The Storm comes.

Isaac said. “Do you often talk with them?”  He clearly didn’t like the idea.

Sara said. “Usually I am the only one talking, but sometimes they have bits of news or advise to share. Like if there are some berry bushes that need to be thinned, or such. This is the first time they have warned of a storm. I think they are worried about it, and that is scary to me. They don’t frighten at storms, they take cover but I’ve never seen them this way over a storm.”

He said. “Thank you for passing on their warning. It is odd for them to warn of coming storms. It must be a large one. A separate tea pot?”

Sara nodded. “I have gotten used to having some as I work on my books and with the warning I thought it couldn’t hurt to drink some of the storm tea. If it is so big they feel it when it is clear I will likely be feeling it strongly. I just wanted to bring this out before I went up to my books. I do not mean to intrude on your morning.” Her father smiled and nodded, she took her cup and pot and went up to her room. Once there she checked the pockets in her bag to make sure the medicine was in there. She hoped she wouldn’t need it, but if the storm hit before they were home she didn’t want to risk being without it. That done she took out the charms. She wrote to Anna and Mrs. Istcon first. ‘gnome says big storm today.’

Anna said. ‘watching sky clear but wrong’ ‘we will stop noon stay’

Mrs Istcon said. ‘good Anna, careful out there.’ ‘told D he will issue warning’ ‘says trust woken ones not jump shadows’ ‘be carful school has storm supplies’ ‘relax he won’t let on warning from u’

Sara relaxed. ‘I told father, but not sure’ ‘he listened. Woken seemed scared.’ ‘as Anna said feels strange outside.’ ‘Thank u know now they watch.’ She then took out the other one. ‘gnome storm today’

She felt Viv’s jolt of fear and shock. ‘storm watch posted’ ‘let you know’ ‘see anything’ ‘trouble if there here’

Sara nodded then felt a bit silly. ‘just so’ ‘to big mage right’ ‘cities no shelters’

Viv said. ‘gram said yes’ ‘to big they cant’ ‘help towns must’ ‘have shelters’ ‘but size location’ ‘scary hope they’ ‘used warning’ ‘we watching’ ‘u stay safe’

Sara said. ‘school on but’ ‘safe there stocked’ ‘it is travel shelter’ ‘built for it’ ‘made sure med’ ‘u stay safe’ Sara felt better having given what warning she could. Still she couldn’t settle, so she started packing up things she didn’t expect to use. Having to go to a guest house now would make it easier, for she could expect help moving there. If it was after her father threw her out it would be harder, for those that helped her would do so against him. Looking at it from that way the complete against the church had merit. It was not something she had truly thought about, what taking her things out of the house involved.

The leaders could issues orders to help her move without it being the same as if a person just did it. Yet that was not much talked of, and there was no grantee they would. Now in the case of a banning they ordered the belongs removed as part of it. But things were less clear for those that left before taken the vows. Her tea gone and the desk packed she headed back down stairs to the kitchen and rinsed out the tea pot before going to the table.

The storm alarm rang as they got to the bus, the others looked at the sky confused as it was clear. Abiram looked at Sara startled, she shrugged. One of the leaders said. “Not to worry, we just want to run a storm drill in light of the news. Just to be sure we are all up to speed. You kids have a good day at school.”

They got on the bus but a few were still frowning. “Anyone know when the supplies at the school were checked last? Do you think we should start boarding the bigger windows, just to be safe?”

Tim said. “They checked the stores Saturday, as to the windows we will have to see what Mr. Bixter says. But they are usually boarded over long holidays so I bet he will let us get a jump on the work of it.”

When they got to the school Sara headed to her locker thinking she might go by the office to see if there was any mail, and get the acceptance in the mail. However there were a few older boys in there. So she instead turned to go to class. Abiram said, walking next to her. “Just how did you let them know about the storm? I know you didn’t leave the house.”

Sara said. “Well as you know I didn’t leave the house what makes you think I?” He just looked at her. She said. “All right, fine. I did, but I was really telling Anna. It is just that I haven’t worked out how to send a message to just one charm, if that can even be done.”

Abiram said. “Charm? What are you talking about?”

Sara took the necklace out and said. “Father is not going to like it if he finds out. But I um, had a set of friendship charms made. I wanted a way to know Anna was safe. Only there were three stones not two. Mrs. Istcon has the third stone, and so warning Anna meant I told her. She in turn shard the new and I guess her husband trusts the woken ones. Though it likely helped that Anna said the weather felt wrong and they had all ready planed to stay put at their lunch stop.”

Abiram shook his head. “That is fine work. I haven’t seen its like who did them for you? I thought father had all the craftsmen so they would let him know if something was ordered, and I haven’t seen any thing like that.”

Sara said. “Well umm I found the stones and bought the cords then asked the fairies to spell them. I am not sure how they put the stones on the cords.”

Abiram shook his head. “Well I don’t think father will even think of you tell them, but if he dose I will tell him that I know you didn’t leave the house until we left for school and they had started the drill as we reached the bus. You are right it is best he not know of the charms. However I am glad you have it. I was a bit worried about her going out there and no way to reach her.”

Sara said. “Joe seemed like a good guy and the gnomes like him. Said he would take good care of her. They will be watching them for me as well.”

He shook his head. “I was wondering how you always knew what we were up to. Should have known you had us watched.”

Sara said. “I didn’t ask them, they just do it and tell me things they think I should know or would find funny. It started when I first came back. Those first two years after I was so sick I had terrible nightmares. It was after one them when they first started talking to me. It helped me get back to sleep and after that when I woke there was a gnome there with a story. I was worried about it the first time, but grandma told me it was all right to talk to them.”

Abiram said. “That explains a few things I have wondered about. Father told me that it was acceptable that you talked with them, but it was best not to seek out contact. Yet set up the table so you could have tea parties for them.”

Sara said. “Some allowances were made for my sickness. Anna and the others had that play kitchen inside, but the doctors wanted me to be outside as much as possible, so I got a table in the garden. I am not sure how he felt about me using it to serve fairies tea, but as the garden benefitted there was no reason to put a stop to it.” Sara stopped as they had reached her classroom.

Abiram said. “Well I guess it isn’t all that different than leavening a bread basket in the forest or out in the fields, which the agreement has us bound to do. I don’t think any would see it as seeking them out so much as offering food for work. Something we do in the fields at harvest and planting times. I bet that there will be more such tables around town over the next few years. And the better it will be for the girls. Doc keeps saying that it is not good for anyone male or female to be inside to much. I’ll see you at lunch. If it is cloudy I’ll meet you in the gym. Stay away from the lunch room crowd.” Sara nodded and he headed down the hall as she started into the room.

By her third class Sara was finding it hard to sit still. There was an odd charge in the air but the sky out the window still looked clear. She tried to push it aside, but had to give up and picked up her bag. She was not the only one, the teacher wasn’t even trying to get them to sit down. But then as long as they stayed in the room, he had cared what they did for the last week. Sara went over to the teacher. “Sir may I have a pass to the office? I would like to see if there are any messages for me, but it has been a bit crowed during breaks.”

The teacher was handing her a pass before she finished speaking. “Just don’t run in the halls and no one will care if you take the long way.”

Sara took the pass. “Thank you sir.” She went to the office with only a brief pause at the doors to check the sky and the storm gauge next to it. Both looked good, but it just felt wrong, it was way to quite for one thing. There should have been more birds out there. Shaken her head she walked into the office.

The secretary looked up and laughed. “Sara I was just going to ask the monitor to fetch you. A message just came for you, marked urgent. You can take over this table, as I expect it needs a reply. I will witre you a note if it is need, so take your time.”

Sara blinked. “Who would be sending me some urgent? I was just come to see if I had anything. Thank you.” She took the envelopes from her.

The secretary said. “Both are from Amberviel and came by the stone so must be important. Guess that last message of yours reached the right person. Relax I don’t tell who gets what or sends what. There’s paper and envelopes on the table, if you need more just ask.”

Sara sat down and opened the top letter. It was telling her that they were going to hold a live press conference on her findings. Not only was her math right but the few records they had been able to check supported the pattern as well. Giving them reason to believe it was in fact nation wide not isolated as she had feared.  They had included there analyses of her work, and a few examples of the records so she could see the distance they covered. But in brief there had been a few minor mistakes, however far less than they thought there would be. More so once it was learned she had not taken any advanced math programs. They really hoped to see her on campus soon, the second packet would tell her more about that.

What they needed was more storm data. The records they had been able to locate were spotty at best, and they had not had much come in to them yet. They would be making another appeal in a live press conference soon, and would welcome any thoughts she had about getting records. None of them had ever tried to look before and so really had no idea what to ask for. Where had she gotten the data she had used? All so was there any thing they need to say or not say to make sure they were heard. As well as anything she wanted to add.

Sara sat there stunned looking at the letter. They wanted her to advise them? But she was just a high school kid, and female at that. They were learned men. Who was she to tell them. But then wasn’t this what she wanted? A chance to be heard. It wasn’t like they were going to blindly listen to her, no doubt they had others as well and she would just be one voice. And like they said she was the one who found it, by looking where no one was. Someone need to tell them what they were missing. It was highly unlikely anyone would think of the recycling plants as information mines.

The secretary said. “You all right?”

Sara nodded. “It is just a bit much to take in. I am not used to being asked what I think about something as big as this. I. Well I don’t think they know what they are asking. But I can not argue with the reasons and I do have a few ideas they like wont think of. It is just the thought of tell them. Sorry I am babbling aren’t I?”

She said. “I have been here long enough to understand a bit. They have accidently asked you to break one of the laws you have been raised under and correct a man. But coming from a school they are likely teachers. So could it not be just a badly word exam question?”

Sara said. “Not really, not the way this is. However I do have an answer to give. I am just shocked to be asked. I was thinking I would have to fight to be heard at all, yet it seems some might listen.” She picked up her pen and did not see the look the secretary gave her or notice that she went over, into Mr. Bixter’s office.

Sara put down her pen and took up the papers, startled to realize she had written over seven pages. She gathered them up and looked it over wincing at the rambling. There was a lot there that was not needed, and more that could be said better. However she just didn’t feel like taking more time. So she added a not saying she was sorry for the rambling form but she felt that they need to get their answers quickly and as a gnome had told her there was a big storm coming today she wanted them to get it before the storm hit.

Also had they thought about setting up more weather stations so they had better reports from this wave of storms? If it could be done it would be a big help in locating the source so they could learn what if anything could be done to stop them. That done she put them in an envelope and addressed it, and set it aside..

She opened the second one, and saw it was indeed an unprecedented fourth offer. Well she had been planning ion singing anyway. She would read it letter and see what she had agreed to. The letter said they wanted to see her soon, so it wouldn’t be a delayed thing, and it would be any less than the last offer. She could wait to read it.

She picked up the pen then jumped and ran to the door. Mr. Bixter said. “What? Holly Hell!” The west was just a mass of storm clouds.

Sara blinked, his voice taking her out of the trance. “The buses should be able to make it to Hammer, but we are stuck here. I think. Sorry sir. I just blurted.”

Mr. Bixter said. “That’s fine child Mis. Nox will you get Gary and Gean for me. I will see who they recomed to get the Hammer kids home in the face of that. You two take those halls, get older Newtown kids to help you, send others to secure the build, just as in the drills. Sara you go back to the office and finsh those papers so we can get them posted, then you can start know on doors down that hall. But stop if it gets to much.”

Sara nodded. “I am not hurting yet, but I do feel it. I am not sure just what happened. I just had to run. It was strange, then I got and well, froze. That storm is wrong in a lot of ways. It feels strange. I was all most done there, just one last thing to take care of.”

He nodded. “This storm is strange all right. Come as it is. You go on now.”

Sara nodded and went to the office, luckily all she had to do was sign the page, everything else was filled out. She signed it and started to put it in the envelope. The secretary said. “I can take it from there. The other papers are in your bag. And we don’t tell who signs what.”

Sara nodded and grabbed her bag and started fro the door. “I feel odd taking the time, but if I didn’t do it now I don’t know when I could. Once this storm hits I am not going to be up for much. I fear many are going to be caught unaware.”

She said. “Not the best way to start, but I know how they affect you and it is best done in a rush then not done in time. I will be sending out warnings tell the storm nooks the grid out. It is all we can do.” Sara half nodded and ran up the hall.

 She banged on the first door and threw it open, not caring who was in the room. “There is a massive storm incoming. Hammer kids need to go the front hall now! Newtown, we won’t make it home so we need to worry about tie downs.” She moved across the hall and repeated it.

The next room she remembered the charms and paused long enough after saying it to take them out. Then looked at the room. “Say those of you with charms use them. West. That’s where it is coming from if they look they will see it. If a couple of you want to start going to other rooms. We also need to let them at home know we are staying put.”

One of the leavening hammer kids handed her a pencil. “So you don’t have to hunt. I will pass it on to any back this way.”

Sara said. “Thank you and wrote as she walked. ‘Storm west, massive, hunkering.’ She closed her hand on it and hoped the fear and urgency transmitted as well as the message as she entered the next room, which happened to be her brother’s class. “The storm is coming now. Hammer kids need to go to the front hall. Your buses will make it. Ours won’t so we are on tie down. Also if those of you who have charms will use them. Others are on the storm, so if you start with the fact we are staying here it should help. Can a couple of you help get the word out? I can get this floor, but I don’t know if anyone has gone upstairs yet.” She had taken Viv’s charm out as she spoke and took the time to spell out. ‘look west storm’

She moved on not even realizing Abiram had been in the room until he was suddenly beside her. “I will take the left side doors, you just worry about the right. Let me know if it starts hurting.”

She jumped. “Sorry. I fear I’m not really aware of what is around me. The storm is coming from the west so some need to be sending that. Though I think other rooms got that that. Still nothing wrong with duplicates the more that get the message the fuller it will be. Some charms can send only one word, and must pause between them.” She banged the next door open and made her speech.

Abiram looked at her and frowned a bit, she sounded distracted. Almost like she had more than one person she was answering. He opened his door. “There is a large storm headed this way. Hammer students are to go to the front hall to see about busing. There is not time from Newton buses so we have tie down duties to see to. Also if you have a friendship charm remember to let folks at home know what you can.”

Sara’s charm buzzed as they moved to the next rooms. “Anna says they are in a solid inn, and are starting to get a bit of wind. Mrs. Istcon says the alarms are sounding, and to stay safe. Viv says they were not looking inland but are tying down and heading for cover. You might need to tell me all that latter if I don’t remember. This storm is odd, and I am getting more confused as it gets closer. I might need to be reminded they are safe. Zac but I thought but was Abiram that was here? I didn’t see you. Did I know you were there?”

He said. “I just got here. The rooms are all done on this hall. I am going to walk you to the nurse’s office and Abiram will go get you a slice of cake to go with your lunch. You need sugar, that is part of the problem. Jack also wants you to take some medicine before you eat.”

Abiram said. “Jack? But how? And cake?”

Zac said. “I have a message stone for Jack. I contacted him as soon as I heard about the storm. He is talking with his teachers and then passing there directions on to me. Sara is not the only one being affected by this storm, and sugar is helping the ones there.”

Abiram said. “Fine, but I want to know more about what you have been telling Jack, and why. But that will wait.”

Sara said. “Jack needed to know how I was reacting to the medicine incase something needed to be done. I couldn’t carry a token from him so makes since he would ask Zac to. I hate to say this but Zac, you are going to have to take my arm. I am not sure what way to go, the storm is messing with my eyes now.”

Zac said. “Am, it is all right, it is something they are seeing as the storm closes in. the medicine and food will help, but it needs to be given closer to a bed. I have her.”

Abiram nodded. “I will go grab us some lunch and see you there. I will see what they have other than cake as well. There might be some pudding or something that Sara will eat better than she does there cake.”

Zac took her arm. “I totally forgot she didn’t like the cake. Anything with sugar in it. And thank you for trusting me.” Abiram nodded and set off down the hall Zac took Sara’s arm and sated to the nurses office. “That took a lot, for him to leave you with me when you clearly are not feeling well. He worries about you.”

Sara nodded. “Does Jack have a way for me to sleep though the storm? The medicine makes me loopy, but doesn’t knock me out tell a few hours after I take it, and I can’t take it to soon or it wont help.”

Zac said. “They are working on it. I need to find out if the nurse has a few things when we get there. You do have three bottles hidden in you bag?” She nodded. “Good, as you are to take a mix of them to start with. It will block the effects for a bit and let you eat.”