I should just have it end.

He smiled at her. “That is good to know, but this is now your house. You are in control of it.”

A shook her head and walked to the door. “This is one of the new houses isn’t it? I haven’t been in any of these over here, and so would like a tour, if you have the time. Everyone is welcome to join.”

Uncle Joe led the way into the front sitting room, which had a radio and table next to a couch. He was one of them that had a hand in making the house. “Yes this is one of the new ones, and as built to make the visitors fell as close to home as they can when we have no mage to spell it for them. This is the one room that is considered public so it is the most like our houses. There fore you see the lanterns on the tables and wall mounts. The rest of the rooms rely more on the windows and ceiling lighting more like you find in the outside houses. We put the books it looked like you had been reading there on the table and your sewing basket is under it. The radio is only half working, but will give you a bit of noise. This house has a covered generator as well as the solar cells so only the worst of storms will knock your power out.” He nodded at a door of to the side. “That there is the small bathroom, no shower in that one just a sink.” Blushing he led her into the hall. “Now then the hallway here can get a bit dark, but those strips there are glow paint, and it will glow for up to twelve hours, which in a normal year would be the longest the generator would be out. This year though you might want to bring a lantern with you out of one of the rooms after those twelve hours. These houses get fixed first, but given how long that last storm lasted. Maybe we should have put a lantern ledge in them, but well that just didn’t fit the look we were after. The homes in Hammer do not have so many places for lanterns and we want these to be as near them as we can. Another way to show you don’t need spells to be comfortable. But we clearly need to work on the light issues a bit more.”

Sara said. “I think that a lot of the homes outside will be rethinking the lighting they use. The storm took out the message stones at the school, so they might just affect other magic things as well. At least the paint will glow those twelve hours no matter what the storm is doing. That could well be more back up lighting than the spells will give them out there.”

Uncle Joe said. “I hadn’t thought of that. But that would be why they had such problems contacting Hammer after the storm. Now then this is the larger of the bedrooms, and the one your things are in” He lead them in to a space room with large windows and a tinkling light hanging down. “The windows are tinted so even with the light on at night they do not give a clear view of the room. The lantern is tucked out of sight behind this panel here. And there is one hidden in the cabinet on the bedside table. These walls also have dots of the glow paint, but dimmer than what is in the halls so as to not keep you awake.” He crossed the room and opened a door to revile a bathroom. “Now when the power goes out there will be only cold water. We just can’t find a good way to get hot water without power. But you will have running water. The glow in here will be stronger, and the window there is angle so it gives light but can’t be seen in. We didn’t unpack only of your personal items, so you will have to see to that.” He nodded at the suitcases sting on the bed. “Now you will find some city type things in the closet. But um.

Sara said. “I have cleaned some of the other guest’s house and it was explained to me why clothes were kept in them.”

He nodded. “You are welcome to them, of course, but don’t feel we expect it. Though no one will fault you should you want to see what it fells like to dress as they do. Right then back to the hall.” He turn and let them out of the room. “This here is your office, it is just a bit larger than the bed room, but faces the trees and there is a door here as well. Hope you don’t mind but the boys did unpack a lot of books and papers. They wanted it ready to be used. There are the two lanterns there an the desk, and then the one hanging there. What with the big table there and the desk you should have room here to work. I never did see how your dad gets things done in his office with out a good table in there.”

Sara said. “Thank you. This does look to have more work room in it. It will be far easy to sort out those baskets here. Not to mention having selves to put the books on. Much better than sorting though the piles in my bed room to look something up. After this I might just be too spoiled to not have an office of my own.”

Uncle Abe said. “Good, that was what the boys were hopping. Now then when they bring new baskets by and pick up the recycling do they use this door or the front door?” Sara blinked, and wondered what to say. After all she was still trying to pretend she would just be there a few days. He said. “I said this was your house until school started. Now then which is it?”

Sara shook her head. “This door I would think would be the easiest, it is not that far off the road, and they usually go to the side doors to pick up papers so it is what they will want to do.”

Uncle Joe said. “You have another door in the kitchen as well. Likely that will be the one the boys use the most.” He lead them to the end of the hall way and opened the door to the big room that served as kitchen and dinning room. The boys followed and started looking though the cupboards. “If you leave the door open the hall is lighter, but I wanted to save this room tell last. There was no getting around having a wood range as back up, but I think we managed to make it fit in, and a lot of the outside house still have ranges in them.”

Sara said. “The hotel we were in did have, even as fancy as it was. This is wonderful, I can see you all put in a lot of work on this house. I am sure that all who stay here will feel at ease. Though I find it a bit much.”

Uncle Joe said. “It is likely less than you will have, but it might help make it easier on you.”

Abiram said. “I don’t see a cookbook. Do I need to sneak it out? You must have the recipe for the triple chocolate cake, oh and those muffins with the nuts.”

Sara said. “You can’t still be hungry! Not after all I saw you eat. I have a copy of it, so you needed worry. So I take it I am to get on the ball and make some sweets? Come on, with all the leftovers?”

Tim said. “Well maybe not right away, but we have been missing your cooking.”

Abiram nodded. “They are doing all right, but I can tell you are not in their cooking. They just don’t add the flavors you do.”

Zac nodded. “July will be here to soon, and so I can let you go to long without cooking. Say I should see how you are set for meat. Make sure you don’t need a roast brought by.”

Sara laughed. “I am sure the freezer is just as full as the cupboards. Even with all your help to eat it there is more than enough here to last me the summer.”

Uncle Joe said. “I bet you will have a few others stopping by. But not to worry all of you will be kept supplied. Now then we will leave you to get settled in.”

Zac said. “Don’t worry you will be seeing lots of us. I am not going to get to many home baked goods at school so need to take full advantage. July will be here before we know it.”

Sara smiled and walked them back to the door. “I am sure I will have plenty. I am not used to just cooking for one, and will be over doing it I am sure. Muffins and cakes might not travel to well, but cookies do. Just make sure I have an address to send them to.”

Zac said. “Oh don’t worry I am sure you will have all the address you need. We will be by tomorrow to see how you are doing.” He winked and moved a bit closes, then said softly. “Your dad’s yelling is not going to harm me. I would much rather he focus on the embarrassment I am to him then Am’s choice of schools.”

Her Uncles and Abiram were looking up the road, clearly a bit upset. Abe said. “Looks like the others decided to go on to the next house. Guess they were board.” Her uncle clearly did not like the fact that Isaac had not waited.

Abiram said. “We should let you get selected in. I am sure you will be fine. It won’t be to much stranger here than at the hotel.”

Sara said. “Less than really, but it will be good for me. Let me set up a routine. I have a lot of books to get sorted and there are a few things I want to looking into more. I am going to have to go over to the library for a bit in the afternoon tomorrow I need to check a couple things I vaguely remember reading. So it would be bests if you three waited until after supper to come by. There won’t be any biscuits ready in the morning anyway, you will have to wait tell Friday for them.”

Tim slumped a bit. “Ah come on. You really think that is why we are going to come by? Why Friday?”

Sara said. “They are better when the dough has set all day, so you will just have to wait. Now then you had better go catch the others or you won’t know what other house you can hit up for a piece of pie.” None of them seemed to want to leave but they headed off after the others and Sara went back inside.

Left alone she shook her head a bit in wonder at having been given one of the newer house, and such a good sized one, all to her self. Most of the guest houses were just three or four rooms, depending on the number of bedrooms. Meaning they had a bedroom or to, one bathing room and the cooking area. There was only a few of this new type that were full houses. She had expected to be in one of the one bed room units, on the edge, thinking that these places would go to the ones sure to stay, to the girls whose fathers cared to use the pull they had. If they were used for the girls at all that was. These where show pieces and as such could well have been saved for the odd visitor. Shaking her head she went to the bed room to start unpacking her things and settling in. After all this would be her home for the next few months. She spent the rest of the evening unpacking and making the place look more like it was lived in. She found that she also had a laundry room off the bathroom, that her uncle had been to flustered to show her. A lot of effort had gone into this place to make it look like a home compared to the other houses. Perhaps put her here was another way of letting her know they were accepting the fact that she would be leaving. Something they had seemed to know long before she did.

When she woke up the next morning it took her a bit to rember where she was, why nothing looked quite right. Then she got up and got a shower, enjoying the warm water. It was nice not to shiver, and she wondered how long it would be before the wonder of a warm shower faded. Grated it was not as hot as the ones she had at the hotel, but was a big change over the cold water she was used to having. She hoped that this year they would finally get around to updating the water heater. Something Father had been going to do for the last five years. Back in her room she looked at the clothes there then took and put on the habit. Sunday would be soon enough to change to the city clothes. No need to rush it. She did switch to one of the head dress she had made from the lace she had bout in Bixter, the ones that were not quite right for the church. It was still enough to be decent, just a bit more sparkle then her father would approve of. The head dress was her way of starting the change, of hint that she had made her choice at last.

Dressed she went into the kitchen and made breakfasts for herself and the woken ones. Got the bread started and a batch of cookies done so there would be something for the boys when they came by. Then headed into her office and set to work getting it organized to her liking.

A knock at the door pulled her away from the book she had not meant to start reading. She jumped a bit guilty at being caught then shook her head at her foolishness and went to the door. The window next to the door let her see that it was her father at t he door. Smiling she opened it. “Sorry I was back in the office, and caught up in one of the old journals I meant to be sorting. I hope you weren’t knock to long before I heard you. Come on in.”

His eyes went to her head veil and he frowned a bit. “I just barley got here. That is a bit flashy isn’t it?” He handed her a basket. “The ladies said you would need some bread. So you are settling in well then?”

Sara nodded. “Yes sir. Thank you for bring this over. I have some started, but it won’t be ready to bake until morning. Have you seen the house? You have to see what they did for me in the office, I am going to be so spoiled by having it.” She showed him to it. “I am just going to go take are of this bread. I will be right back.” It was odd, treating him as a guest. She went and put the bread in the bread box then took up a plate of cookies and filled the tea pot, glad she had kept the big pan of water on the back of the stove. Something her grandmother had insisted she do, but her mother disapproved of. One of the many things they used to fight over.

Her father laughed when she came in with the tea and cookies. “Just like Mom. I can see her in you. She taught you well. I wish she could be here to see the woman you are. She would be happy to know you are on the right path. It looks like you are making your self right at home here.”

Sara blushed. “Uncle Joe said the house was mine until school started up, no matter what. He and Uncle Abe seemed worried I wouldn’t like it. I want them to know I do, even though it feels a bit to much. I mean this seems bigger than your office. Which I imaging you are glad to have back. Have this room here to spread out in lets me see just how much room my stuff was taking up. I still can’t believe he went and got all of this for me.”

He said. “Now I told you I didn’t mind a bit, and I don’t. In fact I am going to miss finding you in there bent over some dusty book. Your mother will be relived to know you are settling in so well. Just don’t go getting to carried away. No matter what they said about this house, your room will be waiting for you. Now there is to be a town meeting on Monday to go over all the things up for vote at the leaders conference, as well as what ever come up in this silly press conference that will be held on Saturday. Most going to the sister church will announce it at that meeting. Now I am not asking you what you are doing, just letting you know, as I was asked to. All in town are to gather in the square Saturday for the news thing, they will be using the big screens there. Starting around one, we will have a community dinner after it so some talk will happen there. But more on Monday, after it has had time to sink in.”

Sara nodded. “If even a bit of what I saw in the pattern I sent them was right it is going to be a lot of bad news. I did get a letter back thanking me for sending it to them.”

Isaac said. “I am sure you have given them a lot to think about. It is good you were able to see it needed to shared, and then do so. It shows you are wise. It is a good thing to know when something needs t be pasted on to those better suited. I am sure you will be a big help if you can all ready see it. You will be a good support, and skilled historians are badly needed, even ones with a minor fixation on weather.”

Sara said. “I love learning from the past, there is so much it has to teach us. But I can not live in it a lone. There is a reason that the storms affect me so strongly, and understanding them will help me find out what it is. Or at least I think it will, but then much of it is complicated. I am glad to know my room is waiting. However where the Istcon’s are to be our guests you need the room. I all so don’t want anyone thinking I am not happy with the house. I fear what they might try next, if they think that. Just why they put me here I do not understand. I mean, I know that the others likely made a big fuse at the idea they might have to share a house with me, but I was expecting one of the small huts. Not this. If anything, I thought these would be left open.”

Isaac said. “Your mother said you would ask me to make use of your bedroom. No doubt I will get home to find she and the girls have turned it into a second office. I just want you to know it is there for you. Well then I will let you get your lunch going. I imagine the boys will by latter.”

Sara nodded. “I asked them to wait until after supper to come by, as I want to go by the library this afternoon. They really just like the idea of have a place to get extra cookies at.”

Isaac said. “Likely so. Just remember your teachings. I worry about Zac and Abiram. A mage school is no where for some of the light. There is to much taint there. But then it will help show that you don’t need magic to succeed if they can do it. But that is a lot to face. I am so glad they will have strong lights to show them the way.”

Sara looked at her father and saw the worry in his face. “Sir, Abiram will take the vows. There is nothing the world can offer him that he wants. It was a real struggle for him. Berviel had the programs, but is to closely tied to a mage school. I am sure he would have turned it down had there been any other place he felt her could get the training he wants. Any ways that is the impression I have from the way he told us his choice when we were in the woods.”

Isaac said. “You were all so close. I just. I don’t know why I didn’t see it. I should have done something.”

Sara said. “Nothing Zac has done changed anything. He has never tried to talk anyone into leavening. In fact when they knew I could hear them it never even came up that he was going to. It was only when they didn’t know I was close that I heard him tell the others. They would be talking about setting up their houses and when they turned to him he would just say that he would not be taking the vows, and leave it at that.”

Isaac said. “Still. Well I am sure you know where the light is. I shouldn’t bother you with this stuff. I just trust you know where you should be. I worry about you being out here alone. It might prove to be the cause of stories.”

Sara mentally shook her head. She should say something, but he would be so upset. She couldn’t say it. But if they were turning the room to an office it shouldn’t take them long to find the letters. “I am sure there will be stories around. Some will make things up no matter what. But I will do everything I can to avoid giving them anything to build from. Like you I am puzzled as to why they should insist that I have the house for the summer, but well, I can use the room. I didn’t like taking over your office, and now I am not. Also Mother didn’t like having this old stuff in the house, and well I can see her point. It is not at all what she wanted for any of the girls. I do wish I could have been more like the others.”

Isaac said. “There is nothing wrong with being drawn to study the past. It is something that we should be encouraging more of our young ladies to do. You should not feel bad about it. That you are so troubled by it shows me that we do need to make some changes. Something I and others have been blind to. I had best leave you or you won’t get to the library as you had planed. Thank you for the tea, and I will be sure to let them know that you are already making use of the office.”

Sara had her lunch then head outside. She didn’t go far before Rebecca saw her. “Sara what an interesting veil. Wherever did you get it? I don’t see you Father allowing it.”

Sara said. “He was not to happy about it, but didn’t say much. I picked up some lace when we had the tests. There was some I just had to try. Some of it just won’t do but this one I thought was decent.”

Rebecca said. “It is not bad. So out for a walk, must be lonely in that place.”

Sara said. “I have been to busy to notice if it was lonely, in fact I likely would have forgot about lunch if Father hadn’t of stopped in for a bit. Though I fear it is hard to cook for just me. Lucky Abiram has promised to stop by often, and so that means Zac and Tim as well. Between them they will be able to help with my leftovers. Speaking of that, I am going to have way to much bread tomorrow so if you want any just let me know. Are you all settled?”

Rebecca said. “Just what has you so busy? Thank you for the offer, but what is in the bread box is more than enough to last until this is over.”

Sara said. “You had bread? My box was empty. I bet the boys saw to it just to be sure I would make some. I have a felling Abiram is not the only one of my brothers that planes on stop by with their friends. I do not know how those boys can eat so much and always want more. I have a bunch of old papers I am sorting though. My uncle decided that if I found so much worth keeping from his plant, I needed to see what I could find from the others so sent around to them. A few were more than willing to send him all the old note books and before time papers, as that stuff is so much harder to deal with. I keep finding things I want to read and forgetting what I am doing. So before I got back to it I thought I had best get out of the house or I wouldn’t make it to the library as I had planed on.”

Rebecca said. “Wait you have a house full of books so you are going to go look at more books?”

Sara said. “Yes, there is a half remembered passage from one of the journals there that I feel I need to look at again. Thing is I am not even sure what it is that has me thinking of it now. But If I don’t go look I will just keep think about it. So I might as well go look.”

Leah said. “If it is that importuned, get it copied. I was just there and learned we all have visitor’s rights, which include a hundred free copies each. Also Mrs. Hanna has a table of books for each of use to look at that we don’t usually get to see. She said they are ones that the board has been asking to have the status of changed and she would like our input on.”

Sara said. “Thank you, those free copies will help. I was planning on doing a few, and that means I can get a few more then I thought I could. There are a few that I keep have to refer back to. It would be nice to have a copy of them, if I can get it. Now then, I meant it about the bread. Should you want fresh in the morning just let me know. It will be no trouble at all. See you latter.”

Mr. Istcon was outside the library when she got there talking to one of the other leaders. “We don’t have that many that can even read those old records anymore. How do they expect us to sort them like that? Would have made a lot more since if they just asked us to copy all of them. I am sure that is what most towns are going to end up doing anyway, just for the money. Heck with what they are offering they will likely do that with the ones they can read as well.”

Sara said softly. “Excuse me gentlemen.”

Mr. Istcon smiled. “Just the person we need, well one of them. Sara dear could we impose on you to give us some of your afternoons for the next few months? We have been asked to send anything from our records about the storms. But they are not filed ion way to make that easy to do. As I know you can read them, would you mind assisting in determining what is worth sending? We will pay for your time in free copies if that is acceptable to you? I am sure there are things you all ready want your own couple of, and doing this you will likely find more.”

Sara blushed. “I would be glad to help if you think I can, but perhaps you would rather I didn’t.”

The other man said. “Don’t be silly. We would ask you if we had a problem with it. So you have picked a school then. Good I know it can’t have been easy to pick. I am sure you will make us all proud.” Sara shifted. “You don’t say anything yet though, wait tell it is set in stone. For now just know we have no problem with anyone looking at the records, they are supposed to be open to any that ask. I take it you have been turned away in the past?”

Sara nodded. “I was doing research last year on the plague that hit three years after the founding and thought I might find something in them. It might just be that the assignment had so many upset, or they felt I would be to upset by the records of it.”

Mr. Istcon said. “You shouldn’t have been turned away. I was wondering why none of you were making use of the records. I wonder how many others tried.”

The other man said. “I will be looking into this and see just how many times people have been turned away. The law is very clear that anyone over thirteen is allowed access and those under when with a parent. Now of course you would have to make do with copies of the oldest ones unless it was know you knew how to handle them. Some are in bad shape. But there are copies of everything.”

Sara said. “In that case I will be more than happy to give you my afternoons. I am glad they sent out a call.”

The other man nodded. “It is a help. Now I can get hands in there looking. I want a copy of anything dealing with how the storms were handled in the past. There might be changes we need to make to what we are doing.”

Sara said. “I was reading a journal this morning by a city planer that was written during one of the storm periods. One thing that struck me as odd is that there was an instance that the green houses not have any mettle around them, and there was a very specific set of measurements they had to meet. The write was complaining because someone tried to get one pass that was a half inch off. I have not read enough of it to know if it was do to the storms or just an oddity of the planer. But if you like I can bring it by so it can be coped. It is not dated and on modern paper, but I think it one of the early years. The pages are not uniform in thickness, and are rough in some places. Like an apprentices work would be, However as a planer they would have the best of what could be had for their records. At least that is what appears to be the case.”

The man nodded. “Yes that is just the sort of thing I am hoping to find. Even if it is just a quirk of his it is still worth looking into. By all means pleas bring it and have them copy it for me, and anything of the like you find. And as a city planer I can confirm I have the top grade paper for my records. No, you were not insulting in the least.”

Mr. Istcon said. “I know you came here for a reason, but let me walk you in and make it clear you are to have access to everything in the records. Then I will let you go do what brought you here.” He walked he in and explained to Mrs. Hanna that she was had been hired to help sort the papers.

Mrs. Haana smiled. “Good think there sir. She is a good one for the task, and the others you have wont trouble her any. The way the might a few of the other girls. Besides that she has a long list of books she wants her own copy of. This way should take off a few that can’t be bought anymore. However Sara before you get completely lost in the records, I want you to look at the books on this table. Actually some of them might fit in as well. Just some that have been picked out for you over the last week.”

Sara looked at the table and blinked. “Some of them? But there must be half the history books in the library here. I am going to have to change that to the half of my afternoon you ask for in the first place, and give the other half to these.”

Mr. Istcon said. “Now you know why I said half of it. I had seen what was waiting on you. Now don’t forget what had you here in the first place, and perhaps you want to get copies of your most wanted ordered now. I have no problem with it.”

Sara shook her head. “Thank you, and I will take you up on that. I have a list of books I wanted to try and get at passages copied out of. I was going to write out most of them. The page numbers are here for the pages I wanted. I really want complete copies of the first six on the list, but could make do with just the chapters list for the last two of that six.”

Mrs. Haana laughed. “Well let me have the list and I will go get started. As you find more book just set them aside and the you can bring them up at the end of the day. You needed worry about going over. You will be well earning your copies back in those records. I know that by the time you are done they will be back in date order and likle have the major events on the catalog. Something that has needed doing for sometime, but somehow never gets done. I don’t know why I didn’t think to ask you before.”

Sara said. “I will start with the oldest that way I should at least be able to get though the ones that are the hardest to read. Some of the papers that had been set aside in the recycling plant are from before the change, and it takes a good bit of time to read them. The spellings were so different then, and if they are handwritten, like those just after are, it is even worse. The way we write has changed a good deal, and it really hasn’t been that long. Sorry, I’m babbling, but I just find it fascinating.”

Mr. Istcon smiled. “I thought you would like this once I saw all those old papers and books you had. Mrs. Haana for the record I am clearing Sara to go into any part of the archives she wants to. I saw a bit her collection and can tell from it she knows how to handle the old paper, and I am not worried about any of the content being to harsh for her. Sara anything you can do to make them look descent would be welcome. One of the things we will be taking about Monday is a request to let a team of scholars come and go threw the records. It is something we get asked often and turn down. However, this time it came with the Kings seal and promises that nothing would be removed. So we are putting it up for vote. Should they come we want them to find a bit of order.”

Sara said. “I will do my best. I am sure they will be impressed just by the number of documents we have. However I should at least be able to get them in year order for you, though likely not fully cataloged.” She then winced, hearing her own words and realizing she had as much as said she was leaving.

Mrs. Haana said. “Just try and get though those on the table as well. Though it is likely to grow more. To be honest I have no idea what is there now. I stopped looking and just pointed them to your table. So something might not be fitting. But I know that you have the sense to set them aside if need be. After all you brought me that terrible book the others were passing around. Have fun, and just bring anything you want copied to the desk before you leave. From the table or the records, Just make sure you set them on my desk if I’m not there. Now then we need to let her get to work. I can tell she wants to, but is trying not to be rude.” She pulled Mr. Istcon away and Sara moved to the table full of books.

It was almost six before Sara left the library, and she realized that after this she had better have something slow cooking, or just needing heating for supper. Her afternoons were going to pass way to fast, and she was to hungry to wait for a big supper to cook, and bet that would be the case every night. Sandwich and a salad would do tonight, but a nice pot roast waiting tomorrow wouldn’t hurt. She had no idea just how much was in the archives. It would take a person years to get though it all. But she was making a dent, and the older selves looked a bit tidier, as long as you ignored the table full of things that were waiting to be sorted. At least the next to months would be busy ones that should help. If she could just remember was she was there after and keep from getting distracted. Her list of things to be copied would be fast to grow she feared.

Back at the house she had just set down to eat when there was a knock on her door.