Day 1, I still don't like it. 2228

SCIENCE and MAGIC.

Nano 2013

By

Barbra Perry.

Chapter 1.

May God Help Me.

“We must keep ourselves pure, free from the taint that fills the world. For our wise and knowing Lord commands that we suffer not the witch! We must keep all beings, all symbols of this corrupt and tainted world out of our town! We must sanctify our selves! Keep our selves and our lands clear of the magical plague.” Sara bit her lip so as to not laugh out loud. She didn’t need the lecture that would get her. She had enough as it was. Still it was so hard. How could he be so dense? There was a gnome standing on the podium in front of him, imitating his every move, and there he was saying we could not allow them into town.  It was times like this she really hated the way her eyes worked, as clearly only she could see it. If only she dared look away, but that would be taken as giving the pastor less than her full attention, and she didn’t need to be corrected again today. She forced her mind back on the words, hoping the sermon was about over. To her relief the preacher said. “That my brothers is why regularly fortify our borders. Evil cannot pass into the light of God. But we must do as Isaac taught and commanded and sanctify are lands at the turnings. Come now and take your arms as the sisters receive there teachings. Teachers you may now lead your classes to study. We do not need to confuse them.” With that he stepped back waiting.

The teachers stood and the first one rang her bell, calling her class. Once the last one of it was though the door the next one went. Soon it was time for Sara’s class as her teacher’s bell sounded she looked at her father. He nodded, and she stood, gave him a slight, proper, curtsey and then turned and walked at a carefully measured pace behind the girl in front of her. There was no talking among the girls, and they took care that their steps were soft as they went to the class room where the filed into benches that matched the once they had left in chapel. Hard, and plain, this room had no windows in it and nothing on the walls safe for a single lamp, and candle holder. Not that it did much good, with the door shut the room was full of shadows. Luckily lessons were held with the door open so there was a bit more light, but still not enough to read by. Not that there would ever be anything to read in this room.

Sara hid her sigh and waited for the last of the class to sit so the class would start. The teacher stood at the front of the room and looked out at them. “Good Day young ladies.”

As one they stood and curtsied in return.  “Good day wise one, may we bring glory to the service and joy to our fathers.” It was all ritual, rules they had been taught since before they could speak. It was how every class started. Once married wife would replace young lady and husband would replace father in the answer.  There was comfort in it, and frustration.

The teacher scanned the girls, counting them off and check dresses. Seeing that veils were in place, heads covered. At this age no mistakes could be allowed. They must be perfect, for it wouldn’t be long until they were teaching the next generation.  “Be seated and settle. I know that excitement is running high. It wont be long now until you present yourselves at the alter. I know you have the tools needed. I have watched you grow into the lovely, obedient ladies I see before me.  Looking at you I wonder why it is I have been asked to use this day to remind you of the laws laid on a woman, of the role given to use to play as mother, hearth keeper and child. It seems that the elders have concerns that a few of you think to understand things beyond the grasp given to us.  I have assured them that none of you would be so foolish as to try and understand the world meant for men. That you seek no more than you need to see your sons set firmly on the path that the Lord directs for them. Still we shall revisit the teachings on the danger of over learn and thinking to much. It doesn’t hurt, and it will help to keep the passages fresh so you can see your daughters get the right start.”

Sara kept her sigh in. Not again, she wondered what the cause was. Surely couldn’t have been her or she would have heard of it from her father long before now. Granted the book on weather was pushing it but it was not that advanced. Well the one they had seen. If they knew the others that were under her bed she would be in trouble and so would Abiram, after all he was the one who let her have them. Heck he had even snuck in the ones she hadn’t dared ask him to buy. The history book was advanced, but history was a permitted subject for woman to study, so it shouldn’t have caused this. She didn’t dare look around at the others and see if any looked alarmed for that would just make her look guilty as well. With any luck it was just someone looking to long at a bit of wire. Something innocent that was taken wrong. Still it made for a long morning, having to listen and repeat the responses about duties and roles. How men and woman each had tasks that were suited only for them. She wished that she dared, just once, to question. But it wasn’t worth the trouble. She would have enough as it was, without being accused of inviting an insurrection.

At last the lecture was done. The teacher said. “I know you have seen that some of our young leads have left and others have came in. As you know those of you promised to those of other communities will leave with them after the wedding. You will be missed, but I am sure you will make us proud and go with smiles and joy. You will enrich your new homes as they young ladies our leaders bring back will enrich our town. That said I do not want to catch you making eyes at any of them. You will learn soon enough who your intended is.  I remember the feelings and how temping it is to pick a man on your own, but trust in the will of the Lord, do not embarrass yourselves or your elders. Remember you are the chosen ones. It is your duty to be above the others, to show them a better way. Do not sink to their level and start making eyes and flirting. So far there has been no taint, but this close to the binding it can be temping. You must hold fast to the teachings! Keep your hearts pure lest you be tempted. Let not evil in.” The room echoed her, as the ritual demanded. The teacher looked them over again frowning slightly. “I know it is a heavy burden to have to be among the world, but is necessary that you learn to cope so you can help your children keep on the lights path in the face of sin. For sadly we can not shut the world out and learn what we must to get back what was taken, knowledge doesn’t grow alone. It is a hard road we have, to have to be in the world and yet not let it remake us. Just remember as hard as we find it, it is doubly so for the men as they must interact with it more do to the demands the Lord puts on them. Go now and help your Mothers with the meal, the men will be needing it. Keep the light.”

The girls stood and said, in course. “May the light be with you, may the words of the One fill your heart and ears. Let not our feet stray, let not sin touch our town.” They turned and left at the same pace they had entered. The silence continued tell they were outside. Once back in the open air there was a low buzz of conversation, but still it was less than one would expect in a place with so many children. Once the last class was out families started separating and heading to their homes. Some groups were louder than others, the noisiest earning a few black looks.

Sara’s was among the quietest, there was just a soft murmuring to be heard as they walked down the lane. For her father had said that no word that was not absolute necessary was permitted to them on the holy days, and his word was the law of the house. Once in the house it was straight to the kitchen for the older girls who saw to the starting of supper as Mother saw the younger ones to the nursery. The meal on holy days was always the same and there was nothing said as it was made. The table was set just as a burst of sound announced that the men were home. Mother went to see to their coats, Sara and Anna saw to the filling of cups and set them at the places so the drinks would be ready when the men filled the table, then it was the food to bring out. Once the last item was on the table their father nodded and said. “Well done my girls, come sit and let us eat.” Only then did they take their places at the bottom of the able waiting as the dishes were passed around and filling their plates with what reached them. Never asking for anything, after all they were not to be heard, though of course the men’s talk filled the room. As they had been blessing the fields that afternoon the talk was of the crops. Nothing that Sara cared about so it washed over her as she thought longingly of the book in her room. But it would be hours yet tell she could get to it. After diner there was the dishes, then they joined the men in the front room.

As it was a holy day the radio stayed off, but it was unlikely it would have worked as it had looked stormy over towards the Jackson, where the station was. Sara took up her embroidery and took a set on the stool next to Grandfather so she would be on hand should he need anything. It was their place to run and fetch as the men rested, and the others found Grandfather a bit irritating as he was starting to live more in the past. She found his tales of the wonders fascinating, and did her best to record them.  He turned to look at her. “Stuck you with me again did they, child? You know I think they are a bit worried about me. Just because I spoke of Kate and Marcus. I should really upset them and start talking about Edward sparkling.” He laughed, and Sara failed to keep her grin hidden. She knew the reference, for all she shouldn’t. “There that’s better you have been looking so grim. I’m going to miss you, as are they. All be it for different reasons. But don’t let that stop you. You must fly child, it doesn’t suite you to be bound here. You can’t live your life in a lie.” Sara’s eyes darted around. “Relax, even if they could hear me, which as loud as they are being about the crops and what is wrong with them they can’t, they would just think I didn’t know who I was talking to. You have played the part well, they do not see you. But I do, I know there is a inquisitive mind behind those eyes that see to much. You are not meant for this life. At times I wonder if I mind the right choice. I lost so much. This way felt best. I wanted nothing of the new. I was fine with magic in stories, but couldn’t handle it once it became real. I never thought what it would mean for my children though. Stand up, so they will fall silent a bit. I know what the problem is, but can’t shout over them.”

Sara stood and caught her father’s eye, as expected the fact she was just standing there made the room fall silent. Her father gave her a black look. She lowered her eyes. Grand father said. “The corn looks like a fourth year crop. This new strain must have more acid in it. If you feed the soil it will perk up, but don’t plant it back. Grow wheat there next year and turn it under. Just like you do to reclaim a forth year field. If you’re going to raise that type of corn you are going to have to change it yearly.”