14683 day 8. hum. I didn't see that coming

“I am confused. What does the rain have to do with Anna and a headache? Do you need something for it, your head I mean?”

Sara shook her head. “No, I have my pills if I need one, but so far I’m all right. Just a bit confused, hence Anna’s headache. The air is not damp enough for me to have to take one of my pills so why is it raining? I would love to know why its not, then I wouldn’t have to have the pills and that would be one less worry.”

Abraim said. “This is an unusual storm, coming as it did. Those that come up with out any warning clouds never do act right. I am just glad you are not feeling it. Still, why don’t you sit down? I don’t want you over doing, just because they are not hurting doesn’t mean they are not affected.”

Sara nodded and moved over to the bench that was just outside of the office. Mr. Bursh said. “You have some interesting weather patterns around here. There are no mountains near here so I was expecting a more even wind patterns then what I have seen. It will be nice to have a few more days worth of observations. I think it might be worth it to set up one of the permanent stations around here. I will of course set it outside of the borders of Newton. There is nothing magical about them, but someone has to come by ever three months and download the data. Do you think that would be all right? I don’t want to cause problems. I am not sure how well it would be taken to have someone come here that much.”

Mr. Ritter said. “As long as it is not on their land the Newton elders don’t seem to care. But it might not hurt to send them details about the station and ask them.”

Sara looked at the other girls hoping she could talk to one of them. A couple of them she had seen in her year classes, but they didn’t socialize, and so she couldn’t talk to them. As they all moved in a different circle than her father it would be improper for her to address them without a teacher there to introduce them. She sighed and took the embroidery out of her bag. It was that or read the vows for the hundredth time, and she just didn’t feel up to it. She didn’t want to be remind of what she was supposed to swear to just then. She looked at Abraim and found herself whishing for the first time that she was a boy and could talk freely to who ever she wanted to. Well as long as it was another male. She passed the time tell the rain slacked in silence.

Their father was waiting when they got home. “You are late, and I understand neither of you were at you classes.”

Sara lowed her eyes to the floor and clasped her hand behind her back. She could not speak unless addressed directly. Abraim said. “I am sorry sir. It is my fault. As we were outside with a storm coming I instructed Sara to stay next tome, and then got wrapped up talking to there engineer and lost all track of time. She did try and get my attention, but I wasn’t listening. We therefore missed the first buses to leave and ended up trapped by the storm.”

Issac said. “And what was your sister left to do as you talked” Do you really think that was a good place for her to have been? Neither one of you behaved properly. Even if there were not concerns about these visitors. This storm is not right. Since you so foolish stayed talking to them what did you see?”

Abraim said. “You no doubt have reports of the launch. After that I was focused on the how the sensors were set and so can only tell you of changes made to them as settings were being tested. I saw nothing strange or unnatural about them.”

His look said he didn’t believe him. “Sara what did you see?”

Sara did not raise her eyes. “A screen with a lot of numbers and people moving around. Some were making notes others were send up more balloons. There were no odd lights, or anything. I would have grabbed Abriam even though it was rude, had there been. One of the visitors came into the school later than the others though. They left him standing in the filed, said not to worry he would be along in a bit.” She knew her father would here about it and she would be in more trouble for not admitting she had seen him then for saying she had been looking.

“I see. Both of you need to think about your actions and consider where your priorities are. You may go to your rooms.” Sara curtsied and left.

Chapter 3

Questions Grow.

She was unsurprised to find dishes waiting to be washed the next morning as well as a list of what to start cooking. None of the food made it to her place at the breakfast table, nor was she allowed to pack her lunch. Nothing was said, but she knew her father had decided she needed to go with out meals. It was a small price to pay given how late she had been. She went off to school and went though her classes.

After school she went to baptism class. Nothing was said about yesterday directly, but the elder who lead the class spent the two hours on the vows about duty to fathers and husbands, and the scriptures about strength and weakness of the female’s soul and mind. Things they had already covered. But then in truth they had been though all the vows at least twice.  Surely all of them had to know it by heart, but as far as Sara could tell she was the only one felling board by the repeated lessons. She found her self wishing to know more about why magic was forbidden. But those were not scripts given to the ladies.  After the lesson she went home and helped prepare diner, which she was allowed to eat a bit of. Once the dishes were done she was sent to her room, instead of being allowed to join the others in the family room.  That set the routine for the rest of week. At least she was given food at diner. There had been times she hadn’t, so as punishments went this was a very mild one. Not at all what she had expected. She just hoped Abraim’s punishment was no harsher.

After Saturday’s breakfast was done Mrs. Evern showed up. “Ah Eidaith I was wondering if you could spare Sara today? I have a bit of company coming in, what with Cather being the test hosting this year, and could use her help with my baking. She has such a way with cakes.”

Eidath looked at her old friend wondering what was up. It was not like her to come asking for one of the girls. But she was Sara’s teacher, and it was her right to have a private chat with girl.  “Of course. Lord knows I have plenty of hands. Sara, Rachael could use an extra set of hands today.”

Sara curtsied. “It would be my pleaser to help her, if you can spare me mother? I will just go get my wrap.” There was little said on the walk to the Teacher’s house.

It wasn’t until the ingredients were set out and the mixing started that the real reason came up. “How is the graduation project coming along? The paper is not proving to be to much is it?”

Sara said. “It is fascinating. I can not believe all they had to go though that first year they settled here. There was so much illness and destruction still going on then. It is a wonder they made it. I am not having any difficulty at all, in fact I had to narrow my focus a bit more do to the amount of information I have. I think I have enough to write a book, not just a paper. I wonder if that would be a worthy project. It might help us keep the memory of those years so we don’t forget them.”

Rachael said. “History can teach us a lot, but we must not let it lead us astray. I know how interesting it can be, how easily one can get wrapped in the past. But it is not good to forget our duties to the present. The necessity of raising a healthy family, of keeping the faith. There are a few children each year that start to wonder if the vows are for them. It is normal to have questions about your place in the world.  But the answer will not be found in darkness.”

Sara said. “I do not understand why people are getting the idea I am thinking of turn away from the light. It never entered my thoughts to do so. This is home, this is life. Why give it up?”

Rachael said. “You can say that, but when there are books around or something new you are focused on that. You want to know, even when the subject is not something you should be interested in. Tell me what is it that your paper centers on?”

Sara said. “The storms, but that is because that is what was the driving force that shaped the community.”

Rachael said. “If that is all that it is then why do you have to explain? You are pulled to things of science not of hearth. It is not unusual for girls to so divided. But you must fight the pull. I am not withdrawing my support of your project. You may write it as you see fit. But I suggest you take a second look at it, and the other things you are letting influence you. Make sure you are looking in the right direction. Remember soon you will be the heart of a family, and you must guide it in the right way. That said. Your request to take the graduation exam has been granted. You will spend the week in the city with the rest taking the tests. Use the time wisely. You get only one chance to choice.”

Sara blinked. “I am sorry. But what? I made no request. I don’t understand.”

Rachael said. “You are one of six girls being sent to take the graduation tests next week. They are being held in Bixter this year. Use the time well. You will not have many chances to see the city unsupervised. The elders are telling the boys that what happens in Bixter is not to be brought home. They have instructed me to tell you the same thing. “

Sara said. “I didn’t that it was even being thought of. I. This is not going to please father. He doesn’t think it fitting that we spend the night not under his roof. Which I can understand. But. This is. I didn’t. I wouldn’t. This explains a lot. It could be why Rebecca and Anna have been so upset with me.”