62,742 day 20 :) All most got them headed home.

There were a couple of large tables set up as you came in the door, one said odds the other evens.. Having no reason to delay Sara got in line for the odd table and signed in for her results, which were then handed to her in a fancy gold colored thick envelope. That done she moved on into the room, not sure what to do.

The over head lights were dimed and candles were set on small round tables. There were small cards set in front of the chairs on the table near her. Felling way out of place she stopped and looked around to see what the others were doing. A couple of kids came up next to her talking loudly.

“Place cards and candling? Were we supposed to dress up to?”

“No one told me if we were, and there are separatists here. O they dress up? I bet the cards are just so the recruits can find their targets better, and the street lights were flickering so might be some power problems. They can’t use mage lights after all. Guess we should go look for our names.”

“Bet the candles will make the seps feel at home.” He went over to the table and looked at the cards in front of the chairs.

Sara waited a bit for the pair to move on, then started looking at the cards as well, there were four per table. She found hers in the middle of the room and sat down. She took a look at the envelope trying to make herself open it.

“That is the hardest part I think. You work so hard to get here and that that it is here you are scared to know.” She jumped as she had not seen the person come up. He slid in to a chair at the table. “My name is Water, and do you have any idea what this is about? I feel a bit lost.”

Sara said. “I’m Sara. I have no idea. Someone said it was for the recruiters benefit. To make it easier for them to find us, and the candles were because the power grid is having problems.”

Tim said. “It won’t bite you Sara, you might as well open it. Waiting won’t change the contents. I’m in the top ten over all, second in three since branches, first in a couple, also somehow in geography. That must be a tied score, I don’t see how I could have passed Zac or Raph.”

Sara said. “I take it that’s a hint. You want to know how I did.” She opened the envelope and took out the paper. “I am not sure I want to know. I was not supposed to be here. But it is done now not looking will not change anything.” She unfold the paper and read, her hands shaking a bit. She looked up and hope she didn’t sound as frightened as she was.. “Top five, top in math in general and in most branches, top in history, second in language, fifth in geography, and ninth in sciences over all.” She paled as she read on. “I was not below passing in anything. This is not good. How is that even possible? There are thing here I don’t even know what are. It must not take much to pass?” She had sent the magical theory ones back with just one or two answers on them, and was carful about the questions that came up on the other test papers. How did they count that as a pass? She sent them back blank not with wrong answers! The mythical creature one she had answered more and lingered over, but the questions were interesting. So that she could understand the pass on, but the magic theory? What if it got out that some one passed it? She couldn’t remember how detailed the published results were.

Tim said. “It will be fine. No one at home will put you in the top five, but they wouldn’t believe you weren’t in the top fifteen, even if you hadn’t of been. And that is as far as the published results will break it down, anyway. You did the right thing. I think we all have things here we don’t know what are that we passed.  Yes I know it is better for me, but look at Rebecca she has it to. In fact I believe they all passed at least one branch of science and math.”

Sara said. “Well um it might be she didn’t know giving all wrong answers was the same as giving all right answers. With multiple-choice questions it is safest to live it blank if you want to fail, but can pass. Answering all wrong it statistically unlikely. Also computer grades are good at picking out patterns and people throwing tests tend to answer in a pattern without realizing. I just said way too much.”

Tim said. “Interesting, you don’t get this rattled at home. So that is who was reading Abiram’s Sat book. I knew it wasn’t him, he never looked at, yet took it home each night. I should have known.”

Sara said. “At home I know better than to talk at all, unless asked something directly. Most times I mange to stop with just the answer, but luckily I am seldom asked anything that relates to something I shouldn’t know. Thou after this it might be a bit harder for me to escape those questions.”

Water said. “Just where is home? Who would be upset to have someone in the top five?”

Sara said. “We are separatists and among the tents is that ladies do, should not, study math and science beyond the very basics. We should spend our energies on making a home and raising the next generation. History and reading are acceptable, depending on the book, as we must guide our children on the right path, and we are the keeps of the heart so we are trusted with history.”

The other girl who had joined them said. “You must find it grating. I don’t think I would like being told I could not do what I love just because of my sex.”

Sara said. “Oddly I never have. It is comforting to know what is expected of. I have a project underway that will take years to complete, and is needed. The only time it really bugged me was when my brothers were struggling with their math homework. It was hard to keep from correcting them.”

Water said. “How did you end up coming here?”

Sara said. “The leaders said six girls would take the test, I was one of the six. I am not aware of how they decided who to send, or why we had to come. It is not something they felt we need to know.”

The girl across the table said. “Will you still be content with the permitted role once you go back?”

Sara said. “In truth I do not know. I am not sure now that I know how wide the world is, that I will be content with the smaller area. I want to be, but I will not fully understand how I have changed until I get home.”

Tim said. “You are not the only one who will be wondering those things. It is normal, but it will be harder for you then the boys.”

Sara nodded. “It will come as a shook, but most things are harder for women. For all men are taught they carry the heavy weight. So what school are you hopping for?”

Tim said. “Thortan, but that is a long shot. Father wants me to go to Buk, but they don’t have as good a program for Physics.”

Water said. “But Whiterl would be better and it is on the coast. Granted it is not what it was in the old world, but it is still something.”

Tim said. “Whiterl focus to much attention on the magical studies. I have no interest in that, or that relation. Which is the problem of studying Physics, it is to easy for them to cross. Thortan will be enough of a risk that way. Looks like they are bring out the food.”

Water said. “And after the meal comes the real offers from the schools.”

They had barely finished when the first person came with the offer. That one was made to all of them, after that the person making the offer would generally ask one of them to go for a walk.

Sara got back from an offer to find a cup of tea, a slice of cake and Jack, with Viv sitting next him. Viv, who also had a slice of cake and cup of tea, smiled and said. “What is it with this guy and food?”

Sara said, sinking into her chair. “I just thought it was a healer thing. I take it it’s not?”

Viv said. “You know that could be. I never really thought about it, but Grams does usually put food in front of people when she wants to talk to them.”

Jack said. “You a both to thin and need to eat more. I feel it is my duty to do what I can in short time I have. Viv you at least should know it is not right for a mage to be to thin.” Sara winced and looked at Tim’s empty chair. “Even should they not use there gifts the energy is going to pulling at them causing them to use more calories than others. We have no idea why but see it all the time. Now then it is not just for cake that I dragged Viv over her.”

Sara said. “Are you finally going to tell us what school you are with? You know I am not going to give you anymore consideration just because I count you a friend.”

Jack said. “I won’t want you to, you should look at the offer for what it is, not who is making it. That being said it is with delight I am able to tell you both that you have impressed a lot of important people and as a result have an amazing offer. You each have been offered a four year scholarship, including room, board and books to Amberviel. That is all most never done as a first offer. Most start at two. However do not take it, wait for the third offer. That is the one you want.”

Sara said. “I am not going to agree to anything. I am not sure I want to go. I have had fun this week, but it is not enough to change my life over.”

Jack said. “Fair enough, but will you give me your contact information? Knowing I will be using it to send you temping information, as well as the school offers.” He handed them each a sheet of paper and a pen.

Viv said. “I believe that was given to the schools from the papers we filled out. So you want it personally? There had better be more than school news in the letters.” She took up the pen and wrote down her addresses.

Sara took the pen. “I can not give you the same address I gave Viv, I can’t have a guy writing me at home. The best that I can do is give you the school. If you can find Zac for me I can see if he will agree to let you write to me though his address. Abiram won’t. He is worried, and won’t do a thing that might encourage me to leave.”

Jack said. “I will ask Zac, I have an offer for him as well. But I am going to tell him it would be a mistake to consider it. He has another that will fit better, but the school is fine. Heck going though them I can use a message stone, not a messenger. Thank you for agreeing to let me write. When you need someone to listen, feel free to write me. I will not use anything you say to try and sway you. Sometimes it helps to write it out, and it might be a different, harder, for you, but it was no easy move on my part. I knew, even before the magic, that if I didn’t take the vows my father would refuse to acknowledge I existed any longer. It was that big of a deal. Even if I was to have gone back I would have been with out family. I can not know all it will mean to you, but I know it is not easy.”

Sara said. “But if you weren’t going as a mage why would he cut you of like that? That is harsh. Sons typically do not get thrown out just for choosing the world. Yes they will be begged instantly to come back, but to be forsworn?”

Jack said. “I wonder if he knew something I didn’t.  At the time I though he just couldn’t accept that a son of his would not want the life he did. He set me down not long before the tests and told me that if I was his son I would take the tests pick an approved school study hard, come home and marry. If I didn’t I was not his son. I still don’t know how he found out I had asked to be left single, but I do not know why else he would have talked to me like that. I was planning to do what he wanted. However when it came time I couldn’t. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. To turn and walk out of the house knowing I would never be welcome again. To my surprises my old brother and an uncle have written to me and give me bits of news, though they asked in the first letters that I not reply. I do not know if they even know I am a healer. But then they would be horrified I am sure, even though it was medicine I was to study.”

Sara said. “How did you come to study weather then?”

Jack said. “The twins encourage students to have at least two majors. I started at Berviel with medicine but with the presser to pick a second and wanting away to help I went into weather. My seconded year I work up one morning and my room for full of this odd light. Sure I was sick I went to the infirmary, but it only got worse, as there were healers in there at work. I, um, passed out. That is how it was learned I was a healer. It took a lot of talking, but in the end I moved over to Amberviel. It made since most of my classes were already over there. As the two are basically one it is no problem to have mail come to me at either school, which was why I fought so much to move. I didn’t want to lose my only contact with home, and it was hard to keep anyway. By then I was not scared of magic. It will be harder for you, but you needed agree to the mage lessons right away, though I would be eased if you would.”

Sara said. “I am not even going to agree to go. But if I do go I will agree that it will be necessary to take the mage lessons. I don’t think I can be among mages and not take some. That makes a hard place even harder. Leavening is bad but just going to school, well I could join the other sect and still be in the light. But being a mage. That is. There is no going back. I looked it up, and it is worse for those who once worked magic to stop then for those who could to never touch it. I did read the book and know what I am risking, but I am not yet sure. I don’t know that an early death is to high to pay.”

Jack said. “Fair enough, I do not want to force it on you. But I am going to do my best to give you compiling reasons to chose what I want.” He took a package out of his pocket and set it on the table. In the package, visible though the wrapping, were two necklace that fit together to make a large image. They looking like rocks, but each had half a stream painted on them, they were on chain not cord. “In the old world there were these things called friendship charms. They were a shape that broke into two pieces, usually with a jagged line. One half went to each person. This is the new world form of that idea. There is a bit of magic involved, but the church has allowed the charms, well some akin to these, to be used. A girl usually receives an enchanted rock that will carry a one word message on there wedding days, thus there mother can be assured they are well. Boys may also carry one as they go off to take the tests and then to school. This was as close as I could get to that for the two of you.”

Viv said. “She can carry a friendship token? I wanted to buy some but didn’t think she could. That will be so much better. Sometimes letters are just to slow when you need to know someone is all right.” Viv turned the package over so she could see how they worked. The stones could be used to send short messages to each other by fitting the provided letters into the slots on the back of the stone then closing your hand over it. The letters would then appear on the other stone, which would warm slightly letting the wearer know. The received messages where erased by passing a finger over them. If the other stone was not in contact with the wearer the message would not display. “Viv said. “Tests can even give you a since of how the other person is feeling. And that is a lot of letters it will send, for this type of item.” Viv looked up and turned the package over, so the description was hidden.

Sara said, glancing at Tim who was coming up to the table. “Are you sure? I mean this would be great. It would save worry, but.”

Tim answered. “There is nothing wrong with friendship tokens. Father let me by a bunch and give them out.” He set two stones on the table. “The red one is from my mom, it is so she knows I am safe, the other is one of the set I gave out. The one from mom will just carry to letters, but the other one will take a few more than that. Those are a bit fancier, but I will say I gave permission if you are ever questioned about it. They are just the city version of these. Heck, I insist you take them, there by you are just doing as I requested and can not be held at fault. I might not be your brother, but close enough to it that it would be normal for you to listen to me.”

Sara shook her head. “Well then I had best just say thank you. So what do we do? Tim might have seen this sort of thing, but I haven’t.” The charms in the package hand more light about them then Tim’s stones. She bet that Tim’s were natural, not mage spelled. But she could say that and he didn’t see the difference.

Jack said, seeing her slight frown. “These are not the same, but they are close. Viv and Sara have formed a strong bond in a short time, I wanted them to have less cause to worry about each other. The charms will let them know each is all right even over the great distance. All you need do is open the package and take them out. Once you touch the stone it is active, and ready to go. The more you wear it the better it will get at sending and receiving, as it gets to know you. Viv opened the package and offered it to Sara. Shaking a bit Sara pulled on one of the chains. The charm came and with it a small bag on a leather cord. “The charms have built in letter counters, he bag has the letters, they are also magnets, so can be used on things other than the charms. The backs are made to ware as a necklace just like the charms.”

Sara clasped the charm in her hand and got a good look at it. There was a complete picture on it. The light on the charm reacted to her, but Viv’s was doing the same and she didn’t look alarmed, so it must be meant to. “These are lovely, and no one who didn’t know what it was would ever guess. Thank you Jack.” She blushed a bit and added sheepishly. “You know this is the first piece of jewelry I have ever been given by a guy, and also the only necklace I own with a mettle chain.”

Jack turned red. “Crap I never even thought about that. You know I meant nothing right? I guess maybe I have been gone a bit to long.”

Sara laughed. “No, you just don’t think of me that way, and so that costumed slipped your mind. If I had of been someone else you would have remembered. I just had to tease you. Tim’s tell me to accepted voided that complication as well. Viv, among us the first guy to give a girl jewelry is her intended, and a necklace is a wedding gift often times.” Sara put the necklaces on.

Viv laughed. “No wonder he looks so. Jack, I had a nice long talk with Sara about the different kinds of relationships and made sure she understood who you would be interested in. I didn’t want her to mistake your joking as actual flirting. It is bad enough that her brother thinks you are into her, not him.” Tim choked. “Whoops, sorry there, I forgot. Are you all right?”

Tim nodded. “I was. The idea of Jack hitting on Abiram. I mean Abiram, well he is still getting used to the idea that some have such feelings.”

Jack said. “I am not and never was interested in Abiram, even had he given me the slights reason to think he might be interested in it. He might be good to look at, but so not what I want. But you might have a point Sara. As I don’t think of girls that way it never dawned on me, but it does if I think of giving something to a boy. I deserved that poke, just kindly tell your brother that Viv gave it to you. I don’t want him chasseing me down, He all ready thinks I am after you. I told the hotel that some of you will need foods not packed in mage made bags and was informed you had taken care of it?”

Sara said. “I brought food with me and took the bags I used down to the kitchen early this morning and explained how they worked, then asked if they would mind filling them. They said they would, but that they would. And I think they might be interested in buying some of the bags if they get put out on the market.”

Jack said. “I know a lot that would be interested in non-magical ways to keep food hot or cold. You think they might come on the open market?”

Tim said. “As I understand it the only reasons they are not is because there was no interested in such things. If it was found that there was a market for them, I think they could be for sale before long. It would be limited amounts, but if sales were good production would increases. I think they have the basics needed to grow it in place.”

Jack smiled. “I might just have some contacts that can stir up the demand. You have a safe trip home, I won’t see you before you leave. Viv I will check in with you tomorrow evening and see if they made it.” He stood. “I have a few others I need to catch before they start loading the buses.”

He was not gone long before Abiram and Zac came over. “So Zac what school did Jack want you for? I know he didn’t take you for a walk just to tell you where they had Sara at.”

Zac said. “No but he didn’t want me to take the offer, said it was wrong but he was told to make so he had to. And I have to agree his school just is not good for medicine. I am far more interested in the fact that Yesvan offered me a full scholarship, than his offer. Yes I know it is a mage school, but it is the best and if I do leave, I might as well go where I want.”

Abiram looked pointedly at Tim. “Yesvan is a coastal school, dose it really have that good of a medical program? It seems rather an odd thing.”

Tim said. “I am not going to take tells home. Who Zac tells what is up to him. Yesvan has the top racked programs for biology, chemistry and archeology in the nation. They seldom offer full rides. It is a big deal to be offered one. It is not to be turned down lightly even the leaders would admit that. My best was also form a Mage school, but I have a good offer from Thortan, and that is my dream school. What about you Abriam?”