At last the storm is over.

Sara woke to find the guys gone, but some how knowing they wouldn’t be long. She got up and made her way to the bathroom and was shocked at how week she was. She felt drained by the time she made it back to the bed and had to rest a bit before she could poor her self a bit of tea and grip a piece of cake. The cake did more for her than the tea did, but the tea was far more appealing. She was trying to make her self go for a seconded piece, Tim cam in white as clean sheet. Sara said. “What is it?”

Tim said. “You know that big glass window thing upstairs they were always going to replace before some one fell though it? Well some kid just walked though it! And I should have told you that when you should be eating. Sorry, but we think he was trying to get out to the storm. Zac had just said it was pulling on you harder and he was going to have to go for a walk, as it was increasing the amount of pain you were in. He walked out and screamed then there was a crash we ran to see what was going on. It is a mess.”

Sara said. “Here you had better right and tell them that the road for the ambulance needs to be cleared first. I am sure Mr. Bixter will well let Hammer know if he can. Was Zac all right?”

Tim said. “He was talking to a couple of teachers who were leading him towards the office so I think so. I didn’t even think about that. How long before they can get started?”

Sara said. “Ask them to wait ten minutes after the storm changes to a drizzle just to be safe, but that should be about fifteen minutes from now.”

Tim nodded and handed her the charm. “They kept saying that window was a danger but I never really thought about it. Well I guess they will be doing the remodeling they were talking about. I guess we are going to have some visitors at times next year. We did so well on the tests they want to see why. Hammer wanted to dress up the high school, but wasn’t getting a lot of support. They still won’t get all they want, but I bet it is a bit more flashy when the kids start back.”

Sara said. “Just as long as they don’t start labeling everything and hang signs. I think that the maze is a part of why we do so well. Some of it was planed. I will have to see that your father gets a copy of that book.  It was interesting but not relevant to my paper. However it seems that a few of the people who had a hand in laying out the school had been studying the way the brain worked before the change, and so had data we don’t. They made the maze, or parts of it, according to what those studies showed them. There is a lot of it I do not understand, but somehow the maze helps train the brain to recall facts better. Having to remember the halls makes the student ready to remember more things or something. A lot of it is way beyond me and I should never have looked at it.” She handed the charm back to him.

Tim said. “I wouldn’t mind a copy of that myself and I bet Zac would like one, or his school would, and Dad needs a copy, well more than one but if you get him one he can have others made. The maze is one of the things they are fighting about. Anything to help keep it would be welcome. They say the crew will clear just enough to get here then work on the ambulance, one it is threw they will rest then work on getting us home.”

Sara sipped her tea and made a face then drained the cup. “Sounds good. Could you see if there is any more hot water? This tea is bad hot, but far worse cold and I need to drink a few more cups if I can be for I fall asleep again.”

Tim walked over to a stove and came back with a steaming pan he used to fill the pot. “Just why do you have to drink it? There are some other kinds here if that is that bad.”

Sara said. “It is bad, but the Ombeiveln I have to take is toxic when used over long periods of time. This tea helps heal the damage and flush the stuff it leaves out of me. That is one of the reasons I hate to take it, though of course I am not to know it is poison. I would never go and read medical books to find out or anything so indelicate. Sorry it has been a long storm and I am tired. I will be better after I rest a bit.”

Tim said. “I do not see why you should have to sneak to find out things that affect you. I knew that stuff wasn’t good, as Dad frowns every time he sees you take it, or hears one of them ask you if you did, but I didn’t know just why.”

Sara said. “It messes with my brain and with the channels that carry the mage energy. Everyone has the channels for it even if they can’t use it. Harming those passages can kill you in a number of unpleasant ways. It is worse than just having it back up from not using it if you have the ability to do. Which in the best outcome, well that is why we have the care house. In the worst, like a mage who stops using it and a few who never did, there is an explosion. No one is sure just why.”

Tim nodded. “We are told that when we turn thirteen.”

Sara said. “We, girls, are not. Or I somehow missed that class. Which is not to likely, given how seldom I was aloud to miss any church related function. Even if I could just barely move.”

Tim said. “That must be why the leaders are so upset by the new regulations. Starting next year everyone will have a year long class related to magical studies. The first half covering stuff like that and just exactly what it is, the second half will be about why it is wrong, or augments against it. Likely the schools not related to churches will have slightly different text than we will for that half. I couldn’t understand what the problem was, as the text used in the first half was all stuff covered in classes all ready. Well there was a bit more detail, but as one of the elders will be teaching that can all be censored. But now I understand, and well it is good they are forcing it. You should know what it means, full understand what you might be committing yourself to by taking the vows. It is not right to make a choice without knowing the facts.”

Sara said. “It is done to protect us, as we are beacons for the light the darkness will seek to take us off the path and we are not as strong as the men who must face it. We are not meant to. challenge the darkness bit to stand as bacons so that those who must know the way back. That is what we are taught, that to ask is to be tempted by things most of use can not stand against. Therefore it is best not to speak of such things, not to over tax ourselves trying to understand what is better left to others. We need to stay back, be the strength behind. Give our thoughts only if asked. Perhaps the have a point.”

Zac said. “They are getting ready to move him now they have done all they can out there. He is a mess. They have the worst cuts packed but the nurse can’t do much when he is on the floor. Tim, you might need to make Am sit down. He is upset, and likely to get more so.”

Sara said. “You are sure? If you do. There is no going back.”

Zac said. “There never was a choice. There hasn’t been, I have just been delaying the announcement as my father asked me to.” Sara nodded and reached for her bag.

Tim said. “Do I want to know?”

Abiram said. “No, not right now. As right now you need to be your Father’s son, and a voice of authority. Some one needs to go out there and settle folks down, convince them this storm is not going to destroy the light. Or what ever the crazy girl was saying. Folks listen too you, they won’t me. Sara why did I ever think you should get along with Rebecca?”

Sara said. “Well this is a trying situation, it is not a normal storm and if that boy is sensitive he would have been reacting. Ah I thought I had this. Abiram will you brew another pot of tea using this, but keep it as far away from me as you can. Nurse Jackson and Zac will each need a cup as soon as they are done, but right now just the steam could make things worse for me. They will also need a large meal.”

Abiram looked at her sharply. “Just how do you know that? And why to you have the tea if it is that dangerous for you?”

Sara said. “It is the storm that makes the tea so bad, not that it would ever be good. It was an emergency item. And well among the books about the woken ones that I meant to buy was one about mage and healing gifts that I didn’t, but was somehow in my things when I unpacked them. As I would be blamed just by having it I didn’t see why I couldn’t read it. It helped with some answers, helped me to understand what I was seeing during the storms. It makes it easier, but also more risky when I can’t control what I say.”

Abiram went over took down a second tea pot and started it brewing. He noticed the Nurse jump a bit when Zac laid a hand on her arm. Zac nodded. “You could use some help. I don’t dare touch him but can you draw on me? I am not to sure How well I can control what I send. But I thought maybe.”

She nodded. “But doing this means you have to train or it will destroy you and a lot of others.”

Zac said. “I made that choice a long time ago. This just means I take the offer to attend the summer classes.”

Sara said. “Ab, not now, just let them save his life. The two of you can work it out when we go to the woods later. Right now move the tea to the edge of the heat then come sit and talk to me. This next bit is going to be bad and I need something to focus on. No don’t even think it you save him. My life is not at stake. His is. I can make it though the pain.”

Abiram quickly moved back to her. “What’s wrong?”

Sara said. “Nothing. Just the last bit of the storm is bad. I need something to focus on so I don’t distract them with my pain. So sit and talk to me. Tell me one of those stories you used to, or something.” She had also done her best at putting a shield up between the two and the others. Trying to help them block out the room.

The gnome said. “Not bad but you can do better watch.” He straightened a potion, making it tighter. “Now you, go on. using the energy will help.”

Sara said. “I’m trying, and I would say I am do good for having just the vaguest idea of what I am doing. Sorry Ab, there is a gnome there and I was talking to it.”

The gnome said. “Well done, indeed. You have much potential. Just need training. We will help, but let them as well. Best if they think they are teaching you, at least for now.” He laughed.

Sara said. “Sir you are welcome to join in to the conversation, but it is not fair to Abriam that he hears only one side of it. you are causing him more worry, and he has enough.”

The gnome said. “You just want the lesson to stop. Fine for now. But they will resume. We need you to learn as badly as you need to.” The gnome dropped his glamour, causing Abiram to jump, which made him laugh. “You are all so easy to spoke. If you would just look for us you wouldn’t be so surprised all the time. So then how about I tell you both a bit about fauns?” He hoped up on the bed by Sara. “Don’t look at me like that missy. I can’t help with the boy, all I can do is block a bit of pain, and that is already being done by others for him. So then Fauns, and not the deer, but the wood sprites. Yes I know magic is bad, but you have to know the creatures in the woods if you want to make it in this world. You humans have been managing, I grant, but are far to bumbly about it.” And so as the nurse and Zac worked on the boy, Abiram and Sara were told about some of the beings that shared the woods with them.

Nurse Jackson stepped back. “That is all I can do. I just hope they can get the road open soon.”

The gnome lowered his part of the shield, showing Sara what to do. Sara said. “Abiram, will you get them the tea and I hate to ask be we could all use food. Sorry to turn you into a waiter.”

Abiram said. “Well I spouse I could get one of the girls to do it. I am sure Rebecca would be more than happy to bring you an appropriate meal.” Sara managed to throw a pillow in his direction, he laughed. “Good you are feeling better. I will go get the food no, and stop worrying so much about it. It dose me no harm to carry a few trays of food.” With that he left.

The Nurse took a sip of the tea and then looked at Sara. “Just how is it you happen to have this? Drink the tea Zac, it will help.”

Sara looked at the door. “The package that was sent to me a few weeks ago. It was decided that there was a few things I should have incase things went wrong. There was no way to know what the effect of the crystals would be. So far there has been nothing, but well better to be safe. No doubt it was a more a part of scaring me into saying yes than anything. However it is coming in handy. Also there is this. It will help you keep control for a couple of months, but eat before you take it.” She handed Zac a blue vial.

Zac said. ‘I can’t, I mean it was made clear to me why I was not to touch those crystals. There is every reason you may need this.”

Sara said. “I won’t and they sent two anyway. Even if you go next month you need something.”

The nurse said. “You had better not even think of taking it Sara. It is to close to two others you are know to be allergic to. However, it would be a good idea if you took it Zac. I was going to ask you to try something along the same line, but that is better. The storm has caused your gifts to wake faster than they should have. That won’t turn them off, just tame them a bit so you have time to adjust. As you should have.”

Zac said. “In that case, since you are in agreement, thank you. After I eat I will take it.”

“Take what? Are you all right?” Abiram said as he came in with the food and set it down. “They are taking the boards down from the door, said it will take them the full fifteen minuets you said to wait to get the door cleared of the barricaders so they decided to start. Another words Tim found that the best thing to do was put the boys to work. Though he has managed to help the teachers get them convinced the storm had not tainted their souls beyond repair. Still the sooner one of the leaders is here to tell them same thing the better it will be.”

Sara handed him the charm. “There is a message there, but my eyes will not let me read yet, and I didn’t want Zac to try. There is a good chance he will have a bad headache if he moves to much right now, and the leaders might just guess what caused it.”

Zac said. “I am being careful, and I have a bit of experience hiding things. The tea is helping. That food almost looks good, thank you Am. It is just some stuff to help me recover safely from what the storm did to me, and what I did to myself. In sharing my energy like I was I seem to have let the storm do more than it would have. Still it was the right thing to do.”

Abiram said. “They are saying to stay put and they will come to us. I am going to tell them that we have to give the boys something to do, after what happened so they will be working on clear out in front of the school, but have been told to stay in sight of the building. Is there a message from Viv. Or one you want to send? Zac I hope you are right. It was a big decision you made there. But it likely saved his life. As Sara said we can talk more of this when we are in the woods.”

Sara smiled at her brother, seeing a hint of the man he would be. He would make Father proud. “If you could tell Viv that the storm has passed here.” She handed him the other charm and letter bag. “The charm itself will let her know how I am when I send it. I will get this sent. Wait add a note, if there is room, asking Anna how things are there. Or have we heard?”

Abiram said. “All ready there, we haven’t heard from them for a few hours. I hope all is good.”

Sara said. “I should be able to tell if she is wearing hers. My head isn’t spinning as much now.” Sara took her charm and closed her hand around it. “Mrs. Istcon is good, but a bit stressed. I bet mom is trying to get things to perfect again. Anna is well, but there are others around her that are not. That is why she hasn’t checked in. I hope she can get that we are good here. I am not sure how much they feel compared to what I do. But at least we know she is all right.”

Abiram said. “Good, now here is Viv’s, you let her know then eat before it gets cold. If you are awake when we get out of here I will be surprised. I bet you are going to sleep the day a way.” He did not see Zac looking at him but Sara did and shook her head. Zac shrugged and turned to his meal.

It was a bit after they were done eating when Mr. Istcon came in to find the gnome giving them a lecture on unicorns. Sara blushed, but Mr. Istcon just shook his head. “Now there is an idea we hadn’t thought of. Mr. Gnome, I have to talk it over with the others, but would you be willing to teach the class on the woken ones? It is to be two weeks, as it is planed now but that can be changed. I am sorry we didn’t think to ask any of you before this if you would be willing to teach us about you. It was foolish of us not to.”

The gnome said. “I am not much for the classroom full of kids. But I know a couple that would be happy to help you all out. If you want to talk it over just go out to the old oak tree and say you’d like to speak to Peters. Now she’s a troll, but she and the imp that hangs with her, they love teaching. And I bet not a one of the young’ns will act up around her. Not that she is the bit violent, but you lot scare easy around us.”

Isaac said. “How’s every one? Is there any other then the boy that needs to go in? Is he stable enough to move?”

The nurse said. “The others just should be fine with just some rest.  I am not sure. He is stable now, but those wounds are bad, I did what I could but I am not used to dealing with such server injures and would not feel comfortable move him without more equipment on hand.”

Isaac nodded. “All right then we will just see that they can get to him. That is what I expected. Seeing him, it is a wonder he is alive even with you on hand  Well done, and thank you. Afyer we have warmed up a bit, as odd as it is to say that this time of year, we will take rhe boys out and go meat the crew coming from Hammer. There were some big trees we had to move on the way here, and a few flooded places, but not to bad. Getting the boys working hard might get some of the sillness oiut of them. What has been going on here I wonder.”

Abiram said. “I am not sure sir. Zac, Tim, and I stayed here with Sara most of the time, as it was thought best there be some one by her that knew she was just babbling. On fact that might be a part of it. See the storm was such that it stirred up the old illness just enough to have her seeing things like she did with it. Then the medicine made her babble, that is it caused her to speak about what she saw. It was complete nonsense, but now and then she would say something about the storm and t would happen. So I fear that those who heard her thought what she was saying had some truth to it. We tried to keep people away fearing they might take what she said wrong, and did our best to explain what was going on. However, well some just believe what they want to.”

Mr. Istcon turned to Sara. “You do look bad child. How are you?”

Sara said. “I will be fine, I am just tired, and still seeing wrong. Light and dark is reversed, but that will fix itself as the last effects of the storm pass. I had to take two dose of the medicine to get though the storm, and it might have been three but I also took a sleeping medicine at the first of the storm. It let me make it though, but the mix of it makes me easily confused and unsure of when I am speaking or thinking. I am getting a better but still not fully in control of my self, I’m sorry. The fairies likely didn’t help things. Once they learned the girls could be frighten by them I bet they went out of there way to scare them. We had a bunch of the woken ones shelter here to, they were helping the flood watchers.”

Isaac said. “Yes, Tim told us and we are grateful to them. Something more permanent is going to have to be done about that slop as soon as we can. You get some rest, and if you boys want to stay with her and give a hand here that is fine. I am sure it will be needed. That healing had to be draining. I was gone to ask a few of the girls, but if that was the cause then it would be best not to.”

Mr. Istcon nodded. “It might be best if some extra attention gets bad to the lessons on how to detect taint, and how to know the difference. I think it has been neglected to much.”

Isaac nodded. “I fear so. I had no idea they were scared of the Woken ones. That is not right, and not at all what is in the teachings. I will see it is addressed at home as well. I am well aware that fairies can do damage when needed, but there is no reason to fear them. I hadn’t thought to talk to the young ones about our forest neighbors, I just thought they would know. But now I see I was wrong.”

Mr. Istcon nodded. “Same here, and with most of us. Perhaps this class is not as unneeded as we thought. Sara, you need not look so, you have done nothing wrong.”

Isaac moved over to her. “Sara I am not upset with you. It is not your fault, not any of it. You can not help what the storms do nor the medicine. You have been very brave in dealing with it so well.”

Abiram looked at his father, there was something hidden in his tone. He said.. “She would not let Nurse Jacbous take any of the pain away. Said that she would be all right, and that she should save her strength incase others needed it. Yet she was white as a sheet. I don’t know how she managed it. I would have been screaming.” He hoped the words would help, but by the look he got he didn’t think they did.

His father nodded. “Yes she is asked to bare a lot, but has proven time and again she is up to what the light asks of her.  I will go round up the boys and the others and see to the road.”

Mr. Istcon nodded. “I will see what repairs need to be made here before the next storm. I fear I have proved that I am no good helping clear a road.”

Isaac said. “That is not your calling. You are good at what you do, which is not something I could ever take. I can not be indoors all the time. We each have our tasks.”

He turned and left the room Mr. Istcon watched him go and waited a bit. “Sara don’t let him get to you. You did nothing wrong, and don’t let him make your choice for you. He doesn’t speak for the community. If your talents can best be used outside of it then you should go. And that is the same for all of you. Sometimes the grate wrong is in ignoring ability, and perhaps it is time we remembered that. I think we have been spending too much time on the wrong things here of late. Well I need to go check out the leaks.”

Sara looked after him and shook her head. “Did he just say he would back me if I left or did I not hear right?”

Abiram said. “No that’s what he said. When? No that will wait, with the rest of it. Come now, let’s get ready to go home. Sara your cloths are washed and waiting for you.”