Regynn Winters

Helping Hands

The young woman squinted down at the book she’d been reading, straining to see the words that seem to swim before her eyes. She raised her head, only then realizing that the sun had begun to set over Stormwind. She glanced around the room,  her gaze settling briefly on the makeshift pallets that covered nearly every inch of open space between the simple wooden beds, and gave a soft sigh of relief to see that the children had quieted, some of them even asleep.

Regynn rose to her feet, her fists pressed to the small of her back as she stretched, her vertebrae crackling with the movement. Carefully she moved between the pallets of sleeping children as she made her way to the headmistress’ office.

The older woman looked up from her inventory statements to nod toward a teapot then watched as Regynn prepared cups for the two of them. When the priestess was seated across the desk and they had each taken a fortifying sip of strong, hot tea the headmistress spoke, “Thanks for helping out with the refugee children. I hadn’t expected so many to come here. I guess I should have but we weren’t really prepared.” she paused, her weary eyes cast toward the common room where the older children sat huddled over bowls of stew, “There’s so many of them.”

“Maybe we can try to fostor some them. I’m sure there’s plenty of folks in the city who would be more than willing to help out.” Regynn offered.

The matron glanced at the priestess and nodded absently, “Maybe. We’ll have to make certain to vet them properly though. There are folks that aren’t above using children for hard labor. These kids have seen enough, been through enough, already. They don’t need to end up with someone who will mistreat them.”

Regynn narrowed her eyes but merely nodded as she took another sip of tea.

After a few moments of silence the headmistress continued, “I know you have other duties but we would really appreciate it if you could stop by for a little bit tomorrow.”

The priestess looked at her quizzically, “What do you mean?”

“After your duties at the cathedral.”

Regynn shook her head, “I’m not going back there tonight. I’ll be here as long as you need me. You’re going to need help with cooking and laundry. And taking care of the kids. Maybe I can do some sewing while I’m here. I guess most of them came with just the clothes on their backs.” she fell silent for a moment then looked up at the matron, “I may go back long enough to get the some things but I plan on being here for the duration. Or as long as you’ll have me at least.”

The matron heaved a sigh of relief, “Thank the Light. I was hoping you’d say that. I’ve been going over the books and we’re going to be short on blankets by tomorrow. I don’t know if there’ll be more children coming in either.”

“No worries,” Regynn assured her, “I’ve got this. I’ve got plenty of scrapes, I can make some more quilts, and maybe teach some of the kids how to sew. It might help take their minds off everything.” she took a sip of tea then smirked, “I knew I was hoarding all that clothe for something.’”