65,492! Not a bad wining total. Now to finsh the book.

Viv said. “Sara you want me to come to your room with the bags or come to mine?”

Sara said. “I had best meet you in the lobby, no since in you having to carry everything to my room when it already piled in yours.”

Abriam said. “I have a good offer from Buk, they have a descent program for generators. I also have a temping offer from Berviel they have the best program, and I could also study transmissions there. They are working on longer distance transmitters. However I am not so sure, and will have to talk it over. It is just a few miles from a mage school, and they share classes between them. That is how it gets the number one rank. Granted it has no magic program, but it is tied to one of the biggest in the nation. I don’t know if it would be a fitting choice. Some of my classes could actually be at Amberviel after all.”

Tim said. “You got an offer from Berviel? How? I didn’t think they made offers. I knew they would take applications, but for them to come to you. Just how high were you in the tests? What was the offer?”

Abiram frowned a bit. “I ended up in the top ten over all. It is just a year, renewal depending on grades, but as you said they seldom make offers. I didn’t say no, and give them my address when they asked for it. It is temping. I need to talk it over, it might be to close to a being a mage school. I just can’t be sure it is worth the risk.”

Tim said. “I don’t know that the risk would be all that much more. But it is best to talk it over, I would go to Leader Brean. He is the most cautious, if he says it is worth it then you can be sure the risk is out weighed by the benefit of the classes.”

Zac said. “I think you should go, you will benefit form the time at Berviel. Just taking a few classes on the Amberviel campus is not the same as going there. And they only offer ten one year scholarships a year. And six two year, as I understand it. But if they asked for contact information they will make additional offers, so wait for a better one.” He looked at Sara. “Jack said the third offer is the one to take from any of the top ten schools.”

Abiram said. “I wonder just what Jack is after. Sara where did you get that necklace?”

Sara said. “You like it? I thought it was pretty. Viv has its twin.”

Abiram said. “It wasn’t Jack? You know what a gift like that means, I am not sure of him. There is something odd about how he has taken to you.”

Sara closed her eyes and said softly. “Abiram if you are trying hint that Jack wants to be more than my friend you are not only out of line but off base. He is in no way attracted to me, would not look for more then friendship. I got his interested by talking about weather. He knew how odd it was for me to do. Then he is a healer, the pain medicine I have to take is not safe. He had to try and help.” He started to say something. “Don’t, if any thing he is telling me to wait, to be sure I want it before I go. That it is not something to do because someone else asks. He is not trying to force me to leave. But he is making sure I know what the choice is.”

Abiram said. “How can you be sure about how he feels?”

Tim said. “I am wittiness to the fact that he is not interested in her in that way. The very idea that she might have thought he was upset him a good deal. Which I think is why she teased him so. Truly he has no intensions that way.”

Zac said. “I think the buses are here. Just think this time tomorrow we will be home again.”

Sara said. “I will be glad to be in my own bed and to have food I recognize.” She headed to the door.

Zac waited until Abiram had gone as well then said. “She didn’t say what she would miss. Tim, will she be staying or going?”

Tim said. “I have no idea, but I think a few of the older leaders expect her to leave. Just a bit of talk, and it stops as soon as they relive I can hear a thing.”

Latter that night Sara walked into her room with her arms full of bags. She put them on the bed and got her things out of the closest and set about packing the last items up. She left out just what she would need in the morning. She filled the big suitcase, and had to put some things in one of the foldable shopping basket she had bought to take home. That was besides the bag of books for the library. She was surprised at how much she had bought, it hadn’t seemed like that much at the time.

She was up early and once the last few things were packed way she headed down to breakfast. She was lead to her table and soon food was brought out. The waitress said. “The food for the trip has gone up to your room, and will be in your backpack. The bell boy is going to get your bags downstairs while I keep you here. So you won’t try and do his job.  Likely I can’t keep the others busy but I can you. The items in the marked bag are to be ate at noon, others are fine for snacking. The cook and staff would love to know where to get bags like those.”

Sara smiled. “At this time they are not for sale in the open market but that could be changing. It is just a matter of demand. I understand that the last time they tried to sell them no one wanted to buy them. Thank you, and give them my thanks. It has been nice to try all the new foods this week.” Sara lingered over her food, and sure enough when she went out to lobby her bags were there on a cart. She shook her head. “Thank you, it has been nice to be so well taken care of this week. I could get used to this easily.”

The bellhop said. “Just doing my job, and glad to. You kids so seldom let me, and then had the never to be embarrassed about it. Honestly. If all guests were like you all I would be out of a job.”

Mr. Ritter said. “All right kids lets get going, we can’t keep the buses out front for long.”

Sara started picking up her bags, Viv grabbed one. “I can take it as far as the buss at least.”

Sara said. “I thought we had agreed last night not to do this?”

Viv said. “I know, but I had to see you off. Who knows how long tell I see you again? I will see you, but it won’t be easy to just hope a ride out to Newton or wherever I have to go.” She walked her out to the bus. “Now remember you need to let me know when you make it in. Jack will no doubt be bugging me long before.”

Sara said. “And you let me know. I will be worrying. Let me know how bad that storm is. I hope you don’t get to delayed. I hope your sister likes that fabric as well as I do. Be safe, watch the waves.”

Viv said. “I will and you watch that brother and don’t let a bear eat you. See you soon! Take care.” She set the bag down and threw her arms around Sara. Mr. Ritter coughed. “All right. I’m going. But you had better write long letters you here me. I will be starting my first one to you tonight. You had best do the same. I don’t know what your massagers charge, but send it money owned if you have to. And let me know abut those curtains. I hope she likes them.”

Sara said. “No worries there Father would never stand for that. I will. Who would have though we would be so close in so little time? I am going to miss you. Thank you for everything. I would have been way lost if you hadn’t been there. This is why we weren’t going to do this.” She turned and climbed on the bus.

Mr. Ritter said. “Hate to do it but we have to be on the road. Now she did give you the schools info as well? If you need to get to her faster you send it to me by the stones and I will get it to her. No one will think twice about it.”

Viv nodded. “I have it, thank you sir. I am glad you are willing to play messenger for us.”

Mr. Ritter said. “It is no problem. It is a part of teaching at that school.” The last of the kids made it on the bus and he followed Viv stood and watched them leave, then went in.

On the bus Sara took a seat by a window and turned to watch as the city rolled by. She was surprised that Rebecca was next to her, but then noticed everyone had the same seats they had on the way to Bixter. Rebbeca said. “I will be glad to be home at last. This has been a long week. I did get the pillow cases done. But now have nothing to work on.”

One of the others said. “I know I thought I had plenty to work on, but I didn’t realize how much time there would be to fill. Such a waste of time.” Sara reached for her bag and dug down to the book she had put in and let it carry her away.

Sara looked up from her book, trying to place what had her felling worried. She then remembered the necklace, just as it felt warm. She pulled it out and tuned it so she could see the back of it and smiled. There were words on it. ‘Wind here there’. It worked. Did this mean Viv was feeling what she was? She slipped the charm and letter bag off, running her thumb across the words. She looked out side, and then took out the letters. ‘Still roads r good’ That filled the spaces, but it would be enough. She closed her hand around it and waited tell it felt cool, then released it and but the letters back in the bag. She felt Viv relax a bit, and then knew she was hungry.

Just then they pulled up to a picnic area.  She smiled and took out the letters ‘lunch time stop’ and sent it.  One of the boys on the bus said. “There is nothing here but tables.”

Sara said. “The hotel sent the food, most of it is in magical carriers but the kitchen staff was also kind enough to put some in my bags. It should be enough for those that don’t want to eat the other.” The necklaces warmed and she looked down. ‘good lunch for me 2’ She smiled and wiped the message away then put the necklace back on.

Rebecca said. “How do you know that?”

Sara said. “I went in to the kitchen early yesterday, before they were busy with the bags to explain how they worked and asked if they would fill them. I didn’t want to risk being on the road without food. They told me then that lunch was being sent.”

She said. “You would.” With that she moved to get off the bus. Sara took up her bag and followed.

The teachers were setting the food out on a table, know how picky some would be Sara went to the next table over and started set out what had been sent with her, keeping back the marked bag for her self. “I have no idea what is here and didn’t think to ask for separate plates and utensils, but surely that won’t hurt?”

Tim said. “No not at all. Thank you for thinking about food. I didn’t. Come on guys it looks good.” He got a plate and started, then slowly the others did. A few went down the other table, which is what Sara did, the bag that had been marked was to light to be a full meal..

Once she had a full plate she went and set down then opened the marked bag and found two contains of sauce, one said for meat, the other vegetable, and a note that said eat all of it, and that her plate had better be heaping. She laughed. “Not even here and still trying to direct how I eat. It will be nice not to have food forced at me all the time.” She took the covers off sauces. And set them next to her plate.

 Zac added a slice of cost and some stir fry to her plate then set his down down. “Just following my orders. I don’t want him coming after me. I will be back with drinks.”

Sara said. “Great so you are still going to be throwing food at me. At this rate I will be rolling soon.” But she started eating, making sure to use the sauces as instructed.

Rebecca said. “I would never be seen eating like that. It just is not becoming. And to joke about it!”

Sara shrugged. “It is good food, and he wont get away with it at home much.”

As Mr. Ritter was heading the kids back onto the buses Sara stopped and looked back the way they had come. He saw her stand and went over to her. “Everything all right Sara?”

She nodded. “Yes sir, Just Viv said it was getting windy there before we stopped, and I thought I saw the top of those trees swaying a bit. I am sure it was just a trick of my eyes. Sorry sir.”

Mr. Ritter frowned. “Another good reason to get back on the road. If that storm is coming in early we don’t want to fool around. I don’t see anything, but your eyes are younger, best not take chances.”

By there next stop there was a stiff breath, not enough to be an issue, but enough that the kids were asked not to linger and the adults were frowning at the sky. Sara was to, she was seeing a lot of spites that she hadn’t seen before. Back on the bus she took her necklace off again. ‘getting breezy.’. She sent first. Then frowning a bit. ‘jack sprites angry’

The bus started moving, but the wind was getting stronger. Mr. Ritter said. “Viv saying anything about the weather in Bixter?”

Sara said. “She just said it was starting to rain. It seems the storm ifs moving a bitter faster than expected. But there was a bout two hours before the wind got strong so we should out pace it.”

“Just how as she saying anything?”

Time said. “Friendship charms let you send short messages between them. With my approval Sara and Viv have a pair. You would have know nothing but we need to know how fast the weather is moving. Such charms are permitted by the elders, I carry to myself. Mom says the weather is still clear at Home Sir, and to hurry. Newton will cover any damages caused by increased speeds.”

Mr. Ritter said. “Did I look that worried, or is thee news?”

Tim said. “You did, and I don’t like the way it felt. So I started asking mom as Sara was asking Viv.” They didn’t stop again until Hammer and they left there as soon as the last kid was clear of the bus. The wind was getting gusty as they reached Newton.

Sara gathered up her bags and head off the bus, Abiram had gotten off ahead of her and had handed his case to there dad so he took hers once she was off. The leader that had seen them off was there Sara curtsied. “Welcome home kids, I’ll not keep you. Get to your homes before the storm hits. That bag for me?”

Sara nodded. “Yes sir, for the library. I found a good store and thought it could use them. As well as three copies of Comptain’s. One I am not sure about.”

“Thank you child, the library will be delighted, and not your fault should one be questionable. I should have warned you he had some that were. Now run along before the storm gets here. Remember you need say no more than you want to about this week.” He left clearly dismissing them.

Isaac said. Anything you all have to say can wait until we are inside. That looked like a lot of books.”

Sara nodded and fail into place behind her Father and brother. Abiram said. “There was a big used book store close to the hotel, that is where most of them came from, but the testing center was right near a mall as well.”