Cast:

Raemira Halia Birnoas: Amyrlin Seat
Micana Vicayle: Keeper of the Chronicles
Coliena Rojua Tanaka: Mistress of Novices
Calandra Jaslin Voraneth : Novice of the White Tower
Thais Ninaven: Novice of the White Tower

Scene One: Thais's Room, White Tower, Tar Valon

Micana makes it known that she wishes to be admitted to your location.

You admit Micana to your location.

Micana comes into the room.
Micana has arrived.
 

Thais opens the door, blinking as the Keeper walks inside. She's only wearing her shift, a collection of books open on her bed.

Micana comes into the room once her knock is answered. Her expression is somber and she studies her with a long cool glance. "Put down what you are doing. Come with me. Do not ask why." She turns and heads out the room at an even pace.

Micana gives Thais time to grab a dress, if she is quick enough.

Thais opens her mouth, just about to ask the Keeper is she can get dressed first, but her jaw snaps shut as the Aes Sedai hands her her dress, and she follows behind her, pulling the dress on as she walks, lucky enough not to walk into the wall, as she is blinded by the cloth.

Micana leaves the room.
Micana has left.

You leave the room.

Scene Two(Brief) - White Tower, Tar Valon

Aes Sedai Living Quarters: White Tower, Tar Valon
Contents:
Micana
Calandra
Obvious exits:
Infirmary  Ramp Down  Aes Sedai Residents  Ramp Up

Calandra curtsies to Thais and Micana.
Calandra dusts.

Micana leads the way down impassively, without speaking.

Micana pads down the carpeted ramp and enters the Tower Office Wing.
Micana has left.

Calandra shoots Thais an inquisitive glance.

Thais doesn't even have time to say hello to her closest friend as she hurries to keep up with the Keeper.
 

Micana continues along, only the whisper of her skirt around her ankles and the tap of her staff making a sound.

Micana passes through an archway decorated with a copper and bronze pattern.
Micana has left.
 

You pass through an archway decorated with a copper and bronze pattern.
Common Wing: White Tower, Tar Valon
Contents:
Micana
Liala
Obvious exits:
Guest Chambers  Common Living Quarters  Stairs Down  Laundry Room  Dining Hall  Entrance Hall

Micana places her hand on the handrail and walks down the stairs.
Micana has left.

You place your hand on the handrail and walk down the stairs.
Basement: White Tower, Tar Valon
Contents:
Micana
Obvious exits:
Dungeon  Testing Chamber  Stairs Up

Micana exits through a secret doorway.
Micana has left.

Scene Three - Testing Chamber, Below the White Tower, Tar Valon

You enter through a hidden passage, entering a strange chamber.
Testing Chamber: White Tower, Tar Valon
Contents:
Micana
Coliena
Raemira)
Obvious exits:
Hallway

Micana opens the door and steps in leading Thais. Her expression is set in somber lines and she studies the Novice as if she is taking her apart and putting her back together after turning each piece over and over, examining it.
 

Thais comes in behind the Keeper of the Chronicles, her gaze studying the floor, a frown of worry curling her lips. Anxiety marked not only in her face, but in the manner in which she clutches her dress.
 

Raemira stands a bit taller somehow as Thais and Micana enter the room. Her eyes are rather serious in nature, most especially when she takes in the young Novice.
 

Micana's voice is slow, slow and measured, "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 once again, without shame. The third refusal and you will be put out of the Tower for good. Do you understand?"
 

Coliena stands at one of the intersections of the arches.
 

Raemira's eyes harden somewhat as she watches Thais, as if waiting for her answer.
 

Thais pauses, her eyes darting to the Keeper. The Green Sister, mother of her heart, even as Ninale is mother in blood. A glance to the Amyrlin Seat, and another to the Mistress of Novices before she returns her gaze to the Keeper of the Chronicles, "I understand, Micana Aes Sedai. I will not refuse."
 

Micana nods once and initiates the next step of the procedure. "Then remove your clothing, every stitch of it, that you may enter the testing unfettered, Thais."
 

Thais blinks, surprised, shame colouring her cheeks as she remembers a punishment not too far in the past, but she only nods, removing first dress, then shift, kneeling to fold both before stepping away, and returning to face the Keeper.
 

Raemira watches impassively, almost as impassively as she does those she gets the time and chance to induct as Novices. She folds her hands before her and simply waits.
 

Micana's expression becomes more empty of emotion. She says in slow even tones, letting each word have its own place in the silence "Now I will tell you two things that no woman hears before she stands in this chamber. First is that 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." She lets her words be studied a moment.
 

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, giving her a second chance to decline the testing.
 

Thais doesn't move, doesn't flinch, but her expression gains a hint of fear as she listens. Perhaps it is the lack of emotion on the Keeper's face, perhaps the words themselves, but the fear grows for a time. A long moment passes and she nods, just that, wiping the fear from her face, and from her thoughts. "I am ready, Micana Aes Sedai."
 

Micana steps so she is one point of a triangle with Thais and Raemira. "Then if you are sure." She gives the last chance as she looks toward Mother and nods.
 

Thais looks between Keeper and Amyrlin Seat. She's nearly failed so many times. She won't fail this time. "I am sure, Micana Aes Sedai."
 

Raemira quirks a brow as she listens and watches. When it appears to be time for her part of the ceremony, Raemira speaks in a loud voice which appears to echo and reverberate about the room in a monotone sound, "Whom do you bring with you, "Daughter?"
 

Micana answers, in a toneless voice, "One who comes as a candidate for Acceptance."
 

A doubtful expression crosses her features as the Amyrlin gazes down at Thais. "Is she ready?" She intones back at the Keeper.
 

Thais purses her lips, hands flush with her sides as she waits, simply waiting. Too late to turn back now.
 

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

Coliena and the two other Aes Sedai in the room sit down where the arches intersect during all this. The two Sisters and the Mistress of Novices embrace the source and activate the arches, each channeling into her own intersection. The ter'angreal shimmers and begins to emit a humming sound, which can be felt more than heard.
 

Yep, very late to turn back now. To do so would be expulsion, clear and simple. A brow lifts once more as Raemira listens to the words. Even though she's heard them time and again, you'd think she'd not be surprised at them... or maybe it's the students she's surprised about. "Does she know her fears?"
 

Micana responds in simple terms with a flat cadence. "She has never faced them, but is now willing."
 

"Then let her face her fears." There is a note of finality to Raemira's words, as if the point of no return has been long passed. There is no going back now, none.
 

Micana reaches out with her long fingers to permit just the tips rest on Thais' arm as she leads her toward the first arch. She speaks the words of the ritual while looking into her eyes. "The first time is for what was. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast." She lets her hand fall away to leave Thais facing the first arch, then steps back.
 

Thais walks as the Keeper directs her, and even with just her fingertips to touch the Novice, the slightest trembling can be felt. Wide-eyed, Thais moves towards the arch, hesitating as she studies it, perhaps balking. But that passes as well and with a quick, forceful movement, she steps through, into the first arch.
 

You enter the Arch One.

As you step through the first arch, a bright and shining light blinds you causing your head to spin a bit. After a few moments, it settles. You look around and find yourself at home. Thoughts of your life at the Tower no longer exist, nor does the trip of having ever gone there in the first place exist. Your mother is by the hearth, mixing some new sort of formula for one of her patients upstairs. And your father.... Wait a minute... something niggles at your mind for a moment, Father? Then a sheepish thought comes to your mind. Of course your father, silly. He sits there, reading one of the many tomes he enjoys so much, all resting and relaxing comfortably. He is the first to look up and notice you, "There's my little princess." He speaks, a smile spreading across his features, "And how are you doing this evening? Enjoy yourself?" You just arrived home from the midwinter festival.
 

Thais blinks for a moment, the brightness of the firelight dizzying her for a moment, but she smiles, making her way through the room, skirting books and the odd table to sit at her father's feet, "It was lovely, Da. Gislen looked so happy to be going without her parents for the first year." She smiles, blushing, "Galen asked me to dance with him." Perhaps she should distract him, and with that thought her hand reaches for the book, "What are you reading, Da?"
 

The book is easily lowered by Thais' hand, no resistance offered by her father. "Oh.. just a local history of the area, nothing much." He rumbles in his deep voice. Eyes of the deepest blue stare down at Thais, regarding her quietly, "Galen... hmmm?" He seems thoughtful, glancing over at his wife. "Isn't it about time she start thinking about so-...." As he speaks, something happens and he begins to double over in some sort of fit.
 

Steadfast
  Steadfast
    Steadfast
      Steadfast
Once
  The way back
    comes but once.
           Once.

Thoughts not of Thais' own making tiptoe through her mind.
 

Thais blushes as her father speaks, carefully avoiding her mother's eyes, the blush only rising on her cheeks. Eye widening with fear, she looks up at the sounds. Steadfast? She doesn't have time to think beyond that as her father convulses as she jumps up from the floor, reaching for him, her voice plaintive with worry, "Mother...somethings wrong with Da!"
 

Your mother quickly rises to her feet and goes over to her husband, more so to attempt to diagnose the problem as quickly as she possibly can. She attempts to sit him up, only to get him with a rather odd.... expression on his features. Almost simultaneously your father goes into another fit of convulsions. As he does so, strange things begin to happen. The door opens and closes, banging as if some sort of specter were making all that racket, unhappy about those here. Things start moving about the air, dancing back and forth, with no one moving or touching them.
 

Thais looks around, wildly, eyes moving to windows, door and the fire, as the flames lash within the hearth. Arms still around her father as she helps Ninale sit him up, she speaks over the din, "Mother...what's going on?" Her face is wild with fear and worry, he has to be alright...he just HAS to be!
 

Ninale continues to attempt to hold your father down, who appears not to be noticing anything at all. Let's call him Raben, for now. "I... I don't know..." Ninale speaks out, real worry in her voice. Her eyes widen as things start to move about, her grip on her husband dropping. "Oh light... no..." She shakes her head, fright coming to her eyes, almost as if some sort of realization, a nightmare from the tales comes about, "Thais.. go get your sister and get out." Her voice becomes gravely serious. You remember that your baby sister is upstairs asleep by this time; not being an only child in this incarnation. Meanwhile, the things start to move about with an uncanny speed, swirling, swirling coming together with no end in sight.
 

In a room this size, there is no missing the curvature of the silvery arc which seems to grow out of nothingness and span the area just a few paces distant. It sits there stolid, and obvious, at least to Thais. Her parents do not seem to see it at all.
         Be steadfast
        the way back comes but once.
 

Thais looks torn. Not wanting to leave her father, but knowing her sister cannot protect herself against whatever comes. Sharp, jerking movements bring Thais to her feet as she rushes across the room to the stairs, body buffeted by the wind and the even more deadly look of fear in her mother's eyes. The wind itself causes her to stumble, or perhaps it is the arch which forms, thoughts tumbling one over the other. Where did it come from? What is going on here? No time...none, as the girl stumbles up the stairs and towards her sister's crib.
 

Getting up the stairs and back down with the younger girl does not appear to be too much of a problem, other than the odd and end stumbling that occurs. Your mother is once again attempting to get Raben to snap out of what is happening, or so it looks like. She seems powerless to get him to settle down, soothing words that once used to cool a temper not once touching him, as if his mind were elsewhere. A flame starts to grow larger, and builds in the hearth, almost as if it were about to lift right out of the fireplace and join the rest of the floating, swirling, whirlpooling objects. The way to the main door seems to be blocked, with the door slamming and shutting and things floating in front of it.
 

Thais stumbles down the last two steps, her sister's body held to her breast, the little one's plaintive wailing only adding to the cacophony in the room. She starts towards the door, fear causing her breath to falter as she sees the doorway blocked. With nowhere else to go she heads back towards her mother, intent on getting mother, father and sister out of the house, "Mother...the back door, I'm not leaving without you!"
 

"Girl..." Ninale's voice comes sharply, "You will go, get out now. There is no helping this... Light save us. Your father is -doing- this..." That is her only explanation, has to be. The book he was holding in his hands rises to join the other things, his eyes following it blankly as it occurs.
 

A hum which is more felt than heard intrudes persistently in awareness and calls attention to the curve of the waiting arch.
         The way back
        Comes
        But
        Once
        Be steadfast.
 

Thais stands stock still, shock rooting her to the floor, "Da? How could--" She shakes her head, knowing the betrayal her mother will feel as she disobeys her, "No...I'm not going without you!" An instant after she speaks, the arch forms again, and the voice. Light, something...what does she know that voice from? She looks caught, torn between the voice calling, and the woman commanding. Tears spring to her eyes, as she turns away, sister still clutched to her chest, disobeying her mother as she rushes back into the center of the room, her voice soft, "I'm sorry..Da..." Perhaps something will go with her as she throws herself through the arch.
 

You leave the Arch One.
 

As soon as Thais comes out of the first arch, a chalice of water is poured over her head. Raemira's voice can be heard resonating about the room, dull and listless in it's monotone nature. "You are washed clean of what sin you may have done, and of those done against you. You are washed clean of what crime you have committed, and of those committed against you. You come to us washed clean and pure, in heart and soul."
 

Coliena does not look up as Thais exits, concentrating on the Arches.
 

Thais sobs, having fallen to her knees as she exited the arch, arms still clutching... nothing to her chest. She doesn't seem to fully hear the Amyrlin Seat's words, her eyes stricken as she looks down at her now empty arms, "Da..I'm sorry...I didn't mean to go..."
 

Micana steps forward to guide Thais to the second arch. She looks her over as if checking for wounds, then lightly places her fingertips on the Novice's shoulder. She gives her a moment to rise to her feet. Completely lacking in any sort of compassion, Micana's face is ritualistically neutral. Gentle pressure steers her firmly toward the second arch. "The second time is for what is. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast."
 

Thais comes to her feet, still shaking, a hand coming up to wipe water and tears both from her face. She seems to need the insistent leading, as she pauses before the second arch. Arms hugging herself, she stands there, simply staring, eyes darting now and again towards those Sedai sitting at the ends of the silvery structure. A deep breath, and obvious fear as she walks into the second arch.
 

You enter the Arch Two.

As you step out of the second arch, all thoughts of the previous testing and anything that happened before it flitters through your mind. You are wearing a ring and the banded dress of an Accepted. Somehow, you are on the rooftop. A dire sense of urgency calls you and looking around you see.... Karaul standing perilously balanced on the ledge. He looks as if he is about ready to jump.
 

Thais gasps, fear driving her into action, powering her movements as she rushes across the roof, her voice reaching the man even before she does so, "Karaul, No! Stop, get away from the edge!"
 

Karaul spins around on his heels, a darkened expression on his features. He lashes out with words, "What do you care, girl?" He does not even call her by her own name, "My life is already ruined. DO you hear, ruined, because of the likes of you!" A darkened, hateful expression roils over his features.
 

The way back
The way back
        Once
        Once
        Once
  The way back comes but once.
          Steadfast
        Steadfast
    Steadfast
  Be Steadfast
Words echo in memory, faint whispers in Thais' mind.
 

Thais shakes her head, clearing away any thoughts but those of the man before her, but her temper rises even as she slows her movements, continuing forward, but refusing to rush, in case that rushing should sent him falling backwards, "I did not do this to you! I would have stopped it if I could. Please!" She rushes forward, stretching out her hands to him, her face showing obvious pain, and love, there's that as well, "You promised you wouldn't leave me!"
 

"You are one of them.... you -want- to be one of them. Look at you, all dressed up in their fancy clothing, learning their fancy lessons, when really all you will end up doing is -hunting- men and ruining their Light forsaken lives!" Karaul's own face has a bit of anger to it, yet there's something else mixed in. Utter and utmost pain, "Come any closer and I'll just step off the ledge now. I've watched, waited, for a long time, I know you can't hold me with your weaves if I just... dropped off."
 

Gradually coming into view against the edge of the roof is something which is out of place, a silver arch. It seems to frame part of the scene that is occurring between Karaul and Thais and is close enough to the man for the movement of his arm to almost bump it, however, his arm seems to pass through it and he is unaware of the structure.
         The way back
         Comes but once.
         Be Steadfast.
 

Thais frowns, stumbling to a halt as she hears his words, pain darkening her eyes, "Yes! I do want to be Aes Sedai! You've always known that, you -wanted- me to study...but you KNOW I would never do to anyone what was done to you!" Tears well in her eyes, obscuring her vision as she stands there, turmoil making it impossible for her to Embrace the Source. Light, he knows her too well, he's too close, "Karaul...please. Come down. We can find a way to Heal you, I -know- we can!"
 

"There is no way you -can- heal me. I've talked to others, they all say the same thing and even if so..." Karaul shook his head, anger never wavering, "Even if so what would it matter, you'd just have to do it all over again and I'll -not- be a bloody test animal for the Tower any longer." These last few words appear to boom out over the area, then get real quiet, as does the expression on his face as he shakes his head, a deadly serious expression panning there, "Not any longer. Leave me to my fate Thais.... rest in that it should have happened in those first weeks. I was a fool... a fool to ever think I had a place here, that I could start some semblance of a normal life and -serve- them."
 

Thais shakes her head, determination warring with uncertainty as she looks towards the arch. Not something she did, yet she knows..it must be important. But as important as the man who stands before her? No. She pauses, "Karaul. You know I would not let them Gentle you again. We can find a way to get you out of the city, free of here...find a place without Aes Sedai, where you won't be hunted. I won't leave you, Karaul. I won't! if you will go, even so, will I!"
 

"You would -not- have a choice. You heard what happened last time someone suggested that a man be allowed to channel. They were chastised and then shunned. Such thinking borders on treason and I will not risk that being on my conscience for someone else..." As Thais gets closer, Karaul backs up, balancing himself on naught but toes. "Go home... go back to them, leave me to decide what is right for me." His eyes implore her to leave him be, so he can do this in what dignity he has left.
 

A stray beam of light reflects off the arc and up toward Thais, reminding her of the waiting silver arch..
The way back comes but once.
Be steadfast.
 

It is that last that decides the girl, the look of pleading in his eyes. So many years of pain, and such a simple request to die with dignity. "I would have made a choice, Karaul. I would have..for you." She looks, through tear-filled eyes at the man she's grown so close to: friend, protector, opponent, in so many things. If he will go, let him take something of her words with him, "I will not let this happen again, mashiara." A cry, longing and pain to match his own as she turns from the man, throwing herself blindly through the archway.
 

Anything to erase the look of pain in those eyes.
 

You leave the Arch Two.
 

Thais rushes out, falling to hands and knees, her tears shaking her body, words coming out in a breathless rush, but she can't stop, can't forget. Not one betrayal, but two, "Mashiara..."
 

Once again, right as Thais comes out of the arches, Raemira pours a chalice of water upon her head, intoning, "You are washed clean of false pride. You are washed clean of false ambition. You come to use washed clean, in heart and soul."
 

Thais looks up at the Amyrlin Seat, her eyes pleading, needing some answer, shivering at the coldness of the water, "Why did I have to choose, Mother? Did I have to betray him?"
 

The Amyrlin remains silent, glancing to Micana, as if to signal her to motion the Novice forward.
 

Coliena doesn't glance away from the Arches... well... she does glance an instant.
 

Micana keeps to the formality of the ritual. She lets Thais compose herself, stepping over toward the third arch and waiting beside it. "The third time is for what will be. The way out will come but once. Be steadfast."
 

Thais looks stricken as the Amyrlin Seat refuses to answer, anger replacing the sorrow in her thoughts. If this is meant to turn her away, it's doing a good job. She looks up as she sees the Keeper's dress move out of her vision, and up towards the woman. She stands, rubbing at her face, pushing back her hair as she approaches. Speaking softly to herself, "I won't fail, I won't disappoint her." Her? The Keeper? It's likely. She nods at the words, speaking even though she knows she will not get a reply, and her tone a clear indication that she knows it can only become worse from here, "I will come back." Just that, an instant before she walks into the third arch, straight-backed, showing a strength she likely does not feel, fully.
 

You enter the Arch Three.

You step through the third arch and are once again greeted by a blinding flash of light. All previous thoughts and experiences are gone from your mind, only giving you thoughts of here and now. You are wearing a dress, not that of Novice whites or the banded Accepted. That means one of two things, 1) You failed your testing to become Aes Sedai and were asked to leave, or 2) You passed your testing. A quick check of your ring tells you that you passed. Again, as before, you are filled with another sense of urgency. There is fighting all about you. Some are felled. You are already too weak to channel, reserves depleted, but not so weak that you cannot try to stitch up a few people. A man is next to you, laying in a helpless pool of blood. The face seems rather familiar. Another groans nearby, coughing up blood. Luckily, you brought your herbs and other items needed for field medicine.
 

Thais looks around, her first thoughts to find a Sister to tend with her. But there's no one, save the dead and the dying, and those too taken with the battle to assist. It is the groan that snaps her focus, bringing her eyes to the ground, and the familiar face there. Even after all these years, there is still enough of that green village Wisdom in her to know what to do, "Hold still." Words uttered as she falls to her knees, dress soaking with still warm blood, eyes scanning the face, then the body, hands moving to her satchel to find what she needs.
 

That familiar face appears to be Raf'ayar, old friend and confidant within the Tower. How he lasted this long, to get in this battle is yet to be discovered, though it happened through some miracle. He has extensive injuries, too many to count. The front if his head has a large scrape and his sides are bleeding profusely. It looks someone killed a tendon on the back of his leg, finally causing him to collapse upon the ground. The battle was harsh to him. In the background, the noises of those in need, need of healing and skills of like manner, appear to overpower those of battle despite the loud din that the swords carry.
 

Back
        Back
             Back
The way back
    Comes but
  once
  once
  once.
        Be Steadfast.
Fragments of memories not Thais' own tickle and play in the back of her mind.
 

Agile hands reaching for his clothing, opening his shirt, urgency in her eyes and her manner, though she keeps her voice low, gentle, "Don't worry, Raf...you'll be alright. I'll do whatever I have to." She moves quickly, pulling urgeants from her satchel, tossing them to the ground, picking out only those she needs, pressing bloodroot blended with drying herbs to his sides, trying to stem the flow of his blood, hands reddening in the flow, as she attempts to press the wounds closed, to stop the bleeding so she can bind them. So badly injured, but he's been too long a friend to leave to die, not here. A shudder at the words, remembering...just on the edge of remembering, but she has her duty.
 

Unfortunately, with everything that Thais does, or tries to do, all that much more seems to be going wrong. Blood that was trying to be stopped seems to flow even harder, almost as if the sword had cut right into a main artery vein somewhere and sliced it in two. He coughs, his lungs wheezing as he does so, attempting to clear his throat, which, no doubt, is clogged with blood. No fancy missions, this, or fancy goals. Merely to save a life, one of that a dear friend. He tries to say something, but it only appears to come out in gurgles, his eyes rolling back as he loses consciousness.
 

There's a shimmering in the air slightly, a bright silver archway appears to the right of Thais Sedai and the man she is trying to heal. An archway? In the middle of a battlefield? Yes. No one in the battle and none of the wounded seem to notice it. Less than a few spans away, it could be easily reached with a quick movement.
 

Thais presses even harder, unable to staunch the flow of blood, but equally determined not to let her old friend die. She wanted so much more, to share her life with him, and more than that. 'Why did I wait so long to ask him?' A shake of her head, and a toss to get the hair from her face, bringing her eyes to the archway. A strangled sound, "No! I'm not done yet! He's not safe yet!" Time, a river that once seemed so limitless, not slowing to a trickle on the edge of drying. But maybe. Maybe she has enough time. Maybe. She quickens her pace, pressing bandages to his side, her voice soothing, "Please Raf...come back to me...wake up so we can walk away from here, like we always have, together..."
 

Things just do not work that way, it seems. This time... this time Raf'ayar does not get back up. His breathing slowly starts to fail him, no doubt from the liquid within his lungs. Each breath seems like a final gasp, almost, and gasping it is. A slow... shhh cha.... shhh cha... as he inhales and exhales. All around the sounds of death and dying appear to amplify the situation here all the more, tainting it with a hopeless feeling, one of defeat. The forces behind, the ones flying under the Savior flag, appear to be winning, foreshadowing any events that might come to pass in the future. The Tower has already been seiged, what more.... what more.... Still, the man of your heart here remains lifeless, or nearly so.
 

The silver archway seems to shimmer even more, as if sunlight hits it for a second, almost as if it was trying to remind the person who can see it that it is still there, but may not be for long. The wounded continue to cry out nearby, soft moans of pain, which almost mute the soft humming sound from the archway
 

Thais's hands still, that air of hopelessness seeming to invade her as she sinks down beside her, arms sliding around his body, cradling him to herself, rocking gently, as if to be close, to let him not die alone. So many years, and it is this that brings such a realization. So much lost, and herself, too, now, in the man who lies cradled against her body. Lost before she ever had a chance to seize it. Heart breaking she looks to the archway, body shifting, about to rise. Oh, Light...let him die now, so he will go to the Creator with her words as well, "Da'sedai Ashan...how you hated that name...how I loved you for your simple ways...it has always been an honour to serve, Raf'ayar..."
 

The man seems to stir, only a tiny bit, at that name. It's almost as if he's fighting, to come back, to serve. One might even think the words 'Must serve, Must come back and be useful' are running through his head, though one can never know. That struggle seems to give out as something else seems to bother him. As if all the pain that were present finally catches up with him, a scream rises in his throat, load and bloodcurdling. He somehow finds the strength and starts to thrash about, as if fighting some sort of dream monsters. No doubt they are the Savior's men that come to his mind.
 

Thais' arms tighten instinctively as the man she holds begins to convulse, her body as well as his own tossed at the whims of his pain, but she clings to him...only a few moments...nothing she can do to stop his pain, but Light, if there is any mercy left in the world, he will die before she can leave him. "It's alright, Raf...I love you...you can rest now...finally, you can rest...hush now..." Soft, pain-filled words, trying to ease his passage. In the end, she knows...it's letting go, more than holding on that hurts the most, "Rest now, Raf...you've served well..." If her words manage to pierce through the sounds of his screaming, there's hope.
 

Through the yelling and the trashing, the silver archway still shimmers like a beacon. The soft humming sound lost itself in the sounds, but the odd feeling that hangs in the air, for Thais alone, remains, as if the humming were almost a warning.
 

It is like a struggle, yet one that is a losing battle. Raf'ayar continues to grasp onto life, even when death calls in his wake. Nearby, the sounds of a helpless man call out, "Help me...." a hoarse voice, "Help me...." A pleading voice. "Light please, have mercy on me." The words come quietly, as if he loses strength to live. Light only knows how long Raf yelled before anyone came to his own aid.
 

Thais chews at her lips, before leaning down to attempt a kiss, lips brushing haltingly across Raf'ayar's. Her arms release him, as she stands, coming to her feet, turning her back on the battle, on the cries for help, on the man who holds her heart on the ground behind her, her footsteps carrying her to the archway, her words falling back towards the Araffelian warrior, though the words came not from him, but from a man beside, "I can't...Light...I can't help you..." A sob, an emptiness as she reaches for the archway, "Light have mercy on us all...." A single glance back, eyes caressing the man she leaves behind, sharp contrast to the painfulness of his thrashing as she blocks out the screams, the part of herself dying with him, and throws herself through the archway.
 

You leave the Arch Three.
 

The third and final chalice of water is poured over Thais as she exits the arches, Raemira's voice still rather monotone sounding. "You are washed clean of Thais Ninaven from Andor. You are washed clean of all ties that bind you to the world. You come to us washed clean, in heart and soul. You are Thais Ninaven, Accepted of the White Tower. Welcome, Daughter."
 

Thais walks out of the third archway this time, head bowed, but she keeps her feet, accepting the water. No tears now, there are none left. She looks up, turning her face to the Amyrlin Seat. There's a new strength there, but a sadness as well, "Thank you, Mother."

Raemira speaks quietly as the others press forward with their greeting, "It is custom at the Tower that you do not speak about what happened in the arches. I trust you will keep with that custom." It is not really a request, but more of an order. "You will have the next two days free of chores and classes, to recuperate, then the next two weeks will you meet with the hardest training you've had within your life. If you thought your Novice years will bad, you will find them a vacation to those of your Accepted years." She pauses then continues, "You may not teach until you've had your spirit class, and been observed by an Aes Sedai for the first time." She then pauses once more, watching quietly as she speaks the words upon the new Accepted, perhaps too much for her to absorb at the moment. Raemira pulls something out of a tiny pouch at her waist. Her eyes narrow slightly, as if considering something, though she murmurs, "Hold out your left hand please." She waits for the simple action.
 

Coliena stands up from her position, allowing the arches to cool down power-wise and moves to retrieve a towel for the wet Accepted and a folded white dress with seven colored bands. She offers Thais a smile and waits for the Amyrlin to finish, holding the towel and dress in her arms.
 

Thais doesn't look away from the Aes Sedai who speaks to her, not even to look to the others coming to greet her. She nods at the words, not needing to answer in the affirmative. She will not speak of what she saw. Her hand raises, the left, into the space between Amyrlin Seat, and newly Accepted.
 

A golden ring, carved with the image of the Great Serpent is produced and placed upon Thais' ring finger on her left hand, "On this finger, and this hand alone may you wear this ring. Once you are raised to the shawl, may you wear it where you wish, but not until then." Raemira's voice holds a warning note, what is done to those that claim to be Aes Sedai, quite evident to those through the Tower. Her eyes even harden slightly. "After you are settled you are to report to Mistress of Novice's office to talk with Coliena about your new classes."
 

Thais finally tears her gaze away from the Amyrlin, and down to the ring, watching as she places it on her finger. She nods at the instruction. "I will remember, Mother." A shaky, if genuine smile, cast to the Brown Sister who stands beside her, "Thank you." Again a shaky smile and a nod, "I will see her as quickly as I can."
 

Raemira inclines her head slightly, "You are dismissed child." Back down from Daughter to child once more.
 

Coliena hands the towel and dress forward now, "Welcome to Acceptance." she says in a soft voice. "I will take you to your room if you wish, or do you think you can make it there by yourself?"
 

Thais nods, and turns away, reaching, gratefully, for the towel, should it be offered, and drying herself. Again, with the Mistress of Novices' assistance, she dresses, seeming awkward as she dresses, staring at ring and bands both, "Thank you, Coliena Aes Sedai." She smiles, shyly, "I would like the company."
 

Coliena smiles and nods, motioning towards the door, "Very good. I look forward to speaking with you about your classes, when you are ready of course." She turns and starts towards the door herself, excepting the new Accepted to follow beside her.
 

Thais nods and smiles, following obediently, again lucky she doesn't stumble over her feet as she doesn't look to where she's going.

Coliena exits the chamber through the secret doorway.
Coliena has left.

You enter through a hidden passage, entering the basement hallway.