oil. By the time she was done, her arm was ready to fall off, her rice was done and Cayden was starting to feeling better.

She quickly drained the rice, fluffed it up with a fork and set it aside. She grabbed the salmon and the newly made mayonnaise and combined the two. She grabbed another bowl and filled it with water when suddenly Cayden moved so fast fast that he was now standing in front of her, blocking her view.

"What do you think you are doing?" A gruff voice said as footsteps echoed in the room. Ariana peaked over Cayden's shoulder and saw a grumpy looking man moving closer towards them. "I'm sorry, the Countess said I could get some food for my friend to get his stamina back." Ariana explained sweetly.

"That's why she woke me up! I was sleeping quite wonderfully with my lovely wife until that brute disturbed my dreams!" The man shouted as he waved his hands in the air. "I'm sorry sir, but there is a sense of emergency and I will not wait for someone to make a simple meal for my friend, especially if I can do it myself!" Ariana said firmly as she held her head high.

The older looking man instantly changed his facial expression and was now beaming with pride as he stopped a foot away from the two. "The words of a true chef!" He yelled with excitement. Cayden moved aside so Ariana could see the man properly.

His eyes were very stern looking, he had thin, pink lips and a slightly crooked nose. He had crows feet and laugh lines on his face, salt and pepper hair but his brown eyes sparkled with amusement. "What are you making young Miss? It smells different to what I'm used to." The man asked happily.

Ariana closed the gap between them and presented the bowl. "I made mayonnaise, I believe this is what smells different." She replied. The older man brought his finger to the side of the bowl and tasted the white sauce. His eyes grew wide as he looked into the bowl.

"I also added some smoked salmon and I will be combining it to the rice so I can make some rice balls for our trip back." Ariana explained while the older man nodded his head in understanding. He then gave Ariana a bright smile before he started to roll up his sleeves.

"Young Miss, I won't disrupt what you're doing but I plan to get the recipe from you." He said as he made his way to the pantry. Ariana said nothing and just followed his movement with her eyes, causing the older man to laugh. "I'm Roland. I have been with your grandmother from the very beginning." He said as he placed a lined basket beside her.

"Ariana and this is Cayden." She said as she handed him the first rice ball. "It tastes the best when it's fresh. You don't want to refrigerate them or they taste gross and hard." Ariana explained as as wrinkled her nose,

Roland accepted the ball and took a bite. His eyes widen and he took back the basket. "If these are meant to stay warm I will give you something better to store them in." Roland said before he popped the rest of the rice ball into his mouth and went to one of the cabinets.

He then pulled out a black box with a strange curvy symbol on it. "It's an enchanted lunch box. Your grandmother doesn't like cold meals either so I will give you one to commemorate our first meeting." Roldan said cheerfully.

Ariana graciously took the box and hugged it against her chest as she smiled brightly. "Thank you... I promise once I mastered this dish I will bring you some." Ariana said graciously. Roland nodded his head then the two went back to work as Cayden ate apple slices.

Shortly after they were done Leigh came rushing in and dragged the men out so Ariana could change. She came out of the kitchen wearing black riding pants, a white, long sleeved, ruffled blouse and a burgundy, sleeveless ridding coat with gold trim everywhere.

Leigh had given Cayden a black ridding cloak and a double, crossed belt with short daggers hanging on either side of him. "Where is my weapon?" Ariana asked as she stared at Leigh with anticipation.

"Nope." She answered with a deadpan expression but Roland quickly wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Don't be like that Leigh. If you don't explain or express yourself more then how is the young Miss to know you are worried about her getting hurt? Or are you feeling shy now since the Madam has recognized her as her own?"

Leigh's face quickly flushed as she pursed her lips. "We don't have time to discuss this. The Madam is waiting to brief us all in the hall." She said as she quickly grabbed Ariana's hand and rushed off. Leaving a laughing Roland and quiet Cayden to follow.

When they arrived they saw the Countess in a heated argument with the Vice Captain. "There is no room for discussion! I have made my decision and you will help execute this plan!" She yelled but the Vice Captain stood his ground. "Not until you tell me the reason why you have sided with Zula in this matter! I will not put my official seal on anything until I know that my interests are safe. I don't want to lose my position because of some child!"

The Countess lost her patience and slammed her fist against the table. "Fine! The child needs our family's protection and your cousin is not the person she used to be. She has matured and made right decisions in the past decade, so as a favour to her can you please witness this adoption document so we can send them back home tonight... please Gregory, do this and I will owe you a favour. No questions asked." The Countess replied with pleading eyes but her voice was firm.

Gregory still looked reluctant to do it but he sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well auntie Lydia, if you put it that way I can't really decline." Gregory replied awkwardly. The Countess let out a breath of relief and looked up. "Thank you." She whispered under her breath.

She then saw the four standing by the entryway. "Zula, Ariana please step forward." She said as she straightened up her back. Another lady stepped beside her holding a scroll. She was rather masculine looking with bright orange hair braided down to her mid back. She had a small cluster of freckles over her nose that slightly extended to the middle of each cheek. Bright, lime green eyes and a slightly bigger bottom lip.

Ariana quickly walked over to where Lady Zula was standing and held her hand as they both walked up to the Countess. "Tillie, the document please." She said as she waited for the lady beside her to unrolled the document onto the table.

"Zula please prick your thumb and place it at the bottom. It needs your print. Then Ariana you will need to do the same. Once I and Gregory add our seals this will bind you two as mother and daughter. I will have Tillie delivery this directly to the records officiant to complete the process. Do not worry about the council, I will deal with them once we have you safely out of the City." She said as she presented a small, silver knife to Lady Zula.

Without hesitation, Lady Zula took the knife and pricked her finger. She squeezed it until a small amount of blood produced at the tip. Then used the tip of her index finger to spread the blood around so it covered her entire print before placing it firmly on the document.

The moment she pulled it away a red light appeared and started to etched the thumb print into the document. Then a golden light appeared right underneath and the words 'Zula Tanya Drake' slowly was written in cursive. She then passed the knife to Ariana and waited.

Ariana raised her trembling hand and tried to grab the knife but felt her whole body break out into a cold sweat. "Does... does it have to be my blood?" She whispered as she dropped her hand and gaze to the floor. "Sweetheart, I thought you wanted this too?" Lady Zula said as she placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Ariana looked up, misty eyed and her cheeks had a touch of pink. "I do! I really do but your hiding something from me and... and I... I can't... blood... I can't stand my blood."

They all turned to Ariana, confused by her statement. "Mom, does it have to be her blood?" Lady Zula asked as she turned back to her. The Countess looked at Tillie. "I'm sorry Madam but for the binding seal it has to be her blood or else the document will not recognize her and burn up instantly." She said with a defeated sigh.

Ariana started to hyperventilate and took a step back. Cayden walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Deep breath, feel my heartbeat against your back, try to match your breathing with mine and focus on the rhythm of my heart. We can do this together don't worry, I'm hear for you, no one will hurt you."

Ariana started to calm down and relaxed in Cayden's embrace. She patted the back of his hand and he released her. She took the knife from Lady Zula and slowly pricked her finger. A dark red liquid started to bubble upwards, as if it had a mind of its own. Ariana could feel her anxiety creeping up her body as she pulled back the knife but Cayden took the knife away and held her hand. Everyone's eyes were glued to Ariana's finger as the liquid started to grow and move upwards like little vines.

Ariana did her best to control it and spread the liquid with her index finger. The blood stopped moving the moment she touched it. She then walked over to the document, she placed her thumbprint onto it. She quickly stepped back while Lady Zula and the Countess stepped forward, eyes glued to the document.

A dark red flame appeared and in a flash the small lines of the thumbprint sparkled as if it was turned into a gem. A golden light appeared under the print and only 'Ariana' showed underneath. Both women looked at the girl then at each other. "What the hell was that!" Gregory yelled as he pointed at the document but Tillie handed the wax and seal to the Countess as if it was normal.

The Countess dripped the wax onto the document, stamped her seal and took a step back. Everyone looked at the Vice Captain, while an earie silence filled the room. "If you think I'm going to let this thing into our family then you're insane!" He yelled as he pointed at Ariana.

Lady Zula started to stomp her way to him but the Countess stopped her with her hand. "Two favours, an introduction and a free pass. I swear I will explain everything after we are done getting them out of the City." The Countess said with a commanding voice.

"No! No amount of favours or passes or introductions is worth having my good name tarnished!" Gregory said as he took a step back. "You're not worthy of having her even associated to your name Gregory Drake." Cayden said in a low voice that it caused Gregory to turn red from anger.

"What would a slave know about honour? About the social politics of this society? Your are nothing and will die as nothing!" He said through gritted teeth.

Lady Zula had enough, she moved her mother aside and slapped Gregory across the face. "It's you who is nothing! Power, title, wealth! Ha! It can easily be taken away just ask this slave. Now man up, you are a Vice Captain of this kingdom's army yet you are afraid of a little girl?!"

"Who needs you! We can leave the document as is and not finalize the adoption, I can easily spread word that the Vice Captain had his priorities straight when he picked self preservation or the preservation of a child's life! I'm pretty sure Petunia Pebbleson will find that attractive!" Lady Zula shouted at the top of her lungs.

"No! Please don't.... I'll do it. Just don't mention Petunia's name again please." Gregory said in a small voice. Lady Zula was confused and looked at her mother. "She died from one of the church's cleansing marches..." The Countess said as she shook her head no.

Lady Zula's jaw dropped and she looked back at Gregory. She tried to apologize but he just pushed her aside. He grabbed the wax and placed his seal over top. "There it's done. Two favours and a pardon. I don't need an introduction nor will I help you leave the City." He said as he tossed his seal back to Tillie then walked out of the room.

Tillie rolled up the scroll and carefully tucked it into her leather satchel. "I will deliver this immediately. Old man Deloitte owes me one." Tillie said as she saluted the Countess. "Be safe. There is an enemy lurking out there and the Thunder Bird." The Countess said softly. Tillie nodded, she walked over to the entryway and stopped in front of Roland. "Be safe my love." She said as she stroked his cheek. "You too." He replied.

The Countess looked at James and gave him a nod. "Alright, now we move out I need every staff member available. We are getting my daughter and granddaughter out of here, even if it costs us our lives!"