Ay’Lira took her book and snuggled into her bed. It was a complete account move-by-move battles in the Trolloc Wars. And she definitely deserved the time to read it. At least she thought she did. She had written a good thesis about three Amyrlins raised from the Gray. And now, she could enjoy her favorite subject in history…battles. She opened the book to the first page and only read the first two words before her door flung open. She lowered the book and looked up to find Valeri Sedai wearing her shawl. Any questions she had in her mind waited for the Mistress of Novices spoke. “Ay’Lira Sonoran, you are summoned to be tested for the shawl of an Aes Sedai. The Light keep you whole and see you safe.” So, she wasn’t in trouble. No, it was something much more grave than that. All the work she had done over the past couple of decades or so was about to be put to the test. No, it was something much worse. Closing her book and setting it down, she stood up and following the Aes Sedai out. Much like when she had gone down to the bowels of the Tower for her test to become Accepted, the room where she would take the test for the shawl was far down a spiraling staircase under the Tower. Every step, every second before they reached the room seemed like a year! She soothed herself, reminding herself that Valeri wouldn’t have summoned her if she wasn’t ready. Finally, the Mistress of Novices stopped at a pair of double doors and opened them with a weave of Air. There were so many details about the room that she couldn’t take them all in before it began. But she did notice all the power going into the slowly spinning in the in the middle of the room. “Attend,” Valeri said in a strong voice. Seven sisters, all in their shawls, one from each Ajah, stood around the Mistress of Novices and Ay’Lira. “You come in ignorance, Ay’Lira Sonoran. How would you depart?” Valeri asked. “In knowledge of myself,” Ay’Lira answered. “For what reason have you been summoned here?” “To be tried.” “For what reason should you be tried?” “So that I may learn whether I am worthy.” “For what should you be found worthy?” “To wear the shawl.” After that, Ay’Lira began to disrobe. As she did, the Mistress of Novices continued. “Therefore, I will instruct you. You will see this sign upon the ground.” The Aes Sedai channeled and traced a six-pointed star with her finger in the air. Oddly enough, as she demonstrated, a sister began to channel behind Ay’Lira as she continued to disrobe and lightly touched her head with the weave. Strange, that. She didn’t let any surprise show, though. To become an Aes Sedai, she had to trust them whether or not she knew their reasons. “Remember what must be remembered,” the unseen sister said. “When you see that sign, you will go to it immediately, at a steady pace, neither hurrying nor hanging back, and only then may you embrace the Power. The weaving required must begin immediately, and you may not leave that sign until it is completed.” “Remember what must be remembered.” “When the weave is complete, you will see that sign again, marking the way you must go, again at a steady pace, without hesitation.” “Remember what must be remembered.” “One hundred times you will weave, in the order you have been give and in perfect composure.” “Remember what must be remembered.” Ay’Lira soaked every word as it was spoken to her, even the “remember what must be remembered” part. The weave the sister was weaving settled in, and the seven sisters surrounding the ring. As she continued to undress, she felt all seven of them begin to channel, and channel complex weaves at that. She didn’t show any hesitation or falter at all as she finished, placing her Great Serpent ring on top of her folded clothes. She waited calmly for the signal from the ring ter’angreal. When she saw the air in it gleam completely white, she stepped through… Looking around, Ay’Lira decided she was in an empty manor. She saw no one, heard no one. The unfamiliar surroundings made her want to hide, but she had to keep perfect composure. She had to keep calm. Walking forward, she wondered why she was nude, and where her clothes might have gone. As she moved through the grand parlor, she spotted a simply cut but elegant silk dress, shift, stockings, and slippers. Not hurrying, but not hesitating either, she walk to the table that had the clothes and dressed at a steady pace. Once she was properly covered, she continued to walk, striding down the hallway connected to the only door in this unusual place. As she walked, she began to hear people move around. Even though she was dressed for this place, she felt very unwelcome, very out-of-place. But she kept her discomfort down. It did not show on her face. She couldn’t let it. The population of this once desolate place grew denser and denser. People cropped up out of nowhere now. Where under the Light were they coming from? As she moved down the hall, they began to cover amused smiles while looking at her. They snickered and murmured. She wondered what they found so amusing about her. But she kept her eyes forward, gliding down the hall until she reached a large ballroom. Lords and ladies flitted about, some dancing, some talking, but most still looking curiously at her. She wanted desperately to stop and demand what amused them so. But she kept walking, weaving through dancing, talking, and amused nobility until she saw it. There was a six-pointed star in the middle of the dance floor. Couples swirled and twirled around and atop it. She kept her shoulders straight and her face bare of any emotions as she made her way through the throngs of people. This time, she didn’t weave, she asserted her unusual authority, and people backed away, embarrassed to be seen with a creature as strange as her. As soon as her feet were planted on the star, she embraced Saidar, and as soon as she began to weave the first required weave, the music she hadn’t noticed before changed tune, and all the party-goers began to dance in a uniform motion. When she saw the immediate uniform movement, she immediately split a weave and made a wall of Air around her, making sure the couples wouldn’t knock her off the star. Once the weave was complete, the music died down again, and the people spread out, paying her no mind whatsoever. She left the star and headed toward the new one now hanging over the door leading out… Ay’Lira’s bare foot stepped on something that made a distinctive squish sound. She kept moving, but also looked down to see what she had stepped in. It was mud. But it wasn’t mud that one simply saw after rain. This was mud that was filled with decades of rotten plant fodder. It was green and black, and it stank of the Blight. Her face did not twist, her nose did not twitch. But she did keep a keen eye on the surroundings. The Blight did not accommodate to anyone. She did wish she had some clothes, though. As she thought that, a pair of trousers, a good shirt, and a coat appeared on some unusually clean branches of trees, some good boots hanging along with them. She dressed steadily and headed out again. The trees were black, not with death, but with decay. The plants were the same, but they seemed to have oddly-colored spots on them. Whenever something made a noise, she followed it with her eyes, but usually found nothing. She walked until she found a six-pointed star marked out in twisted sticks left in the mud. Stepping into the star, she embraced Saidar and began to construct the second weave. As soon as she brought out the barest amount of Air, Fire, and Earth, a Myrdraal appeared in front of her. It smiled at her, but before its smile could reach its eyeless gaze, she split the weave of Fire and burned its head off. The thing thrashed on the ground, scrabbling for its sword as she continued to weave her required second weave. The thing was grotesque and demanded her attention, but she ignored it. She added the Spirit and finished the second weave. The gnarled and decayed branches of the black trees formed the same six-pointed star she had just left. She walked under the branches, and… Her home felt so strange without anyone in it. And she felt stranger standing in her kitchen bare of clothing. She didn’t know where her family had gone, or how she had gotten to the kitchen without a stitch of cloths. But she knew she had to find the six-pointed star, weave the third required weave, and keep a completely calm exterior during all of it. Her simple preferred clothes appeared on her kitchen table: good woolen trousers, simple boots, and a good shirt. She dressed herself and walked through her house. The star was not here, and neither was her family. So, she went outside. She headed from her house toward the Seven Towers. Her father might be at work, or her mother. But more importantly, the star would be likely to be there. But as she walked through the streets, she saw it etched out in stones right in front of the main entrance of the Towers. When she reached it, she began to weave Air, Earth, and Spirit. In the corner of her vision, and in one of the arrow slits of the closest Tower, she saw movement. She split the weave of Air and sent a long weave to her target while keeping the complicated weave in its place. The extra weave of Air grabbed the arrow aimed at her and the bow that was about to shoot it and likely others. The bow and arrow dropped harmlessly to the ground, and a curse came out of the arrow slit. The assassin probably wasn’t done, but she kept weaving. Air, Earth, and Spirit began to look like a circle of lace. Ay’Lira was almost finished when the lone assassin came running out of the tower and rushing at her with a sword. She dispatched of the sword in much the same way she had the bow and arrow, but he kept running, now with a brandished knife. This time, she just tied him in ropes of Air and tied off the weave, finishing the required one. She turned around and saw a six-pointed star above an inn. The assassin shouted curses and obscenities at her as she walked away, saying that he had killed her family, had killed her friends, had killed anyone she loved, screaming her name. His voice sounded familiar, but she didn’t turn around. She didn’t want to confirm that this was her innocent little brother. She walked under the star… Ay’Lira was beginning to feel tired, but she didn’t let her posture or her face show it. She had to be calm, and keep going at a steady pace. Her bare feet hit rocks. Not stepping stones, but large pieces of earth. Looking up, she saw the top of a mountain. But, the tip wasn’t there…was it a volcano? Looking down, she saw nothing but forest. She looked up and saw the six-pointed star up the mountain, not very far away. As she began to climb, she found a simple woolen dress and boots. A dress wasn’t the best thing to climb in, but it was better than her skin. She dressed and headed up again. The vague pathway up the mountain slowly went away during her ascent, and she was forced to climb on all fours, but she still kept her face smooth, and her pace steady. It was hard to keep her breathing steady, but she managed it. When she finally reached the star, she stood on steady feet. She had to keep her feet apart, but she still stood. As she embraced Saidar, the ground moved and the mountain did indeed prove to be a volcano. She began to ready her weave with weaves of Air, Earth, Water, and Spirit. She split the weave of Earth and sent it into the volcano. She raised the earth around her to divert the oncoming lava at a wide angle. She wove the weave, careful to watch the lava, making sure that it didn’t go over the wall. Light, but it was hot! Her breathing became labored, but her face didn’t show the strain. As she expected, the lava did come over the wall of earth, but she sent split weaves of Water and Air at the molten earth until it hardened. Wanting to sigh in relief, she kept it away and finished the weave. When it was done, she looked around and noticed the lava around her was all hardened. There was also a good wide path leading to an opening of a cave with the six-pointed star on it. As she stepped over the hardened lava, she was glad for the boot. It was no longer hot enough to kill, but she could still feel the heat. She stepped off the lava and walked into the cave… Ay’Lira found herself in a small room in the Seven Towers. Next to her was a beautifully cut blue dress, a shift, and slippers to match. She dressed herself, and stepped out of the room. She had to find the last six-pointed star, and weave the hundredth weave. Stepping out of the room, she found herself in the servants quarters. She had spent so many happy days here with Benna. As she scanned the halls, she saw dark residue on the walls. Was it blood? Turning down the hall, she moved toward the main galleries and found that it was dried blood. The fall. She hadn’t been here since the fall. If she had, she would have gone into the Blight. Bodies were scattered everywhere. But not fresh ones. They were all decaying, not quite skeletons, and they all smelled terrible. She did not to look at the faces to see if she knew anyone. She just kept walking, dust and dried blood beginning to collect on her skirt. She was drawn to the throne room where the floor was absolutely littered with bodies. Some of the bodies were Trollocs and Myrdraal, but most of them were human. She tried not to think that her father would likely be one of them. In the middle of the floor, she found a six-pointed star etched out in black tiles against the predominant white. Ay’Lira wove around the bodies, keeping her eyes on the star. As she approached, she heard someone running toward her, shouting her name. Looking back, but not startled, she found her younger brother Teru. He was dirty, had a beard growing, and tears in his eyes. “Lira, you’re back! What are you doing here?” he asked as she continued to walk. “I have a purpose here,” she said simply, still moving to the star. “A purpose? What is it?” “I need to complete something.” “Well…can I help?” “No, this is something only I can do.” “When you’re finished…you can come live with us again. We’re living in Fal Moran now. I’m one of the defenders against the Blight, can you believe it?” There was a touch of excitement in his voice. The same little boy she had played with and taught archery to all those years ago… She bit back the tears. “No, I cannot. Tell mother and Benna that I love them, yourself as well,” she said as she stepped into the star and wove the last weave. When it was done, there was a spray of colors… And she was back in the room of the testing. She stumbled, but didn’t fall as she walked toward Valeri, but she didn’t go very far. She couldn’t believe how different Teru was. Out of all those memories, her brother as a desperate assassin and her brother as a proud defender of Fal Moran…which one had he become? Valeri’s clapping snapped her to attention. “It is done. Let no one ever speak of what has passed here. It is for us to share in silence with she who experienced it. It is done.” She clapped again. “Ay’Lira Sonoran, you will spend the night in prayer and contemplation of the burdens you will take up on the morrow, when you don the shawl of an Aes Sedai. It is done.” With that, she clapped yet again, and left the room. As the seven Sisters crowded her, they asked if she would like a Healing. Looking down, she saw herself covered in scrapes, cuts, and bruises. The Yellow Healed her after she accepted it, and almost let out a shout of the surprise of coldness. She dressed herself in her own clothes, putting on the ring first. The sisters escorted her to her room. It was late at night, and everyone was asleep when she came back to her room. After she ate the food left for her, she tried to pray and contemplate, but she was far too tired. She drifted off to sleep, not bothering to cover herself with her blankets, and not bothering to strip to her shift… Ay’Lira woke up perhaps three hours later, by her guess, and brushed her hair out, smoothing out of skirt. She drank some water, checked herself in the mirror, and sat back down on her bed. A smile crept up on her lips. She had passed the test. She passed! The enormity hadn’t quite hit her last night. But she woke up now, excited for what was to come. But she knew she still had to maintain her calm, so she allowed some of her pent-up giggles to escape. She caught her breath, schooling herself, and waited. A few minutes later, there were three knocks on the door. Standing, she walked to the door and opened it. A Red sister stood with six others, one for each Ajah. They stood in silence, but didn’t have to wait long for her to join them. They left with her and escorted her back to the room where she had tested. The Sitters from each Ajahs were there with one other sister there, holding a shawl. She couldn’t see all of it from where she stood at the doorway, but she knew the ceremony by heart. They were all shawled, and the Amyrlin and Keeper were stoled. “Who comes here?” asked the Amyrlin. “Ay’Lira Sonoran,” she answered. “For what reason do you come?” “To swear the Three Oaths and thereby gain the shawl of an Aes Sedai.” “By what right do you claim this burden?” “By right of having made the passage, submitting myself to the will of the Tower.” “Then enter, if you dare, and bind yourself to the Tower.” Ay’Lira entered, keeping her countenance, serene and confident. She walked through the now still ring, but when she walked through, she was still in the same room. She had halfway expected another test. She found her way to the Amyrlin and knelt. Now with the Oath rod in front of her, she channeled just a bit of Spirit. “Under the Light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will speak no word that is not true. Under the Light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will not make one weapon for one man to kill another. Under the Light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will never use the One Power as a weapon except against Shadowspawn, or in the last extreme of defending my life, or that of my Warder, or another Sister.” Ay’Lira noticed that as she swore each Oath, her skin tightened. But again, she wasn’t surprised with the unexpected effect. She handed the Oath Rod back to the Amyrlin. The Amyrlin said, “It is half done, and the White Tower graven on your bones. Rise now, Aes Sedai, and choose your Ajah and all will be done that may be done under the Light.” Ay’Lira rose, now an Aes Sedai. No longer a “child”, and walked among the rows of sisters. When she had finally chosen her Ajah, she wondered to herself what took her so long to make that decision. But now she knew, no matter what hesitations she may have taken. And now she stood in front of the Greens, awaiting their words.

OOC: Being called to the Testing -- It's really long, so I'm breaking into sections, each one is preceded with the topic of each post so you can skim to the parts you want to read if you don't want to read it all at one (or at all ;) ) Kathleen was sitting in the dinning hall enjoying a late lunch. Most of the room was deserted with a few small pockets of Novices who had been busy during the main part of the lunch hour, most likely bringing some Aes Sedai their lunch. Kathleen sat alone but she wasn't upset. She was not in the mood to be around people. She had a bit of rough day and was starting to feel her afternoon slump settling in. She was hoping the soup and roll she had gotten would be enough to give her the boost she needed to get her feeling like normal again. Just as she was finishing the last little bit she saw Pia Sedai enter the dining hall. At first Kathleen paid no attention, it was not unusual for the Mistress of Novices to take a late lunch but there did seem to be something strange about it today. As the Gray got closer and Kathleen took the last sip of her drink she realized what made her feel so strange, Pia was not heading toward the food, but directly toward Kathleen, and the Mistress of Novices was wearing her shawl. As Pia reached the table Kathleen was suprised at she said, "Kathleen Vandiar, you are summoned to be tested for the shawl of an Aes Sedai. The Light keep you whole and see you safe." The novices across the dining room all stopped their conversation and stared as Kathleen slowly took in what the Aes Sedai had just said and rose to meet her. Kathleen followed the Mistress of Novices out of the dining hall and down into the depths of the White Tower. They walked in silence but Kathleen's mind had never been more a buzz. She had known this day was coming for some time, but she was not expecting it today. As they walked underground through the surprisingly large and well lit corridors Kathleen hardly even took in the magnificence of it all as she tried to settle the bundle of nerves settling into her stomach and slow the stream of thoughts and worries that filled her head. She was quickly going through the list of 100 weaves in the order she had memorized over the last few years, just to review one more time, when they arrived at the extraordinary doors. At first Kathleen didn't know what she was looking at and it wasn't until she really looked that she saw what she thought was an impossibly large polished gate far under the Tower. Just as Kathleen was trying to figure out how to get in she saw the glow of Saidar encompass the Mistress of Novices and to Kathleen's surprise the massive doors silently opened. The chamber that opened up to them was large, circular and domed. The walls were white stone and ringed with stand-lamps whose light was reflected onto them making the chamber glaringly bright when compared to the halls they were leaving. In the center of the room directly beneath the dome, there was a large oval ring standing on its end. At well over a span in height and around a pace across at its widest point it was the largest ter'angreal Kathleen had even seen. It seemed to change colour over and over and always showing a new colour, sometime the colours even seemed to mix. Just as Kathleen noticed that it was somehow standing unsupported and wished she could study it up close she heard the Mistress of Novices say, "Attend," and Kathleen noticed the 7 other women all dressed in a different coloured shawl, one for each Ajah, rise and move to form a circle around Pia and Kathleen. As much as Kathleen's thoughts were all over the place she had held her posture and composure since the moment she had risen from the dining hall table. She knew the immense amount of importance there was in the way she carried herself so she tried to stay composed and calm and hold herself as the Aes Sedai she would hopefully soon become. As the Sisters completed the ring around them Pia said began the ceremony as she spoke and Kathleen knew how she was to respond and the dialog rolled off the women's tongues almost without having to think about it. "You come in ignorance, Kathleen Vandiar . How would you depart?" "In knowledge of myself." "For what reason have you been summoned here?" "To be tried." "For what reason should you be tried?" "So that I may learn whether I am worthy." "For what would you be found worthy?" "To wear the shawl." As soon as the required words were spoken Kathleen began to undress. Pia continued, "Therefore I will instruct you. You will see this sign upon the ground." She said as she channeled and drew a six pointed star in the air with her finger in front of Kathleen. While Kathleen watched Pia draw the star she felt a Sister behind her embrace Saidar and when Kathleen felt the weave lightly touch the back of her head her heart fluttered in surprise but the girl barley blinked. She hadn't been expecting that, but Kathleen knew that almost all of the process tonight was to see if she could keep her composure when put to the test so even though she wasn't expecting this she knew the Aes Sedai wouldn't hurt her and she didn't let her surprise show. When Pia had finished drawing the star another Sister spoke, "Remember what must be remembered." and Pia continued saying, "When you see that sign, you will go to it immediately, at a steady pace, neither hurrying nor hanging back, and only then may you embrace the Power. The weaving required must begin immediately, and you may not leave that sign until it is completed." The other Sister spoke again, "Remember what must be remembered." And Pia replied, "When the weave is complete, you will see that sign again, marking the way you must go, again at a steady pace, without hesitation." The other Sister replied, "Remember what must be remembered." And Pia spoke again,"One hundred times will you weave, in the order you have been given and in perfect composure." One last time the other Sister spoke, "Remember what must be remembered." When the words were spoken Kathleen could feel the weave the Sister behind her had been channeling settle into her and all the Sisters, save the Mistress of Novices, began to take their places kneeling in a circle around the ter'angreal. When they were all kneeling on the stone floor Kathleen saw them all embrace the Saidar and begin to channel and each made the same complicated weave of all five powers. As they did the colours in the ter'angreal began to shift ever faster until it was flashing like a kaleidoscope. As the others left to begin this formation around the ter'angreal Kathleen continued to remove the last few articles of clothing. She was still uncomfortable disrobing in front of others, but she had done it for her Arches and she would do it for this a million times over. She noticed the Mistress of Novices leering at her and she was embarrassed as the last article of clothing was removed but much to her surprise she managed not to blush or show any sign that this was making her uncomfortable and as she folded her stockings and set them on top of her neatly folded dress she noticed the Great Serpent ring she wore on her finger and she slid it off and placed it on top of her clothes. With all of her worldly belongings out of her contact Kathleen calmly stood to meet the eye of the Mistress of Novices. As she stood the ter'angreal in the center of the room turned a solid white, and the air in the opening of it glowed with all the appearance of true pure light. Then the ring slowly and more curiously, silently, began to revolve on its base. No one spoke and Kathleen knew what must be done, it was time and with out hesitation she slowly began her steady walk toward the revolving ter'angreal, it is really time, she thought as approached it and carefully and confidently stepped through the center of the glowing structure.

IC: The muscles of her legs stretched and contracted with each stride. Breathing deeply and exhaling she ran. He mind was centered and she thought only one thing…making one leg move after another. She did not notice the trainees looking at her…usually she would have noticed and smiled or waved to them. She felt an odd feeling that she needed to be focused this day…the feeing itched her in the back of her mind. Ever since her weapon training started Sana made her run laps each day, and Veris came to find that it was a great way for he to let of steam. She always felt relaxed after a run. Slowing down she grabbed her things and jogged towards her rooms. As she headed to her rooms she ran into her friends. Raine her best friend was amongst them. They were talking about an Accepted that was seen being taken to the testing halls. Very early that moring…Veria did not dare ask why Raine was out at that hour. The woman’s name was Garada…one the would surely go red. Veria felt for the accepted…she knew her and wandered if she would come through ok. Garada was a stubborn woman and smart…but you just never knew. Making excuses Veria left to go and bathe. Once she was bathed and clothed again in her accepted’s dress she went to the library to study her history class. While she was there she found her mentee Audie doing some class work as well. Sitting with her they caught up as they had not seen each other in a along time. AS they laughed quietly together, Veria felt someone come up behind her… It was The Mistress of Novices, Darienna Sedai. OOC: I hope you don't mind helping a out a little but taking her to the testing? Thankx :D

It's over. It's finally over. Over twenty years of work, countless hours of study, countless days scrubbing pots, and all of it leading to this one night and day. Janine sat nude on her bed in the Accepted's quarters, legs folded up underneath her, elbows resting on her knees. Her eyes were locked on the door in front of her, though she really didn't see it. In her mind, Janine was replaying the events of the night, seeing every moment unfold in her imagination. The fire had long burned down to embers, but Janine did not notice the slight chill in the air. She simply sat and remembered... One hundred weaves, one final testing... The list of weaves seemed oppressively massive, but Janine had committed every evening from the day she got the list to learning and memorizing every single weave on the list. None of the weaves were hard, per se, but they were unusual. It was no easy task to memorize them because of their odd nature. Of course, there was the second part of the test: utterly calm serenity. That one would be more difficult than the weaves. Janine's temper was well-known throughout the Accepted's quarters; she always seemed to be on the edge of exploding, as if something was always at the back of her mind, making her angry with the world. If any of them had cared to ask Janine about it, they would have found out they were absolutely right, though they would not have liked the resulting answer... Voices in the hallway brought Janine out of her silent contemplation. From the sound of it, there were two novices out there, sneaking into the quarters of a despised Accepted, likely with something squirmy to liven her evening. Janine remembered doing that on more than one occasion, though it wasn't very original. She had much preferred something more shocking than having her victims wake up with a 'friend' in their bed. For a moment, she considered leaving her room to catch the two in the act. However, it was likely that she didn't like the targeted Accepted, either, and in a few hours, she wouldn't be able to do it herself. Settling back, Janine allowed her mind to return to its contemplations... Meals in the cafeteria were filling, if a bit bland, but Janine didn't mind. A full stomach kept her from being too cranky with whatever obnoxious novices she was stuck teaching. She did not have the patience for it at any time, much less with all these recent raisings and... "Janine Alastarn." Not again... This was probably over assigning a chore to some novice simply for getting on her nerves and... Turning, Janine saw that this was not the case. It was the Mistress of Novices. She was in her shawl. Oh, Light... "You are summoned to be tested for the shawl of an Aes Sedai. May the Light keep you whole and see you safe." Janine could have died in that moment. After the Accepted test, she'd thought that there would never be such a fear again, but that familiar cold began creeping up her spine, chilling her in an all-too-familiar manner... "Here we go again," Janine muttered. Another shiver racked Janine's body, causing her to wrap her arms tightly around herself. The walk down to the testing had passed in silence. She remembered her mind, how it had roiled and ran through the list of weaves. She knew them all, but they had been gone from her mind as if they'd never been. It had worried her, but she'd been able to force a calm over her mind as the walk had progressed. To the door... The silence was deafening, oppressive, yet Janine had to allow it. Once in the passages below the White Tower, silence was required. Even if that silence seemed to stretch forever as she descended lower and lower into the bowels of the Tower. Only upon reaching the lowest level, the last door, did they stop. It took no time for Janine to see the difference between this door and the other doors that they had passed. It was huge. There was no other way to say it. The size reminded Janine of the doors on fortresses or defensive towers. A simple weave of Air pushed the doors open, revealing... Janine gasped. Lamplight reflected off the white walls of the room, arching up to the domed ceiling. In the center of the room, an oval stood on edge, the light reflecting various colors off of it, never staying the same for a moment. With a sinking certainty, Janine knew that she was to be tested within the thing. However, this was not the Arches. This was different. Janine knew she was capable of doing this. The shattered girl that had come out of that bloody ter'angreal so long ago was dead and gone, replaced with a woman who knew what she was about. Failure was not an option. "Attend," the Mistress of Novices said formally. At the word, the seven Aes Sedai in the room stood around her in a ring. It was time to be done with it. "You come in ignorance, Janine Alastarn. How would you depart?" I would depart with the knowledge I need to be free of the restraints you've put upon me. The fiery thought was no reflection of Janine's tone as she calmly said, "In knowledge of myself." "For what reason have you been summoned here?" "To be tried." And not just my patience. "For what reason should you be tried?" A sudden realization hit Janine. This was one of the last steps in becoming Aes Sedai. She was almost done. Twenty-some years to get to this point, and it was almost over. "So that I may learn whether I am worthy." "For what would you be found worthy?" Serenity could not help the small smile that blossomed on Janine's face for a moment. "To wear the shawl..." Light, it had been terrible. A hundred memories had cascaded upon her all at once at the end of that testing. She felt tears beginning to form at the corners of her eyes at some of them. She'd seen her brothers thrust into Trolloc cookpots. She'd been thrown to starved lions. There'd been Inquisitors with their needles and hot pokers and worse things. She'd been beaten, scratched, nearly mauled, nearly raped, nearly dead in dozens of ways that she'd never expected. She'd fought Trollocs and Fades and all kinds of Shadowspawned filth. And she'd come out at the end. Janine had done it all without the failure she'd expected. She'd succeeded. The sounds from the hall seemed to indicate that the day would be starting soon. Rising from the bed, Janine quickly dressed, laying her few belongings on the bed. They'd be here for her soon. Almost on cue, there came three clear knocks at the door. Looking into the mirror one last time, Janine took a steadying breath and opened the door. It was no surprise that there were seven Aes Sedai awaiting her, one from each Ajah and all wearing their shawls. Stepping into the silent circle, Janine allowed them to lead her once again through the corridors of the Tower, down the familiar tunnels of the previous night, and to the doors of the previous night. There would be no need for knocking, she saw; the doors stood wide open, waiting for her arrival. However, the circle around her stopped, halting her progress. Ah, yes, traditions, precedence, propriety, Janine thought for a moment. She was anxious to gain the shawl, to finally be free of all these restrictions! "Who comes here?" The voice was familiar in a vague sort of way. Janine had heard the Amyrlin speak on a few occasions, but that was all the interaction she'd had with the woman. Just as well; her temper could have very well caused her trouble. "Janine Alastarn," she answered clearly, her voice ringing through the room. "For what reason do you come?" "To swear the Three Oaths and thereby claim the shawl of an Aes Sedai." "By what right do you claim this burden?" By twenty years of my life being poured into this one moment, she thought. However, that's not the answer they wanted. "By right of having made the passage, submitting myself to the will of the White Tower." "Then enter, if you dare, and bind yourself to the White Tower." Janine dared. The Amyrlin stood framed within the oval ter'angreal, the seven-striped stole on her shoulders, her Keeper by her side with a black cushion in hand. Janine knew what would be on that cushion. Knowing what would be there, knowing that it would be there made Janine realize that she'd truly made it. They were really going to do this. Stepping through the oval, she went to her knees before the Amyrlin, her hands held before her. It seemed as if the smooth rod, not quite like ivory, not quite like glass, weighed more than it should have. There was no sound in the room. The only thing that seemed out of place was the glow around the Amyrlin as she channeled a thin flow of Spirit into the white rod in her hand. "Under the Light, and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I swear that I will never speak a word that is untrue." The sensation of the air seeming to press against her was... unnerving. Janine felt as if the words that she'd spoken were literally settling into her. "Under the Light, and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I swear that I will never make any weapon for one man to kill another." The feeling redoubled, making Janine feel as if she'd been sealed within a silk wrapping that was far too tight, leaving her hardly able to breathe. It was not comfortable, to say the least. "Under the Light, and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I swear that I will never use the One Power as a weapon except against Shadowspawn, or in the last extreme of defending my life or that of my Warder or another sister." A gasp escaped from Janine's lips as the oath settled into her along with the other two, sealing her as surely as a stone sealed a tomb. Her breathing was ragged, pressured. How long was this going to last? "It is half done, and the White Tower is graven on your bones," the Amyrlin said, her voice carrying the same dull tone as it had before. "Rise now, Aes Sedai, and choose your Ajah, and all will be done that may be done under the Light." If Janine had thought that kneeling was awkwardly uncomfortable, standing proved to be downright agony. The oaths seemed to keep her stiff and unbending, hardly able to move at all as she curtseyed to the Amyrlin and kissed her Great Serpent ring. With that formality out of the way, Janine looked to each Ajah in turn. The Yellows: healers and curers of diseases. They were the best healers known to the world. However, Janine had never shown any promise in Healing, nor had she ever shown any interest in it. The Blues: Seekers after Causes, with the capital letters audible. They sought to right wrongs and meddle with the affairs of thrones and nations. Not her cup of brandy in the least. The Reds: hunters of male channelers, defending the world from another Breaking. An admirable cause, to be sure, but not very high up on Janine's priority list. The Grays: mediators, arbiters, and negotiators. They sought to create peace and make groups work together. A good member to have in a party, but very far from Janine's nature. The Whites: philosophers, seekers of wisdom. Which meant that they sat around all day thinking deep thoughts. No. The Browns: archivers, librarians, and liable to know the most random things. Useful, but Janine had no desire to spend her entire life with her nose in a book. That only left one option. Her eyes traced the line back to the Ajah she'd long known she was meant for, and they'd known she was meant for them, too. Slowly, the rest of the Ajahs parted, leaving Janine with her choice. Always, she'd been the fighter, the one who refused to quit. She'd been the one who was more likely to lash out. She'd been destined for the Green Ajah since the day she'd strode into the Tower gardens and insulted Lavinya Sedai. Her steps made her choice clearer than any words could have.

“Aramina sur Dulciena, you are summoned to be tested for the shawl of an Aes Sedai.†The words broke Aramina out of the book she sat studying. She couldn’t seem to move. She knew that she should say something to the Mistress of Novices, but nothing would come out. How had they decided to come for her so soon? Wasn’t there some sort of notice they gave that you were reaching an end to your life as you knew it? “The Light keep you whole and see you safe.†Faerzyne Sedai said, breaking Aramina’s frozen moments. “Yes, Aes Sedai.†She said as she took a deep breath and left the safety of the library table and it’s familiar contents. Books had long become a favored companion of hers and Aramina looked regretfully back at the stack of books she left for others to clear up. She shook her head then, turning back to the matter at hand. The matter, of course, that her mind was trying to avoid by noticing inane things. Like the edge of her slippers were showing wear and would soon need replaced. Or that her left hand had an ink mark from her writing. Or that all sound seemed to stop as she passed through each area and all eyes were on her as she continued to follow Faerzyne Sedai through the Tower. Logically, Aramina knew her mind was diverting her attention, just as she knew sound did not stop, and that any eye that followed her and the Mistress of Novices was more than likely wondering what Aramina had done to deserve a visit to her office. Irrationality made these things large than life to her. Logically. She must think that way now more than ever before. Of course she knew the weaves she must complete. She had practiced until ever her dreams were of practicing. She had asked others to distract her. She had put herself into every place she could think of that would distract her properly. In the beginning she outdid herself 9 times out of 10, having to move to quieter locations to work the weaves, but she had passed that point some time ago. Now she had asked the help of other Accepted to keep her on her toes for the testing. She was competent with the weaves. It was what she didn’t know that worried her, about what would happen during the testing that no one talked about. All these years later a shiver still stuck with her whenever she thought of the Arches and personal truths she had passed through to become Accepted. She prayed the light saw her through this with less trauma than she had felt then. They passed into the bowels of the Tower and Aramina found herself staring through a set of doors at a beautiful ter’angreal. She took a deep breath, and then looked to the Sisters that stood around the room. She drew herself up and brought all the composure she could muster to her attention now. She stilled her hands at her sides though she wanted to dust her skirts and check her hair. She schooled her face to the same polite facade that she was known to be. She forced her breathing to be clam and steady, listening to the beating of her own heart as a guide in her need. “Attend†As Faerzye Sedai said the word the Aes Sedai in the room surrounded them. “You come in ignorance, Aramina sur Dulciena, how would you depart?†Alive, she thought. “In knowledge of myself.†She said calmly. “For what reason have you been summoned here?†“To be tried.†“For what reason should you be tried?†“So that I may learn whether I am worthy.†The words were said by rote and the familiarity of that soothed her even further. “For what would you be found worthy?†“To wear the shawl.†There was no doubt in her that she would end all today. She would come out Aes Sedai or die. Those were the only options left to her. Her own determined nature left no room for anything else. Relief welled up in her at the thought. To die and be with Nat today, or to join the cause she had died for. A small smile graced her lips then as she began to disrobe. When she was clad in the Light, as tradition said, she turned to the Mistress of Novices for continued instructions. "Therefore I will instruct you. You will see the sign upon the ground." As Faerzyne channeled a six pointed star in the air with fire, a sister channeled behind Aramina, touching the back of her head with the weave as she said "Remember what must be remembered." Faerzyne continued. "When you see that sign, you will go to it immediately, at a steady pace, neither hurrying nor hanging back, and only then may you embrace the Power. The weaving required must begin immediately, and you may not leave that sign until it is completed." The sister spoke again. "Remember what must be remembered." Faerzyne spoke again. "When the weave is complete, you will see that sign again, marking the way you must go, again at a steady pace, without hesitation" Another repetition. "Remember what must be remembered." "One hundred times you will weave, in the order you have been given and in perfect composure", said Faerzyne. "Remember what must be remembered." It was time. Aramina took one last look at the small pile of clothes she left behind. Not much of a legacy really if she didn’t make it out. She took a deep breath and nodded at the Mistress of Novices. It seemed right, somehow, to acknowledge her hand in her training over the years. As she took a step forward she felt the Aes Sedai watching her closely. Keep your facade, Aramina reminded herself. Keep your attention focused and think about what you’re doing. Work the weaves and keep moving. Keep your facade and focus. With those words lingering in her mind she stepped into the ter’angreal … And into a storm. The trees around her whipped furiously with the wind throwing dead leaves and loose branches into her path. She could hardly see through the force of the rain but something caught her eye ahead to the left. She started walking towards it, knowing without understanding, that she needed to reach it. She shivered in the cold and realized that her clothes were gone. She had no reason to be in these woods, in the middle of a storm, without her clothes. Logic almost stopped her then but Aramina pushed ahead. Get to the star. Answers had to come from there; she knew it, without understanding. Facade and focus, her mantra came to her as she continued ahead again. As she stepped into the circle that contained the star she embraced the One Power and began weaving immediately. Competant, unrushed, she completed the weave and began moving on … Into a desert. Heat. She understood heat. She preferred it to the cold actually, but this was insufferable. There was nothing but heat and… the sun was doing something to her eyes. She thought the sand had moved, but it was far too hard where she stood for it to move like that. She looked up and saw the star that she needed to get to. She took the first step and her feet burned on the rocks underneath. Facade and focus. Her movements were unhurried even though each step felt like walking on coals. Another step forward and she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her calf. She looked down at a small snake that had bitten her. Not poisonous, but certainly painful for the bite it had taken. That would explain the movements her eyes had been unable to decipher, she decided. It struck again as she moved past it. Another was in her way and it took a bite of her too. Each step she took was dodged by the small pains of tiny teeth, but she knew she had to continue. She had to reach that star. As she did she began her weaving again. The snakes moved closer but as she completed the weave they disappeared completely. She took a deep breath and composed herself again, mustering herself to move on with the pains she had already endured. Snow. Tornado. Earthquake. Natural disasters moved onto man-made disasters as mobs came to destroy her, to destroy her family for what she was. Men tried to beat on her, women gossiped behind her back and scowled to her face, her village denounced her. Animals tracked and hunted her. Thorny vines crawled behind her steps and wrapped around her ankles. Physical injuries mounted and she walked over jagged ice and chards of glass , through pools of salt water and mounds of hot coals, to reach her destination. She was chased by shadows and shadowsworn, trollocs and myrddraal. Dreadlords taunted her and draghkar stalked her. She saw life stripped away in front of her for her defiance to move ahead and saw death lay at her feet that she could have saved. Each step hurt worse than the next. Pain blossomed from wounds she knew, but didn’t understand. Façade and focus. Her mantra kept her head up high and her emotions so buried in herself that she didn’t blink as the trollocs made their lunch as she weaved 99. And she founds herself surrounded by fire. The building she was in was in ruins as walls and ceiling began collapsing around her. She knew this. How did she know this? She walked deeper into the building, somehow through the smoke and heat and flames, seeing the star that must be reached. Slow and steady as chunks of roofing came down around her. Slow and steady as voices called out around her. Slow and steady when hands reached her. She pulled away, trying to get to the star. “Don’t leave me Ara!†Her steps didn’t falter even if her heart did. She knew that voice. The voice she heard every night in her nightmares. “Help me. I can’t find my way out.†Tears filled her eyes, but Aramina blinked them back. Façade and focus. “Ara, please!†Façade. “I need your help.†Focus. Take a step. “Ara… I’ll die here!†Façade. Step closer. “Light forsake you Ara!†The young woman began coughing then, the smoke becoming too much for her. Focus. One more. She was in the circle then and began her weave. She diverted her weaves, tired as she was, and began clearing the smoke from the room as she worked the last weave of her test. It wasn’t enough and she saw the young woman fall to her knees. “Ara…†a weak rasp was all that came out. “Please…†The light was too much and Aramina lurched blindly out of the ter’angreal. Aramina barely managed to stay upright as the flood of memories came to her. Each horrible ordeal after another slammed into her and she bowed her head for a moment, refusing to let anyone see the pain that was now written on her face. They had done all of it, these Sisters who sat watching. One of them had known about Natalie. One of them had used the most horrific thing in her life to keep her from gaining the shawl. There was no way of knowing who did it or how they knew. Aramina took a deep breath and looked at the Sisters around her, remembering their faces. It would be a long time before any of them held her trust. Her physical pain could be dealt with, but the emotions she had been forced to play out in her last test were something to be answered for. “It is done.†Faerzyne’s voice and following clap broke through Aramina’s study of the Aes Sedai around her. “Let no one ever speak of what has passed here. It is for us to share in silence with she who experienced it. It is done.†She clapped her hands again before continuing. “Aramina sur Dulciena, you will spend tonight in prayer and contemplation of the burdens you will take up on tomorrow, when you receive the shawl of an Aes Sedai. It is done.†Done. No, not done. Far from done, but her test for the shawl was complete. Life with all it’s pain and pleasures still had a long way to take Aramina. A yellow sister came and offered healing and Aramina accepted readily. The snake bites had been a problem since they still all bleed freely. Her steps were tortured from the desert, not to mention what she had walked through to get to the stars. Too many injuries for her tired mind to catalogue, though she knew once she was rested the catalogue would be in the back of her mind anyway. In a moment all pains were washed away, though the Yellow Sister had to hold Aramina up for a moment after the healing. She was led back to her room then, where food sat waiting for her return. She took a sniff of it, but ravenous as she was, she couldn’t make herself eat when her mind swam around one trap. Only one truth had come to her tonight. She had loved Nat with everything in her. How then, had it been possible for her to leave the girl to her death? Not once, but three times. Her Arches had shown her doing that twice. She had clung to Nat that night and told her that she would never leave her. It had been a lie then; one that Natalie had later given Aramina back. A lie neither of them had been able to understand as a lie. Aramina took a deep breath and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her one truth. She was no longer Aramina sur Dulciena. Years of study had made something more of her, and something less. Aramina sur Dulciena did not leave friends to die. The woman looking back at her in the mirror, however, did, had, and would again. She was about to become Aes Sedai and the woman she was now, was not just a simply woman anymore, but a tool of the White Tower. It was… oddly comforting. She hadn’t understood back then but she did now. Just as Nat had understood when she had left the White Tower and died in its service. A sense of pride filled Aramina then as she looked back at her plate and picked up the bread that had been left. Her appetite was ready after all. The next morning found her tired, but ready. Her brown hair lay in perfect curls around her crown and down her neck and back. She walked in silence as the Sister’s led her on for the morning’s ritual. She was brought before the Amyrlin then, her keeper at her side. "Who comes here?" She asked from beside the ter'angreal. Aramina held her head high, her voice steady, and her expression as calm as an Aes Sedai. “Aramina sur Dulciena†"For what reason do you come?" "To swear the three oaths and thereby claim the shawl of an Aes Sedai." "By what right do you claim this burden?" "By right of having made the passage, submitting myself to the will of the White Tower." "Then enter, if you dare, and bind yourself to the White Tower." Aramina walked at the same measured pace she had in her testing through the ter’angreal and knelt in from the Amyrlin. The Oath rod was placed into her hand and she channeled a small about of spirit into the end of the slender white rod. With the Aryrlin’s nod, Aramina was ready for her Oaths. "Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will speak no word that is not true." "Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will make no weapon for one man to kill another.†"Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will never use the One Power as a weapon except against Shadowspawn, or in the last extreme of defending my life, or that of my warder, or another sister." With each Oath, Aramina had felt the words settling into her bones. It was like snakebites all over her body. Like poison oak that she couldn’t scratch. Like a spider had laid a web on her bones and had tightened it as each word was said. It was disconcerting but she kept her face steady. "It is half done, and the White Tower is graven on your bones." The Amyrlin said as she took the rod out of Aramina’s hand and placed it back on the pillow. "Rise now, Aes Sedai, and chose your Ajah, and all will be done that may be done under the Light." Aramina rose then and curtsied deeply for the Amyrlin and her Keeper, then turned to look at the Sisters present. She didn’t know if they knew where she was headed, but she took her time as she took a deep breath. She had thought of a million things to say as she approached her intended Ajah, but at the moment not a single one of them came forward to her mind. She walked steadily until she stood in front of the Green Ajah. “I would be a Green Sister, if I am permitted.†_________________ Aramina Sur Dulciena Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah She molded the clay, working it between her hands, wishing that she could meld people in such a way. The vase took shape in her hands and her hands moved gracefully upwards, slimming the vase as she went. Jade supposed in a way they did meld the Green recruits that came to them wanting be Green. They wanted it with all they were worth and they denied them, denied the thing they thought was their right. Jade had had her day at being denied and she had survived that task and many others that had come before her in her time as Aes Sedai. Denial was something she was well used to in fact, it seemed these days that she was denied everything she wanted. Denied her lover, denied a chance at love with anyone else, denied the right to sanity, denied the Ajah Head position. She sneered and thought of Sirayn Sedai who had everything she wanted, not by any means other than being smarter, brighter, and better. Jade looked down as the clay in her hands snapped at her and crumbled. She knew better than to let anger consume her while she was working the clay but these days she seemed to have no control over her emotions or the way they swamped her. The worst was the little voice in her head that kept whispering things to her when she was alone in her room. It was quiet when she was in the room, but when she was alone in her room it tore at her soul and took her apart piece by small piece. She made the motions with the clay and began to reshape the vase that she had been working on, it was a present for a friend and she wouldn't let her anger stop her from doing something that pleasured her. Time passed and she floated in the Void, devoid of any emotion and she worked on the vase. Adding details would come once it dried some. With a loud sigh she stopped the wheel and carried the vase to the workbench. Tomorrow she would add the details and then she would fire it in the kiln that had been built in the Green Quarters. Turning to the basin she washed the clay from her hands and face. She groaned and messaged the sore spot in the center of her back, missing the days when she could go back to her quarters and share love with someone. When Seia would message her sore joints and muscles and Jade would do the same for her. Jaydena smiled softly as she remembered the love they had shared and wished that it had never ended. She walked from the pottery room and made her way down to her quarters. Embracing the source she removed the weaves from around her room and stepped inside. On the floor lay a sealed envelope which she recognized well. Another chit was going through the testing and had passed, tomorrow the girl would be raised to the shawl. She sneered and laughed as she thought that if the girl chose the green she would find out that she would have no shawl til she was molded like clay. The next morning she woke up quickly and began to dress for the day, she washed her body and long auburn hair with rose hip soap. She rubbed lotion on her body and wondered why it mattered if she dolled herself up. There was no one there to care anymore anyway. Just the big empty bed that she had to make by herself every morning, for she wouldn't leave it for the servants. For if they didn't know that she slept alone they would look at her with sympathy in their eyes. Jade slide her legs into the silk stocking she wore and hooked the garters. She stepped into a emerald green sating dress with the Aes Sedai symbol embroidered along the hem and neckling. A matching gold belt cinched her tiny waist and an emerald necklace given to her by her first Gaidin went around her neck. The matching earrings and bracelet completed the outfit. She let her auburn hair fall down her back and hooked her shawl with a pin. Her feet slid into a pair of green slippers and she walked from her room. Giving her gaidin a smile she ignored the worry in the woman's eyes, the worrry that was always there and always in the bond. The woman feared for her and wondered when she would crack. Jade knew it and ignored it, she would never crack and she would never give up. She ate her breakfast in silence and looked up absently as her gaidin kissed her forehead and walked from the room. The worry still pulsing through the bond like a living thing. Jade finished her breakfast and walked out of her quarters, setting the weaves that protected her rooms from unwanted eyes and hands. She walked through the quiet halls and soon reached her destination. Taking her place beside the other Sitters she looked on as the ceremony began and a new sister joined their ranks. Soon the young woman was finished and she walked toward the Greens. So it was to be that way, another broken spirit. The new sister approached them and spoke, “I would be a Green Sister, if I am permitted.†Jade nodded and spoke, "We will take you to our Ajah Head Aramina Sedai." She motioned to the other Sitters and they made their way from the room. They walked through the Halls with soft foot falls and soon reached the Green Quarters. Their feet fell on the green sword inlaid tiles and Jade knocked loudly on a matching door when they reached it... _________________ Jaydena Sedai Sitter of the Green "We will take you to our Ajah Head Aramina Sedai." Aramina Sedai. It took everything in her not to smile at the title. She had worked years for it and though her emotions were still raw from the previous days trial, she felt relief and pride at hearing herself named Aes Sedai. She nodded to the Sister and followed along as they made their way through the Tower to the Green Quarters. Most people that knew Aramina wouldn't be able to tell by her appearance that she felt any different today as she followed the Sisters. Her sisters now. Her head was held as highly as she always held it, her posture as good. Her steps were firm and unhurried. No fluttering of hands or impatience gestures to show her excitement. No flush of skin or tear of joy showed on her face. Not even a smile to show that everything she had worked for in all her years had been attained, as she walked towards her meeting with the Head of the Green Ajah. Inwardly Aramina was a mess. Her carefully placed facade that took no more effort than breathing was taking all her concentration now. She worked to keep the corners of her lips from turning up or from trying to hurry the other Sisters. As the Aes Sedai came to a halt Aramina took a deep breath and waited to see if her Ajah would take her in. _________________ Aramina Sur Dulciena Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah Kareja followed Jaydena and Maechalla matching her step to the newest Green Recruit, Aramina Sur Dulciena, studying the young woman from the corner of her eye. She looked as calm as the full Sister she thought herself to be, her face expressionless as any Aes Sedai. The ageless look was of course missing and it would take years to work its way into her features but she wore her Accepted’s dress as if it were a silk dress and stepped as gracefully as any royal. I hope she bears disappointment as regally. Sirayn’s apartments were well known to most Accepted, they avoided them studiously unless commanded there. Sirayn Símeone-Damodred was not known for her patience with Novices or Accepted, Kareja thought wryly, though she could be kind Kareja knew. But still Aramina showed no hint of expression. Jaydena knocked sharply and they stood for a moment before the Captain General’s voice bid them to enter. The rooms reflected the woman. Sparse but elegant, a richness and depth with a hard edge of effeciencly. Sirayn sat at her desk studying the four of them silently as they approached. Jaydena gestured gracefully toward Aramina, "We have brought Aramina Sedai to you, Captain General. She wishes to speak of becoming a Sister of the Battle Ajah." Kareja had watched many supplicants to the Green quail before that gray eyed gaze but Aramina still stood expressionless, her hands at her sides, her gaze as equally unreadable as Sirayn's. Is the poor thing in shock? Or is she really so inscrutable? Kareja Niatari NSW Green Sitter She had looked into these eyes before and seen anger, heard scorn and debasement in her words and tone. Today there was no trace of emotion that she could see. Aramina sur Dulciena stood before Sirayn Sedai, barely having taken her vows and wanting nothing more than to go back to bed, to sleep away her memories of the night before and scrub the bone tightening words from her body. It was unsettling and the last thing Aramina needed at a time like this was anything that distracted her from her true goal. She needed to be more prepared. If she had known who she would stand before she would have spent the night in earnest preparing for the confrontation instead of trying to erase the memories that closed around her. She had lived with her haunted memories for years. One more night could have waited. This was not just another Sister she was stepping up to. Her other meetings with Sirayn had made her use her wits in ways that she hadn't since she had first began learning the Great Game. In a way, she was learning all over. As a child she had learned from her mother who was quite skilled. By her death Aramina no longer saw her mother as a master but simply as one who had supplied her with the basics she needed to get to the next level. In Sirayn Sedai, she saw a true Master and one that she desperately wanted to learn from. She wanted to clutch her skirts to keep her hands from scrubbing at the oaths in her bones, but she didn't allow either. She didn't let her own need to learn show in her eyes. She was not a Master yet but she knew well how to control herself and she wasn't about to give any chance away to Sirayn Sedai. She bowed her head slightly, acknowledging that she was indeed the supplicant in these matters. "As you know, I have passed my test for the Shawl and have been named Aes Sedai. I come to you today so that I might join the Green Ajah in it's fight against the Darkness. Will you have me?" She asked, her eyes soaking Siryan up for any sign of reaction. _________________ Aramina Sur Dulciena Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah All her life she had wanted to be a soldier. Nothing less than the wild life out beneath immense and turbulent skies, all the world her hunting ground, called to that solitary part of her that remembered stalking her quarry through Dumai’s Wells amid sparks and mud and madness. Being bound to this city burned in her like fire; so many concerns required her presence, not only in the north but way over in the land she called home where Aiel burned the Topless Towers, that it frustrated her all over again to be trapped here within these walls. On mornings like these when pale sunlight blazed across a city glittering like spun glass the open road seemed all the more tempting. Instead she stood before a window locked tight inside the white citadel. Stone walls closed in on all sides. A narrow frame shut in her view through leaded glass panes. If she had not been a sister she might have permitted herself a moment of discomfort, might have remembered how much she despised being restrained even in the smallest measure, but her folk could never be less than perfect. Rather than look out any longer at a life now forbidden to her she turned her eyes downward and contemplated instead her surviving hand laying lightly on the stone window sill … small and still, fragile as a white spider, the price of her independence. She coiled that pale hand into a fist and made herself remember nothing about fire and darkness. Like reeds and rushes those images trailed about her waiting to drag her down. Nobody was ever going to control her again. The hour wound onward while she brooded like a novice turned down for a dance. Such innocence was beyond them all in these dark times; the world was harder now and they had to be as iron. Light spilled in through a clear window and gleamed along planes of polished wood. Mechanic in her movements she set the office to rights, cleared up the evidence of another night’s hard study, returned papers to hidden places where only she might examine them. So new to this rank and already she had come to master a few of those secrets which had once belonged to her predecessor. If only she could master being Ajah Head the same way: through scanning papers, making notes, analysing; holding everything distant enough that it tested her intelligence and nothing of any more importance to her. This meant more to her than she could possibly express. Half a commitment might as well be none at all. Sometimes she figured she had forgotten how not to be Aes Sedai. At other times she remembered only too keenly. This morning, seated in a patch of bright sunlight in an office made for better women than she, Sirayn reflected on half a hundred hours she had spent as a tiny novice staring, in fear and wonder and something near to worship, at all the grand Green Ajah soldiers in their fine garb. Those soldiers now followed her every command. Her summons brought them, her orders guided them, her will guarded them. If they fell their blood stained her hands. If they succeeded the Battle Ajah ascended still further. The thought was at once thrilling and infinitely terrifying. A hundred years would never be enough to sort out everything this meant to her. Instead she focused on the morning’s black work. First petitions were possibly the most challenging part of her duties so far; even applying a little discipline, a tricky affair for one not best acquainted with the orderly process, was firmly rooted in the knowledge that the offender deserved every inch of what she was getting. Taking bright children new to the shawl and smashing apart their dreams was a filthy business. Blood and chaos in another raising not long before now had only steeled her determination to play the perfect Ajah Head … an impartial judge, even handed and fair to all, despite her misgivings … but she did not care for this at all. Outside a steady hand tapped at her door; keeping cool tones she bid them enter. One by one the party filed into the Captain General’s office. Ice grey eyes tracked each woman for an instant’s space, measuring the subtlest cues written into them, from fabulously beautiful Jaydena to diminutive Maechella only a fraction taller to herself to polished Kareja with her determination and her schemes: and for an instant pale light trapped the three Banner Captains together and she knew a brief moment of pride. These serene and iron willed women were the Green Ajah’s shield. And this child with them illustrated the brightest generation of recruits they had seen in many years. Aramina sur Dulciena. Their meetings had been intermittent to date, and neither had let anything slip beyond composure, but Sirayn counted herself intrigued by this particular raising. In purely economic terms somebody possessing all the qualities of cunning, discipline and Cairhienin heritage that came along so rarely made for a sound investment. She predicted a bright future for Aramina in the Battle Ajah … and given the auspicious way rank and age had fallen out it presented a unique opportunity for she herself to make a move. Her policy was to pick out only the stars of each generation and bind them to her cause; if she let Aramina sur Dulciena pass by, as she had let one or two slip through the net in earlier decades, it would be a great misfortune. Had she but known it a place already waited for Aramina upon her second petition. All that depended on successful testing: and the rigour and sometime cruelty of the Battle Ajah’s testing had passed into legend by now. Severe herself, her timeless features set into icy composure, she acknowledged the newest Aes Sedai’s words with the merest inclination of her head. The dice had already been thrown. It remained to see who would win this gamble. “Many have spoken the same words before you … Aramina Sedai.†Scrupulously she granted the other woman her new title, nobody would fault her on her manners, but the grey eyes remained measuring. “Why should we welcome you in where so many others have aspired? Do you bring any skills or qualities which might benefit the Battle Ajah?†_________________ Sirayn Símeone-Damodred Head of the Green Ajah - 999 NE White Tower RP Co-ordinator Her outer stillness was a perfect mask ask she watched Sirayn Sedai, watched her appraising eyes and found contempt in her voice again. “Many have spoken the same words before you … Aramina Sedai.†The title out of her mouth seemed as a joke beneath those eyes that hunted for weakness and failure. “Why should we welcome you in where so many others have aspired? Do you bring any skills or qualities which might benefit the Battle Ajah?†Aramina took a deep breath to still the anger that rose in her. She had taken the light forsaken test, had stood her night of vigil, and been put to the oaths. What more did she need to know about her? Oh, this wasn't someone who forgave or who easily put aside the past. Sirayn Sedai might say the right words at the right time, but there still lurking between them were the incidents that had brought Sirayn Sedai close enough for Aramina to know her. Perhaps she had not been so controlled on their first meeting as she had thought. Perhaps a hint of her anger at the Aes Sedai's denouncement of her had come through. There was always a price to pay. Today, petitioning for her Ajah, was apparently her day to pay the piper. Or perhaps this was to make her atone for asking her of the strengths and weaknesses of the Green Ajah. To display before all her own strengths and weaknesses. Aramina looked at the other woman again. Or perhaps she was just cruel in nature and thus taunted her for her own glee. She passed on that thought. The words so far had brought no satisfaction that she could see and Aramina refused to give her a response that would give her one. "Does any woman reach the shawl without something to give her Ajah?" She asked back, her voice serene and cool. "No woman that takes the Test is without gifts Sirayn Sedai, which you well know. I am stronger in the One Power than some in the Green Ajah," The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. It wasn't appropriate to talk about strength and in it she made the error she hadn't meant to. If Sirayn noticed, she would surely know that Aramina's calm was only surface level. Well, she made no mention of names, but the point was certainly made. She had no choice but to continue now. "So I have met any requirement you seek there. I am intelligent and play the Great Game as well as many I have met in the Tower, yet I know there is much to learn there, if perhaps there was a greater teacher. I handle a sword well, though I have known no battles. I am certain the Battle Ajah will see to it that I am not long a novice in this regard. These are the strengths and weaknesses that I possess, laid out at your feet to pick up or tread upon. Beyond these, I have the will and determination that you seek in your Sisters. Neither words, nor pain, nor grief, nor distance, nor time will sway me from my purpose here today and forever more." She looked at Sirayn Sedai, her chin up and her voice as stead as always. No sign indicating that she had been unraveled enough to speak inappropriately to the Green Ajah Head. Only the calm, collected expression that she always wore. "Tread on me if you will, or pick me up and send me to Battle." _________________ Aramina Sur Dulciena Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah As the rough and gravely voice called for them to enter she swung the door opened and closed her heart against the pain that wrenched at it each time she set eyes on one of the women she loved. She nodded her head to the Captain General, also known as Sirayn Sedai and then spoke, "We have brought Aramina Sedai to you, Captain General. She wishes to speak of becoming a Sister of the Battle Ajah." Sirayn barely moved her head and never quite locked eyes with her. Jaydena pushed down the pain at the rejection and took her place at the desk. Aramina faced them all and spoke in a controlled voice though her eyes showed the desperation she must be feeling. "As you know, I have passed my test for the Shawl and have been named Aes Sedai. I come to you today so that I might join the Green Ajah in it's fight against the Darkness. Will you have me?" Jaydena kept her eyes straight ahead and steady, just wondering if this one would cry her eyes out, yell and rage, or try and kill herself. Her lips curved in a smile as she wondered if she should expect a trend in the green recruits after that foolish move by Christine. Sirayn spoke in her controlled voice, “Many have spoken the same words before you … Aramina Sedai. Why should we welcome you in where so many others have aspired? Do you bring any skills or qualities which might benefit the Battle Ajah?†Jaydena noticed that Sirayn addressed the woman by her title and Jade knew that Sirayn must be feeling slightly cheerful to even throw her that small bit. Aramina stood for several moments as though considering her words and eyed each of them in turn before she began to speak. "Does any woman reach the shawl without something to give her Ajah? No woman that takes the Test is without gifts Sirayn Sedai, which you well know. I am stronger in the One Power than some in the Green Ajah." Jaydena's eyebrows shot up at those words and she almost laughed out loud. Not only was in rude to talk about strength in power front of anyone, she had picked entirely the wrong Green to say that in front of. Sirayn Sedai was one of the weakest in the power but what she lacked in the power she made up for in many other thing. The girl would soon learn her lesson for uttering those words in front of the Captain General. "So I have met any requirement you seek there. I am intelligent and play the Great Game as well as many I have met in the Tower, yet I know there is much to learn there, if perhaps there was a greater teacher. I handle a sword well, though I have known no battles. I am certain the Battle Ajah will see to it that I am not long a novice in this regard. These are the strengths and weaknesses that I possess, laid out at your feet to pick up or tread upon. Beyond these, I have the will and determination that you seek in your Sisters. Neither words, nor pain, nor grief, nor distance, nor time will sway me from my purpose here today and forever more." The girl had recovered quickly, but nothing would save her now and especially after that little comment. "Tread on me if you will, or pick me up and send me to Battle." Jaydena almost cackled in delight as she waited for Sirayn to take this little upstart down a few pegs... _________________ Jaydena Sedai Sitter of the Green Ooc: I was kidding that I should take Aramina down a notch for every point her One Power score was higher than mine … then I noticed that her potency is only 3 points higher. ;) In her two centuries Sirayn had weathered a good deal of provocation. These days she played a cautious game, laid her schemes behind the scenes and brought them to light only when her own position was assured; the gambling days were behind her and she certainly hoped that matters would never again become so desperate that she had to risk everything … but nevertheless, despite her best attempts at composure, there were certain topics which could still strike past her best defences. Another woman present in this office had discovered only to her cost that one did not ever call Sirayn Damodred a coward. Their youngest companion had, perhaps unwittingly, touched on another subject which caused immediate and serious outrage. By some trick of fate she had come into this world as nobody. Common born, illiterate and far removed from the kind of courts she now frequented, she had been possessed of scarcely enough strength to be worth the Tower’s time.. Any less and she would have been put out of the city and told never to return: a fact many had delighted in telling her many years ago before she got old enough and cold enough to make them regret it at length. She had scraped to the shawl only by a whisper, spent decade after decade clawing for power, exerting every ounce of her iron will to get to her current illustrious position. Nobody had given her anything. Everything she had she had earned through drive, determination and courage: all qualities she possessed in spades and which even perfect porcelain dolls like this one could not be gifted through their rich families and influential connections. She had never forgotten being the feeble one, the failure, always at a disadvantage. And nobody was ever going to use that against her again. Hence why that insult pushed her a long way toward the kind of wrath she had not unleashed since a certain other incident not so long ago. Insolent wench! Quick as a striking snake she wanted to lash out in response but to show the full extent of her fury in front of so many untrusted folk would undoubtedly be a mistake. A scathing retort was on her tongue; only with a great effort did Sirayn manage to control herself, to smooth out the impulse to teach this one a little respect. Inwardly she seethed. Had everything always been served up to this child on a plate, was life truly so easy when strength and beauty and everything else came as second nature, had she ever had to work for anything in her life? Burn her if she knew where Aramina sur Dulciena got the cheek to speak to her as if she had any right to confront an Ajah Head on her own ground, as if she should not be kneeling right now, as if that might even save her. No amount of kneeling was going to get Aramina newly Sedai out of the hole she had dug for herself. Her anger was getting out of control. Easy, she told herself in the calmest tones she could muster, easy. The other Sitters watched her with the tension ordinarily reserved for something caught caged and prone to bite; they knew, firstly, how unseemly it was to speak of strength so openly and, secondly, that that had been a direct and open taunt; how a mere scrap of a child newly raised to the shawl got the gall to speak so to her Ajah Head escaped her completely. None had seen her properly furious before, with the exception of one Jaydena Sedai, and she did not intend to give them that hold over her … but Light did she mean to make Aramina sur Dulciena regret her indiscretion. By the time she spoke again she had herself under tight control so iron it let no hint of feeling escape. “I do declare, Aramina Sedai, if I needed somebody to give grave offence you would be the first person under consideration.†Dark brows lifted a fraction in icy query. Those few cold words communicated a great deal: that her taunt had been registered and remembered; that she did not intend to let it pass; that if Aramina dared … dared … to speak to her in the same manner again it would be long and long before she opened her mouth around an older Aes Sedai again. “One does not speak openly of strength in public. That is not fitting to our station. As a side note, should you be interested in hearing it … every woman in this Ajah could destroy you in ways you don’t even know exist … and they have proven themselves a thousand times over.†Intensely she wanted to say more. Given her unprecedented strength in one particular element she was willing to bet that she could put on a show to silence any doubter; her skills were so concentrated in a narrow field that in many others she was useless but few matched her for causing massive destruction. Yet to make such an offer would be a crude attempt at intimidation and there were subtler, more acceptable ways of getting her revenge. She had honed those particular skills on a certain rival and as that woman might testify she had got very good very fast at keeping people down. “You have spoken passably well,†all business now Sirayn moved into her ceremonious speech, if with a twist of sharpness on the words, “yet I am not satisfied that you are ready to be Battle Ajah. I am looking for soldiers; you are but a child yet, young and green as a new leaf.†She derived a certain satisfaction from going through these now well known phrases; although she had turned people down before, it was usually a hard task rather than something she vindictively felt that Aramina Sedai deserved. The young sister before her had made a very grave miscalculation in crossing her Ajah Head. “You are not worthy. I will not accept you into the Battle Ajah.â€

Christine Sedai DM Member Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 242 Location: the BEACH! Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 4:27 pm Post subject: Becoming a sister... or not? (Christines Oaths, attn: Green) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Walking through the yards, Christine smiled as she made it to the Oak tree where she and Aran often practiced. They had taken many naps under that tree, saying they were in meditaion. And how many times had she gotten thrown into the water bucket just a few feet away? Not as many times as she had deserved. It felt so lonely, practicing alone, but Aran had gotten called in to watch the wall that afternoon, and as she didn’t feel like studying, she decided to spend it training. She held out the sword before her, and entered her void. It was a peaceful river, calm and just. It filled her, just like the power did. It was this calm nature that readied her for battle. Breathing thru her nose, she stepped back on her left foot, and brought the sword down from high left to low right, before stepping back on her right foot and moving to the side on her left foot and swinging the sword from high right to low left. Her feet turned as she slid around, whipping the sword as she then thrust forwards, stepping with her right foot. She no longer had to memorixe the steps and think about it. It just came to her. The steps were natural, and she repeated the moves again. Her steps were light and graceful, and her sword was whipping around, ready to slice anything that got in its wait. Perhaps it was the void that made her lose her hearing from the calling, or perhaps she just wished to hear nothing. But as she turned, she thought she saw a grey shawl, and stopped on the thrust. It was an Aes Sedai, dressed as if something was happening, and it could be good or bad. Walking forward, Christine sheathed her sword as she whipped off the sweat on her forhead. Doing an awkward curtsy to Fearzyne Sedai, the Mistress of Novices, she began to explain why she, an Accepted, was in the Warders Yard. “Hello, Aes Sedai, I was only training, I promise you-“ but she was cut off with a serious look that would have stopped the most firey tongue. Light! If she got sent to the farm again, she didn’t know what she would do. It had destroyed her novicehood, being sent to that place, and she would do anything to keep from going back. Even thought it had been 9 years since she had been a novice, the 33-year-old longed to have nothing to do with that Light-forsaken place. “Christine Segrto, you are summoned to be tested for the shawl of an Aes Sedai; the Light keep you whole and see you safe.†Fear struck like a smack on the face. Being tested? Now? She would no longer where the white dress with banded hem? She would be free? Happiness ran through her as she nodded, but at the same time, she wondered if she would pass. What would she do if she failed? Would she even live to come out? Would anyone even mourn her death? More than likely, no. She was alone. But if she passed, she would have sisters. The ideas and thoughts ran through her head, and she nodded slowly. Turning, she followed the Aes Sedai back to the tower, her head hung down as she stared at her sword-torn hands. She even played with her sword as she followed along, and fear ran down her spine as she glanced up at the tower. It seemed so much bigger, now that she knew she would soon be a real part of it. As a novice, you thought you were so important. When it came to being an Accepted, you thought you would never make it. And it was right then, when she looked up, she knew that something great was about to happen to her, and everything was about to change. She didn’t know what would truly happen when she stepped into her testing, but she was afraid of that too. Her arches had ripped her to pieces in the days after as her fears were relived before her. The walked through the tower slowly, both with their mouths shut. They passed a few people, mostly servants, and no one looked at her. They all knew what was going on. No one could miss the seriousness of the testing. There were two massive doors that opened, and she followed Fearzyne Sedai. They walked some more, and they entered into a large room, much like that when her arches were taken. There was a large ring in the center of the room, and light seemed to reflect from it as she saw her doom and future in its ring. There was a ring of Aes Sedai around the center of the room- one of each ajah, and the Mistress of Novices took her place. “Attend,†was all she said, and she saw the sisters obey. It struck her then that this was the defining moment of all her studies, of all her hard work, and all her failures and victories. Now, she was on the chopping block, and she could only pray to the light it didn’t cost her her life. And the ceremony began: “You come in ignorance Christine Segreto, how would you depart?†She swallowed, and Christine looked around at the Aes Sedai staring at her. Her eyes slowly returned to Faerzyne. “In Knowledge of Myself,†she heard herself say. “For what reason have you been summoned here?†Oh, Light! Someone help me please, she begged silently. She knew what she should answer, and while the Aes Sedai seemed so certain she was ready, she was not. She hardly even trusted herself… how could they trust her? “To be tried.†Her heart raced as she said it, and the ceremony continued “For what reason should you be tried?†Oh, Light! This wasn’t right! She shouldn’t have ever come to the tower- not if she was doubting herself now. But there was a voice that answered the question. “So that I may learn whether I am worthy.†And learn she would. Perhaps she was ready… she prayed she was. “For that would you be found worthy?†And here it was: she just blurted it out. “To wear the shawl.†And now, her testing was here. She knew nothing more. Now, she was on the chopping block, and the Aes Sedai all held an axe. It was now or never… and she prayed that she would live to tell. She was asked to undress, and she slipped off everything, and left her sword with it all. Perhaps that would earn points with the Green Sisters… or perhaps it wouldn’t. She ran through the random weaves, but all she thought of were sword steps. What would steps help her if all she had was the power, with no sword to help her? She walked towards the oval, and took one last look around. The Aes Sedai that stared at her showed no emotion on their face, and she knew then, that she was ready. Stepping into the oval, she was looking into almost complete darkness with only a small light from the moon shining down on her. One hundred weaves had to be formed, and one hundred weaves were what she would give. She began slowly, and after 20, she heard a voice in her ear. “Hello, child. We have been waiting for you…†She continued the weaves, her eyes almost shut in fear. She knew that voice… it was her bitch of a mother- that nasty darkfriend who had betrayed her, and joined the Shadow. 25 weaves, and she heard another voice. “Come on, Christine, you know you want the power.†That was her father. She knew what they wanted. They wanted her soul. It went back and forth between them as she continued her weaves, but as she neared 50, her heart almost stopped. Trollocs were coming towards her, with a Myddrral leading them. She continued the weaves, and they came closer, the voices continuing. Back and forth they went, with the trollocs running full force. It was 72 weaves when the trollocs came before her. She clenched her eyes as they came at her, continuing the weaves, and the beasts disappeared. But the voices continued. “So you have stood against trollocs… You have power in deed. But we will find you, and we will take you. Every Aes Sedai shall die to find you. And we shall claim you as one of ours, one for the Shadow.†It was 85 weaves, and her knees almost gave out as the battering continued. In the distance was a man, walking towards her slowly. She ignored the man, and concentrated on the weaves. 95… “Do you see that man? He is one of the Shadow’s, and he can channel…†Her skin prickled as he stopped ten paces away, and she completed weave 98. Only two more. A fire ball came at her from the man, and she yelped as another two followed. 99 weaves completed… “We shall have your soul, you whore, one day, we shall have your soul.†100. The man disappeared as the fire balls did, and the voices went away. And she almost fell to the ground, utterly exhausted. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ She was led to her rooms, and said nothing. Sleep would over come her any minute now, and as she made it to her room, she made a weak curtsy. Thoughts ran through her head as she fell onto her bed, but she pushed them away. She had passed her testing, and would soon be an Aes Sedai. She had done it. Now to join the ranks of the Green Sisterhood… Woken around dawn, she saw seven sisters before her. One spoke softly. “It is time.†She got out of the bed, still wearing what she had worn the night before. Light! Even her sword was still on her hip! How tired had she been? They gave her no time to take it off, and she followed them quietly. They entered the same room as the night before, and she was greeted by the Amyrlin Seat and Keeper of the Chronicles. The sisters lined up behind her, and she knew that now was the time to truly become an Aes Sedai. Pride filled her, and she stepped forward. The Mother spoke calmly and clearly for all to hear. “Who comes here?†Christine was more ready than ever. Where as the night before she had been terrified, she was now more certain of herself than ever. She would be an Aes Sedai… here it was! “Christine Segreto†“For what reason do you come?†â€To swear the three oaths and thereby claim the shawl of an Aes Sedai,†Christine replied. “By what right do you claim this burden?†“By right of having made the passage, submitting myself to the will of the White Tower.†She still felt the pain of the night before, and she knew that a world of challenges were facing her. But she would make it. Light! She hoped she made it. “Then enter, if you dare, and bind yourself to the White Tower.†She looked around the group of Aes Sedai behind her, and a smile went across her face. Here it was, her time, and she would be choosing her Ajah, and they would welcome her. She stepped up to the Amyrlin Seat, who held the Oath Rod in her hands as the Keeper gave ot to her. She was handed the rod, and Christine looked at it in awe. Here it was. Her whole life had been waiting for it. “Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will speak no word that is not true.†Oath one... â€Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will make no weapon for one man to kill another.†Oath two…“Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will never use the One Power as a weapon except against shadowspawn, or in the last extreme of defending my life, or that of my warder, or another sister.†Oath three… she was a sister. She fetl a tightening over her as the oaths settled. She was an Aes Sedai. She had done it. All of her hard work had not been in vain. She returned the Oath Rod to the Amyrlin Seat, and a smile was across her face, which was gladly returned. “It is half done, with the White Tower engraved on your bones. Rise now, Aes Sedai, and choose your Ajah and all will be done that may be done under the Light.†Turning, Christine looked at the Aes Sedai before her. Scanning over the group, she walked slowly towards them, her eyes scanning them. They rested on the Green sisters, and she stepped forward, stopping before them. Everyone else left the room, and she saw a shawl in their hands, the one she longed to wear. Clearing her voice, she looked into their eyes, no fear to be seen. “I beg acceptance into the Battle Ajah.†And it was done. She had done it. No matter what came her way, she was now a sister. She had traveled all this way, and she had made it. Nothing would hold her back now… _________________ Christine Segretto~Sister of the Green Ajah~WS2 Deniera l'Spada~Trainee WS4 Carsane Evera, High Seat of House Sadma How much odder can life get? Apollodoria27 DM Member Joined: 29 Apr 2005 Posts: 108 Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 9:12 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ooc- I assume this would be before Jade's dark period and in fact before she even meets Seia. So here goes, back in time! Jaydena rolled from the bed and walked to the window, her eyes roamed over the ground below her as the moonlight shone on her bare skin. She looked over at the empty bed and wished that she didn't have to climb back into the empty and cold bed. She ran her hands over her hands over her hourglass figure and wished that she didn't feel so alone, that she didn't feel like there was meant to be something more. Padding across the room in the moonlight her feet fell soft on the thick carpets she had gotten in Illian, she made her way to the bathroom and began preparing for the coming day. She couldn't force herself to get back into the cold bed anyway, it just seemed like hard stone to her anyway. Time passed and she climbed from the tub, she looked down at her body and examined the bruised that marked her pale skin. She had been training harder than ever, not just because she was a Green and she knew hard times were coming but also because it helped take away the lonliness. Jade walked from her bathroom and stepped toward her wardrobe inside her rom, she pulled her undergarments from inside and quickly dressed in a pair of tight green britches, a leather green vest, a white shirt, and knee high black leather boots. She walked to the side of her bed and picked up her sword and her short staves from where they leaned against the headboard. Hooking the belt for the staves around her waist one way she hefted the sword and looked down at it. It was made of hard metal and it was likely to be her only bed companion, it was sad and true fact that most Aes Sedai didn't spend their lives in happy and blissful conditions. She would likely die on some misty battleground and would only be remembered by those who had known her and with time her memory would fade and the only trace of her would be her part of the Vault. Shaking her head at the way her thoughts were turning she strapped the sword on her other hip and clasped the green velvet cloak with rabbit fur lining it and slide her hands wearing her serpent ring into the black leather rabbit fur lined gloves and walked out the door. It was time to train and take her thoughts from the lonely and short life ahead of her. Leaving her quarters she wove a ward around her rooms and alked quickly to a tapestry of a battle 500 years ago or more. Looking around she pulled it out and slipped behind it, she jogged down the steps and ran out into the garden that was just beginning to awake. The light glistened on the early morning dew as the sun rose over the Tower. She stopped for a moment and took a deep breath, pushing the ache from her heart as she ran out into the yard and began stretching before her work-out. Some time later she pushed the sweat from her eyes and regarded the Trainee she had just taught a lesson. He had swaggered up to her despite the fact that he knew what and ageless face looked like and acted like he was women's gift from the Creator and she should just jump into bed with him. Their spar had quickly taught him that he didn't want a woman with more power than him. She chuckled as she remembered his face and ran back up to her quarters. As she reached her quarters she saw a novice standing at her door. The young lady curtsied and said, "I am sorry Aes Sedai, I was about to come looking for you when you weren't here. This letter was sent to you." Jaydena thanked the novice and took the note from her, with a deft move of her hand and an a quick move she embraced the source, took the weave off from around her room and stepped inside. When she opened the letter she saw that a Accepted had passed the test and would now take the oaths to become an Aes Sedai. This one was expected to go green and Jade was looking forward to leading her on the right path. Making her way into the bathroom to change and wash the sweat from her body she glanced around the room and then set her sword down next to the bed... Two hours later she emered from hr room, she was now dressed in a emerald green dress with silver stars embroidered on it. Matching earring flashed in her ears, along with a necklace, and bracelet on her right wrist. Her hair was piled on her head and little sticks that looked like swords held the mass in place. Her emerald green fringed shawl with leaves across it shone in the light and she had adopted the serene expression of an Aes Sedai. Forgetting her weakness of the morning she walked on and soon reached the room where the child would swear her oaths. With a graceful glide she took her spot and waited for the ceremony to begin. A short time passed before the room had filled and the Accepted stood before the Amyrlin swearing the oaths to the Tower. Jade nodded as the woman stiffened when the oaths bond her and then stood, looking around the room, and then made her way toward them. She stopped in front of them and the rest of the other ajahs left when they saw where she was. Jaydena waited for her to speak and when she asked for acceptance into the green she said, "So you have chosen the green?" The new Sister whose name was Christine nodded and Jaydena returned her nod. "Well it's a hard ajah and a hard road, we begin it by taking you to our Captain General." She nodded and began walking through the Tower with the other sitters. They had soon reached the Green Quarters and she knocked on the door on her Ajah Heads door. _________________ Jaydena Sedai Sitter of the Green Lyssa Simeone Tower Guard Last edited by Apollodoria27 on Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:30 pm; edited 1 time in total Allisa DM Member Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 370 Location: The Far Reaches of Maine Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:38 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Though she stood still as a stone, her eyes sharp on the newest supplicant grasping the Oath Rod, Kareja’s thoughts were half a world away and whirling through her mind like a storm wind. Rumors and reports hinted at dark days on the horizong and she rankled at the political fetters that kept her tied to the Tower and thought wistfully (and she admitted to herself far too fondly) of the days when she herself had been a newly raised Sister, free to roam at will and meddle where she may. Green, indeed, but not only in the color of her Ajah. And of course she was not as free to roam and meddle as she would have liked. Too many people, royal and common, seemed to have forgotten the respect and courtesy due an Aes Sedai even in the years of her youth. Eyes filled with fear wherever she had wandered. Faces became closed when her own ageless countenance appeared. Ears strained when she spoke, searching for hidden meanings and twisted words. Not that the Tower has proven to be much different. Here, the game of dancing words was played with a more serious aim. Here, the fate of the world could rest on a well placed word, an arched eyebrow, a slight frown. Her own Aunts, the Light bless their souls, who could dance words or daggers with the best of them, might have found their tongues tied in the White Tower. Now she studied the newest woman to place her life in service to the Tower. Christine Segreto, a countrywoman of Kareja’s though of course once one vowed to the Tower such allegiances were past. Still they could have been true sisters were it not for the flush and eagerness of youth in Christine’s as she faced the three Green Sisters squarely. “I beg acceptance into the Battle Ajah.†Kareja snorted but said nothing. Beg indeed. Together the three Sitters led their newest recruit toward her new life, Kareja making a mental note to pull her fellow Domani aside at the earliest opportunity and instruct her on leaving her begging days far behind her. Battle Sisters demanded. Kareja Nuitari Green Sitter The Battle is all Sirayn DM Member Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 250 Location: England Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:00 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If anyone had told her twenty years ago that soon enough she would give up the soldier’s life, always on the road with saidar her only companion, she might have been offended at having her dedication called into question. Yet not only had she condemned herself to the dank innards of the White Tower for possibly as long as she would live, but she had done so willingly, and by her own devious orchestration … she who had once argued so fiercely to be free of all constraint and to go in search of adventure wherever she chose. The irony of it all diverted her for a fleeting moment. Now the only escapades she involved herself in were conducted at a distance with herself the player directing pawns about her work. Ink stains had replaced war wounds. She contemplated the densely written pages before her, smudged by hurry and detailing matters which no doubt urgently needed her attention, and for a moment this was all so surreal that it cut at her bright edged: she, once the half illiterate bastard from Andor, knowing nothing save how to survive … the bitter outcast who had found no comfort in a life she had needed to make her whole … it was she who now sat as Head of the Green Ajah, the highest office in these halls, before whom all others gave way. It seemed dream like in a way and yet she already knew that the taste of ascendancy was sweet and having supped from this cup she could never pass it on. Hence why Sirayn Sedai, once a soldier and perhaps still so in her heart, worked in silence and deep concentration these late hours to master a rising tide of paperwork. Dealing with authority had never been her strong point, much preferring to keep her independence close, and all the constraints which bound about sisters now manifested themselves before her in the form of endless requests. Asking permission to leave the city had never seemed so unnecessary as when she had to read over every such instance and grant or deny it. Those new tasks were only the beginning. A sister wanted a meeting to discuss the progress of her young mentee who was likely to choose the Green Ajah in her turn; Sirayn noted in passing that the woman was a modernist, briefly considered how awkward that audience might be, and granted it with a brief flourish of her pen. Somebody else wanted her to consent to their bonding with a young Tower Guard and to perhaps grace the occasion with her presence. Such support was not strictly necessary, but it was considered a small piece of tact, and perhaps all the more so to an Ajah Head so new. A sister’s bonding might prove a simple enough task to begin her public duties; a little favour spread good will and if all went well it might not even be tiresome. And all the time a stack of huge tomes brooded in one corner. Compiled there were the thousand and one rules of protocol which a Captain General needed to know, particularly one for whom foes waited at every opportunity, and she could not afford the smallest mistake. Time wound on and she fell into a mechanical routine like some work of brass and sinew to lift and scan and respond; by her side cryptic coded notes spidered further across an otherwise fresh and blank page. Briefly she entertained the thought of recruiting some servant to manage her appointments and so forth but the idea filled her with such an immediate horror that she discarded it immediately. It would be a bleak day when she admitted this or anything else was beyond her. Even as the first and palest rays of dawn stole softly through the leaded glass window, to paint her papers and the small movement of her hand writing in shades of grey and subtle rose, she finally roused herself enough to lay aside her papers. The light outside her window held a pale wintry tint. This morning they held one of their most fundamental ceremonies: the petition of a newly raised Aes Sedai and her subsequent entry, if as a recruit, having had her request denied. Raisings. The procedure held a great deal of significance for her. Much of her career had been sparked on that shameful morning she was deemed unworthy to join the Battle Ajah … so much bitterness, so much resentment, a lifetime’s exile all begun on a morning much like this so many years ago; for the longest time she had wanted to abolish the whole pretence immediately she took this office, never doubting in the dark dreams of her youth that some day she would, but matters were more complicated now. It would take some phenomenal support to overturn a tradition of some thousand years’ standing … perhaps more than she had, certainly more than she was willing to risk … and in truth? She wasn’t certain any longer that that would be the best way. She had only to look at her own case to see how successful the initiation period had been if one measured in colder and more objective ways than she had. Troubled as she was by all this philosophy no amount of contemplation would resolve the task before her. Christine Segreto was to be raised to the shawl this morning and if they had guessed rightly she would be coming to join them amid the Green Ajah. A raising was always a source of celebration and in particular this young woman Sirayn had herself guided in some small part; difficult though it was to imagine why Christine had attached herself to her so, presumably she had proved to be useful in some way. This morning if all went to plan the child would come to see her in an entirely new light … as Head of the Green Ajah. Always assuming she played her part correctly of course. Intellectually she knew that she couldn’t mess up such a simple procedure if she tried; but her heart told her otherwise. Nevertheless, an hour later found her smartly dressed and at her most imposing in the Captain General’s Office. A stately desk occupied the centre of this luxurious room with half a hundred paintings of previous incumbents hung up round the walls; once the title passed along from her, by means of resignation or something more sinister, her portrait too would occupy a place there. Heavy leather bound books lined one wall while a display cabinet cased mementoes and artefacts of long gone campaigns. Directly behind the desk positioned so that it lay across the wall like a silent threat was the colossal greatsword borne by her predecessors into battle and now by rights belonging to her. The blade was near as tall as she was and not likely to become her constant companion unless she worked out some way to bear it without looking a fool; yet it lent a certain authority to her presence here. Perfectly calm, she seated herself being the polished dark desk and simply waited; her hard face set in lines of stone, a simple green shawl draped about her shoulders; ice grey eyes rested upon the door waiting for the party to enter. On the wall above her head waited that great grey sword which marked her rank and for all the bleak and winding path which had brought her here, and all the dark times which still lay ahead, she looked every inch Head of the Green Ajah in that moment. ooc: Speak friend and enter. _________________ Sirayn Símeone-Damodred Head of the Green Ajah - 999 NE White Tower RP Co-ordinator Last edited by Sirayn on Sun Feb 12, 2006 6:01 pm; edited 1 time in total Christine Sedai DM Member Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 242 Location: the BEACH! Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 10:22 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Walking through the halls, Christine heard voices. It was those of the Green sisters with her... but she was not paying attention. All she had on her mind was what faced her. She still had not been given her shawl, and had not been accepted as a sister... and this worried her. She had let the Battle Sisters know that she was going to be a Green Sister, so she did not know what the problem was. Perhaps it was something wrong with her. Perhaps another test. Or even worse- perhaps she would not be accepted in. She had never heard of an Ajah not accepting an Initiate, but she was sure it could happen. It was hallowed halls she walked through, that night. The halls of the Battle Ajah, the halls of the Green Ajah. She had been there before, whether for a study with Sirayn Sedai, running messages, a bit of research, or just looking around when she got a chance. She loved the beauty, the majesty, the presence that it gave off. Swords adorned the doorways, and the closed doors were leading her in deeper- deeper than she had ever been. Looking at the Sisters, she realized something that she felt idiotic for not noticing before. They were the sitters. Who could be higher than the Sitters? Oh no... she was going to meet the Head of the Green Ajah. Her eyes opened wide at the realization, but the sisters kept walking. This was horrid- being put before trial by a sister she didn’t know. She was bound to fail whatever test was put before her! Jaydena Sedai led her to a door, and stopped, the other two sitters standing behind Christine. Looking at them, she recieved a nod, and she knocked on the door. “Enter!†said a cold voice- a voice that she recognized from somewhere. She turned the handle, and looked at the Sitters, a small smile on each face. Stepping in, she was shocked. The walls were covered in paintings, and the large room held a desk in the center, the Aes Sedai sitting behind it. The door shut behind her, and she was still staring. But it wasn’t the paintings, nor was it the Great Sword over the desk that held her attention. It was the Aes Sedai. Sirayn Sedai- she should have known. After all these years, she had never known that the Aes Sedai she went to for help was the Head of the Ajah. The woman stared at her, and Christine stared back for a moment, before dropping into a curtsy. “Sirayn Sedai...†she whispered, shocked. “Well, girl, what do you want?†she heard. Slowly rising, Christine stepped forward, her eyes straight ahead, staring at her mission. She stood before the desk, and spoke clearly and slowly, afraid her voice would crack. “I come to beg acceptance into the Green Ajah.†ooc: god help us all... Sira has a friend _________________ Christine Segretto~Sister of the Green Ajah~WS2 Deniera l'Spada~Trainee WS4 Carsane Evera, High Seat of House Sadma How much odder can life get? Halvie DM Member Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 60 Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:47 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ‘*’ The smile he gave her tore her apart as she felt the rising tide of bitterness carrying her back into the murky past when they had enjoyed the vitality of youth together. Sharp memories of their meet amidst the dark chaos of the Blight; that hellhole of evil spawns & despair. His fight against the dark had inspired her much as he still did now but this, a simple spar against a trainee of all people! It had resulted in a torn muscle which placed his case under a grave, uncaring light; oh Light, what was the use of remaining in the Tower when he continued to injure himself so? Had he no concern for his own safety, let alone of her feelings? It was iniquitous for her to watch her only warder waste away into this pale image of the man he had once been and the cruel jibes he made of his age hurt her more than she revealed. Get another warder, I know of several worthy candidates. It’s improper for a Green to remain bonded to just one, one who will soon be no more… Maechella bit back half a hundred sharp retorts that sprung to her lips, clamping down on her aggravation before it got through the bond. ‘*’ Did he still think himself a man in his prime, to put himself through the harsh regime the yard offered? Him, a fresh victim of the callous creatures of the dark with a lean back ravaged with more marks than the eyes could bear. She had sacrificed a continued existence in the Blight for his sake; arduous though that life had once been, it had satisfied her fully. She had relished the bond shared by her soldier comrades, had worked into turning it into her life mission. Deplete the sturdy ranks of the Dark Lord before the Last Battle; their skirmishes would be minor in relation to the final confrontation but still, she had thrown in her best efforts to keep back the dark minions and that knowledge sufficed in calming her conscience. Now those flashing grey eyes were turned towards scrutinising impassive facades and running through pages of cryptic codes. ‘*’ These were the dark times when her fingers so unused to much writing cramped under pressure, her mind struggling to cope with political intrigue when it had grown comfortable dealing with the inventories of armies. Even now Maechella occasionally found herself groping for the appropriate terms to address a delicate matter or personage, periodically depending on her subconsciousness to back her up when at a lost; hazardous business. A simple flicker of eyes and hands, was that to be treated as an invitation or challenge? Subdued voices over the coarse voices of soldiers; and arguments withheld, with dissentients building up till break point should she be so dull as to miss those slight hints. Critical times and she stood in the middle of all these artful creatures, oddly enough. ‘*’ “Yet another is to be raised to the shawl today,†Maechella noted aloud with a heavy air of resignation. Another occasion for her to be submerged within stiff protocol & duties; she hoped to not end up dealing with yet another former catty Accepted. Unlikely that the occupants of the Tower would ever adopt a frank posture and she would be burned if she hadn’t noted herself changing to merge into her current surroundings; feeling her old self take over. Those endless days filled with lessons on etiquette and silk dresses, a slash for every faux pas that left her weeping for forgiveness. Old days; she was a drastically different person from that spoilt noble heir now. She had learned. ‘*’ “Be kind to her for me, won’t you?†came the weak call from their tousled bed. A stray beam of light caught the wry grin that appeared, painting the jagged lines on her facial planes in a forbidding manner. “It would depend, wouldn’t it?†she called back gently, cold hands slipping around the small brass doorknob. “It would depend on everything.†A faint gust of wind swept into their plain quarters, a chilly breath that made the edges of her green shawl flutter in its wake. “Our lives are hardly our own.†Nor is our fate. ‘*’ Maechella Verlein burned the final vestiges of warm emotions during the trial and subsequent ceremony. Her sharp eyes noted every trace of weakness the Accepted displayed to be stored, compiled and perhaps, abused. She was resigned that would be the way her current life ran and once that determined, set to excelling it with a vengeance born purely of frustration. Would this little one decide to add peace as a major decisive element in her future, or would she choose to act purely on brazen instincts? Death over life, what would she pick; peace or war, excitement or reasoning… was this child even emotionally stable? So many people had lost a piece of themselves when death flashed before their eyes, even the Aes Sedai. Did she have what it took to withstand them all? She observed the flame of eagerness dancing behind their youngest recruit sourly, musing, contemplating, doing nothing. She would do nothing for now; it was up to Christine Sedai to prove herself. Maechella Verlein Sitter of the Battle Ajah Ravaged emotions Sirayn DM Member Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 250 Location: England Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 1:24 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Silence lingered cool and waiting in the severely arranged room as the four women entered. Here serenely came the Battle Ajah’s finest, the three Banner Captains, her seconds in command; each composed and shrouded in majesty fit to strike fear into the hearts of those who observed them. Two she had raised herself while the third of many years’ standing held on only through the weight of their agreement while all around had expected her to cast the woman down in revenge for opposition. No matter their previous experience and their own connections, each now depended on her favour to hold their ranks, as did all other sisters who claimed the emerald shawl … a brief and surreal moment to think what control she now had over them. As a child even smaller and lesser than their fourth companion she herself had revered the women who had then held these coveted seats: now it was she who called the shots. They were too well schooled to let any trace of feeling colour their manner. As with many new sisters, their companion might have studied for decades and only achieved half that composure. Fair though she was, and seemingly popular among young men, the Domani child had no idea what lay in wait for her … and from her dazed expression perhaps she had just realised that. The other three women having taken up their accustomed places, the quiet drew out further into tension while young Christine Sedai stood before her and simply stared in shocked confusion. One dark brow arched in fractional query prompting for some sort of movement. Not particularly flattering to have it confirmed once more that she was not the type of person people immediately took for powerful; but she had expected little more and life was not all roses. A curtsey went some way to mend her irritation on this point. In response to her sharp query Christine lifted her voice, as sweet to hear as the rest of her to look upon, and set in motion the next stage of the machinery that was this process. A small part of her remained every bit as frozen as anyone first coming before their Ajah Head … the whole situation still seemed so foreign to her, that anybody should seek acceptance from her, that she should now sit in judgement who once knelt herself. Yes: success was sweet indeed. “An honourable goal, Christine Sedai.†Only a skilled listener might pick out a subtle note of irony in her tone. “But we do not accept everybody who asks into the Green Ajah. Not everyone is suited for it; not everyone feels the call as we do. Tell us why you come to us for acceptance. Tell us why you want to join the Ajah of Sacrifice … and what you can do for our cause.†_________________ Sirayn Símeone-Damodred Head of the Green Ajah - 999 NE White Tower RP Co-ordinator Christine Sedai DM Member Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 242 Location: the BEACH! Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:59 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Christine stared back down at the floor as she felt the three women behind her. Sirayn's glaring watch over her seemed to bare right into her soul as she faced her own revelation. She was going to die. Sirayn Sedai would never allow her acceptance. Perhaps it had been foolhardy of her to even believe she could recieve the honor, or perhaps she had just had so much hope that there would be a scrap of mercy that would grant her what she so much craved. “An honourable goal, Christine Sedai.†The sound of Sedai sounded so perfect with her name, but she didnt want just that. It was almost a slap in the face, to hear the Captain General use that name. It was like dangling the string before the cat... so close, yet she was not able to reach it unless she pleased the master. Her heart ached to reach her string, to recieve the shawl, and to be a Battle Sister. “But we do not accept everybody who asks into the Green Ajah. Not everyone is suited for it; not everyone feels the call as we do. Tell us why you come to us for acceptance. Tell us why you want to join the Ajah of Sacrifice … and what you can do for our cause.†She knew it- she wouldnt be allowed in. This was just a pity talk, to make her feel like she had some chance, when truely she had none. Well, if she was going to fail, she might as well try her best before she hung her chin to her chest for the rest of her days. Looking clearly at the Aes Sedai before her, and feeling the power of the ones behind her, she began to speak softly. "Sirayn Sedai, my parents were darkfriends. Before I found this out, aye, I disliked all Shadow dwellers, but now, it is a hate with a passion. Whatever I can do to destroy the shadowspawn that torment my family, i will do." Glancing behind her, she looked at the three sets of eyes that held on to hers. Turning back to Sirayn Sedai, she felt as if she could fall to her knees, begging. "Please, I just want to make the world better. I want to destroy all shadowspawn. I want to fight, with my sisters, against the evil of this land. I want to help in the cause. And I want to do it as a Battle Sister. Whatever the cost, I will pay it to further the cause- even, no, expeccially, if it requires my life." Her eyes pleaded for her as she slowly moved her eyes from the Captain General's to the floor. "All I ask is that you grant me my wish, and I shall be eternally greatful, and will repay the debt I shall owe to you. Please." _________________ Christine Segretto~Sister of the Green Ajah~WS2 Deniera l'Spada~Trainee WS4 Carsane Evera, High Seat of House Sadma How much odder can life get? Sirayn DM Member Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 250 Location: England Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 2:19 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darkfriend parents: her surviving hand tightened just a little on the desk before her, fingertips sliding a fraction over smoothly polished wood like satin, briefest sensation to distract her. Her composure she did not permit to waver even for a moment but that instant’s pause gave Sirayn time to assess their pretty young supplicant. The innocence still so evident in the soft features did not speak of malice to her own keen examination, much less Darkfriend knowledge, and she prided herself on her judgement … but all too bitterly Sirayn remembered how she had been fooled on past occasions; on how eyes seemingly just as trusting and artless as these deep brown ones had harboured a life’s worth of hatred. On their first meeting she had measured Christine Segreto and found her no threat. Yet for long hard moments now that her parentage had been revealed Sirayn considered that decision again. Surely any Darkfriend such a fool as to admit to a similar heritage in front of three Sitters and an Ajah Head whom they needed to accept them would never have survived this long. That took a particular kind of idiocy … unless it was a double bluff. Could such dark confidence be present behind an image of otherwise superficial beauty? By this time they ought to know that she was doubly on her guard for just such a scheme and Christine was not, unless she missed her guess entirely, subtle enough or skilled enough to take her on in that manner. No indication of anything warning in the manner. Nothing suppressed behind the brown eyes. Nothing save her own suspicion heightened a sense of danger in this magnificent room. If this child was a Darkfriend, she was an extraordinarily brash one, and such boldness could easily be converted into mistakes. Easing tensed shoulders a fraction Sirayn dismissed her worries … for now at least. Pleading to be permitted to join the Green Ajah seemed heartfelt enough. A note of desperation, a note of eagerness; it might have been stirring had Sirayn not been a callous cynic at heart. In small ways it made her uncomfortable to be listening to such a passionate declaration of loyalty toward them. All her sisters had reasons to be here on the front line against the Shadow, to go through mud and blood and weariness until the glamour had long worn away and to stay there anyway, to survive disaster along with triumph, and still to be there when the sun rose the next dawn picking through the bones of another battle. It did not serve well to inquire too closely into what women like her kept secret. Yet on this, the first of many such mornings, it was her task to judge them and find them wanting. Intensely it troubled her to do this who had always held so strongly that an Aes Sedai’s business was one’s own. To interfere here went against all the traditions which she kept closest. Most bitterly it stung her own long held memories of similar failures; bringing back too close and sharp recall that she had nearly become the only sister to be turned down at her second petition as well … telling her again that she had lost all faith in herself that morning and that something had been lost which even hundreds of years later had never been regained. Her own history had passed into legend along with that of many of her contemporaries but she herself still remembered despair. It took a certain kind of woman to do this job: a hard one certainly, a cruel one perhaps; someone capable of detachment from all common rules of courtesy and custom; the type of iron leader the Green Ajah had forged her into. Maybe this was why she sat beneath the Captain General’s greatsword this morning. Not so much because she had possessed the political will to make it so; that was only the final demonstration … but because she had herself gone through all the damage this could wreak on a woman, had seen its bitterest ending, and was callous enough to continue anyway. Perhaps she who had so nearly been brought down by this tradition knew best that the morning’s events would certainly damage Christine, might ruin her even, and Sirayn Damodred was pitiless enough to continue anyway. And if she meant to do so, she might as well do so in style. “Fair words, Christine Sedai.†Silky smooth as honey, a note no doubt the child had never heard from her before. “Unfortunate for you … a thousand such have been heard in this room and yours are, I fear, nothing special. If only gratitude guaranteed one a place among the Battle Ajah we should soon be brimming with new recruits. Being rather more particular about who we admit, however, your plea is not sufficient to gain acceptance here.†A twist of sheer steel there as an instant’s chill displayed the commanding strength of a voice usually kept restrained. “You stand before us now as a child. Never tested, never proven, you have no more to offer us than dreams. This morning you are refused entrance to the Green Ajah for now and for all time unless you should offer us any reason to keep you.†Sheer cruelty now, this was enough to destroy most people and that knowledge lay on her like a weight; nevertheless not an instant’s pity did she permit herself nor could she allow such simple sentiment to stay her hand. Her deeds here served to silence any criticism that might rise, not that folk were likely to speak of her as too soft, knowing her reputation … and knowing that this served her own selfish purposes might have stung her if she had let herself care just now. Her words continued as iron, her bearing straight, every inch in command. “You are bound to us now and the Green Ajah does not give up so easily. You may not leave here a free woman; nor will you ever be free of us if we have our way. Over the next months you will be given a place among the lowest of our rank. If you learn well and willingly enough, if you demonstrate the qualities we require from our sisters, perhaps you will be permitted to petition again for acceptance. “This chance is one you have earned by passing the Aes Sedai test. Few will be permitted as you will be to learn from a Banner Captain of many years’ standing; you are being given an opportunity many would swear their lives into servitude for. If there is anything in you which wants the shawl … if there is anything in you which deserves the shawl … let it follow the example set to you by your initiation leader. She has been tasked with preparing you for your second petition, at which, let me warn you now, you will have to pass my scrutiny as you failed it this morning. Jaydena Sedai is your only chance now. If you have any sense you will be as her shadow: discreet, hard working, and obedient in every way. Should you trouble her you will answer to me.†Narrow grey eyes fixed the new recruit in a cold stare. Many had wept hearing this speech; many had raged and sworn; still others had, on some memorable occasions, gone straight for the speaker’s throat. She did not intend to be permissive of any such behaviour on this occasion. Now more than ever she had to appear entirely in control. A careless gesture sent away the young woman before her; grey eyes like flint never wavering in their gaze. “Jaydena Sedai, you may begin this initiation. Recruit … you are dismissed.†_________________ Sirayn Símeone-Damodred Head of the Green Ajah - 999 NE White Tower RP Co-ordinator Christine Sedai DM Member Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 242 Location: the BEACH! Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 6:46 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You could have heard a pin drop in that room. No one moved. In fact, other than Sirayn Sedai, no one even dared breath. Christine’s eyes did all the pleading for her, and finally, her Judge, Jury, and Executer spoke. “Fair words, Christine Sedai.†A smile went across Christine’s face. She had done it. Surely she would be accepted. “Unfortunate for you-“ Christine’s heart stopped. Her whole naked, wet body froze, and she shivered, hearing those words. No, after all this time, she could not be denide. After everyone she had hurt, and after all these miles, and all these years, she was just going to be turned down. â€-a thousand such have been heard in this room and yours are, I fear, nothing special. If only gratitude guaranteed one a place among the Battle Ajah we should soon be brimming with new recruits. Being rather more particular about who we admit, however, your plea is not sufficient to gain acceptance here.†A single tear formed at the corner of her eye. She had failed. After everything, she had failed. “You stand before us now as a child. Never tested, never proven, you have no more to offer us than dreams. This morning you are refused entrance to the Green Ajah for now and for all time unless you should offer us any reason to keep you.†She felt her soul leave her body. After being abandoned in the world, she had held one hope, that perhaps she could be an aes sedai. After discovering what the Green Ajah stood for, it was as though her destiny had been set before her. She knew she belonged with them. Every word just seemed to flow right over her. Nothing else really seemed to matter. “You are bound to us now and the Green Ajah does not give up so easily. You may not leave here a free woman; nor will you ever be free of us if we have our way. Over the next months you will be given a place among the lowest of our rank. If you learn well and willingly enough, if you demonstrate the qualities we require from our sisters, perhaps you will be permitted to petition again for acceptance.†Petition? Again? And what, be turned down again? She couldnt dealwith that. She was considerd a sister to others, yet truly, she was just a fraud. Could she do that? No. And she wouldnt. Her life was over. Words flowed over her. She heard something of recruit, then something about Jaydena and Initiation. Her eyes were fixed on Sirayn’s in horror, and she started freaking out. Her heart raced, and she started breathing harder. Hear she stood, naked and alone, and she was denied the one thing she had always wanted. “Jaydena Sedai, you may begin this initiation. Recruit … you are dismissed.†Recruit her ass... Looking around, Christine didn’t see her clothes, and she wished more than ever right then that she had her sword. She would put the blasted thing to good use. Spotting a knife on Sirayn Sedai’s desk, she walked forward and took it off. Holding it, with the four looking on, wondering who was the girl’s victim, Christine just shook her head, and plunged it into her heart. Slumping onto the floor, she bled out as the world spun around her. Just lying there, she closed her eyes, knowing that she had just been a waste of life and a waste of power. _________________ Christine Segretto~Sister of the Green Ajah~WS2 Deniera l'Spada~Trainee WS4 Carsane Evera, High Seat of House Sadma How much odder can life get? Sirayn DM Member Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 250 Location: England Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:58 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fascinating indeed to watch the effects of her little speech upon her quarry: the widening of her eyes, the rapid pace of her breath, all the small signs of panic … most satisfying to know that her discourse had hit home as intensely as she meant it to. Impressing her own will upon new sisters often too caught up in their own triumph to realise that some measure of deference was still expected of them was often a challenging task but this appeared to have accomplished its goal without difficulty; though her expression remained sternly composed inwardly Sirayn counted this an unqualified success. However, basking in her own approval lasted for all of a minute. Quick as a striking snake the child snatched a dagger from her desk. An instant only she remained still: despite all the stories truly she had never thought for a moment that there was a real danger to her with so many sisters about; incredulous that anyone should dare raise a hand against her in her own office; certain that her own eyes had misled her. Stillness lasted the brief space it took her to recall how easily a fragile system could be damaged by a well aimed knife. That she should even have to imagine that in this place outraged her. Cold fury drenched her like freezing water. Saidar slammed into her, a sister’s best defence, and Sirayn rose to her feet summoning all her wrath about her to stop the child dead in her tracks should she even attempt to use the blade. Her fury did not reach its intended target. Stunned, she watched unbelieving as Christine plunged the blade into her own heart. Blood spilled forth in a gush so richly red it looked surreal and, hands falling loosely away from the scarlet slicked hilt, the child slumped to the ground. Crimson liquid leaked over the smooth polished floor, sank into an elegant carpet, pooled before her desk. Bizarre though this whole situation was, the first thought that occurred to her through a haze of incredulity was that she had been passing fond of that carpet. Children these days were so inconsiderate about where they chose to bleed. “For the love of the Light!†Frustration rang hard as iron in her voice. Had her speech truly been so good it drove young women to kill themselves? How did it reflect on her that somebody had attempted to take their own life during her first raising? Questions chattered away and she dismissed them ruthlessly back into the darkness from whence she had come. “Somebody heal the idiot child.†A careless gesture summoned one of the three Sitters to perform a task; inwardly resenting a fact that none of them needed to point out, that she herself was too feeble in saidar to perform the same task herself. So many parts of her life might have taken a different turn if she had been able to complete that most necessary of weaves … but she had long ago resigned herself to her failings. Grey eyes remained sharp on the smear of red blood and the slowing rise and fall of the Domani child’s breast as breath stilled in her lungs. The healing weave was as quick and efficient as it had ever been. Once the immediate crisis appeared to have been averted Sirayn subsided back into her seat; as near to furious as she permitted herself to be in public. The sheer stupidity of some people both amazed and irritated her. “Are they raising lackwits to the shawl these days? How did dramatic suicide become an Aes Sedai’s first resort under pressure? I trust that your patience is good these days Jaydena Sedai because I can see that mine would not be up to the task of teaching this fool.†_________________ Sirayn Símeone-Damodred Head of the Green Ajah - 999 NE White Tower RP Co-ordinator Apollodoria27 DM Member Joined: 29 Apr 2005 Posts: 108 Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:40 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- They stepped into the office of their leader and the newest Sister followed them into the dark room. Sirayn Sedai sat behind her desk, powerful yet small in stature and scared in more ways than one. Christine made a small shocked sound and her voice came out in a shocked whisper as she spoke the Captain Generals name. Jade smirked and watched the emotions flit across the woman's face. She could well understand that shock, it had been one more blow to her heart when Sirayn had been raised to that Greatsword instead of herself. Sirayn's voice rasped out across the room, “Well, girl, what do you want?†Christine answered in that same quiet and scared sounding voice, “I come to beg acceptance into the Green Ajah.†Jade rolled her eyes at the girl whose eyes were focused on their Ajah Head. Greens did not beg for anything at least not in public in front of their ajah head and sitters. Her mind wandered and she remembered well begging Seia to make her, to love her, and be with her always. She would never beg for anything again, she would never ask for anything from that woman as long as she lived. She refocused in as Sirayn began to respond, “An honourable goal, Christine Sedai. But we do not accept everybody who asks into the Green Ajah. Not everyone is suited for it; not everyone feels the call as we do. Tell us why you come to us for acceptance. Tell us why you want to join the Ajah of Sacrifice … and what you can do for our cause.†Jaydena sighed and knew that the end was coming soon and before long they would have to deal with the anger and drama of yet another woman scorned. Christine began to speak and Jade's mouth almost hit the floor as she heard what the woman had to say. "Sirayn Sedai, my parents were darkfriends. Before I found this out, aye, I disliked all Shadow dwellers, but now, it is a hate with a passion. Whatever I can do to destroy the shadowspawn that torment my family, i will do." Jade couldn't believe that the girl oh yes girl had revealed something like this in front the leaders of her intended ajah. The ajah that was most likely to be peering around it's doors for people lurking in the shadows. Foolish foolish child. "Please, I just want to make the world better. I want to destroy all shadowspawn. I want to fight, with my sisters, against the evil of this land. I want to help in the cause. And I want to do it as a Battle Sister. Whatever the cost, I will pay it to further the cause- even, no, expeccially, if it requires my life. All I ask is that you grant me my wish, and I shall be eternally greatful, and will repay the debt I shall owe to you. Please." Well it was a pretty speech but it would do no good, no matter how pretty the words, every woman in this ajah had gone through the same thing and so would this young one. She folded her hands at her waist and waited for the storm to erupt as Sirayn began to speak. “Fair words, Christine Sedai. Unfortunate for you … a thousand such have been heard in this room and yours are, I fear, nothing special. If only gratitude guaranteed one a place among the Battle Ajah we should soon be brimming with new recruits. Being rather more particular about who we admit, however, your plea is not sufficient to gain acceptance here. You stand before us now as a child. Never tested, never proven, you have no more to offer us than dreams. This morning you are refused entrance to the Green Ajah for now and for all time unless you should offer us any reason to keep you.†Sirayn continued to speak and Jade began to wish she had ended it with something like, "Hey look here your not a Green, get over, and go to your studies." Instead Sirayn was droning on about something and honestly after all these years Jade was a little of sick of the same thing over and over and the pompous acts of each ajah head that had stood in her place. Finally it was over and Sirayn was silent, she waited for the girl to start screaming. Sirayn turned to her and Jade let her eyes rack the woman's face for one moment as she spoke, “Jaydena Sedai, you may begin this initiation. Recruit … you are dismissed.†Jade stepped forward and was about to walk towards the girl when something strange happened. The woman stepped forward, grabbed the knife off Sirayn's desk. The power came into her just as quickly as she felt it echo in Sirayn behind her and the other Sitters. Instead of the woman making them protect their ajah head, the dagger was plunged into her own heart. As the blood squirted and Christine Sedai slumped to the floor Jade said, "You have got to be kidding me, how in the Light did you pass the final test." She saw the weaves of healing from beside her and then the wound sealed and the only sign that remained was the hole in her dress and the blood everywhere. Behind her Sira spoke, “Are they raising lackwits to the shawl these days? How did dramatic suicide become an Aes Sedai’s first resort under pressure? I trust that your patience is

Ooc: 999 NE, post Dumai’s Wells, covering the resignation of our previous Ajah Head & the beginning of the resulting political conflict. Present at this initial meeting should be Tiassale Sedai, Halvie Sedai & (with permission) Alyria al’Vire as Alyria Sedai. : : : : The stars had not yet begun their nightly procession across skies of black velvet & only the subtlest sheen of twilight still remained across halls now marble quiet and empty when the news came. It started first as a whisper on the still air; a sense of stirring excitement; even from the solitary confines of their own quarters a wakeful sister might have heard a scatter of steps upon the flag stones outside, a murmur in hushed tones, as the message spread like wild fire across those grand halls. For those watchful folk who had long sensed currents about them perhaps this was only the confirmation of long held suspicion. For others, at a single stroke all the foundations they depended on were cut away beneath them leaving only an uncertain future. Little did any of them suspect the response which had been plotted for just this circumstance many months in advance & which only now was coming to pass. : : : : Outwardly the dark door was much like others along the same hall but a sister with good contacts might suspect that behind it in those severe quarters lay a great deal more knowledge than its occupant admitted to having. It was from here, as from the centre of a spider’s great web, that plans had been laid; here one might come for information … should one be daring enough to disturb its peace … although for all of those who asked there was a price. Tonight more than ever this dark door held its usual imposing look and few of those who crossed these white corridors, in increasing numbers now, dared to linger there. Still only whispers stirred beneath the serene light of rising stars & the smallest look or word between two sisters in public, on this night fraught with significance, sparked further speculation. : : : : It was a matter of great frustration to Sirayn Sedai once she recognised that the tumult she had been waiting for these past weeks had finally come to pass; that at first despite the pivotal role she planned to play later on all she could do was wait and listen for confirmation. Being held to silence chafed at her. Long in advance she had prepared certain of those properly placed in the chain of intrigue to report to her, in the event of this occurring, and even in this first hour so much could go wrong that she burned for solid information; just a note, that was all she needed, to distort the reality that she had been ready for this long ago & make it look more as if she was as stunned as anyone else; then and only then could she begin to place her pawns about the board where they were most needed. : : : : Finally came scuffling steps, the long awaited knock on her door. Quickly she rose and went to greet her caller; notes passing hands, a swift exchange of words; then closing herself back into her quarters. Now everything could be put into motion that she had imagined all those weeks ago. Summoned to her side were those few friends and supporters whom she trusted to be part of her machinations: just a handful of names but each rich with meaning for her. About her she had gathered the subtlest and most cunning of her generation and the ones below it. It was these folk more than anyone on whom she depended for support. Let them be true this night. Even the smallest hesitation could mean failure … and failure, for those engaged in this task, could have severe consequences. Sirayn Sedai Sister of the Battle Ajah Andular brought her the note, sealed with a green wax so dark it was nearly black. With barely a glance at the parchment he pushed open the door to her study but Tiassale was deeply engrossed in yet another massive tome she’d wheedled out of the Brown Sisters and did not hear him approach. He tucked the letter in his belt and struck flint to steel and lit several candles scattered amidst the books and parchments of her desk. She glanced up then, blinking owlishly. “You’ll ruin your eyes reading in the dark,†he teased and handed her the missive. She studied it for a moment before sliding a nail beneath the wax. Freshly sealed by the smell and written in Sirayn Sedai’s hand. Wistfully she glanced at the book again and sighed. Behind her the fireplace, empty and cold a moment before suddenly flared to life and she tossed the note to the flames and stood. The book could not be left unattended. Carefully she wrapped it in a length of wool, hissing slightly as an edge crumbled a bit. As tenderly as if she were carrying a babe she placed it in the false bottom of her desk drawer and for extra precaution added a rather nasty ward. “You know who sent the note.†It was not a question and he did not answer, only grunted and followed her into the bedchamber where she rummaged amidst her gowns for her shawl. Normally such affectations were beyond her notice, in point of fact she never wore her formal shawl unless….Unless one is summoned before the Captain General. Andular sprawled on the bed, watching as she fussed with the shawl and debated changing, dismissing the idea almost immediately. The shawl would have to do. “You look as if your armoring for a battle, Tia.†His tone was light but his eyes were not. “Perchance I may be, at the least a council of war, so to speak†she leaned across him and kissed him lightly on an unshaven cheek, “I shall be back before dawn I would hope.†“An escort perhaps?†She shook her head, “I believe I can find my way to the end of the hall, love.†Which lay empty save for servants scurrying up and down the corridor, dipping and curtsying as she passed. Sirayn’s apartments were not far but Tiassale walked slowly, giving herself time to marshal her thoughts. And her arguments. When she finally knocked upon Sirayn’s door her face and eyes were expressionless. Tiassale Sedai Battle Sister Bonded to Andular Rojvas Alyria had been walking the tower grounds as of late. Sleeping had become quite an issue for her: her thoughts kept rolling back to where she was. She was uneasy about something but could not put her finger on it. Walking through the garden late at night, often helped her to solve most of her problems. The evening dew was just starting to settle on the flowers as she wandered through them. She found herself stilling her fingers from tapping lightly on her lips: it was a habit she was trying to break, but without much avail. She headed back to her chambers, feeling refreshed from the cool night air. How long had it been since she felt at ease with her surroundings? She felt that slow itch start between her shoulder blades, the one that meant she was restless and needed a small change about herself. When she had been a novice, it was easy enough to get rid of: she could act like a child and get into some sort of trouble. As she arrived at her chambers, forehead furrowed in thought, she realized there was a person standing at her door waiting. She felt the itch suddenly stop as the messenger handed her a piece of parchment and took off down the hall. Alyria slipped the missive quickly into her pocket and entered her room, locking the door behind her. She took off her green silk cloak, laying it gently on the bed. Walking over to her sitting room, she lit a fire and sat in the chair to read. Turning the note over, she saw that it had been freshly sealed in the darkest green imaginable. Alyria smiled, she knew exactly who this was from. Sliding her nail under the wax, she read the missive, first once, and then again. She dropped the note into the flames of the fire as she walked into her room ro change quickly. Dressing in a light lavender gown, accented with small green flowers, Alyria donned her shawl, quickly combed through her hair, and headed down the hallway. She moved quickly, gliding down the hall. She smoothed the furrows of thought out of her forehead as she reached Sirayn Sedai's door. Giving a quick but firm knock, she made her face as blank as she could, looking down into Sira's eyes when she opened the door. She saw Tiassale was already in the room and began to wonder what would unfold from this meeting. Alyria Sedai Battle Sister Ooc: Catch up when you’re up for it Halvie. No pressure. :) Half a hundred candles placed about the room cast a soft and guttering light across her quarters; softening harsh planes, colouring severe shades to warmth, lit through with red and gold. By the time sisters started arriving everything had been pushed back to the walls leaving only an assortment of chairs before the great stone hearth. Many thousands of years past their distant ancestors had gathered in much the same way seated about a clear space where anyone daring enough might prove themselves … as those with some idea of history might recognise. Before the leaded glass window lit by a delicate flow of starlight she presented an image of composure as the fire burned behind her and time inched onward. By the time the candle had burned down a quarter mark the first tap at her door heralded an arrival. Quickest on the scene proved to be her old mentee Tiassale for whom she had such illustrious plans. If she judged correctly, and the coming days would show clear enough whether her assessment of the situation was as sharp as she liked to think it was, it might be that Tiassale could serve them in a far greater capacity. Dismissing all such concerns for a moment Sirayn greeted the other woman warmly and welcomed her in; a brief enough show considering their long and shared history but telling from one so cold. Idly she observed the woman she and her sister had mentored together imagining her as Ajah Head, as their new and fabled leader, guided only by herself. It was a tempting image. Tiassale had wits and the determination to make a success of the job. Backed by the faction she herself intended to assemble, the Far Madding woman would make a formidable Captain General. But those matters would be reserved for later when all had gone successfully tonight. Soon one by one those sisters whom she had made part of her coalition gathered to her summons. Close observation had permitted her to select the most promising from younger generations and bind them to her … should they be willing, of course … should they have judged that her service meant better opportunities for them, more skills to learn, sights to see that outweighed the danger and inconvenience of working with her. The brightest stars among these Sirayn knew as thoroughly as the battered books stacked around her quarters. Tiassale Sedai, already named; the devious Halvie from whom she expected so much; young Alyria al’Vire, so strong willed and so cunning. From these links she intended to forge a great chain. Once everyone had gathered the firelight and shadow drew them close together on this tumultuous night. Rare was the occasion on which she spoke as bluntly as she meant to do tonight and it was an opportunity to make the most of. Brief words passed between them and the youngest sister present, as protocol instructed, warded them away from all listeners. She looked between their composed faces, the Battle Ajah’s best soldiers, soon to be the heart of a new executive if she played her cards right, and the equal determination she read in them solved any fears she might have had. Possibly they staked their careers on this gamble. She herself knew beyond conviction that whoever stood against her would be exiled from the white city; not a hint of dissension would she permit in the new regime she intended to raise. Caution therefore dictated that their opponents would not hesitate to do the same to them … or more likely, just her. And this was a game so new to her that it was frightening; the only one in which she could hold her own crippled and battered as she was. Yet for all this, Sirayn held a fragile certainty that the small council she had assembled would prove true. “Thank you all for attending me this evening.†She kept her tones cool betraying no hint of feeling; at no point could she be seen to be anything less than decided. “Many of you have known for some time that this summons would come. Let me confirm the rumours you may have heard. Taya Gille has announced her resignation as Captain General. The Battle Ajah is leaderless tonight.†Any fear that might have been shown at the news that they were now a lost ship, with no captain to guide them, among the shifting seas of this dark year came and went without comment. For once she kept her grey gaze steady and did not note the most minute changes in those about her; in a troubled hour they all deserved their secrets. “Let no woman here be in doubt. This is a moment we have been preparing toward for some months. Sisters, you are attending a council of war! Make no mistake, though we shall not raise a hand against our sisters for they are not our enemy, we cannot hesitate to seize our chance; for we are the only ones who can guide this Tower through the Last Battle and beyond. “No more will we be a power in waiting, known only in intrigue and conspiracy, where a whisper is all we dare make. In this room we have enough wit, cunning and ambition to take control of this Ajah openly at last. This month we raise an Ajah Head of our choosing from among our number here today and we will see them become great. And when Tarmon Gai’don takes us all by storm, we will be on the front lines, and we will lead the defence of the Tower … and the Light.†Sirayn Símeone-Damodred Sister of the Battle Ajah “Thank you all for attending me this evening. Many of you have known for some time that this summons would come. Let me confirm the rumours you may have heard. Taya Gille has announced her resignation as Captain General. The Battle Ajah is leaderless tonight.†Sirayn said calmly. Alyria felt the breathe catch in her throat. She did not make a sound, her face remain the perfect picture of composure. She felt eyes upon her as Sirayn looked them all over, no doubt looking for any signs of weakness. Alyria tried hard to remain still and unchanged by her news, but knew she would find something to pick up on. 'Leaderless at a time like this? How can she walk away like that?' Alyria turned her attention back to the woman speaking. “Let no woman here be in doubt. This is a moment we have been preparing toward for some months. Sisters, you are attending a council of war! Make no mistake, though we shall not raise a hand against our sisters for they are not our enemy, we cannot hesitate to seize our chance; for we are the only ones who can guide this Tower through the Last Battle and beyond. Alyria felt the conviction of Sira's words deep in her bones. She was right; the Green Ajah was the only one who could lead the tower through whole. They would stand beside the Dragon, in his defense and support, fighting side by side with him when the day came. Alyria watched the others out of the corner of her eyes, seeing the response there. “No more will we be a power in waiting, known only in intrigue and conspiracy, where a whisper is all we dare make. In this room we have enough wit, cunning and ambition to take control of this Ajah openly at last. This month we raise an Ajah Head of our choosing from among our number here today and we will see them become great. And when Tarmon Gai’don takes us all by storm, we will be on the front lines, and we will lead the defence of the Tower … and the Light.†Alyria gave a small nod at the woman, knowing they were on the same page. She sat there for a moment, letting what Sira was proposing sink in. She felt excitement take over her eyes when she realized she was speaking out loud. "You are proposing that between the 4 of us, we take over the Ajah and lead the Tower through the greatest battle of all time. Raise one of us to the Ajah Head position, and us that as our way of taking over the Ajah. It is a great plan and an even better idea." Alyria looked away from the picture that was holding her attention. She looked into Sira's eyes and continued. "You know as well as I do Sira, the Ajah Head has plenty of say in what goes on within the Ajah itself, and is the most respected position, yet they all have eventually bent to the will of the Ajah itself. How do you propose first of all, that one of us is raised to the position, second, how will we use that position without bending to every nuance of the Ajah itself, and third, lead the Tower itself through the Last Battle? It will not be easy with the fighting that the Ajahs are doing with each other." She watched the expression that was on Sira's face, waiting for it to change with Alyria's words. _________________ Alyria Al'Vire Mentee to Tiassale Morobin Mentor to Taei Mirel “Let no woman here be in doubt. This is a moment we have been preparing toward for some months. Sisters, you are attending a council of war! Make no mistake, though we shall not raise a hand against our sisters for they are not our enemy, we cannot hesitate to seize our chance; for we are the only ones who can guide this Tower through the Last Battle and beyond. “No more will we be a power in waiting, known only in intrigue and conspiracy, where a whisper is all we dare make. In this room we have enough wit, cunning and ambition to take control of this Ajah openly at last. This month we raise an Ajah Head of our choosing from among our number here today and we will see them become great. And when Tarmon Gai’don takes us all by storm, we will be on the front lines, and we will lead the defence of the Tower … and the Light.†Sirayn’s words seemed to obliterate the room, casting it in shadow and sending it spinning out of control. This is it, Tia thought to herself, heart pounding. What better time for the Shadow to make its move ~ whilst its hardiest opponent lay in shambles searching for a leader. There were very few women who could handle the reigns of the Battle Ajah and steer it in the direction it needed to go. In fact as she ran them through her head Tiassale could count them off on one hand. Kaylan Sedai and Vairine Sedai had been absent from the Tower for several years each, though she would put it past neither of them to show up at the last second and sweep the spot away from any other contenders. Within the Tower that left Jaydena Sedai, Viviane Sedai (who was completely unacceptable in Tia’s view) and perhaps Tiassale herself, though some events in the distant past had set several Sisters at odds with her, not to mention her opposition to the alliance with the Reds. And…..blinking in surprise Tia’s absent gaze finally settled once more on Sirayn….of course….Sirayn Simeone-Damodred. Alyria spoke into the heavy silence that had decended on the room, "You are proposing that between the 4 of us, we take over the Ajah and lead the Tower through the greatest battle of all time. Raise one of us to the Ajah Head position, and us that as our way of taking over the Ajah. It is a great plan and an even better idea. You know as well as I do Sira, the Ajah Head has plenty of say in what goes on within the Ajah itself, and is the most respected position, yet they all have eventually bent to the will of the Ajah itself. How do you propose first of all, that one of us is raised to the position, second, how will we use that position without bending to every nuance of the Ajah itself, and third, lead the Tower itself through the Last Battle? It will not be easy with the fighting that the Ajahs are doing with each other." Tiassale cast Alyria a warning glance, one of us? Though she had soared through her initiation and classes, achieving full Battle status more quickly and efficiently than most Alyria was too young to considered for the post of Captain General..unless. Was Sirayn searching for a puppet whose strings she could pull as she wished? That might explain her own presence at this meeting. She tipped her head, green eyes considering, “I think perhaps Sirayn had a different plan in mind, Alyria. Not one of us so much as one of our choosing, our…values. But you bring up an excellent point.†She turned to Halvie Sedai beside her, “Why not one of us? In fact why not the one person in this room who might be the final hope for the Battle Ajah, the Light, for humanity itself?†Her gaze swung back to Sirayn, no longer thoughtful but decided and perhaps a bit calculating. “I propose we throw our support behind Sirayn Simeone-Damodred. It is time, Sirayn. Time for you take your rightful place.†Tiassale Morobin Green Sister Bonded to Andular Rojvas OOC: I apologize if Kyle has tweaked Alyria’s timeline so she isn’t “young†in Tia’s view any longer, I checked and she wasn’t listed – I can edit as needed. When perusing that timeline I couldn't come up with another reason why Kay wouldnt be considered, other than absence - again, willing to edit if needed.

ooc: 999 NE, post Dumai's Wells, prior to the resignation of our current Ajah Head ... buzz me if the plans we made over chat are presenting any difficulties; otherwise, take it away! : : : : Late though it was, and the prickle of stars glittering like scattered diamonds in the ink black sky above bore witness that it was indeed late at night, sleep had not yet stolen in to claim her … nor, she suspected, half a dozen similarly intentioned sisters still busy in the dark watches of the night. No, these shadows provided a haven for those who preferred to keep their affairs closed away from watching eyes, and Sirayn counted herself among such; it was after all a gentler excuse for her wakefulness than to mention certain memories which troubled her dreaming moments. These latest days had been filled with such portent that anyone must have seen chaos coming. As for students of that greatest of games, the stirrings among their sisters were as an open book, and she had read enough to know that she needed to bring her plans to completion immediately. Much work still remained to be done before everything should fall out … and the Light send it be as she had guessed; as she had laid her plans so precisely to take into account; for the smallest mistake could mean ruin. : : : : Such were the dark thoughts which troubled her this night. Part of her had waited keenly for these coming moments all her life, ever since she had accepted that because of her lowly origins, her isolation, and the crude approach which had been all she knew until she discovered intrigue … she was not welcome in these hallowed halls; and so closely waited her best chance at recompense that the excitement of it would have trembled through her bones, had she let it. Fear: that was the consequence of how important this whole scheme was to her. Bitterly she knew the face of failure, but this once, surely, if her wit and cunning and the complexities of ambition, anger and determination could stand her in good stead … perhaps she could achieve what she had been waiting for these many years. : : : : In these grim days the success of her scheme was more essential than ever. Though she hated the thought with all the force of her will, she was beginning to suspect that her son had taken a lot more from her than her strong left hand and the remains of her pride … perhaps, just perhaps, she was finished as a soldier. That left hand had drawn steel as surely as it had crafted the colossal chaos which had made her name on the field. Now left only with the weaker, a poor substitute to signify the remnants of her freedom, it was anyone’s guess whether she could recover even a half of those now lost skills. So long and so hard she had placed her whole identity in being a soldier, one gifted part in a gigantic machine, that the idea of being restricted to paper and pen and the myriad difficulties of administration frightened her more than she liked to admit … but where lay the alternative? In being a ruined shadow of herself? Holding on to something which might be denied her forever? : : : : It was no choice at all, but if she could have had that moment back, bloody and horrified in a dark cave far below the earth, she would have done a lot worse to her son than give him a swift end. He had known what he was doing to her much better than she had allowed herself to accept. How he would have laughed. Maybe as a scholar and a boy he might not have understood what it was to be Battle Ajah, a soldier for the White Tower, but he recognised suffering when he saw it … and the thought of his warrior mother confined to a desk all day ordering others to go out and do her dying for her, when she had sworn to herself no others would die as Seiaman had; trapped amid unfeeling paper work, far from the chaos and the keen delight of battle; that would have amused him indeed. : : : : Dismissing this line of thought, somewhat with difficulty, Sirayn set herself to the task she had reserved for this silent night. Hours ago in more business like hours she had written to her young sister to be prepared for her visit, some time after the dying of the light; it was for the benefit of one Halvie Sedai that she lasted through the night hours, always a hard time for her, in order to keep her appointment. It was anyone’s guess how much Halvie had suspected by now. If any of her sisters could have sensed the currents and whispers which lay through their silent halls, she would have put good coin on it being Halvie, that strange, devious young woman with her secret interests in matters nobody like her should have been intrigued by. However, whether Halvie could analyse and apply that information … that was another matter altogether; and a task in which many older sisters would have failed. : : : : It had taken her less than a minute to decide what Halvie would want from this exchange and exactly how far she was prepared to grant that wish. Death. No doubt the child still had her fascination which she had disclosed so unwisely all those years ago. Secrets they all possessed in some number, but Sirayn was most reluctant to divulge anything of what she knew on this topic … nor would she unless she had to. There were other incentives she could offer Halvie, after all. Only a fool would have thought that Halvie would obey her for anything less than good promises, worth as much as coin to women bound by those blasted oaths, but she still reckoned herself canny enough and reserved enough to wring the best out of this deal. That much, of course, remained to be seen. : : : : Silent as a shade in these well known halls Sirayn wound her way onward; her steps whispering across flagstones marked with vivid green symbols. Over the years a sister changed rooms on numerous occasions as more advantageous ones became open. A subtle but none the less present ranking was obvious in where one’s quarters were placed; with those most favoured being placed closest to the Banner Captains, whereas those youngest and least distinguished being far away next to the entrance, while new recruits of course occupied those quarters at the door. So many years since either of them had stayed there. Pulling a white knitted shawl about her casually against the chill Sirayn arrived at the correct door, tapped once, entered hard upon that signal. The quarters before her she spared no more than a single glance; it would not do to demonstrate too much curiosity, although it was not often she visited these rooms. : : : : Drawing all her dignity around her she graced her opposite number with a brief inclination of her head. “Halvie Sedai.†It took her a moment to calculate whether anything further was necessary between them; some semblance of an apology for keeping her up so late would have been due toward an older sister, or somebody of markedly higher rank, but for a younger one … not. There was no reason to be discourteous, but all the same, she had no intention of granting Halvie any more leeway than the other already possessed. She shut the door quietly behind her thus sealing in their words: “I’ve come, as my note informed you, to discuss some matters which may be of importance to us both …†careless, she took a seat, never interrupting her speech; her tones remaining serene as still water, “for the moment, perhaps we will talk about ambition.†: : : : Fraught with many complications that word alone most likely warned the other woman. If it did, let it be so; she might get to see a little of what Halvie had learned over the years since they last spoke in great depth. Discretion. Perception. Judgement. Those were the three instruments of an intriguer’s game, and each one fundamental to success; it remained to be seen if she had instilled an understanding of those same values into Halvie during her initiation. “Ambition.†She gave the word a twist of irony this time. “A dangerous quality, is it not? Or so many would have you think. I, myself … feel that a little bit of ambition goes a long way; but perhaps it may lead one to great height, if one possesses the necessary other qualities to temper it. Tell me sister … if I may be so bold as to ask ... what are your ambitions?†Sirayn Sedai Sister of the Battle Ajah ~’*’~ The moment her eyes caught sight of the crisp slip of paper, she had known the urge to burn it. Steady hands had lifted it up yet held it at roughly an arm’s distance, tilted at various angles in golden light, as though attempting to identify some unknown trap about it. Halvie disliked notes, especially those she had never anticipated. They were bound to be the harbinger of something not exactly suited to her taste or at best merely did not fall within her sphere of influence. She loathed being pushed aside like a little rag doll, deemed negligible, trivial. It wasn’t half so bad these days, but it still happened. Resentment still grew though she had vowed it would not affect her daily attempts to grasp more power, but it was hard. It was a disease, a heady alcohol, addictive. And the past decades did little to dissuade its advancements, which in turn eroded her personality. She already agonized over a multitude of past scenes, careless words that had slipped away together with other matters she had executed; all potentially suicidal. Her slate was no longer clean; a myriad of events had blown up spectacularly before her stunned eyes, but she was young yet in comparison to others. Aes Sedai who still stood above her and it was purely stubbornness to usurp their position that saw her enduring each complicated day in the Tower or volunteering for precarious missions beyond the Shining Walls. But it was not enough. It was never enough. She needed assistance, much as she was loath to admit. ~’*’~ Cursed were the light rays of the day, when her tension & paranoia heightened amongst walking, living people. Always she strove to look into the future, shift through the increasing pile of administrative work hurriedly yet thoroughly enough to be able to absorb its more crucial contents. The merit of gaining an extra branch of eyes & ears contacts from a fellow Aes Sedai did not cut her much slack, far from it. There remained too much to weigh in the information forwarded to her, too much lingering uncertainty. Another painful lesson in relation to misinterpreted material, a shameful recollection she shoved right back into the darkness where it belonged. She had been asinine child, to assume easily that all knowledge handed over would mostly be true, had placed too much confidence in her abilities to secure a solid deal, a loaded arrangement. Light curse her former naivety! ~’*’~ High up in the belfries came the ringing resonance of polished bells, clear even in the dead of night. Once again, Halvie found herself approaching the door of her quarters with a certain measure of reluctance. She ought to leave her room and let the older sister stew in mixed confusion & outrage; it might later prove interesting, even expedient. But no, that was a simple fallacy. She was too intrigued to be able to walk away and had she a shred more courage, would admit to being too fearful to do so. Her hands began twirling a curved blade in the air with almost meditative motions, its cutting edge making silvery slashes against the mostly shadowy room. Fingers pressed firmly against the intricate grooves worked into its handle, as she contemplated her stand in current political matters. Unstable at best. ~’*’~ Anxiety ran high nowadays, whispers & rumours sweeping through the halls in the wake of many a grim event. Now if ever would be the moment to sneak further up the echelons, if only she knew how. Her relatively young age disqualified higher aspirations though it had never hurt to try, until now. Now heads would turn at the slightest oddity, inquisitive hands would meddle in areas they normally would not because… because everyone knew that they were facing the beginnings of a whole new ball game. The fall of Tear had been shattering news, confirmation of the existence of the Dragon Reborn even if the Tower would not openly admit and more ominous, of the advancements of Tarmon Gai’don itself. Time was running out for all of them, and she for one hated it. Her position was not entirely secure; she was still placed too far below for much major power play – the same old worries. ~’*’~ And there was the other Tower that stood when it should never have existed, holding untold numbers of mad channelers. It was a terrifying prospect that such an… institution of sorts could have ever been conceived, let alone carried out. Halvie knew better than attempt to approach its terrain unassisted, alone… though won’t it be a feat, to be able to tie a string around them? Powerful children who would easily succumb to her political manoeuvres, yet the idea of being surrounded by the tainted side of the One Power was enough for her to sick up. She could not send another in her stead, especially when there remained no person whom she trusted to deliver a notable job on her behalf; no, the White Tower folks would be too busy planning her downfall as opposed to assisting her gain leverage within the ivory tower. Her other spies, she felt, did not possess enough discretion and lack of ambition either; spineless whores she’d rescued from poverty’s lethal hand. Those were the folks Halvie aimed at, acting the benefactor & saviour to those poor, uncultivated souls in another guise, tying them strongly enough to her before revealing the Green Serpent ring. The reaction during those revelations… they differed drastically according to personalities. Halvie smiled ruefully at several tender memories; she’d been overeager sometimes. ~’*’~ She burned the remaining missives on her table, clearing cluttering objects to present a neater look. A tidy pile of paper lay in the middle, ink & feather by its side; ready to be used. All the books had been stowed away along the bookshelves that lined the walls; a growing collection though sadly, she had yet to read most of them. There simply wasn’t adequate time when so many other matters demanded her attention. Standing on the hearth, Halvie manually added more logs to increase the blaze, to dispel the gloomy impression the room emitted. There was hardly a need to allow Sirayn to wonder of her inner turmoil, of the kind of environment she lived in day by day when alone. It angered her to consider the older sister intruding upon her private haven simply because she requested it so, but had seen no other way to deter her arrival except by plain refusal. And such an action would most definitely do more than raise several sardonic eyebrows. ~’*’~ The harsh knock upon wood came just as she reached a hand to draw back the curtains, a brief glance at a starlit sky before wrenching green eyes from the heavenly vista. Halvie drew in a sharp breath to sooth her speeding heart before hurrying to the front of the room. The door opened by itself much to her indignation, admitting a woman of a dignified stature; proud, serene, and eternally confident. Many days had passed since their last meet and certainly, it had been nothing like this. She stiffened her spine as Sirayn took initiative to take a seat, eyes barely narrowing an inch. There had been no need to further emphasise her lack of standing! ~’*’~ Always would come the mixed feelings when she was in contact with the opposing Green; she had figured it to be awe in her younger days, mixed with envy, a strong desire to please and gain favour. Now she accepted it to be hatred, animosity so intense it frightened herself to the core. The woman had everything she wanted, a higher position, better contacts, quality work, successful missions… too numerous to list, far too painful to ponder upon. Every time the woman returned in exaltation Halvie had had to choke back on dismay and often, she would find herself stalking the halls with fury written into every line of her pale, drawn face. The odd insomnia would then descend to further distress her, driving her near mad with frustration at times. She wanted so much, knew she deserved that little, but didn’t know how to achieve it. Always just a mile too further, a little above her abilities, a little late in receiving the latest updates. It was always so. And when she did do something right… she would remain too stunned to do anything further. Then, others would come to takeover, placing her glory mantle upon their shoulders while she stirred in regret. Too often was it so, but she vowed that vengeance would soon come for them. ~’*’~ Words slid over her as she intently judged the true intention of one she considered to be a nemesis, noting the familiar sophistication in which Sirayn phrased her sentences in, with such ease. Bitterness. Exactly what had she given away to the sister all those years ago, as a child barely out of her mother’s embrace? The scenes used to be so distinct but it had faded, until only sentences here and there remained and now, that memory had fragmented into words that made no sense when pieced together. A frustrating jigsaw puzzle and Halvie faulted only herself for having lost her journal all those years ago, and wonder as to where it was now, should it still exist. No excuse to have lost it in the first place; Halvie struggled for an equally cryptic retort. It was unnerving to be playing a war of words with so experienced a player. If only Sirayn was an ally instead of an opponent, she of all would ensure a steady ascendancy… but dared she trust a cripple? ~’*’~ “What is your definition of ambition, Sirayn?†she asked coolly, opting to remain standing where her shadow fell half on the seated sister. “What is worth the sacrifice for ambition?†She clasped her hands firmly behind her back, fingers twining slowly around her dress to keep from tearing out skin. Tension had to be released somehow, before she stuffed up. “The lives of people, to destroy or reconstruct or dare we consider, take away?†A sneer crept its way onto her closed facade, twisting her features momentarily. “Is that ambition to you, Sirayn Sedai, o’ beloved warrior of the battlefield? And dare we consider how far has it brought you?†Halvie allowed her gaze to fall carelessly upon the missing limb, a suggestive smile on the verge of breaking out. Halvie Sedai Sister of the Green Ajah