Celestine's Raising (Edited)

[Jagen Sedai]

Celestine sunk a bit lower into the water of the warm bath she was taking, the last she would take in the Accepted's Quarters. She was still shaking from her experience only a few hours before--how long had the test lasted? It had felt like a lifetime.

 

When Celestine was called forth to test for Aes Sedai she thought she had misinterpreted how she was reading the Sister's lips. And then she had thought it was a poor joke, but Aes Sedai did not play jokes. Her heart nearly jumped out of her test and all at once everything she had gone through came to her mind. She recalled her life as a child in Yvel, expecting to grow up, marry and have kids, and perhaps take care of her father's book collection and add to it. She did not dream that one day she would be part of the most powerful group of people in the world--and that she would make it this far. Her biggest fear was always that her handicap--her difference, they taught her to think of it as--would have her eventually kicked out of the Tower. She felt honored she was chosen to be one of the few who would make it.

 

Channeling had actually come somewhat easy to her. Almost forty, she spent an average time as a novice and Accepted. Though where others stressed about channeling and learning weaves, that had come easy. What was hard was taking lessons from teachers that didn't involve channeling or reading, but listening. Since it was something she could not do a lot of her learning had to be modified.

In a way it had been an advantage though. She was a quick and rather determined learner, never giving up. She had even made a few friends along the way.

 

As she closed her eyes she thought of the tests she had gone through. They had certainly made it hard enough. The weaves were little problem to her. She had practiced many times from sunup to sundown when she had the opportunity to memorize every one to absolute perfection. But what had given her a disadvantage was how aware she had become of her own seclusion. As an Accepted she was allowed to venture out of the Tower, but she rarely did, letting the Tower comfort her. This night pushed her. She had been afraid for a lot of it until she began to realize that her fear would lead to failure.

 

Celestine was sure it was her determination alone that got her through everything. People and creatures she didn't recognize at first--Trollocs and Fades--they had sneaked up on her from behind mountains and trees, in small groups or in the hundreds--and she had not become aware of them until she turned around or felt tremors beneath her slippered feet. Other times there were men coming up from behind and grabbing her, to rob her or do worse, and only her ability in splitting weaves let her escape out of some of those. Even under stress she had come to learn to use saidar and that was exactly what she needed to pass. Long ago she learned to surrender to saidar and that was not a problem for her personality. She was calm and reserved, easy going and yet playful and with a childish personality, yet serious when she needed to be. Always though, her parents taught her to accept what came to her--as everyone always told her 'The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills' and accepting everything helped her to learn to surrender to the Wheel and the One Power to use the power given to her by the Creator.

 

After a bit she slipped out of the bath. She could not sleep tonight but if she stayed in any longer her hands would look pruny. She almost laughed at the thought, wishing for sleep. However she had already spent many hours in contemplation of what her purpose was, especially with how dangerous the world had become. And she felt she knew exactly what she wanted to do.

Celestine dried off slowly and dressed into a fresh, clean shift and Accepted's dress, again the last she would wear. Smiling, she looked at the different colored stripes and let her finger trace over one before walking out. She let herself glance out on passing a balcony to see the time. The sky was graying to sunrise. Someone would be arriving for her soon. Celestine spent a few more moments looking at the stars before going back to her room. She brushed out her brown hair, falling to her mid back in loose waves. She permitted herself a yellow and white ribbon in her hair and sat to wait, closing her eyes and thinking of the day ahead.

 

 

Her door began to open, snapping Celestine out of her reverie. She stood quickly and dropped a curtsy to the Mistress of Novices. She motioned for Celestine to follow. Silence was required now but that was easy for her so she just followed along carefully, but proudly too. She had reached her goal of becoming Aes Sedai after so long. She was lead forth to an area where many Aes Sedai were gathered--Sitters from each Ajah, she noted, and a Sister for each too. The Amyrlin and Keeper were there too. She gave her respects to them and cleared her throat. It felt dry. Their gazes seemed hard on her too. What did they think of Celestine, a deaf girl becoming Aes Sedai? I can be just like them; I will be just like them, she thought.

 

Her eyes focused on the Amyrlin and she kept her gaze on her face, watching her mouth move. She already knew the words and how to answer.

 

"Who comes here?" Her gaze seemed more intent than the rest of them as she spoke. Celestine felt small but tried to ignore the feeling. She fought too hard to come this far.

 

"Celestine Erebruz."

 

“For what reason do you come?”

 

”To swear the three oaths and thereby claim the shawl of an Aes Sedai.” I deserve this as much as anyone else.

 

“By what right do you claim this burden?” She knew everyone was asked this question yet it seemed so personal just then. Celestine took a deep breath.

 

“By right of having made the passage, submitting myself to the will of the White Tower.” I will continue to improve myself and show everyone exactly what I can do, she added in her mind.

 

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

 

She stepped through the ter'angreal before her and knelt before the Amyrlin. She was ready for this more than anything. This would give her her freedom to go out in the world and help as she always dreamed. Help others and maybe help herself too.

 

She felt the Amyrlin embrace the Source as she handed her the ivory Oath Rod. Celestine grasped it firmly as the Amyrlin channeled. She carefully recited the needed words.

“Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will speak no word that is not true." She tensed up as she felt the Oath bind itself to her. She nearly gasped but pressed on, knowing she needed to. "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.”

 

By the end she felt physically discomforted, to say the least, but she felt proud too. She was Aes Sedai!

 

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

 

She smiled widely. The Amyrlin named her Aes Sedai. She turned and looked at each group of women. Knowing not to keep them waiting, she began to walk. Many thought she would chose Brown for her love of books and studying, but she had another passion stronger than even what books gave her, and that was healing. She did not need to be a Brown to go around studying and helping to preserve books, but she needed to be a Yellow if she wanted to learn all she could about Healing. She took it as a sign that she had the Talent for Healing so it only made sense she chose the Yellow. Smiling, she stood as tall as she could before them.

 

"I ask permission to become a Sister of the Yellow Ajah." She bowed her head slightly to be respectful. A sister unfolded the shawl and placed it around her shoulders. Celestine watched her mouth a welcome and she had to raise her hand to prevent a tear from falling. One playfully chided her and she laughed gently. "Thank you... my dream has come true."