arrg the storm

Sara nodded absently and closed her eyes. “It is getting closer and louder. I hate this.”

Zac said. “We are here. There dose that help?” Sara nodded and opened her eyes. “There is a bed right in front of you can you sit down and start finding those bottles.”

Sara set the bottles out. “How much am I to take?”

Zac said. “I have directions here. I just need to find the nurse, as you can’t see to mix them, and he said I can’t.”

Sara nodded, and the nurse said. “Sorry I didn’t hear the door. I was looking for a few more pillows. What can I do for you?”

Zac held out his charm. “She needs to take this mix of those medicines, and then there is another one they want to know if you have.”

She looked at the bottles and raised an eyebrow but said nothing as she mixed it up and then held it out. “You are sure about this? These are not something I would expect you to take.”

Sara said. “. I am afraid the storm is playing havoc with my sight. You are going have to put the spoon into my hand, if you would. I know, but well. I reached the point sometime ago that I was willing to try anything. I have been on those and a couple I don’t have to hide since we went to the tests. I need to stop taking the Ombeiveln, those three are a part of the attempt. They are helping, there gave been a few storms I got though without any, and another I got though with the dueled that I would have taken the full for before. This storm though, I might have to take two doses to get though.”

The nurse handed her the spoon and Sara took the medicine. “This is going to be bad on anyone sensitive to the weather. There is a curtain around your bed as it might get a bit full in here. Zac I don’t know about those next medicines. They are.”

 The charm changed to show a symbol. “I was told you would need to see this before you could say if you had them.” She looked a bit shocked, and Zac shrugged. “So it is a mage token, not a friendship charm. I was told what it was before accepting it. Now you have something on me, so you can feel safer. Sara is not going to remember much about this day, but those medicines will get her in more trouble than they would you.”

The nurse frowned. “This cupboard doesn’t exist. But yes, I have them. When is she to take them?”

Zac said. “Just after the first dose of Ombeiveln. The hope is they in combination will put her to sleep for a lot of the storm, helping insure that a third dose of the junk is not needed. If you could just put the amounts in some plane cups and set it there. I will tell Abiram that it is to help her sleep though the first hours. He will not press.”

She nodded and did so. “I am going to go see if there is what else I can do. It is not allowed, but Sara tell me if the pain gets to much. My gift is not the strongest, but I can help some.”

Sara said. “I hope I won’t have to ask, as I am sure others will need your strength, but if I start screaming you have my permission. I will see that no fault falls on you. Zac if I do start screaming do not touch me. Just go get her and stay back.”

Abiram said. “And why would he need to do that? Here we go. Why were you waiting on me? I thought she would have started.”

Sara said. “The medicine is just starting to work so I can eat. Nothing would have stayed down had I waited. It is what I need him to do, that’s all. I also want someone around who knows to stir me back to bed it I start wonder. This storm is going to make the effects of the drug worse. So I am going to be talking of lights that do not exist and might start roaming. Wanting to go into the storm. No matter what I must not be allowed near the doors tell the storm is gone. Best to not let me in the hall. There is a rest room here right?”

The nurse nodded. “Right though that door. I do my best to see one of the female teachers are here if I’m not. I don’t think any of the girls should be. They might find something in your talk offensive. Abiram is there another you trust? Should this storm last you might want a third person here. That is I want there to always be someone from Newton here so there is some to speak if need be.”

Abiram said. “Tim will be here in a bit, he was just waiting on his lunch Don’t worry we will not let them use her being here as cause to fire you once this is done. I did think about that, and testimony is being gathered against any attempt.”

The nurse said. “I was more worried about her than that. But thank you. Now as she said the medicines and the storm are going to make her loopy. She is going to see and say ridiculous things. The sleep medicine tends to do that by itself. With the other and her history it will likely be worse, but sleeping is going to be the best way for her to get though the storm. The storm will be strong, and even with the medicines I do not know how well she will sleep though it, but with out them there is no chance. Therefore I recommend drugging her, even though it is going to make her a bit crazy until they ware off.”

No one said anything, Sara said. “Ab you have to give her permission or she can’t give it to me. I gave her mine, but you are responsible for me.”

Abiram blushed. “I forgot. I am not used to. Well it is silly, you know more about it than me. But yes, I agree. Whatever you think is best.”

Sara said softly. “If the storm is to big, to much for the Ombeiveln and I start screaming you all need to leave for a bit and not ask anything. Can you do that?”

Abiram said. “Such would fall under the emergence clause and healing would be permitted without a vote. We need not leave, in fact it is best we stand witness. But Light I hope it doesn’t.”

Sara took a carful bit of her lunch then a bigger one. Tim said. “Good thing I picked up extra food. They are using up everything that can’t be fit in the none electric ice box as it won’t keep. So there is more than enough food out there. I thought it wouldn’t hurt to have some in here.”

The nurse nodded. “Thank you it would be a good idea to keep some here though the storm. Sara is going to have to be pressed to eat when she is awake, as will most of the others who come in. Everyone is going to be burning more calories then normal during this storm. Do it its unnatural from, and that is doubly so for those sensitive to it.”

Sara said. “She means it. I will have to be forced to eat. I am not going to otherwise. I am going to insist I don’t want food or drink. Ombeiveln makes it hard to eat. Usually I know that I need to, but the storm is already making it hard, adding that junk. Well I am not going to unless you make me. Hopefully, like this time I will be hungry after the first bite, but I might not. This is going to be hard on you all. I am sorry I was not better prepared.” She took her charms off and looked at then frowning. “Where’s the awful cake? The medicine is working by the way, my eyes are better and the calling has eased up. I am still seeing odd lights, but not as bad. I forgot to tell you.”

Tim said. “Sis it is not us who are going to be in agony. We will be fine, and taking care of you is no big deal as long as we know what to do.”

Abiram said. “I found pudding, so you get out of cake this time. Though it will appear latter.” He handed her a bowl of pudding, which she took. “You have heard from them. Viv’s folks were rechecking ties then diving for cover. Anna is in a strongly built inn, and Tim’s mom said alarms were ringing and to stay safe.”

Sara said. “Good, thank you. I wasn’t sure. I knew they felt safe, but I couldn’t remember what I had told them. I hope that by the charms not touching me they won’t feel to much of me. Tim the second one will send to you mom and Anna. Just write on it and put it in my hand if you need to hear from her. It won’t wake me, and that will give you all away to know more. Being fairy made it might work when others don’t. This storm is going to shut down a lot starting in two minuets. That is when we will hear the wind.” The wind hit and they jumped. Sara nodded. “Most of what I say about the storm will be right, the other things about dancing lights and who knows won’t be. You need to watch who you let around me though, as some might use my drugged rambling to make claims with the elders.”

Tim said. “Not to worry, that is one of the reasons I am here. There will be a few others coming buy as well. Just incase anything is said we can sate that it was the storm and medicine doing the talking.”

Another boy said. “They should know. As Toxic made her feel the storms the big ones are prone to throw you back into a fevered state. I will pull out the record and have it on hand once we get home. Infectious diseases are to be my area of study, and that is one of the big ones. I came by to make sure you all knew not to get alarmed if she started talking nonsense. I never thought that someone would try and make a case out of it. But after that fiasco at the church I should have. Of all the silly accusations.”

Abiram said. “It wouldn’t be a big deal save she can feel the storm and that lets her know a few minutes ahead of time when it is changing. Usually she is able to keep that to her self. However the drug tends to make her talk more. That would be enough to make some believe all she says.”

Sara said. “Did I eat enough for now? I think I finished, but I might just be think I did. I hate feel fuzzy and this is without taking anything. This is going to be worse than the storm that destroyed the kings way five years ago. It didn’t make me this muddled before the medicine, and that had Uncle Wane accuse me of witchcraft.”

Zac said. “The food is gone, and that is enough for now. Where are you going?”

Sara had stood up. “I need to make it to the restroom. It is that door there right?”

Zac said. “Yes, do you need an arm?”

Sara was moving slowly. “Not this time, but I will next time more than likely. I really hate this.”

Abiram said. “I know sis, you never like having to be helped with anything.” After Sara was back on the bed he said. “Sis can you tell anything about how long the storm will be?”

Sara was trying to get her shoes off, but found she couldn’t. “One of you are going to have to undo my shoes. I waited to long, but I don’t dare keep them on. There is to much weight to them. The storm won’t linger but it is massive. It will take all night for it to pass, and there might still be showers in the morning. Not as strong, but still a danger. The rain will just be steady sheets I think. There is so much water in it. You can hear the winds. There are going to be a lot of trees down, and flooding. But the deaths will be caused by the damage not the storm itself seeking them this time. But, well this is just the first of many, and one of the weaker ones for its size, if the books are right and the pattern holds. The source of these storms must be found. Even then the help of the Powers might have to be asked for. We might need to buy time to solve it. This storm is so big no mage will be able to do a thing. Doesn’t matter here, but other places are not used to seeing full strength storms. And this is just the first of many. Sorry I didn’t mean to say all that.”

The boy said. “Is this certain?”

Sara said. “No, well it is as close as we can be. But no it is biased on guesses. But, well this storm is kind of a confirmation, or the start of a confirmation. It can’t be a sure thing until it playas out. But well. It won’t hurt to act like it is a sure thing will it? Oh, the size of the storm? Yes that I am sure of. Viv could see the hint of the clouds over on the coast. Anna left before dawn, heading west and had wind when we noticed the clouds. That gives a fair idea of the size and speed of the storm. The leading edge of the rain is here. You can’t here it, but its there.”

He said. “Then I will go let them know and we can start doing leak sweeps. There are going to be some with that much rain. We have some sand bags alone the east wall do to the slope there. The gnomes helped with a ditch before the bags. We are hopping that will keep a lot of the flooding out there.”

Tim said. “I wonder why it hasn’t flooded before. Something must have changed since the last wave of storms. If you see anyone acting oddly bring them here. Sara is not gone to be the only one feeling this storm.”

He nodded. “Will do, and I believe the girls are seeing to the beds.”

Sara said. “Remember the stuff in the drama room. there are blankets in one of the chests and I think there are a few more mattresses there. The temperature is going to be dropping fast. Someone needs to get heat going, and the beds will need triple blankets.”

“Thanks. I think it is being looked at. But I will double check. I was afraid it would start dropping. I hope it doesn’t turn into an ice storm. The crops won’t make it. We have some storage, but it will be tighter if we lose all this years plantings. Not that I was listen to the council meeting the other night.”

Time said. “Dad is pushing for the state of the storage to be made general knowledge. For one thing it will let the farms know better what they need to plant for the next few years.”

He nodded. “I had best go see how it is going. As I seem to be in charge. I didn’t know that being student president would put me in charge of storm prep. One this is done, I am going to have to hold a meeting so we can be better organized for next time.”

Sara closed her eyes to try and stop the light show. Not that it did any good. The storm would not stop talking to her, it was scary. She had always seen them and knew a bit, but not like this. If she still had any doubts about being a mage they were gone. The storm blasted open anything that was still closed about her. Going to a non-magic school after this was not an option, if it ever had been. She looked at Zac worldly but saw that most of the light was not interested in him, and what was ended up mostly deflected. Still something needed to be said. “There is magic in the storm, badly twisted. I fear it is going to make many see what is not there. I expected it, but others won’t. How do you explain that a storm is making illusions? That is what it is doing, but not all will see them, that might make those that do fear they are tainted.”

Tim said. “I am going to use your charm.” Sara held her hand out to him. “To write a note saying the storm is causing illusions and folks need be told not to panic if they see them, and ask if I can say clearly they are not tainted.” He placed it on her hand and she closed her fingers around it. “It might take a bit to get an answer as mum will have to find dad, but that will also let Anna know and so those at the inn will be warned, though likely they are all ready seeing things. But that will tell them why at least.”

Sara nodded. “I just see light, but it is being twisted in forms and some how I am sure those forms will make others see things. Then I hear the storm telling me what it is doing. How much it is going to make it flood, and how it wishes it could freeze, but it is not strong enough. Though frost will happen. Winter will come early and stay longer. Viv’s folks are not going to have much warmth at all, but I think they know it. There is an answer.”

Tim took the charm and read. “Thanks for the warning. By all means tell them.” There was a pause. “It is not they are tainted. Just storm is. Stay inside. Sara needs more covers. Sara why didn’t you say you were cold?” He wrote and said. “Getting covers now didn’t say cold. Will do, you to.” He had her send that then added. “Frost likely, but hopefully no hard freeze.” And gave it to her to send again. “That should do it or is there anything more they need to know?”

Abiram said. “That should cover it. You need to be the one to warn people of the illusions, they will believe you best.”

Sara said. “Anna has answered now, if one of you would read it?”

Tim was still next to her so he took it. “Good to know it is the storm.” He paused. “That’s what we have been told but confirmation good. Mage in inn, was forced in by the storm, but didn’t know believe. Anna says neither of them have seen anything but Joe has head a few odd sounds. Others have seen all kinds of monsters, but none see same. Ab I will let you write the answer, as it sounds like the sooner every one knows the better. I will see about some hot drinks on the way back.”

Sara said. “I will be asleep I hope. Ab pleas add I am taking med shortly and they may feel dopy for a bit after it. I am not sure how much the charm will affect them. And if you could put taking med on the Viv’s and as well? I was hopping to make it longer, the center of the storm is hours out, but I can’t.”

Abiram said. “No problem sis, and I’m going to have a few more blankets on this chair here. Now is that good or do you want another one over you?” He took the charms and started on the messages.

Sara said. “No, this is good. Now then if you want to just put the charms in my hand now and then. If there is a message it will come though in no more than two minutes, likely less. Send what ever you want to. It won’t wake me. I just don’t want them in constant contact as they transmit feelings as well, and I am not certain how strongly.”