The orphanage at Keramzin is run by Alina Starkov and Malyen Oretsev. It was built on the ruins of the orphanage they had grown up in, founded by Duke Keramsov. Ana Kuya was the original estate's housekeeper before being killed by the Darkling.
History[]
Duke Keramsov's orphanage[]
The original building was converted into an orphanage by Duke Keramsov after he returned from the border wars in northern Ravka.[1] Orphans of the border wars were taken to the orphanage to read, write, and learn a trade.[1] However, they were taught to forget about their lives before arriving at the estate, as mentioning their parents was considered a sign of ingratitude.[2] Each orphan was given the Duke's birthday.[3]
During butter weeks, all classes at the orphanage were cut short so the children could clean and help with baking. It was during this time that Duke Keramsov would return from his city house in Os Alta.[4]
The Grisha Examiners sometimes came to the orphanage to test the children there. However, Alina tamped down her own power to stay with Mal.[5]
Ruin and Rising[]
Alina evacuates the Little Palace students, along with their teachers and Botkin Yul-Erdene, to the Keramzin orphanage to shelter them from the Darkling. She plans to bring them to the Spinning Wheel,[6] and Nikolai Lantsov agrees to send the Pelican to Keramzin.[7] However, the Darkling burns down the orphanage before it can happen. He hangs the corpses of three Grisha instructors, Botkin, and Ana Kuya on an oak tree nearby.[8]
New orphanage[]
After Alina and Mal marry, they build a new orphanage on the ruins of the old one. The two are criticized for their way of spending large quantities of money to keep the children happy. Alina decorates the rooms, while Mal teaches about hunting, trapping, and farming. The staff teach students math, geography, science, and art, and tradesmen are brought in to offer apprenticeships. When children are tested for Grisha powers, they can choose whether or not to travel to the Little Palace.[9]
King of Scars[]
Before Zoya Nazyalensky, Nikolai Lantsov, and a few others go to investigate the Shadow Fold, they send their golden coach and its party to the orphanage. This helps conceal their stop at the Fold, and Mal and Alina welcome the party.[10]
Description[]
Duke Keramsov's orphanage[]
The orphanage had a library[11] and was beautiful, though old.[12] Stone steps led to the front door, and beyond that was a long gravel drive and white pillars that made up the gate.[8] A creek ran through the estate and would freeze in the winter.[5] At Trivka's pond nearby, there were fish that Mal regularly caught.[13]
On the top floor, there was an old blue bedroom that had a window seat looking out to the meadow.[14] The girls slept in an old portrait hall that had been converted into a dormitory.[15] A curving metal staircase led to the music room.[8]
New orphanage[]
The new orphanage is constructed specifically with the children in mind. Alina draws a map over one of the classroom walls, decorates the ceiling of the girls' dormitory, and paints Rusalye around the stairs. The oak tree outside has been diminished to a stump.[9]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Shadow and Bone, Before
- ↑ Siege and Storm, chapter 7
- ↑ Shadow and Bone, chapter 5
- ↑ Shadow and Bone, chapter 17
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Shadow and Bone, chapter 12
- ↑ Ruin and Rising, chapter 7
- ↑ Ruin and Rising, chapter 8
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Ruin and Rising, chapter 15
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ruin and Rising, After
- ↑ King of Scars, chapter 14
- ↑ Shadow and Bone, chapter 1
- ↑ Shadow and Bone, chapter 3
- ↑ Ruin and Rising, chapter 5
- ↑ Shadow and Bone, chapter 6
- ↑ Shadow and Bone, chapter 7