44660 day 21

Sara said, as she put the booklet in her bag. “There are reasons why we are not taught about even the basics. I will take your book, and consider reading it. You know how big even that much is. What is it about food this week? I am either eating way to much or not enough. Thank you, but really.”

Jack said. “People out here don’t hold much with the idea of a person being to delicate to eat. It is not considered a good thing to feel a persons bones. You have missed a few to many meals. This week won’t do much, but it makes us feel a bit better to see you eat.”

Ivan said. “How do you know that they produce that much of the changed goods? Are you sure that is the case? They do not seem to be aware of it.”

Sara said. “I was cleaning one day and the old farm report had been left open to the harvest reports. It was easy to do the math. Check for your self. Any of the November issues of the Nation agriculture news will have it. Look though the stats and you will find different reports for each community. They are aware of it just see no reason to use the influence. So far no laws have been made that infringed on there beliefs. But it is because of that power that the bill to remove testing exceptions died, not that any threat was made, but the potential that one might be was enough to stop it. We do listen to the evening new broadcasts in separatists communities. Radios are acceptable as they are things of tec not magic. We are getting closer to having function televisions as well. We do not have holograms, or what ever you call those things, you use. The leaders ignore the fact that it is though them the broadcasters likely get the news.”

Ivan shook his head. “You are a puzzle. I don’t know that I will ever understand what you will and won’t allow. Fine I will give you the point. So how would you sale it? You said you agreed it was needed.” Sara looked at the clock. “Have some place to be?”

Sara said. “I have another test in an hour. I know nothing about how projects get funding. But you said that saving lives would sale it. So how it could save lives, without the magic?”

“Better warnings, the sooner a storm is warned of the sooner people can take cover. But that is not enough. It won’t save them from the hungry ones.”

Sara said.  “But it will help. More will live. I think though there is a more important reason for the network, than just the early warnings. I think that with the full image it will give us of the world we will not only be able to see what is left of the places we can not reach, but will learn why we can’t reach them, and what is causing the storms. I am sure it is all related. And that is where the magic you wanted to stop the storms should be used. But covertly, so as to avoid the political problems, in fact it would be best to keep the whole search for the cause a secret for that reason. Just say that you are looking to see how the land masses have changed, as the heights and lows can change the weather patterns. Have changed them, that is why even the non-hungry storms are bigger, and the seasons are different now. But I don’t think those changes will explain the hungry storms. I think it is more than the volcanoes and reformed ground at work there.”

Heather said. “It is sea monster and unpredictable storms that keeps the ships close to the shore. There are larger animals in the oceans than there used to be, and some eat ships. That is why we can’t cross. They are getting more of the land mapped each year, but the dragons, gryphons, banshees and other such things are making it hard. Though we are starting talks with some dragons and gryphons, others did not accept attempts at negotiation. The unknown animals make it is to dangerous to push to far out from towns, as it is sometimes necessary to retreat. Then to the explorers that stay out to long lose there reliability.”

Sara frowned, and looked to make sure no one had come up then said. “But why is it that the explorers change? There has to be something we are not seeing. Now I have no idea if I am any where close, but well. “She took a deep breath, this was a big rule she was about to break. “I have read a lot of history about the first years and form it I believe that it is held now that magic is a natural force. It was always in the world just sleeping. Of course there are disputes about that, and what the woken ones really are. But in essence the belief is magic is the force that formed the world which is why it can change it and the laws that run it. Do I have that right?”

Jack nodded. “You really need to read the book I gave you, but yes that is what they said to explain what happened.”

Sara said. “Well even mixed up, nature has order. Even when magic changes things it has certain laws about it. Like how they were able to change the plants so we would have a way to replace what was lost but couldn’t make heaps of plastic and pools of oil appear. No doubt there is a long expiation as to why they couldn’t. But I don’t know it. The fact is they couldn’t. So that implies to me rules and order. But there is no order in the magic unless a being has put it there. But there should be. So something some where is stopping it. Causing it to get tangled. That is why you can’t just stop the storms, and make it rain where you want. The more things are taking out of order the worse the tangles will get. But if the cause is found, the big picture seen. Then it will be easier to safely move the storms, and tame them to what they should be. It might make other things easier as well.”

They were all looking at her she blushed and was about to ask just how wrong she was when Jack said. “That is an intriguing idea, and complete possible. So how are you fining your tests? Yes I am changing the topic we about to have company and do not need to get Sara into trouble. What are all these books for?”

Sara said. “Years ago I started collected the old journals that got thrown into the recycling bins. I found it interesting to read about the forming of our town and the old paper is harder to recycle so my uncle had no problem with me taking them. Some were just given out right to me as well once people knew I wanted them. When I needed a project they were the first thing I thought of. There is a lot about those early years that has been forgotten so I thought I would put a book together. But once I started I kept getting more information and so had to focus on just a few years, and the buildings there selves. But hope to keep working on the larger project. I am doing one final rewrite bore I type it up and turn it in. I just have a nagging feeling I left something important out and am trying to found what. I wanted to write of the storms, and did some as it relates to the shape of the buildings. But could not make them my focus as to many of them those first years where hungry, and I was worried it might be to gray.”

Jill said. “There were more of the hungry storms then? So they lessoned over time?”

Sara handed her a note book and said. “Well actually there is a pattern of sorts that devolved to them. The first years just about every storm was enhanced, and a third were hungry. Then five years out the number of enhanced storms dropped and the hungry ones only made up a eight of them. Four yes after that it switches back. That pattern contented, with an odd year here or there, though the journals I have read this far, Another reason I couldn’t right about them I shouldn’t see patterns like that. But I have problems with numbers. How as you test Zac? Have a cookie.”

Zac said. “Thank you. It was geography, and I am guessing that people out of the church are not made to memorize maps. I would have been done in ten minuets, but the writing took longer than that. How are yours going? And want makes a storm hungry?”

Sara said. “No one knows.” He looked at her. “Well I had to. All right a hungry storm is one that won’t leave until it has taken a life. Those that stay extra long over town, just to leave one they have managed to destroy something. The ones that are extra angry, all big storms are angry, but the hungry ones. Well there is a reason there are more fights in the wake of them. I bet there is a spike in murders before and after them in the bigger areas, but have no way to check that.”

Zac said, looking at her. “I shouldn’t have asked. I didn’t need to know that storms had feelings. No I am not making fun, I believe you. it is just. I am glad you changed the topic of your paper away from weather. You would be in the red not the gray. Sentient storms are in the realm of magic.”

Sara said. “There was no talk of sentient storms in the paper, but the pattern was showing up, and that put me further in the gray area. It was to much into science and math. Even just looking at the damage. Looking at the why the building are shaped so was far safer, as it is a fitting thing for me to wonder about.”

Zac said. “Then how? No, I don’t want to know. How are you fining the tests? Have they managed to make them hard yet?”

Heather said. “But talking about why a building is shaped involves math.”

Sara said. “No, that would be the how, not the why. The why has to do with the direction that storms came from, the shape of land that was cleared and the look that was wanted. The how is that looks at the measurements necessary to make the shape.  Not so far, though there was a bit on the science one I am not sure of.. The math though. Well I can just hope the one I must go to now is better. If I keep getting done in the first five minutes there is going to be more talk. Feel free to look at my paper. I am not even going to pretend to pick it up. Zac, have a sip of my tea, we have shard glasses before. I didn’t mean to choke you. You did ask.”

Zac took a sip of the tea. “Go take the test, and have a cookie for the road. I hope it is better.”

Sara shook her head. “Not you to.” But she took a cookie and left.

Zac watched her go and shook his head. “Which school are you with? She will need a full ride. She will be cut off completely when she leaves. Boys get an allowance and time. Girls don’t get anything except perhaps a letter telling them to come home and repent.”

Jack said. “I was raised in Einsten. Don’t worry I know what it is going to cost her. But I cannot let her stay without knowing what she is doing. However we were not, at the start, after her. We were just a bit loud and it happened that we were talking about weather satellites. Now though there is going to be a lot of interest in her. I am going to go see if I can’t get her on the watch list for Amberviel. Any chance you will tell me her last name? Even with week science I think I can arguer for a place in the weather program, as long as the math really is that strong.”

Zac said.  “Grayriver. Wait Amberviel is a magic school. Why?”

Jack said. “I didn’t think you would know the name. It just happens that it has a very well developed weather department and math as well, and there is the sister school as well. What one doesn’t have the other has, making them the top University in the land. Mages have top have a way to pay the bills, and that is not by magic. They can not legally get anything but a room for a spell, and most spells won’t even get that.”

Zac looked at him certain there was more going on. But not sure he wanted to push. He had been so caught up in his own problems that he had missed Sara’s. Had been to busy to think of what this chance could mean for her, what it would do to her. “She can solve any problem she sees. She always had a head for numbers. It is one reason her Father insisted we did our home work in a different room from her. Still math would get her in a lot of trouble. She couldn’t stand pretending to struggle with it. Yes, what you see here is better than she could manage her first years in school. Give her the hardest test you want, she will pass. Now then to figure out what to say to her brother.”

Sara entered the room and took her seat, and waited to be told to begin. “There has been a change in your testing. When you are dismissed from the room you are done for the day. However you will be taking more than one test. There will be a five minute brake at the hour, and you may ask if you need another one. Each time you finish a test raise your hand. You will either be given another or dismissed. You may start.”

Sara was moving noticeable slower when she came back to the front room, she decide to go to her table and hope someone there would get the water she needed. The full force of the storm had hit during the half hour and she was really feeling it. Not just her legs were throbbing at this point. She was realized to see Abiram. “You need help? You haven’t taking your medicine yet gave you?”

Sara said. “I just got out of a test and left my back out here. Would you mind bring me a glass of plain water? I can make it to the table but and my bag, but that is going to be it tell the stuff kicks in.”

He looked at her. “Let me walk with you then I will go get it.” Not waiting for an answer he moved to her side. “There is a lot of rain in this storm. I am sure they would have let you out if you had of asked.”

Sara said. “They might have, but I didn’t want to explain. And stop trying to carry me, there are going to be enough questions. I have been worse than this at home. I can make it.”

She moved away from him a bit, and he let her, but stayed close enough to catch her. There were others at her table. “New friends or snoops?”

Sara said. “We got into a dissection about weather before I had to leave, I told them they could go though my books if they wanted.”

Abiram shook his head. “From weather to a history paper, leave it to you.”

Sara said. “Well it is related. The big storms in those years are a part of what shaped the town.” She reached the table and sat down.

Jack said. “Well that one must have been harder.”

Abiram said. “Be back in a bit, sis. You want a piece of cake?”

Sara said. “Not really, they just kept giving me more. None of them were hard, just time consuming. Just the water is fine, thank you Abiram”

Jack said. “Yes she wants cake. Never ask if a lady wants sweets, she will say no. but offer them and she will eat.  They gave you a marathon? Hum I wonder who else is in that group. “

Sara said. “I take it this is a big thing? How do I mange? Well hopefully it is not obvious. I have enough of a headache as it is. So what school?”

Jack said. “Not supposed to do any recruiting in force until tomorrow evening. So I am not going to say, but there is more than one book in your pack you should read.”

Abiram handed Sara a bottle of water and sat the cake down. “So what books are you slipping to my sister?”

He said. “Just some school stuff, there are a couple of really good weather programs that would like her.”

Sara took a vial out of her bag,. “Pain medication. I hate to take it, but rain makes me hurt, and if I don’t I wont be able to get out of this chair. Don’t worry, I’m used to that look.”