Finally the Shawl

[Matalina]

Six years Kate had been an Accepted. It must be nearing time to become an Aes Sedai. Many that were raised before or after her had already been called. Kate knew her day would come soon. She knew where she wanted to go, she showed promise in healing. She wasn't the best in the world, but she learned and augmented what she couldn't do with the one power with her knowledge of herbs. Kate enjoyed the other aspects of the learning, and she was eager to get to her real purpose if only she could be Aes Sedai . That was the true goal of coming to the White Tower so many years ago. The Great Lord had a plan and she would follow it to the end. She would one day be Aes Sedai and fulfill her purpose and follow her mother's path to glory. It would happen one day.

 

****

 

Months, after Kate's musings the Mistress of Novices came to her, “Kate al'Ker, you are summoned to be tested for the shawl of an Aes Sedai, the light keep you whole and see you safe.”

 

Kate followed her to the depths of the White Tower. They went constantly down into the stone depths of the tower until they came to two large doors that looked like they could have belonged to a castle gate. The Mistress of Novices channeled and the doors swung open quietly with air, not making a sound. the room she stepped in to was a large domed chamber with lamps all around. An oval ring was in the middle of the room that glittered in the light that seemed to stand unsupported. One Aes Sedai from each Ajah was standing in a ring around the room and The Mistress of Novices raised her voice saying “Attend.” All the sisters gathered to them and then The Mistress of Novices began a line of questioning.

 

“You come in ignorance Kate al'Ker, how would you depart?”

 

Kate spoke serenely, even though her stomach was full of butterflies. “In Knowledge of Myself.”

 

 

“For what reason have you been summoned here?”

 

 

“To be tried”.

 

 

“For what reason should you be tried?”

 

 

“So that I may learn whether I am worthy.”

 

 

“For what would you be found worthy?”

 

 

“To wear the shawl.” It was almost a relief to say these last words and to begin the trials before her. Kate knew she was ready or as ready as she could ever be.

 

It was time to do what she had been training for these past 6 years. The perfection of weaves in order without fail. To mess a weave up would mean to fail and to be put out of the White Tower a failure. Kate had been practicing and the other girls around her when they helped had not taken it easy on her. She hadn't wanted them too, but Kate was far more vicious than most of the girls, and they returned the favor to the best of their abilities. Though Kate was sure she had always bested them in that department. She had after all been training to do much more than what she allowed herself to get away with in practice.

 

But Kate was not prepared for the 100 weaves exacted by trained and seasoned Aes Sedai. Kate nearly failed in a few of the weaves but she persevered. She made it through the trollocs, and the bee stings and the various other horrendous punishments they put her through. She was proud she had done so. She would be Aes Sedai.

 

It had been a trying ordeal and now she was to spend the night in seclusion to reflect on what was about to transpire. What it meant to be Aes Sedai. Kate was sure that her idea of being Aes Sedai was much different that what others thought. Her basic definition was of course the same. The duties and responsibilities of being an Aes Sedai had been drilled into her since day one. Decorum, Serene, Perfect in all respects were all but a few things she had learned to do, or at least to their definition.

 

Kate knew she had a greater purpose, one that the Great Lord would see her on as soon as she reached the yellow shawl. As her mother before her had taken the big step to becoming a servant of the Great Lord, Kate knew it was in her destiny. She'd been a servant of his since she was twelve years old. Not much a 12 year old can do, but she trained under her mother and Demus and learned the ways of the assassin. Kate couldn't wait to be able to continue her mother's work. She had an advantage over her mother. She could kill without ever having to touch the person, get to know them or even how to get close. It was as simple as being in the same room to cause a man's heart to stop or a woman to drown in her bathtub in a public bath house. It was simple and Kate knew she would be good at it.

 

But that really wasn't what tonight was suppose to be about. But then it was. It was a reflection on what she was about to become. And she was not the average Accepted. She was not an average novice when she came to the White Tower. Kate had been raised to respect and be in awe of the One Power and Aes Sedai. She now knew that it was more than just her mother's training, but what Aes Sedai really believed in. Her mother at the end despised the One Power, but she respected it. She even feared it, feared it for the same reason Kate loved it. The ease in which you can manipulate someone.

 

The Amyrlin Seat and the Keeper of the Chronicles stood at the door and the Amyrlin spoke. “Who comes here.”

 

“Kate al'Ker” said calmly. She only hoped she could contain her agitation, her eagerness. She hoped it didn't show.

 

 

“For what reason do you come.”

 

 

“To swear the three oaths and thereby claim the shawl of an Aes Sedai.”

 

 

“By what right do you claim this burden?”

 

 

“By right of having made the passage, submitting myself to the will of the White Tower.”

 

 

“Then enter, if you dare, and bind yourself to the White Tower.”

 

The Amyrlin was framed by the ter' angreal and the Keeper holding a velvet pillow with the oath rod sitting upon it. The entire Hall was lined the walls of the room as she entered the room. Members of the all the Ajahs stood with them, a sisters for each Ajah was standing with them holding a shawl with the fringe the color of their Ajah. Kate moved to stand before the Amrylin Seat. The Amrylin Seat took the oath rod and handed it to Kate. With purpose Kate recited, “Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will speak no word that is not true.”

 

 

The first oath settled upon her skin and she spoke the next, “Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will make no weapon for one man to kill another.”

 

 

The second was said, and the third began, “Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will never use the One Power as a weapon except against shadowspawn, or in the last extreme of defending my life, or that of my warder, or another sister.” Kate wondered how this was going to affect her service to the Great Lord as the weight of the oaths settled into her body. These oaths were going to cause problems if she was going to do the will of the Great Lord. The Black Ajah just have a way around it.

 

The Amyrlin spoke, “It is half done, and the White Tower graven on your bones. Rise now Aes Sedai and choose your Ajah and all will be done that may be done under the Light.”

 

There was very little hesitation in the Kate's walk. But she looked towards the Green, a passing and fleeting glance. She had thought that was her purpose, but she'd found a new and better use of her calling. She turned in the direction of the Yellows and watched as everyone else left. The Amyrlin Seat, Keeper, the Hall and all other Ajahs left. It was just Kate and the Yellow Ajah. Kate had made the final step she would be Aes Sedai. She had finally reached her true potential and was ready to reap those rewards. She was ready to fight for the Great Lord amongst the enemy. She would be there when he stuck the first and last strike against all those who were not on his side. She would be there at the Last Battle if her Arches were any gauge. Kate was ready.

[Wayward_fool]

Camigwen's heart fluttered as Kate walked towards them. It was a small group that welcomed her. Nothing that wasn't traditional. Camigwen looked at Eqwina beside her. The head of the Yellows was quiet. As she always was. For a long time, Camigwen assumed the woman disliked her. But she learnt better. The First Weaver was an Aes Sedai of few words.

 

"I ask permission to become a Sister of the Yellow Ajah." The New Sister, one called Kate al'Ker bowed her head slowly. Around the Yellow sisters, the other Aes Sedai prepared to leave, knowing that they would not be welcoming a new member today.

 

Camigwen waited for Eqwina to nod before gliding forward to place the Yellow Shawl around Kate.

 

"Welcome home, sister." Desandra, one of the Sitters intoned.

 

Camigwen embraced Kate. "Welcome home, sister." And then Nynaeve the last Sitter did the same.

 

Each of the Sitters then gave Kate a kiss on the left cheek, a tradition from long past.

 

"My name is Camigwen. I am one of the current Sitters, or Weaver as we are called. Eqwina here is our First Weaver or Head of the Ajah, while Desandra and Nynaeve are the other two Weavers. As the newest Weaver amongst the three it is my duty to instruct you in the ways of the Yellow Ajah. So attend. Our tradition as Healers makes us duty bound to ensure the health and safety of all within the White Tower and indeed the whole world. As you know our Infirmaries are a priority to our Ajah, and as an Accepted you would have received instruction on them. But for now, you have much to learn yet." Camigwen began, reciting the traditions of the Ajah including some of the secret histories only known to the Ajah itself. Many of those who sat in the Hall knew about them, but even then, there were secrets privvy only to Ajah members. There were weaves as well. Many of them meant to facilitate the Yellow Ajah's work of Healing. These included weaves that calmed the mind or helped patients sleep or weaves that produced momentary stedding effects.

 

Their walk took them to the Yellow wing of the White Tower where flamboyant tapestries and beautiful sculptures adorned the quarters. It was another tradition that the Yellows maintained the most extravagant of the Aes Sedai quarters, with each suceeding member's room decorated by the three latest members, resulting in a riot of colours and patterns. Sometimes Camigwen wondered if it was a way of revenge. Her own room had been toned down somewhat from the first design. But it was a necessaity. When faced with death and illness, the bright colours kept them sane and cheerful, Camigwen wondered if there was more than randomness to the colours assigned to each Ajah; the Yellow being a colour of cheer and happiness, necessity for those who Heal. It certainly kept the sister's spirits up in times of dire straits. As Healers, they could not afford an attitude of gloom, for they had a duty to their patients. Positivity was key in any healing.

 

The lecture ended as the five Yellows entered the main hall of the Ajah. Yellow sisters lined both sides of the room, many of them with Yellow fringed shawls. One of the newer Sisters, Pelsa Ornominde, Camigwen remembered her name was, held a huge bouquet of Yellow Phoenix Flowers. They were a key ingredient in many concoctions for cough medicine, some what of an expertise for Pelsa. These were presented to Kate, who barely managed to hold them with one arm.

 

"Welcome home, sister." Camigwen said again as she moved aside for the other Yellow Aes Sedai to welcome their newest sister.

[Matalina]

Kate was only slightly surprised at the welcome. Each sister greeted her with warmness. It was like coming home after a long trip. Kate hadn't felt this loved in many years. But she didn't feel quite at home, she missed her family. Her mother would be proud of her, so would Aiden. Kate sighed and then gave a women a polite smile. It would be worth it in the end to serve the Great Lord in this capacity. She knew it would all work out.