I'm here! (MoN, Sil & Syrien)

[silhouette]

Syrien was standing at the base of the steps to the White Tower, looking up at the two large wooden doors at the top of the flight of stairs. “If I have to live with these witches, I might as well got it over with. The Great Lord as given me power beyond my wildest dreams, and I am going learn to use it, even if I have to live with these Light-Blasted witches.†she thought, determinedly.

 

After slowly climbing to large flight of stairs to the doors, she pushed open the door they swung open silently. Syrien was amazed at the sight that stood before her. Girls in white crowded the anteroom, and a few women in white with rainbow colored hems, women with ageless faces gliding around and nobles and common women in long lines. The noise was tremendous and, after the time Syrien had been out by herself, quite overwhelming.

 

All the confidence she had drained from her, as she gawked. Even though the Children thought the Aes Sedai Witches to be Darkfriends, Syrien knew that was not so. What had she been thinking when she decided to come, surely they would know she was a Darkfriend and would kill her! With that thought, she spun around and rushed to the door. As she flew down the steps, she crashed into a lovely lady, slightly taller then her with a black waterfall of hair tumbling down her back. At a second glance, Syrien saw the ageless face. Dread knifed through her, Syrien know she would be found out, now she would die. Her only disappointment was that she would never get to use her gift again.

 

 

 

A slight frown of disapproval creased Nyssa’s brow. I was only natural that she was down at the main entrance hall, dealing with the many petitioners who came to the Tower. She was a mediator, after all, and the world required mediating. Yet she had never been fond of spending her days in that hall. She preferred a more… personal and dedicated approach to the problems at hand. That also allowed her to see who had the potential towards evil and who did not. She felt useless now, being as much a guide as an actual aide. So she frowned, barely noticeable on her ageless face. Yet her demeanour told people to stay back, and they did, leaving her to select the people she would contact on her own.

 

She was by now so used to the void that surrounded her, where no one dared enter that she was surprised when a young woman rushed, not just towards her, but against her. Nyssa had to step back slightly, dealing with the girl’s speed and weight. She would have scolded the girl, if she was just a novice, or just a useless farmgirl. At first glance however, Nyssa saw she was not. The child shone the way only one who could touch the One Power would. “A wilder.†She mused, observing the features of the young woman. As always there was a hint of fear and respect in the eyes. Nyssa imagined that even the commander of the Whitecloaks had that look in his eyes, moments before he chose to execute an Aes Sedai.

 

And yet there was more in this girl. Her anxiety was that of someone who faced judgement. Someone who did wrong, and expected punishment. Her eyes were remorseful, and yet also accepting of her fate. A slight smile curved Nyssa’s lips. Interesting. All this she learnt from but one glance. “Child.†She spoke, raising herself to her full, impressive height. “Has no one told you that running is not proper within the walls of the White Tower?†she looked confused. Perhaps even slightly relieved. “It matters not. Is there something I can do for you?â€

 

~Nyssa Deschain

Sister of the Gray and Black Ajah

 

 

“Oh, Light! No! Please don’t let her discover me! Please Great Lord no!â€

 

The Aes Sedai shot Syrien a frosty glare, and said “Child, Has no one told you that running is not proper within the walls of the White Tower?†Syrien let out a small sigh “It matters not. Is there something I can do for you?†she continued.

 

“Yes, I came to be tested, but I don’t know where to go. Perhaps you could direct me there?†Syrien replied. “Aes Sedai†she quickly added and bobbed curtsy.

 

“This way, child. Come on keep up!†The Aes Sedai immediately glided off.

Syrien gulped silently. “Oh no! Light! She knows I’m a Friend of the Dark! She’s taking me some where so she can kill me without so many people watching! Light!â€

 

The Aes Sedai stopped outside a white door with a little golden plaque on it, it had some writing but Syrien couldn’t make it out, the corridor they were in was mostly deserted there were a couple of people walking up and down the corridor with a white and black circle with a wavy line dividing it two, there black from the white. Also there were some girls dressed in white scurrying down the hall. “Light! They even have a room just for killing Darkfriends! Syrien started trembling slightly. The Aes Sedai raised a hand and knocked on the white door. A voice from within answered “Enter.â€

Despair filled the pit of her stomach when the Aes Sedai opened the door and beckoned Syrien in.

 

 

Since time immemorial did Faerzyne Grigory find herself lifting her head for the briefest moment, turning her gaze to note brilliant white blossoms scudding across a pale blue sky. A faint whisper of conversations held far below came close to her hearing and despite it all, Faerzyne found herself straining to decipher those cryptic murmurings; to no avail. A gentle sigh escaped her then and she inclined her head somewhat. The many little bells attached to her braids in turn began to tingle softly. Yet even the bells sounded wearily, as though weighed down by some malevolent force. The Mistress of Novices stifled a yawn, reverting back onto the book of Novices.

 

Every subject worthy of note was recorded there, accompanied by minute inscriptions which represented the voices of her hidden thoughts. The ups of an extended life that had already lived through too many murky events & matters of dark intrigue was that she had been gifted much time to develop an extensive collection of codes for personal usage. Another Accepted had ventured into the rings last night, and emerged triumphant as a person who had recently seen her past flicker pass, feel the last roots of her heritage cleared away for the destiny she was about to step into. The event had been recorded in her fine handwriting, and sadness bloomed when she realised how long it had been since the last raising had been held. Soon enough, the girl would be presented to a congregated mass of sitters for her choosing of Ajah; an almost symbolic act that dated back to ages long entombed beneath dust. Only then would the final stage be completed and the child’s fate truly entwined with that of the Tower. Her choice was hardly ambiguous to Faerzyne, as were few things concerning novices and accepteds.

 

Hazel eyes sharply noted the way her slender fingers so casually slipped between pages, lightly touching the sheets tightly bounded in leather. It was almost reminiscent of a dance, her hand travelling and touching every part of the book intimately, confidently. They were hypnotic movements that had in the past, seemed to hint at something more foreboding towards others. Faerzyne could almost claim to know the book better than she did her fellow sisters of the Grey. The oversized book was shut with a resounding thud. The book was a little worn for age, but the reservation wards set deeply into it did their task well. And it never seemed to fill up. Faerzyne had once paged through it on a whim, and located her own name, as well as that of the Mistress of Novices before her jotted down in distinctly florid set of handwriting. That woman had served this office for a longer time than she; an easy thing to determine.

 

It was of some amusement to be privy to information jealously guarded by many before her, privileged enough to know of things most sisters would sacrifice much to know. The period some had taken to be raised, of the length of time they had spent within the confines of the tower. This remained a book that held treasures of delightfully unexpected knowledge and her only regret was the lack of time to spend perusing the book. A tinge wistfully, Faerzyne peered at the sun again and judged the day still young and open to developments. She would rather that there were less feisty children to deal with lest mental exhaustion come besiege her nights as it often did these days. The rate of accomplished pranks had soared and so she had been increasingly vigilant in the setting of wards on the door to the office, nasty traps for whatever evil that lurked by. The simple wards would sound even when the night lingered its darkest.

 

Coincidentally, a tingling sensation then crept over her skin warned of approaching figures, quickly followed by that of a sharp knock of knuckles against oak. The lack of drapery allowed the sound to reverberate and she drew knowledge even from that sound and settled herself into an appropriate frame of mind. Experience & time had let this reaction to become almost instinctive, half of her already prepared for whatever that awaited. “Enter,†she intoned softly, a slim thread of air channelled to open the door. She rose imperiously from her seat, hands carelessly brushing the sides of her copper dress of Andoran cut. The opposing young woman was dressed in clothing that hinted her lack of relations with the ivory tower, for now. “I am Faerzyne Sedai, Mistress of Novices at the White Tower. How may I help you?â€

 

Faerzyne Grigory

Mistress of Novices

 

 

The door opened, and Nyssa allowed the young girl enter the office before she followed. The girl was unusually nervous for someone who had just arrived at a place where her gift would be appreciated. Nyssa eyed the girl wearily for a moment, before sliding into the office after her, and closing the door with a thread of air. She smiled at the Mistress of Novices, whom she knew far better than anyone with her reputation should. She had never been there for punishments, after all. But she and Faerzyne shared more than one Ajah, and that had made them… well, not necessarily friends, but trusted neighbours, at least. And people always said that it was better to have a good neighbour than a far away friend.

 

She walked up to one of the chairs in front of Faerzyne’s desk, and motioned for Syrien to do the same. The girl really was very nervous. Nyssa decided that she would watch the girl a bit. Perhaps she had the kind of potential Faerzyne was always on the look-out for. Faerzyne had a better eye for such things, and in general, Nyssa was inclined to leave such matters to the older Gray sister. “Faerzyne Sedai.†She started, bowing her head slightly. Let no one say that she was not respectful to sisters of higher rank. “This young woman can channel.†There really was no point in twisting around the truth here. The girl could channel, had probably already channelled, and now it was time for her to learn how to use her gift, not just incidentally, but actively. There were so many things to be taught. Nyssa’s fingers itched when she taught of it. Perhaps she could sway Faerzyne to leave this young woman in her charge? She’d certainly try.

 

 

 

The room which Syrien entered was not much bigger than a storage closet in Syrien’s disgusting parent’s house. In the middle of the white tile floor was a brown wooden desk, with a high pile of papers pushed to one side, in the clear spot there was a large leather -bound book, behind the desk stood a handsome and regal woman a little taller then Syrien. The Aes Sedai who had led Syrien here glided to one of the two chairs in front of the desk and sat down, and motioned Syrien to do the same. Syrien’s stomach started cramping,

 

“What are they waiting for? Their Aes Sedai they must know I’m a Darkfriend, their Aes Sedai!†she thought. She leaned away from them, huddling in a corner of her chair. The regal looking Aes Sedai said calmly “I am Faerzyne Sedai, Mistress of Novices at the White Tower. How may I help you?â€

The black haired Aes Sedai replied “Faerzyne Sedai.†She started, bowing her head slightly, “This young woman can channel.â€

 

“Why? Why is she telling her that? Why isn’t she telling her that I’m a Darkfriend? Don’t they realize what I am?â€

 

 

 

A respectful nod was angled towards Nyssa Sedai that was befitting of her rank before shifting focus back onto the new arrival. Fear seemed to have a firm grip on the girl and the tension was evident in every jerky movement. Hardly a rare occurrence in the Mistress of Novice’s office, but still a slight cause for concern; perhaps. The child’s fate would soon be tightly intertwined with them that would see her dedicating the rest of her life to the Tower in exchange for solid education amongst a myriad of other things. Faerzyne ran a quick, scrutinising gaze over the seated girl before nodding decisively, one hand reaching for the leather-bound book. “Very well then; the child is to join the ranks of the White Tower.â€

 

The feather-tipped pen was dipped into a small jar of ink, precise & economical movements that were executed purely out of instinct, habit, shadowed memories. Crisp sheets of paper were turned and in the silent room, Faerzyne observed how those sounds affected the child that sat only paces away from her. Yet again did she wish for an opportunity to read the minds of impressionable new arrivals as the myths of Aes Sedai commonly spoke of. So many things misinterpreted by folks not of the tower, news spreading like wildfire yet becoming so embellished that it grew distorted in the end. “Full name, place of birth and raising, as well as your age.†Faerzyne tapped the pen thoughtfully against her pursed lips, eying her subject, waiting.

 

“Do not be afraid, girl.â€

 

Faerzyne Sedai

Mistress of Novices

 

 

The Aes Sedai behind the desk nodded at the dark haired lady and turned her gaze at Syrien; she eyed her up and down then reached for the leather bound book. Faerzyne, at-least that was Syrien believed her name was, said “Very well then; the child is to join the ranks of the White Tower.â€

 

Faerzyne reached for a quill and started writing stuff in the book, while she was writing she said “Full name, place of birth and raising, as well as your age.†And tapped the quill against her lips. “Do not be afraid, girl.â€

 

Syrien jerked her eyes to Faerzyne; she didn’t think she was talking to her. Syrien opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out. It took a couple seconds for Syrien swallow the lump in her throat, she replied slowly, “My name is Syrien Kathzid, I am 16 years old, I was born in Amadicia and grew up there.†Syrien was having trouble from not crying out and running away from these cursed women.

 

 

ooc: will post when I get back from my exam.

[silhouette]

The girl was far more nervous than any novice Nyssa had ever seen. Of course there were stories about girls fainting in the office of Faerzyne Sedai, but she had never actually seen that herself. The young girl sitting there now, Syrien as she had introduced herself, looked as though she was quite ready to run away, or empty her stomach on the floor of the office. What was she so afraid of? The girl could channel, Nyssa could feel that clearly. Then why the worries. It was almost as if she expected that Faerzyne and Nyssa would turn on her any moment now. Faerzyne’s voice filled the room as she talked about the rules of the White Tower, and Nyssa’s eyes were firmly on Syrien.

 

As Faerzyne droned on about the curfew and the rules against visiting the Warders Yards, she also rose and pulled two white novice dresses from a cabinet. The Mistress of Novices told the girl she would have to tend to those herself. Then Faerzyne turned to Nyssa, and told her that she would have to mentor over her. With the words “It’s always best to be guided by someone you already know to some extent.†Faerzyne looked at the documents on her desk again. A clear dismissal. “Come child.†Nyssa said, offering her hand to Syrien. “Let’s find you a place to stay.†Reluctantly the girl rose and followed Nyssa out of the room.

 

“Your training will start tomorrow. I expect to see you in my room at the second bell. There I will tell you about the power you have discovered within yourself, and how to use it.†She said, guiding the girl through the halls of the tower. “You can ask any novice or accepted where my rooms are located.†Nyssa stopped at the novice halls, where she found a room with an empty bed. “This will be your home for the next years. Take good care of it.â€

 

Ooc: if there’s anything Syrien wants to ask Nyssa, now is the time :)