Fostering orphans
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Paula, Yvonne
Date Posted: 5th July 2006
Characters: Lymria, Cyrek
Description: Lymria comes to talk with Cyrek about the fate of two orphans.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 3 of Turn 3
"Steward Cyrek, could I have a moment of your time?" The young woman asked. Since her arrival to Amber Hills, she had been looking for a chance to meet the Steward, but he was so busy whole the time. Cyrek looked up from his cluttered desk, then smiled and motioned her in when he recognized her from Amethyst Cliff. There were huge dark circles under his eyes, and he looked pale. "Certainly. What can I do for you?"
"It's about my situation and about two orphans that I've been caring since...since the quake," Lymria started and took the seat. "I lost everything I owned, except what I was wearing and my runner. I'm a widow with a baby and I need a job to make my living. Since I know these children and I've become very fond of them, I thought I could become their fostermother." "Their... fostermother?" Cyrek repeated. "Generally fostering out involves the parents rather than the Hold. I suppose that we could put you on some sort of stipend... but Lymria- it is Lymria, isn't it?"
"Yes. These two are orphans, they need someone to look after them, and I'm volunteering. Call me fostermother or surrogate mother or what ever, I don't care," Lymria said, keeping her tone humble but there was strength and conviction under her words. "What about uncles or aunts?" Cyrek held up a hand. "Not that I'm doubting your- dedication to them, but if they have a family already I don't want to create conflict."
"Well, Lyale has an aunt, but she lost her husband and has six children of her own to feed. Torgny, as far as I've been able to find out, hasn't any living relatives here. His father was a crafter and came to Amethyst Cliff hold with his wife when Torgny was a baby. He couldn't remember where they came from. His father's Hall might, but I don't have the resources to find out," Lymria explained. Cyrek smiled. "But I do. All right. Here's what we'll do, Lymria.
I'll have someone chat with Lyale's aunt, if you'd be so kind to give me her name, and ask her if she's willing for you to foster the girl. I'll also write to Torgny's father's Crafthall to ask for familial information, and see if we can get in contact with any uncles or aunts. In the mean time, keep on doing what you're doing and I'll make sure that there's a stipend for you, although to be honest, right now Amber Hills Hold's revenue isn't quite enough to meet the demands of such a huge influx of people... where are you living right now?"
"Thank you, sir. Torgny's father was a technician. Lyale's aunt is named Margly. We are currently at the temporary quarters with lot's of other refugees. As long as children and I have clothes to wear and food to eat," Lymria replied. "There's nothing to worry about starvation or hypothermia, Lymria."
Cyrek smiled reassuringly. "But what I was going to suggest would be to move you into one of the smaller cots closer to the Hold. There are a few empty ones that I could probably persuade Zelanka to move you into. But before we get that far, we do need to discuss registering you as a fostermother. If you do decide that's what you want to do, there is every possibility that more children will be brought to you to care for." Mothers and fathers too busy at Amethyst Cliff to care for their little ones, or fathers who didn't know how to care for the children they'd suddenly been left alone with... "That will be fine with me. I do have a less than a turn old baby, so I would prefer older children, who can dress and feed themselves," Lymria said with a grateful smile. "I'll see what I can do." Cyrek smiled and picked up his pen again.
"I'll write to the Technician's Hall, then, and track down Margly.
I'll also speak with Zelanka, and I'll get back to you in a day or two."
"Thank you, sir" Lymria smiled again. At least now she would have something sensible to do and a status among the hold folk.
Last updated on the July 5th 2006