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Sara went to her back pack and opened the hidden pocket. “It is not only the teas, there are four, but some other things as well. This one I take only after the other medicine, meaning the first time I wake up after I have taken it. The other two are daily. I have a few outfits, still not sure what I will do with them.” She looked at the door then went to the basket and took out one of the dresses. It was a pale blue, and had short sleeves and ruffled skirt. That she followed with one of the brighter shirts and a shorter skirt. “There are a couple more but you get the idea. There were some things there I can’t believe were clothes though Viv and Jack said they were. Viv helped me pick. Jack turned up as we were going to the check stand and saw to it that I didn’t set that shirt back. It clings a bit, and I am not sure about it.”

Grandpa said. “So the med student was more than a nameless person. You spend a lot of time with him and Viv?”

Sara said. “Mostly I just saw Jack at the tests, Viv was in the same hotel as I was. Jack was raised in the church, in Einsten in fact. Two years after he started school he woke to discover he was a healer. As that is the case, it would be at least four years before he would be out unsupervised. Some of the things he gave me are tightly controlled and no other healer saw me to approve them so I think he is most likely in his sixth year.”

Her grandfather looked at her. “Eight years. I believe most medical programs run eight to ten years. So if he was sent to study medicine this would be his engagement year.”

Sara shook her head. “Not you to. He is not interested in me that way. His farther disowned him because he refused to marry. He still has a few years to go. His school encourages double majors for everyone and at least triple for magic users of any kind. They expect those in that study to be there for at least twelve years.” She yawned. “There is just to much to learn, and they can’t make money off of the magic. They want two fields so you have something to fall back on.”

He said. “You should get some sleep. Sounds like you learned a few things about the schools. How did the test turn out?”

Sara said. “I passed everything. I mean everything. The magical theory as well. Though I have no idea how. I only answered five questions on that test. Oh I all most forgot.” She moved to the bag of books and opened the hidden compartment. “I have one of your books in here. I saw this and thought you might want it.” She set aside the book she had bought on magic theory, the two on the woken ones, and took one out on dragons. “It said it coved fictional ones as well as the woken ones. Oh those. Well the images didn’t say much about them so I needed both. Well wanted.” She yawned again.

He said. “Get some sleep, and Isaac meant it he won’t be checking. Thanks for the books, and don’t worry I won’t leave the dragon one out where Hanna will see it.” He picked up the basket of books.

Sara said. “Some of those you have but were getting a bit warn out. I hope there are some there you haven’t read before.”

He said. “As full as this basket is there must be. I don’t know how you managed to get this many in that old case. And you thought it was to big. Get some sleep.” He left the room smiling. It had worked, she would go. It would be hard on her, but she was to awake now. Those books she had would see to it. If the Decon boy didn’t manage on his own.

Sara watched him leave and shook her head, wounding just what he was up to now. She closed the door and finished hang her clothes, then decided the rest could wait tell morning. The storm was getting stronger and sleep would be the best way to deal with it. The day had been harder than she would like to admit. She had been planning on typing up a bit of the paper, but it would just have to wait until Monday. She got into her nightgown, turned of the overhead light then climbed into bed. She took out her necklace and sent. ‘good night’ then turned of the lamp. She was asleep before Viv answered.

The next morning Sara woke up and found the necklace warm against her. She touched it and instantly knew Viv was sleeping. Turning the switch on the lamp she discovered that the power was out, not that it surprised her. She had been surprised it was still on when she went to bed. With a bit of fumbling she lit the lantern then switched the useless lamp of. Shivering a bit, the storm had made it unusually chilly for summer, she looked at the message ‘sleep well’ She smiled and got out of bed slipped on her robe, picked up the waiting dress, lit a candle from the lantern then went out into the hall and lit every other one of the lights there on her way to the bathroom.

There was no lingering in the shower, she was out of it as fast as possible. “I miss the hot water all ready, and that was warm compared to winter.” She was very glad she was alone when she realized she had spoken aloud. Still shivering she slipped into her clothes she picked up the candle again and then went back to her bedroom and put on her shoes, the plain pair. It was early yet to start breakfast, as it was just oat portage and week tea, but the stove would need to be lit and she could get her morning tea. Plus as no one was awake she could take the spices down and get them put away. It might be the Holy day, but putting them away didn’t involve using them. Her tea would be a bit to strong and flavorful, but it was a prescribed tea, and as stiff as she was she could use any help it gave. Exceptions were made for medicinal drinks. Still if she made it before the others were up she would avoid one fight that day.

Her necklace grew warm again as she went down the stairs but she waited until she had the lantern lit in the kitchen to look at it. ‘why cold alright’

Sara lit the cook stove so it would start heating then took out the letters. ‘no hot water cold bath’ She sent then waited a bit before sending the next message. ‘storm drop temps’ ‘sorry woke you’. She checked the stove add wood and set the tea kittle on it, though it would be a bit before it was anything like hot. Then started putting the herbs and spices away seasons in place, those with medication instruction in another the teas into the tea cupboard, clearly labeled as to what they were.

The necklace warmed so she stopped to look at it. ‘woke early own’ ‘no magic heat pipes’ Sara rubbed it away and anther came. ‘forgot sorry cold cook’.

Sara sent back. ‘wood stove started’ ‘tea water heating’ ‘well here bit stiff’ She went back to work and waited. It was good to be able to write to Viv, but still not the same as really talking with her. It did make her feel better though, less alone. Viv still felt a bit tired, but was happy and that made Sara feel less cold.

The necklace warmed. ‘no pain good’ ‘jack worried storm’ ‘enjoy tea meal’

Sara had the things all put away and was sipping her tea when the others started coming in. Edith said. “Thank you for starting the stove. Hanna you see to breakfast, Anna help me get the roast in. Sara you can see to the table. What ever is that?”

Sara curtsied and went to the dish cupboard. “I am a bit stiff from the storm and didn’t want to risk skipping the tea. I know it is a bit to strong for a Holy day.”

“Medications are allowed, as long as it was not for the enjoyment.” There was nothing welcoming about her. Sara could tell she was upset, but had no idea why.

Sara set the bowls and mugs out on the counter then took the silverware to the dinning room, lit a few of the lanterns so she could see, then set the table. That dine she reluctantly took her necklace off. ‘holy day bland food’ then sadly she sent. ‘no jewelry in church’ ‘back afternoon’

She put the letters away. ‘bland I ask jack’ ‘hurry back waiting’ Sara smiled and went to put the necklace on the self so she could grab it when she got home.

Isaac said. “What is that? It seems important to you.”

Sara said. “Just a friendship charm, Sir. I was just putting it aside as it is to decretive to have in church.”

He said. “I hadn’t noticed it and wouldn’t have known you had it. Where did it come from?”

Sara said. “It is just a way for Violet and I to know each other is safe. Other wise it would be a long wait for a letter on both are parts. She is from a coastal town. I wasn’t sure about the charm, but Timathy was there and said it was acceptable.”

Isaac said. “May I see it?” Sara handed it to him. Hopping Abiram would stay out of it. He was frowning at her, behind dad. Her father looked it over. “This one would appear to send more than one word. It is a bit fancy for church, I am glad you realized it. Out side of church I have no problems with it. I don’t use them, but know other families do.” He handed it back and she put it on the self. “Where is this gal at? I take it she is the one you were hanging out with?” He stated to the table letting Sara move to her chair.

Sara said. “Yes sir, we met in a test and just knew we were friends. It was odd. She is still in Bixter do to the storm, but is from the coast. If the roads are open they will start back tomorrow.”

“That is a long way to come for the tests. Odd I would think most of the big schools would have sent people to places closer. Do you know why they came that far?” He put his soon in his bowl signaling the meal had started.

Abiram said. “Some just to see what it was like inland and I guess the leaders thought that by spreading the students out they would have better chances at scholarships.”

Isaac said. “I still can’t see sending them that far away.”

Breakfast done they headed off to church and took there seats. Sara suppressed a shudder as leader Emerson walked up to the stand. He could make anything dull and this would be the tradition sermon about the power of light. The perpetration for next weeks long day, centered on making good choices. She was glad when the time came to leave for class. It was of course more courtship instruction.

Chapter 8

Monday

Sara woke up early and was glad when the lamp turned on, for that meant she could start typing her paper. She got out of bed and turned on her computer before getting her dress and heading to the cold shower. After the shower she ran downstairs and made sure the biscuits were rising. It was too soon to put them in to back, but they were raising well. That done she went back to her room and started typing up the paper. She had two hours before it would be time to go back down and start breakfast going.

Pleased with what she had done she stood stressed and waiting for the computer to shut down, no since wasting the power by leavening it on. She was going to risk going over her allotment as it was. Back down stairs she put two pans of biscuits in the oven, one large pan and a small one that just had three in it and started the tea water heating. It was to be bacon and eggs this morning so nothing she needed to prepare. There for she found the recipes for the hand pies and set about copying them for the bus driver.  She stopped to take the first pan out and turn them out to cool. The second stayed a bit longer then it came out and the next big pan went in. The recipes copied and one cup of tea drank, she put the originals up then put butter and honey on the dark biscuits, grabbed a bucket of water and went out side. She put the bread on a plate like leaf that sat on slap of rock that looked like a table and put some water in the cups there then went on and saw to the chickens looking for any eggs. She touched the necklace and felt Viv was waking up. She took the time to find the letters and say ‘good morning’ then left the coop to wash the eggs before going in. She looked at the table and paused. There were always a few fairs around, but she had not seen the gnomes in the yard, yet this time they were sitting at the table. They paid no attention to her so she just went on to the house.

Anna was coming down the stairs as she entered and smiled at her. “Good you’ve seen to the chickens. Are the rolls done? I can not tell you how much you were missed. I didn’t realize how much you did here.”

Sara said. “The first pan is out, the second one should be ready to come out now. I missed you guys as well.” They were soon busy as the others started waking coming down. If they saw her check her necklace and smile they didn’t say anything.

After the food was gone and the table was being cleared the necklace warmed again, and there was a bit of tension. Sara set the plates down and looked. ‘road fair we loading’ She frowned, that fair didn’t sound to good.

She took out the letters and said. ‘Stay safe keep posted’ She put the letters away and saw her mother frown at her. “The girl I met is starting for home today. I was just wishing her a safe trip. Sorry I shouldn’t have let it keep me from my tasks.”

Her mother said. “It was a brief pause, nothing then the others do. I was just wondering what it was. I don’t know about those charms. For all the elders say they are fine, they are a bit to magical. The table is cleared go get you girls books so your not making the boys wait.” They curtsied and head up the stairs.