June 25th, 2934**
Today was my first of many to come in the position of Headmistress. I have been instructed by the Queen to keep a record of all the children and their notable activities, as well as, the times they arrive and whom adopted them. She also suggested adding a few verbal notes within these pages to further clarify any entries that I felt needed to be. I am not very used to keeping these sorts of records so this will be my first attempt. Today, we gathered up nineteen children from the streets. All of which were eager to be out of the street. I hear there are a few more out there whom for some reason or another wish to remain but it is my hope that they will soon join our folds. Bellow is a record of their names and ages as well as some personal details such as parentage and birthdays for those who can remember the information. I'm looking forward to this and I feel it will prove to be a rewarding experience.
Girls
Cordula McKennzie
-Age 12
-Mother Marya McKennzie and Father Merrek
McKennzie
-Born April 14, 2922
Irmhilde Galph
-Age 7
-Mother Briegitte Galph and Father Nordwin
Galph
-Born September 3, 2926
Kristen Anderson
-Age 5
-Mother Karla Anderson and Father unknown
-Born October 4, 2928
Percia Welliver
-Age 9
-Mother Liola Welliver and Father Dederka
Ryvich
-Born September 12, 2924
Sarah-Michelle Ryder III
-Age 4
-Mother Sarah-Michelle Ryder II and Father Eric
Ryder Sr.
-Born May 19, 2930
Kaoko Ukiri
-Age 11
-Mother Meiko Ukiri and Father unknown
-Born August 29, 2922
Okita Ukiri
-Age 7
-Mother Meiko Ukiri and Father unknown
-Born July 27, 2926
Tristan
-Age 5
Solange
-Age 10
Isabella
-Age 8
Lyndsay
-Age 4
Boys
Paiden Cornith
-Age 9
-Mother Fey Cornith and Father Brennon Cornith
-Born December 12, 2924
Azad Khudayar
-Age 10
-Mother Zeena Khudayar Father Majnoon Khudayar
-April 7, 2924
Aldous Welliver
-Age 9
-Mother Liola Welliver and Father Dederka
Ryvich
-Born September 12, 2924
Derrik Cushing
-Age 5
-Mother Gwen Cushing and Father unknown
-Born January 29, 2929
Lievo Moricius Orlondo Pinvara
-Age 7
-Mother Marina Conchita Pinvara Father Orlondo
Pacorro Tavio Pinvara
-Born April 8, 2927
Glyndwr
-Age 6
-Race Half-Elf
Quiwn
-Age 4
Olivier
-Age 3
Teachers/Staff
Ms. Carmina Ashtari, Headmistress
Ms. Karin-Beate Kargolsh, Teacher and assistant to
the headmistress
Signora Antonia Bellevani, Teacher
Ms. Pamela Braxton, Teacher
Mrs. Odgiva Kocq, Cook and housekeeper
Mr. Hamon Grave, groundskeeper
June 28th, 2934
First day of classes proceeded without many problems. Two of the children were quite bright and took easily to the lessons. I will now be proceeding with the lessons of Cordula McKennzie and Solange since they will be requiring instruction broader than most of our teachers were able to provide. If a suitable home cannot be found for them, it is my hope that they will receive a decent enough education so that when they are ready they can become assistants in shops or perhaps instructors themselves. Cordula is within her twelfth year so her time to leave us may be short of hand. I endeavor to make her state as pleasant as possible. The other children will be assigned to these teachers according to ability with the allowance of change in the future.
Ms. Karin-Beate Kargolsh
- Lievo Moricius Orlondo Pinvara
- Paiden Cornith
- Isabella
- Kaoko Ukiri
- Aldous Welliver
- Percia Welliver
Signora Antonia Bellevani
- Irmhilde Galph
- Okita Ukiri
- Tristan
- Azad Khudayar
- Glyndwr
Ms. Pamela Braxton
- Kristen Anderson
- Sarah-Michelle Ryder III
- Lyndsay
- Derrik Cushing
-Quiwn
-Olivier
June 29th, 2934
Today we received a visit from the Queen while in the middle of our instruction. Several of the children recognized her from when she took them within her city manor while the orphanage was being renovated. Her kind affection has always touched me as it did the children, who finished their lessons in a much more cheery mood. As another note, Signora Bellevani as expressed concern with Glyndwr's recent behavior. I believe this is the result of being the only child of elven blood as well as the natural bitterness of being abandoned as some of the other children have tendencies toward.
July 2nd, 2934
I discovered the reason why several of the rumored children were never discovered. Within the thieves quarter, a protection group was founded to keep them safe while instructing them in various forms of thievery. Another protection group was found within the quays, as well as, some of the younger girls who had been selling themselves in prostitution. A couple of the children expressed interest in leaving the group or their way of life but most chose to remain. It's a sorry state of affairs when children are forced into gangs or to sell themselves in the street. I hope I will decent councilor. It will be noted that Glyndwr has acted up in class again this day to the point of starting a brawl with Azad Khudayar who made a crack about his ears and then was shot back with a comment about being the stupidest in their class. Signora Bellevani did her best to intercede but Mr. Grave was the one to break it apart. Both were suitably punished and left without dinner. I hope this will not be a pattern.
The following children were added:
Ms. Carmina Ashtari
-Nastaska (female)
-Age 12
Ms. Karin-Beate Kargolsh
-Pol (male)
-Age 11
-Armoni Trioli (male)
-Age 10
-Mother Vesna Trioli and Father unknown
-Born October 30, 2923
Signora. Antonia Bellevani
-Meena Medhaavi (female)
-Age 9
-Mother Osha Medhaavi and Father unknown
-Born June 5, 2925
-Hardin (male)
-Age 7
-Christopher (male)
-Age 8
Ms. Pamela Braxton
-Taylor (female)
-Age 6
July 6th, 2934
With the recent additions and especially additional boys, I have come to the conclusion that we are in need of another teacher. Perhaps one to be hired as an instructor of weaponry and physical tactics. Ms. Braxton and Signora Bellevani disagree with me. Signora feels that would be encouraging the boys to seek out professions as mercenaries once they are finished. Perhaps they are right in that. However, I do feel that a male teacher would be beneficial to the instruction of the children. Several of the local merchants have expressed and interest in hiring our services as instructors for their children and also lodging while they are away on trips. I will explore this aspect further when the Queen visits in two weeks time.
July 7th, 2934
Signora Bellevani pulled me aside after my instruction and spent an hour in complaints about the behavior of Glyndwr toward herself and the other children. After several complaints dealing with her nerves and various other aliments, I agreed to pull Glyndwr out of her class and instruct him by myself. Perhaps he will benefit from some extra discipline.
July 9th, 2934
My lessons with Glyndwr included have been proceeding with some difficulty. Though he is quite bright for his age, he is but six years old and is not at the level of my other students. His frustration is visibly noticed and is often reflected in bursts of anger. The girls have ostracized him as well as the rest of the students. Some of the boys have picked up on his anger and took advantage of him more in their taunting and those I hear of or witness are halted and punished. This boy is going to be rather difficult and may require further correction as well as instruction. With all the activities of running the necessities of 26 children and six adults as well as attempting to find homes for the orphans, I do not have time for this child. Perhaps a male influence will be helpful. My scolding and punishments can only go so far.
July 14th, 2934
Lord praise the Queen and all her glory! I simply felt that was necessary after her visit. The children crowded around her as usual and she took over the instruction for about an hour as she read to them from a story. Even the elder children listened intently though it was mainly geared toward the little ones. Afterwards, I gave my report and she glanced through my logbook. Within she noticed the entries pertaining to Glyndwr and his behavior. After answering all the questions she presented to me, she took the child to one side and took him on a stroll through the gardens. I was dumbfounded by the change that came over him after this walk. He actually apologized for being so mean to both Signora Bellevani and mysefl. I thanked the Queen profusely for this service and she informed me that she would be visiting the child more often and that he will be receiving his instruction at her place every Thursday and he will remain there for the whole of the day. Never has their been a more generous Queen than Gracera.
July 17th, 2934
I spent most of the day reviewing over the candidates for the instructor's position. Since this was available to only male applicants, I had to turn away several promising young women searching for such a position. The Queen agrees with my proposal of having the orphanage also becoming a center for instruction for those children whose children might need occasional housing but not a full time boarding school. Numerous merchants have expressed interest in this. However, I grow uncertain if this will be beneficial for the orphans or will it cause further bitterness within them when confronted each day with children who get to return home to loving parents. The Queen also expresses the same concern and wonders if it might be best to set up a second school for such a purpose. It would be a radical idea but experiments often pay off in the end.
July 20th, 2934
While the proposal for allowing students from the town to join our instruction was brushed aside, we still were able to acquire an extra instructor by the name of Wallace Starling. He will mainly be dealing with the boys as well as teaching some mathematical principals to the elder children. Since he will not be a full time instructor and has other obligations, his residence will remain in town. I feel this might assist the boys in their development further as well as give them a stern hand. I also must say that after Glyndwr returned from his visit with the Queen, though he spent most of the time with her daughter and her tutor, the influence is pronounced. Though he still is aggressive for most of the week, he is pacified once returning from his visit.
August 3rd, 2934
Today we received a bit of a surprise on the doorstep. A baby girl about 3 months old was left within our care. We have no idea who the mother might be but I have a feeling that she wishes to be kept anonymous. Some of the older girls as well as the teachers were cooing at the child all morning. I must admit that she was a charm to watch. I hope we will be able to find a home for her soon but a name has been chosen for her in the mean time, Erica.
August 6th, 2934
Baby Erica was fussy all day, except for a four-hour period where I took the liberty of finishing up my lessons and the bit of paperwork remaining. I often wonder why I always seem to get to watch over her whenever she is fussy. The privilege of being headmistress I suppose. Today, I also received a letter from a gentleman calling himself Samuel Ryder. Within, he claims to be the brother of Eric Ryder, who is the father of Sarah-Michelle. Her father died out at sea and her mother while giving birth two years ago. The child was left within the care of a neighbor who was unaware of any relations. My heart goes out to the child if this is true for she may be in the care of a loving family once more.
August 10th, 2934
I had to break up a fight between Azad and Glyndwr again. Though his visits with the Queen has quelled most of his tendencies, it cannot wipe away all the anger built up inside. Sometimes I wonder if he holds more the blood of a pixie than an elf.
August 24th, 2934
Sometimes I wonder if I am becoming a bit slack in my records. It's been over fourteen days since I have written something within these pages. I shall endeavor to be more thorough in my explanations of the day. Samuel Ryder arrived today with his wife and took Sarah-Micelle home with him. There were quite a few embraces and some tears exchanged between the girls as they said goodbye, but she is quite excited and I know she will be in a good home now.
August 25th, 2934
The Queen visited today and was greeted with the usual enthusiasm. Glyndwr practically trailed her the entire visit. He would have entered the room during our meeting if Mr. Starling had not stopped him. I'm starting to think that hiring him was one of the best moves we had done. His influence is not measurable. Unfortunately, he left around the same time Glyndwr got into another row with Azad concerning the Queen. I think it would be best if we kept the two of them apart from now on.
August 30th, 2934
We said good-bye to Baby Erica today who was adopted into the loving home of Lorien and Maria Telfain. I miss the child already but I'm glad that we were able to find a home so swiftly. I hope the other children will be quite so lucky. I hear it is difficult finding homes for children who are past a certain age. At least they might be able to find ways to continue their lives happily after leaving us.
*The notes continue over several pages and many years. Children come and go and they face various challenges. However, there is very little to note except for a few torn pages that seem to be missing. Further examination over the notes might be necessary at a later date to figure out the reason why for this. However, while this may be interesting, the ending of the log causes all thoughts of the missing pages to wipe from your mind.*
** All dates are based on the calendar of the Twelfth turning.