Organisation

13th November 1988

The matron's office, nestled within the heart of the orphanage, exuded an air of solemnity and warmth. Its walls, adorned with faded wallpaper, bore the marks of time, while the dim glow of a solitary lantern cast soft shadows across the worn wooden floor.

A battered table, stationed at the center of the room, served as a makeshift desk, its surface cluttered with stacks of paperwork and well-worn notebooks. Uncomfortable chairs, their upholstery threadbare with age, stood in silent vigilance, a testament to the countless conversations held within these walls.

Despite its humble appearance, the room emanated a quiet sense of sanctuary, a refuge for both solace and contemplation amidst the bustling corridors of the orphanage.

The dimly lit office served as a stark contrast to the warmth emanating from the matron's heart. Despite the humble surroundings, her compassion shone through, a beacon of hope in the midst of adversity.

A rhythmic pattern of knocks heralded Bondrewd's entrance, his presence met with a kind invitation from the matron. As he stepped inside, the creaking floorboards echoed the weight of their shared concern.

"May I come in?" His voice, tinged with politeness, carried through the door, seeking permission to breach the solemn space.

"Come in." The matron's response, though gentle, held a hint of worry, her gaze shifting from scattered papers to the boy before her.

"You called for me?" Bondrewd's bright smile belied the weight of his preoccupations, a facade veiling the depths of his inner turmoil.

"Hm, yes," the matron acknowledged, her eyes scanning the room before settling on him once more.

"I've noticed you've been... distracted," she remarked delicately, choosing her words with care to broach the subject of his recent preoccupation.

"Yes, I've been extremely busy studying," Bondrewd replied curtly, his tone revealing the intensity of his focus.

"It seems that's all you've been doing, I've been worried," the matron interjected, a gentle tease laced with genuine concern.

"I'm sorry," Bondrewd's admission was tinged with remorse, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through his composed exterior.

"It's alright, just please take care of yourself," the matron implored, her maternal instinct guiding her words as she reached out to envelop him in a comforting embrace.

"I just thought that in the future, I could provide for my home," Bondrewd murmured softly, his voice barely audible as he struggled to articulate his aspirations.

"I know our situation isn't the best, but you don't need to worry about that. All I ask is that you have a happy childhood while you live here," the matron reassured him, her fingers tenderly soothing his troubled mind as they intertwined with his tousled locks.

The silent embrace, laden with unspoken understanding, lingered for a few precious moments before they reluctantly parted.

"Alright, you better take care of yourself in the future. Now off to bed," the matron gently prodded him, her affectionate tone belying her firm insistence as she guided him back to his room.

"Mhm," Bondrewd murmured in acknowledgment, his heart heavy with gratitude for the maternal figure who continued to watch over him with unwavering devotion.

Stalking behind her, his expression become indescribable for a brief moment before steeling itself, reverting back to the mask he always wore.

The next day, as sunlight streamed through the windows, casting warm patterns on the worn wooden floor, all the children gathered in the study. The Matron was out buying ingredients for the day, leaving the space free for Bondrewd's plan.

Authoritative boots silenced any remaining chatter as Bondrewd walked in, his previously messy hair now neatly combed, and a bright smile adorning his face.

"You're probably wondering why I called you all here," he announced, his words clear and commanding as they carried through the crowd.

A mixture of confusion, excitement, and curiosity spread among the children as they looked to Bondrewd, their expressions reflecting the range of emotions stirred by his announcement.

"I've decided to start our own little secret club," Bondrewd declared mischievously, playing on the youthful enthusiasm of his audience to fuel their excitement.

Murmurs erupted as the children exchanged eager whispers among themselves.

"If anybody wishes to join, they must simply sign their name, Bruce, could you do the honours?" He continued, calmy exchanging the clipboard to the timid boy next to him

"I want to join!!" Two excited voices rang out from the crowd as Mark and Maisie pushed forward, their hands darting for the pen to sign their names.

The clipboard was blank except for bold text at the top stating "Umbra Legion."

For Bondrewd, this name held significance, capturing the attention of the younger members while hinting at sophistication should his organisation grow to further stages.

Names poured in from the enthusiastic members, eager to be part of this new endeavour. Although the initial excitement might wane over time, Bondrewd had already devised plans to ensure the club's smooth expansion and loyalty.

Much like magic, Bondrewd knew he could transform this small idea into something greater. He had already devised systems that could be implemented once the club became official, such as the previous reward system. All that remained was to establish some rules.

"Alright, I see you're all excited, but let's set some ground rules," Bondrewd chuckled lightly, gently rubbing the head of a child next to him.

"First, let's keep this secret club a secret. You're not allowed to tell anybody, not even the Matron."

"Second, once you're in the club, you're in. No betrayals."

"Third, always listen to your superiors. If you're lucky, you might become one of them."

Bondrewd outlined the rules in a playful tone, aiming to balance the seriousness of the topic with the youthful spirit of the club members. These simple rules would not only be easy for the younger children to understand but also serve as a way to deflect any suspicions if the Matron were to discover their activities.

Following his plan, within a year, this organization would evolve significantly from its current prototype, once certain "obstacles" were addressed.