41,685. Wow! day20

Back at the hotel Sara headed up to her room and dropped of her bag, but kept her purse on. The bag it didn’t matter if they looked in, but they didn’t nee to know how much money she had. She then went into the bathroom before leavening the room.

As she opened the door she heard. “I tell you she was the first out of the room. it was unseemly! I don’t know how we are to get though this.”

As she stepped out the door Lena said. “I still say it is magic. What else can it be? And what if the power goes out? There is not a candle or lantern anywhere around.”

Sara said. “They have a backup generator in the basement, one that is protected from the weather. The lights will be dim, but they will be natural. It helps to read the advisories by the door.”

“Fine but you can’t deny they use magic here!!”

“No, I can’t and wouldn’t try to. Oh and I was not quit the first one to leave the math test, but was near to. I am sorry that bothers you, but there is not much I can do about it. I have too much to do to sit there twiddling my thumbs.” Sara knew she would pay for that, but just then she didn’t care. She started to the stairs.

Rebecca said. “Where are you off to?”

“Well it is diner time.” She kept walking, though she wanted badly to turn and look at them.

There was a line as expected, the dinning room looked full. When it was her turn the greater said. “Will there be others joining you?”

Sara said. “I plan on dining alone and so would like single table.”

He smiled and said. “Right this way then.” Once she was seated as he was handing her the menu he said. “I strong recommend the Mongolian stake tonight. It is this cooks specialty, and I think you will like it.”

Sara said. “Thank you, that sounds like just the thing.”  Once he was gone she found it and learned it was a spicy dish, and that there was no choice of sides. It did indeed sound perfect, so that is what she ordered, and asked that the drink be the cook’s recommendation. After the meal she head back to the lobby, but instead of going back to the stairs she moved to the door.

It was a bit late, but still light, and while the city wasn’t like home there were single ladies on walking by. Surely it would be safe enough. “Is there some place you want to go to? Can I summon a car?”

Sara jumped. “No I was just wondering how foolish it would be for a country lass like me to go for a walk alone. Is there anything I need to be careful of? Some place I should avoid?”

He said. “Sorry for stalling you. Just stay to the populated areas and you will be fine. If you get turned around, just look for some in blue, or a building that has a doorman and ask them to point you towed the Heights. Have a nice walk.” He opened the door for her.

Sara said. “Thank you, sir.” She went out into the city, letting the flow of people guide her steps, as she looked. There was so much to take in that she found she was not moving fast, but no one seemed to mind. Most out there were just strolling.  After a few blocks she turned a corner and found some stores, all of which had window displays meant to get you to look. There was a lot that was tempting, a few that she just walked on buy. But she wasn’t ready to enter one, but was making a list of what ones to visit when it wasn’t so late.  Then she found the book store. It was two stories, and looked inviting. The windows showed rows of selves full of books, and a few piled here and there as well as what might have been the back of a chair. That one she reached for the door, only to see it was closed. She shrugged and kept looking in the windows, for a bit more before moving on down the road, but soon turned around as the shops changed to food and sweets. 

It was fully dark when she reached hotel and headed up to the rooms. When she entered the hall Abiram said. “See I told you she was fine.” Sara turned and saw he was pointing at her and talking to a boy she didn’t know.

The boy said. “I don’t see how you can be so relaxed about it. I would want my sister out there doing who knows what at this time of the night.”

Sara said. “I take it someone saw me leave? Did forget to add I was talking to the door man before I went out? I made sure I knew where it was safe to walk. I needed to move a bit, I am not used to be still all the time. There are some lovely stores not far from here. One of which is a large book store. I spent looking than I thought I did looking in its windows.”

Abiram said. “You found a book store and are back already?”

Sara said. “Well I would be, but it seems that it closes early on Mondays. So I will have to go back, and earlier in the day. There are some other shops I want to look in as well, but I didn’t feel up to it tonight, I just enjoyed the windows. I am sorry if that anyone was scared.”

The other boy said. “You really shouldn’t go off alone.”

Sara said. “And do you intend to follow your own advises? I had best go let Lena know I am alive. I am sorry they got you all upset.” She bit back the rest of what she wanted to say, and just headed to her room.

Abiram said. “I told you there was no cause to worry. I know her. She is not going to do something foolish. This might be bigger than she is used to, but she dose regularly go to the markets with me.”

Back in her room Lena was stubbornly asleep, though Sara took no pains to be quite. “There are some love stores just three blocks from here, some with an amazing away of fabrics. I didn’t see you in the lobby, sorry to have upset you. I truly didn’t mean to. I just needed to walk a bit. But I am fine.” There was still nothing from her. Sara shook her head and went into the bathroom to get ready for bed. When she came out Lena was gone. Likely to tell the others how rude she was

The door opened and Rebecca entered, with the rest behind her. Why did they all travel in a pack? “What were you thinking? Do you have any idea what you put us though? Eating alone then going out with out an escort!”

Sara said. “I didn’t know any of you were in the lobby, you should have said something then. I am sorry I upset you.  I am not going to sit in this hotel all week waiting to be taking places. I cannot be that still. Do you ever go off alone? I find I need to sometimes. I do not have the kitchen or garden to go to here so I went for a walk. Did you enjoy your supper? I am sorry I caused an upset and disrupted you evening. There is a nice row of shops quit close by.”

“Like we care of shops! What about the stain. Did you think of that at all? What you do reflects on us!”

Sara said. “I still don’t see how. After all noting done here may be spoken of “

“Rumors will still go around. But I can see how much good it will do. Good night.”

Sara said. “I am certain those same rumors will be able to say that you all moved around as a pack. Good dreams.”

Chapter 5

Day 2-3

The next morning Sara woke up to an ache in her legs. Before going down to breakfast she said. “It is going to rain today.” There was no answer, but she didn’t expect one. It would be unlikely any of the girls would speak to her for the rest of the trip, and she found she was not upset by that thought. She stopped and knocked on Abiram and Zac’s door. There was a muffled grunt. “Sorry guys, but wanted to let you know it is going to storm today.” There was another grunt she took to mean they heard her, and she went down to breakfast. The morning was lovely and there was no sign but the door man was stopping anyone not carrying storm gear and warning them. Sara was relived, as it must be a good sized storm to be feeling all ready.

When they got to testing center Sara found she had a math test and a history test, then the science test. A long break after lunch and then two more math tests and one geography test, she didn’t have any cooking or sewing but there were some on the schedule as well as some language arts. She was glad that they were posted by number. She didn’t want to think what the reaction would be if anyone knew what tests she had. When she got to the hall she found that finding the right room now meant matching the pattern as well as the color of the flag to you card.

By the time Sara finished the science test her legs were throbbing. She got her lunch and sat down to eat, but kept looking out the window. Her food done she got her books out, but soon realized she was not going to gat anything done until she went out and looked. Storms attracted, she couldn’t contrasted until she had been out and seen them. It was not something she could explain, but she needed to feel the wind. Sara stood up and walked down the hall, remembering that the stairs led to roof.

At the top she opened the door and stepped out onto the roof, moving away from the shelter so she could feel the wind. She closed her eyes and listened to the growing storm. “This is going to be a big one. It is angry and hungry. It is out to kill. This kind of storm always wants blood. That wine means twisters. I hope there is some waning system in this town. It might save a few.” But the sound changed. She opened her eyes and looked at the light. It was knocked, as she had expected. But sure enough strands were being tug on. She turned without realizing it and watched. “The wind isn’t upset by the changing. I would think it would be, but it seems relived. The sprits are settling down to.” Somehow she knew this is what they had been wanting. But that the knot was too big for them. Sara had no idea how long it took, but she watched as the knot shrunk and some of the wild strength left the storm. “No! That is enough. The wind doesn’t want any more done. It is happy.” Sara had no idea she cried out, that she had been speaking. She was always alone when she listened like this, and would have been embarrassed if she knew and knew that anyone could hear her.

“That’s good, now we had better get inside before the rain starts. There is a lot of moisture in this storm. You to young lass.”

Sara blushed. “I didn’t know anyone was up here. I wanted to see the storm. Seeing them helps me get though them.”

She said. “Well and good, but now you need to get out of it. Those clouds will be opening soon. Come on. There should be some hot drinks waiting.” Sara started to the door and only then wondered how long she had been out there. “It is just about one. What time is your next test?”

Sara said. “Not until three, I would have come out if it was close. But?”

She said. “You are not a student here, so that means you are here for the exams. I wasn’t reading your thoughts. None of us would invade another like that unless there was dire need.”

Sara went in and said. “I didn’t mean any insult. I should have known my clothes would tell you. I just forget.  Wow I didn’t notice how much the temperature had changed. I hope they have some tea, I don’t think a glass of juice would do much good.”

The lady looked at her a bit odd. “I don’t want to alarm you but I am going to warm the air here a bit. Being out there has caused everyone to get chilled.” How did you let some know they had been doing magic, when they thought it was evil? Luckily she could pass the buck.

Back down stairs Sara found there was tea waiting, and glad got a cub before going back to where she had left her books. Abiram was there Sara blushed. “I take it my absence was noticed again?”

“Yes, but I pointed out the fact there was a storm. That took care of it. So how bad is it going to be? Did you eat?”

Sara said. “Yes, I ate before I went out. There is going to be a lot of rain. I mean flood streets, and low sitting buildings levels of rain. And strong winds. But no twisters and the winds will be gusty, not constant.”

He nodded. “I have to get to my next test. Now I don’t think anyone will bother your books, so don’t try and carry them. I will get them when it is time to go. Did you take your medicine?”

Sara shook her head. “I will, but it is not time yet. If I take it now I will just have to take a second dose and one is bad enough.” He nodded and head to the hall. She started to work on her paper, not meaning to listen to the conversation next her, but found herself doing so.

“Yes exactly. That is why we must get the satellite network up and running again. Think of the lives that could be saved by stopping the storms.”

“Just how do you plan on doing that?”

“It is simple really, once we have the satellite network, they will give us better and faster ways to communicate, perhaps not as fast as before, but close to instant. Using that network and the images we gatherer it is put a matter of sending a mage out to where the storm is forming. Stop them before they get started. Problem solved.”

“You think that will sale the program?”

“Sure, after all everyone wants a way to minimize the diction of the storms.”

Sara waited a bit, but the other speaker didn’t say anything, and though she felt guilty for eavesdropping it wasn’t like they were making an effort not to be heard. “Excuse me, but I couldn’t help hearing. I was doing my best not to, but you’re your voice just carries to well. I am out of line, but you are wrong.”

“How do you figure that? The satellites will save lives, and that is how to get funding. Oh I know there are other reasons they are needed, but the lives is the big funding draw.”

Sara said. “Yes, they will save lives, but that plan is no good, not if you are looking funding. Assuming it was safe to stop the storms, which it is not but I will pretend it is it would never work to try and get funding for anything that involves wide spread, public use of magic.”

He moved over and took a chair at her table, and his friends as well. “Of course you would say that as a separatist. But your folks are a minority. How do you think you can block it? And why not stop the storms? Jack you heading to the snacks? Bring a platter of cookies and some,” He leaned over and looked at her cup. “ginger tea? No that won’t do you need something that will put weight on you. Make it some inbough, for her. Tall one walking away is Jack, that red head is Frank, next to him is Heather, then Jill. I’m Ivan.”

Sara said. “I’m Sara, and really you don’t need to bring me anything Jack.” She could feel her face heating, to be so bold, no matter what she told her self, was hard. “And yes I know that those of use who turn away from magic are of smaller numbers. But the economic impact is far larger and means power. Your net work is going to need computers and chips, not just to get it off the ground. but long term. So tell me where to the basic materials for them come from in this age?”

Ivan said. “Well I’m not sure. Computers have a lot of plastic in them. And that comes from some type of corn. Plastic corn? How is that relevant?”

Sara smiled. “Well actually it comes from the Thor plants. He changed tree different plants for electronic uses. So it is Thor corn, hem, and flax that are needed. There is more than one type of corn that can be used to make plastics both can be used in computes but the Thor biased works best. Which is relevant because of who raises the most of it, of any of the changed crops really. See it turns out they are picky, and pains to grow. They will kill the soil if not rotated more often than regular crops, and do not like spelled fields.”

Heather said. “It is not the field that is being spelled so I still don see why that would matter? How is changing the weather going to hurt the crops? It should help them, see that they get the right amount of water at the right times.”

Sara said. “Over half of the changed crops are grown by separatist, and that percentage is growing as more settlements are formed. Not only are they more than willing to have unspelled fields, but each settlement is formed around farms. It is one of the tenants. Each community must be self sustaining and must also be working to replace what was lost. Each settlement will have a recycling center, a computer and software development firm, plastic manufactures. Well you get the idea. They don’t need to trade. Granted they do use the state education program and pay taxes. But they do not need to trade the changed crops to do it. That is their power. It is not something they use, but they would if wide spread government sponsored magic was suggested. Just the treat would shut you down. No what changes you make to the weather will have to be unadvertised.”

Jack sat a plate of cookies down on the table and handed Sara a large mug, then a cookie. “Dink it, and eat. Ivan is right you are far to thin. And when you have time you should read this.” Sara looked at the book, then back at him. “I know you don’t get taught any of that, and I don’t think it is right for someone not to know the cost of magic. That is one of the many reasons I had to leave.”