Wendsday Morning.

When Sara woke againg she felt a lot better, aside from the knots of worry. A quick check told her it was close to sunrise. Remember the gnomes words, though not sure it wasn’t a dream, instead of letting go of the since of world like she usually did she got up with it still there. She found it was not as distracting as she thought it would be to have it there. Still it felt odd, to feel the stirrings of life around her as she went to shower and dress.

After getting dressed she went into the kitchen and started her tea. She eyed the baskets of bruised fruit and decide she wanted t make muffins, and this day she was going to. Even if it was more cooking than she should do. After all this would be the last time she would be able to cook anything for her family. There was a big family diner planed for tonight, but she knew she would not be allowed to help with it. There would be more then enough hands as it was, what with all the family coming over for the last family meal before the baptisms. After supper they would walk the girls over to the guest houses and that is when they would find out where they would be living until after the baptism, or longer. Sara pushed the thought away and set about get out the bowl and making a large batch of muffins. She checked the stove and was surprised to find the power on.

One the first set of muffins was in the oven Sara decided it was time she looked at that last offer and learned just what she had signed. Not that it mattered much, as long As it would not mess up Abiram’s plans she was going to go. If having her there would bother him, then it would have to be Redvine. There program was not as good, but it was next best offer. She went back out to the family room, and got the papers out of her bag, shaking her head a bit at all the boxes, as it looked worse in the daylight. Well at least her things would be gone before most of the others got here.

She took the papers back to the kitchen to read as the muffins baked. She had just put the second set of tins in the oven when she felt someone wake up. It was strange and all most caused her to drop the muffins and her awareness of the hose, but somehow she kept the muffins. She got them in the oven and washed out the first set of tins, refilling one of them with the last off the batter, then set the mixing bowl in the sink to soak.

Moving back to the table she looked again at the papers. Still a bit amazed at just how badly they wanted her. She had never heard of a school offing to handle the moving in. But they were, and for the term starting in July. That would mean she would only be in the guest house a month and a half, which would be a bit easer to take. That is if she went with them. Then the apartment, with a large allowance, that she would have complete control over, could use to buy what ever she wanted, no questions asked, no accounted necessary. A guaranteed place on the satellite team and life time access to all data from any school sponsored satellite. It was an offer beyond belief. To good to be true, it was to much. There had to be something she was missing.  But she couldn’t find it. They even said that she would own her research and was free to change schools at her will. Though they were sure that if she gave them a chance she would be happy with them. Her classes were up to her, but they did have some suggestions. But not taking them would have no impact on the offer. Once she signed the school was bound by it.

Shaking her head Sara got up and took the muffins out of the oven as Mrs. Istcon came down the steps. Mrs. Istocn said. “Something smells good in here. Good morning Sara, you must have been up early.”

Sara said. “Good morning ma’am. I actually slept in a bitter later than normal. I saw the fruit sitting there and just had to have some muffins. I hope Mother won’t be to upset, and that I didn’t mess up the plans to much. I was just going to get the fairies breakfast up together. How are you this morning?”

Mrs Istcon said. “I am sure the muffins will be appreciated. As far as I know the only thing that is planed is supper, so you needed worry about that. Is there anything I can help you with?”

Sara had her tray out and was filling. “No, thank you I have it. The water in the kittle should be hot, I didn’t know what type of tea you prefer so I don’t have any but mine made. It wont take me long to run this out, then I will be back and get my mess cleaned up before the others are down here. They are starting to wake now.”

She nodded. “Don’t worry about me, just go on. I won’t bother your things.” Sara smiled and headed out the door.

She transferred the things from the tray to the table. “Sorry, but we are low on honey, so it is jam to go with the muffins today, but they are warm, and loaded with fruit.” She filled the butter dish and set out a small jar of jam with the plate of steaming muffins.

A fairy said. “Muffins! Just the thing for a day like today. When you head into the woods latter we will show you to a grove where you needed worry about being heard by any human. Harvest what you want as you are there. No harm will come to any from it. If you are worried about getting out, just try to go up stairs and help. They will though you out of the house, and your brother to watch you. We heard them talking it over last night.”

Sara blinked, fairies did not let humans pick from there groves often, and even less with out asking something in return. Remembering what the gnome had said about manners yesterday she said. “Thank you, I hope you enjoy the muffins. I am sure we will find a good many things to use in you grove, it is with a hay heart I accept your offer.”

The fairy nodded. “Told that old gnome you were learning, even if you were half asleep. Very well said child.”

Knowing she was dismissed Sara went back inside and put the dishes in the sink. “I will wash them, but I need another cup of tea first, I need to get it drank while it is warm.  As the colder it gets the worse it tastes.”

Mrs. Istcon laughed. “You needn’t explain yourself to me. But you should try one of your muffins as well.” When Sara went to the table she moved to the sink and started washing. “You did the cooking, I can do the washing up. What are all those papers?”

 Sara said. “Just a school offer, I was in the office when the storm came and didn’t get it read. It is fun to see what they say.”

Mrs. Istcon said. “I know Tim’s were interesting. Some of them were sure trying hard. Is it a good offer?”

Sara nodded. “It is too good really. I was looking to see what I missed. They are up to an eight year full ride scholarship including books. I have been offered an on campus apartment in place of the normal dorm room and in this one they are saying they will provide transpiration to the school. Something I have never heard of being offered.”  She gathered up the papers and tucked them out of site. “Knowing I was looking at the offer from a non sister school would upset Father.”

Mrs. Istcon said. “I won’t say a word, but I hope you are thinking about what is the best for you. It is a lot of preacher on you kids, a true hard place to be in. I had it easy, I knew this was what I wanted. But others need to go though a bit of searching first. Some have to spend time out side before they know what they want. Four girls in my class did not get baptized with the rest, two never did join the church, one was baptized into the sister church and one returned here. It is only when you take the vows then change your mind that there is harm in it. For then you are breaking a vow. There is nothing wrong in make sure you can stay with a vow before you make it. A very few do so each year, more should.”

Sara’s surprise was easy to see. “I didn’t know any girls had left. I knew some of the boys don’t take the pledge each year, but I thought all the girls generally did so. I wonder if that could be why so few do wait.”

Mrs. Istcon said. “You wouldn’t know, having little contact with the older girls and not knowing how many are in the class. It is not made public unless they do not take the vow in six months, which most do, and even then you are unlikely to be told about it. You wouldn’t notice unless you had been close to the person or a relative. Still you have a point, perhaps we should do more to make it clear to the young ladies that it is all right to take those six months. We come close to forcing the boys to, but tend not to even tell the girls they are there.”

Sara gathered picked up her cup and took a sip. “Leavening the church is not talked about with us. That is what happens if you do not tke the vows. All that was ever said was that not taking them means leavening lights path. I know that as a part of it you are not worthy of the robes, but well, it just isn’t talked about with us. It is not my place to question such thing, I am not fit to make laws, yet. Well sometimes parents try to live though there children, and if the parent wonders if they should have left, it might make the child more likely to do so.” Sara picked up one of the warm muffins. “I shouldn’t, but I have to try one, and see if I have used to many raspberries again. Good morning Mother, I didn’t see to the chickens. I was going to, but found I was to unsteady on my feet to make it there.”

Edith said. “It is not your chore any more anyway. It is good for the others to realize what all you have been doing.” She looked at the muffins and frowned a bit.

Sara said. “I promise to stay out of kitchen the rest of day. I hope you don’t mind to much, but I saw all the bruised fruit there and suddenly wanted some muffins. It is my last time to cook for everyone before I go to the guest house. I just needed to. The muffins was all I made though, and I am getting out of the way now.” She looked at the muffins. “I know I should wait to eat, but I am starving. Having to take two doses to get though that storm has left me hungrier than normal.”

Edith said. “Why don’t you go ahead and fix you the tray and take them out? You made plenty for everyone and it won’t hurt a bit if a few get ate before the rest of the meal is ready. Leah, you can help carry them to the table.” Sara could tell her mother was not happy, and it was simply the fact they were not alone that kept her form saying so.

Sara stared filling the serving trays with plates of muffins, leaving the butter and jams to Leah. Leah was glaring at her as she moved to fill her tray. “Leah will you tell me why you are upset?”

Leah said. “What makes you think I am upset? I will take this out and come back for the tea, I can get yours on the tray with the other so you need only make the one trip.”

Sara shook her head. “Thank you, but if you have other things to do I can get the tea. I don’t want to make your day any harder.”

Leah said. “It is no bother, and you need to get off those legs. You are starting to shake a bit again. These muffins do smell good. I might have to sneak one early.”

Sara said. “I was wondering if it would be all right if I went gathering after breakfast?”

Leah relaxed a bit. “Sally and I were to go, but if you will that would help. But are you sure you feel up to it?”

Sara said. “I am a bit shaky yet, but I think I can manage. I will beg Abiram to come with me, that way if I run into problems I won’t be alone, and it will keep him busy as well. If it all right with you, Mother? Having him with me I might be able to go a bit further in and so have a better luck finding things.”

Edith frowned but nodded. “That will keep you out of trouble. I will see about packing a lunch for you both.” They took the trays out and set the table,

As they cleared the table after breakfast Edith said, a bit icily. “Sara set those muffins on the side board there. There will be people in and out all day, moving your things. They might as well have some something to munch on.”

Sara smiled, and did as her mother asked, just as her Uncle came in and snagged one. “Are they bran?”

Sara said. “Mixed berry, and I hope not to strong on the raspberries this time. I came in to the kitchen to see baskets of fruit on the counter and just had to make some muffins. Don’t worry, the muffins didn’t take much. Mother said to leave them here for your guys. That way they will have something to snack on as they move my things. I didn’t think you would be here this early. I need to.”

Uncle Abe said. “I am here this early to see you do not go up those stairs. If you need something you can tell me. That was my room before it was yours. Nothing will be left but what you indented to be. Don’t you worry about that.”

Sara said. “There is a couple of things I need to check on, I want to make sure I got everything.”

He shook his head. “You are not to go up those stairs. This is our job, and you are going to let us do it. You have already done more than you should of. I told you we would see to moving you. Yet you went and packed some. Let us do the rest would you? Not like we will next time, and we can’t do much else.”

Sara shook her head. “Really you do to much as it is. But I will let you move the things. However will you let me get my other shoes at lest? I said I would go see about finding some herbs, but these shoes are not fit.”

One of the boys said. “What do the ones you need look like?”

Sara said. “They are the only shoes up there. I just have the two pairs. But I can.”

He said. “I will be right down with them. No need for you to come up. Is there anything else you will need today?”

Sara said. “No, I don’t think so. Well I might need my sewing basket, so I have something to do this afternoon. But you don’t need to.”

He was gone, Sara shook her head and her Uncle laughed. “I think a day spent in the forest will be just what you need. That way I won’t have to post any of them on the stairs. Now you are not planning on going alone are you? Do I need to go wrangle one of your brothers?”

Sara said. “I am going to try and talk Abiram into coming with me. I can go further into the trees if he does. The others worry to much about me.”

He said. “Good, I will just wait and see you off. Good muffins.”

Sara shook her head and moved to the living room, to wait for her shoes. Not that she had long to wait.  Once she had changed shoes Sara headed outside to find the boys. She saw them talking to her Father and stopped a ways off. With him there she couldn’t just ask if they were ready to go. She need to wait tell they spoke to her. Zac was the one who saw her first. “Hay Sara you need something?”

Sara blushed, and keeping her eyes down said. “I was looking for Abiram. I said I would go herb hunting, but don’t feel quit up to going alone. I am still a bit shaky. But if you all are busy, I will go see if Jacob is free.”

Isaac said. “I think thought sounds like a fine idea. They four of you should go together, that way you can keep each other out of trouble. I looks to be a fine day to be in the forests, and you have all been staying to close to home since you returned.”

Sara wondered what her father was up to. Just what had they been talking about? There had been that confused shift as she walked up. Keeping her eyes down she said. “If it won’t be a problem, I will just go get the list and some lunch for us all. If you are sure you have the time?” She had not noticed how irritating it was to behave as expected. There were a lot of things she was noticing now that she had decided to leave. Things that had never bothered her before were starting to now. If it was like this now, how much worse would it be in a years time? Were these feeling always there or was she just looking for things to make leavening easier? Mentally shaking her head she risked a glance at Abiram, wonder why he hadn’t answered. He was looking at Father with a slight frown.

Tim said. “I will go to the kitchen Sara, and you go get what you need to gather the herbs. I was soused to take my sister, and she will be happy to learn I won’t be. She says the trees are full of spooks. It will be a lot easer on me and her this way. Making her pack lunch for us is only fair.”

Sara curtsied, and thought how best to answer him. Best to make it plan to her Father she thought of him as family, that way he could object if he thought he should.. “Thank you brother, I think Leah will have a list for me of what is needed, if you don’t mind picking that up as well? I will go get the gathering basket, and wait for you all by the gate. I do hope I am not intruding your plans to badly.” She curtsied again and then turned and went to the garden shed. As they were going to a fairy grove all she would need was the baskets to hold what was harvested. Those picked up she went to the back gate to wait on the others, hoping her father would not think she was trying to rush the boys.

It was not long tell the boys joined her there, Isaac called after them. “Take care, and see you after lunch. Enjoy yourselves. You won’t have that many more chances. Hard to think that soon you will be running your own homes. Use the time well.”

Abiram said. “We will sir. It will be nice to have a chance to talk. We have been to busy to have time to since we returned.”

Isaac nodded. “I thought as much, and being out there will give you the chance to compare notes and see where you are. You needed worry about Sara bring tales back. She never has said a word of what went on when the four of you were out there. Even when she had to fetch the Doc, it was always just one of you had tripped. Not that I mind, it was good of you to take her and no harm in it. See you latter, and stay out of trouble. Just remember the cooks need some of that for the meal.” He smiled and head off with a wave. Feeling certain that he would be watching the boys took care to look to be in the lead and Sara was careful to keep her eyes down, and stay a few steps back.

Once they were well hid by the trees Zac said. “He can’t see us any more so get up with us. It makes me nervous having you back there.”

Sara said, as she moved up. “How often do your parents walk next to each other? I never really thought about it before, but couples are seldom next to each other. Do you parents ever really talk to each other when you are around? Mine don’t. Mother is all smiles and nods, never saying what she thinks even when he asks, which isn’t often. I wonder why I never noticed before yet do now.”  

Tim looked thoughtful. “You know I hadn’t thought about it, but the walking thing yes that is so. Even before there are children to keep an eye on you seldom see them walking next to each other, and if they are other women are frowning. As to the talking, well Mother never says he is wrong but if asked about something she will say what she thinks. However when it is not the same as he is there is always a you know best in there some where. I wonder why? I mean we are taught that our mates will be a beacon see we know where the light is. But wouldn’t that involve telling us what they see as right, without expressing shame for having a different opinion?”

Sara said. “It is likely they would if it was something leading away from the light. I just found it odd that I hadn’t noticed before.” She was gently directing there path, not by saying anything just by turning one way or the other. She wondered if they noticed, but then she had been the one picking turns for years, unless she asked them to. They seemed fine with any direction and trusted her to know where to find what they sent after.

Abiram said. “I never really thought much of it. But had been hoping that my intended would. Well that she would have a bit of a brain. Do something more than make neat stitches and cook fine meals. However I had not connected to the way Mother acts until just now, and had never given a thought to where women were.”

Zac said. “We are taught not to. Remember that the idea women is the one that is the strength in the shadows, not seen but there. I have spent a bit more time around my mother and sisters than you have these last few years. My Mother is a different person in the kitchen than in the family room. That started me looking more, trying to understand why that was.”

Sara said. “The kitchen is truly hers. Yes the house supposedly is the wife’s domain, but the kitchen truly is. She might have charge of the decorations and what have you, but only in the kitchen is she truly in power. For the husband seldom enters it, and has no care of what goes on when he dose so. It is also not a place of display, only family will gather there so it is a place less judged. We should find some good things here and there is a stream of good water right over there. What do you say?”

Zac looked at her, and she smiled. He shrugged. “Looks good to me. Is it all right if I help my self to some of those berries, or are they not something to eat?”

Sara said. “They are fine, and help yourself. Tim do you have the lists? And I hope you all will help.”

Abiram said. “Of course we will. When don’t we? That tree there looks like a good place to set the blanket.” He took it from Tim and spread it out.

Tim set the lunch basket down and took out the list, he also pulled some glasses out of the basket. “I have no idea what all we have here. But I think we can make it work.” He looked around and said. “Um are we supposed to be here? Are you sure it is all right? Isn’t this a fairy grove? I mean there is a lot of things that are to ripe for the season.”

Sara said. “We are welcome to help ourselves to anything here. There are a few things that could do harm, but they will see we don’t get into them. We found the way here only because they were showing me the way. The storm did a lot of damage and they could use some help. Anything that looks damaged needs to be picked, if we can’t use it just leave it for them. But if the damaged is left it will harm the plant, is what I am told. Also we can talk here without worry of being heard. No sound leaves the grove.”

Tim said. “Good that will help, for I think there is much that needs to be said. You all know I am going to Thortan so no mystery there. But what bout the rest of you? Zac you said something about summer classes? Sara how much of this do they need at home? There is a lot of damage to this plant.”

Sara said. “It would be it is sensitive. Split it in half, what’s not used now can be dried. It might be hard to find latter. And you did not say what your last offer was.”

Time said. “Will do, and I want to know more about what school Abiram went with. I mean It is not often that you hear of Berviel offering scholarships. But I have a full ride with books and living expenses included for all six years, and they will let me move to an apartment for the last two years. So it will be no problem having my intended joining me there, I could even take an extra year of classes if she wishes to study something as long as my grades stay up the scholarship will extend.”