Wayward Souls Orphanage

[Alia Anor Graham]

Brother Zed had been talking to me about moving from the Hospice to the Orphanage for some time, but I'd always been so busy with the Hospice, that I hadn't felt there was enough time to devote to getting the Orphanage off the ground. But the new year was here, and the Hospice was prospering nicely. The day to day operations really didn't need me constantly, and so I accepted the challenge to launch the orphanage.

There would be different challenges, dealing with children rather than the infirm and elderly. There would be completely new needs, and I began the planning work. The site had been chosen so that was not part of what I needed to do.

For now, my work was planning. Deciding how many children we would take on, how many people the orphanage would need, how to feed and house them, what neccessary amenities would we implement, educational needs and so forth. It was important that we establish an impression of caring for RhyDin from cradle to grave. We are here to help those who desire it.

The initial staff needed to be identified. It's amazing how fast time flies when one is immersed in such planning.

[Alia Anor Graham]

The planning was approaching the point where I was ready to forward it to Brother Zed.

Wayward Souls Orphanage as the proposed name.

Given the population of RhyDin, and the number of children that seem to be homeless, and the size of the building, I think we could maintain and care for 26 to 28 children.

We would need 28 beds cost of 2750.00 nobles
34 sets of bedding for 820.00 nobles
linens for kitchen and bath, 950.00 nobles
tables and chairs for the dining facilities, 9200.00 nobles
flatware and dishes and cooking needs, 7350.00 nobles
common room furniture, 11400.00 nobles
administrative furnishings, 9640.00 nobles
consumables for administration, 475.00 nobles
food to stock shelves, 3300.00 nobles

We would need to bring several of the brothers and sisters from the Temple to run the orphanage, and recruiting should begin next month if we are to open for the Beltaine.

I signed the missive and sent it with a Temple runner to be delivered to Brother Zed.

[Brother Zed]

Brother Zed reviewed the proposal for the Wayward Souls Orphanage. Musing to himself, the brother reflected upon the need to step up their recruiting efforts and the need to develop a revenue stream to cover the operating costs of the orphanage. He made a note to himself to ask Sister Naomi to do some research. Perhaps Brother Vinny's projects were bearing fruit.

Zed sipped from a glass of exotic tea and then set the glass aside on the corner of his desk. Taking up pen and paper, the brother penned a quick note to Sister Naomi.

Sister Naomi, please assign Sister Alia the funds she requires for the orphanage project. Her proposal is approved.

May the White Lady's wisdom guide us,
Brother Zed

Finishing the note, Zed folded the endorsement and left it in his out-basket, along with Alia's original request, for Naomi to pick up on her next round.

Zed recovered his tea and moved to the large fireplace in his office. Settling into the overstuffed chair, the brother pondered the temple's next projects. Perhaps it would soon be time to begin on the homeless shelter.

[Rollo]

For Rollo, the weeks has passed by with dismall monotony. Doing his best to stay out of the sisters' way, he made himself as scarce as possible. The only routine he observed was making steady trips out to the warhorse that knew him; although, he did not know it.

Each morning he would walk out to the stables with a bucket of warm water, a sponge, and some soap he purchase from the stable hands; and wash down the animal. Grabbing a firm bristled grooming brush he would go about combing down it's mane, flanks, forelegs, hindlegs, and it's neck. He was almost anal retentive, in how he went about taking care of the animal. Though he had no memory of the beast, something inside of Rollo, spoke to him that this was how he should treat the animal. After this was done, he would walk back into the stables and retrieve "his" saddle; and go out for a ride through the nearby Battlefield Park.

Rollo was constantly in awe of the animal. How easy it could whip around a sharp turn, how instictively it responded to the slightest command. He had even tried taking through some jumps, just to see if the horse was capable. This horse didn't jump, it flew. Barreling towards fences, low walls, or bushes, all it took was the slightest nudge with his knees and the horse was in the air. Through everything Rollo had tried with the animal, all of his cammands to it seemed to come naturally. As if his body was remembering what his mind could not.

Rollo stayed out only until noon each day, then he would walk the horse back to the Hospice and place the animal back into it's stall. With that taken care of, he always returned to his room and grabbed the spear he'd acquired from a local coloseum called the "Arena". Walks back out to the stables, since at this time most of the stable hands were eating lunch, he would move through a series of stances and strikes with the spear. All the while, his body moving of it's own accord. Rollo just let his mind go, allowing his body to flow naturally through it all. Some days he would moves as fast as he could, his hands almost a blur as he manipulated the long-handled weapon. Other days he moved slower than a snail. Seeming to take his limbs a full minute to move just an inch, all the while, his muscles remained tense, defining themself. When he was finished, Rollo would walk back into the Hospice and bathe the sweat from his body.

However, Rollo knew that he could not stay with the Hospice much longer. For all the kindness they had shown him, he knew he was starting to leach off of them. His wounds had long since healed, though the scars remained, he was able bodied now. He needed to find a way to either start repaying them for their care, or find some place to start looking for his lost memories.

So it was on this day, that Rollo Al'Vandraset made his way towards Sister Alia Anor's office; the two of them needed to talk. Not finding Sister Alia Anor in her office, he asked around and quickly found out she was over seeing a new building being raised for the Temple. Nodding his thanks to sister Rosemerta, Rollo put on his red breastplate, bracers, pauldroon, grieves, and boots; and rode out towards where the Orphanage was being erected.

[Alia Anor Graham]

After Brother Zed released the needed funds, the work really began. Interviewing people to staff the orphanage, getting the basic services arranged, and setting up the rooms, the kitchen, and the public rooms in preparation for the children.

I am so happy that I have a good staff at the Hospice. They have made it possible for me to spend so many hours here working on this project.

As I sat in the office I have claimed for the time being, I was surprised to see our Hospice guest appear in the doorway wearing his armor.

"Good day to you. Would you come in? I presume there is something on your mind that you have ridden all this way?"

I set the resumes down on the desk, happy for a bit of a break.

[Rollo]

"Then you would presume correctly." He spoke evenly as he strode calmly into the room. Leaving his spear at the door, he took a chair across from Sister Alia Anor.

" I came out to see you in the matter of my staying at the Hospice. My wounds have healed, but my memory still has not returned. Though I recieve minor flashes, what you might call visions, of what could be taken as memories; they are disjointed and do not make any sense." A dark look crossed over his stone-like features as he remembered how troubling the latest batch had been.

"But that is not the reason I am here. I am here, Sister Alia Anor, becuase I feel I am starting to leech off of the Hospice. I am fit and able bodied now. I do not see any more reason for me to continue my stay at the Hospice, however, I do not have anywhere else to go." Through it all, his tone had remained calm and impartial. A soldiers tone. " I was curious about whether or not, you had some idea of where I could stay so that I am not a drain on the Hospices's resources?"

[Alia Anor Graham]

Noting that he left his weapon at the door before entering and settling across from me.

He explained his situation with the detachment of a soldier making a report, when in fact he was describing a situation most people would find most distressing.

"Would you care to discuss your 'visions' as you are calling them? You seem to think they are related to your past, and perhaps they are."

I rose and walked toward the windows that over looked the streets outside. "You worry about earning your keep? There are places you can go, of course. The Temple is always looking for new initiates, and we have a private military, which you would seem to fit nicely into. There are things you could do at the Hospice, or here to cover your meager costs, and not upset your life at the moment, and then there are hotels in Rhydin. I suspect you could take a position with one of the locals who either hire mercenaries, or have their own protection forces. It truly depends on what you would like to do. And in truth, you have not been a burden."

I hoped he would stay, uprooting himself right now may interrupt his attempts at recovery, but he is correct, he is able bodied, and could seek gainful employement if he so desired.

[Rollo]

Rollo merely nodded as Sister Alia Anor layed out a few options for him to consider. In truth though, he had considered many of them. Yes he could move to one of the many hotels this city was sure to have, but he would need money to rent a room first. Then there is the possibility of hiring himself out as a mercenary. Such a life would get him by for a time, but in the long run it would not be a wise decision. After all, he would only be valued by such an employer as long as he could fulfill whatever requirements were set down. In the event that he was ever injured, Rollo could be sure that his coninuted employment would be in jeapardy.

Leaning back in the chair, Rollo places a hand upon each knee and regarded the Sister serenely. "Many of the options you have mentioned, I too have thought of. Each has it's pros and cons; but I do not see myself in a position of servitude for the remainder of my life; and as you can also see.." ::He motioned to his red armor:: "White does not appear to be my color. No offense intended" ::He corrected himself, eyes widening slightly as a gauntleted hand rose in a defensive motion. It was the closest dispaly to actual emotion he had shown since awakening in the Hospice so many weeks ago.

Calming himself, Rollo continued:: " With the life of a mercenary, I am only good to an employer as long as I am able bodied. Should I sustain a deblilitating injury, I'd find myself searching for another way to keep a roof over my head." Again he spoke in a soldiers tone, calm, and confidential. "I could find ways to help out at the Hospice, but the sisters's would most likely spend more time teaching me how something is done, than they would in taking care of their charges. As for here at the Orphanage, I feel that my countenance, and attitudes would frighten and intimidate young ones more than it would to promote a kind face upon the establishment." ::Letting out a slight sigh, Rollo rose to his feet and pushed the chair across from her desk back to where it was.::

" As you can see,Sister Alia Anor, I am in quite the predicament, I thought you could offer some advice and illuminate some possibilities that I might have over looked, and so you have." ::Slowly Rollo nodded to Sister Alia Anor:: " I have taken up enough of your time, Sister. Perhaps I will see you at the Hopsice later? Mayhap together we could come up with an answer to my situation." ::Waspish eyes watched the Sister as he awaited her response and dismissal::

[Alia Anor Graham]

Rollo had given this a fair deal of thought, and I cannot say that I blame him for not wanting to become a mercenary. It was a hard life, and full of risks for little reward.

I had to smile when he told me white was not his color, but decided to wait until he had exhausted his ideas and concerns. His calm, cool demeanor is worrisome. I cannot believe anyone can be so detached from their life and how pecariously balanced his is.

"Rollo, you are always welcome to come speak with me. You may be correct about working at the Hospice, or the Orphanage, but there is always a need for a man around, and not just for defense. And as for wearing white, not all of the Temple Guard are initiates. You could have a home in the barracks and not fully join as an initiate. Those are things you would need to consider in the appropriate time, but not at once."

I rose and headed for the door, opening it for him, "I will be at the hospice later, and I shall look forward to talking with you then. If I can help you find a solution to your discomfort, I shall certainly try."

[Rollo]

"Very well, should you return to the Hospice and I am not there, look for me in the place called 'Battlefield Park'." Nodding once again, he picked up his spear from where it had been left at the door and stepped out. Stopping abruptly, he turned his cold gray eyes back onto Sister Alia Anor. "I sense that my calmness over this situation, bothers you, doesn't it?" He spoke calmly as if he had read her mind.

However he did not wait for her to answer beacause he was striding down the hall towards the main entrance. Spear held with the bladed end pointing at the cieling, he stepped out into the street and moved out of sight.

[Alia Anor Graham]

He strode from my office with spear in hand. Battlefield Park he'd said, and I wonder what draws him there with no place to stay.

His parting comment makes me wonder if he is clairvoyant enough to read my thoughts. It would serve me well to remember that the next time we meet, for I do believe we shall meet. I cannot allow him to sleep in the Park just because he feels he is a drain on our resources. No, better that he remain with us until he decides for certain what he would like to do.

I watched him leave and vanish from sight before returning to my planning for the Orphanage. I'm going to hire the basic staff next week, and will ask Brother Osberic for protection once we begin taking in the children. They are easy prey for the scavengers of the city, and I will be more assured of their safety if we can have a set of guards on the property to discourage ruffians who would prey upon these innocents.

Night was approaching quickly as I locked up the building and headed for Battlefield Park.

[Lucelei]

First the armored man entered the building, but he did not remain long. He spoke with my quarry for only a few minutes before departing with a determined expression. He mounted a war horse, securing the spear before riding off toward the northern side of town.

It was not long before she locked the door and began her walk back toward the Temple. Only tonight, instead of stopping at the Temple, she continued onward, finally stopping in Battlefield Park.

I kept to the cover of trees and shrubs as I watched her wait there in the park as night fell fully over the city.

[Rollo]

Rollo watched the woman in white walks calmly through the park for several minutes before making his way over to her. Slowly he emerged from the copse of trees nearest to Sister Alia ANor; with his spear clasped across his shoulders, wrists resting limp over the wooden shaft. Walking independently, the great war horse trotted beside of him, it's saddle nowhere to be seen.

Rollo's blonde brow was knitted in thought as he moved closer to where Sister Alia Anor stood. Finally stopping he looked up at her, his face calm as usual. "I thought you would come here first " Why he chose to start the conversation that way could be anyone's guess. Embedding the spear point first into the ground, he nodded respectfully to the Sister. Looking over his shoulder, he found the horse kneeling down on its forelegs. The left extended fully, while the right was curled up under it's broad chest.

"Show off" he muttered with a derisive grunt. To this the animal merely bared it's teeth at the man and whinneyed. The man in red armor merely rolled his eyes with a bored expression. "Horse has been acting like that all day." Whether he was speaking to Sister Alia Anor or himself was unknown. Sighing audibly, Rollo took up a casual stance as he just watched the priestess with calm eyes.

"Have you come up with anymore ideas regarding my situation?" Straight to the point as always, those cold gray eyes remained locked on Sister Alia Anor's form as night fell in the park.

[Alia Anor Graham]

Rollo stepped out from the cover of trees, his war horse trotting beside him. His features remained that cool, unphased expression that continues to trouble me.

"I thought you would come here first." He drove the point of the spear into the soft ground as he regarded me. The horse had dropped into what can only be described as a 'bow' beside him. "Show off."

We stood there long moments before I told him that I came here first because I suspected he would opt for sleeping in the park rather than feel he was a burden on the Hospice. "But in truth, you are not a burden, and I am curious if there is more here that draws you than simply a desire not to continue accepting the charity of the Hospice."

I gave the great horse a wide berth as I walked slowly along the treeline. He'd asked me if I'd come up with anything more for possibilities. "Well, I was going to ask Brother Osberic for some security for the Orphanage. Those unfortunate children are easy prey for the unsavory of the town, and I suspect that some of them will have been used by louts who will not be happy to see them seek the shelter of our organization. Perhaps you could remain there to earn your keep until you decide how you wish to proceed?"

I paused to study him with wide aqua eyes. If he stayed, I would not have to ask Brother Osberic for more than 3 others.

[Rollo]

Digesting her words thoughtfully, he leaned against a young maple tree. Crossing his arms over the breastplate of his armor, Rollo cast his gray eyes to the ground as the war horse moved away from the pair, grazing lightly on small flowers it found peaking out of the light snow on the ground.

Several minutes passed before he returned his gaze to the aqua shade of Sister Alia Anor's. "I suppose I could work as a form of guard at the Orphanage. However, it would not be good for the children if they "see" armed men moving about through the establishment. For those that may have been "used", it would make them feel that their new safe haven is no different than a prison." A slight smile slid onto his lips as he tilted his head to the side. "You are going to petition, to your superior for more men, correct? I did not see any guards about the Orphanage when I was there earlier. Why don't you ask for guards who have hobbies along the lines of say, gardening, painting, and other hands on activities?. This way the guard can double as maintenance figures." That smile was gone as sudden as it had appeared. Pushing away from the tree, he just stood there and watched her for a moment before looking around the park. Cold gray eyes coming to rest upon a small set of shrubs off in the distance. Rollo's gaze lingered there for no more than a moment before he turned back to Sister Alia Anor.