I sent it in, but get to it when you get to it. I am in no rush!

Wonderful thank you!

Tay, I think I am actually going to need a little help on this. I don't want to just put that she has been playing the past two years, so I was thinking instead that she could have been allowed to play while helping with basic things such as collecting herbs, learning more about poultices and healing, learning female stuff and helping to cook and clean, but I need names! Is your wolfkin a sage or is there an NPC Sage that I can use, or what?

No problem, I can gladly resubmit. Just wanted to make sure there was people still about before I got all gunho about rejoining. 15 sounds good now, and yeah, a Sage. I may be poking you again, but I will get to work on that bio when I get home tonight.

"This is the dress of an Accepted. After training for a few years, usually around ten, the Mistress of Novices will call you to be tested. When you pass, you will wear the dress with the hem and the Great Serpent ring." Aliena looked at the ring on Leala's left hand and saw the snake biting it's own tail. Such a pretty ring! "Many may not know this before coming here, but the Great Serpent can be seen on the ancient symbol for Aes Sedai that was used before the Breaking of the World." So she would get to have a colorful hem and a real piece of her own jewelry in a few years, when she became accepted... Wait what? Ten years?

Trying to not let her distress show, Ali returned to smiling and followed Leala quickly and quietly. They passed through a large room with millions of shelves and Ali wanted to stop there and get lost. She attempted to make a mental note as to where this place was so that she could return again later. From there, they headed through a garden and by a yard fully of dirty boys swinging wooden bats at each other. The garden was pretty and smelled lovely, but with the boys fighting beside it, the atmosphere of relaxation was ruined.

They eventually made it back into the Tower and she saw more girls with dresses of all White, some with a hem and some without. Aliena tried to smile to everyone that walked by, but they were rushing far too much to give her any attention. Trying to strike up conversation again with Leala, she asked about this breaking. "So a breaking? What is a breaking of the world? Like the forming of a new river or something?"

Waking up a little on the late side, Aliena stretched and tried to fall back asleep. She was exhausted and would take any penance given for being a little late. She just wanted more sleep. Classes were going to kick her rump that day and she wasn't even certain she had done all of her assignments properly. Her back ached from bending over for so long and her hands were still dry from being in so much hot water. By the Light, why were her hands so dry? She had only two dresses to wash.... And then she remembered. She had colored Accepted Gera's dress blue.

Jumping up from the bed excited, Ali got changed quickly into her Novice dress. How could she have forgotten about her helpful coloring the previous night. The idea of it had been what kept her going the previous day. She needed to hurry up and grab her things and go get Caillean. They could go up together to be conveniently outside of the Accepted's rooms for a little praise. It was perfect, if they looked to be on an errand, but were there at the moment that the Accepted wanted to give them praise and thanks. By far the best idea ever.

Grabbing her books quickly, she dashed to the door a few times, remembering in each dash another item she was leaving behind. Finally having it all together, she ran down the hallway to Caillean's door and knocked quickly. Not getting an answer, she figured Caillean was a few steps ahead of her in getting to the hallway. Heading down the hall and up stairs and around the tower, Ali made her way quickly to the Accepted Hallway. Heading down, she saw Leala's door and noticed that she had just disappeared into Gera's room. Oh Light, they are going to come bursting out in smiles! Walking slowly down the hallway with her eyes on the floor, she hopped that Caillean would join her soon so they could get praise together. Any moment from then, the Accepted would come out...

"You've not been that big of a burden. I really don't think that ..." Michelle stared at him for a moment, wondering why he wouldn't just take it. Arath of 3 years before would have taken it gladly... Light they were so different. And she probably would have never given it up, even though she couldn't have put it into anything. "Fine ... but if we find another one I'm making you keep it." Arath gave up rather easily, but Michelle wasn't worried about it. He could do with it what he would, but she had repaid her debt.

Continuing walking down the beach, Michelle kept looking back and forth between the endless water, the endless beach, and the beautiful sky. Living in the city for so long, there was always street lamps and torches keeping the area lit enough that she couldn't see the stars so well. Since arriving at the farm, it was always too cold to be outside, so she was often rushing far too much to really stare at the sky. Staring at the sky now, she could almost still see the faintness of the moon, and the stars... It reminded her of the trip from Lugard to Caemlyn. So many times she had stared at the night sky... it was a companion she had indeed missed. She would have to ask Arath if they could go camping or just sleep outside, or even on the roof a few times when it was warmer out.

Walking beside Arath, she got lost in conversation, just enjoying the day. They had walked what had seemed for miles before he brought up the rest of their day. "So, what do you feel like doing next? We still have a lot of time to do whatever you'd like. I don't suppose you're hungry yet?" Her stomach rumbled at the idea of food, and she smiled, patting it gently. She was going to say they go back to the farm and get something from the inn, but she remembered that Arath had mentioned a place with wonderful hot meat and vegetable dishes. He even said something was weird about the way they ate.

"Let's go for a change of pace," she said, thinking about this random country. "You mentioned Arad Doman the other day... Can we go there and try something new to eat? Nothing against stew and bread, but I would love to try something different." Thinking about the rest of the day, and knowing she was feeling weary already from the walking, she spoke up again, saying, "Afterwards, let's just go back to the Farm and do something relaxing... spend more time together I guess." The ring felt cold again, but Michelle ignored it.

*kicks the Arches* I KNOW what I want for Present and Future and already have it written. Still working on Past so going to continue with writing up her years until I have an idea...

Arath quickly came to stand before her, and Michelle held out her hand, showing her little treasure. Perhaps she could get it made to go into a necklace? Of course, she already had a necklace. Well, a ring on a chain around her neck. It was pretty though, and she was excited to have actually found something of value. Arath made a bubble of water in front of her, and she almost jumped back to scream. Realizing it was stupid and that it was only a ball of water, she pushed the stone into it, watching as the sand cleaned off. It was so beautiful, the way that the sun reflected in the stone.

"A sapphire... Tai mentioned that raw gemstones sometimes wash up on Mayene's beaches, but I wasn't sure I believed him. I certainly didn't think they'd be so large." Giggling, Michelle watched as it suspended in the air, before being dropped into his hand and then into hers. She couldn't believe she was so lucky, and all because of Arath... and in a small way Tai. "Quite the find there ... what do you plan on doing with it?"

Looking at the jewel for a moment, she had to think about it. She had no money to get it put into any sort of setting, and besides, she already had a chain with the ring on it. If she started wearing the ring, she could get the jewel put into a setting and hang it from the chain she already wore. But that would mean she would actually have to wear the ring. She could always wear both the ring and the jewel on the necklace together... The jewel was so beautiful, but she should just sell it. She had never had anything worth so much, and she didn't really need such a thing. She could pay Arath back for all he had done for her, and all the money he had spent on her.

Turning back to Arath, she held the stone out to him. "It's yours," she said simply, offering it to him. "As payment for all you have done for me. I know I have hurt at least one of your coin purses, and I don't have any use for jewelry as it is. Sell it or whatever, but it's yours as repayment."

Civilians are fun! The one tricky thing is you HAVE to find a reason to be there. For example, your brother/parent/child could channel and you are searching for them, or, your spouse/parent is coming to the Farm and you came with them. Things of that nature. For example, my Civilian was childhood friends with Arath and he rescued her from a bad situation.

Her back still to him, Michelle closed her eyes, feeling the wind blow around her as Arath spoke. "Why would I blame you? What happened wasn't your fault, and I understand completely why you would be scared. I grew up with all the same stories that you did about male channelers. My first few days at the farm were terrifying. By the end of my first week, one of the other recruits I arrived with went mad ... he set another Soldier on fire ... he would have turned on me too if one of the Dedicated hadn't been quick to act. I could barely touch Saidin, let alone do anything with it. I wasn't able to defend myself at all ... completely helpless." Not exactly the most comforting thing in the world. If it wasn't even safe for those who had to be there, how would it ever be safe for her?

"What I mean to say is that I understand how you feel. But trust me when I say that letting that fear paralyze you is worst thing that you could do. Refusing to live because of fear of what might happen ... how is that any better than dying? I found that I had to just focus on the pleasant parts of life, not exactly ignoring the dangers, but not living as slave to them." Michelle nodded to herself, listening to his words. Would she rather have stayed in Caemlyn? It wasn't exactly safe there. She barely had a job, had no money, had no place to live, and the one thing she had left to give was something she was scared to give to anyone, let alone for money.

Michelle continued to slowly walk down the beach, her feet just barely caressed by the water, the hem of her dress gliding across the top. The Farm was by no means safe... but there, she had a home. She didn't have a job, but she didn't really need one. She didn't have money, but she didn't need that either. She could spend her days cooking what she wanted, and reading and learning whatever she chose. She could travel the land and go to any city, try any food. She could start a garden, or begin sewing again. And at the farm, she had Arath. Arath...

She reached up to caress the ring again. It suddenly felt very cold against her skin, and Michelle realized that it was because she felt so hot. Could she honestly leave Arath? Was it possible for her fear to drive her away from her friend... her best friend? She toyed with the ring for another few seconds, wondering what she would feel if she slid it on. Was he deep in thought too, and was he thinking about her? If she was already going to be surrounded by channeling men, would it be so bad to wear a ring that would in essence save her? No, it wouldn't be.

Michelle looked down at the ring, ready to slide it back on, to feel what Arath felt. It was halfway onto her finger, when she noticed something sparkling in the sand at her feet. The wave was currently rolling out and she reached down quickly to grab whatever the shiny thing was before it was carried out to see. Bringing her hand back up, she searched through the pile of sand to see a small but bright stone. It was a beautiful blue, almost the color of her eyes, if she could trust a mirror. Carefully trying to get all of the sand from her hand without losing the stone, she turned back to Arath, who had been following her.

"Look Arath! Isn't it beautiful? What would it be doing out here in the sand?"

Waking up a little early that morning, Aliena Halinor laid back down on her bed and stared at the ceiling. A whole year... how had it gone by so fast and yet still so slow? She was starting to think that she would never escape the Tower, and yet she had only been there a miniscule fraction of the time of most of the women. I thought coming here, I would have worlds opened before me. I thought coming here, I would see culture and beauty. I thought coming here, I would become a powerful Aes Sedai. I thought coming here... I guess I thought a lot of things. By the Light, I just wish I had more patience.

It was the first day of the month of Amadaine in the year 912NE. That meant that it was one year since she had arrived at the Tower steps. She had completely forgotten the days, as they all seemed to roll into each other, but when a Brown Sister had mentioned Sunday was fast approaching, she realized how long she had been there. She was another year older, which should mean another year wiser, but Ali just felt more and more like a child every day. She could still remember her first month at the tower...

She hadn't been afraid at all. How naïve of her... to be surrounded by so many women that controlled the power. To be able to channel the power herself... The first month had at least been simple. She got up every morning and went to the kitchens to serve breakfast. She spent her early afternoon scrubbing pots. And in the evening, she would read. She would just read whatever she found in the library. She read books about flowers, about various countries, about history... she had even read a book that discussed the art of making bread. Her life had been simple and she loved it.

And then her classes began. Within the first week of Tammaz, she realized how in over her head she was. Taking classes to learn to channel saidar, she was exhausted daily. Sitting in class all morning trying to hold the One Power, and then spending all afternoon reading about various weaves and their uses... she was exhausted before no time.

Two months later in Choren, she began taking Etiquette classes. So, on top of spending all morning holding Saidar and attempting basic weaves with the Accepted, she was now spending her afternoon correcting her slang, setting tables for every meal and tea, and learning how to speak to various governments, heads of states, and nobles. As if anyone of proper birth would speak to her... but Ali learned anyways. She learned how to walk with her back straight and her head raised. She learned how to speak clearly and efficiently. It was a boring class that she knew she would use forever.

Thankfully, she got a neighbor in Nesan. A girl, Mordran, was moved into the room beside her. Up until that point, the rooms to either side of her had been empty, and she loved having a new friend. Although she had been in the tower for 5 months already, they quickly bonded and spent many nights whispering. It didn't matter that Mordran was a noble from Cairhein, or that Aliena had no noble blood in her, but they bonded immediately. They even got into trouble at one point for staying too late in the library, and had to spend the next two months moving books for the Brown Sisters.

It was a long two months, between spending all morning channeling simple Air and Water weaves, spending all afternoon polishing silverware and perfecting her curtsey, and then spending all evening moving books, but Ali didn't mind. She and Mordran would just spend it talking, laughing, and working. They would quiz each other while they worked, and Ali finally had a real friend.

And then her friend lost it. Ali didn't know what Mordran had been thinking, but she decided to channel on her own. Everyone knew the warnings, that you could burn yourself out, or worse, hurt others, but Ali didn't realize that it was so possible. Mordran had discovered that she was strong in Air... even stronger than Ali in Water. Mordran was using the One Power every moment she could... lifting books to her desk, making her bed, and even cleaning her room. Ali knew that something was going on, but she was too scared to ask and didn't want to lose her new friend. And she went too far on the First week of Taisham.

The winter solstice was fast approaching, and Ali was excited, knowing that the new year would bring new blessings. At least, that was what her mother had always said. She was climing into bed, the night of the Solstice, when she heard a scream. Jumping up, she ran into the hallway and opened up the door in Mordran's room. Laying there on the floor, shaking in pain, was Mordran. She screamed for someone to get an Aes Sedai, but given that the entire room looked as though a wind storm had attacked it, Ali knew what had happened. She cried hard that night, praying her mother was right, and that the new year would bring new blessings.

If it was going to bring new blessings, the new blessings weren't in much of a hurry. Aliena began learning to channel Fire and Earth. It was a mess. She struggled to just light a candle, and pulling at the threads of Earth was a headache of a process. Adding in that for Etiquette she was to plan a luncheon for the Sisters of the Gray Ajah as her final task and that she was sentenced to scrubbing pots for four months for not confessing that Mordran had been channeling, she was beginning to feel a mental break. She didn't even find pleasure in holding the power any longer, and her fingers felt constantly raw.

Thank the Light, the luncheon for the Sisters of the Gray Ajah went flawlessly, and she was even commended on her selection of flowers for the table. It was a small boost in Ali's confidence, and with the addition of her Fire skills becoming strong enough to light a candle on the first try, she was feeling like she was beginning to bloom like she was sure the world outside was with spring.

With the month of Adar arriving, she was released from the kitchens and was again given the task of serving breakfast each day. It was a simple task that hurt only her feet, but she could push through it. With Etiquette being at a close and Introduction to Saidar closing as well, she began to prepare herself, knowing that it would only get harder. She had been told that with the start of Saven, she would begin taking Dance, and two months later, begin learning the Old Tongue.

Dance was simple enough. At the current moment, they were just learning to keep a rhythm with the moment, but she knew that soon enough they would be learning the official dances of each country and some of the unofficial ones as well. An Aes Sedai had to know everything apparently.

But, she could do it. She was strong. She had lasted 16 years under her monther's thumb, and a year of running around at the Aes Sedai' bidding. She would become an Aes Sedai, somehow. And she wasn't giving up until she had the ring and the shawl.

There already is an Inn. Covai's Inn. And Michelle tends to bring home random strays to Arath's house as well.

"You'd be surprised at some of the things I remember," Arath was full of surprises today. Smiling up at him, she dropped her eyes and ran back to pick up her slippers. Turning back to the water, she saw his boots off as well and his feet in the water. Dropping her slippers beside his boots, she took another step into the water, and realized that this time, it was a little warmer. Arath had channeled... but she was strangely ok with it. He hadn't channeled onto her, and she was simply enjoying the result of his channeling.

"I'm glad to see you enjoying yourself. Glad to be away from the Farm I take it?" Arath was kicking at the waves, and Michelle pulled her skirts up slightly above her ankles to keep them getting much wetter. The water swirled around her feet, and she wished that she could become a fish and swim away. Life was so confusing, so upsetting, so trying... And still, at the end of the day, she would have to return to the Farm.

"I am enjoying myself," she said softly. Linking her arm through his, she rested her head on his shoulder for a moment, watching as the waves rolled in. "I just don't feel safe at the farm anymore." The ring suddenly felt very cold against her chest, and she remembered what Arath had said about feeling a Bond through it. Looking down at his hand, she noticed that he was still wearing his ring. The feeling she had felt when she had slid it on... could Michelle handle letting him feel her emotions in moments like this, when she was so happy and so comfortable with him? And could she handle the bad feelings as well?

A large wave rolled up and splashed them both, and Michelle gave up on holding her skirts up. Arath would just have to dry them later. That would be another bit of channeling around her, but she had to get used to it. Her best friend was a man that could channel. There was good and bad with that, and she would just have to take them both in stride.

Laughing as another large wave hit their legs, Michelle turned to see a large group of white birds pecking near the water's edge a few paces away. Dropping Arath's arms and picking up her skirts, she chased after them. The all flew up in a group, and she chased them for a moment before laughing and watching them fly away. Perhaps she would prefer to be a bird. To feel freedom to just fly away from any problems.

"Arath, you don't blame me for what happened, do you? Do you blame me for being so scared?"

Michelle could tell that Arath had done enough talking for that day, and that she wouldn't get much more out of him. Finishing her apple, she picked up her basket and stretched for a moment. "I think, Arath, that it is about time I head back home. This being my first day off, I haven't even really moved into my room yet save to sleep there. I also need to get some other things done...." He probably wasn't interested in her girl stuff, so she left it at that. "How about you walk me back to my place, and then you can know how to get a hold of me?"

Arath nodded, and they then walked toward her place. It was a silent walk, as Michelle was sure Arath had a lot to think about. She tried to not think about Arath's past, as she knew at this point there was no point in guessing until he was willing to open up and tell her. He was a locked book with invisible ink that would slowly but surely reveal it's pages when it was ready. She was patient enough to wait.

Making it back to her place, she smiled at Arath. "Thank you for showing me the city. I am glad we ran into each other again. Any time you need me, I hope you now know where to find me."

Well, I am currently organizing my notes and all to do the solo RP, but I am not really game planning much except to know what classes she takes each year, the chores she does, perhaps any other pranks she does, mentioning friends she makes... basic things like that! From there, I will just see what happens and hope that some ideas form while I write. I definitely think that I will have a lot more planning in my next character, but the planning will be more like basic ideas than a full layout of her whole life.

Actually, I just need to throw out my Arches and I am done... but we already had a talk about that. Le sigh. I need to work on those but I just have no idea what to do!

Boooooooooooooooooo

Fine. :(

All that is Left is my Arches! Going to work on a Solo RP actually so I can try and get some idea for those as well as finish up a few threads.

Relaxing back against her desk, Ali sighed, for once being on time to class. She didn't know what she had done right that day, but the Creator was surely smiling on her, to allow her a good night's rest and to not be rushed that morning. She was excited to try out the other three elements, and watched as the Accepted entered the room with another basket. Who knew what was inside, but Ali knew that it would be exciting, regardless.

“Good morning everyone. Today you will learn about the remaining three Elements of the One Power, Earth, Fire and Spirit. We will look at Earth first. Earth can be used for many things, including finding mineral ores, helping crops and plants to grow and bloom, to detect fault lines deep within the earth, and other things you will learn more about when you become Accepted. Today as your introduction to weaving with Earth we will be making a rose bud bloom.”

Make.. a rose... bloom? Aliena could feel her eyes bulge in her head at the idea of that. She could only imagine the possibilities of opening flowers and having them look portrait perfect. If they could make flowers bloom, perhaps they could even preserve them to stay the perfect color year long. The possibilities were endless!

She watched as Amadine took out a tiny vase with a rosebud inside. “You see the rose bud here, tightly closed, so tightly furled we can see even a hint of colour, but watch carefully girls, concentrate on the weave.” Slowly but surely, with three beautiful brown threads, the rose opened up. It was amazing to watch. “I shall show you once more before you attempt your own, remember to take care when observing the pattern the threads make.”

Committing the pattern to memory, Aliena watched as the Accepted repeated herself. This would be by far the most useful weave she had seen so far. Taking her three rosebuds, she quickly began to pull at the threads of Earth. And nothing came. Nothing at all. She grasped and held onto the Power before trying again. A thread formed, and Ali thought she would die. Slowly, another thread formed, and then a third. It was exhausting, and Ali thought she would die crying. Why was she struggling so badly with Earth when Water had been as simple as breathing? The pattern slowly formed before her, and by the time Ali finally had it right, most girls almost had their second bud open. Setting the weave on the rosebud, it opened partially then fell apart. It was horrifying.

Trying again on the second rosebud, she struggled and glared, finally getting the pattern right. Making certain that it was perfect, Ali painstakingly laid it upon the rosebud. Very slowly, the rosebud opened, and she let out a sigh of relief. This had to be her weakest element. Repeating the process on the third bud, she relaxed against her chair, exhausted, but happy to know she could do it.

“Next we learn about Fire. The number one rule when working with the Element of Fire is to never, NEVER, draw heat out of a fire to extinguish it. You will be burned severely if you do. To extinguish a flame use Water to douse, or Air to snuff it out, or Earth to smother it – but never use Fire to draw the heat out. Now the simplest thing we can do with Fire is to light a candle, and it’s a handy weave to know too.”

Watching as Amadine took a single thread of Fire and wound it around the wick, Ali smiled, knowing this would be easy. She would have no problem with Fire, of that she was sure. Taking her candle, Ali pulled at a thread of Fire. And she didn't feel it. She felt nothing. It was as though she didn't even hold the power in her grasp. Pulling again, she thought it had to be because she was exhausted from Earth. Pulling at a weave of Water, she watched it dance and weave before her. Pulling at Air, she even picked up her pen gently before resting it down. So what was the problem with Fire?

Trying again and concentrating on the Red Thread, she pulled at it, tugging, before finally making a small thread. The thread fought her to wrap around the wick. Ali felt herself sweating, and even saw a few other girls, candles lit, watching her. She wanted to cry from embarrassment. What was wrong with her Fire? The wick barely sizzled and showed a slight burn mark. Why was she so different? Trying again, she finally got a small light to go. Taking Air and feeding the wick instead of snuffing it, she got the small burn to turn into a flame. Thank the Light for that at least.

“The last Element is Spirit. Highly underestimated Spirit is central to many weaves such as Healing, setting Wards, Shielding another channeller from Saidar and in the Bonding weave, to name just a few. These weaves are too advanced for you to learn today but learn them you will as your strength and control increases. However I will demonstrate the Ward against eavesdropping for you. All I need for you to do is stand there talk about what you had for breakfast this morning.”

Ali watched as the two giggling girls began to talk, then shifted her attention to Amadine. The Accepted weaved a beautiful pattern from the silvery thread, and she watched, committing the pattern to memory. Perhaps given she was so weak in Earth and Fire, she would be strong in Spirit. It was her last chance of hope, and she wasn't giving up on it. Repeating the pattern again to memory, Ali tried to replicate it in her mind. Perfect. She would save that for a rainy day.

"Congratulation ladies,” she smiled as she began, “this concludes your Introduction to Saidar course. We have only touched on the uses of Saidar but you now understand the nature of Saidar and the different Elements contained within it. I want to reiterate to you the importance of never channelling unsupervised. You will have many opportunities to channel in the coming months and years; do not find yourself serving a harsh punishment for breaking the rules. I hope you have enjoyed your class. Class dismissed.”

Upon just finishing Intro to Saidar, I realized/remembered that the Novices don't get to start using Spirit right off the bat as they do with the other Elements. I was wondering if anyone had any idea as to when they started using Spirit. My Novice is strong in Spirit sooo yeah! Any idea when Novices begin to learn those patterns, or is that something to wait till Accepted?

"I don't know about Leala, but I would definitely appreciate the help, girls. My thanks. I'll be right back with my dresses." Aliena was filled with glee as Accepted Gera went to retrieve her dresses. She turned back to Caillean and gave her a huge smile before turning back politely to Accepted Leala.

"Thank you. That's very thoughtful of you. Wait one moment." Accepted Leala disappeared as well to go get her dresses, and Ali had to let out a little giggle. She couldn't resist how excited and relieve she was that they were not being questioned. It would ruin the surprise if the Accepted knew what they were doing.

When Accepted Gera returned, she handed the folded dresses to Ali. Taking them with a curtsey, the Accepted then said, "I will be going to a lesson with Natalia Sedai this evening, so when you are done, if you could bring them back to my room and set them on my bed, I would be most appreciative."

Curtseying again, Ali said, "Thank you, Accepted. I shall do so at once."

The Accepted Leala then returned and handed her dresses to Caillean. "I'm still not sure exactly what prompted this, but I am no less grateful. Thank you again, girls. I will work for perhaps twenty more minutes before I go to sleep for the night. It seems sleep comes earlier and earlier. Just return the dresses to my room on my desk; I will most likely not awake until morning. Have a good evening, then."

"Yes Accepted. I am glad to be helpful. They will be on your desk crisp and clean for the morning." Caillean then led the way for them to escape the gallery and head to the laundry. "This was such a great idea Aliena. I can't wait for them to see what we've done in the morning."

Laughing, Aliena followed Caillean back to their rooms where they dropped off their books. Grabbing her laundry and taking Accepted Gera's dresses, they then headed down to the laundry to begin their work. Starting with actually washing their dresses, Ali and Caillean chatted about how excited they were, but very shortly, they were too exhausted to even talk. Scrubbing dresses was hard work! Caillean then helped to show her how to make the dye and Ali worked on coloring Gera's dresses blue. Given that Leala was going to the White Ajah, Caillean had to bleach the banded hem.

It was hard work, and they worked late, but eventually, they got to starching the dresses. They were beautiful, and Ali scrubbed at her hands to get the blue dye off. Both feeling rather proud, they hurried up to the Accepted Hallway, and dropped off the dresses. Giggling, Ali and Caillean rushed back to their rooms. Ali was so excited but so exhausted, she was still laughing and smiling as she passed out, ready for the excitement in the morning.

OOC: Poet, just catch up to passing out as well, then the Accepted can post waking up to find their dresses, and then its back on us to go see what happens!

As they walked around Caemlyn, Michelle simply looked around and followed. At a few places, she asked questions, but for the most part, she let him talk, tell her stories, and explain things. While she did know her way around, it was refreshing to actually see things. She felt safer, knowing that she had someone with her, and had tried to keep her eyes on the ground when she was alone. She didn't want to seem like an easy target for theft or worse. Arath always kept a few steps ahead of her, and Michelle just watched and listened.

Eventually, they got to a beautiful rose garden. Michelle could smell it as they grew closer, and felt herself slipping into heaven. It was a wonderful fragrance, and not one she got to smell often, and the site was breathtaking. There was red to white to pink to yellow and every color in between. She wanted to sit amongst the flowers all day and just read or relax. It smelled almost as good as fresh baked bread.

"So ... I'm running out of ideas. Is there anything in particular you wanted to see or do?"

Coming back to reality and remembering the bread and cheese in her basket, she smiled, and looked for a place to sit. "Why don't we find a bench and eat something? I know I am half starved," and she didn't want to ask him how long it had been since he had eaten. Given that he wasn't currently stealing, he couldn't be starving, but she had no idea whether or not his last meal had been the one she had given him.

Michelle found a bench a few steps into the garden, and sat down. Opening up the basket, she pulled out the bread and cheese and split them both. Giving him half, she took a bite of the bread. While the crust was hard from having been baked the day before, it still tasted divine. The baker she now worked for liked her recipe so much, he had added it as an option to being sold, and it was such a hot item, she was having to prepare more and more each day.

Watching him take a bite of the bread, she smiled. "What do you think? I made it myself yesterday. It is my first step towards owning my own bakery. I spend all morning making dough for the baker, and then spend the afternoon decorating cakes and cookies and pies at the sweet shoppe. It isn't glamorous, but it does get me real experience and a good income."

"I would imagine so. I've heard that even the land around Mayene is watery ... they call it the Drowned Lands or some such thing. Swamps I suppose, but mostly to the north. But yes. Lots of water." Michelle was so excited. How had he remembered that she wanted to see the Seas? She had only spoken of it on one or two occasions, and yet here he was, three years later, taking her to see the open water. It was almost too good to be true! "Are you ready to go then? We shouldn't really need anything."

Stepping back into her room, Michelle slipped into slippers that were easy to pull on and off. She wanted to be able to feel the ground beneath her feet. Mayene would be to the South, which hopefully meant at least slightly warmer weather. Perhaps she could even stick her feet in, although swimming at all would have to wait for another time. It was like a dream come true!

As Arath came back down the hallway, she noticed he wasn't wearing the black coat that he always wore. Somehow, he looked more natural and not so uptight. She liked the look, and thought to make a note of it the next time they should go somewhere and he went without the black coat. Giving him a smile, they walked downstairs into the Traveling room. Giving Arath a nod that she was ready, she watched as the line appeared in the air, and she stepped through, excited to see the beach.

What she saw, she was unprepared for. It was beautiful. There was a bright blue sky overhead, as though it was spring, and the sun was out, shining. There were a few clouds in the sky, and it looked as though darker ones were coming, but that wouldn't ruin her day. She turned to Arath laughing and smiling, and immediately slipped her slippers off, wanting to run down to the water. It looked endless. Taking a few steps, she noticed the ground beneath her feet. It was so much thinner than the dirt and almost felt like her feet were sitting in dry mud. It felt glorious, and she noticed the expanse of yellow whitish ground around her. Sand, it was called.

Excited, she continued down to the water, and stuck a toe in to an incoming wave. It was cold, but she didn't care. It was beautiful. Michelle turned back to Arath, smiling and laughing, and ran back to him as he walked down to her. Giving him a hug, she held him tightly. "Thank you Arath. I don't know how you remembered, but it's beautiful!" Light, his hug was so warm.

“Good. To begin,” Ali dipped her pen in the inkpot and looked to the Aes Sedai, ready to begin. “We shall begin with the Age of Legends. All that comes before that Age is myth now, and while one can study those myths, they are not the realm of history because there is insufficient information to corroborate any details. Slightly less mythical is the fact that the first Aes Sedai in the Age of Legends was named Tamyrlin. He began researching the Power, and the changes he and those first channelers wrought are what brought about the Age of Legends. The histories mention a “Ring of Tamyrlin” worn by Lews Therin Telamon, which was either a sign of his position as the chief of Aes Sedai or potentially a ter’angreal or sa’angreal. The ring was lost during the Breaking, though, so we shall likely never know.”

Scrawling across the paper, Ali wrote:

Age of Legends

• All based on Myth before
  
• AoL brought about by Tamyrlin and first channelers
  
• Ring of Tamyrlin showed rank as chief AS; ter'angreal or sa'angreal
  
• Worn by Lews Therin Telamon at time of breaking
  

Looking up, she saw that the Aes Sedai was finishing a sip of her tea, and then Elin Sedai began again. “Tamyrlin and the Aes Sedai that followed built a society that valued service to the common good over material wealth. There were no longer hereditary titles or much commercial activity. The basic needs of all people were taken care of, while only luxury items were left for individuals to purchase on their own. In this society, Aes Sedai embodied the meaning of their name. They truly were servants of all.”

“Children in a community would be gathered, beginning at the age when the spark of the gift might show until the age when it must have shown, usually twelve through twenty five. Any child who showed the spark would be taken to be trained as an Aes Sedai, while any child who showed the ability to learn would be given the opportunity to do so, but not required to. Anyone with any level talent would be allowed to train to the fullest of their potential.”

• AS built society that took care of common good
  
• All children tested from 12-25
  
• Anyone with spark trained to be AS
  
• Ability to learn COULD learn if wanted to
  

It made Ali pause for a moment and think about all of the girls that ended up leaving. Perhaps there would have been far more Aes Sedai had so many not been turned away... She shuddered for a moment, hoping that that would never happen to her. It was a pity as well that they could train to all of their potential in the Age of Legends. She felt so held back in some of her studies...

“Those with the gift were taken to schools in the larger population centers and trained for many years. That training covered the basics of channeling, the things all Aes Sedai must know as well as the basics of all the specialized disciplines. On that note, the specialized disciplines included many things, but most notably the production of angreal, sa’angreal, and ter’angreal, Restoring or Healing, Weather manipulation, and husbandry of the earth. Any one who achieved the rank of Aes Sedai would be expected to know the basics of any task an Aes Sedai might be asked to undertake.”

“While all were expected to know the basics, some chose to specialize and learn more. Once one became Aes Sedai, one had the choice of returning to the general world to take a career in any field one chose or staying in the Hall of Servants and making service to the public your career. Those who chose to return to the general world were obligated to answer the call to service if their skills were needed, but they could spend the rest of their time as they saw fit. Those who chose public service would often be stationed in regional centers to ensure the safety of the public from natural disasters, to offer Healing as needed, and to assist the peace keepers. Others taught or performed research.”

• Taken to schools in large population centers
  
• trained in basics of channeling and basics of specialized disciplines
  
• Specialized: Production of A, SA, TA, Healing, Weather, Husbandry
  
• All AS knew the basics
  
• Some AS returned to world to work, others stayed in Hall of Servants
  
• Some taught, others peace keepers, research, public safety, Healing...
  

It sounded as though they were the basis for the various Ajahs. It was a pity that the Aes Sedai were not more like those in the Age of Legends, as she could not choose an Ajah now, and just wanted to be a part of everything. “Now, at this time, Aes Sedai and non channelers shared the world government equally. It wasn’t until the War of Power that channelers took the forefront.” The next bit would be unpleasant... no one liked to discuss the Shadow, but all Aes Sedai must know it.

“Near the end of the Age of Legends, more than one hundred years before the War of Power, Mierien Eronaile was part of a research team with at least one other Aes Sedai, a man named Beidomon. They were seeking a Power that men and women could use together, as opposed to the split between saidin and saidar. What they found was the Dark One. When they bored through the Pattern to contact this “power” they released him from his prison. That day, the Collam Daan, the preeminent research facility of its day, was destroyed entirely. Mierin and Beidomon both survived, while many others perished.”

• AS and Nonchannelers shared governing
  
• War of Power, Channelers took control
  
• 100 years before WoP, Mierien Eronaile and Beidomon seeking combined power
  
• Trying to combine saidin and saidar, found the Dark One
  
• They released him from prison
  

“That day began the decline. As the Dark One touched the world, he spread evil throughout, and men and women who would not normally have acted on their darker impulses embraced them. The next century ended the uptopia that had been the Age of Legends. Over the decline, violence spread, and many prominent Aes Sedai renounced the Light and gave themselves over to the Dark One. By the end, almost fully half of the Aes Sedai in the world served the Dark One. That was when the War of Power began. I shall not go into great detail about the War, but you should know that men and women in the end both made many valiant plans to defeat the Shadow, but both made foolish decisions as well.”

• Dark One touched world, spread darkness
  
• Next century ended utopia of AoL
  
• Violence spread and good AS gave selves to Dark One
  
• By time WoP began, almost half of AS served Dark One
  

What a horrifying thought. How could anyone join the Dark One? There was so much good in the Light of the Creator! Nothing could ever be worth giving up the Light and joining the Dark One. The idea of it made Aliena shudder, and she tried to shake the thought from her head. Nothing would ever make her leave the Light, of that she was sure.

“One thing every woman in the White Tower should know is that the Age of Legends was built by men and women working together. That the War of Power was fought by both men and women. That Lews Therin Telamon had a plan, and he did seek help from the women still serving the Light. At the same time, the women had a plan too. They were lead by Latra Posae Decume. Their plan might have worked, or it might have caused as many problems as Lews Therin’s plan did, or it might have caused a whole host of other problems. They might even have destroyed the world entirely. While Lews Therin Telamon and his hundred companions did act alone, they and by extension men in general, are not solely responsible for the Breaking of the World. The only one who is truly responsible for that is the Dark One. Lews Therin, his brothers, and the women who worked with and opposed them, all did their best knowing what they knew at the time.”

• AoL built by men and women
  
• WoP fought by men and women
  
• LTT did want help from women of Light
  
• Women led by Latra Posae Decume
  
• Only one responsible for Breaking is Dark One
  

Aliena had never quite heard it like that before. So many blamed the Breaking on Lews Therin Telamon, but now she could see that, truly, it could have easily been Latra Posae Decume's fault... or any other woman for that matter. All they could do was thank the light that the world had not fully been destroyed. The fact that these ideas were coming from a Red Sister, who all seemed to oppose men so greatly, was what truly made Aliena see the Breaking in a whole new light.

“Do you have any questions, child?”

Shaking her head no, Aliena reached for her cup of tea and took a glorious sip. It tasted delicious in her mouth, and she ached to know where it had come from. Perhaps she would have to visit Elin Sedai more often. "No Aes Sedai. I find this all so interesting, please, continue." Aliena didn't mention that she preferred this to learning from a Brown. While she did love her History, Brown Sisters were overflowing with information that was rather unuseful unless she was doing some sort of a paper. This was much more pleasant and relaxed.