Screams, shouting, chaos. Everything was moving too fast, too fast for a mind foggy with sleep. Eyes wide open, Taei looked sleepily at the chaos around her. It was like there was a battle field in her room.

Suddenly alert and frightened Taei rolled out of bed and towards her robe. Blades clashed over her head and all around her. Men yelled with their last breaths, others yelled in rage. Blood splatered over her clothes. The sheets on the bed she had occupied moments before were blood soaked turning the white to a deep red. Crawling along the wall towards the door she evaded feet and blades.

A foot from the door she was caught by a blade along her left side. Surpressing a yelp she lunged for the doorknob, ignoring everything else.

As soon as her hand touched it complete silence fell over the room. Fear froze her for a moment, but still the silence held. Gathering her determination she turned around to...

Nothing, absolutely nothing. There is something wrong here. The room was back to it's normal order. Glancing down at her leg where moments before she felt a blade gash her there was no blood, not even a rip in the fabric, and the pain was gone.

Suddenly aware of shouts from others in the hallways she quickly turned the doorknob and ran into the hallway. Her jaw dropped in shock.

Chaos, pure chaos everywhere she looked. Everyone seemed to have been awakened by their own personal terror. Still standing in front of her room Taei watched in shock as the scene unfolded. This must be a dream. It has to be...

A novice ran out of her room, seeming to be chased by the contents of her wardrobe, and colided with Taei sending them both sprawling. Looking up they found that the clothes were laying in a pile in the center of the hallway. They had just collapsed when the two touched. "What in the name of the Light is going on here?!?"

OOC: Anyone who wants to jump in feel free. :)

Smiling at a joke made at the table, Lillian was about to say something in turn when a hand tapped her on the shoulder. Turning about, it was Karissa who offered her a small letter, telling her that she had picked it up while she was seeing if there was any mail for herself. Thanking her as the Accepted left, Lillian put the letter on the table and returned to her meal. She received mail from her family once a month, and once every month she would sit in her room, read the letter and then pen a reply.

 

And so she waited until she had finished her meal, and had returned to her room. No one shared the room with her, so she was accustomed to the privacy she had now as she looked over the letter. The family seal was affixed on it, and breaking the seal gently she proceeded to take the letter out and read only to stop. The writing wasn't her mother's, in fact it was one of her relatives, Aviel Tremina. They had met on Lillian's way to the White Tower when she stopped in Arad Doman, Aviel had been sent to her family to learn the merchant's trade in Tarabon and take Lillian's place. That had been nine years ago.

 

 

Cousin

 

Lillian, I am sorry I have not written sooner, and even more sorry that I must put to paper what I must say. Since there is no easy way to do so, I will tell of it simply. Your parents wished to visit you, and transporting a cargo of Sea Folk porcelein to Tar Valon had been an excuse to do so. I came with them, and we travelled overland, making good time. We were roughly a week away from Tar Valon when we were attacked by a band of marauders.

 

Our guards put up a good fight, but if not for the arrival of a troop of Tar Valon's soldiers, we would have been overwhelmed. I'm afraid I must tell you that your father died during the fighting, and your mother shortly after due to her wounds. The troop escorted us to the nearest village, they call it Yarnmar, it is only perhaps five days away.

 

I've organised preparations for the funeral with the local people here who have been kind enough to put us up. By the time this reaches you I'm told, it will be five days until we hold the funeral. I've attempted to delay it as much as possible so that you may be here, but it may only wait so long.

 

Once again, I am sorry for what has happened. Join us at Yarnmar with all haste.

 

 

Aviel Tremina

 

 

Letting the letter drop to the desk, Lillian fought with the urge to simply give in to the grief that left her feeling hollow as she considered how she was going to get to Yarnmar. The letter had arrived to her a day late she was certain, which meant she had to make five days worth of travel in four. There was little chance of getting leave to depart the White Tower in order to attend the funeral, not in time anyway. That left only one option really.

 

She had to leave tonight.

 

How was the question, the White Tower had stood for nearly three thousand years and she was doubtful that she would have been the first one to try to leave without permission. Reining back a new wave of sorrow, Lillian ruthlessly shunted the feeling aside as best she could so as to focus on the task before her, she could grieve at the funeral.

 

Going to her chest, she flung it open and sorted through her clothes methodically. Underneath her never ending novice uniforms, she found some of her original clothes. In particular, she looked for a plain dress that she had used while she had travelled to Tar Valon, and found it still there in good condition. Also there was all her money, novices received pocket money, and she had never really had a need to spend it except on the odd item here and there. Added to that, more importantly, was the money she had brought with her, which was substantial. Substantial enough to get her from where she was to Yarnmar at anyrate.

 

Setting these things on the table, Lillian sat down and looked at them. She would need to determine a way out, and it wasn't going to be an easy task by any stretch of the imagination. Still, she did have one advantage that might give her the headstart she needed if she won free. Her behaviour had never been once call for discipline, and her record was impeccable. Suspicion would hopefully be late in rearing its head.

 

As long as she made it out.....

 

 

Nodding politely towards the guard, Lillian's heels touched the horse's flanks lightly to set it into a rolling canter across the bridge towards Jualdhe. The timing had been perhaps most fortuitous, as she had had little time to give in to her feelings if she wanted to sneak out. The Mess Hall for those who trained at the Yards closed not long after she had worked her way down there. Hurrying after the other cooks as they passed through the western gate, as if one of them, she managed to pass without notice. From there, it had been a matter of procuring a horse in the city, several of the inns in the city sold them for couriers.

 

Posing as a courier she had managed to make it through the outer gates and onto the bridge she cantered onto. While her flirting had simply been by rote as she'd spoken to the city guard at the gate, her cleavage had managed to cover for it and they'd let her pass.

 

Lillian entertained thoughts of what would happen when she was found out, but she pushed them firmly aside. Her family was more important, and she would deal with the consequences when they occured. If she couldn't do this for her parents, then she was not worthy of having been their daughter.

 

Passing by the last few houses in Jualdhe and reaching the road to Maradon, Lillian kicked her horse into a gallop. While night time riding was dangerous, on the main road she would be fine, and she needed to make good time if she was to reach Yarnmar in time. As she kept her eyes on the road, using the moonlight to her advantage, a tear fell.

 

 

Lillian Tremina

Novice of the White Tower

~*~ Sunset was a symphony of dying light and tranquillity. Washed out hues of vermilion and tangerine tainted with the spreading tendrils of darkness dominated the sky, the signal of night's arrival. The jagged peaks of distant mountains silhouette against the skyline was a breathtaking piece of art, with its swirling, silver mist that rose higher than the eye could see. Below the tower where she stood, forests with its gaily-coloured coats met the eye, ribbons of streams that had branched out from River Erinin now shrouded in a thick & rapidly spreading fog. Autumn was the start of melancholic days, the killer of flowers and the bringer of decay. Early autumn with its orchards laden with fruits and now, the end of the vibrant season had come, where frost descended to destroy anything carelessly laid out, exposed.

 

~*~ Wailing winds rushed through the open window escorted by shadows that lengthened, stretched, crawled into the room. Suddenly feeling foolishly afraid, Halvie backed away from it all. She had elected not to make another venture out into the gardens tonight, shunning the potential encounters of other occupants of the Tower. The night was young but already she was weary of both mind and body and the halls seemed to have an odd penchant of springing unpleasant surprises on her, which consequently would seep away energy she could not spare. No, she knew better than to go out during these moments of weakness.

 

~*~ The few flimsy pieces of parchment on her table ruffled in the wake of a fresh breeze. Halvie spared them a careless glance, crossed the room and slid a heavy, leather-bound book over it. She felt unusually agitated, almost as though she sensed something essential was amiss, something she should check or have completed but had left hanging. Moreover, she was tense with muscles aching to be working, as taut as a stretched cord. Why? She could not answer even that simply question to herself; perhaps she was finally feeling the effects of all the pressure that was building up to a climax. There was a tightening around her eyes as she frowned at the possibility, pacing restlessly in a tight circle. Everywhere she turned, there was a lurking threat; everyone she met a potential assassin or darkfriend; every scenario an event that could turn the tables on her. Decades she had spent preparing for the shawl and now, reprehensibly, Halvie judged herself incompetent in the position. And foolish. Sleep did not come easily that night.

 

~*~ Dawn saw the Green Sister furiously slashing a tattered straw dummy with saidar, many a golden stalks sticking haphazardly upon her as she whirled around to attack yet another motionless form. Too much pent-up energy would drive her mad if she did not channel it somewhere else; no one could judiciously fault injuries taken in a practice yard so at least it was one less concern to agonize needlessly over while she worked. Halvie had oft viewed the place akin to a minuscule battleground. Alone, she would fabricate abstract opponents with swinging maces, the sting of a hammered blow received and the cherry red blood that gushed out like a warm fountain, past glazed eyes down to the throat, arms, legs and ground. This was bliss, through her peculiar perspective. From the first time she had stepped into the field she had harboured the secret hope that someone would indeed manage to startle her here when the One Power coursed through her veins, creeping from behind like a menacing shadow and when she was alert to its presence, she would turn on the defensive, still holding saidar, and... Halvie refused to contemplate beyond that.

 

~*~ She lasted for a long time during practice, before Tower business barged roughly back into her life. Hurriedly slipping into an extra set of dark apparel reflective of the atmosphere with a lighten heart; Halvie swiftly neatened her features before setting off, abandoning the place where she had left chaos behind. She anticipated yet another monotonous routine of subtle manoeuvring and cultivating of personal contacts beyond the solid walls of the White Tower - exhausting work, but such was life. Incredibly, white & dainty cloudlets drifted high in the hazy afternoon, a disconsolate bird chirping weak notes. Gloomy, disruptive thoughts; she shoved it all aside for later mediation. Time was on her side.

 

~*~ An Accepted dashing through the halls towards her was her first warning, the letter in her hand & the mildly vexed look her second. She paused, waiting and when paper exchanged hands, a sharp, wintry look sent the child off. Halvie wasn't in a particularly loquacious mood with her mouth set in a stern, straight line; her entire posture bespoke it. Perusing the cursive writing as it was, she felt a coil of fear twist in her stomach, the startling autumn cold suddenly touching her. No, it could not be. She isn't the type; she wouldn't do this to me... She would, Halvie decided grimly. Pale delicate fingers crumpled the dry sheet into a tight ball, flattened it until it could go no smaller before she opened her right palm. A small blaze turned the inky words into ashes.

 

~*~ Striding purposely through the tower, Halvie set to questioning the novices and few accepted that lined her path. Some reluctant to speak she cornered, lifting an eyebrow sardonically to express incredulity at their brazen actions, with eyes narrowing slightly to signify her impatience. Simple little things that soon loosened their tongues; such was one of the rewards of being amongst the ranks of legendary figures, even if she had yet to make her mark in the world. One glimpse at the scintillating serpent ring and ageless face sufficient to having those spineless children cower. She no longer gloated over her power; other significant things demanded her attention.

 

~*~ Lillian had appeared for dinner, was later seen in the company of novice friends but had disappeared soon after for bed - nothing out of ordinary. A little further investigation and the mention of a letter came up. A disquietingly silence spread out in the room as Halvie stared at the novice, ashen & visibly shaking. "Does the news displease you, Aes Sedai?" The hoarse, hesitant voice came, breaking into her musings, shattering her thoughts. This almost brought pity from her, she had not intended to traumatise the girl. Golden light shafted through a window, lighting up floating motes of dust, drawing notice to the grubby state of the place. She followed the light's passage thoughtfully, out beyond the confining walls, where freedom beckoned. "Clean the room, it needs a dusting. " It was her veiled form of thanks. She left the room without a backward glance.

 

~*~ Anger was now restrained with a practice hand, irascibility channelled to preparing hastily whatever items would be needed. Never had she entertained the likelihood of her own charge being a runaway, it had always seemed a thing that occurred to incompetent folks other than herself. Frustration. Unavoidable shame. She was going to kill the little tearaway when she got her hands on her, wring the bloody neck and wallop her until some form of common sense trickled back. The rumour mill would have a field day regarding this obvious failure on her part; Halvie threw a sturdy saddle over a complacent bay mare before mounting it. She kicked its flanks harder than was required, resulting with the horse jerking and pulling away. Annoyed, Halvie gave a sharp jerk to regain her control over the animal all the while processing the information she had collected. She had in mind a rough direction of where Lillian had taken off to and the sound of the head start the novice had over her was hardly amusing. Resentment. Ire.

Lillian Tremina was courting the devils as far as Halvie was concerned.

 

Halvie Sedai

Sister of the Green Ajah

"Is that the best you can offer me?"

 

"I don't know, what else can you offer me?"

 

The slight smile on the man's face turned Lillian's stomach. Another time, perhaps, she might've entertained the offer, he wasn't that bad looking. On the road to her parent's funeral, it was far from appropriate or appealing. Frowning at the man, Lillian put the pouch back at her side. "Obviously I was told a lie when I was told that I could get a good price here. This horse is good stock, you know this. If you think I'll trade her for so mean a price, you are sorely mistaken. I will take my money elsewhere."

 

The slight smile from the man's face was gone. "Fine, your price then. You saddle your own horse though." Petty, ever so petty but Lillian didn't care. Taking the coins she needed and giving them to the man, she led the horse as the man showed her to the stables. Putting the horse in the stall, Lillian took the saddlebags and the saddle itself off, the reins coming last. As the man saw his new horse was secure, he turned and left.

 

Saddling the new mare she had bought, Lillian was soon ready to go. The mare was a little unsteady at first with the new rider, but a few reassuring rubs and soothing words into the mare's ear had her ready to go. Cantering out of the stable, Lillian soon pushed the pace after the mare was warmed up. There was still a couple of days travel ahead of her and she'd be damned if she was going to be late....

 

Snorting, Lillian reared her head to find it, and herself, in foot long grass. Feeling something nudge her side, she turned about to find it was the light palfrey she had picked up at the last village. It was about then that she became conscious of the pain in her right shoulder and neck. Sitting up, Lillian reached up to the palfrey's head and stroked it reassuringly as she tried to remember what had happened. Last she remembered she was riding and then it was blank.

 

Groaning, she realised she must have passed out in the saddle and fallen off to the side of the road. She'd slept little over the last few days, and it had obviously caught up with her. Looking to the sky, she could see that it was past midday. The last she remembered was early morning, she'd lost several hours. Rocking forward, Lillian went to stand only to fall down again.

 

"Stupid ankle!" Following that with several curses that would have made her friends blanch as she never swore in company, Lillian blinked away the tears in her eyes as she got up on her one leg and hopped over to the saddle. Getting back in the saddle proved far more difficult than she had originally anticipated. In fact, it took her a good ten minutes to do so, but she managed it, despite her twisted ankle trying to tell her it was on fire. At least the riding boots kept it from moving overmuch, but that was small consolation.

 

Doing her best to ignore it, Lillian reached back to her saddlebags and looking in there withdrew an apple she had picked the day before. Rubbing it on the fabric on her chest, she took a bite and became aware of just how hungry she was. Not only had she denied herself as much sleep as possible, but meals had been quick affairs if at all.

 

Finishing the apple to the core, Lillian tossed it aside as she put her boots to the horse's flanks. It was time to be on the move on once more, despite the palfrey's reluctance. She only had another day to get there, and burn it all she was going to make it no matter what.

 

 

Lillian Tremina

Novice of the White Tower

Yay, it wasn't just me. *whew* I was begining to think that I had gone completely blind.

An after the breaking area would be great. Something for everyone there. We could have dozens of storylines going with no problem. Utter chaos, though with rules. *nods*

Well, I had thought about joining the Freelanders, but I'm completely lost. What do I need to do, where do I signup, what do I do with my bio, and who would I talk to....

OOC: I had wondered what had happened to my roomie, but no worries, I haven't been on since then either... *sigh* It'll wait till Nynaeve escorts you to the room though to start my part. *big grin*

Stammering appologies at not having followed protocol Taei sat and studdied her hands for a moment before replying. "I was just trying to find out about all the Ajah's, Aes Sedai, in order to make a more informed decision. I'm not really sure what I want to know, that's why I came, to find out what the Red Ajah was about, it's history, or whatever else you think I should know." Carefully peering up at the Aes Sedai she hoped that she had made an appropriate response to the question and waitied for her response.

OOC: Sorry for taking so long, but next response should be a LOT quicker. :)

Standing there while her parents barraged the Aes Sedai with questions seemed to be the longest moments of her life. Oh, please, just let me go. I won't cry, I won't. This is harder by the minute. Looking around the room at all the things there, all the memories and she her heart lurched. To leave the life she knew, her friends, her loved ones, her safety suddenly hit her like a brick wall. That she might never come back.

The mention of her name shocked her out of her reverie. It startled her actually, and almost made her jump. Swallowing and gathering all her determination she said her goodbyes and held her resolve as she watched the tears start to roll down her mother's cheeks. "I will be back soon, promise." She gave her the best smile she could muster.

Then she reluctantly allowed herself to be ushered out the door to her new life. Taking a deep breath she examined the horse. It was a good specimin and she allowed the man to help her mount. "I can ride." All that she could muster as a reply at that moment. Not noticing the banter between Aes Sedai and Warder she took the reigns of her horse and her determination in her hands and managed to follow them out of her home city. Memories haunting her the whole way. What if I never come back? What if I can't come back? What if.... Shaking her head she forced her thoughts away from such things. This is my future, it was meant to be, there's nothing else to be said about it. Just have to do what I must. With that, she embarked on her new life, refusing to look back least she loose her resolve.

--

Taei tried to control herself. She knew she had asked too many questions so far, but there was so much that she wanted to know, so much to learn and she wanted to start right away. She wanted to learn it all. She was just excited and nervous and... well, she didn't even know how to describe it. She must be thinking that she made a mistake by now. I've been acting like an absolute fool.

Looking down at the pomel of her horse and once again steeling her resolve to act properly she held back the torrent of questions running through her head. How long will I be in the tower? What will I have to do? When will I be able to go out of the tower again? On and on the list went. Her mind reeling out of control and mulling over every aspect of her new life. It was her way of not worrying about the past, her parents, her friends, her way of keeping herself together.

Looking up at the road ahead she noticed a bend in the road and a clearing of the trees. Once around the bend she involuntarily stopped her horse for a second. Tar Valon's spires glinted like white crystals in the sunlight. It was as if the whole thing radiated light. It was an unreal sight to her. It seemed as thought the whole thing should just blow over and fall apart, like the only thing keeping it together was the One Power itself.

Realizing that she was just sitting there gaping at the city, she once again motioned her mount forward. My new home. Who ever would have though? Still taking in the city, studying it, the crafstmenship, the wonderful ornate designs, the wonders of stone constructed by the best masons in the world. She had heard of the wonders the ogres had constructed, but she had never thought that they were anything like this. Only half paying attention to what was told to her she shook her head no at the question. All of her questions had vanished as she marveled at the wonders around her. She just followed automatically those that she had been following for days now. What other wonders will my new life hold?

OOC - *Looks at the time difference between the posts* I know how life can do that.. lol This thread is going to be terribly long by the time we're done. hehe

*tightens the Steele's straight-jacket*

Never mind him, he's... well... him. :) Have fun relaxing. :)

"Yes, Accepted." Taei curtsied. "I will look for her. Might I enquire as to where you think she might be?" Judging the Accepted's mood, that might be a risky question, but it may make finding her a lot quicker.

She glanced at her book once, nerviously as she awaited a response and tried not to fidget too much.

OOC: sorry for the delay, it wasn't too good, sorry, a little rushed.

After the Aes Sedai had turned and left she berated herself on how she had acted. Your not a little girl, take a hold of yourself. You let her fluster you to no end. You didn't even answer when she asked for your name. Sighing she gathered the things for her father and walked as fast as she could, almost ran, all the way back to her father's studio.

"What's the matter girl?" Jenam looked up at her as she burst into the door huffing and puffing from the jog across town. Startled he stood from his work and came over to her. Taking the supplies from her and placing them on a table he noticed that she was shaking. "What is it? What happened?" Taking a seat on the nearest available chair she told him, everything that had happened since she left on her errand.

At a touch on her arm Taei looked up. "My dear, it'll be okay. I'm sure that she'll understand." Smoothing her hair out of her face he continued. "And we will make sure that she's satisfied with our work." When he smiled at her again Taei could feel the tension leaving. It'll all work out, he'll make sure it does.

--

A few hours later, while Taei was working on the copying of a manuscript that had been requested, the Aes Sedai showed up at her father's shop. At the rap on the door her father went and opened it. "Aes Sedai," he bowed deeply to show his respect, "How can this old scribe help you today?" Trying to remain small and unnoticed she hunched over her work and was glad that her chair was facing away from the door. The work to be done and price were talked about while Taei focused all her energy on her current job, not hearing a word of what was said.

When she heard "I fear your daughter might need a few lessons in manners, Sir. While her drawing and penmenship is excellent, her ability to answer a question is lacking." She had looked up shocked. Shocked to her core. I didn't mean to, honestly. Light, I didn't mean to! As her father appologized on her behalf she started trying to think of how to make up this slight to the woman. Nothing was coming to her, nothing at all.

When the Aes Sedai asked to speak to her she stood, shaking slightly, and approached the woman who now seemed taller than ever as if she was hovering over her, making her feel small and insignificant. She was almost afraid of being stepped on and squashed like a little bug.

"Once again child, I ask you, what is your name and how old are you?" Gathering all her strength she replied, "Taei Mirel, Aes Sedai, and I am fourteen years old." She curtsied as she said Aes Sedai, the most beautiful curtsey she had ever been able to accomplish. As the Aes Sedai smiled she was shocked.

As the Aes Sedai reached in her pocked and withdrew a blue gem, she was even more shocked. "I want you to focus on this gem child, think of nothing else but the gem." Somewhat unsure of what was going on she did as she was told. She concentrated completely on the gem, lost herself in it, and blinked in surprise as it gave off a bright flash. She had felt... something. What it was she wasn't sure and it frightened her slightly. Looking up at the Aes Sedai with a questioning look she was replied to with, "I need you to pack your things chilc, you will soon be a Novice at the White Tower. You can wield Saidar and need to be taught how to do so. We leave in one hours time."

And just like that her life was changed forever. Excited and scared at the same time she gathered her things. They weren't poor, but they weren't rich eaither. She had few belongings to gather, but they were all well made. Stout dresses and shoes, a good cloak that was both both warm and light, a few keepsakes. She had been given a wonderful box made of some sort of pink shell for her birthday the year before, she knew it must have cost her father a great deal, and she kept what little jewelery she had in that.

"Dear..." she looked up as her mother came into the room, "I want you to have these." Looking at what her mother held out in her hands she gasped.

"Your pins, but mother..." she stopped at her mother's motion.

"No, I want you to have them. They were a gift, given to me by your birth mother as payment for treating her." At that she stopped short. Taei had always known that they weren't really her parents. That her mother had died while under Lanuen's care. There had never been a way to find out who her birth father was, though, or even where her birth mother was from originally.

Unknowing what to say she accepted the gift and stooped over to give her mother a hug. Standing a full six inches shorter than her, Lanuen had always still seemed to tower over her, but now she looked sadened, lost. "I will miss you, dear, take care of yourself. And come back to me in one piece." Lanuen forced a smile and Taei smiled back. "I will, mother, I promise."

Taei changed into her only riding dress, made of stout brown wool, and her travel boots that were dusty from frequent trips to nearby cities with her father to deliver messages. She pulled her hair back into a braid to keep it out of the way while on the road. Since the braid came down to her knees she flipped it over her right shoulder so that she wouldn't pull it as easily. Setting her cloak on the bed she looked around at her room. The books were still on the shelves, but they were not hers. They were either her fathers, or some that had been borrowed from the Taraven's. Tying her shell box up with ribbon and wrapping it in a dress to protect it she put the last of her things into the pack.

Just before she tied the pack up her father showed up at the door. "Well, you will need a good quill and inkpot in order to do your work." He handed her the items and a package that was wrapped up in brown packaging paper. "And that, you can open later. It's a little something from me." As she put them away in her pack he watched sadly. She tied up her pack and settled the flap so that the weather would not get to her few precious belongings.

As she straightened up, her father walked over to her and caught her in a bear hug. They just stood there for a moment, then her father said, "I love you, my dear. I hope that you know that, and if you ever need anything, I will do my best to get you the help you need." As he let his hold loosen Taei looked up at the man, slightly taller than she was, and flicked his mustache as she always had as a child. "I love you too, papa. And I will stay in touch, I promise."

Gathering her cloak and pack she walked down the stairs and into the study where the Aes Sedai had said she would meet them. As soon as she had put her pack down on a nearby chair there was a knock at the door. Taei swung her riding cloak onto her shoulders and fastened it with the silver wheel pin she had been given as a gift. The wheel weaves as the wheel wills. Taei sighed.

As the Aes Sedai was greated by her father and welcomed to their home, Taei picked up her pack and settled it on her shoulders, being sure to free her hair enough that it wouldn't pull it as she turned her head. Then turning around and facing the group in the room she steeled herself for whatever was to come.

OOC: Wow, that turned our rather long...

It had been a long day, but her work was almost finished. Taei had just ran her last errand for the day, to get another bundle of parchment and a large bottle of ink from her father's supplier across town. This is the longest walk, why can't father just get his supplies from someone closer to home. She of course knew the answer to this, but still didn't like it. Her father's friend was his supplier and gave him a discount on supplies that he bought from him.

She was lost in thought as she went through town. Hardly paying attention to her surroundings. I wonder what it would be like to be an acutal scribe and not an apprentice anymore. It would be more intersting I do believe, to put other peoples words to paper in my writing, with a little of me thrown in.

As she passed a fountain in a small square she noticed a rather unusal group that grabbed her attention. There was a woman who was around the same height as Taei which got her attention to start with. For as long as she could remember Taei had been the tallest female around. At 5'11" tall she towered over her mother and all her friends. She was around the same height as her father now. The woman was dressed in a beautiful silk dress. I hope that I'm able to wear clothes like that one day rather than these wool ones, they itch. There was also a man who was with the woman, or so it appeared, he appeared to be very strong. Taei looked away, not wishing to offend the woman or her companion. I wonder what they are doing in this section of town? There's no nobility around here.

Oooh! Me, me! *raises hand really high* :D

Taei had wanted to give all the Ajah's a fair look. So, she had started with all the classes she could find. Then she started trying to track down sisters from the Ajahs that weren't giving classes to find out what they were about. She wanted to make sure that her choice was a well-informed one. She had went to a sister of the Red Ajah to see about who she should talk to in order to learn more. The sister had told her to speak to Muirenn Sedai, that she would be the one to see about answering her questions and giving her information. So, Taei had then asked for information on how to get up with Muirenn Sedai. The sister she had talked to had given her directions to Muirenn Sedai's quarters.

Taei looked down once more at the directions she had been given. She was sure that she was in the right place. Okay, come on, Taei, just knock. She won't bite your head off any worse than it's been done before, and hopefully she'll give you some answers you have been looking for.

So, braving herself for what was to come she knocked on the Aes Sedai's door and awaited a response.