End of One Journey, Beginning of Another [attn MoN]

[Tifa]

Iorwyn Tachi followed closely on the heels of Daiyna Sedai.  After a month on the road, she was glad to finally arrive, and to finally be free of the infuriating Red Sister.  The only problem was that she didn’t have a chance to rest.  She was now following the woman to someone’s office… the “Mistress of Novices”?  When she set out from home, she realized that she would have to become one of the women she hated.  She just hoped she didn’t become like them as well.

 

She was amazed as she walked through the halls of the White Tower.  She didn’t see as many people as she expected, but most of those she did see were wearing solid white dresses.  Wondering what that meant, she noted that they all dipped quick curtsies as she and the older woman passed.  In contrast, Iorwyn looked briefly over what she was wearing.  She had on a slim green dress, with silver hems and cuffs.  Her cloak was a simple, dark green with no adornments. Her long, black hair was pulled back loosely behind her shoulders.  Her only jewelry was a necklace, bearing a shard from her brother’s sword.  She never intended to remove it, as it was a constant reminder of why she had traveled here.

 

Just as Iorwyn glanced around her again, she realized Daiyna Sedai had come to a stop at a door just in front of her.  As she approached, the Aes Sedai knocked on the door three quick times. After a few seconds, she heard a voice call out "Enter". The Sister walked away as Iorwyn slowly opened up the door. She quickly observed her surroundings as she walked into the room, then forced herself to meet the eyes of the woman in the office and said, "Good morning ma'am. My name is Iorwyn Tachi, and I would like to train to channel. One of your Sisters told me that it is possible."

[Elgee]

Lists would be the death of her, yet. List of Novice classes, lists of Accepted duties, lists of flaming ink supplies! Maybe one of these days I will actually get to teach a class! Or heaven forbid, go for a ride in the country side.   Larindhra dreamt of getting on a horse, any horse, and riding for days without seeing a single soul. Almost every day, she dreamt of that.

 

Sighing wistfully, she turned her attention back to the list of punishments. It wasn’t that she did not love guiding and teaching these young women, but just a short ride would so wonderful. I don’t think I’ve stepped outside the Tower in … a year now? Dreadful thought. She would definitely have to get out, even if it was just to order some new dresses. She fingered the one she was wearing; the red sheen on the satin was showing a distinct lack of lustre. Yes, today she would go order some new ones! Larindhra started to rise, but of course right at that moment there was a knock on her door. Oh well. Maybe another day.

 

“Enter!” Still slightly miffed, Larindhra heard out the girl who entered. Saldean, by the looks of her. “So you want to learn to channel, child? Well, sit down and let’s test you to see if you can. She waved the girl to the chair in front of her with one hand, while delving in her top desk drawer for the gem stone she kept there. Finally locating it, she held it up in front of her with a flow of Air, at the same time feeding a thin trickle of Spirit into it. “Breath evenly and relax, child. Just concentrate on the gem and forget about everything else.”

 

 

Larindhra Reyne

Mistress of Novices

 

[Tifa]

“So you want to learn to channel, child? Well, sit down and let’s test you to see if you can." Iorwyn moved to the chair and had a seat. She watched curiously as the woman retrieved a gem from her desk. Her eyes widened as it then lifted into the air, seemingly of its own accord. She noticed when she began to smooth her skirts anxiously, and quickly clasped her hands together in her lap. She almost didn't notice the woman tell her to focus.

 

Still somewhat shocked, she took a deep breath and turned her focus to the stone. She sat perfectly still, or tried to at least, and just stared at it, not really sure what should be happening, but careful to keep her breathing even. Her thoughts began to wander once or twice, wondering what was supposed to happen to the stone and what would happen to her, but she immediately stopped herself and focused back on the stone.

 

She had no idea how much time had passed, but it seemed like several minutes before the Aes Sedai told her she was finished and the gem floated back to the woman’s hand. When it came to a rest, Iorwyn was very worried. Was she supposed to have felt something? Or done something? ”Well?” she asked impatiently. “Can I channel? Please don’t send  me away.” She couldn't bear to leave after making her way to White Tower. If she couldn't learn to channel, how would she ever be able to protect her family?

[Elgee]

It took some time, but eventually there was a resonating flash of light in the gem Larindhra held in front of her. Lowering the gem, she placed it back in the drawer and released the Source. A raised eyebrow showed her slight displeasure at the impatient and rather demanding query from what was now her latest charge.  The rather plaintive “please don’t send me away” went some way to restoring the child in her good graces.  At least this one seemed to want to learn, unlike some of the sobbing and tantrum-throwing young … ladies who had graced her with their presence lately.

 

“Yes, child – you can learn to channel. Whether you will become an Aes Sedai one day is mostly up to how hard you try. Are you willing to give up everything to spend the next fifteen or twenty years to achieve that? Are you willing to see everyone you know and love grow old and die while you live on for another few centuries?”

 

Larindhra thought it best to make sure the child knew exactly what was in store for her, before they went to all the trouble of teaching her. Better for her to leave now, before she had felt the wonder of the Power. It would be easier for her to resign herself to not becoming an Aes Sedai if she had never known that ecstasy. Of course, she might think now that she could do it, but she did not really know the hardship and heartache that was in store for her. No one could, until they had experienced it themselves. “A novice and Accepted’s life is hard, Iorwyn, but an Aes Sedai’s is much harder. Are you sure you want to do this?”

 

 

Larindhra Reyne

Mistress of Novices

 

[Tifa]

Iorwyn released the breath she didn't realize she was holding. She felt relief course through her as the Aes Sedai in front of her told her she could channel. She would give just about anything to learn to channel so that she could protect her family. She had not considered the fact that they would grow old and die, but she decided that even if that happened, she could still protect her people. Just as she was considering how best to answer, the woman continued. “A novice and Accepted’s life is hard, Iorwyn, but an Aes Sedai’s is much harder. Are you sure you want to do this?”

 

“Absolutely.  I hard life does not scare me.” Iorwyn finally decided that rather than piecing together a carefully worded response, perhaps honesty would be best. “I came to the White Tower to learn to channel, so that I can protect my family and my people. Truly, I did not realize that they would grow old and I would be left behind, but if that is the price, then I accept it.” She took a deep breath and steadied her voice. Why was she nervous? She was from the Borderlands, and had certainly faced worse than this. “I honestly have no great love for the Tower, for it is because of you that my brother is now dead. However, I wish to protect my family for as long as possible, and my people and the others of the world for even longer, and the only way I see to do so is to become an Aes Sedai.” She paused once more, before finishing with, “Yes ma’am. I am certain that this is what I want.”

 

((ooc: sorry this took so long. RL has been crazy. I've had three midterms, a quiz, two papers, a project, and a presentation in the last week and a half...))

[Elgee]

OOC: not a problem, hon - we go at the pace you can manage  :D

 

IC:

 

A part of Larindhra’s heart went out to this poor child. She had had very much the same determination when she came to the Tower, except of course that her only option had been revenge, not protection. Her family - her whole family - had been past protection. Other causes had been added later, but first and foremost would always be revenge. She would hunt Darkfriends till her last breath expired. She made a mental note to keep Iorwyn away from the Reds as much as possible. Eventually she would realize that there had really been no option, but that would take many many years.

 

Pulling her thoughts back to the moment, Larindhra gave Iorwyn a warm and sympathetic smile. “Our first order of business then will be to write your name in the Novice book, child. Where were you born, and how old are you now?” She entered the details, then rose and walked over to her little storeroom to fetch a set of clothes. “You can put these on once you’ve settled into your new room. We will have a private little ceremony later to dispose of what you are wearing now.”

 

She regarded the child for a moment, wondering who would be the best possible Mentor for her. Someone warm and caring, certainly, but since Iorwyn did not seem too enamoured with Aes Sedai at the moment… yes – she knew just who would be the perfect match. “Come – let me show you to the novice quarters.” She ushered Iorwyn out and set off down the passage, only pausing long enough to give her instructions to the novice standing duty at her door. “Child, find Selene and send her to the novice quarters, please. Tell her I have someone for her to Mentor.”

 

 

Larindhra Reyne

Mistress of Novices