Setting: Library: White Tower, Tar Valon

Players:
Trelaine, Morillin, Analee - Novices
Raemira
Micana

Trelaine ponders this some more. "Well, there are things that are yet to be discovered from the Age of Legends, and if there are writings, then you must be able to read the Old Tongue."

Morillin and Trelaine are standing off to one side, talking quietly.

Trelaine is speaking with Morillin over by a shelf of books.

Upon hearing voices Raemira seems to move over to them, as if curiousity draws her there. Movements are quiet, as her skirts move with her, barely making a sound. She pauses a moment, glancing about the mass of shelves.

Morillin hmms softly. "Is it very difficult to learn?" she asks Trelaine.

Trelaine shakes her head. "No, I don't think so, really. It is a bit confusing, but if you put your mind to it, it can be learned."

Morillin nods once. "Perhaps I will look into teaching myself, then. It does sound rather interesting."

Trelaine smiles shyly to the taller novice, bobbing her head. "I find it so." She pauses, "But then, my father always told me I had a head for information, useful or not."

Raemira appears to find the person she is looking for. Her eyes bring her to Morillin, as does her motions, "Novice Morillin." She speaks in an official voice, "You are summoned now to be tested, follow me." She does not give any precursor to it, just announces it plainly, expecting to be obeyed.

Trelaine nearly jumps at the unexpected Aes Sedai. (not having met Raemira as the Amyrlin yet, she doesn't know the woman is.) She curtsies quickly and deeply, looking to the ground immediatly.

Analee enters the Library from its massive wooden door

Morillin's expression becomes vaguely wistful at mention of fathers. But only for a moment. When Raemira suddenly speaks, she starts and drops into a deep curtsy, then straightens almost as quickly. "Tested, Mother?" she breathes. Looking down at the book in her hands, she hastily sets it on a nearby table.

Analee walks quietly into the library. She looks at Raemira Sedai in surprise.

"Do not ask questions child." Raemira speaks to Morillin, "Just follow." She starts to turn toward the exit, her skirts moving with her in a fluid motion as she does so.

Trelaine blinks at the floor and nearly jumps when Morillin says "Mother." You can see the worry on the Novices face, hoping the curtsey was proper and deep enough.

Analee curtsies to Raemira as she passes.

Morillin folds her hands before her and follows the Amyrlin, schooling her face back to its usual blankness.

Trelaine curtsies low and slow for Raemira as the Amyrlin turns for the exit.

[Testing Chamber: White Tower, Tar Valon]

Morillin enters the Testing Chamber from the hallway of the basement.

Raemira walks in with Morillin, her gaze sharp. She motions the girl to Micana, to start the preparations for the test. She seems to be eyeing her in a manner which suggests sympathy, however calm presides. Three Aes Sedai sit in a circle around the arches, looking ready to do their part within the test.

Morillin follows Raemira into the chamber, eyes lifting involuntarily to the silvery arches which dominate the room. She nods to the Amyrlin and makes her way to Micana, curtsying to her quickly.

Micana assesses the supplicant as she enters the chambers. She stands silently near a table with three goblets of water and some white material. Her cool green gaze seems to take the girl apart and examine each piece before replacing it. Her eyes raise to Raemira for an instant before she speaks.

Raemira appears to nod her head to Micana, to start the precedings. She takes her usual place by the podium, eyes watchful as she does so.

Micana in a clear voice which drops words into the silence of the room one by one Micana begins, her gaze looking directly into Morillin's eyes. "You are to be tested for Raising to Accepted. Before you undergo the test, you must search yourself and decide whether or not you are truly ready." Her expression is quite serious, "You may refuse now, and twice again, without shame. The third refusal, and you will be put out of the Tower for good. Do you understand?"

Morillin nods to Micana, silently.

Micana nods slowly. "Then remove your clothing, Morillin, all of it, so you may enter the testing unfetered.

Morillin hesitates for a moment, before quickly stripping her clothing off, folding it neatly, and setting it to one side.

Micana steps to the side so that she faces the rings, Raemira on her left and the Novice to her right, all easily visible. Her expression is grave as she nods slightly to Raemira.

Morillin shivers slightly as she waits.

Raemira watches silently as Morillin declothes herself, eyes seemingly holding that vague sympathetic expression. Once again she looks to Micana, as if to continue this part of the ceremony.

Micana continues in the same clear voice. She says "Now I will tell you two things that no woman hears before she stands in this chamber. Once you begin you must continue through to the end. Refuse at any point and you will be put out of the Tower just as if you had refused to begin for the third time."

Micana says "The second is that to seek, to strive, is to know danger. You must know that some women have entered and never come out." The word 'never' is unmistakably emphasized by a tone in Micana's voice.. "When the ter'angreal finally was allowed to grow quiet, they -were not- there. And they were never seen again." "If you will survive, you must remember to be steadfast. Falter, fail, and..." She trails off in a meaningful way." She watches the novice without hint of expression on her face while awaiting her response."

Morillin straightens her back and nods to Micana, once.

Micana nods slightly then says, "If you are sure.. This is your last chance to refuse. Do so now and it counts only as the first. You may still try two more times. If you accept now, there is no turning back. There is no shame in refusing. If you sure you wish to continue, ready yourself for there will be no turning back.

Morillin says "I will not refuse, Aes Sedai."

Raemira appears to nod to herself after a moment then her voice cuts into the air, "Whom do you bring with you, Sister?" A voice seems to echo throughout the room.

Micana answers, in a voice which reaches throughout the chambers in even, expressionless tone "One who comes as a candidate for Acceptance.

Raemira intones, "Is she ready?"

Micana replies, "She is ready to leave behind what she was, and passing through her fears, gain Acceptance.

A slight nod of the head appears to answer as Raemira continues, "Does she know her fears?" At this her expression seems to become vaguely passive and hidden.

Morillin listens to the ritual exchange, her gaze transfixed upon the shining arches.

Micana completes the next portion in the same tone of voice. "She has never faced them, but is now willing.

"Then...." A slight pause comes from Raemira, "Let her face her fears." Eyes seem to study Morillin in an inquisitive fashion.

Micana leads the novice toward the first arch. "The first time is for what was. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast." She squeezes her arm once and then steps back.

Raemira appears to watch and wait for the Novice to enter the arch.

Morillin glances at Micana once, before turning to face the arch. Setting her jaw, she steps forward into the light.

Morillin enters the Arch One.

As you step through the arch, any rememberance of the Tower seems to leave you. It was as if that time never existed, though faintly echos at the back of your mind, somewhere. What appears before you is your home within Altara, a rememberance of the past. Your mother is sitting before the hearth, knitting a new scarf for the colder season soon to come. Two of your older brothers are quibbling over one matter or another, while the other broods quietly within a corner. It has been two months since the supposed loss of your father to the storms, and since the news has come about his assumed death. Your mother does her best to hide her emotions and provide for you, though it is apparent she is not doing well. A knock can be heard at the door.

Morillin looks up at the knock, then rises from her chair and moves to the door, opening it curiously.

The door opens. A person with a cowl over their features appears in the doorway, regarding you thoughtfully. A raspy voice speaks out, hardly recognizable, as is this malnourished seeming person before you, "Mori?"

Morillin's eyes narrow at the familiar mode of address, and her hand drops to the wicked knife at her belt. "What do you want? Who are you?" she asks quietly, unwilling to disturb the others just yet.

The raspy voice answers, "Dont be silly girl...." It's almost fatherly in nature, "Let me in." Eyes dart about outside, almost too nervous.

Morillin pauses, trying to peer into the cowl. "Father?" she whispers after a moment.

The figure appears to flinch from the girl trying to look at him, "Just let me in girl, quickly, before they find me." Who they are, he does not mention.

Morillin hesitates, then steps back, allowing him room to enter, glancing uncertainly back towards her mother as she does so.

The man stumbles into the room, causing some more than mild attention being brought to himself. The boys all draw daggers, ready to defend if need be, while the oldest starts to pull a sword, just in case. The man holds out his arms in a gesture of peace, "Peace, please hold...." One hand moves upward slowly, withdrawling the cowl to reveal a man once throught long dead.

Morillin 's eyes fill with tears, which are roughly brushed aside a moment later. "Father, wh....what are you doing here? Where have you been?"

From a distance so remote as to be near unknown comes a whisper of a thought tip-toing in the mind of Morillin, one which is not her own, drifting in and out of memory.

Steadfast
        once, only once
way back
          be steadfast

The boys gasp as does your mother, all taken with a bit of shock. The man shakes his head "More than enough time to explain later child. For now, we must pack and hurriedly." He glances nervously toward the door, "They'll be here looking for me and I fear the worst for you all should you be here when they come." Again there is that mysterious they, perhaps those who had another purpose in him resting with the dead.

Morillin frowns at the unbidden words, giving her head a small shake as if to clear it. "Who are 'they', father?" she demands. "Why must we leave, when we have only just had you returned to us?"

"Time to explain that can be had on the way. Do not question me, pack girl. Time is wasting away. They are those that want me dead for things seen the morning I left and did not return. THey will not rest until they are certain nothing remains of that night. I will explain all on the road' His raspy voice seems urgent. At that moment, there is a pounding upon the doors, hard.

A shimmering arch glimmers against the wall, just flickering in the corner of Morillin's vision as everyone else's eyes turn to the door. Light glints off the curve.
Steadfast
The way back comes but once
The thoughts return to tickle Morillin's mind.

Morillin spins towards the arch, mouth dropping open. Then she looks back to the door, her hand gripping her knife so hard it trembles. Her face twists with indecision...

The pounding grows louder, until it seems as if the door will burst. The boys all hold their weapons ready and somehow your father finds a dagger of his own, even your mother is armed with her widows dagger. THe door splinters and cracks, telling you whoever it is wants in desperately, though that archway still shimmers brightly, tickling your mind you need to make a decision fast.

Morillin moans softly in the back of her throat, her gaze moving to each member of her family in turn. Then, with a violent movement, she hurls herself through the arch.

Morillin leaves the Arch One.

Morillin comes hurtling out of the arch, tears streaking her dark face. She comes to a shuddering halt, gasping for breath as she tries to bring herself under control.

Water is poured over Morillin's head as she exits the arch, several of the Aes Sedai present letting out a desperately held breath. "You are washed clean of what sin you may have done," Raemira intones, "and those done against you. You are washed clean of what crime you may have committed, and of those comitted against you. You come to us washed clean and pure, in heart and soul."

Micana watches the novice stumble out expressionlessly. She places one hand on her shoulder after giving her a moment to catch her breath and turns her toward the second of the arches. "The second time is for what is. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast."

Morillin looks somewhat stunned as the water is poured over her, lifting her head to gaze around her. As she is guided to the second arch, she starts to shiver....either from the cold water, or fear, or both. After pausing to steel herself, she steps forward into the second arch.

Morillin enters the Arch Two.

Once again the arches seem but a distant memory as you step through the second arch. However the Tower is not forgotten, as it once was before. You are with a few friends outside in the courtyard. Visitors and guests pass by you in the normal fashion. One asks that their horse be taken to the stables, the hands full with other things need help. Chiara appears from no where and volunteers, asking that you help her.

Morillin nods to Chiara, rising from her bench and following the other girl and the horse to the stables.

The horse follows along placidly, not seeming to mind the girls handling it at all. The doors are open to the barn and Chiara appears to take the reigns as if having known the animals all her life, even should that not be the case. You both enter inside, finding it seemingly empty except for the horses and yourselves, which in essense seems more than vaguely odd.

Chiara glances to Morillin, "Can you take him to a stall while I go get some water and grain?"

Morillin nods, taking the reins. "Of course." She leads the horse to a stall and begins removing all that riding equipment-stuff....saddle, bridle, and so on.

Chiara moves toward the back of the stables which houses the feed and water buckets. Several moments of silence lapse before a loud scream is heard.

Morillin bolts from the stall, ignoring the startled horse, and strides to where the scream originated.

Deep in the recesses of memory comes a tickling thought.
        way back
          once
once
        once
        steadfast
        be steadfast

A voice, distinctly male, comes from the barns, "Quiet wench. We aints gonna hurtcha, honest." Another scream can be heard, as well as a struggle.

Morillin growls and reaches for the knife which is, of course, not there. She heads for the voice, lifting her own to shout, "Stop this at once!"

You hear Chiara's voice, "Get away from me." One appears to be holding her down, while another stands above her, just watching with an amused light with his eyes. They do not look as if they are from the Tower at all, though from the looks of them look as if they are about to have fun. The one standing glances toward Morillin and gives off a faint smile, dark in nature, "Oh.... lookie here, another to have some fun with, eh?" He starts to advance toward her.....

A familiar silvery shape begins to consolidate from the dim shadows of the barn, slowly forming up to make a pale arch. It emits an inaudible hum.

        Be Steadfast
           steadfast
             steadfast
        The way back
          comes but
once
  once
    once
      once.

The young woman upon the ground begins to struggle violently, "Get out of here Morillin, get help!" Her voice pleads, fearful, though her eyes beg you to do so.

Morillin gives the approaching man a grim smile. "I am going to make you both squeal like the pigs you are," she informs them coolly. Abruptly, her gaze is caught by the arch, held there. Her fists clench as her eyes move to Chiara, and then the arch. She shuts her eyes, as if she can block out the entire scene, before whispering, "Forgive me, Chiara." With three long strides, she plunges into the arch.

Morillin leaves the Arch Two.

Morillin strides out, stiff with contained fury, fists clenched at her sides.

Again, as before, another chalice of water is draped over Morillin's head, "You are washed clean of false pride. You are washed clean of false ambition." Raemira intones, her voice holding no traces of emotion or sympathy now, "You come to us washed clean, in heart and soul."

Micana waits beside Morillin. When the girl has had time to heed the words spoken to her and get her bearings, she lightly takes her by the arm to guide her to the third arch. "The third time is for what will be. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast."

Morillin takes a deep, calming breath, nods to Micana curtly, and steps forward into the final arch.

Morillin enters the Arch Three.

Remnants of the Tower seem but a distant memory, as does the basement. You are emerged outside, this time within the practice yard. A novice comes up to you and curtsies. "Excuse me Aes Sedai, but there is someone to see you." She seems nearly frightful, almost as if new to the tower.

Morillin blinks down at the Novice, then gazes at her own dress, fingering the red silk as if surprised to see it. Then, with a swift shake of her head, she focuses back on the Novice. "Thank you, child. Are they in the courtyard?"

The novice cursies once more to Morillin, "Yes, Aes Sedai." She murmurs, though with a perfect polite tone, "They say it's of an important matter, something about lost family."

Morillin frowns for a moment, before turning and sweeping from the yard. Her skirts rustle quietly as she strides into the courtyard, hands folded serenely before her.

What greets your eyes is this. An elderly gentleman, standing before the gates of the Tower. His weathered voice appears to be arguing with one of the Accepted, "But I must see her, you do not understand." An aged hand reaches out to touch the girl who flinches away from him, a sudden look of sadness reaches out over his features, "Tell her.... tell her that her father has come to see her." The Accepted gives the man an indignant look, "She has no father."

Morillin approaches the pair, giving the Accepted a small nod before turning the full force of her gaze on the man. "You are looking for Morillin Sedai, sir?" she inquires, looking the man over quickly. Something seems to make her pause, almost makes her take a step backwards, but she composes herself an instant later.

The Accepted gives a hasty curtsey to the Aes Sedai, then goes about her business. The man gives a small shake of his head, "Nay, I seek the child Morillin, that was lost to me so long ago..." His weathered voice answers, not totally understanding, it seems, that she's long grown by now. Something about his eyes tells you he's not completely there.

How strange. Where did that thought come from? Thinking of my testing at a time like this.
        onnnnccce
           once
            just once--way backkkkk

Thoughts tickle the memory, playing there like dust devils dancing in
autumn leaves, bringing lost treasures to light.
steadfast
  steadfast
    be steadfast

Morillin looks down at her hands, which are smoothing her skirts slowly, and frowns as she forces them to remain still. Irritated more by her wandering mind, she looks down at the man. "Who are you?" she asks bluntly. "You seem familiar, but..." Her lips compress and she shakes her head.

The old man introduces himself as 'Morillin's father'. "It has been long since I have seen her..." His voice comes out in a soft manner, delicate almost. "Too long. Not soon after she left her brothers, did I come home, saddened to hear of her mother's passing when I returned and her disapperance....." Such sadness lingers within his voice, "Nothing could be done to stop the events that happened or the wheel from turning..... I had to leave, and I came to apologize to her for all that's gone wrong.... and to let her know that I did not abandon her or the others...." A choked sound enters his throat, "Can ye please tell her that I am here... I need to talk to the lass, lest she think I hate her."

Morillin's serenity hovers on the brink of shattering as she watches the man. This time, she does step away from him. "I....am Morillin," she says at last. "Father?"

A silvery arch snaps into view as if it has always been there, waiting, had one but just looked. The inaudible hum sings to the soul of the Aes Sedai facing her father.

        The way back comes but once.
        be steadfast.

The man's jaw drops, opening and closing several times, tears brimming at his eyes, "Oh my..." He too takes a step back, now seemingly at a loss for words despite his arguement, "Can ye forgive me...?"

The man reaches out a hand to hug the girl before him, though tentatively, as if frightened, "I tried getting back sooner, I did... but the storms and the ramming. I barely made it to shore alive, much less rememberin' who I was. Some things still fuzzy....." His weathered voice trails.

Morillin's lips part, and she instinctively evades the man's attempt to touch her. Some things have been too deeply ingrained. "Father, I....why did you not return? Mother -died- because she thought you lost forever." Her gaze shifts to the arch, eyes widening slightly in recognition.

Sunlight rims the silvery curve in a near liquid flash as a cloud drifts by and obligingly removes its shadow from the area. The lower edge seems to start fading...growing insubstantial even as the upper surface glows.

steadfast
        be steadfast
The way back
        comes but once.

"I tried..." His voice rasps, another choke catching in his throat, tears welling up within his eyes. "I could not remember.... my head." He reaches for a spot as if it were hit long ago, "It hit the rocks when my boat over turned, please, it was not my fault. The storm came to rapidly for me to get to shore, caught unawares.... I would have been home sooner, had I known who I was."

Morillin shakes her head once, her face filled with horror. She looks back to the arch, drifting towards it as if drawn, though her eyes remain on her father. "I....cannot," she whispers. One last look, and she stumbles into the arch.

Morillin leaves the Arch Three.

Morillin stumbles from the arch, her face slack and eyes shining with tears.

The Amyrlin pours the last chalice of water upon Morillin as she exits, intoning in a clear voice that resonates throught the room, "You are washes clean of Morillin Ebaera from the Rahad. You are washed clean of all ties that bind you to the world." A slight pause as the Amyrlin takes a breath, "You come to us washed clean, in heart and soul. You are Morillin Ebaera, Accepted of the White Tower." Another slight pause as Raemira speaks in a voice that appears to allow every other Aes Sedai to let go of the breaths they've been holding this whole time, "You are sealed to us now." She leans over to kiss the girls cheek ever so lightly, "Daughter."

Micana stands to the side, her left hand holding a towel, her right some folded linen. There is a glint of relief in her green eyes as the girl exits the last arch and she observes the next segment of the rite.

Micana hands Morillin the towel, letting the linen unfold to show an Accepted dress with the seven bands of color circling the hem.

Morillin gives the Amyrlin a blank look for a moment, and then begins to tremble. Numbly, she accepts the towel and dries herself, before her gaze moves to the dress.

Raemira appears to watch quietly, that look of sympathy now gone from her features as she quietly observes. Her voice rings out, "Accepted, you will find that the next few weeks will be the hardest you've ever endured at the Tower. You are absolved from chores and classes for the next day, to get yourself settled into your new quarters, and to.... recover from this experience."

Morillin looks back to Raemira, then inclines her head. "Thank you, Mother," she murmurs.

Raemira pulls something from the pouch of her pocket, "Let me have your left hand please." Her voice holds something not of question, but an order. Morillin slowly lifts her left hand, fingers splayed.

A Great Serpent ring, made in gold alabaster, can be seen finding itself placed on the third finger of Morillin's left hand, "As an Accepted, you may only wear this ring upon this finger, thus placed. You have earned this right, y so passing the tests. As an Aes Sedai, you may wear it upon any finger of your choosing, but not until you pass that test for raising."

Morillin looks down at the ring, and nods once more. "Of course."

Micana waits until Raemira is done, then assists Morilin to put on her new dress. She leans forward to place a light kiss on the cheek. "Welcome Accepted. You must take a spirit class and be supervised once before you begin solo teaching of the novices. "

Morillin runs her fingers over the soft material of her dress, then looks at Micana. "Yes, Aes Sedai. Thank you."

Raemira inclines her head to Morillin, "You are excused now, though please tell no one of what happened. It is a tradition that those raised do not speak of the experience." There is a slight hint of warning within her voice.

Morillin spreads her banded skirts in a curtsy. "I understand, Mother." Straightening, she takes one last look at the arches behind her, before starting towards the stairs. Her legs seem just a trifle unsteady.

Several Aes Sedai pour out of the chamber behind her, ready to assist if needed.

Micana turns to Raemira and curtseys as the area is cleaned up and the testing area begins to empty, standing ready for the next use.

Morillin exits the chamber through the secret doorway.

Micana says "I had our belongings sent to rooms, horses are alright. The supplies were sent to the teaching room. Did I tell you what I found for practices, Mother?"

Raemira lifts a brow faintly, shaking her head, "Nay, what did you find?"

Micana says "when Shamus and I were exploring a side street in Mayene, we observed some coppersmiths. As they worked the thin beaten sheets with fire, color would turn green, pink, gold, and blue depending on duration adn heat. Copper is soft enough to be worked easily, even for someone fairly weak in earth. So I brought back some copper in one bundle and some colored glass. One may use earth to crush the glass, air to arrange it on copper, fire to heat and melt the glass and enamel the copper, earth to guide its shape, water to cool and set it. edgings can be done with fire for colorful effects. Four of the five can be used in one exercise which to my knowledge, none here have done before."

Raemira inclines her head thoughtfully, "Definitely an interesting touch..."

Micana says "teaches them not only to use the powers, but respect for craftsmen and their talent and ability."

Raemira appears thoughtful, "I wonder if we could use that to test them before they are raised...."

Raemira speaks, "Unless you wanted to use it for one of the other classes."

Micana shakes her head. "No, I had no particular purpose for it, and do not expect good results, just a media for them to work with. If we could think of a way to blend spirit into it, would work nicely.

Raemira inclines her head slightly, "Of course." A slight smile appears at her lips. "If you will excuse me, it's growing late and I'm certain Coerel wil wish to see me before I retire for the evening."