Daraniea's Arrival (Attn: MoN & Muirenn)

[Guest Far Dareis Mai]

Daraniea felt a soft breeze thread its way through her soft curls. She hadn’t had any trouble entering Tar Valon, the guards barely sparing her a first glance, let alone a second. Gazing at the grand spectacle that was the White Tower, Daraniea was reminded of her own country’s Topless Towers. She missed Cairhien. It seemed as though it had been ages since she had been back. Looking down at the one lonely stripe adorning her gown, her determination renewed itself, and within her came a focus. She knew not what to expect, or even really what she was supposed to do, but she was a strong willed person, and she would see it through to the end, if nothing else.

 

Her trip had been uneventful, to her great misfortune. Daraniea had thought that the Aes Sedai would have brought some sort of excitement with her, but alas, she had been about as exciting as a farmer plowing his field. She had left Daraniea at some point on the way to Tar Valon. Apparently she had more pressing matters in the South. Dismounting, Daraniea gave her horse an affectionate pat, and handed her over to the stable boy--who had appeared out of almost nowhere. Giving him the strictest instructions on the proper care of her mare, she gave him one last haughty glare, and entered the Tower.

 

The entrance hall was impressive. White marble adorned nearly everything in sight, and great tapestries hung on the walls. Daraniea could pick out several small groups speckled throughout the area. Looking down at the folded piece of paper in her hand, Daraniea knew her instructions, they had been explicit. The first Novice/Accepted/Aes Sedai she saw, she was to ask them politely (though she had no idea why the Aes Sedai felt the need to say that, as if she were not polite enough already) to take her to the Mistress of Novices office.

 

Looking around the room, she spotted a young woman with a banded dress and guessed that she was an Accepted. Approaching her, Daraniea instructed her with the precise lilt of her Cairhienin accent. The Accepted gaped at her for what seemed like a full minute, before shutting her mouth with a tight click, and scowling. Motioning Daraniea to follow, the Accepted set a brisk pace through a hallway. Daraniea wasn’t bothered, even though her short stature made it nearly impossible for her to keep up without running. She made sure the Accepted stayed within her sights and took this time to straighten out her appearance.

 

After a short time, the Accepted led her to an old, oaken door. With one last sigh, and her best try at composure, she squared her shoulders and rapped on the door.

[Lavinya]

Countless times Faerzyne Grigory had glanced at the sun already, and before the day had ended, countless more times would be added to that. She sighed softly, and inclined her head a little, causing the little bells attached to her braids to tingle softly. Yet even the bells sounded a bit weary, as if they too suffered from a lack of sleep. The Mistress of Novices stifled a yawn, and turned her attention on the book of Novices again. Everything was recorded in there, after all. Everything that mattered at least. Last night another Accepted had ventured into the rings, and passed through them free of everything she had been before she became who she was now. In her fine handwriting Faerzyne made a note of the raising in the book of Novices. Today the girl would choose her Ajah, and her fate would become truly entwined with that of the Tower. Her choice was no secret to Faerzyne, the way very little that happened among the novices and accepted of the White Tower was a secret to her.

 

She closed the big book after she was done. The book looked a little old, but the preservation wards that were set on it worked well. It seemed as though it would never get full. Faerzyne had once paged through it, and found her own name, as well as that of the Mistress of Novices before her. It was interesting to learn how long some of her sisters had been here, and how long they had taken to get themselves raised. Wistfully Faerzyne peered at the sun again, only to find that it hadn’t moved a bit. The day was still young, and she would be tired and aching by the time it was done. Not that the work of the Mistress of Novices ever truly ended. There were wards on the door to the office that told her people were waiting in front of it. The wards would wake her, even if someone tried to sneak in when the night was at it’s darkest.

 

Just as she thought of the wards, a tingling sensation crept over her skin, telling her that someone was about to knock on her door. Soon enough the sound of knocking followed. The sound of a knock often told her a lot about who wished to enter. This was the hesitant knock of someome who came to her with a request. Faerzyne took a moment to school her expression into something a little less depressing than the look of fatigue she had had. “Enter.†She said, her voice calm and low as usual. The door opened as she channelled a thread of air to it. To whomever entered it might seem as magic. The young woman was dressed in clothing that suggested she was not of the Tower. Yet. Things might change soon. “My name is Faerzyne Sedai. I am the Mistress of Novices at the White Tower. How may I help you?â€

 

~Faerzyne Grigory

Mistress of Novices

[Guest Far Dareis Mai]

Hearing a low voice beckoning Daraniea to enter, she opened the door and stepped through.

 

“My name is Faerzyne Sedai. I am the Mistress of Novices at the White Tower. How may I help you?â€

 

After a quick glance around the room, lingering her gaze over a large book the Aes Sedai had before her, Daraniea stepped forward, and placed a small slip of paper on the Aes Sedai's desk.

 

"I am Daraniea Rysted, of Cairhien. An Aes Sedai has sent me here to be tested, and she sent this small note to you explaining why she is not here with me."

 

Daraniea could not imagine what else she was supposed to do. Should she have curtsied? Her family had no connections with Aes Sedai, and so whether or not deference was owed to an Aes Sedai was never brought up. Silently, she cursed both her father and mother for the oversight.

 

So she did the only thing that came to mind. She stood there, gazing at the Aes Sedai, silently.

[Lavinya]

"I am Daraniea Rysted, of Cairhien. An Aes Sedai has sent me here to be tested, and she sent this small note to you explaining why she is not here with me." Faerzyne eyed the slip of paper momentarily before waving Daraniea to one of the uncomfortable chairs that stood in front of her desk. Indeed, the comfort level was deliberate, lest one grow to accustomed to sitting there.

 

"Tested you say child? Indeed, let us proceed then." Faerzyne deliberately exaggerated the word child, somthing the young woman in front of her was clearly not accustomed to. She would grow used to it soon enough, assuming she passed the testing and proved to be posessed of the ability to channel. Bending at the waist, she opened a drawer in her large wooden desk and removed a smoky grey gemstone, before rising and moving around the desk to stand before the young woman.

 

Kneeling, she held the stone out in front of her. "Now, clear your mind of everything, and focus on the stone." She commanded, watching carefully. An age seemed to pass, and Faerzyne feared her knees would cramp into a permanently bent position if she was forced to kneel any longer. Just as she was about to calmly inform the girl she did not have the gift she sought when a light flickered to life within the gem. Brief as it had been, it was evident in itself.

 

Lifting herself, she smiled at the shocked looking girl.

 

"Congratulations child. You can channel."

[Guest Far Dareis Mai]

"Tested you say child? Indeed, let us proceed then."

 

At the word child, Daraniea visibly winced. Since she was visibly not a child, and the Aes Sedai was obviously testing her temper, she decided to forgive her this slight. She had anticipated a certain amount of condescending behaviour from Aes Sedai, so this was something she could tolerate, for now.

 

"Now, clear your mind of everything, and focus on the stone."

 

Daraniea took a deep breath, and did her very best to clear her mind. It still irked her to be referred to as a child, but she managed after some time to let go of her anger. Letting her mind go completely blank, her eyes bored into the stone until she felt as though she were one with it. After what seemed a lifetime, she felt a split second of something else, and then it was gone. Looking up at the Aes Sedai, she was suprised to see the lady was smiling.

 

"Congratulations child. You can channel."

 

Gah! There was that wretched word again! Daraniea's eyes popped for a second, but she was sure this was some kind of test. The Aes Sedai could not be deliberately calling her child....could she? Swallowing the words that almost instantly rose in her throat, she eyed the woman, and said:

 

"Well I'm glad it is so. What is the next step?"

 

Although the Aes Sedai's tone irritated her, she couldn't suppress her excitement. Not only was she going to become an all powerful Aes Sedai, but she was going to achieve the fame she and her family deserved. She couldn't wait to get started!

[Lavinya]

"Well I'm glad it is so. What is the next step?" The girl revealed some of her annoyance in her crips tone, something Faerzyne would instantly rebuke in any other Novice or Accepted in the tower. Yet Daraniea was new - she would escape chastisement for now, until she learnt proper respect for her place. That would not take long in the tower.

 

"Next we make your stay a little more permanent." She replied as she reached for the impressive volume on her desk. Opening it to the newest page, she held her pen poised over the paper. "If you could again tell me your name, origins, and age?" Faerzyne wrote with a neat, steady hand as the girl answered. When that was done she wrote a quick summons for a mentor for the child, handing it to a passing novice to deliver post haste. Turning back to the room, she retrieved two white dressed from a cupboard against the wall, and handed them to Daraniea. "These are to be yours, and are to be worn at all times. You will keep them clean and well mended." With a nod, she seated herself behind the desk once more.

 

As Faerzyne waited for Muirenn to arrive, she gave the newest novice a brief run down of the rules she would have to adhere to - curfew, classes, staying away from the Warders Yards, and chores. Just as she was about to ask if the girl had any questions, a knock sounded on her door, no doubt the arrival of the requested Sedai. "Enter." She called, nodding to the Red Sister as she entered.

 

"Muirenn Sedai, this is our newest novice, Daraniea. I trust I can leave her in your capable hands, that you will answer any of her queries?" A raised brow in question, before turning back to the work on her desk, a clear dismissal for mentor and mentee to take their leave.

[Muirenn]

Well, now, this was certainly interesting. Muirenn scanned the note the novice had just delivered. A new protege would certainly be interesting. And she supposed that it was time, now that she was again tied to Tar Valon as a Sitter. That child of a Mistress of Novices didn't have to sound so imperious. Although, if the woman had any inkling of Muirenn's true standing in relation to herself...well, her behaviour would certainly be much different.

 

Well, time to go meet this new child. Muirenn sighed, the untrained novices always were the worst. At least the Accepted had proven themselves already...somewhat. And they usually only bothered her when it pertained to the Red Ajah. Which was how she liked it. She would see what this girl had to offer.

 

As Muirenn arrived at Faerzyne's door, she knocked briskly and entered. No point in waiting when you had been asked in already. She almost sighed when she saw the tiny girl sitting there. Not another Cairhienin! They were the worst to train. So many bad habits to break. Likely, this is why she had been asked to take the child, her Talent would make things much simpler than another mentor would have. Muirenn nodded quickly to the Mistress of Novices speech, "Of course. Child, bring your things."

 

She began to walk briskly out, leading the girl to her new quarters. As they walked, Muirenn began to explain the basics of novice rules. "Have you any questions?"

[Guest Far Dareis Mai]

With a last glance at the Mistress of Novices, Daraniea followed this new Aes Sedai silently. While Muirenn Sedai was droning on about the rules, Daraniea took the time to study the woman from the corner of her eye. Her face was expectedly ageless, though her hair had gone completely white. She carried herself with a confidence and arrogance that Daraniea silently envied.

 

When Daraniea surmised that the woman was winding down on her well-rehearsed spiel, she began to gaze about the Tower, and give it the admiration it was due. The place was truly spectacular. Long columns adorned the Halls, with marble as far as the eye could see. She wondered where Aes Sedai aquired all their money, but then Muirenn Sedai jolted her thoughts with "Have you any questions?", Daraniea felt the need to be honest and ask,

 

"Yes, Muirenn Sedai. How long am I to be a Novice? And why is everyone referring to me as a child? It rankles, just a tiny bit."

 

More like a whole lot, but what would the Aes Sedai know?

[Muirenn]

Muirenn smile slightly at the eagerness of youth. "You are to be a novice until you are ready to become an Accepted or you are put out of the Tower because you are not strong enough to continue or have caused us too much trouble. But do not be too dismayed, once the Tower has ahold of you, it does not easily let go. However, there are some infractions that will get you removed from the Tower immediately. Dalliances with the Tower Guard trainees, continuous insubordination, thing such as those."

 

She smiled again as the girl told her she was irritated by being referred to as child. More than a bit irritated, for Muirenn to be able to feel it. "As for your other question, I will speak of this only once, and only because you are new to the Tower, so listen closely. The greatest rudeness in the White Tower is to speak directly of another's age. That said, because you are new, I will explain things to you. Channelling gives many benefits to those who have the gift. One of those benefits is long life. I am by far the eldest sister in the White Tower. I have worn the shawl for well over two centuries. The only mark of age you will normally see on an Aes Sedai is a few gray or white hairs. Those hairs should be very much respected. With that in mind, we refer to novices as children because they are. They are very young in years and in experiences. They are also young in the use of saidar and must be closely guided in its use. Do you understand?" Muirenn waited for the girl to nod, "Good, because speaking of such things is distasteful. Have you any other questions? This is your first day, so you are not yet expected to know the rules and customs of the Tower. Because of that, I will be more free with my answers. This will not be the case tomorrow."

[Guest Far Dareis Mai]

Daraniea listened carefully to the woman's words. She supposed she could deal with being referred to as child, if Aes Sedai were really that old. Imagine being over 200 years old! That held amazing benefits in Daraniea's mind. Already, her wheels began turning.

Looking back to Muirenn's completely white hair, she thought the the lady must be very old indeed. Too bad she couldn't ask. She could already tell that this woman was going to be extremely educating. In more ways than one.

Not really having any more pressing questions, she answered quickly. "No, Muirenn Sedai, I have no more questions at the moment."

Daraniea was looking forward to learning from this woman.

[Muirenn]

Muirenn nodded and the stopped in front of one of the doors in the novice quarters. "Good. Here is your room, I am certain that your roomate will be eager to meet you. From what I know, she has also only just arrived. I expect you to meet me in my room in the Red Quarters immediately following breakfast tomorrow. We will begin your lessons in saidar then.

 

"However, your first lesson about the White Tower will be to find out from someone where the Ajah Quarters are, and which room is mine. I will see you tomorrow morning." With that, Muirenn left the girl and returned to her own affairs.

 

-Muirenn Lina Alianin

Sitter for the Red Ajah