Criossa and the Orphanages
Ishtar is up early in the morning. It is four o'clock. Best to be riding before the sun is up too high as the weather will be hotter as the day progresses. She dresses quickly and tidies the room. Now she is ready to go. Downstairs Neeta and Moara are waiting for Ishtar. They are to have breakfast together befor their trip to Kimbala. Nadia brings them their food and coffee. Then Nadia lets Tartufe outside for his morning adventures. Ishtar tells Nadia to make sure the kitten comes back inside before the weather gets warmer. Nadia tells Ishtar not to worry she will make sure the kitten is alright.
Ishtar, Neeta and Moara talk about the trip. They explain that Criossa has a good reputation for taking care of the children. After their breakfast the women take their dishes to the kitchen and Ishtar wipes the dining room table.
It is time to go and the three women go outside and down the stone steps to the waiting carriage. They brought some fruit with them and three bottles of water for the journey. Oh Ishtar also brought a bottle of water for Cassem. Cassem likes his job and he likes working for Ahmed.
The journey begins. The stars are still out in the morning sky and the crescent moon is shining above. After about one and one half hours, the wagon reaches the city of Kimbala. Kimbala is the capital of Oman and this is the Province of Balara. Since it is still early in the morning the streets are deserted as they travel along through the city. The orphanage is located in the north side of the city. Actually it is located in the outskirts of the city but one of the Mosques is near. This is so the Mosque is visible to the children at the Orphanage.
Finally they stop and Cassem helps the women out of the carriage. Since children are up early and Ishtar made sure that Criossa was aware she was making the journey to the Orphange, they are expected. Ishtar, Neeta and Moara enter inside of the orphanage. Criossa greets them and the four of them have a meeting in her office. Criossa is married but her husband is away on business in Kruata. He will probably see Ahmed when he makes his journey to Kruata by the end of the week. Criossa has three children of her own. Her house is located in Kimbala and it is not far from the orphanage. Criossa's children stay with one of her friends while she is working. Of course the children go to school. The family misses the father.
Criossa greets Ishtar and congratulates her on the upcoming wedding to Ahmed. The women talk a few minutes about their families and then the conversation turns to the children of the orphanage. Sometimes children also are wakened from the sleep of death by an Angel and they are transported to Xanthia through one of the portholes. The children are usually afraid but some of the older ones are curious. The children are brought to one of the orphanages where Criossa or one of the other mistresses who care for the children are. This means, Constantine or Addas. At the orphanages the children study Islam. There are teachers there. But for the regular school, the children walk to the local school where the other children of Kimbala, Constantine or Addas go to school.
The children are given an explanation about what happened to them. They discuss Xanthia. The Watanis, also Kruata. It is explained that the Africans are on Kruata and they also have orphans with them but their orphans stay with the tribe.
The orphanage is very cherry and bright. Xanthia is a rich planet and the children are well taken care of. Criossa treats the childredn like she is their mother and so do the mitresses of the other schools. Since Xanthia is considered Paradise you must understand that it is Paradise for the children that come here too. They play games, have some play things. They are read stories and sometimes they have trips to places in the city. All of the workers at the orphanages treat the children with kindness and respect. It is Criossa who sets things up for the children. Now it is time for Ishtar to meet some of the children. Neeta, Moara and Ishtar follow Croissa to their rooms. They have had breakfast and are getting ready for school. The children also have outside friends. The younger children stay at the orphanage and study with teachers there. Sometimes a family will ask if they can take on of the children to live with them. Usually these are farm families.
Ishtar has decided to stay in Kimbala overnight. She wants to take all of the children to the theatre tonight to see a show. Even the young children. Ishtar wants them to be dressed nicely for this adventure. Criossa and the other workers are also invited to see the play.
WitchQueen
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