geting there I hope. this is going on to long.

. She jumped, it was two early for the boys, and that was the front door. Maybe one of the girls wanted something. She dusted off her hands and went to the door, and was surprised to see her Grandfather there. She opend the door and said. “Do come in?”

He said. “I can’t stay, your folks will be looking the town over for me soon. You know how they get when I’m not there for supper. I meant to catch you at the library, but the game went long. So how bad are the archives? Old Will will be there some as well, but his eyes are not good enough for the oldest of the records. We are trying to get a couple of the others to come in and help.”

Sara shook her head. “I should have known you were behind it. They are not to bad, just a bit jumbled. It wouldn’t take ong, but I keep stoping to read, and forget what I was doing. I had no idea just how big the archives were.”

Her grandfather nodded. “I thought you would like it, which is why I told them to ask you when they came around asking for help. He likely didn’t tell you but the King is paying tripel the costs of the copies for all sent in. The town is not hurting, but the storms the next few years are going to have us dipping into the savings. Every little bit will help.”

Sara said. “I think there are a few books that they can get morethan that for, if they were to offer to sell copies of. I will be sure to put a note with them when I ask for my copy of them. I feel a bit guilty, but they offered to pay me in copies and well. It’s not like I will be able to just walk over to the library when I want to check something, and a lot of the old books just can’t be bought.”

He said. “So you have decided then. Nothing worng with having the copies made. It wouldn’t have been offered if it was an issue. It is only fair you get something for your time. The others will paid as well.”

Sara said. “Yes, that is bit of why Abiram and Tim looked so upset at supper. See I told them when we were in the woods. I left a letter in my desk for Father, he will likely have it before long. I just can’t tell him directly. I should, but I can’t. I talked it over with Abiram, and made sure he wouldn’t feel the need to change schools if I went to Amberviel. He needs the program at Berviel where I can go to another just as easily. But He said it wouldn’t bother him to run into me on campus. We will see, I have the option to change schools at any time or I wouldn’t risk it. Father is going to be furious, but well I have to do this. I can’t go back. I can’t stand in the back and hope to be noticed. I thought I could, I really thought that was what I wanted. I wish I could be happy just going to the Sister curch, but I can’t. Even knowing Father would accept that where he won’t the choice I have made. I will be starting in July, both so I won’t be here that long and have a bit of time to adjust before campus if full.”

Her Grandfather said. “Isaac will get over it in time, and I meant it. He can not cut you, or Zac out of the family. He doesn’t have that power. There will be a place here for you.”

Sara said. “Once I go I can not come back, save as visitor, and seldom that. I am not fit for the light.” She took a deep breath, this was hard to say. “I am a mage, and will be leaning to use the magic I see. When I go I will be completely walking away. Another reason I am worried about Amberviel. I can’t tell him, but he is bound to notice. Father reacted so strongly to just the fact that Zac was going to a mage school, he didn’t even hear the part about him being a healer. I worry what he is going to ask of Abiram. I do not want to be a wedge between them.”

He said. “You are my granddaughter. Nothing will change that. I will do what I can to stop Isaac before he goes to far and loses Abiram. Your mother is already working on it. You might think she doesn’t care, but she doesn’t want to lose him or Jacob as well. Between us we should be able mange. Now then I had best go tell them I am fine, and let you eat your supper.” He turned and left, not letting her answer. Not that she knew what she would have said.

Shaking her head she went back and ate her supper then deside it was time she got the letters written to Viv and Jack, so set to work on them, as she waited for the boys to come. To her surprise there was more than just the three when they came out of the trees. She opened the door then sat the big plate of cookies on the table and got the ice cream out of the freezer and took down some bowls.

Jacob said. “See told you guys she would have something waiting on us. Sara I hope you don’t mind that we came along. The guys had come over to talk about our summer project, but mother was trying to get us to move the stuff around in your old room as father was telling her to wait. It seemed best to leave and let them work it out. Ab and Tim were heading out to meat up with Zac so we just tagged along. Father has made it clear that Zac was not be under the roof so he was waiting by the fence. I don’t understand why dad is having such a fit.”

Sara shook her head. “You all dish your own. Hope you like cookies. I am afraid I am going to have way to much food for a bit. I am not used to making small amounts of anything. Of course you are welcome to come over Jac, and your friends as well. However after tonight you must either come to the office door, or just walk in. I should here the chime when you come in, but I am going to be busy and might not hear you knock. I fear I am going to have a full summer. I don’t know why father would still be fighting about it. I asked him to use my room and he seemed all right with it. Even said that it was likely being started on the minute he left the house.”

Zac started dishing up the ice cream and passing it round. “What has you so busy? And surly you are not to busy to eat.”

Sara said. “I ate, I just also cleaned up. I need to sort out the books as much as I can, I also want to see if I can work out a timeline for the storms. I know they are doing so, but I want to make one as well. The more that do so the better the chance that we will come up with a right one. Even if we can’t get close than the week it will hit, know even that should help. Though that is going to be a long shout. Without the satellite to see the storms forming it will all just be guesses. But well, that is better than we have right now. Even if it dose seem a bit like crying wolf. Then my afternoons will be spent in the library. I have been hired to help get the arcives organized and storm records tagged for copying.”

One of Jacob’s buddies said. “What are they paying, and what do they need?”

Sara smiled. “There is a lot of records, and they are a bit jumbled they need to be put in order, going by the year they were writing, and the King has said he will pay for copies of any storm reports, so those need to be tagged as they are not recorded on any index. In fact some things in the archives have not been added into the catalog at all, so that needs to be done as well. I am being paid with copies. Which I find fair as I know I could never get some of the books I am getting copied any other way, in fact given what they could sale a few for I am making high wages.”

The boy said. “Sounds like fun. I will have to see if I can get in on it. I have wanted to get into the archives but could never come up with a good reason. I will go see the leaders tomorrow and see if they will let me help. I have no idea how to deal with the old paper, but can help with the new ones.”

Sara said. “I was told there are copies of all the documents, but haven’t looked. If you want to see the old stuff I bet the copies are a jumble as well so you could maybe start there. If they agree to let you that is. However the ones that asked me said that we should be allowed into the archives when we ask to be.”

Jacob said. “I thought that was the case, but I sure get turned away when ever I have asked. We just thought it was because they didn’t like the reason we wanted in, and so have been trying to find a better one. These are good cookies. Now then how long until you leave and what school are you going to? Or are you not telling?”

Abiram said. “Am I really the only one who didn’t know?”

Jacob said. “Likely so, and the only reason you didn’t know is that you didn’t want to. I mean she would have been taking your text books and correcting your work, and mine, if she was one to stay here. This just is not the right place for her. So what is it do I get to know?”

Sara face was red. “I thought I was being carful. I didn’t relize you knew I was taking your books. And it’s not like I changed your answers or anything. I just suggested you relook at your work a few times. I will be leaving the end of June or first part of July, depending on the weather. The big schools have started offering to move incoming students her live a certain distance away. I am not sure how far you normally have to be, but I have been offered moving as part of my deal. There is a letter for father in my desk, and he is going to explode, which is why it is in a letter. I am going to go to Amberviel, I would have went to Redvine, but Ab promised he would not change schools because of me. Grandfather knows where I am going, Mother doesn’t care where just wants me to understand I am not welcome. I am sorry that you are going to be put in a harder place. Still being at home, I fear he is really going to be pushing at you after this.”  She sat there waiting for his answer.

Jacob said. “I will just tell him the truth. That I plan on attending Westen and then joining the church, though I will likely end up marrying in school, as programming degrees are taking six or more years to get. The fact that you and Zac left changes nothing. Including the planed stay with Abiram so I can get a feel for what it will be like.”

Sara said. “I hope it won’t change anything. I am sorry that I can’t. I didn’t want this, but the more I tried to fight it the clear it became I couldn’t stay here.”

One of Jacob’s friends said. “There are twelve from your class that have signed with schools in the top five. I know the six that have from Hammer, they were prodded in to coming forward as the major was trying to find out who was going to the Twins. He was disappointed to learn it was none of our kids so had to be yours. And I just blew my cover.”

The others laughed. Jacob said. “It doesn’t matter a bit. I told you that no one cares. My father knows one of you are from Hammer, but as far as I know he has never troubled to find out who it is. As long as you are not trying to shot off spells no cares.”

The other boy looked horrified. “Goodness no! I am no mage, not me. Anything but that.” The others all laughed. Zac looked at Sara and she shool her head.

Zac said. “You have nothing to worry about there. So why do you so fear being a mage?”

The boy relaxed a bit. “You are sure? I well all I have seen is magic used to force. I mean I know in theory it is not all like that, but well it seems to be in my family. I don’t want that. I don’t want any of it. I just want to be rid of it.”

Zac said. “So I you going to join the church then? Or is that going to far?”

“I can? I mean I want to, I would love to. But I didn’t think you let us in.”

Zak said. “Anyone is welcome to come into the fold. You will need to rake classes and spend at least part of a year as an adopted member of one of the families here, so you can be sure it is what you want before you take the vows. In fact if your folks agree to it you might be able to start this year. Talk to your folks and Jacob can introduce to the leaders. Even if your folks won’t let you move in with a family here I think you would be allowed to start the classes and I know you would be welcome in church services.”

Jacob looked at his friend. “It never dawned on me that you might want to join. It is so different here not many come in from outside, but I will be more than happy to introduce you to the leaders, and there would be no trouble in find you place to stay if you think your folks will let you.”

The other boy said. “I bet you would get a few more if folks knew more about you guys. You need to fix the image you have. I mean some out there believe you all keep the girls locked up. As in keep them in chains and don’t let them speak. And that is not the worst of what I my cousins asked me.”

Sara said. “It would help if you would share that with the leaders. They need to hear what is being said. I think most are not aware of what life in the church looks like from the outside. Perhaps there is away to work that into our half of the magic classes.” He looked confused. “In order to pass the bill that made the introduction to magic class a requirement to graduate half of the class will cover the dangers of using magic, and ways to do without. That is this church will be given equally time to present its views. In all schools. Perhaps there is a way though that to clear up some of the myths. I thought it was a known thing.”

“I didn’t know anything about it, but I tend to tune that stuff out. Would you mind if I take some of these cookies home with me?”

Sara said. “Not at all, in fact let me get you a bag for them. Oh and stop by tomorrow and you can take some homemade bread home. I am going to have way to much. Yes I will make the sweet rolls you were hinting at, but even so there is going to be more than I need. I am going to be over cooking for a bit, so fell free to drop by. I think you guys explore the woods don’t you? Or is that just a Newton thing? Just do me a little favor and if you don’t have females in your party swing by town and get one of my brothers to come with you. There are going to be enough stories, without giving them reason to make up more.”

He said. “With food like this I can’t think you will have any trouble getting rid of your extra, but a few of us do go for hikes and might just stop by. If you are sure it will be all right? I don’t want to cause you trouble.”

Sara said. “You won’t, there is nothing against having guests over. It is better to have someone over then waste the food.”

Jacob said. “You might regret telling us that about the time you find your kitchen full of hungry kids.”

Sara laughed. “Given how much food there is here I don’t think it will ever be a problem. I think they expected me to do this. Just don’t be shy about helping yourself. Here is a box, and there are more cookies in that bowl there. Now I am not trying to run you off, but I need to go get to my books. I really think there might be a pattern to the way the storms hit, that is the number of days between them. However I didn’t take time to really look at that before. I was more caught up in the over all. Sorry, I excited by this. You must find it a bit dull.”

Jacob said. “No more than you must when I am on some new bit of programming. It is nice to see you so into something, and trying to hide it. Are you sure you don’t mind if we hang out here?”

Sara said. “No I don’t mind, go right ahead. You might want to meat here instead of the house. I think things might be a bit heated there for a few days.”

Jacob said. “Thanks if you are sure. That will help, we could go to James’ but all those little kids makes it hard.”

Sara said. “Just come though the woods, and to the back door. Also, if it gets to rough that cabin closets to the trees is never used, but is weather tight. I have stored things in it before. Now then I am going to go to my own work and leave you all the table, there is paper and pens in there. I will leave you to take of yourselves.” She went into her office and was soon lost to the reports.

The gnome made her jump. “All right, they have made it to the tree line, so time for your lesson. Or have you come up with another excuse, now that you are not under your father’s roof?”

Sara said. “I said I would accept your lessons once I was in the guest’s house and I will. It is just. Well it makes it real. I mean I know there was no back. But, well.”

The gnome nodded. “Another reason you need to get started now, here, with us. We are better able to understand what it means to you. We have heard the lessons and know what it is doing to you. But your gifts would not let you ignore them much longer. The little things that your grandmother got by with would not be enough. They gave you a bit of control and made it less likely you would explode, but others would start to notice strange things happing around you in a year or two and there is ever possibility you would be shunned.”

Sara nodded. “I made the choice when I took those jars in the mall. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself.” She put down her pin and closed her book. “Is this good or would a different room be better?”

The gnome said. “We should move to your bedroom, but first stop buy and get a plate of cookies. You will need to eat after the lesson. You need to get in the habit from the start, for your body will not want the food, but will need it. Likely any who are sensitive will feel something when they stop by after this. However if the lessons are done in a room they will not enter it is likely to just be passed off as us causing it. For there are going to be a lot of sightings of Woken ones around your house. We see no reason to hide our comings and goings. That should make it easer on you.”

Sara said. “Yes that should, and the boys will be able to verify that I always have food set out for you as well as for them.”

The Gnome said. “In that news conference it will be announced that we have agreed to see that correspondence between the researches gets delivered in a timely manor. Our records being of limited use, having the young carry the messages is the best way we can help, and we finely found someone who would let us offer. We have been trying to for years. The young must learn how to get places, and it just makes since that they be useful when doing so. You will likely find some documents you want to get into other hands fast, as well as they will have letters for you. Now then stop worrying so much and go get the cookies. This is really the best time for the lessons as they will leave you ready to sleep.”

Sara got a plat of cookies and headed into her bedroom with, feeling like she should be looking of her shoulder. Food was not to be taken into the bedrooms, and so was snuck in. As he said the lesson left her tired. “I just want to fall into bed. Just the sight of the cookies makes my stomach roll.”

The gnome nodded. “That is normal, and will happen after every time until you get used to using the channels that the magic uses. It will be better after you eat. If you don’t you will be sick. That is why so many perished in those first years. They were to scared of us to learn from us, and didn’t know what needed to be done.” Sara took a cookie and nibbled causally, then took a bigger bite. When she reached for a second one that gnome nodded. “You will be ahead of the others in your classes by knowing to eat. What the humans will teach you is not what I am. It will do you good to have both sets. I will let you have Sundays off, but someone will be the rest of the nights. There is much for you to learn, and we will be working you hard, but will see we don’t go to fast. Finish the rest of those before you go to sleep.”

Sara said. “Yes sir. I hope my fear doesn’t get in the way. I am glad that you are starting me know. At least you understood why I froze and waited on me. I am going to have a lot to work though. I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be to break from the teachings.”

The gnome said. “Every new mage has some fear to get past. Working with the power is scary, and will become more so as you realize what it can do. But it is necessary that you learn how to control it before it controls you. Rest now, your mind needs to. You will feel better when you wake, and will be ready to learn more.”

Firday passed in much the say way as the day before had, then it was Saterday and the press conference. She was to nervous about what was going to be said to eat much or get much done with the books. She gave up and left the house a bit after noon. A lot of the others were outside when she did so.

Leah said. “I can’t wait for all this to be over. Thank goodness Sunday is about here. Do we get to go home that night?”

“I think so, though of course the things can’t be moved until Monday so we might have to wait one more night. But then there is the diner and meeting on Monday so I am not sure how long it will take them to move us home. But as we cannot be courted out here I am sure they will not fool around about it. At least we get to see everyone tonight. After whatever this nonsense is. So heading in to Sara? I thought you would just listen there. Just what are you doing?””

Sara said. “I was told we were all to go in for it. They have fixed it so we can ask questions. The storms are scary and they are hoping that sharing what is known it will stop the worst of the rumors. So yes I am heading into town.”

Rebecca said. “And you are still pretending. Well we might as well walk together. So Sara, are you finding enough to do? How do you mange being alone?”

Sara said. “I have too much really. The hardest thing about being alone is cooking. Luckily my brothers and their friends are more than happy to stop buy and help eat the food. I really am finding it hard to remember that there is only me in the house. No wonder newlyweds always have food around. How about you?”

Rebecca said. “Well I have so much sewing do that it is nice to have time to do it. But yes it is hard to get the amounts of food right. It is good practius to have to try and cook for two. Still it will be nice to get home, and have all the duties. There just is to many hours in the day with just the two of us. I do not see how you fill your day, with just you.”

Sara smiled. “I am spending my days combing though old papers, both mine and the town archives. Right now I am trying to stay to things about the storms, but there are a lot of other things I have tagged to look at later. I am hoping that there is a better answer as to why so many settlements failed, then our way of writing and spelling changed rapidly in the first years after the Waking, and I am wondering if there is a reason. Well you see I have no shortage of things I am hoping to find answers to. It is nice to have my own office for all the papers, and not be taking up room in Father’s. As I have been since we came home and my Uncle surprised me with more papers to sort.”

Leah said, trying to sound shocked, but coming of smug. “So you are not going to move back home Sunday?”

Sara smiled. “When we moved in I was told the house is mine for the summer no matter what, and as that is the case it made far more since for me to ask Father to let my bedroom be made into a second office. I mean they need the space, what with the Istcon’s stay at our place until theirs can be made livable. As to what you really want to know. Well, I do not think I will be going to church on Sunday, but I am not sure. I want to be able to. I really do. But I don’t think that I can. I believe you all knew me better than I did, and that I cannot take the vows. It is hard to say it. I mean, well I never thought that wouldn’t. All my life I planed on it. But well. I shouldn’t do it if it is not what the light would have of me.”

One of the others said. “There is nothing wrong with taking time to see what it is the light would have you do. I am not sure about Sunday. I do not know that I will be there. I am considering going to the Sisters, but need more time. I asked and we have the right to wait. We can take up to six months according to the teachings. They sat we have the right and the duty to be sure. That we should try the world and see where we belong before taking the vows most do not need to, but some of us do and should not be afraid to.”

Rebecca said. “It is better you are sure before you take knee. I am glad to hear you are thinking. Some just are not fit to be here. I do hope you find what you need.”

When they reached the hall the girls joined their families. It was not long until the screen brightened and images could be seen getting into place. Then the screen blinked out. Abiram was next to Sara and said. “I don’t think they are any more used to this than we are. Looked like they started transmitting a bit soon, then realized it and stopped.” Sara nodded a bit, Abiram looked and saw that their Father was over talking to some of the others and couldn’t hear them. “Relax sis, no matter what gets said, and what guess are made it is in public. Also he knows you have no control over what they think.”

Sara said. “They did say they wouldn’t say where they got the information, but a lot here will know. I mean I haven’t made a secret out of it. I hope it won’t be to embarrassing, I fear what will be said will put a bigger spot light ion the church.”

One of the others said. “I fail to see that as a bad thing. It is time we started letting our message be heard as loudly as the dark does. We should not be hiding here. It was one thing when things were so messy, but we are settled now, and should be doing more. By not doing so we have let to many negative stories about us take root. We need to start working on them before we are turned on.”

Isaac said. “Just so, which is the reason why I do not see why you are so against the magic classes. Yes they are a temptation, but they are also a platform. For the leadership was able to get it though that both side gets equal time. So not only will all have to learn about what magic dose, but also what can be done without magic and why that is better. It might also be that a way opens there to start work on some of those stories. Looks like they are ready this time. Sara you look upset. Don’t be, no matter what is said you did right by sending in your findings.”

The man on the screen said, nervously. “I am not used to this, but then no one is. We will be taking questions after words. Hopefully, but if we can’t hear you then write us and we will answer as soon as we can. However there are a lot of answers we just don’t have at this time. Forgive me a bit here. I know that some out there do not care to hear of magic and so for the most part all talk of that side will be held until later. We here now are not mages. But I do want to say, and have all hear this bit. Yes there is some magic component to the storms. That is a part of why they are so out of hand. No at this time we do not know what it is, and so it can not be fixed. More about that will be said when the mages join us. I do not want to run anyway so will ask you to hold all questions involving magic until then. For we want all to hear this fist part.” He looked at something they couldn’t see. Then he flushed.

“Oh dear I didn’t realize we were broadcasting yet. Well I guess that is out of the way. Now then. Thank you all for joining us. I am sorry we had to impose on you, but feel it important to try and beet the rumors, that are sure to be floating by now. As you can likely guess we are here to talk about the storms. And I fear it is not good news. This storm proved beyond a doubt that the pattern is right and is national, possibly global given what we saw. We need better eyes to know. Now then I do hope you all are sitting down. I don’t want to say this. I said it was bad. You see that big storm was one of the worst anyone here can remember. And a few have memories of the Waking. However the records and the work from those records, tell us the first big storm is the weakest of them.” He stopped, clearly shaken.

“Yes I do know what I said. Now not all storms will be big ones, there are going to be a lot of small ones. But there will be enough big ones that it is troubling. There will be some sort of storm every week, making it hard to grow or gather food. The exact secluding is still being worked out. But deaths will be high. Over the four years these storms last we are expecting a five percent decrees in population. Hopefully with the warning we can use the two good years to stock up for the next set of bad storms, and that will save some. But the storms will keep getting worse. Times will be lean, but it is not as bad as it could be. No one will starve, we have food storage.”