So much for a free day (Hallia's Arches)

[Hallia]

Hallia never expected the time for her testing to come on the bright morning of a free day. It was supposed to be a carefree day with her former room mate Kira, who had been raised to Accepted only a couple of weeks earlier. She had just stepped out of her room right ahead of Kira when she nearly collided with the Mistress of Novices. Valeri Sedai arched an eyebrow at her and spoke before Hallia could make any sort of apology. “It is time for your testing.” Hallia's eyes widened briefly, but when the Aes Sedai turned to make her way down the hallway Hallia was following behind. Glancing back she grinned nervously in response to Kira's encouraging smile before turning a corner. No turning back now, Kira would never let me hear the end of it!

 

Upon reaching the stairs the Aes Sedai led Hallia down several flights of stairs until the Novice was certain they were far underground. By then the butterflies flitting in her stomach had turned into eagles, Hallia was sure of it. Valeri Sedai led her through a doorway and into a large domed chamber, largely dominated by a set of silvery arches. Seated around the arches where each arch touched the ground were three shawled Aes Sedai. Hallia recognized the Aes Sedai seated, the closest being Rasheta Sedai. Nearby there was a fourth Aes Sedai standing beside a table with three chalices atop it whose face Hallia knew well. Carella Sedai was the one who had brought her to the tower, and seeing her helped calm the nervous feeling in her stomach.

 

Valeri Sedai faced Hallia and spoke “Two things that no woman hears until she enters this room. Once you begin, you must continue to the end. Refuse to go on, no matter your potential and you will be very kindly put out of the Tower with enough silver to support you a year, and you will never be allowed back. Second. To seek, to strive, is to know danger. You will know danger here. Some women have entered, and never come out. When the ter'angreal was allowed to grow quiet, they – were – not – there. And they were never seen again. If you will survive, you must be steadfast. Faltering leads to a failure.”

 

Not there? Hallia swallowed nervously as the Mistress of Novices continued “This is your last chance, child. You may turn back now, and you will have only mark against you. Twice more you will be allowed to come here, and only at the third refusal will you be put out of the Tower. It is no shame to refuse. Many cannot do it their first time here. Now you may speak.”

 

Taking a calm breath, Hallia spoke up clearly, “I am ready.” Valeri motioned her to come forward and stand beside her as Carella Sedai intoned “Whom do you bring with you, Sister?”

 

Valerie Sedai responded, “One who comes as a candidate for Acceptance, Sister.”

 

“Is she ready?” Carella Sedai asked.

 

“She is ready to leave behind what she was, and, passing through her fears, gain Acceptance.”

 

“Does she know her fears?”

 

“She has never faced them, but now is willing.”

 

“Then let her face what she fears.”

 

Turning to face Hallia, Valeri instructed her to undress before guiding her to the first Arch that was filled with a soft white glow. The last thing Hallia heard before stepping through the Archway was “The first time is for what was. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.”

[Hallia]

The way back will come but once. Be steadfast...

 

Sunlight. That's what the bright whiteness was that interrupted her dozing. Opening her eyes as she sat up, Hallia gazed around the clearing. It's getting close to evening. I'd better get back before Mother starts to worry. With a happy sigh the girl stood, gathering her basket that was brimming with different herbs that she'd been gathering for Laeral.

 

As she made her way over the top of the hill she'd crested so many times on her way home she saw her village, or what was left of it. Many of the houses were still on fire, and there were bodies in the street. Her eyes widening, she raced down the hill and to the home she shared with her mother. Just outside the house lay her mother in a puddle of blood. Oh no. Light, no! Hallia dropped down beside her mother and looked into the eyes of the woman who had loved and cared for her for sixteen years. “M-mother?” At the sound of her voice Laeral opened her eyes. “You're okay, thank the Light...Trollocs...” was all she could manage before letting out a moan of pain. Hallia gently tore the gash in the dress open wider where a blade had gone through at Laeral's waist. “Mother, let me try and help, let's get the bleeding stopped...you'll be okay, I promise!”

 

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a bright light. Looking up Hallia noticed a silver archway that seemed to draw her attention for some reason. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast. Shaking her head, she looked back down at her mother, then back up at the archway. As Hallia started to stand her mother grabbed her hand, “Hallia, help me!”

 

“I love you Mother, I...I...” with a last squeeze of her hand, Hallia stood and ran towards the archway.  “Hallia, don't leave me, help!” Hallia could hear the echo in her mind as she stepped back into the chamber of the Tower. Tears streaked down her face as she tried to swallow the sobs that made their way out of her throat. Mother, I'm so sorry.

 

Carella Sedai was waiting with one of the chalices from the table which she poured over Hallia's head while speaking, “You are washed clean of what sin you may have done and of those done against you. You are washed clean of what crime you may have committed, and of those committed against you. You come to us washed clean and pure, in heart and soul.”

 

The iciness of the water caused Hallia to shiver as Valeri Sedai led her towards the next arch. Hallia looked up at the Mistress of Novices with a hint of panic in her eyes. “My mother, she-” Valeri cut her off as she put a hand gently on her shoulder and gazed kindly back at her. “It is not customary to speak of what happens, but no one really knows for sure. The second arch is for what is. The way will come but once. Be steadfast.”

 

And Hallia stepped through the second archway.

[Hallia]

Hallia's eyes fluttered open as she looked around the room that had been hers for several years ever since she had become an Accepted. I....oh no. Oh no, no no! I'm late! She was supposed to teach her first advanced class on healing herbs today, and she was late. She could tell from how bright the sunlight streaming through her window that she was very, very late.

 

With a yelp she bolted out of the bed and over to her wardrobe, tearing a banded Accepted's dress out and throwing it on faster than she thought would be possible. Within a few moments she had made herself presentable and was hurrying through her door at a run. She was torn between wanting to emulate an Aes Sedai's measured walk and trying to salvage what was left of the class. She knew Carella Sedai would hear about this and be so disappointed.

 

The closer she got to the classroom, the closer her fast walk resembled a run. She drew a few disapproving glances from a few Aes Sedai she passed, but none stopped her, thank the Light. As she rounded the last corner to the classroom at a run she collided with another person and most ungracefully took them to the ground with her. Looking up, she felt her face flush as a wave of mortification passed through her. Rasheta Sedai stood, her lips pressed into a thin, harsh line as she scowled at Hallia. “Accepted, what is the meaning of this? You're flying through these halls like a Novice late to chores.” Hallia felt her embarrassment grow as she stammered “R-Rasheta Sedai, I am so very sorry, I was supposed to be teachi-” Rasheta silenced her with a withering look as she crossed her arms. “So it was you who left those Novices for so long without a teacher. Come with me right now, we're going to go to Mistress of Novices this instant.”

 

Hallia bowed her head in shame and started to follow Rasheta when she noticed that the doorway to the class she was originally headed for was now a glowing archway. Be steadfast. The way will come but once. The words echoed in her mind, and she stopped following the angry Aes Sedai and turned towards the doorway. “What are you doing, fool girl, do you not listen when an Aes Sedai speaks?” But her words fell on deaf ears as Hallia walked faster towards the archway. “You'll not sit for a month, girl, if you do not obey this instant!” Hallia slowed for a moment, conflicted between doing as she had been taught and the urge to go through the archway. She steeled herself and stepped through, emerging back into the testing Chamber.

 

Cold water was again poured over Hallia's head and Carella Sedai spoke again, “You are washed clean of false pride. You are washed clean of false ambition. You come to us washed clean, in heart and soul.” As Valeri walked her towards the third archway Hallia glanced to where Rasheta sat on the ground. The feeling of shame returned and her face flushed, but she continued alongside Valeri.

 

The Mistress of Novices stepped back as they reached the third archway. “The third time is for what will be. Be steadfast for the way back will come but once.”

 

Hallia stepped through the third archway with as much courage as she could muster.

[Hallia]

Be steadfast for the way back will come but once...

 

“Hallia...Hallia? Is everything well?” Hallia shook her head to clear it for a moment before looking up at the unfamiliar...or...was it familiar face speaking to her. Grasping the horn of the saddle she found herself seated upon, she smiled at the woman riding beside her. “I'm fine, Kira. I think I just dozed off for a moment there.” She gazed around, seeing the landscape was familiar. “Light, we're almost to Blackmount! It's just ahead!” Kira laughed, nodding her head. “Don't I know, it's all you've talked about for most of the morning. I wondered what was wrong when you'd stopped!” With a laugh, Hallia urged her horse to a faster trot. After nearly thirty years of being an Aes Sedai, she was finally getting to see the small village she'd been raised in. She was especially happy because her closest friend and confidant was making the trip with her as they'd promised to do as Novices.

 

Feeling a momentary surge of worry as she topped the very same hill she had a young girl she eased the horse to a stop and looked around, a frown marring her perfected Aes Sedai serenity. Kira brought her own mount to a stop next to Hallia. “Is something wrong? I bet that Warder of yours will catch up with us in no time. He's probably just scouting the area, if that's what you're worried about.” Hallia turned to make a smart retort when she saw the large bolt whiz by Kira. “Trollocs!” Wheeling her horse Hallia embraced Saidar, feeling a conflict in her chest between the joy of embracing the Source and hate at the sight of those beasts as they tore through the treeline. But she wasn't a little girl this time to be chased in fear for her life.

 

Glancing around the area to see if there were any more of the creatures in the area, Hallia noticed in the treeline nearby a silver archway. She felt drawn to it, but she knew she had to stay and help Kira defend the village. Be steadfast... Her head turned back towards the advancing Trollocs briefly before shaking her head and heading towards the archway. “Hallia, what are you doing? We have to save them! Hallia? Where are you going?” She gritted her teeth in anger and moved at a run towards the arch, hating herself for leaving.

 

Hallia burst through the archway, skidding to a stop as she realized where she was. The Amyrlin Seat was waiting along with a sister from each Ajah arrayed on either side of her. Her heart finally started to calm to a normal cadence as she stepped in front of the Amyrlin and knelt. The cold water actually felt good as it was poured out of the chalice and onto Hallia's head. She could hear the words of the Amyrlin then, “You are washed clean of Hallia Shessair of Kandor. You are washed clean of all ties that bind you to the world. You come to us washed clean in heart and soul. You are Hallia Shessair, Accepted of the White Tower.”

 

“You are sealed to us, now. Welcome, daughter,” says the Amyrlin Seat. She then handed chalice to one of the shawled sisters beside her and produced a Great Serpent ring, slipping it onto Hallia's third finger of her left hand as she pulled her to her feet. “Welcome, Daughter,” she says as she kissed one cheek, then the next. “Welcome.”

 

Hallia felt a smile grow on her face as the warm feeling of acceptance washed over her. She was finally home.