Participants: Lanta, Alkala, Kelsyn, Jaice, Ashlynn, Maeve, Aedigar, Melli, Yurinar

Background:

Jaice had always felt torn between her duty to her people, and that to the Tower, though the questions in her mind had grown since her Raising. It had been years since she had been at sea. Was she still Atha'an Miere? Matters were not improved by the arrival of another Sea Folk woman -- since the day Alkala had set foot in the Tower, Jaice had been called in to help calm the stubborn novice-to-be, to help ease the transition to Tower life.

That was only two days ago. It felt longer. Jaice was not sure when she had felt so divided in her life. It was one thing to make herself go through leaving the ocean to protect her people, to study at the Tower to stave off suspicions from the Windfinders. It was quite another to make another Atha'an Miere go through the same, particularly when that someone obviously didn't see the point. Jaice knew Alkala would not be able to leave, as much as she wanted to. She read that much just with one glance at the Mistress of Novices. It was her duty then, to make the adaptation as easy as possible, easier than it was for her.

Still, Jaice could not help but wonder if at the end of it all, Alkala too would feel herself without an identity, as she did... and the uneasy feeling that settled in her stomach grew as the day went on.

Alkala:
The first thing you notice about Alkala is her skin. A rich, golden brown, it has the same warm color as burnished bronze, even under quiet candlelight. By the light of the sun, or a well-tended fire, she fairly glows--eyes high-tilted and colored as dark-stained deck wood, hair falling long below her shoulders, black as ebony. She wears her hair pulled back from her face by a scarf patterned in sea-storm colors. Her sharp cheekbones are accented by the slender, fragile gold chain trailing from one ear to the small ring in her nose, while two more slender hoop earrings adorn each ear and matching slender gold rings encircle several fingers of each hand. She is, by most accounts, a lovely woman, although the hard set to her mouth and the tightness around her eyes suggests a disposition perhaps less prone to be described in such favorable terms.
Her clothes are a simple contrast to the jewelry adorning her ears, neck and fingers. Her deep blue trousers are loose, only draping to her legs and hips when the wind catches them just so, trailing to a few inches above the ground. She wears sandals; they look unworn, and quite new. A midnight-blue sash around her waist dangles knotted ends down from her left hip to her knee. Her blouse is a lighter blue, almost aqua, as loose and billowy as the trousers. The sleeves fall loose from her shoulders to gather at her wrists, drawing attention to the tattoos on each hand--a crescent moon on the left, and a dagger across three waves on the right.

Jaice:
Rumours abound of the allure and mystery of Sea Folk women, and the example before you is no exception. Tall, slender and darkly tanned, this young woman's sinuous grace of movement proclaims her to be Atha'an Miere almost as much as her richly exotic appearance. Pale blue eyes appear large in contrast to her deeply tanned skin and raven-black hair, the latter plaited in dozens of tiny braids that trail down her toned back to her waist. Her hands, calloused from years spent at sea, have been tattooed with intricate designs that taper to her slender wrists; a stylized star and knot on her right hand, and a beautiful sworled wave-like pattern on her left. She lacks the numerous earrings and chains typical of Sea Folk, though several tiny holes in her ears indicate rings used to display her rank aboard ship. Every movement, every gesture she makes is lithe and catlike, a rolling grace that makes her appear aboard ship even when she is far from sea. She holds herself with the confident, proud air of her people, her expression usually unreadable and aloof to those she does not know well. Occassionally however, one might catch a spark of mischief behind that sharp gaze.
Soft white folds of fabric flow down Jaice's slender form, the white dress attractive in its simplicity but also painfully practical. The hem and cuffs are banded with seven rings of colour, one for each Ajah. On the third finger of her left hand a glint of gold is easily visible, a ring of a serpent biting its own tail.

Setting: Courtyard: White Tower, Tar Valon

Jaice emerges from the Tower doors this cloudy afternoon, her tanned expression seeming more bouyant than previous days. A smile greets Maeve as she spots the other Accepted, but that turns more contemplative as her blue gaze finds Lanta and Alkala. A few lithe, rolling steps take her toward the group, and she greets the Aes Sedai with a curtsey before nodding to the other Atha'an Miere.

Leaning in an almost casual manner against the stable's wall, Maeve studies with some interest the small scene before her eyes, a hint if a frown darkening her expression. Though, as she spots Jaice, it is exchanged, mostly, for a smile and her somberly darkened eyes brighten somewhat again. She raises her beringed hand in a greeting, the golden serpent catching a rau of light as she does so, but makes no move to join her friend.

"Then you are more the fool for believing that girl." Kelsyn snorts as he answers Alkala's words, leaving things at that, though there is no mistaking the disgust which now shows on his usually stoic and emotionless features.

Lanta puts a gentle hand on Kelsyn's arm, though she keeps her eyes on Alkala.

Alkala nods and smiles, more sincerely, to Jaice. "She tells me I cannot leave." A rough nod of her head in Lanta's direction indicates who 'she' is.

Kelsyn shrugs Lanta's hand from his arm, pushing himself from the wall, "I have some matters to attend, Aes Sedai. I will leave you to your duty." He shows not a care for those within the yard, moving off toward the nearest set of gates. His strides are even and matched, cut short as his boot-heels echo omniscently against the stones of the courtyard.

Lanta sighs but makes no mood to follow her Gaidin.

Jaice's pale gaze takes in Atalanta Sedai as Alkala speaks, and she pauses before inclining her head briefly. Her voice is light but level as she says, "She is right, Alkala Fair Winds."

Lanta stands there impassively, watching Jaice in action, her own features as unreadable for the moment as those of her warder's.

(Missed a bit of the log here. Sorry!)

The doors open and close to reveal the Green Sister, Ashlynn Sedai. She pauses briefly at the top of the stairs before her legs take her down toward the courtyard in a careful fashion that sets her hips to sway for the guard.

Lanta shoots an amused, welcoming glance at Ashlynn.

Jaice quiets for a long moment as Lanta speaks, then leans forward to whisper to the other woman. She mutters to Alkala, "You... our Windfinders... Atha'an Miere... discovery is sending... us, here."

Alkala says quite directly, but with no malice, "And why would you care if I get harmed? You do not know me. Perhaps I am an evil person. Perhaps I mean you harm." She purses her lips again at Jaice's words. "Perhaps. But they are mistaken on my part. I am just lucky."

Lanta shakes her head at Alkala. "Alkala," she says, gently, "I /do/ care. I do not like to see people hurt. Any people."

The Green Sister lifts a brow at Alkala's words as she comes down the stairs, "If you deemed us harm child, no doubt you'd be stilled and then wish you were dead." She is very matter of fact, perhaps the Green side of her. She continues well into the courtyard. She can't but to say what she said, but it is the truth. She shrugs off the comment she just made, her eyes roaming liberally to the nearest man, a faint, sly smile appearing upon her features, though she sighs. "Yurinar would tear his arms off..." She tsks to herself.

Briefly, as Ashlynn exits the Tower, does Maeve allow her gaze to drift the way of the Green sister, and she straightens from her light lean against the stable wall behind her enough for a shallow curtsy. Her attention soon returns to the other women though, grey eyes faintly narrowed and betraying her interest.

Alkala had her mouth open to respond when she hears the words to one side. She looks at the woman with open curiosity. "Stilled? How could you still me? I do not channel."

Ashlynn turns her eyes to Lanta, a brow lifting in silence, "She does not know?" She asks, a touch of surprise in her voice.

Lanta sighs. "We're getting there, Ashlynn, we're getting there. Actually, child," this to Alkala,"you can channel. I can feel the ability in you quite well. Lucky, you said?"

Jaice blinks surprisedly at Alkala, evidently not having expected this.

Alkala nods, "Lucky, yes. I win at dice. Fair weather has always followed me. I bring luck to my mother's ship." A tinge, just a touch, of desperation colors her words. "They need me. They have always needed me."

Lanta says, "Alkala, you have the ability. I cannot lie. You know this."

Aedigar enters the Courtyard through an opening in the large wall surrounding the Practice Yard.

Jaice cocks her head to one side, one slender brow arching amusedly. "Funny, the WindSerpent always got nice winds too. Until they turned into a storm which nearly sank him. It was not until I got here that I found I had caused both."

Alkala looks surprised, and it's the first real emotion to cross her face in the entire conversation. "You caused a storm? I was never so clumsy."

Ashlynn's eyes narrow on Alkala, "So you've channelled before then?" She murmurs, taking a step closer, "A wilder."

Aedigar bows to the Aes Sedai and Accepted before he heads towards the practice yard wall. He glances over at Sionil and instead changes direction and goes over to sit on a bench.

Lanta lifts her eyebrows. "You were never so clumsy. You admit to being able to influence the storms, then."

Alkala shakes her head. "No, I do not channel. I cannot. But I did what the Windfinder did..." She moves her hands in imitation. "And we missed storms and made good time. I did not channel." And in fact, to those who can see it, no glow surrounds her.

Jaice points an index finger at Alkala then. "Clumsy? I did not even know I was doing it. By saying so, you know that you were." Apparently being called 'clumsy' has gotten under Jaice's skin.

At that particular comment, Ashlynn's eyes move suspiciously toward Jaice, a thoughtful entering her eyes, "Oh?"

Lanta shakes her head.

Ashlynn's eyes move back to Alkala, carefully examining her, "Tell me, child, did the winds always come when she motioned with her hands?"

Lanta blinks. Seeing what Ashlynn is getting at...she pushes up her glasses.

Jaice clears her throat, casting Alkala a stern warning glance. "Myself, I have never seen a Windfinder do such a thing, Aes Sedai. Of course, it is possible the one on her ship had some sort of a... twitch."

Lanta looks at Jaice calmly. "Truly, Jaice?"

Alkala nods, as if offended by the question. "Most certainly. Our Windfinder was quite excellent. We always made good time. My mother said I brought extra luck to our ship as well."

Ashlynn takes a few more steps closer, totally ignoring Jaice. A slight smile appears to grow on features, "I see... I see." She seems to almost smile with glee at that, a look in her eyes that can be easily be perceived by any Aes Sedai around that might have caught her meaning. "Perhaps we should go visit with them sometime. I am certain they could easily teach me how to...... find winds."

Jaice clears her throat, somehow managing to keep that expressionless mask of hers. "Annet, the WindFinder on the WindSerpent, never waved about, Aes Sedai. She had a good weather sense, to be sure..." She shrugs then, her eyes following Ashlynn.

Lanta nods slowly at Ashlynn's words, curiosity alighting in her eyes. "Esthi had a weather talent. Jaice has a weather talent. Odd, no? But that is neither here nor there. Alkala, every woman standing here can feel your ability. If you do not have that ability trained, you may produce worse than an errant storm. And that is why you must stay."

"Of course, Jaice, if that is your story, of your ship. I am more interested in Alkala's ships at the moment." Ashlynn murmurs, "And you -always- had fair winds, no matter what she did?"

A silvery gleam of curiosity brighten Maeve's gaze, and slender brows quirk upwards as she overhears Alkala's and the others words. The look on her face is almost akin to surprise, yet there's a somewhat unexpected element of disapproval mingled with it, her red lips set into a firm, almost thin line. But she remains a silent observer, if a very keen and alert one now.

Jaice, standing behind Ashlynn, gives Alkala another warning look. Here Alkala was condemning Jaice for staying at the Tower out of duty to her people, and now the girl's going to bring about the downfall of the whole race! Desperation begins to line her eyes.

Alkala looks from the woman in green, to Lanta, then back to Jaice again. She clears her throat. "Once I was born, fair winds followed us. That is my name. I earn it by bringing luck. Our Windfinder danced the winds to us. It is similar to the dances we use to entice men. With it she enticed the winds. It is how I earned money for dice when we put to port, dancing that dance. Would you like to see it?" She raises fingers to the fasteners on her blouse.

Aedigar raises an eyebrow.

Lanta shakes her head. "Perhaps later."

Aedigar lowers the eyebrow again and goes back to passive observation.

A faint frown appears to fall upon Ashlynn's features, shaking her head, "No. I want to know the truth of what I asked. Did fair winds always come at her calling?"

"Fair winds do not always come when there is a WindFinder on board, Aes Sedai," Jaice puts in, somehow keeping her expression placid. Strength, Jaice. "Much of the time she knows where winds are to be found, and that is where the ship sails."

Lanta nods. Sensing something of Jaice's worry, she says smoothly, "I am certain that a knowledge of the trade must have much to do with it, Ashlynn." A faint note in her voice suggests 'Lanta feels the Green Sister might wanna drop it for now.

"Jaice, I did not ask -you-." Ashlynn chirrups in a stark voice. "And unless I do, I ask that you keep out of my... discussion. As you've already mentioned, this is not about your boat." Her eyes, however, remain calm on Alkala as she waits for an answer.

Jaice adds wryly, "After all, if Alkala and I could have been trained at home, why under the Light would we come here and spend years from the safety of the oceans? It is absurd." She blinks at Ashlynn's sharp tone, her jaw clamping shut. Meanwhile, her hands cramp around one another, and it is only with a supreme effort that she keeps her composure.

Alkala sighs as if she were explaining a simple matter. "Fair winds follow me, I am told. That is why I must get back to my ship. Without me, they will likely miss the spice trade they need next season." She takes another breath, then gives another sigh. "Windfinders do what they do because they are taught to do it. I am told any woman with experience can be a Windfinder. I do not know. I did not go to training because I was kidnapped, tied in a sack, and brought here." Now her expression moves toward a scowl. "I was always told I brought the luck. Now you tell me I did not. Perhaps you are not to be trusted."

Lanta says, "It is not WindFinders that we need to speak of at this time, but Alkala." Lanta says this firmly, expecting the matter to be closed, shooting another hard look at Ashlynn.

"And perhaps it is you...." Ashlynn quips back, her eyes narrowing slightly, though her gaze turns toward Jaice, missing Lanta's glance. She lets the matter fall for now, taking a step back, but her gaze never falls from the rather uncomfortable Accepted.

Alkala lowers her hand almost imperceptibly toward the sash at her waist--and not so coincidentally the small knife kept there. "And you say you stay here willingly, Jaice Swift Sea?"

Lanta turns back to Alkala. "Now. Alkala. I appreciate the way you feel, but as they say in the borderlands, Duty is heavier than a mountain. And, as Jaice as said, you have a duty to stay here, with us. After all...we would have to follow you back to your people should you leave. We do not let runaways stay runaways. I do not think you want us going to your people, so let us speak of how your life here will be."

Jaice stays silent, to all eyes seeming calm and quiet... were it not for the clenching of her hands about one another.

Ashlynn continues to gaze at Jaice, her eyes starting to harden faintly as she watches her. There seems to be a look there that speaks 'we will talk later'. After a few moments, she stops her scrutiny of the Accepted and glances back to Alkala and where her hand has gone. Another frown moves upon her features.

Aedigar watches Alkala intently, noticing that she might be reaching for something, unwanted. He seems ready to move quickly if need be.

[Channeling] Ashlynn embraces Saidar, a soft, white nimbus surrounding her. She prepares a shield of air, just in case.

Alkala says, without changing expression or moving her hand, "And how will life here be? All rules and punishments and 'do not do this,' and 'must not do that,' and duty and work and no joy at all?" She shakes her head. "I did not accept that from my mother, and I would leave the sea if she asked me. Why should I do as much for you?"

Lanta , while surely aware of Alkala's movements, remains serenely undisturbed by them. "Because," Atalanta says calmly, "your mother was not training you to be Aes Sedai. And we are."

Ashlynn crosses her arms before her, that narrowed look now turning to Alkala. It seems she only has eyes for the Atha'an Miere now, a look of concentration upon her features.

Jaice's voice sounds again softly, but it does not hold the self-affirmed edge it did earlier today. "It is an easier life in many ways, than that aboard a Raker, Alkala," she says softly. "The duties are similar. There are simply lessons as well."

Still with just a hint of a frown on her face, Maeve can nevertheless not avoid smiling ever so faintly at what is said, in approval this time it would see. And knowing her, it isn't of whatever the Aes Sedai said. A light shrug, and she pulls herself up straight, gliding into a smooth walk which carries her across the courtyard.

Lanta says softly, "I believe we will do things a little differently than normal. Jaice."

Alkala contemplates. "Aes Sedai." She seems to be tasting the words. "Aes Sedai." She turns toward the woman in green with narrowed eyes and a direct tone to her voice. "When I am Aes Sedai, I go where I like? Do what I like? Return to the sea if I like? Dice, dance... As I like?"

Lanta says, "You may. When you are Aes Sedai."

Aedigar raises an eyebrow at the notion of an Aes Sedai dicing, and dancing. He continues to watch though, in case needed in any way.

"That is quite possible, yes." Ashlynn speaks, "Though most have been found working for other... causes." She answers Alkala's words, taking the gaze in her direction for the direction of the question. "Some like to go do battle, and fight Shadowspawn, others like to research, while some like to go sailing off into the sunset and return with.... treasures."

Lanta flicks a slightly frustrated glance at Ashlynn. "Or that."

Alkala nods slightly and thinks for another moment before she says, "Battle? Women?" Now she's even more intrigued. "And I would not have to marry if I did not want to? What responsibility would I have to another? To anyone but myself?"

Lanta says, "To the Amyrlin Seat only, who acts to us much like the Captain of a ship."

Ashlynn quirks a brow at Alkala, looking as if she's wondering if this question, too, was directed at her. Although she remains quiet when Lanta answers.

Passing by the small group, and allowing her smooth strides to shorten just a fraction, Maeve lets out a quiet sound which just might have been a snort. What prompted this is yet again unsure, for her grey gaze now lingers with the dog and the Novices, and a dryly amused smile curve her lips to show a gleam of white between the red even.

Lanta says, "Maeve, do you not have studies to attend to? Or classes to teach, that you must stand out here making silent commentary?"

Ashlynn stands in the courtyard, her eyes narrowed on Alkala. She is holding the source, for those who can see. A slight, billowing breeze passes by Alkala and those near her.

Alkala says, in the manner of a trademaster closing an important deal and making sure of the details before he commits, "So I would owe no one anything, you are saying? And when I become Aes Sedai I can go my own way? You will no longer try to imprison me?"

Jaice's blue gaze finds Maeve across the Courtyard, and though her stolid, stoney expression still doesn't change, her friend might get the sense Jaice will be needing a long chat session tonight. In matters of the conversation with Alkala though, she's quiet.

Lanta says, "Nobody will try to imprison you when you are Aes Sedai."

Ashlynn briefly glances at Lanta, letting the woman do her job, this time. A small bit of annoyance can be seen flitting across her own features, unconcealed.

Lanta mutters to Jaice, "You will... Alkala's... make sure... all ties.... she... hear,... the... which..."
Lanta whispers "You will do Alkala's induction, to make sure she cuts all ties. I trust you know what she must hear, and the way which she must hear it."

"I was contemplating some reading I did earlier." The reply comes smoothly from Maeve, though her voice hints at a certain flatness of tone and her features betray nothing now, composed and calm as they all of a sudden have become.

Ashlynn stands in the courtyard, her eyes narrowed on Alkala. She is holding the source, for those who can see. A slight, billowing breeze passes by Alkala and those near her.

Aedigar's flickers to Adriene and Sionil and gets up from the bench. He strolls over to them, watching Alkala from the corner of his eye. He walks slowly, as if in no hurry, and incidentally passes near the group of Aes Sedai and the SF.

Alkala nods then, the deal done. "I will become Aes Sedai then. But I do not release my rank--it is more important to me than to Jaice, as my position was an enviable one. And I do not bow, or make obeisance to any but the Captain. The Amyrlin Seat."

The surprise -- and the dismay -- is evident on Jaice's face as she stares back at Lanta, evidently startled to her shoes by what the Aes Sedai said. "I... I couldn't, Aes Sedai. I don't know the... ah. erm. Procedures." Sure, that's it. Whatever.

Lanta looks calmly at Jaice. "You know enough. I expect you'll do a fine job." That can be taken many ways, can't it. "Alkala. You will go with Jaice."

Alkala says, shaking her head, "A curtsy is a bow. You said the Amyrlin is the captain. We are all equal in the eyes of the captain, if she is a good one." She turns to Jaice then. "Is the Amyrlin a good, and just, and fine captain? Is she worthy of following? I will not leave my sound ship for a leaky one, nor for an unfit captain. You should know that, of all here."

Ashlynn watches Alkala with what is now a rather calm expression, the emotion gone from her features, replaced with a unique serenity obtained through Aes Sedai calm, although a slow smile forms upon her features, not entirely pleasant. She glances at Lanta, "I say we just still her now and be done with it. She has the spark, and will most likely kill herself and others anyway. At least this way we'd know she'd be safe around people."

Jaice seems to have caught her breath in her throat, and stares at Alkala for a long moment, seeming rather pale all of a sudden. To have to initiate another Atha'an Miere to the Tower? It is... unthinkable. Finally, as the other Sea Folk woman speaks to her, she nods slowly. "I have not met her many times. But she is fair."

Alkala laughs, suddenly, and says to Lanta, "Traitor's Court? I am not one of your people yet. I cannot be a traitor to one who is not my better, or my leader. And I have not yet agreed." She fingers her earring, and says, "No bowing or curtsying except to the Amyrlin herself, and I keep my rank." She says the word 'Amyrlin' as if it were largely unfamiliar to her.

Ashlynn seems to consider that one for a few moments, then just shakes her head, "I do not recall anything in the laws about girls who refuse training, and traitor's court is only used for those that do traitorous things against the Tower, not those that are a danger to themselves and others."

Having continued on her way towards the Tower proper, the words now spoken halt Maeve's stride and she turns to glance back at the group gathered there. Her face is calm still, though a light quivering betrays a hint of held-back emotion. Judging from the look in her eyes it is anger or something akin, for those grey, stormy depths hold pure contempt and nothing else.

Lanta nods. "Then I suppose you'd might want to go find eleven more."

Ashlynn nods to herself, "I will return shortly." Her gaze takes her once more to Alkala, her eyes holding a hint of sympathy now, "A shame, and that one had potential too." And so saddened is the look in her eyes, it might seem even real. "Very shortly. It is better to get his over with as soon as possible." She starts to move toward the Tower.

Lanta spreads her hands. "You will curtsy to all Aes Sedai, Accepted, and Gaidin, Alkala, and you will agree to follow /all/ of the rules and regulations. And you will do so before Ashlynn returns with eleven more Sisters, or else you will not have to worry, for you will /not/ be able to channel then. Of course, most women who are stilled loose the will to live. Some last a year. Some five. Some six months. Think carefully."

Jaice presses her lips, inclining her head to both the Aes Sedai before speaking to Alkala. "When among the Shorebound, you must abide their customs, just as they must abide those of the Atha'an Miere aboard a Raker."

Jaice shoots Alkala an imploring look, and turns then to Lanta. "Atalanta Sedai, may I have a moment to speak alone with her? It may be that... it might make the situation easier." Light make it so, Jaice can't handle much more of this.

It is not far that Ashlynn has to walk that takes her to the Tower. She appears to brush past the halted Maeve, no emotion within her eyes as she does so, that calm serenity taking over once more. She casually holds her hands before her, as if saying a little 'prayer' for Alkala, and her soul within the Light.

Alkala turns to Jaice and says, most logically, "But our rules are fair, and make sense. We do not ask they kiss the feet of every lowly deckhand. No offence, of course, as yours is such a needed position." She turns back to Lanta and asks, "Why should I be afraid when you threaten to take something I do not have? Take my ship, and all of my jewels and gold, and my husband and children as well. I will miss none of them."

Lanta says, "Jaice, you may have five minutes to show her the folly of her ways."

[Channeling] Lanta embraces the source. A weave of fire appears above her hand.

Almost casually, Atalanta puts out her hand. A little flame dances about; Lanta says, "Do you feel anything, Alkala?"

The Green Sister disappears into the Tower, the door closing behind her.

Jaice nods once to Lanta, then takes Alkala's arm firmly and steers her toward the hedges. "Come on," she mutters to the other woman, "I've got lots to say." With a swishing of skirts, she disappears around a bush, dragging Alkala behind her.

Turning fully around once again, there's now not only contempt and anger within Maeve's gaze but written all over her angular features. Her arms lie straight along her sides, though her fists are clenched, her knuckles whitened by the tension. She seems on the verge of lashing out, though in what manner one cannot tell. As Jaice drags Alkala away, some of the tension slips from her lithe form, but it is far from gone.

Alkala draws back from the flame, startled, her expression uneasy. "What did you..." Then she leans forward, looking at the flame more intently. "What should I feel besides heat?" She reaches a finger toward the fire experimentally, and yelps despite herself from the heat. She stares at the flame as Jaice pulls her away. "Wait..." she protests, still looking in Lanta's direction. "I have to know why..." Her words drift off as Jaice pulls her behind the hedges.

Lanta stands with a flame dancing above her hand, ignoring it as if it is no consequence, looking hard now, at Maeve.

"None, Aes Sedai." Maeve replies, ice in her voice now. "I am merely seeing an excellent demonstration of what I have known all along." The rage in her eyes does not die down, though her voice remains steady and untouched by such turbulent emotions.

"And what is that, Accepted?" Atalanta says, her voice dangerously quiet. It seems that Atalanta is no longer playing Miss Nice Sedai.

[Channeling] Jaice grasps hold of the Source, and being she hasn't been taught a Ward against eavesdropping, weaves a shield of air around herself and Alkala, on the side of the others. The bubble extends almost all the way around them, hopefully hiding their voices.

Behind the hedges, Jaice turns to you as she comes around the hedges, the glow of Saidar surrounding her as she weaves a bubble of air to hide voices. Her voice is sharp and crisp. "All right, first thing's first. Our WindFinders can channel. I thought you knew. You should have been told."

Behind the hedges, Alkala manages to look stunned and offended at the same time. "They do not!"

Behind the hedges, Jaice continues, her voice hushed. "It is -essential- that they do not know this. If the Tower finds out, they will seek out our Windfinders and bring them -here-. This is why they send us. To avoid suspicion." Her eyes narrow on you, sternly. "They do. Not all... but most."

Behind the hedges, Jaice points one finger at you, emphasizing her point. "This I know for a fact. It must have been hidden from you. They do channel. And so do you. As do I. Do not presume to tell me your rank is more important to you than mine was to me! It was death to come here and serve ashore, and even more so after finding out I could do what the Windfinders do, only better by half. If I had stayed... if I were there now, I would be WindFinder. But I did not know then, and I serve here, instead. Do not argue with me Alkala Fair Winds, we do not have the time. I have much to explain!"

Behind the hedges, Alkala clearly has to grit her teeth to keep from speaking. "Yes?" she mutters, the final 's' a hiss through her teeth.

Behind the hedges, Jaice holds out her hand, a flame dancing on it like Lanta had done earlier. "This is an example of using the One Power. You can learn it too, because you -can- channel. And you can probably bring winds because of it too. Shaping the winds is strong in our people." Jaice's eyes meet yours, and she reaches to grasp your hand in earnest. "I know you do not like it here. And I know it is easier going back to your mother's ship. But I also know you have a duty, as I do. And I do know what it is you are going through."

Behind the hedges, Alkala shakes her head. "I cannot do that. I am old, perhaps older than you. If I could channel..." In her mouth, Channeling sounds akin to swimming through air. "... then why have I not done so before?" She bites her lip, and shakes her head. "But your earrings... And that dress. And you curtsy to them as if they were your betters!"

Behind the hedges, Jaice shakes her head. "Many think they are. But I am stronger in the Power than all but a handful. I am strong, and I -will- succeed. But these Aes Sedai have earned a place, and it is to that that I show deference. It is the way here."

Behind the hedges, Alkala makes a frustrated sound. "It doesn't appear to matter what I want. Does it?" She looks at Jaice then says, abruptly, "When you are Aes Sedai, will you return home?" Then, more quietly, "Will you even want to any longer?"

Behind the hedges, Jaice's gaze drops then, her lips pursing as she considers that. "I do not know. I do not know if I belong with them any more, but I do know that I have kept their secret and that I have served them well. And so, they sail on. I may return. I know I will not stay here long past Raising. I enjoy the learning, to use the Power. The WindFinders are adept at controlling wind, but not at anything else in particular. These are. If I am Raised... I will travel, I think. I am not good at staying inside for long."

Behind the hedges, Alkala nods then, reluctant though it is. "I do not want to open my family to Aes Sedai hands. I would not wish this on any of my sisters, nor my daughters. I will stay. But I will not curtsy, inside. To any but the Amyrlin, my curtsy is no more than a smile to a man who can afford the drink I cannot. I will smile until I finish the drink."

Behind the hedges, Jaice's own wry smile meets yours, and she nods to your words. "Nobody said you had to curtsy and mean it, Alkala. Just to curtsy. And it did seem foolish to me, at first. Beyond foolish. But learning the shorebound ways... you can use it to your advantage."

Behind the hedges, Alkala actually smiles, then, and winks. "I save that for the shorebound men. Clumsy, yes. And slow, on their feet and their wits. But stamina..." She raises her eyebrows, then whistles.

Behind the hedges, Jaice leans back a bit, looking innocently skyward. "Slow on their feet, certainly. But the Warders around here seem almost as graceful as Sea Folk." She nods then, seeming more relieved. "I am glad you chose to learn here."

Behind the hedges, Jaice gives you a level look. "I will not lie to you though. I have never felt dedicated to the Tower like some do, although I see the purpose behind it and may work for that purpose one day. But I also now do not know if I am -truly- Atha'an Miere."

Alkala shrugs as though the choice were insignificant. "I will learn everything they have to teach, and then I will be more free than I was before. More than I could have been otherwise. I will buy a ship and trade in... in... perfumes and incense and gold." She sobers at Jaice's final words. "But I will always be Atha'an Miere. They cannot take that from me, any more than they can take my heart, or my markings." She runs her fingers across the back of her hand and the tattoos that show clearly. "I will make the winds sing a song that I command."

Behind the hedges, Jaice nods, a regretful look to those blue eyes. "That is what I thought too," she says softly. "Things changed. But one cannot call back the wave that has passed. Much happens inside the Tower, as you will soon discover."

Alkala dismisses the warning with a shrug. "I will be strong. I have always been, and it has served me well." She stands. "I suppose they forced you to remove the 'rings?"

Jaice nods shortly, standing as she begins to lead you back around the hedges. "It is the way here, to release the ties from one's former life. They would take our tattoos if they could."

[Channeling] Jaice releases the Air bubble around herself and Alkala, and releases the Source as well.

Lanta snaps, "Well?"

Alkala looks from side to side suspiciously. Nothing has changed or moved, and yet... "What just happened?"

Jaice's lithe, rolling paces lead her toward the courtyard again, talking softly with Alkala as the two emerge from behind the hedges. She blinks in astonishment at the scene in the Courtyard, having missed everything. "Ahem. We are ready, Aes Sedai."

Aedigar watches the scene and decides he doesn't like the atmosphere. He stands up and nods to the novices, "Good eve to you." he walks towards the barracks and gives all the assorted Aes Sedai, Gaidin, and Accepted the required bows along the way.

Melli quickly stands and curtsies now that no one's attention is even remotely focussed on her.

Lanta fixes Alkala with a stony gaze. She never blinks. "That is none of your concern. Are you ready to go upstairs and learn about the Tower with Jaice now, and become a Novice, or we go with the other alternative?"

Kelsyn continues to stand where he is, though his eyes are now fixed to the doors of the tower, a look of abject disgust on his features. He snorts at the departing Accepted, then turns a more stern glance to the rest of those within the yard.

The large familiar figure of Yurinar Gaidin leaves the darkened confines of the Tower proper to enter the cloak of night outside. The elder Warder lifts a brow at the gathering. He nods respectfully first to the Aes Sedai, then nods to the others without saying a word.

Alkala looks confused. "I meant about that rushing sound. I felt it here," she indicates her chest, "a moment ago, and now it's gone." She even seems lost, suddenly. "I felt it and it was gone."

Lanta softens. "The rushing around," she explains, gently, "was a resonance, between you and I. As I channelled the flame, you felt it, for you have the ability."

Jaice nods slowly, giving Alkala's arm a reassuring squeeze. "That was Channeling. I had a bubble of air around us while we were chatting, so we could have some privacy."

Alkala shakes her head, as if to shake the memory out of it. "And I can learn to do it? You really think... I can?" She says this without her eyes narrowing a bit, her voice almost unsteady.

Lanta says gently, "I know you can. Up with Jaice now. You have more to speak of, still."

Ashlynn chooses this exact moment to come out of the Tower doors, a grim expression on her features as she does so. Carefully does she make her way to the stairs, and walk over to Lanta, She mutters to Lanta, "... how... everything... Has she finally... of... behind the doors... entrance"

Lanta mutters to Ashlynn, "... As for Maeve,... with suitcases any... point..."

Jaice casts the Courtyard another glance as people file out, the aura of the area definitely... moody. She wisely withholds questions though, and merely curtsies to Lanta as she gestures for Alkala to follow her into the Tower.

---

It was another hour before Jaice was done Initiating Alkala into the Tower; and afterward, Jaice thought that it may have even been more painful for her to watch Alkala take off those rings and chains of rank and burn those clothes than it was for Alkala to do it. To sever the ties of another Atha'an Miere... but the sick feeling to her stomach had lifted. She had convinced Alkala to stay willingly, and thus, she thought the other woman would do well. Light knew she was determined enough for it.

The walk to the Accepted dorms seemed longer than usual, even though it was only just down the hall. She would be having a long talk with Maeve tonight, that was for sure. She didn't know what she would have done without the redheaded Saldeaen to talk to on days like these. And then there was the question of the Windfinders; she was sure Ashlynn had gotten suspicious. Knocking on Maeve's door, Jaice decided all those things could wait until tomorrow.

There was no answer, even after the third time knocking. Slipping the door open, she found an empty room. It didn't take much time to learn the truth of what had happened; a few questions to other Accepted in the hallway, and the sick feeling to her stomach was back.

Maeve had left the Tower.