Wayward Souls Orphanage

[Alia Anor Graham]

Thankfully the horse moved away from us. Rollo paused to lean against a tree as he suggested that armed men around the orphanage might be unsettling for the young ones.

"I was thinking that a set of uniformed guards from the Temple might make them feel more protected, safer." Frowning as I considered his words, perhaps the children would be frightened by the warriors rather than comforted.

"Yes, Brother Osberic runs the Temple's guards, and is the one who would need to provide the resources for my request."

His idea of having the guards come plain clothes was interesting. A smile flickered across his features, but was gone almost as soon as it had appeared. He studied a section of shrubs at the edge of the park before turning back toward me.

"Would you be willing then to stay until we get things established? What hobbies have you that we can engage with you? A painter? Gardening? What would you like to try first?"

[Rollo]

With a soft laugh, he turned his eyes back onto her, a thoughtful look in his face. "Children enjoy playing do they not? Why not make me "Director of Activities" Devising games for them to play should not be too hard, and it will mean there will be someone with a constant eye on the young ones." Nodding he remained in that casual stance and waited for her response to his proposal.

[Alia Anor Graham]

His laugh was soft in the darkness as he asked me if children liked to play and he suggested making him the director of activities, to devise games for them and provide a constant eye on the youngsters.


"I do not know if children like to play, I presume they do, although my life was not like that. What sorts of activities did you have in mind?"

I believe their extracurricular activities should teach them something, as well as strengthen muscle and bone, and improve dexterity, and I wonder if he thinks along similar lines.

[Rollo]

"The games I could devise would mainly depend upon my impression of the children. Though full of energy, young ones tend to tire out quickly. I will try to invent games that teach the children positive communication, teach them to cooperate with one another to achieve a set goal. They should understand the value of good sportsmanship. Learn that you cannot win everytime, and should congradulate the victor regardless of personal feelings. Also, I will teach them to think above the norm, to devise more than one strategem to claim the prize I set down. " As Rollo set out a series of ideas on how to approach his duties in this position, a slender smile slipped onto his lips and stayed there with each word.

"The "awards" will varry most of the time, maybe one day it would be candy, another day a stuffed toy of some kind, a different day it could be a trip somewhere they want to see. The last I would tell them, needed to be cleared with you first." The great war horse was beginning to make its way back over to where Rollo and Sister Alia Anor were discussing more games that children could play.

"The games that the children could play, I feel should not be overly competitive, because there is the offchance that the victors will degrade their opponents. This could create a rift in the comradery among them. With the children living together for the most part, they should view each other as one another's family. Each boy and girl, their brother and sister. A point of view such as this will strengthen any bonds that may form." It was here that Rollo stopped and turned to regard the horse calmly. Reaching into a pouch at his sine, he took out a handful of fine grain that had been acquired from the stables at the Hospice and held it out to the animal for feeding.

[Alia Anor Graham]

I listened as he described his goals with taking on the position at the orphanage, and that ghost of a smile I'd seen before returned as he described his plans.

The war horse began moving closer, and I backed away a few steps as Rollo fed the creature a handful of grain.

"Well, I will need to clear it with Brother Zed of course, but it sounds like you have a good feeling for your proposal. How would you incorporate the protections? You can't carry a spear around all of the time, and yet, when or if defense were required, you would need some basics."

[Rollo]

"Actually, Sister Alia Anor. The basic defenses will be the easiest to implement. Depending on the areas of interest that the "maintenance" crew has, they will be armed at all times. Daggers or short-swords hidden within tool bags and so forth. It is still early yet, so there is no real need to worry about the finer details until later." As the animal ate the last of what grain he had brought, Rollo turned on Sister Alia Anor with a curious eye. "This is rather off topic, but why does this horse treat you like a threat? He acts normal, yet when you get too close, he behaves rather peculiarly."A strange gleam blazed to life in Rollo's calm gray eyes now. "I suppose it does not matter, animals are fickle at best." Letting the subject go, he moved to stand beside the horse. Though it's saddle was back in the copse, it still wore the reins and mouth-bit. Taking a hold of the reins, Rollo began to lead it slowly back into the clearing. "It has grown late, I will see you back to the Temple before returning to the Hospice."

[Alia Anor Graham]

"Well, as you can tell, I've not much experience with defense and arms. My tutors were able to teach me the basics, but not much else." She did not want to tell him that had her calling not been administrative, she would have joined the Guards. Her skill with close combat arms was better than most, thanks to Xenograg.

He changed subjects abruptly, "This is rather off topic, but why does this horse treat you like a threat? He acts normal, yet when you get too close, he behaves rather peculiarly."

She gave him a startled look, "I rather thought it was my fear of the beast that he senses. War horses are notorious for attacking those they do not know."

They walked toward the edge of the park, and that peculiar sensation of being watched slithered down her spine, and she paused to look around in the darkness. "Thank you Rollo, I appreciate your company, and I will ask Brother Zed for his blessing on instituting you as the Activities Director."

[Lucelei]

So, she had come to meet the patient they'd taken in at the Hospice. Why not simply go back there? Why all the way to Battlefield Park?

They walked slowly toward the exit and in the general direction of the Temple, and she shifted in the shadows, keeping still to the shelter of the folliage.

At last, intrigue, at least of a minor sort. Anything was better than the weeks of repetition.

Where in the devil was Caleb?

With a nearly silent oath, she moved after the pair.

[Rollo]

Moving back into the copse of trees, Rollo went about the task of re-saddling his horse. This took him only a moment, his gauntletted hands moving with trained precision. Turning back to Siser Alia Anor, Rollo regarded her inquisitively. "Do you have much experience in riding horses?" As he spoke, Rollo tightened his grip on the horses riens, causing the animal to stand stock still.

[Alia Anor Graham]

I gave him a quick laugh. "Elves ride better than most, and my tutor saw to it we learned at early age, but we don't ride war horses Rollo. That one will try to eat me!"

[Alia Anor Graham]

It had been a very long time since I had had the time to go to the dueling rings, and tonight I rather looked forward to some swords fighting.

A great blue dragon lounged on the floor, and I went to the bar to collect my tequila. Then, finding a table near the wall, I sat down to await my opportunity.

I found that opportunity with a young woman whose name was given as Solace Altara Blue.

After that, I stepped into a ring with a woman of many tattoos. Her name was Kalinda. She wore one of the skimpiest outfits I’ve seen in public. It was a white bikini like top held together by chains, and a white loin cloth belted with a gold chain, but barely kept her covered enough to avoid arrest for exposure. I blinked, and hurried to cover my embarrassment.

My attention was snatched from Kalinda and her attire when I heard Rollo’s voice requesting a duel. “Rollo, when did you get here?”

Regrettably the shock of Kalinda’s mage bolt searing my robes forced me to re-focus. “Brother Zed will be very unhappy if I come home with a singed robe.”

“Then why wear it?” She asked. Her expression was one of open honesty despite the the fact that it was not the sort of question most people would ask someone they’ve just met.

I could feel both brows wing upward, “I wear it because I serve the White Lady.”

“No, in the rings. Why wear it if you fear it to become damaged?”

“I have no other attire. My life is given over completely.” I wish no other attire since my initiation.

“Then are you shy of your body? That at least, will heal.” Her question took me completely by surprise.

I could feel the blood flee from my face, “it would be unseemly to display to the public what is reserved.”

Kalinda was puzzled, “Reserved? For what? The body is only another garment for the spirit within.”

“But in this place and time, it is reserved for a mate.”

“Why? Are you ashamed of it?” Kalinda continued to push for the root of the reason for the shapeless robes.

“Of course not! But the pleasures of the flesh are not for indiscriminant sharing.” How she could show so much skin to strange men was unthinkable, and yet she did with no apparent reservations. I could never!

“What pleasure? If you do not wish your garment to be damaged in sparring, don’t wear it. It is simple, is it not?” She seemed to miss the point the Sister was attempting to make.

“No, no, no, you mistake my point. I cannot display my skin but it is not shame.” She was missing that there is honor in remaining true to the calling I have heard.

“Why not? Forgive me if I do not understand your customs.” She seemed sincere, and yet she seemed to enjoy this embarrassing discussion.

“The White Lady teaches us that our purpose is to serve. We cannot serve if we are scantily clad, for attention would not be upon our works.” People must be focusing on what we are doing and saying. Our goals are not to lure with promises of the flesh.

“Ah, but your attention is on what I am doing at the moment, correct?” And she promptly reached out with a fear touch spell. “Not on what I am wearing.”

I winced at the visions before facing her again, “But I do not desire your flesh, though there are many men about who would be strongly distracted, and perhaps a few women.”

She laughed, “then they are weak, and just human. Human’s however noble, are not perfect.”

I was coughing from the fumes she’s cast, “and you do not mind that they oogle your body?”

She laughed again, “If I were to cover myself, they would waste time in speculation. Or, they would ignore me.”

It was a rather unique viewpoint.

“If I singe your robes, please accept my apology in advance.” And then she loosed her next spell.

“If you singe me, it is my own fault Kalinda.”

The match was over, and I headed back to my table for the tequila before looking for Rollo. I took my glass and approached, “mind if I join you?”

We sat and talked for a bit about the dueling, and merits of keeping sharp, and I demurred, explaining that I hoped not to need such skills. That Brother Osberic, Brother Blacklance, and Brother Vincent protected us, and thus I could focus on administration for the Hospice and the Orphanage.

We talked for some time about defense and the merits of keeping in practice, but while I had come for a bit of practice, I decided not to fight swords in front of him. Instead, I invited him to meet me in a ring for fists.

He glanced at me, he’d never been in a fists ring before, and that was good, because I have seldom been in them. We’d both be in unfamiliar turf.

After our match, we headed back to the table, and I commented that Brother Zed would be wondering about all of my bruises when the caller asked if we didn’t have healers at the Temple.

“The magic of the White Lady is not for such healing. There are others who need our resources much more than I do for such trivial things.”

He asked me if I’d care to explain “that whole White Lady bag? My understanding of the whole issue is a little…. Non-existent.”

I studied him a moment, “What would you like to know?”

“Start from the beginning,” Pslyder prompted.

“the White Lady has come to RhyDin to serve the people here, and there are many ways to serve. We fulfill needs of the city and through our work we grow.”

“Yeah, but how did the whole shindig start up?” He was stretched out upon the floor. “I get the PR schpiel from the brochures.”

I gave Rollo a quick look, “The defeat of the one known as Shakira, the liberation of the people by The Liberator. The White Lady seeks to honor that.”

He chuckled, “Shakira? Hey, I was in on that.”

“We owe the Liberator our gratitude.”

At that point, the Egyptian, known as Anubis arrived.

I looked at Rollo, “there is much we owe him.”

Anubis walked toward me, and I tried to hide my revulsion of the man, “Excuse me, dear?”

I nodded at Anubis, “yes?”

“Not all have the same perspective on the world or on that matter as you do. I’ll request you not to mention the matter again. At least not in my presence.”

I rose slowly, “You do not control my views sir.”

He leaned against a pillar with an indolent air, “Ask your exalted Liberator about me.”

I was growing more angry, “The word of the White Lady is all I obey. The Liberator does not speak to me.”

“Ah yes, You sound as if you believe yourself protected by a goddess.”

“The White Lady protects us all.” I folded my hands into the sleeves of my robe, it was time for me to leave.

“I suggest you read the tale of Set and his brother. The moral is one that zealots like you would do well to learn.”

I watched his retreating form, “The deities of Egypt have fallen long ago. Perhaps you would do well to find a new one?” And then I headed for the door.

“You’ve trapped yourself,” he spoke after me.

“I am not trapped, I am Liberated.” My hand reached for the door.

“If you claim the gods of Egypt have fallen to the dust is correct, then you’ve implicitly admitted that gods can fall. Which means your own is certainly capable of the same fate.”

I pushed the door open, stepping into the night with a smile at Rollo, “He will learn the error of his ways…. In time.”

[Rollo]

I did not wholly agree with the way in which Sister Alia Anor presented her argument about the White Lady to the egyptian. The man did not share her attitude towards this "Liberator", and for that she claimed he was partially in the wrong. Claiming that he "would see the error of his ways" just because he did not follow her spiritual beliefs grated on me minutely; but it was not my place to say as much. However I did not fully accept the way in which the egyptian had presented his request in asking Sister Alia Anot to please no speak her personal views in his pressence either.

Walking the Sister back to her Temple I bade her good night and would await her response on his proposals for the Orphanage. With a shrill whistle I called my horse from where I had left it tethered. With only slight effort I pulled myself up into the saddle and rode back to the Hospice for a nights rest, and an early rise.

[Rollo]

Well over a month had passed since his slight interaction with Sister Alia Anor. A month of absolute silence.

No word had come from her, in regards to his proposal for the Orphanage. No notification on wether or not she had delivered the idea to this "Brother Zed". However there was little else he could do but wait, and maintain the routine he had established for himself at the Hospice.

Rising early, Rollo would make his way into the kitchens to help the cooks as best be could. Mostly it was gathering whatever they required for the days meals. Once that minor task was completed, he made his way out to the stables and made sure the horses had plenty of feed, and went so far as to clean out the stalls. By the time the boys rose to do this job themselves, all that was left for them to do, was simple brush or bathe the horses as needed. And fill the water trough of course.

Once returned to his rooms, Rollo sent a request for a bowl of hot water, along with a washclothe and a bar of soap. Cleaning away the stench of the stables and whatever was on his hands from helping out the cooks. This done, he went about the laborous task of cleansing his armor. The design upon it was still foreign to his cloudy memory.

It was almost daunting for him to go about this empty life without knowing where he had come from; yet there was no other course of action to choose from. The armorers in the city could not tell him where his exotic armor was made, nor of any smith that had a rumor for creating such designs. He was absolutley, posotively, stuck in Rhydin with no place to go. All he had was the Hospice. And the Orphanage beyond that.

Returning to the stables, red armor gleaming in the noon sun, he walked the strange warhorse out of the stable yard and made his way towards Battlefield Park.

[Alia Anor Graham]

The month had flown by in a blur of activities, and there never seemed to be enough time to sort out the needs of the Hospice from those of the Orphanage, but today was a fine spring day, and I set out to walk from the Hospice to the Orphanage.

Somehow along that walk I found my feet following Gold Dragon Way. Stopping before the mithril gates, I took some time to sort out some of my lists and priorities.

It hit me abruptly, Rollo had been awaiting for a response from Brother Zed and I about his proposal to be the Director of Activities for the Orphanage. And I had not yet given him an answer.

We would begin taking in children next week, and certainly his proposal would be a good one to implement.

I gave a last look at the deserted house and headed quickly toward the Orphanage to pen a note for our guest at the Hospice.

Yes, his plan sounded good, and I was looking forward to seeing what he could do with those plans and help us grow the Orphanage to it's potential.

[Alia Anor Graham]

After dispensing the note to Rollo, I glanced at the time. It was late. Too late to walk alone back to the Temple. I rose and locked the doors to the Orphanage. It would not be the first time I have slept on the sofa, and the silence was a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of the Temple, where people were always going to and fro, busy doing something to further the work of the White Lady.

I looked at the gift candles. They were still an enigma. Still no information on who sent them, nor why. But, they would be a nice accent
tonight.

I lit the candles and curled up on the sofa with some documents for the Orphanage that I would need to file with the City tomorrow.

The scent from the candles slowly permeated the room, and sleep descended............................