18689 day 10, all ready.

Ok so this needs a bit of a warning.  Not for adult content, just. Well they are talking about how the religion was formed. And this being after a massive disaster it is a bit offensive. See the founders were christens and the second coming didn't happen when it seemed clear the world was going to blow up. And this new church was there way of dealing with what did happen, but given how it is set up, or at least how it is in this community, is going to make people angry. it is going to offend some. You are warned.

What seemed like hours later, but was really only five minuets at most, the service leader stepped up to the podium. “It is time again to turn our attention to the teachings that should never be far from our minds. It is time to focus solely on the words of our founders and their guides to the way. Rumors are running around the community, so let me address them so you can empty them from your minds. This year our young men will face temptation early. The exams those who must have further learning have to take to accesses the institutions is being held in Bixter, which is at least a six hour drive, likely more given the roads. The school board decided that the students taking the test will spend the week in Bixter, leavening early next Sunday morning and getting back late Saturday. The elders have agreed that it is best our children follow the same schedule, even though that means they will miss service. It is far better than traveling the night to sit a test in the morning. I am sure all family’s will take pains to see their scholars are prepared for what they will face. It is a sad necessity that we send our young men out to face the world. But it is better that those wanting to see it do so before they have a family. Those not taking the test will have that week off school, and should be let spend the time as they like for that reason. After all I am sure members can remember what that time was like for you. It is best any doubts be taken care of before vows are made. In that end know you are welcome to talk to the elders about what is troubling you. Know that it is normal to have questions. The burdens we take on are not light but they are justified. You know the founding, but it bears repeating at this time.”

He paused and looked over the crowd seeming to meet each set of eyes. “Those first days were a dark time for believers of the book. They couldn’t understand why they were still there, for they had been taught that the Lord would return and take them away at the end of times, and surly this was the end. It had to be. But the bobs were falling and there was no trumpet. Had they failed to believe, or were they just wrong and the book they had lived there life by nothing but a story that had lived though the ages? It was a hard test and many turned away. Believing they had spent their lives fallowing a lie, and they were not going to spend their last days still cleaning to it, with no hope of redemption. But those of strong face, and true heart never lost faith, and when the bombs stopped they stood ready to welcome and forgive those who lost the way. To guide them back into the light.”

“But then they found that more sin had entered the world and the age of sorcery had returned. Bring with it beings who answer to the names of ancient pagan deities, and other things of myth and legend. Things known to be imposable where happening, but still there was no trumpet. Most of those who had left took this as proof they were right. But the wise looked to the book and found there the answers, and it was in reading and study only the words that our founders heard the voice and learned the truths that we live by. Learned that the Wise one had found the western world in need of cleaning as it had been in the days of Noah and so convinced this final test for us. This last scouring, the sundering of the world separated the whole from the weaker ones. It was a sad truth that they were found to be lacking in faith. But it was not all lost for God is good and doesn’t like to lose any of his creation. So they were giving the teachings they were given that let him form the rules we must follow so that one day we can be reunited with those taken, and rejoin the wide world. Magic is there to be a temptation, for with out being tempted how can one prove there worth?” He paused there again, as he always did. Letting the words sink in.

Sara knew that she should be relived that she was in the light. But she found herself wanting to know more about who the founders were. Why was it just the western world that was cut off? What she had read of the days before as well as her grandfathers stories, made it sound no worse than any other place and better than some. She didn’t like the direction her thoughts were going and tried to force her self to listen to the well know words about avoiding evil and staying pure. But why was it that only men had he right to choice, to make laws? She knew she had a far better understand of how numbers worked then her brother did. She could do his work in half the time it took him. But the teachings said it was to hard for her. To much for her mind. It being a long day each of the elders spoke before the ladies were went to there classes and the member meeting was held for the men. Sara could not keep her mind centered on the walk to the class room. As nothing was said about the girls who were going she found herself wondering if that had been shared at last nights meeting or was left for today. There was no way they had changed tier minds, if the Teachers had been informed it was set. She did wonder a bit if the other girls, who every they were, had been told yet. That might also have something to do with the lack of announcement. But surly they would give the body at large time to adjust. It was none of her business, she had no place thinking about church decisions and government. What was going on with her? She forced her attention back to where it should be, doing her best to remove the things that should never have been there.

With the time of vows and promises so close the lessons for her class always centered on them. Not they didn’t spend time on them every year around now, but it was more stressed as they were about to make the pledges. This time it was about what they should be showing, how a young lady should act so as to make her intended happy about the pairing. But the teach stopped mid sentence. “None of you are listening to a word I say. Come now I know you have heard it before, but still I would expect you to be paying attention. It is something we all need to know and live but few do. How often do you tear each other down? Pick at the thing the other person is week at? That is not attractive to anyone. It is not how we are intended to behave, yet we all do it. But clearly you have something else on your minds today. So what do you want to talk about? It must be important to take your minds off the vows.” No one said a thing, unsure what to do. None of them had said a word in the holy building since they were eight or younger. Having been taught they were there to listen not be heard. The silence lengthened, just when it was unbearable the Teacher spoke. “Good I am pleased with you. In my year it took more than one try. You are indeed ready.”

“Now then what you really want to know. What happens after you are promised? That is what you are thinking about. The time when you get to sepend getting to know your intended and planning your house. The least amount of time you will have is a month. The amount of time spent each day will depend on your father and the length of time until your wedding, as well as where he is in life. Should he be in school or learning from someone in another town, most of this will be done by letters after the first week or two. For those efforts must take president over any other. The home must have a solid and stable foundation. You are its heart, but it is his back that holds you. Never forget that. Most of you have older sisters, and if you don’t I am sure your friends who do have told you how it works. Still you need to be clear on the details. Be sure of what is and is not allowed to happen as you are left to talk.”  Everyone was far more attentive in that hour then they had been. It was exciting to realize that in just a few more weeks they would be spending time with a man they were not yet related to. It made it real, the fact that they were so close to being married, and having there own house to run. Sara found it a bit easy to ignore the voice in the back of her head that kept asking the wrong questions. Still it was a relief when the lesson was at an end and they could file out. It was hard to sit for so long.

They were surprised to noise before they reached the door. It didn’t sound like a storm and the line was still moving. Sara’s stomach sank as fear returned. She could think of only one thing that could be causing the ruckus. She missed a step, earning her a glare from the girl behind her. None of the others seemed to be upset. She was likely overreacting. She reached the door and saw that the men were indeed out their meeting and waiting on them. In fact it look liked they were the last class out that day, which was a bit odd. They were generally out among the first so they could watch the younger ones.

Sara moved to where her family usually gathered, her eyes down, and trying to not attract attention. That was the last thing she needed right now. She could not help hearing the man’s voice. She didn’t know who, it was not a shop keeper or any one in fathers circle. “A week! And no chaperons or house even. And we are just to accept this. Let them go wild out there? Not even to ask what went on?”

Sara was shocked at the words and more so when her father put a hand on her arm. “Come on we are leavening now. This is not fit for a ladies ears.

Sara blushed. She could feel the eyes on her, surely she hadn’t been dawdling had she? “Yes sir, coming sir. She said softly. He didn’t remove his hand, but basically pulled her down the road.

He said. “It is not your fault. There is no call for that behavior, and no one with any since would willing expose they women to it. I am sorry that you had to hear such disrespect.”

Sara relaxed, it was not something she had done. “I was trying to not hear, but he was so loud. Thank you for take me out of there.”

He said nothing more until they were at the house. “Go see if they want help getting the table ready, and do not dwell on what you were forced to here. It is not fit for you.” So dismissed she made her way to the kitchen, and help get the food out. The meal passed as normal, and once the dishes were done they joined the men in the family room.