A Reluctant Start (attn: MoN)

[Elwyn Avery]

The soft music of the Tinkers lulled Elwyn to sleep, but her dreams were troubled and she woke several times in the night. Careful to not disturb Enid and Averm she crept out into the night.

 

The silvery moon glinted off the towers in the distance and Elwyn pulled her blanket close around her. The nights still clung hard to winter, because the sun banished it from the days. Settling on a rock near the wagon she stared towards Tar Valon. With every day they camped in sight of those shining spires Elwyn felt her need grow greater, she longed for a city and a proper bed. Her heart longed for Bandar Eben, and her fathers estates but she held no childish delusions. Home was where she laid her head and her family was down to her. As the sun climbed high many of the Tinkers woke and began their morning meals. Elwyn had no shortage of offers for breakfast, but she always preferred to eat with Enid and Averm. They were the kind and loving grandparents she had always dreamed of. There was never a lack of hugs and she had always been treated like their daughter. That made today so much harder.

 

The three of them sat close around the fire, huddled against the last breaths of night air. Elwyn grabbed Enid’s hand as her own began to tremble, with a more motherly smile than Elwyn’s own had ever shown Enid ask what the matter was. Trying to hold back her tears Elwyn spoke. “ Enid, Averm in the last several months you have shown me more love and kindness than I have ever known, and I have come to think of you as family. I can never thank you enough for all that you have done…” She paused, still so unsure if this was the right choice. “I….When you travel from here I will not be going with you..I need…I am going to Tar Valon, to the White Tower.” Her eyes fell as she waited for the protests, but all that came was a sad hug. “ My child we knew you would not always be happy with us, The Way of the Leaf is not for everyone, though I do not believe you would ever do violence you still long for the cities” They both laid a hand on each shoulder and Enid continued. “You will always be welcome to our fires, you are like a daughter to us, but do not think you will go without a feast” For three days they feasted and the final dawn and the Tinker wagons prepared to leave everyone gathered to say goodbye to Elwyn. She promised to one day find them again and with tears in her eyes she headed towards Tar Valon.

 

The gleaming towers took her breath away, and for a time she paused just staring. There could be no city as beautiful. Once at the Tower she was ushered by a pinched faced young girl in all white. She was led into the Tower through winding halls until she faced a door marked “Mistress of Novices”. With a slightly trembling hand Elwyn knocked on the door and awaited a reply.

[Lavinya]

Faerzyne comforted the whippet of a novice seated in front of her as best she could. Her position as overseer of the White Tower initiates meant she more often handed out correction and punishments, yet there were times when she also offered a shoulder to cry on, for those in need. It was disconcerting at times, Faerzyne herself had never been one prone to tears or 'female' outbursts of emotion, yet to some of these girls, she was the closest thing they now had to a mother.

 

Offering the sniffling girl a handkerchief from her pocket, Faerzyne patted the girl's back lightly, from where she was kneeling in front of her, bells in her braids faintly tinkling with the motion. "There now child, dry your tears." She said softly, soothingly. The girl nodded, dabbing at her moist cheeks. She had been in the office now for some time, crying with homesickness, though now at least it seemed she was feeling better, her sobs subsiding. Faerzyne could hardly recall the words she had spoken to soothe her, but they seemed to work as the girl mustered a shaky smile.

 

"Thankyou, Aes Sedai." The girl managed as Faerzyne stood, awarding her with a smile as a tingling sensation passed over her, a sure sign that one of her wards had been set off. As if on cue a knock sounded on the door. "Off with you now girl." Said Faerzyne gently, leading her to the door. Opening it, the novice dropped a curtsey and scurried past, leaving a bewildered looking girl in her wake. Not clothed as an initiate, she had the appearance of an outsider, a petitioner perhaps.

 

"My name is Faerzyne Grigory, Mistress of Novices." Toned Faerzyne, waving the girl into the office and closing the door softly behind her. "How can I help you?" Waving to a chair, she moved behind her desk, looking over it curiously at the newcomer.

 

~Faerzyne, MoN

[Elwyn Avery]

The woman’s face was a comfort, she held the ageless look of all Aes Sedai but there was something more. Growing up Elwyn had seen more than her fair share of Aes Sedai. Her father was wealthy and his estates in the capital had offered plush accommodations to many people of rank who passed though town. Dropping a deep curtsy before sitting Elwyn used her most demure voice. “ I beg pardon for disturbing you Aes Sedai, but I have come to Tar Valon in hopes of achieving greatness by enrolling my name in the novice books.” Her mother had always said until you are sure of someone it is best to be on your best behavior.

 

As the eyes of the Mistress of Novices stared into her Elwyn felt as if the woman could read her very soul. And suddenly what she had just said seemed a web of lies. True once as a child she had inquired about traveling to Tar Valon, but her parents dashed those hopes. They had wanted her to marry the son of another influential family in Bandar Eben. In truth it had only been a curiosity she was unaccustomed to hard work and the picture that had been painted by the visiting sisters was not that of luxury, but of hard work and long days with little sleep.

 

Though it was more than likely only a few moments it felt like years before the Aes Sedai spoke.

[Lavinya]

Faerzyne gestured to one of the chairs in front of her desk. They were uncomfortable, but that was for a purpose. After all, those who spent too much time in them would deserve the discomfort. Those who did not were merely reminded of the fact that they should not misbehave, in order to avoid the discomfort that came with the chairs. The young woman, who had identified herself as Elwyn sat down. Faerzyne folded her hands in front of her on the desk, and studied the girl intently for a moment. Not that she could judge if the girl would be worth anything just yet, but at least she would be able to see how nervous the girl was. Those who were most nervous often were the ones who wanted it most.

 

“Tell me, child…” She started, deliberately using the word child. She would become accustomed to it before she was raised to Aes Sedai, and Faerzyne saw no point in shielding the girl from what would be her reality during the next twenty years of her life, if she turned out to be worthy of staying. “Have you been tested?” The girl shook her head, indicating that she had not been tested, or perhaps that she didn’t even know what the test entailed. Faerzyne smiled reassuringly at the young woman, and opened one of the drawers of her desk. There was only one item in the drawer. A gray, clear gem that she had received from the former Mistress of Novices.

 

Slowly she rose from her seat, and walked to the other side of the desk. Though she was by no means the tallest Aes Sedai within the White Tower, she imagined that she must come across as being a giantess to the young woman sitting in the uncomfortable chair. She knelt in front of her, trying to relax the young woman a little. The test would be hard enough as it was without Elwyn being terrified of her. “Clear your mind completely, and focus on the stone.” She said. The girl did, staring at the stone intently. Time passed, and Faerzyne worried that her arm would cramp up before the girl showed any sign of potential. Just as she thought there would be nothing, s light flickered within the stone. Faerzyne smiled, and rose again. As she walked back to her side of the desk, she imagined she felt the surprise in the eyes of the girl as they settled on her back.

 

“Congratulations, dear. You can learn to channel.”

 

 

Faerzyne Grigory

Mistress of Novices

Ooc: rp your reaction to finding out you can channel.