"I think I will rest for now, thank you Aes Sedai. I am very tired from the journey; we traveled most day and night since leaving Saldea and I feel as though I have been put through a meat grinder. Maybe some other time if you are still willing, I would be much appreciated then...." Ameline stopped herself mid sentance, realizing that she had been running on as though Jaydena was a woman from her village, not an Aes Sedai to be respected and feared. "Forgive me, Jaydena Sedai. I forget my tongue at times."

Ameline waited anxiously for her mentor to come, barely listening to the Mistress of Novices' speech concerning rules, regulations and the workings of the Tower. Then, pulling her out of her overwhelmed stupor, a knock rang through her consciousness. The Mistress of Novices called for the visitor to enter and in swept a finely toned woman in a georgeous green dress. The only odd thing was that she wore a matching mask that covered half of her face.

Rising and following the Aes Sedai out of the office, Ameline waited for her to give some clue as to what she was do to next; thinking, rightly, that she was to be seen and not heard until instructed. The Sister introduced herself as Jaydena Sedai, then asking who Ameline was.

"I am called Ameline Fordasha, from the Plain of Lances in Saldea," Ameline stated proudly before adding a respectful, "Aes Sedai" and trying to curtsey as they walked. Ameline realized that she would be doing a lot of curtsying in the next years.

Ameline stiffled a sigh of relief as the Mistress of Novices, a stern lady by the looks, asked her to repeat her name, place of birth and age as she copied them into a ledger. For an instant--and a long one at that--Ameline thought she was going to be in trouble, or worse, turned away.

In reflection, she realized that was exactly what the purpose of this particular Aes Sedai was: to keep the initiates in line. And by the feeling she gave Ameline, she was very good at her job.

When the Mistress of Novices finished entering Ameline's information, she responded with a half ominous, very final, "Welcome to the Tower."

Ameline's new life had only just begun.

"My name is Ameline Fordasha. I was told that I have the ability to learn how to channel. I am here to become Aes Sedai." She looked defiantly at the stately woman behind the desk, thinking that someday, she could--she would-- be an aes sedai too. "I was brought to you, though I do not know why. Could you please tell me what I need to do first?"[/i]

The woman Ameline took as an Aes Sedai upon closer study did not have the ageless quality she had come to recognize in the brown sister with whom she had traveled. What was more, the woman, though young, was wearing a white banded dress. She jjust looked at Ameline and replied, "Follow me. I'll take you to the Mistress of Novices."

They walked through a maze of cooridoors and stopped at a door that was one of many. The woman knocked and then left Ameline standing alone.

On their forth night, Ameline was woken by the Sister's warder looming over her in the dark. She realized that the ship was stopped and a great rustlin and stamping could be heard from above deck. All the warder said was "We're here, get your things," before turning and leaving.

Ameline's heart began to pound and it was all she could do to collect her small bundle and trudge upstairs. There was seeming chaos, but it all faded away in the sight of the city. Ameline had never before dreamed of such tall and majestic buildings, out of which rose a bone white shaft that shimmered in the fading moonlight. Looking around, she realized that the Sister and her warder had already left. Not knowing what else to do, Ameline asked for directions from the nearest deck hand and made her way to the tower grounds.

At the gate, looking as though she had not just been woken in the middle of the night was, unmistakably another Aes Sedai. Ameline curtseyed as best she could and instroduced herself. "I am Ameline Fordasha, Aes Sedai. I am here to become an Aes Sedai." Until that moment Ameline did not realize she had become decided on this course of action. Though somewhat starled with herself, she became resolute and added, "the Light willing." It was less a blessing or hope and more a demand.

Ameline was exhausted. She, the Aes Sedai (who happened to be a brown) and her warder has traveled long and tedious hours for days upon days at a time though Kandor and into Arafel until they reached the River Ernin. There, the Aes Sedai bought them passage on a sturdy and rather uninspiring river boat called the "Lady Swift." True to her name and despite her appearance, the "Lady Swift" carried her passengers faithfully down stram ever neearer to theri destination; ever nearer to what Ameline saw as her cage, her doom.

The Sister rarely interacted with Ameline and on those rare occasions, it was to call her down for not curtsying deep enough, rolling her eyes, speaking too loudly, too softly, too rudely...for any of the numerous shortcomings she seemed to find in Ameline. What was even worse in Amelines opinion was that the Sister had outright refused to teach anything interesting saying only that there would be plenty of time for that later and that Ameline had better spend her remaining free time preparing herself.

As they neared Tar Valon, Ameline's mounting dread was replaced by an overwhelming sense of curiosity. She began to pester, rather foolishly, the Sister relentlessly about what she would learn, where she would stay, how big the library was and a multitude of other questions. Though the Aes Sedai was spare on many topics, she did temporarly satiate Amelines thirst for knowledge about the library: one topic that the Sister seemed passionate about.

thanks for the info. I was around DM over a year and a half ago, but never got into role playing. I am now re-reading the books again and decided it would be a blast to get a character going....!

Hi. I was just wondering how long it usually takes for a bio to be approved. I submitted mine at the beginning of the week and though I know it probably hasn't been approved yet or cc'ed, I don't even know if it was received. I haven't gotten any confirmation or welcome letter that was mentioned. I am soooo excited to begin RPing and really want to get going!