Michelle struggled again against the bonds that held her, and the man was getting closer to her. After all this time of keeping men at bay, and after all this time of preserving herself, she couldn't believe that this was it for her. She struggled again, and knew it was no use. The man was going to use her as he pleased and then disposed of her. She cried, wishing she could see Arath one last time.

And then she did. Out of no where, she saw Arath running towards her, and she screamed out to him again. Fire came from his hand as he kept running, and then fire came from her attacker in response. She struggled against the bonds again, wanting to see more, but it was impossible to turn her head and her eyes hurt looking out of the corner of her eyes. Shutting them tightly, she whispered silent prayers that Arath would be safe. She couldn't let him die trying to save her.

She suddenly felt herself falling, and then felt Arath's arms around her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on, looking over his shoulder to see the dead body on the ground. "Michelle? Are you okay?" She could see the man's innards spilling out, and the blood pouring from the stumb that had been his neck. Unable to help herself, she screamed again, which quickly turned into a sob. Arath held her tight against him, and she wasn't letting go. He had used the power against her before, but it was simply to stop her from being stupid, and she had known he wouldn't hurt her. Michelle also knew that the power could do damage, but to see what Arath had done...

She cried harder into his shoulder, gripping onto his shirt with her hands and not letting go. "Please don't let go of me, Arath," she whispered, before breaking into another sob.

Michelle rolled out of bed, and for the first time in half a week, her body was not aching. After working with Arath, she had spent the entire next day laying in bed moaning. The three after it, she had spent soaking in the bath and constantly begging him to reheat the water. After a while, he had stopped laughing at her, and simply continued to reheat the water. After this, she was determined to have an herb garden, so that she could at least have a wonderful aroma while she soaked. She didn't even realize that half the muscles that were sore had existed, and she was determined to get back to working them.

Stretching for a moment, Michelle looked at the sword resting on top of the chest. She should probably attempt to practice today, or else her body would start to get too loose again, and she didn't want to endure the past 4 days all over again. She hurriedly pulled her breeches on, followed by her boots and a loose shirt. Splashing herself in the face with water from the washbasin and grabbing her sword, she headed downstairs, glancing around, looking for Arath. She remembered suddenly that he had training to do that day, and she knew that he would come to find her eventually. It wasn't like she had that many places she went.

Making the quick walk across the grounds, she headed down the path into the woods. She hoped that Tai wouldn't be there, as the clearing was his private practice area, and she was glad to see that it was empty. Sitting down on the grass, she reached from side to side, grasping the bottoms of her boots and attempting to stretch her muscles. She did the same with her arms, and rubbed them quickly, trying to warm them up. She knew that she would very quickly become tired and that her sword arm would begin to feel weak within minutes, so she started slowly, attempting to keep her balance while still practicing the moves. It was so much easier when there was someone to spar with, but this way certainly hurt less.

After about 30 minutes of attempting the moves, she wiped the sweat off of her brow. She missed Arath, even though he did like to beat her up. It was just more fun when she had him out here. Michelle smiled, thinking about him, then shook her head, trying to shake thoughts of him out. As if that would do any good.

"Little girl.... What are you doing out here little girl?"

Michelle heard the voice and turned around to see no one. Twisting back the other way, she still saw nothing. She knew that she heard a voice, but she saw no one around her. Raising the sword, she turned around again to see a man standing at the edge of the clearing.

"Come now, little girl. It isn't safe for you to be out here alone. Here, why don't you give it to ME?" On the final word, she felt the sword jerked out of her hand. Horrified, she watched as it came into his hand. He had just used the power on her, and now she had no defense whatsoever. She had never seen the man before, but she knew what she saw. He had gone insane.

"Who... who are you?" she asked, not wanting to alarm him or have him hurt her. She prayed that Arath would hurry quickly, or else she was done for.

"I think the real question is... why are't you running?" The man began taking steps towards her, and Michelle began taking steps backwards. She didn't like the look in his eyes at all.

"Do you... do you want me to run?" she asked. By the Light, where was Arath. Or Tai? Any other moment, one of them would have been right beside her, never leaving her alone, but now that she needed someone, she was abandoned.

"Yes... RUN!"

Michelle turned and ran for her life. She pushed her legs before her, sprinting as fast as she could. "ARATH!" she screamed, before returning to breathing so as to not exhaust herself. She could hear the man darting behind her, and as she took a glance back, she saw that he was barely even jogging. It seemed to be more of a game of cat and mouse than him really chasing her. She continued to run, screaming out Arath's name again. She suddenly felt herself unable to move, and looked down as she was being lifted into the air. "ARATH!" she screamed again, unable to move otherwise.

The man below was laughing, and watched as she dangled in the air. "Come now, little girl. You will enjoy this as much as I will."

Michelle looked around in fear, praying that someone had heard her. The man was walking towards her, and she saw him fumbling with his breeches. "ARATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Arath was quiet for a few moments before he finally responded. "I don't really know where you might find a job. I've not exactly had a lot of luck in that area. But I could show you around a little if you want. At the very least I can let you know which areas you should probably avoid."

Michelle laughed at the idea of him trying to find her a job. "Don't worry about finding a job. I already have that one under control. I just have to prove myself now. Would it be so bad to show me the city? Or perhaps you would like to leave the city for an afternoon? I do have a horse. Or..." She hadn't entertained the thought, yet, that he just wanted nothing to do with her. Perhaps she should be, as he seemed to still be completely uncomfortable around her. Granted, he was naked, but he still shouldn't be so antsy. It wasn't like she was demanding it of him.

"Or, if you don't want to, we can part ways after your clothes are dry, and you never have to see me again." She hoped that he wouldn't agree to that. She was curious about this strange boy.

Thankfully, Arath said nothing of the peck. Within a few moments, everything was packed back away into the basket, and Arath had retrieved their clothes. She watched as he opened a gateway, and stepped inside. She grabbed onto him as they then appeared in his traveling room, and she let go, leaving him with the basket as she ran to the bath. Her whole body ached, and the sooner she sank into the water, the better.

She began filling up the tub, twisting the nozzles, and smiled with delight as it filled up. Once Arath warmed it for her, she would sink in. She was already barefoot from kicking her boots off earlier, and as she sat down on the edge of the tub, her hair stood on end as the cold water reached her feet. She heard laughing behind her, and she turned to see Arath, just as dirty as she was, staring from the doorway. "Oh, by the Light, what is so amusing to you?"

He laughed again as she glared, and said, "This just looks awfully familiar. Is this the part where I count to three, and you scramble into the tub? Your shirt looks as though it needs cleaning." She tried to keep a straight face, but immediately burst out laughing. How could she have forgotten when she threw him into the bath, so long ago. The water reached further up her legs, and she jerked them out, and gave Arath a pout.

"Warm it up for me?" Within moments, she could feel the warmth from the water meet the air, and she turned back to stick her feet in. Hissing for a moment at the sudden change in temperature, she relaxed quickly. Arath was still standing in the doorway, and so she rose up, turning to him and smiling from the edge of the tub. He seemed to be looking at her for some reason, and she smiled, and began to pull her shirt off. By the time it was over her head, he was attempting to flee the room, and she threw the shirt at him, hitting him in the head. "Thank you!"

Taking a few more stitches and finishing another flower, Michelle looked up her stitch work and caught him staring at her. Giving him a brief smile, he looked away, and she looked back at her work. How long had he been staring at her? "Thank you." It sounded like a bare whisper, but she heard it. She looked up at him, surprised. "For ... everything." Nodding to herself, she set her work aside, and rose from where she was sitting.

Not speaking to him, she walked over to the fireplace, which until that time, had remained cold. She could see wood inside of it, as well as the materials to begin a fire. Given that he was unable to really do anything, she started the fire herself, which was easy enough. Within a few moments, the fire had caught, and she went to the bed to pull a blanket off that was folded at the end. Going back to Arath, she offered him the blanket. He looked at her in surprise for a moment, and she set it beside him. Picking up his clothing that was attempting to dry, she hung it over the fireplace.

Laying down on her side on the bed, she stared into the fire. She almost went into a daze before she finally spoke. "You need friends, Arath. Everyone does. I won't tell you how to run your life, but being alone and running the streets won't get you anywhere except for a Caemlyn prison cell. And I think that neither of us want that."

Rolling onto her back, she stared up at the ceiling for a moment. Rolling back onto her side, she looked at him for a moment, catching his eyes with hers. "Do you think you would be willing to show me the city? I have to try and find a job over the next few days, but, I still want to see the city some."

Arath looked at her for a moment, and Michelle was nervous that perhaps she had gone too far in suggesting the possibility that he could go insane. Any time that they discussed men going crazy, they never discussed the possibility of Arath actually going mad. She couldn't imagine that one... "Of course I would. I don't think it will come to that any time soon, but I wouldn't let him harm you." She gave him a half smile. She didn't really think a sword would have done any damage to a crazed channeler anyways.

"I don't think you have to worry so long as you don't goad him too much. I really don't know why you two ... why you can't work things out." Michelle had to laugh. She enjoyed teasing Tai far too much to actually become friends with him. The man was an idiot, and there was nothing that could change her mind about that fact! "But yes. So long as you live in my house, I will never let anything hurt you."

Michelle almost froze as she felt his arm go around her. Unable to breathe or think, she attempted to relax as he squeezed her shoulder and held her against him. This was the closest they had ever been, it seemed, that hadn't been a tease she had done against him. It was weird, for her to not be in control of the touching. "Besides, I think Tai is just as afraid of you and your frying pan as you are of him."

Laughing with Arath, she let her head drop to his shoulder again. His arm remained around her, and for a split second, she considered pulling away. Why wasn't he tense like normal? Had he intended to hold her against him? He was looking down at her, and for half a second, she considered giving him a peck on the cheek. Her cheeks burned at the thought, but she tried to reason with herself, saying it was only a peck.

As soon as he glanced away from her, she gave him a peck, then pulled away before he could respond. Jumping up from where she had been sitting, she moaned suddenly, her muscles aching. Trying to get the conversation away from the small kiss she had just given him before it began, she said, "Can we go home and take a bath now?" She thought about what she had just said, and her cheeks burned even worse. "I mean, can we just go back so I can soak in a hot bath and wash all of this mud out of my hair?"

Michelle recieved a glare in response, and she had to stiffle a laugh when he decided on the towel. Watching him for a moment, she waited to see if he would reach for it himself. He watched her, before asking her to turn away. Laughing again, she rolled her eyes and turned away from him, listening to the splatter of water as he probably grabbed the towel. Giving him a few moments, she glanced back to see him toweling himself off. She noticed a scar across his chest, and quickly turned back away from him. She heard a thud as she guessed he sat down, and turned back to stare at him.

What a fool, he had covered himself with the towel as though it was a blanket. If he had asked, she would have even offered him a blanket, but she wasn't going to offer up anything! "You know, I've met some strange people before. But you ..." His words trailed off, and Michelle laughed again as she returned to her window seat. Grabbing her sewing bag, she plopped down into the seat and pulled out a hair ribbon she had been working on. It was a plain white ribbon, to match her apron, and she was doing simple embroidery across it to add small flowers on the ends. Even if she wasn't wealthy, she could certainly make her clothing look somewhat prettier.

Arath was now sitting completely across the room from her, and she looked up from where she was about to continue her stitching. "Aye, I know I am strange. I have kindness in my heart instead of hatred, and I actually believe that there is good in everyone. Completely crazy, I know." She looked back down at her work and did a few stitches, before looking back at him huddled in the corner. He looked almost like a drowned rat, and for a second, she almost pitied him.

"For example, I saw some good in you. When I came upon you, you looked more like a thief that had been caught in his game... a rat in a trap. And yet, I still saved you. And then, come to find out, you are simply a soul that came to Caemlyn looking for something, as I have. The Wheel turned for you, and the pattern has not been favorable, and yet you are still kind, you haven't asked for any coin from me, nor have you tried to take advantage of me. I found the good in you. So, perhaps I am strange, but I did find what I believe in."

Offering Arath a piece of bread, she broke off a small chunk of cheese and nibbled on it. While Michelle did feel absolutely famished, she also didn't feel she could eat much. Her body was too tense, and the soreness was starting to set in. She would be taking a very long hot bath that evening. She couldn't even imagine the state that her hair was in, given that she still felt it was caked with mud. By the Light, did he have to get even her hair muddy?

Taking a bite of the bread herself, she straightened up, as he asked, "So what do you think? Can you handle being the worlds first warrior baker?" Laughing to herself, she hadn't him a piece of cheese to go with the bread. The world's first warrior baker? She didn't know about that one. The first baker that could wield a sword without killing themselves, sure, but a warrior? She had felt somewhat confident before that learning to use the sword would be easy, but her body was screamed otherwise.

Swallowing the bread in her mouth, she rolled her eyes. "I think that after I get the basics down, I will be sticking to the kitchen, and leave the sword wielding and protecting to you!" She laughed again, imagining herself carrying around pies and breads while wearing a sword. Like Arath would let that happen... Like Tai would be even somewhat normal while she had a weapon... Like Arath wouldn't protect her anyways...

"If Tai ever did get dangerous... Hey, he isn't dangerous now, just a little retarded... Would you protect me? I know he is your student and all that, but I wouldn't have to attempt to save myself with a sword, would I?"

Hmm, what about an Aes Sedai history class, or a geography class?

Valeri Sedai was putting a bell back onto her desk, and Ali wondered why she hadn't heard it. How had someone come so quickly and the woman hadn't even called for anyone? "Come," said Valeri Sedai simply, and Aliena turned around to see who was coming in. It was another girl, in a white dress, only hers had a beautiful rainbow hem. I wonder how I can get one of those. "Good morning Leala." Leala... she had beautiful blond hair that made Ali envious.

"Would you like me to escort a new Novice to her room, Valeri Sedai?" Her room? Of course. Ali had forgotten that she would have to stay somewhere. Wait, her room? She was to have HER own room? She had always shared with her sisters. Was she to have actual privacy for once? Well, this tower was certainly full of wonderful surprises!

"Yes please Leala. This is Aliena. Please show her to a room in the Novice Quarters and take her on a tour of the Tower." Rising from her chair, Aliena did a half curtsy, still holding the stack of white in her one hand. Almost as if in a daze, she turned and followed Leala out of the office door. Forgetting to shut the door, she turned back, and saw that it closed... on its own? No, the Mistress of Novices had to of closed it. There was no other option. But the woman had still been at her desk...

Leala was moving along at a rapid speed, and Ali had to take a few quick steps to keep up with her. Suddenly, what had seemed an empty hall before was filled with girls in white dresses, some with the pretty hem, and others without. Trying to keep up, not drop anything, and follow the correct white dress, Ali tried to take it all in. Noticing the hem again, she asked, "What a beautiful hem. How did you get it? Will I get to have one as well?"

While Accepted Leala pondered her words, Aliena bent back down to the rosebud. The petals were just barely bursting, and to her, it was the most beautiful form of the rose: just as the sunlight was being to touch it for the first time. She took a breath of the beautiful fragrance and savored it for a moment, before rising and listening to Leala's words. "Most girls at your stage have too much confidence. They think they know exactly what will happen a step before the Aes Sedai, and that they know better than the Tower. These girls tend to burn themselves out..." The thing that Ali feared most. Burning herself out. When she held the One Power in class, everything SMELLED better. Her sketches looked the be the REAL thing. Her head wasn't swimming with worry, and her aching bones felt revived.

"They also overstep boundaries and are punished, sometimes even kicked out of the Tower... Or they find that they actually do not know better than their superiors and don't trust their own reasoning and judgement, opting to leave the Tower themselves." Ali had seen a few girls leaving. They had the opportunity to be in the greatest city in the world, with the most beautiful library and by far the most beautiful garden, and they had opted to leave? What could possibly be better out there than Tar Valon and the White Tower?

"What I am trying to say is that the fact that you step back and examine what you are about to do before doing it shows that you recognize that you have limitations. You have humility, something that many of the other Novices I have dealt with do not have. You recognize that you have something that most people do not have: the Power to touch the True Source, the force that turns the Wheel that weaves your destiny. And that is a great responsibility. But at the same time, you must trust your teachers and know that you are making progress. If you truly had not made any progress, Valeri Sedai would have brought the matter to your attention. You will find your stride, Aliena. But it will take time. Time that you still have."

Time... Accepted Leala was right. If there was anything she did have, it was time. Not immediate time, as she was always rushing to keep up, but... Ali could wait another 10 years just to spend a lifetime of holding the power. And Valeri Sedai had yet to call on her, except to give her another chore or to dole out punishment. She had heard of other girls being called to her office and either dismissed or warned, and Ali had made it four years without being called for that. Time... was on her side. "I will think upon what you have said, Accepted Leala. Thank you, for your insight."

Going back and sitting against the tree, she went to pull another piece of parchment from her book to draw the rose, before she noticed the book in Leala's hands. She had been carrying it since they had left the Library. She held it far tighter than any book... What was it? "Accepted Leala? The book in your hands? What is it?"

Accepted Leala seemed to settle back as she thought about the questions. Aliena sighed, and began sketching a simple ivy around the flower she had already drawn. The ivy she had drawn a thousand times, given that she could normally see it just outside of the window, and as she closed her eyes, she could still see the beautiful flower and the ivy around it. "If could very well mean that. Or it could mean that you would be a good Brown as well. Browns are good at taking notes and sketches of things that they want to study and add to the Library. But don't worry too much about your apts for Healing weaves. You are still a Novice. The time will come when you will learn the things you will need to know. That's why it takes so many years before you are called for your next testing. Just trust that you are where you need to be. And you will find your path when the time comes."

Aliena nodded. She had heard the speech a thousand times before. It seemed as if you spoke to anyone, they had to tell you the same thing. But this seemed more heartfelt. Like it was true. Leala wasn't acting like a miniature Aes Sedai that had it all figured out. She was speaking from experience. "Being a Novice means that you can test all your talents and pace yourself. You can let yourself be guided still. And when you are an Accepted, you can explore your limitations a bit more in detail. The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills."

Just then, the sun began to tingle on Aliena's skin as a passing cloud was no longer blocking the direct light. She smiled to herself, and responded. "Aye. The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills." It was hard to accept that fact, but the longer she was in the tower, the more at peace she came with the turning and patterns of the Wheel. "There is something in the Pattern for you. You will find it in time." Ali and Leala shared a smile for a brief moment, as though they were not Novice and Accepted, Commoner and Noble, Undecided and White Aspirant. It was a calming peace, and Ali broke the smile to tilt her head back, eyes closed, and to take in the sunlight.

"I would tell myself not to be so sure of myself. Too many times had I thought I was already a master of Daes Dae'mar. And too many times I had thought that I already exhibited the Aes Sedai calm, that I was ready to take the next step too soon. I've been learning so many things about the Tower, the world, the Great Game, and my own weaknesses." Aliena couldn't help but to laugh to herself. Not to be too sure of herself. Light, if that was only her problem! "Don't be so quick to try and choose one Ajah at this stage. You will have enough time to develop your skills."

Aliena sighed, and returned the sketch she had been working on into her book. "Accepted Leala... May I be honest?" Leala nodded, so Ali closed her eyes and relaxed back against the tree before continuing. "To put it bluntly... I am not sure of myself at all. Not even in the slightest. Every move I make, every step I take, I calculate, analyze, and step back to make certain I am going in the right direction. Even when I do exactly as told, everything seems like... well, it seems like a failure. How am I to become an Aes Sedai when, after four years already, I am still as much of a basket case as ever."

Ali stood up from her sitting place and, leaving her book on the ground, walked to a nearby rose push. She stroked one of the buds that had recently bloomed, then turned back to the Accepted. "I should be moving forwards, not backwards. My weaves should be growing stronger, and my knowledge expanding, and my confidence..." That was worst of all. She had none of it. "I know that most are not raised at only four years, but I see girls that have been here half the time I have, or less, and they seem far closer to the shawl than I will ever be. I am study hard, do all of my chores... I just see no progress. I just don't know if I am truly meant to be an Aes Sedai."

Aliena couldn't believe that an Accepted of the Tower was someone of Noble blood. It was hard to imagine that they would lower themselves to scrubbing pots and cleaning laundry. "No, no. Thank the Light I am not a princess. I am a child of House Gymorraine. I wasn't even the first born, and my elder brother made it quite clear that he wanted to make my life miserable. And when I was tested, even though I was too young to enter the Tower just yet, I still knew that an opportunity had been presented to me that I could not refuse." A lady of one of the Houses of Andor. Light, she didn't know which was better, to be a Lady or to be an Aes Sedai.

Leala then sat down on the bench beside Aliena, for for a few moments, they sat there in peace. All was quiet and calm in the garden, and although there was the distant faint sound of swords clashing, for the most part, all she could hear was the wind. It was exactly what Ali needed to really feel rejuvenated. She looked around at all of the different herbs and flowers throughout the garden, and she had the sudden urge to draw. Pulling one of her pieces of parchment that had notes sprawled across it, she flipped the paper over, and pull a piece of charcoal from her small purse. She always carried it with her in case she found something she wanted to sketch, but she rarely had the time, except when bored in class. Studying a small patch of beautiful pansies beside her, she began to sketch. Granted, she didn't have any colors, but within a few moments, it was apparent to anyone what she had drawn.

Smiling to herself, Ali showed it to Leala. "I wish I could stay here all day," she said quietly. "I would spend forever just drawing and studying the flowers. Do you think this makes me a Yellow Sister? I have no apt for healing weaves at all, it seems..." Ali sighed, not feeling like she had found any home yet. All of the Novices seemed so sure of themselves and had already identified with at least an Ajah, if not two or three.

Ali felt so behind. She loved the library, but got tired of all the studying. She loved flowers and herbs, but was no good at healing. She loved to study ancient battles, but she grew bored with learning about different types of swords, and wanted to please everyone too much to really pick a side, and didn't care enough to defend a side. She felt to have something of every Ajah, but not enough to really belong to any Ajah.

"Accepted Leala, if you could go back, what would you tell your Novice self? Did you just know you were destined for the White Ajah, or how did you choose?"

Ali watched as Leala nodded and rose, and did the same. Was this a sign that they were leaving this stuffy old library and getting out of the tower for a change? "Yes, there are Gardens at the White Tower. The Yellows use them for herb gardens, and there are rose gardens maintained by gardeners and Aes Sedai. Many girls find peace there. If you'll just follow me..." Aliana jumped up, too excited to speak, and followed her quickly and quietly. They kept a good pace, but Ali could actually feel her feet for once. Instead of the normal rushing about, she was actually noticing who she walked by, and getting to see the tower without a million thoughts running through her mind.

Reaching outside, Ali could see a large field with men of all shapes and sizes training. Her face felt on fire all of a sudden, and she didn't even notice that they were outside. There were men, everywhere! She had never seen so many men in one place, and most of them not even wearing shirts! It was so improper! And what were all of these novices doing out here? She recognized most of them, as they watched the men. They should be ashamed! They had subjects to study, and chores to complete! No wonder it took some girls 10 years to get just to Accepted! This was why she would become an Aes Sedai before she reached the age of 40.

Leala reprimanded the girls out there, and Ali stood beside her, nodding. Leala was completely right. These girls were an embarrassment to the Tower. The girls all scampered off, and Ali followed the Accepted through the garden, and gave one last glance at the Yard. She would come back to look again... but that would be quite a while. Looking forwards again, Ali had to stop and stare. It was beautiful. The lovely fragrances that greeted her nose when she was near a window surely came from this location, and she just wanted to lay in the grass and be surrounded by the beauty for hours. If anything was going to keep her from her studies, it was this.

Accepted Leala continued walking while Ali took it all in, and the Accepted began to speak again while they found somewhere to sit. There were benches all about, and blankets on them to spread out in the grass. She could see one particular tree that looked like it had held many girls leaning against it while they studied, and Ali knew that was her new seat. "I know that you are from Andor, Aliena, but from where in Andor? I am from Caemlyn, myself, raised in the Court."

Ali sank down against the tree and rested her book beside her, her eyes closing as her body relaxed. This? This was the life. This was why she would never leave Tar Valon and the Tower. Everything she needed, the books and the natural beauty, was all that she needed. "Well, Accepted Leala, I am actually from Carysford, and had never left the town until just before I came to Tar Valon." It was a small town, only a two days wagon ride from Caemlyn on the Caemlyn Road and on the River Cary, about halfway between there and Four Kings. "Wait, did you say you were raised at Court? Are you a princess?"

Aliena was so ashamed. Of all the times to feel her weakest and most broken, did it have to be in front of an Accepted that probably hated her? She truly wouldn't blame the woman for it, but still... Leala sat down beside her, and began glancing at her notes. "Don't let the word 'exam' scare you, Aliena. We've all had to learn this some time or another. I've taught girls who were illiterate and couldn't even read numbers. And they've had to learn this as well." Aliena nodded, trying to not think about all of the things she still had to learn. She had never even heard of Cairhein before coming to the tower - it was impossible to learn everything about it when she barely even had a base.

"A good strategy is to connect certain words with the names of cities and locations. Take a name of a city and think of another word that sounds like it." Leala was looking at a few pages, and Ali looked over her shoulder and saw her pointing at Aringill. "For example, you can take Aringill. It could sound like 'air in the gills'. Just picture a fish out of water, with air in its gills." Really? How was that supposed to help her remember that Aringill was near the border? "It's an odd image, I'm sure, but it's not one you're likely to forget, right?" Aliena thought about it for a moment, and instead of looking at the name in the book, she began to just see the image. It made her smile, and she began to glance at other places, trying to think up more names. She could easily remember a picture... it was the words she had struggled with! Until now....

"I know it seems like a lot to remember, Aliena, but when you are raised to the shawl, you will travel and work for the Tower. If you know where you are going and what is in store for you in this new place, you will be sure to excel and be a treasure to your Sisters. Everything you learn from Novicehood and even as an Accepted will help you in your life in the White Tower." Aliena nodded, although she couldn't help but think she never wanted to leave the tower. This place was the center of the world, it seemed, and had everything she wanted. There was culture, and beautiful dresses, nature, and books, all around her. Why would she ever leave the Tower? But, Leala was right. It did seem that everything she had learned so far was serving some sort of a purpose.

Pointing at the River Alguenya which had the city of Cairhein to the East, she said, "Algie." Leala looked at her for a moment before smiling, and Ali returned the smile. "All I have to remember is Algie, and it will remind me that Alguenya is the River." Well that was simple enough. After a few more minutes, she found enough new words that she already felt ten times more confident about the test. At this rate, she would have the afternoon free! As if she could actually do what she wanted to.

They both spent the next hour or two, flipping through other maps, and while she knew that she was keeping Leala, Ali was grateful for the help. The maps now looked more like pictures than sketches with words all across them, and she found it easier and easier to remember things. In no time at all, she was confident that the Exam would be easy as ever.

Committing the last few places to memory, Ali decided to take a stab at actually getting to do what she wanted. "Accepted Leala, is there any way I can leave the Tower. I don't mean as in leave the Tower and leave Tar Valon, but is there any way we can go outside? I have never had any sort of a chance to explore, and given that I never have any free time at all, I have never asked if there isn't at least a garden, or somewhere that I can sit out in nature. I miss it dearly.

Staring at a Map of Cairhein, Aliena felt her eyes start to get heavy. Snapping them open again, she glared at the page, making herself take in every detail. She trailed the lines of borders with her fingers, and ready every little bit of fine print, attempting to set the image as a permanent print into her mind. "Aliena, it's good to see you. How have you been? Do you need some help with your studies?" Aliena almost jumped out of her skin, so engrossed was she in her book, then looked up to see Accepted Leala standing there. Ali was horrified and wanted to sink down into her dress and disappear. Oh Light, she was going to be yelled at! Wait, had the Accepted offered her help?

Realizing it had been quite a few moments since Leala had spoken, Aliena jumped to her feet and curtsied. She didn't need to get back into trouble. The last time she had seen Leala, her beautiful white Accepted hem was colored white again, and the rest of the dress was splotchy around the hems because the dye she had used on the band was not as pristine. She truly hadn't meant to ruin the dress, but... it was all a misunderstanding, but what did that matter to an Accepted and the Mistress of Novices? At least it wasn't Gera... Poor Accepted Gera's dress was blue, and that would have stuck out horribly.

Realizing she still hadn't even spoken, Aliena stammered out, "Accepted! Accepted Leala, I mean. Uh, no, no," what had she asked again? Class help? A quick glance at her book, and Ali knew that any help she could get would be welcome. "Well, yes, I mean. Accepted. I have been well, by the Grace of the Creator, and I have kept on top of my studies..." That certainly felt like a lie, "and as for this class." The Accepted gave her the Aes Sedai look, and Ali sunk back into her chair and burried her face in her hands.

"Accepted," she whispered out, "how in the Light can they expect us to know all of this? All I know is EXAM and even then, on an entire book?"

Yet another pile of books, yet another stubbed finger, and yet another spilled inkpot... The day just seemed to be never ending, and Aliana was just tired of it all. Here she was, after 4 years, and feeling even less confident than she had her first day! What had happened to her pride? Self confidence? Her self assurance? She was going to come here, and learn, and study, and become one of the beautiful Aes Sedia. Instead, she had just become another pot scrubbing, laundry washing, book buried Novice, and she was no closer to the shawl. Everyone was constantly pushing and pulling. She could never help anyone, or make anyone happy, or even meet the smallest of standards. She understood that they were supposed to be pushed, but this was becoming absurd. She was going to break if she kept this up!

Ali rushed from her classroom, keeping her head down and feet swift as she moved about the tower. As she made her way down the hallways and stairs, she tuned out of functioning, just working towards her purpose of arriving in her room. She didn't need anyone to see the large ink stain on the front of her otherwise pristine white dress. She worked so hard to make herself look perfect, but one stupid Novice that decided to freak out and bump into Ali had ruined it's perfection. She would have to scrub and scrub all night until there was proof the ink would not come out, and then she would have to go to the Laundress and beg for her to remove it. Ali was tempted to try and remove it herself with the power... but she had made it this far without channeling on her own, and she would keep it that way.

Getting to her room, she removed both shift and dress, sighing at the large stains. They would have to wait until later. She had to hurry up and head to the library, and hope to get some studying done. Every day was another test, and she wondered how she could get so much done in one day, and still feel as though she had done absolutely nothing! A new shift and dress on, with just a book, Geography, and numerous papers in hand, she headed to the library in hopes of some peace and quiet. There was none to be had on the Novice hallway. A girl had failed her Arches, and was screaming and crying her head off. That alone was enough to make Ali study harder.

Arriving in the library, she looked for a small chair off to the side, hoping to avoid the attention of any Brown sisters. They were lovely to talk to, and she had learned so much from them, but at times, their knowledge truly was never ceasing, and Ali needed a break. If they saw her book... Ali just couldn't take any more. She needed peace and quiet to read, and that was it.

Finding a chair near a desk, she sat down, and began to read. Glancing through her notes, she came across one piece of parchment that had a beautiful Ivy vine drawn around the edge. She smiled to herself, then sighed, knowing that whatever she had missed while drawing that vine, would be on the test. It always was. She glanced over her notes quickly, and then flipped to the pages in her book that were lesser worn than the rest. She would spend the whole night rereading this book if she had to.

Of course

Aliena swallowed hard as she watched the Mistress of Novices pull a large leather bound book out. It looked to be near to ancient, and she watched as the woman flipped to a page. Sitting on the edge of her seat, Ali knew that this was the moment she signed her soul to the tower. She was sure that she wanted to do this. There was no going back at this point. "Now child, can you tell me your full name, place of birth and your age." Ali nodded, and began to answer the questions. Within no time, she was in the book, and Ali felt a shiver go over her as Valeri Sedai smiled at her. "Welcome to Tar Valon Aliena Halinor. Welcome to the White Tower Novice Aliena."

Sitting back in her chair, Aliena smiled to herself. Not even a month ago, she had simply been the Innkeeper's daughter that was never allowed out. Now, she was a Novice of the White Tower. She watched Valeri Sedai go into the random wardrobe in the office, and looked at the pile of white dresses and shifts. So, this was the start of her future. All white. She took the token given to her by the Mistress, and nodded, raising from her chair.

"Now child, if you have any questions for me, now is the time to ask them, soon someone will arrive to escort you to your room and show you around the White Tower." Ali shook her head no, and heard a knock at the door. Well, it was about time she began the next stage in her life!

Oh, it's fine. In truth, we could have ended it where it was, and just left the rest as an understood! Sorry we piled so much information into so few of posts!

Taking his pants and small clothes in hand as well, she had to stiffle a giggle as he hid underneath the water. While he was dirty, the tub was still visible... somewhat... Going back to sit at the window, she began working on the shirt. It was a short processed, and in no time, she was complete. Now she just needed to wash his clothing, and he would be fine. Throwing his dirty clothes at him, she glanced at the bar of soap. "Wash them while you are in there at least!" He did as he was told, and she wrung all the water out of his clothes and left them that creamed into her room to dry.

"I don't suppose you'll actually step out of the room while I get dressed?" Michelle laughed. His clothing was still wet... what did he want from her, to instantly take all the water out of it, like an Aes Sedai? He would have to either sit in that bathtub, or else wear the towel.

"Arath, I don't know if you realize this, but your clothes are still wet. Unless you want to put on wet clothes, you get to either stay in that bath water or wear a towel. Which would you prefer?"

Arath lay there for a moment, not responding. In those next 10 seconds, Michelle realized what she was doing. Here she was, stradleing a grown man, down in the mud, and she was in breeches and a tight shirt. She could see the color enter his cheeks, and she prayed that the mud hid hers. He tried to sit up, and she set her sword aside, and wrapped her arms around his neck. He was propped up on his arms, and she just sat there, her arms around him, staring into his eyes. Light, they weren't children anymore. What was she doing?! She always tried to seem so sure of herself, yet here she was, on top of him, and he was looking everywhere except at her.

"So, you ready for lunch then? Or do you like eating mud as much as you like playing in it?" Laughing, she looked away from him and tried to stand up, sliding in the mud again. She just landed heavily back into his lap. By the Light, this was just getting worse and worse. She struggled and finally rose, stepping away from him quickly. Going to the basket, she looked down to realize she was covered with mud. "Umm, Arath? The mud and the dirt? Could you?" He nodded and she watched the dirt disappear from her hands, and even felt the mud dissolve from her feet and clothes. She wasn't completely clean, but it was good enough to eat lunch. "So cool..." she whispered, until she saw the big ball of mud over her head. Glaring at him for a moment, she pulled the blanket out of the basket, and gave him another glance.

Within a few seconds, the ground away from their sparring area was free of snow and the ground was dry. Spreading out the blanket, she sat down and opened the basket further. Pulling out the fruit, cheese, and bread, she smiled and offered him some. He cleaned himself the same way, and sat down on the blanket beside her. Letting her head rest on his shoulder, she felt him stiffen, and she mentally sighed. When would he stop being so tense around her?

Arath looked to be scared to death at the idea of getting in the tub. "Are you ... you can't be serious." Michelle turned to him and raised her eyebrows. "I'm grateful to you for saving me and all, but this is just ..." Her arms crossed across her chest. "I'm not going to play this game." And then, she started tapping her foot... One... Two... Three... He stared at her, looking scared out of his wits, and she tapped her foot, slowly but surely, the look unwavering.

"If you do not get inside of that bath, I will scream for the city watch." And so began the staring game.

He glared back at her, saying, "You wouldn't."

Michelle gave a small laugh, and moved her hands to her hips. "I would in a heartbeat, and tell them you were trying to take advantage of me. I will count to three, and so help me, by the Creator, if your boots and shirt are not off and you are not in this bath, I will scream louder than the hiss of hot metal hitting ice cold water."

He glared back at her. "One..." He wavered slightly. "Two..." He took a glance at the bath, and she began talking to the window and went to open it. "Thr-" she heard the splash, and turned around to see him sitting in the bath, his boots kicked off in haste and his shirt still on him. Smiling, she closed the window and grabbed the bar of soap that came with the towel on her bed. Handing it to him, she said, "USE IT!" He took the bar, and she stuck her hand out for his clothes. He stared at her like she was stupid, and she raised an eyebrow again. "Even if you must still wear your pants, at least give me your shirt. You can't go running around Caemlyn with it tore to shreds."

He shrugged the shirt off and tried to hide beneath the water, and Michelle couldn't help but to giggle. Pulling out her sewing, she took apart an old skirt that she, and began snipping patches to use on the shirt. They were a similiar shade of brown, and with the addition of dust, no one would ever notice. It was the best she could do on short notice. Sitting back in the window ledge across the room, she watched him sitting in the bathwater. "I strongly suggest you use all of that soap, and take your pants off too and wash them. You had best hurry, before the sun goes down and you are stuck with wet clothes."

Michelle could tell almost as soon as the words were out of her mouth that she had insulted him. She hadn't meant it, truly, yet he looked down at himself as though he was embarrassed. "I ... wouldn't want to be a bother. My clothes aren't as bad as they look. It's not like I purposely roll around on the streets and try to look ... like this. It kind of just ... happens ... when you only have one shirt." Michelle nodded, and took another sip of her water - which she then choked on. The city watch had just come in through the door, and they seemed to be looking for someone. Perhaps that Innkeeper had wanted more than her smile...

"Here, take this," she whispered, tossing her cloak at him. He looked at her oddly for a moment, but as she whispered for him to put it on, he tensed up. "Go behind me and up the stairs, quickly," she whispered. She rose and stood in front of his chair blocking the guard's view somewhat as Arath ran up the stairs. She stayed at the table for a moment or two longer before she quickly followed him up the stairs. She almost ran into him as she reached the top, and he looked as white as a sheet, even with the dirt on his face. "Here, into my room," she whispered, pulling him along behind her and into her room on the end.

Shutting the door behind them, she let out a sigh, and took the cloak back from Arath. "I don't know how the guard tracked you to here, but you had best stay here till they leave." Walking to her window, which overlooked the entryway to the Inn, she sat down in the window ledge and looked down. She saw the guards leaving, but she wasn't going to tell him that. Turning back to Arath, she pointed at the large tub in the middle of the room, which the Innkeeper's wife had been so kind as to bring up to her. "Since you are here, you had best jump in that while I fix your shirt."

"Like I said, I had nothing left in my home town. My mother died when I was little, and my father, he ... he died right before I came here." Michelle could tell there was more of a back story, but she brushed it off. He was probably still hurt over it. If anyone was close to her father, it was her oldest brother. There was nothing quite like the bond between a father and his eldest son. "I don't have any other family, and didn't really feel like staying in Dramon's Glen was an option." Michelle nodded. Lugard didn't feel like home any more, even though she had spent her whole life there. She already felt more at home in Caemlyn, and she hadn't even been there a full day.

"Believe it or not, I used to be an apprentice blacksmith." Michelle had to smile for a moment at his joke, when she then realized he was being serious. He really was starving then, to be this slim. She was grateful more and more every second that she had offered him a meal. "My father ran his own forge, and I learned from him as best I could. There's no shortage of smith's apprentices here though, so I couldn't use those skills for anything. I've been reduced to ... misunderstandings with large inn keepers. Not exactly noble work, but it beats the alternative."

"What about you? What do you do besides baking and clearing up misunderstandings between strangers and innkeepers?" Clearing her throat and taking another sip of water, she pushed what was left on her try to Arath. She would rather he eat more. She knew that she would be eating again in the morning. Him... she wasn't so sure about. He would do better to eat more. And given that she would be showing off her skills in kitchens over the next few days, there would be plenty of food for her to be tasting and sampling.

"Well, I really am all about baking, and cooking. I do it because I enjoy it, not just because it is a skill. I love mixing flavors..." She caught herself before she went too in depth. Arath looked half starved; it wouldn't be kind for her to talk about all that she could cook and make, just for pleasure. "I also like to sew, and do pretty bead and needlework, although I rarely get the opportunity."

Spotting a few holes in his shirt, she reached across the table and pulled at it slightly, seeing even more holes. "I could repair your shirt, if you wanted, although I think you would do better just to have something brand new... Or do you prefer to be in dirty clothes that are falling apart? How long has it been since you bathed?"

Michelle pouted slightly as Arath took off his coat, knowing he would take off no more. Light, that boy would die without having even touched a woman if he hadn't found a friend in her. Why was he acting so proper out here, even in the woods? He shouldn't have been wearing his coat to begin with, and he still looked so... wrapped up with it off. Ah well, the mere fact he took his coat off said something. And then he bent over and pulled up another sword.

She should have expected it. He used two swords normally, but seeing him make one out of the mud was not something she was ready for. "How about I show you what this should really look like then?" Michelle gulped hard, scared her body would soon be covered in even more bruises, but she nodded, and prepared herself. He started off slow, thank the Light, but very quickly sped up. He was far faster than her, and his hits were all so accurate. She could barely move her arm fast enough to keep up, and her legs were starting to hurt from keeping balance in the mud and trying to keep him in front of her.

Growing annoyed, she knew she could not win, nor even tie. There was no way she could land a blow on him, and this had been going on long enough. Now he was just showing off. Twisting her body, she swung her sword around to block his hit and dropped to her knees at the same time, sliding in the mud into his body. He yelled out with a start, and landed into the mud on top of her. Laughing, she pushed him off and he laid there in the mud while she climbed on to him, straddling his lap. Holding the sword across his chest, she gave him a smile. "I think I won! Don't you like to get a little dirty sometimes?"