Veria's Testing and Oaths *attention James*

[Guest nephitess]

IC: The muscles of her legs stretched and contracted with each stride. Breathing deeply and exhaling she ran. He mind was centered and she thought only one thing…making one leg move after another. She did not notice the trainees looking at her…usually she would have noticed and smiled or waved to them. She felt an odd feeling that she needed to be focused this day…the feeing itched her in the back of her mind. Ever since her weapon training started Sana made her run laps each day, and Veris came to find that it was a great way for he to let of steam. She always felt relaxed after a run. Slowing down she grabbed her things and jogged towards her rooms.

 

As she headed to her rooms she ran into her friends. Raine her best friend was amongst them. They were talking about an Accepted that was seen being taken to the testing halls. Very early that moring…Veria did not dare ask why Raine was out at that hour. The woman’s name was Garada…one the would surely go red. Veria felt for the accepted…she knew her and wandered if she would come through ok. Garada was a stubborn woman and smart…but you just never knew.  Making excuses Veria left to go and bathe.

 

Once she was bathed and clothed again in her accepted’s dress she went to the library to study her history class. While she was there she found her mentee Audie doing some class work as well. Sitting with her they caught up as they had not seen each other in a along time. AS they laughed quietly together, Veria felt someone come up behind her…

 

It was The Mistress of Novices, Darienna Sedai.

 

OOC: I hope you don't mind helping a out a little but taking her to the testing? Thankx :D

[Sam]

There is much talk of the ‘Aes Sedai stare’; strong enough and fierce enough to bore holes into the hearts and minds of even the hardiest of recipients. Darienna Sedai did not have such a stare. Instead, when one was looked upon by the Mistress of Novices they found themselves weighed, measured and then placed in a jar on her shelf. She gave the impression that she knew where you were heading even if you did not. Power-drill stares were for amateurs; she could do it with her eyes closed.

 

Her mission today was to escort Zeveria, a young Accepted, to her testing; the single most important day in the life of any Accepted save Rory, whose perfect day—at least according to Darienna—would be one not spent in Darienna’s office. No Novices scurried from her path this day. No, they had fled the halls in anticipation and her purposeful stride did not compromise.

 

Conveniently Zeveria’s back was turned as she approached, purely incidental; no purposeful intent on Darienna’s part to say, spook her ... maybe just a little. It worked and Zeveria, like the rest, quailed and fidgeted before her. They were always doing that, as though perpetually guilty; true enough that they often were.

 

“Come with me, please.” Her voice was stern with a measure of softness. She raised her hand to forestall comment, turned on her heel and walked. Naturally, Zeveria fell into step behind her. There was no speaking, was easier that way. The pair descended into underbelly of The Tower, to a place no Accepted knew of before her time: the chamber of testing.

 

 

OOC: Hah, don't even ask why, just accept.

 

[Guest nephitess]

IC:  “Come with me, please.”

 

Zeveria Agotta was stunned. She opened her mouth to say…..something….her mouth went dry and was not able to speak. The MoN raised her hand to stop any comment and turned and walked towards their destination.

 

Veria was not scared, though maybe she should be, but she was concerned….was she ready for this? All her insecurities were coming to the surface. Would she be fast enough, would she remember enough? She and Ranine practiced almost every night for the testing. Veria winced when she remembered a night two days ago when Ranine got a little over zealous.

 

Veria was sitting facing the fire with Ranine on her unkept bed. Veria was forming the weaves, some would make loud sounds, others colors in the air. One that a bit more complicated, made sparks and swirls in the air that made you feel dizzy. It during one of these weaves that Ranine, who was doing the distracting, through a spark on Veria’s dress. This made her dress smolder and catch. Then more sparks from her weave added to the fire. In the end Veria got a deep burn on her arm that needed tending. It stung like a million bee stings.

 

Veria smiled at the memory….she had gotten Ranine back with a prank that had her sitting lightly for day. With a look from Darienna Veria stifled her giggle. Standing a bit straighter, more thoughts entered and fled Veria’s mind as she walked behind the MoN. They began to descend at a slow pace. Veria felt she was walking towards her destiny; she started to do some novice exercises and breathed deeply to calm herself. After what seemed like an eternity they arrived at the door to the testing room.

 

When Veria stepped into the room after the MoN the stopped a few steps in. As Veria waited she took note of her surroundings. The room was spacious and filled with the presence of the Ter’Angreal and the sisters channeling into it. The glow of the power and the shining spires of the Ter’Angreal made for a powerful light. To any channelers eyes the room looked as if it was noon day. With a nod from the Mistress they stepped forward….

 

A Sister covered in a grey shawl turned to address her and said…

 

“You come in ignorance, Zeveria Agotta, how would you depart?”

 

“In knowledge of myself.” She said with a surprisingly strong voice.

 

“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.” Veria had strove for this moment for along time. There was a time not to long ago that she wanted to give up…but she remained steady and got this far. 

 

"Therefore I will instruct you. You will see the sign upon the ground." As the MoN channeled a six pointed star in the air with fire, a sister in a yellow shawl channeled behind Veria, touching the back of her head with the weave as she said "Remember what must be remembered."

 

"When you see that sign, you will go to it immediately, at a steady pace, neither hurrying nor hanging back, and only then may you embrace the Power. The weaving required must begin immediately, and you may not leave that sign until it is completed."

 

"Remember what must be remembered."

 

"When the weave is complete, you will see that sign again, marking the way you must go, again at a steady pace, without hesitation"

 

”Remember what must be remembered."

"One hundred times you will weave, in the order you have been given and in perfect composure",

 

"Remember what must be remembered."

 

With the instruction ringing in her ears, Veria was led to the spot were she would start. Standing for a moment Veria closed her eyes and focused herself. When she opened her eyes again, she glanced at the MoN. When she nodded, Veria stripped and piled her things to the side.

 

Starting slowly Veria went at a steady pace. Her last thought before entering the shining glow was

 

‘Light be with me.’

 

[Guest nephitess]

 

IC: Veria blinked. She could not see a thing. Looking around, if you can call it looking when your eyes don’t seem to be working, she found the star. Stepping steadily and quickly she headed for the star. Half way there she felt something move. It felt like the wind as it tugged on the hair of her body. With each step the tugging became harder. The last few steps were almost unbearable. Breathing a small breathe of relief she embraced the source and began weaving immediately. When done she used her eyes to search for the next star. It was still dark and she could not see a thing. When she found the star she began her walk. The air stirred again and began to feel like jelly. She felt like she was being encased in stone….it slowed her walk but she kept going. Her feet felt like she was sloping through a mire. Getting to the next star she wove the required weave and continued on.

 

Still in the dark, Veria was confused as to why she was in the dark. Was this normal? Step. Sure it was a childhood fear, but she was over that. Step.  It was not like any of the sisters knew of that old silly fear. Step. Raine…..she was the only one…Step. Had the Sisters found out about it?

 

Suddenly….Pain…Burning….stinging….She almost fell to her knees. Stumbling she started to pant with the effort of working forward. When she got to the star she stood there and began weaving. She was already feeling the effort of the test. She felt welts rising on her skin and she felt them full force as she wove the required weave.

 

The test continued to be in the dark. Veria saw creatures scuttle by, men grab at her, women scream and other horrors. She saw her father turn his back on her again and again. Her mothers defeated and disappointed looks. These images came to her flashing in and out of the dark. One time she had to climb a steep set of stairs and was saved from falling only by feeling the ledge with her toes.

 

It was a tired and bruised Accepted that stepped up to the last star. Veria wove the useless weave. It was a weave the made popping sounds….thoughrouly annoying actually. Once done she saw immediately the exit way. A few smaller stars that led the way…..

 

Exiting the Ter’Angreal, Veria stumbled and shivered. Throwing her arms around herself she the shaking made came close to convulsing.  Darienna Sedai came quickly and put a ruff blanket around her. She led her out of the room and to her rooms in the accepted's gallery. After a few whispered words the MoN left her there to get some rest.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

[Guest nephitess]

IC: Veria woke with a start. It had been a fitful sleep with nightmares and sobs of releif when the realization came that it was not real. turning over she lay on her back. Veria was still bone tired but did not want to sleep any longer. The visions of night dreams flashed through her mind. What made these dreams worst was that they played off the sceanes she witnessed in the Ter'Angreal the day before. An imagined cold chilled her and Veria rubbed her arms for warmth.

 

She remembered seeing her father deny her multipule times. Each time with a more horrible sneer and curseings. Once he even through a knife at her wich she had to dodge. Dodge or be killed. Saw the men who had taken advantage of her and abused her. those where some of the worst dreams she had had that night. Though her dreams where horrific none comepared to the dream

she had of Kopair. She abandonded him, hurt him, left him to suffer. How Many times...she did not know. Was he killed once? Maybe. A deep breath and she sat up. It was only dreams...she knew that...but they still stung. She put it to the side of her mind. These feelings would have to be delt with later. The Misstress Of Novices would be around to get her soon and she needed to be ready.

 

The light of the late morning spoke of how long she slept. multi colored curtains moved a little with a breeze fromt he gardens. The happy breeze brought a scent of the roses Veria tended with so much care. With a groan she massaged her back and streached. Today was a day she should have been happy and bouncing out of her bed. She was to take the oaths today and end her life as a child and become a full grown woman. At least in the Sisters eyes, she was after all 37.

 

slowly moving her legs over the edge of the bed she pushed the covers off. slipping her feet into a pair of slippers she stood and walked over to the wash stand. Letting her shift fall on the floor she began to wash. she looked her self in the mirror. It was a mature face the looked back. She still had freckles on her nose, but it did not take away from the knowing eyes that looked back. She was in no way the wisest person, but she was educated now and could hold her own. Suddenly she became excited. Today she would choose her ajah and be able to travel. Veria needed that freedom, she had so many things about her family that were there for her to discover. She already knew which Ajah was in her heart...she had never really spoken it to anyother than Ranine. It might even be a surprise to some. She was ready to stand and defend what she beleived in.

 

As Veria scrubbed her teeth she walked to her closet and picked out a clean shift and dress. Only a few more hours would she ware this dress. The dress that symbolised so much of her life here. Each band a little bit of herself. She felt she had a peice of each Ajah in her. She loved to learn and gain knowledge. Brown. She was normaly not an emotional person, except when her temper got the best of her. White. She did not like to see needless suffering and enjoyed her time int he infermeray when sheworked there. Yellow. She loved to teach, it was a passion for her. Blue. She belived in Law and Order and the need for diplomacy. Grey. Red...well, she was sure that if needed she would be there to help out in their cause. Green, Standing ready....in anyway. It made her feel a feel whole the desire to be ready no matter what happened.

 

Just as she was finished doing her hair, fine braids in coils with curls falling down her back, a knock came at her door. Opening it she saw Darienna Sedai. Dropping a curtsy she followed the Mistress of Novices. The Mistress lead her to the same place she had done the test. thistime there was three sisters from each ajah standing in groups. Standing on a dias was the Amrylin, Annais Sedai. Her keeper was there as well, Aramina Sedai. Aramina Sedai Veria knew from the lunch and tea the Sister had hosted. The Amrylin's

voice then rang out..

 

“Who comes here?”

 

“Zeveria Agotta” Veria replyed in a confident voice. She definatly felt more self assured then yesterday.

 

“For what reason do you come?”

 

”To swear the three oaths and thereby claim the shawl of an Aes Sedai.” She was ready, she felt in her heart.

 

“By what right do you claim this burden?”

 

“By right of having made the passage, submitting myself to the will of the White Tower.”  With everything in her she vowed to honor the responsibily she was going to be given.

 

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

 

Taking confident strides she walked through the oval Ter'Angreal to the Amrylin and knelt. The Amrylin's face was practicaly unreadable...except for the small curve of her lips...like they wanted to smile. This warmth gave Her strength and made Veria fell more comfortable beingin her presance. The Amrylin moved and then held out the ivory colored rod. The Oath Rod. Taking it with both her hands, she could feel the Amrylin channel into the Ter'Angreal. Veria spoke clearly and with conviction....

 

“Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will speak no word that is not true.”

 

”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.”

 

“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.”

 

With each pronoucment Veria felt somthing delve into her skin and latch itself to her bones. She wanted to squirm...but did not. The Amrylin turned away to place the Rod on it's pillow. The mother then loked at her and said...

 

"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."

 

With a bow of her head, Veria stood and Turned to the groups of Sisters. She then strood to the group of Green shawled women, with a apologetic look to the Browns as she past them. With a curtsy she addressed the three sister ofthe Green Ajah.

 

"I ask permission to become a sister of the Green Ajah"

 

[Guest nephitess]

Bumping this for JAde....

[Jaydena]

Jaydena rolled from the bed and walked to the window, her eyes roamed over the ground below her as the moonlight shone on her bare skin. She looked over at the empty bed and wished that she didn't have to climb back into the empty and cold bed. She ran her hands over her hourglass figure and wished that she didn't feel so alone, that she didn't feel like there was meant to be something more. Padding across the room in the moonlight her feet fell soft on the thick carpets she had gotten in Illian, she made her way to the bathroom and began preparing for the coming day. She couldn't force herself to get back into the cold bed anyway, it just seemed like hard stone to her anyway. Time passed and she climbed from the tub, she looked down at her body and examined the bruises that marked her pale skin. She had been training harder than ever, not just because she was a Green and she knew hard times were coming but also because it helped take away the lonliness. Jade walked from her bathroom and stepped toward her wardrobe inside her room, she pulled her undergarments from inside and quickly dressed in a pair of tight green britches, a leather green vest, a white shirt, and knee high black leather boots. She walked to the side of her bed and picked up her sword and her short staves from where they leaned against the headboard. Hooking the belt for the staves around her waist one way she hefted the sword and looked down at it.

 

It was made of hard metal and it was likely to be her only bed companion, it was sad and true fact that most Aes Sedai didn't spend their lives in happy and blissful conditions. She would likely die on some misty battleground and would only be remembered by those who had known her and with time her memory would fade and the only trace of her would be her part of the Vault. Shaking her head at the way her thoughts were turning she strapped the sword on her other hip and clasped the green velvet cloak with rabbit fur lining it and slide her hands wearing her serpent ring into the black leather rabbit fur lined gloves and walked out the door. It was time to train and take her thoughts from the lonely and short life ahead of her. Leaving her quarters she wove a ward around her rooms and walked quickly to a tapestry of a battle 500 years ago or more. Looking around she pulled it out and slipped behind it, she jogged down the steps and ran out into the garden that was just beginning to awake. The light glistened on the early morning dew as the sun rose over the Tower. She stopped for a moment and took a deep breath, pushing the ache from her heart as she ran out into the yard and began stretching before her work-out.

 

Some time later she pushed the sweat from her eyes and regarded the Trainee she had just taught a lesson. He had swaggered up to her despite the fact that he knew what an ageless face looked like and acted like he was women's gift from the Creator and she should just jump into bed with him. Their spar had quickly taught him that he didn't want a woman with more power than him. She chuckled as she remembered his face and ran back up to her quarters. As she reached her quarters she saw a novice standing at her door. The young lady curtsied and said, "I am sorry Aes Sedai, I was about to come looking for you when you weren't here. This letter was sent to you." Jaydena thanked the novice and took the note from her, with a deft move of her hand, she embraced the source, took the weave off from around her room and stepped inside. When she opened the letter she saw that an Accepted had passed the test and would now take the oaths to become an Aes Sedai. This one was expected to go green and Jade was looking forward to leading her on the right path. Making her way into the bathroom to change and wash the sweat from her body she glanced around the room and then set her sword down next to the bed...

 

Two hours later she emerged from her rooms, she was now dressed in a emerald green dress with silver stars embroidered on it. Matching earring flashed in her ears, along with a necklace, and bracelet on her right wrist. Her hair was piled on her head and little sticks that looked like swords held the mass in place. Her emerald green fringed shawl with leaves across it shone in the light and she had adopted the serene expression of an Aes Sedai. Forgetting her weakness of the morning she walked on and soon reached the room where the child would swear her oaths. With a graceful glide she took her spot and waited for the ceremony to begin. A short time passed before the room had filled and the Accepted stood before the Amyrlin swearing the oaths to the Tower. Jade nodded as the woman stiffened when the oaths bound her and then stood, looking around the room, and then made her way toward them. She stopped in front of them and the rest of the other ajahs left when they saw where she was. Jaydena waited for her to speak and when she asked for acceptance into the green she said, "So you have chosen the green?" The new Sister  nodded and Jaydena returned her nod. "Well it's a hard ajah and a hard road, we begin it by taking you to our quarters." She nodded and began walking through the Tower with the other sitters. They had soon reached the Green Quarters and knocked on the door to her office, before she walked in and went to stand behind her desk with her Sitters on either side.

Jaydena Sedai

 

 

[Guest nephitess]

OOC: I think I’m back!! LOL

 

IC: AS Veria waited for the opulent Jaydena Sedai to respond, Veria felt the sisters eyes search her. She felt weighted and measured under those brown eyes.

 

"So you have chosen the green?" The Veria  nodded and Jaydena Sedai returned her nod. "Well it's a hard ajah and a hard road; we begin it by taking you to our quarters."

 

They walked in silence through the tower halls. Veria watched the reactions of the novices and accepted she knew. They all stared and whispered to each other. Some of the newer novices even pointed at her with wide eyes. Veria closed her eyes for a brief moment and let the annoyance go. Those girls would grow and she would most likely teach them. It was the way of the tower.

 

When they reached the green quarters, Sisters looked with unreadable expressions. Veria wondered what they were all thinking. Where they measuring her as well? Well she was used to it. Let them judge me…I am worthy. I have gone through to much to be rejected. I will be green!

 

The procession stopped in front of a set of doors. Jaydena Sedai knocked and then entered with her two companions flanking her. Jaydena Sedai walked over to the desk and stood behind it. She looked as if she owned this room. Scanning the room quickly Veria found that the room carried an air of authority. A large broad sword hung on the wall behind Jaydena like a sigil. Was this the Ajah Head’s office? If so that made Jaydena Sedai the Ajah Head. Yes that made perfect sense.

 

With that realization, Veria bowed her head and curtsied.

 

“I am at yours and the Green Ajah’s service Jaydena Sedai.”

 

[Jaydena]

ooc- This raising will be switched so that it follows Kabria's and Rasheta's in the timeline.

 

The young girl bowed her head and then followed them into her office, “I am at yours and the Green Ajah’s service Jaydena Sedai.”  Jaydena nodded and took a seat in front of this young woman, she seemed strong enough but these things tended to weed out the weak and immature ones from those that could deal with the rejection. They all thought they were mature and wise and reality they weren't ready for the things that were to be asked of them. More than one of them broke under the pressure, she could still remember when her first mentee had burned herself up and destroyed their practice area. She had barely survived the blast herself and it had taken quick healing from the Yellows to save her life. How some of these women made it through the test or the arches she just didn't know. Her mentee had killed herself because her lover ran off with someone else. Jade sighed, she had lost more than one lover and more than one warder over the years. Part of being in this ajah was learning to take the good and the bad and keep fighting.

 

She pulled her attention back to Zeveria, as she heard the girl shift her feet back and forth. Looking at her Sitters she wondered how long she had been sitting there drowing in her memories. With a small sigh at her inattention she wondered if she was getting old and needed to be put out the pasture. "Zeveria, you have chosen the Green Ajah and as such it is a Ajah like none other. What are your reasons for deciding that the Battle Ajah is the home for you?" Jade readied herself for the answer, she hoped she wouldn't have to knock some sense into this young one but she also didn't intend to end up with blood on this rug again. Last time that happened, Sirayn had had to have the rug removed, the blood just wouldn't come up. It wouldn't do at all for the recruits to come into the office and see the blood on the rug, might give them the wrong idea. Though it was the ajah where you were guarenteed to bleed after all. She almost grinned at that though and waited for Zeveria to list her reasons.

 

Jaydena Mckanthur

[Guest nephitess]

OOC: Cool Cool...

 

IC: "Zeveria, you have chosen the Green Ajah and as such it is a Ajah like none other. What are your reasons for deciding that the Battle Ajah is the home for you?"

 

Veria noticed a small twitch in the corner of Jaydena's lips. Hummm she wondered. What was this woman thinking? Veria Had the sense that the woman was smelling blood. A small shiver ran up her back but she hide it by standing straighter.

 

With a somewhat stiff bend of her leg in respect to the Captain, Veria spoke...

 

"I believe...no I know that the Green Ajah is the place for me. I have talents and abilites that I would put towards the bettering of the ajah. I have a fighters spirit and don't back down or give up easily..." that part hurt to say because she felt a coward concerning Kopair.." I know that if given the chance I would make you proud to have me as one of yours."

 

With a bow of her head in deferance to the Captian, Veria waited to see what she would say next.

[Jaydena]

Jaydena watched the girl closely, this is where it would happen of course and it wasn't something she was looking forward too. Zeveria straightened her back and Jaydena wondered exactly had made the girl stand up straighter. Was she perhaps frightened or sensing what was about to happen, or was she thinking that her posture should be better in front of her ajah head. The girl bent her leg and lowered her head slightly as a sign of respect. Jade arched an eyebrow and wondered how much longer that respect would last. Most of them hated her for years to come when she had to deny them entrance into their ajah. Zeveria was obviously a fighter and had a good amount of respect for her superiors but it would all change in about two minutes. "I believe...no I know that the Green Ajah is the place for me. I have talents and abilites that I would put towards the bettering of the ajah. I have a fighters spirit and don't back down or give up easily... I know that if given the chance I would make you proud to have me as one of yours."

 

Jade nodded and took a careful and deep breath, so that the young woman didn't see that she was fortifying herself against the coming storm. "Zeveria Sedai, your reasons and good and just, however you will not be allowed entrance into the Green Ajah today. Being a Battle Sister is something far different than any other ajah. We take on challenges that they cannot begin to understand, as such we must train in a way they do not. You will become an initiate of this ajah, you will not yet be full sister of the Green in the eyes of your future ajah, but to the rest of the Tower you will be seen as a full ranked member, for they must never know that you are an initiate. Once you have taken your battle weaves and the other things required to be a Green, you will come before the ajah and they will decide your fate. If you have been dutiful and fierce in all your studies and things required, there is not reason you won't become a full ranked Sister. You are sealed to us Zeveria and your choices are few. You will go on a tour of the Battle Halls and meet all the Sisters that are currently in residence. Do you have any questions?" She waited silently for the explosion that would come...

 

Jaydena Mckanthur

[Nephitess]

IC: Veria’s jaw almost dropped down to her feet. Even though it did not drop that far…it did drop a few centimeters. She was stunned. After all her hard work! After years of dedication and servitude… to be denied. It was devastating. She wanted to ask why… but she already had her answer. Veria decided that silence and humility where best at this point in time. She could yell and scream…cry…but what would that accomplish? She held her tongue.. but her hands balled up from the anger she felt.

 

OOC: Shall we stop there? I think this would lead into the initiation thread pretty well.

[Jaydena]

ooc- Yup sounds good to me!

 

IC- Jaydena watched the girl silently and wasn't surprised when she saw the full spectrum of emotions flash across the girls face, one after the other, like leaves falling from trees. She almost felt sorry for her when Veria remained silent and just stared at her with the look of pain in her eyes. This was followed by anger and Jaydena watched as she balled her hands. Waiting silently for the explosion that never came. She waited another moment and then spoke, "Well Sister, you have taken this far better than many I have seen in this position. You will do well in this Ajah, you show strength of mind and heart by keeping silent and taking this as you have. I have watched women cry and fight and even try and take their lives and you have done nothing. I hope that doesn't mean that you don't care strongly enough for this Ajah to say something, but I am going to believe it's because your a strong willed you woman." Jaydena stood up and motioned to Rasheta, "Rasheta will be taking you on a tour of the Green Ajah quarters and also will be showing you your temporary quarters, as well as telling you the things you need to know in the coming months. May the Creator shelter you in the palm of her hand." Jade sat back down at her desk and watched as the two women walked from the room, followed by her Sitters, before she started to write some reports...

 

Jaydena Mckanthur

Ajah Head and Sitter