day 4's , just a bit late.

Sara smiled. “Thank you. I wonder what brings them here? We don’t see many researchers out here. There would have had to pack most of their gear in, and surly there are easy place to do there studies at.”

They were at the door and so one of the teachers on duty heard her. “They are traveling with a bunch charged with updating maps. What weather studies has do with it is beyond me, but is sponsored so they can use the kings roads and where the road breaks they will have his hullers to call on. Morning classes will continue you the same, but after lunch everyone is to go to the filed out back. There are no exceptions being given, we want a good showing.”

Sara ducked her head. “Yes sir, thank you. I meant no disrespect, just thought it odd. I am sure that with it being outside there will be something we can focus on should the talk get to confusing sir.”

Mr. Riter said. “Now that’s the spirt. Though I doubt if it will get to complicated for you to follow.” Sara startled a bit, granted Mr. Riter was from Hammer, but he had been teaching since the school opened. “I have explained a bit about the school and they have agreed to keep it as non technical as possible.”

Abiram said, perhaps a tad louder than necessary. “I am sure they will try at least, but being about science it is unlikely the young ladies will be able to follow much of it. But they will appreciate the effort made, and hopefully the attempt will keep the headaches from getting to severe.”

Mr. Riter said. “That is the hope. But I do know some get upset over the smallest things. But the open air should have a restorative effect. It generally seems to help. Well you get on to class.” The two headed on in to the maze of the school. It had been added on to in many times and not always using the same planes. So there were hallways that led no where, and a few that were hidden by walls. Abiram went left and Sara headed up stairs.

Sara entered her history class and took her normal desk not looking around. Checking out the room as the entered had gotten a few girls extra lessons the year before, and Sara knew what her father would do should that happen.  As she bent down to get the books out of her bag she heard a boy behind her say. “Now check her out. Isn’t that something?” Sara dared a glance to see who they were looking at, hopping it wasn’t her. She didn’t think she had done anything to make them, but best to be safe. To her relief there backs we to her. “Wonder what she thinks she is? Who dress like that?”

It was the teacher that answered the boy. “What are you doing looking at that? It is not fit for eyes, that is the likes one would expect to find in the easy streets. I do not know how she got in her like that! Sara are there still clothes in the drama room? I hate to ask, but kindly help that find some. I will explain why you were with her should it be heard of.”

Sara stood at once, and curtsied. “Yes sir. I will see what can be found.” Only then did she look to see what the problem was.  There was a lost looking group of strangers in the hall. The person in question was in a pair of shorts that would be to shout for even a young boy to be seen in, and her shirt  did not come down to the top of her pants. It was not something one would wear to bed little own out of the house. Surely even in Hamer such would be indecent. Sara went over to them and said. “Excuse me miss, but I fear you are considerable under-dressed for this environment. If you will come to me I think I can help you find something a bit less alarming.” She hoped that was kind enough.

The lady said. “Sorry? But how am I under dressed? It is more then warm enough for a summer outfit.”

One of the boys said. “Aicla knock it off. She is trying to be nice about it. You know full well what the problem is. I am sorry miss she is not used to small towns and finds it amusing how easy it is to embarrass people. She has other clothes and is going to put them back on and I swear if she takes them off again I will see that she is glued into them! We just got a bit turned around trying to follow directions to the rest rooms. Could you possible help us out?”

Sara bit her lip, to talk so. These people clearly should have a guide. “Yes, but really it would be better to change in the drama room. The other is not. Well it is small, but they are in the same way, so just down this way.”

He said. “All right, lead on. And what did I do wrong? I know I did something.”

She curtsied and said. “This way good folks. I am at a loss as to why there was no one to help you navigate. This school is a maze, and visitors often get confused.” She led them down the hall, glad the bell had sounded and they were empty. “The rest rooms are there, and this is the drama room.” She showed the lady in, and to her shock the taller boy came as well. “There is a chest here with some clothes in it, but you have some?” She was wondering how to get out of this mess without offending anyone. But talking to a male she wasn’t related to was bad enough little own being alone with them.

“Ya I do, I still think it is a bit silly, but very well I will dress like a grandmother. You going to watch me change or something Tim?”

The boy turned red. “I will just be outside.” He left and Sara relaxed a bit.

Sara said. “There is a changing area right over there. I am sorry you feel so upset, but really if you don’t change you will likely cause some of the boys to get into trouble. They couldn’t help but stare you see, and that is improper.”

She went behind the screen to changed and said. “Odd. You mean the boys would get into trouble for looking at me? How do you all date then? I never heard of such.”

Sara said. “Are there no churches of the light where you are from? How sad it must be. Forgive me that was unbelievable rude, I am usually better at keeping such things where they belong. What I mean is there are two towns involved in this school and those of us from Newtown are follows of the way. That is the teachings of Issac the wise. I am sure you have a different name for him, but I know only the one we are taught to call him.”

She said. “That explains a lot. I still think it a bit silly. But what ever. I take it this is all right?” She came out dressed in jeans and a longer shirt.

Sara nodded, “For the school it will do, it is what most of the girls from Hamer wear.”

She smiled and walked to the door. “Satisfied?”

Tim said. “Thank you. Now then to find our way back, we came from over there, so if we go in that way we might make it back.”

Sara bit her lip. Alica said. “I don’t think so.  From her face that would be a mistake. So where are the science classes at? The room we started at had a red door.”

Sara said. “A red one? I um, don’t think.”

Mr. Ritter said. “Sara is there a reason you are in the hall? Oh so there is. How did you get here?”

Sara had never been so happy to have the principle find her loitering. “Mr. Florance asked me to lend a hand as they were outside his classroom. They said they were looking for the rest room and got turned around. Easy to do. But.”

Mr. Ritter nodded. “I will see them back, you go on back to class. I know it is troubling you to miss any of it, being your history. I will see them back, and find out how they came to be lost, and if anything is said you tell them to call me.”

Sara curtsied. “Thank you, sir. I am sure there is no problem, everyone in the room heard Mr. Florance, so any confusion will be quickly cleared up.”

Tim frowned. “What do you mean? Did we somehow get you in trouble?”

Mr. Ritter said. “No it is fine. There is just a bit of a difference in traditions is all.” Sara went back to class.

Sara was glad when the bell rang ending the test on food preservation in the cooking class. It was nice to not have to pretend to be answering the questions she had finished five minuets in to the class. It was silly, but then the whole class was. It was not meant for someone who had been cooking meals since they were eight. But it was the only acceptable subject at that time. After all her father felt she had to many academic subject on her schedule as it was. If she had of went with geography she would never have gotten out of the house. Avoiding the lunch room she headed for the doors, hoping it was still nice enough to eat outside.

The sun was still out so she pushed the door opened and head to her preferred table. Only to stop turn to look at the weather vane on the roof as once she was away form the build it was to still. The vane was steady and the barometer was still in the green so she went ahead and set down, and took out her lunch, and started to eat.  It was not long until other kids stared come out with there cafeteria lunches, most casting a look at the weather vain. Knowing that the lack of movement meant a increased likelihood that a storm would be there soon. The longer it lasted the bigger the storm. Though it was the ones that came without warning that were the most deadly and damaging. For it was easy to underestimate them.  

Rebecca said. “Sara what is wrong with your neck? Or are you trying to pretend you can read the sky?” Sara looked at her. “You keep looking at the roof. Granted it is far better than behavior than Hanna is showing with her continual glance at the boys, but still it is not very lady like.”

Sara said. “I was not aware I was looking that often. It is just so still out here I keep think that the barometer is going to swing right into the red.”

Rebecca sniffed. “And what will you do if it does? Shout like you are one of the men. Have some since, they will give warning.”

Sara said. “It is all our duty to watch the vanes when we are out side. That is why the elders had them put up. For if it drops the men will be to busy to yell for us, and this is just the right feel for a sudden dip.”

Rebecca shook her head. “Now you think you can learn to predict the weather. Honestly. Leave the tools where they belong.”

“It is just common since, even someone who is seldom outside should know this lack of movement is a sign of danger, and make use of the warning items.”

Rebecca turned to Anna. “How did you make that flower with out it puckering? I get a winkle when ever I try that small of a stitch.” Glad to be out of the spot light again for a bit Sara finished her lunch and save for a few bits that she picked up after she stood. She walked over to the near by tree, ignoring the boys that were gathered there, and placed the crumbs at its base.

Tim’s voice came from the group of boys.  “Why are people leavening bits of food under the trees? Sorry, but it just seems odd to me.”

One of the boys said. “That is the arrangement that was made with the dryads, in exchange for have the tables and filed they get a bit of any meal at will be left at the base of the trees. Though I don’t know what they make of the cafeteria food.” He laughed. “Still it is a small price to pay.”

“But they are the easiest to control. It is the others that make it so hard to keep the roads open. Why pay them?”

Abiram said. “If dealt with in kindness they will respect you. As we ask and not take we are never lacking in fruit, even in the cold months.  In bad years they have given us enough food from the forest to see us though. Once we learned to ask that is. The first years here are full of failed crops and poising, as they tried to force there will on the forest.”

Tim said. “What made them decide to talk to the forest?”

Abiram said. “That is a question for a historian not a mechanical engineer. And we don’t have a history major here. But my sister is working on a paper about that time and might know. Sara, by chance do you know why they started talking to the forest way back at the founding?”

Sara said. “No sir. That is one of the things I have been trying to nail down. I know it was in the second year. But I can find nothing for sure, just a bunch of stories with out corroboration. But if one was to use them as guide and make a guess it would seem that a person  got fed up and yelled, not necessarily at anything, but the forest answered. It would have to have been someone powerful to change everything, but none of the stories agree on a name. I’m sorry. I got carried away. Forgive me.”

Abiram said. “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want the answer.  Mr. Ritter said we are still to go to the field and not to our next class so I will walk you there. Father would expect us to keep an eye on you girls with the weather as it is.  Jacob said he would watch and see Leah stayed safe, so that leaves you with me.”

Sara said. “Yes sir.” And curtsied, hoping that her face was straight. He had just given her what she needed to be at the front edge wreath than hiding in the back as a young lady should. It bothered her a bit that she wasn’t more upset.