First Meeting of the Mistress of Novices

[Serick Kerani]

Mylane stared at the wonders around her. The buildings were marvelous creations that seemed to overwhelm her. Her blue eyes were big as she swiveled this way and that on her horse to try and take it all in. This building seemed to resemble a cat and the one next to it suggested a bird preparing for flight.

 

Light but there is so much! She thought to herself. She glanced at the Aes Sedai and was abruptly embarassed for her gawking. Alina glanced at her and smiled.

 

"My first time was much the same as yours. The first fifty times will be breathtaking. Even now I sometimes find this city a wonder." The Aes Sedai said. "Once we get to the Tower, you will be put before the Mistress of Novices. She will decide if your name will be added to those of the other novices or not. You will not be tested as I have already done this, but you must be ready for the hardships of the training. Now, be quiet and try not to gawk so obviously." The Aes Sedai's ageless face was serene when she finished talking and Mylane knew that she would never talk to her like she just had ever again.

 

Mylane withdrew from the world as she would if she were reading, keeping her thoughts at a distance but she still gawked a little. Mylane itched to take in every bit of Tar Valon that she could, but she controlled herself as best she could. She looked ahead and saw the gleaming beacon that was the White Tower. It stood straight and tall before her, the pale spear that gave strength to women with the Power. If only I had been able to come sooner. She thought to herself. I shall do you proud, father. I will not give up, no matter the hardship.

 

After they arrived at the stables and parted with their horses, Alina led Mylane into the Tower. Mylane stood straight, her fear showing on her face as she fisted her hands at her sides. They passed ornate wall hangings, tables with ornate vases and beautiful flowers. One thing that struck Mylane was the lack of men. I suppose it is only natural, since there are a lot of women residing here, but it is still a bit odd to not see many men. Mylane followed the graceful, golden haired Aes Sedai and hoped that she didn't look clumsy. Mylane watched the people as they passed from the corner of her eyes. Girls, young women and a few older. Many of the girls wore plain, white dresses and a the young women wore the same except for the bands of colors around the hems. Alina noticed the questioning look on Mylane's face and answered the unspoken question.

 

"Those that wear white are novices. The ones with the seven colors on the hems are Accepted. You must work hard to attain that band."

Mylane was spoken to no more after those few words, at least until they reached their apparent destination. Alina stopped them at a door that looked darkened with age and welcomed use. Mylane swallowed hard as Alina knocked and a reply was given to enter. The Aes Sedai opened the door and glided inside, her Warders taking a post on either side of the doorway. After taking a steadying breath, Mylane entered the room. The two Aes Sedai inside the room looked at her. Mylane's eyes went to the ageless face of the woman that stood behind the desk.

Tilted, almond shaped, deep blue eyes met Mylane's lighter blues. Dark brown hair pulled into a tight bun didn't detract from the pretty, ageless face. Calm seemed to radiate from the Aes Sedai and it eased a bit of the tension in Mylane's shoulders.

 

"Sister, this is the girl I tested. Mylane, this is Valeri Sedai, she is the Mistress of Novices." Alina said, she smiled as she nodded to the other Aes Sedai. "I shall leave her to you, Valeri Sedai." And with that, Alina glided from the room, shutting the door with a soft click.

 

Mylane felt dirty and wished she'd remembered to brush her hair, or at least pull it back with her ribbon. Mylane stood, her hands still fisted by her side, trying not to show how scared she was. She noticed she had started chewing on her bottom lip, a nervous tick, unsure of what to do next.

[Amadine]

Just as Valeri finished sorting the files into their correct drawers there was a polite knock at the door. She patted a stray hair back into place and called out "Come."

 

Valeri sat in her chair as the door pushed open to revealed Alina Sedai and a raven haired lass. "Sister, this is the girl I tested. Mylane, this is Valeri Sedai, she is the Mistress of Novices."

"Ah thank you for bringing her Alina." Valeri smiled at Mylane, to set her at ease, "Welcome Mylane, please take a seat."

 

"I shall leave her to you, Valeri Sedai." Alina replied and then swept gracefully from the study pulling the shut behind her.

 

The lass stood quietly chewing her lip, she appeared to be at the older end of the acceptable age group for Novices. She made no move to sit until Valeri prompted her again. Mylane sat in the chair and sat with her hands in her lap, her fingers nervously plucked at her skirts.

 

"So child, tell me about you and how you have come to be at the White Tower." Valeri channelled the teapot hot again with a small thread of fire. She poured two cups and wordlessly pushed one across the desk to Mylane as the girl began to speak.

 

Valeri Kinaea

Mistress of Traditional Novices

 

 

[Serick Kerani]

Mylane smoothed an imaginary wrinkle from her skirts as she took a breath to begin speaking. She had stared for a moment as the teapot seemed to steam by itself and the Aes Sedai poured her a cup. After staring at it for a moment, Mylane took it in her hands and let the warmth seep into her palms. When she started talking, her voice came out in quiet tones, gentle and soft as silk.

 

"My name is Mylane Dadric. I celebrated my eighteenth nameday in the spring." She knew she was spouting useless facts but it was something rather than nothing. "My father is a clockmaker, a good one, in Kandor. My mother..my mother is a hard woman. I am the youngest in my family and the only one, besides my dead brother, to leave our village. I met Alina Sedai in my father's shop. I guess she wanted a clock made and heard of father's skill. I have wanted to come to the White Tower for a while, ever since I read about it in one of my books. Alina Sedai tested me by having me stare into her necklace and clear my mind. I don't really remember what she had me do after that. All I remember is the stone sparkling and then she was telling my father I was going with her and to be ready to leave the next morning."

 

Mylane paused to drink from her tea and then she started again, her voice still soft and gentle.

 

"My father let me take his horse, Daena, and we had a great dinner that night. My mother...she gave me the only present she has ever given me. She said it has been passed down from mother to daughter in our family for five generations." As she spoke, she raised a hand to touch the locket that rested beneath her dress, next to her skin above her heart. "She said I should not forget my family. We rode for about a week to get here. Alina Sedai said we had to make good time and so her Warders pushed us as far as we could go without breaking the horses. I find the White Tower to be breath taking, beautiful and wonderous. Tar Valon itself is one of the most amazing things I could have ever seen, it surpassed even my biggest dreams."

 

Mylane looked down at her tea, studying Valeri through her lashes. Elegant and poised, the Aes Sedai seemed to be kind, almost motherly without appearing so. Mylane took in the woman's features, listing where she thought the woman was from. Saldean with that bold nose. The tilt to the eyes and their shape as well. She is pretty though. Mylane thought to herself.

 

"Valeri Sedai, may I ask a question?" Mylane inquired, soft as always. She brushed her hair back behind her ears with her fingertips, wanting a clear view, the long waves caressing the small of her back.

[Amadine]

Valeri listened as Mylane spun out her journey to the White Tower. She refilled Mylane's teacup as the lass spoke of Alina Sedai and her warders pushing Mylane hard during the ride to Tar Valon.

 

When she finished speaking Mylane looked down at her teacup, but Valeri could see the inquisitive eyes of the child studying her from beneath dark lashes. She looked up again and spoke softly, "Valeri Sedai, may I ask a question?"

Valeri smiled, "Of course child, i will answer any questions you might have that i am able to."

As she waiting for Mylane to ask, Valeri reached down to lift the Novice Book from the lowest drawer of her desk. She set it in front of her and folder her hands over the large book as Mylane began to speak.

Valeri Kinaea

Mistress of Traditional Novices

[Serick Kerani]

Mylane looked down at the book and her eyes widened slightly as the itch in her fingers began. What I wouldn't give to read something like that. She thought to herself. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

 

"Valeri Sedai...If I stay here..what will become of me?"She asked, her voice still soft and the hesitation clear in it. Her blue eyes shone with a need and she felt it growing inside of her. She didn't know what it was, only that she needed to be here and wanted desperately to belong. Her mind was reeling from all of the things she had seen in the past few days and she suddenly felt very tired. She sat a little straighter and kept her breathing even so her exhaustion wouldn't show as much. Keep calm, Mylane. You can rest when the work is done. She whispered inside her head.

 

She locked her eyes on the ageless face of the Mistress of Novices and kept her determination strong. This was the one thing in her life that she had truly wanted and she wasn't about to let it slip from her grasp. "Will I be trained or was Alina Sedai wrong about me being able to learn to channel? What if I mess up? I can learn fast and I know how to read and write. I'll work for my keep if I have to." Mylane was beginning to sound depserate, her breath hitching in her chest. She felt her depseration rising and tried to fight it back. "Please, don't make me go! I want to stay and learn. I'm not to old and I know I can be of some use! Please let me stay." Mylane felt her tears rising and felt shame roll over her. She fisted her hands on her skirts to keep them from trembling. "Please, Valeri Sedai, I don't want to go." She whispered as she fought back her tears. Pride had her neck stiff and refusing to let her look away from the older woman. The need in her was finally recognized. She had never felt truly loved or wanted at home and now she had a chance to prove herself, to be something. She refused to back up and give ground, she would stay no matter what it took. No matter what.

[Amadine]

Valeri could see Mylane's anxiety levels risings, admirably she tried to control it, but the banks burst and all the while holding Valeri's gaze, the words bubbled forth, "Will I be trained or was Alina Sedai wrong about me being able to learn to channel? What if I mess up? I can learn fast and I know how to read and write. I'll work for my keep if I have to.... Please, don't make me go! I want to stay and learn. I'm not to old and I know I can be of some use! Please let me stay... Please, Valeri Sedai, I don't want to go."

"Shhh now Mylane," Valeri said gently, "No one is going to send you away. If Alina Sedai tested you and says you can learn to channel, then learn to channel you can. The White Tower will not turn you away."

 

Standing Valeri went to the large ornate wardrobe in the corner of her office and took from it the shifts, dresses and other requirements that Mylane would need for her years as a Novice, including several pristine white handkerchiefs. Valeri set the bundle on the corner of her desk and passed a handkerchief to Mylane, "Here child, now dry your eyes and we will see about entering your name in the Novice Book."

 

Valeri opened the Novice book to the most recent pages and took up her pen, "Now child, can you please give me your full name, place of birth and your current age."

 

As Mylane spoke Valeri carefully penned the details into the Novice Book, she finished the entry with her own signature and the date. Setting the pen back down she looked up at Mylane, smiled, then spoke the words that would bind her to the Tower forever, "Welcome to Tar Valon Mylane Dadric. Welcome to the White Tower Novice Mylane."

 

Valeri Kinaea

Mistress of Traditional Novices

[Serick Kerani]

Mylane stared at Valeri. She was awestruck. I get to stay. I don't have to go. She thought, incredulously. She gripped the handkerchief in her hands and took a deep and even breath.

 

Welcome to Tar Valon Mylane Dadric. Welcome to the White Tower Novice Mylane. At those words, Mylane was rendered dumb.

 

"Wh-what do I do now, Valeri Sedai?" She whispered her eyes wide with shock. Mylane's mind was blank as she stared at the Mistress of Novices. After a split second her intelligent mind shot back into working order and she mentally shook herself. I can prove myself. I can do this. Mylane placed her fingertips on her lips as she started to smile in wonder.

 

"Valeri Sedai, are there any honorary titles I should call anyone aside from 'Sedai'?" She asked as the thought skittered across her mind. Her blue eyes sparkled as her sun-kissed skin flushed with excitement. She reached out with unsteady fingers and sipped her tea, noting the delicious flavor.

 

She reached back and checked her hair as she chewed on her bottom lip nervously. “What will I be allowed to study? Or read? Does it matter that I’m not that good with my numbers?” She asked, softly. She looked around the room, noting colors and styles in her mind, doing her best to catalogue everything she saw. Her eyes fell on the huge book still on the desk and the white clothes next to it. “Are those for me?” She asked in her quiet way.

Edited May 26, 2011 by Serick Kerani

[Amadine]

Valeri smiled as she watched Mylane's varied emotions play out across her face. It was one of the things she enjoyed most about working with the Novices.

 

"A Sister's name followed by Sedai is the correct form of address. If you should ever see the Amyrlin Seat you should address her as Mother."

 

“What will I be allowed to study? Or read? Does it matter that I’m not that good with my numbers?”

"It's lovely to see you are keen to learn Mylane. Once you have settled in your skills will be assessed and your education will begin. Some girls come to the Tower unable to read and write, others have had a noble education. We are used to have Novices of every skill level and so your current levels are not important, your lessons will be tailored to your needs." Valeri explained.

Mylane was gazing around the room, she appeared to be taking in every minute detail. Her eyes fell on the pile of Novice Whites beside the Novice Book, “Are those for me?”

Valeri nodded and pushed the pile of white garments across the desk, "Yes child. All Novices wear only white, it symbolises that they are beginning their journey. You will be given everything you need. When you get to your room will find a trunk there, pack into it your old belongings and the porters will take it to be stored against the day when you need them again. You may keep a few things if you wish, like keepsakes or hairbrushes, but the only clothing you may wear will be Novice White."

Valeri fished a small wooden token engraved with her own name from a jar on her desk and passed it to Mylane. "If you take this token to the Tower seamstresses they will measure you and make a set of garments to fit you. These here will serve you for now, but are unlikely to fit you well."

Valeri lifted the small brass bell on her desk and rang it, it was a soft chime which would not have been heard outside of the study except that Valeri had warded it to ring in the ear of the closest Novice or Accepted to her study, and they all knew that it meant that the Mistress of Novices required them to attend her immediately.

"Someone will be along shortly to escort you to your room and show you around the Tower, do you have any more questions before she arrives?"

Valeri Kinaea

Mistress of Traditional Novices

[Serick Kerani]

Mylane grasped to token tightly in her hand as she gathered the garments into her lap. "I probably won't meet the Amyrlin Seat though will I, Valeri Sedai?" Mylane just knew she'd bungle that meeting up. She knew her faults and saying inappropriate things at bad times was one of her worst. I think it would be best if I keep my mouth shut as much as possible here. At least for a while. She reasoned.

 

“How long does one typically take to gain Accepted? I mean, I don’t want to sound rude but it must be horrid to take too long. When will I learn the rules of the Tower? Am I allowed to wear my locket?” At the last question her hand went to the small silver locket on the silver chain around her neck. She decided then and there that she would keep it on her in some way, should she not be allowed to wear it. Her mother’s face flashed through her mind and her voice whispered, “Remember”. She would do her father proud and she would remember her family. She would make sure she made it to Accepted and then Aes Sedai, if she had to die to achieve it. Her father once said that her fiery passion came from her grandmother, well she would have to remember to give a thankful prayer later.

 

“When will I start my classes?” Mylane asked, lowering her hand and straightening her back again. I will do you proud, Father. I will make it, I will.

 

She tried to steady herself and took a deep, slow breath. She knew that her mouth was about to run away with her again so she clamped her lips tightly to make sure she didn't say anything else.

Edited June 22, 2011 by Serick Kerani