Those involved:
Weste- A Novice of the Tower
Faust- A visitor to the Tower
Rayche- A Red Sedai
Kitara- A visitor to the Tower
Irinya- A Red Sedai
Sionil- The Mistress of Novices

Opening Scene: The Tower's Courtyard.

Weste nods and smiles a little bit. "I understand... it is a bit overwhelming at first." Her accent places her from the northern Black Hills. "If you do discover that you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask."

Faust nods a bit absently, his emerald gaze shifting back over the massive tower before him. "Right well I will then. My thanks to you." the words carry from his lips in a near whisper as he gives a gentle bow to Weste. "I'm not rather used to being about a city this long, so yes, it is very overwhelming." he finishes with an absent tone and a soft chuckle.

Weste nods, very knowingly. "I felt the same way, when I first arrived... I still do some mornings." She glances up at the structure as well. "What brings you to Tar Valon, if I may ask?"

Out of the Tower sweeps Rayche, eyes quickly skimming the courtyard and finding a target.. One certain white-clad novice, known by the name of Weste, which she wanders towards with determination in her steps. Green eyes lock on target, her bearing unmistakeable

Weste notices the stride of the Red Sister and suppresses a sigh. She drifts away from the gazing Faust to approach Rayche. She assumes her composed face and curtseys before the Sedai.

Rayche stops few paces from Weste, eyes hard bearing on the child. Long moments pass while she continues her scrutiny, her arms folded across bosom.

Weste meets Rayche's gaze, but not quite bravely. There might not be any emotions betrayed on her face, but fear can be seen very clearly in her eyes. She steadies herself, even though it feels as though Rayche were pushing her into the ground with just her stare.

The scrutiny ends with a short nod, Rayche's eyes firmly gazing into Weste's, testing strength and seeming to find it... sufficient. "Come, child." she says finally. "It is time." Nothing more, and altogether, said in a rather.... unpleasant, omnious tone.

Weste swallows, despite attempts not to. Confusion also enters her gaze, but she does not resist. She simply nods, and takes a step forward. Whatever the Red wants, it wouldn't do to keep her waiting.

With steps as determined as she walked towards the Novice, Rayche now leads off towards the Tower, silent in all ways except from the whisking of her dress and the tap of her walking staff against the tiles.

Weste follows, quite nervously. She glances back once to Faust, almost giving a "Help me" look.

Rayche walks up the steps and goes through the main doors of the Tower.

Common Wing: White Tower, Tar Valon

A girl stands with the Gaidin (Once logged on Vaugh) Talking with him.

Weste follows closely behind the Red Sister, looking quite pale and nervous.

Through the hall, a small, silent procession makes its way, Rayche heading it with Weste just behind. Rayche is silent, determination clear on her face as she leads the way towards the stairs leading down into the basement of the Tower. Kitara gets little more than a percursory glance, Rayche's attention clearly elsewhere.

Kitara eyes fall on the Sedai as she bows , the hilt to her sword showing says softly in respect, "Aes Sedai."

Weste swallows once more, gazing down the forbidden stairway, and growing more pale. The look she give Kitara definately has "Help me" written on it now..

Kitara looks at the girl and hmmms and then stands up leaning on her staff again again.

Basement: White Tower, Tar Valon

Down the stairs, Rayche leads the way, passing both the dungeons and the Angreal storage rooms for deeper and more dark hallways. A softly illuminating glowball appears, wizzing slightly ahead of her, lending little more than the absolutely neccesary illumination to see the dark, twisting passages. The numbers of twists and turns, unlocked and locked doorways soon become too many to cound, and too confusing to remember. And all through this she says nothing, until she stops at the end of a long corridor. Only a blank wall faces you there, no sign of door in sight. Here she turns, once again studying you carefully with those green eyes, strangely aglow in the light of the glowball.

Weste glances around, curiousity overpowering fear for a few moments. She looks at the various doors, and then finally back to the return stairs. Hopefully she'll use them again. She turns with a start at the blank wall, and her face goes blank to match it. She turns back to Rayche, drawing strength from curiousity.

Once again, Rayche nods slightly, almost to herself as she once again turns to the wall. Touching some inconspicious place on it invisible to your eyes around her bulk, the wall slides open, revealing a passage which she leads you through. Still saying nothing.

Testing Chamber: White Tower, Tar Valon

Sionil stands by a large podium, on a table nearby her stand three large vessels, though you can't see inside they contain water. Her face is emotionless and her eyes set upon the novice entering in.

The secret door slides open to admit Rayche and Weste, Rayche leading the way within. Barely after Weste steps through, the wall once again closes. Rayche steps lightly to the side, letting Weste look into the chamber. And still, silence. For now.

Weste blinks with surprise to see both Sionil and Irinya. Two Red Sisters and the MoNster. Is it any wonder she looks like she will start shaking at any moment? She barely remembers to curtsey to the other Sedai, which she does fairly weakly.

Irinya stands with Sionil, next to the podium, next to the vessels. Her smooth, coppery features are void of any visible expressions. A soft rustle of silk breaks the silence in the room momentarily as she turns, noticing Weste and Rayche's arrival.

"You are about to be offered the oppourtunity to take the test for raising to Acceptance." Rayche's voice suddenly tones in from Weste's side. It isn't a very loud voice, but still it seems to boom in the otherwise entirely silent chamber. "Before we go any further, you must search your heart and decide if you /truly/ are ready. You may refuse now, and twice more, without any penalty, and it will only count as one mark against you. On the third refusal though, you will be put out of the Tower with enough money to last a year." Rayche is silent for a few moments, before her voice lowers once more to a bare whisper. "Twice more, you can come here, child. Consider well before you answer."

Weste does consider, and remains quiet for a full minute. Her eyes flicker from point to point around the room as her mind races. "I am ready," she finally says in a quiet, but firm voice. She does not look as though she is quite as firm as her voice though.

Silence, once again, before Rayche speaks once more. "Then I will tell you two things that no woman hears before she stands where you are now." she says quietly, looking towards the strange construct in the middle of the room. The one Weste surely has heard rumors of. "The first. Once you begin, you must carry on. Refuse to go on at any point, and you will be put out of the Tower as surely as had you refused a third time. Second. To seek, to strive, is to know danger, and that you will surely find there." she says with a nod towards the arches. "Some women walked into these arches, and when the Ter'angreal was allowed to go quiet, they /were simply not there/." The emphasis on the words is clear. "They were never seen again. If you would live, you must be steadfast. Falter, fail, and..." She shakes her head, the words enough with that. "This is your very last chance to reconsider. Many have done so before you, and there is no dishonor in this. What say you?"

Weste closer her eyes as Rayche emphasizes the fate of those that don't succeed. She keeps them closed until Rayche finishes, at which point she nods. "I am ready, Rayche Sedai."

A soft rustle of silk breaks the silence momentarily once more, as Irinya lowers herself onto a pillow, with two other Sisters on each side of her, one wearing a blue-fringed shawl, another a shawl with yellow fringes. Their skirts form circular pools of cloth around them, faces expressionless.

No response, for long moments, until her voice raises again. "Then remove your clothing." she says softly, keeping her space slightly behind Weste for the moment.

Weste blinks suddenly, not expecting the request. She nods then, and the color finally returns to her cheeks, flushing them. Quickly she is out of her dress, and she removes the two boots she was given by Gitani.

Rayche nods with satisfaction once the clothes are gone and folded away, then turns to lead Weste forward towards Sionil. The hand on her shoulder gives a light squeeze, almost as if in reassurance.

"Whom do you bring with you, Sister?" Sionil's voice comes out in a decedent cadence, monotone in nature. Her eyes fall upon Weste in a liberal fashion, as if delving deep into her soul and evaluating her worth.

Weste shivers as she is walked towards Sionil, and glances thankfully at Rayche for the small reassurance.

"One who comes as a candidate for Acceptance." intones Rayche over Weste's shoulder, one hand still firm on the same.

Sionil asks of Rayche "Is she ready?"

Rayche nods slightly, voice the same, formal drone. "She is ready to leave behind what was, and, passing through her fears, gain Acceptance."

"Does she know her fears?" Sionil intones, her eyes moving from Weste, to Rayche, then back to Weste again.

"She has not yet faced them," Rayche's voice drones on ceremoniously. "But now is willing." she finishes

As Sionil looks to Weste, Weste manages to nod back. She holds both of her arms wrapped around her, and makes an effort not to shiver any more than she already is.

"Then let her face her fears." A note of finality comes from Sionil, as if Weste has passed the point of no return in her decision, even though it was already so when she agreed to do this.

The hand on Weste's shoulder once again turns her slightly around, then leads forward to the first arch of the Ter'Angreal. It's looming shape seems omnious now, threathening even. The warmth and glow of channeling surrounds the women around the arches, and the interiour of the arches disappear as the space between them is filled with a soft silver glow. "The first time is for what was. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast." says Rayche, barely more than a whisper next to Weste's ear. One last squeeze, and she steps back, leaving Weste alone a bare step or two from the arch's soft glow..

As you pass through the first arch, any memories of the Tower or it's life fades from your mind, drawing a blank as if it never existed. . .
As you look about you see all the people from your home town of Redmond's Ford here in celebration, including your sister and the rest of your family. For several years now you have been the apprentice to the Village Mother of your town and just recently you've been asked by the town nearby to come serve them as their Village Mother now that your training is complete. The music plays loudly, and you can see the young girl who has replaced your position on the flute in the makeshift village orchestra. Looking forward again you notice a young man approaching you, a cute one he is, and he's just asked you to dance with him.

Weste feels disoriented for a moment before a smile returns to her face. She turns to face the boy... he doesn't seem familiar, but he's awfully cute. She accepts his offer with what little grace she can muster, and starts to dance.

The lad of about 17 years takes your hand and leads you to the dance floor, placing his other hand on your side he starts to lead the pair through a simple dance for the happy song that is being played currently "You must be excited, Weste. You get to go out into the world and away from Redmond's Ford" he asks.

Weste smiles and nods a bit. "I'm going to try and visit though... how can I forget everyone here?" She dances by her sister for a moment, and her smile fades somewhat. Why does seeing her face again seem meaningful. She shrugs it off trivially and beams back at the young man. "You know my name, but I'm afraid I'm at a disadvantage..."

The lad laughs out "I'm Ronal, My father has the farm about half days walk south of town."

From the side, your sister gives you a wink of encouragement for the dance you're doing with the boy.

Weste grins back at her sister... usually she's the one with the boys. "Ah, that explains it. We usually don't have much reason to go further into the hills." She definately is enjoying herself now, and smiles warmly at all those she knows, that she dances past. "It will be hard to leave, I think."

The boy glances at your sister but returns his gaze upon you "I wouldn't want to stay here if I had to. And just so you know, you're cuter then your sister." He spins Weste around in the dance at the proper moment of the song.

Steadfast.      Steadfast.
                Steadfast.
                        Steadfast.
                                Steadfast.

As if out of nowhere a strong wind suddenly blows through the tent of the party, almost blowing over several musicians and other various party goers. Its source is unknown but strange none the less.

Steadfast...

Steadfast...

Steadfast...

Once.

The way back comes but once.

Once.

Weste definately is affected by the comment, her cheeks flush quickly. "And you are a liar," she tries to say back, but she's too affected to say it correctly. She begins to laugh gleefully as she is spun... and just as quickly her laugher dies down. In mid spin she notices the wind, and a concerned look crosses her face.

Rolan shakes his head "No, I am serious. If you weren't leaving, and I knew you better, i'd ask your parents if I could court you."

At the side of the party there is a small crash of chairs and a table tipping over, but the cause of this is easily explained, your sister collapses against them, crying out, muttering something about her head feeling like it is going to explode. A silvery arch appears, of what seems to be just in the periphery of vision... Light and tiny sparks dances subtly along it.. It flickers, almost wavering, as if being in a struggle to keep itself there..

Be steadfast.

the way back comes but once.

Weste her mouth gapes open, and moves wordlessly. She's just not used to this kind of talk. She turns again to her see who is calling, and pales when she sees it is her sister. "Excuse me..." she says weakly to Rolan as she crosses over towards her sister, oblivious to the arch.

Rolan smiles weakly, "What's wrong? I thought we were having fun" The lad walks behind you and follows you to your sister. 'Ahhh, my head, why does it hurt so much.' cries out the fallen young woman struggling on the ground, her hands on her head, as if she's trying to push it together tightly.

Around the party, the music seems to pause, as everyone gazes over to the fallen girl. People mutter, 'Weste should be able to help her, she's trained now...'

....But once...

The archway flickers once more, calling to Weste.

Weste pales, and turns to her father. "It's happening again," she starts to say, when she first catches a glimpse of the archway. Between Rolan, her sister, and the arch, she suddenly feels like a ragdoll, torn in three directions. She stares off towards the arch blankly.

'Weste, help me, the pain. It hurts so much, so much more then before' your sister cries to you. Behind you Rolan asks "Can you help her?"

Weste closes her eyes. Her herbs will help, but she's the only one who can prepare them here, and somehow, she knows the arch won't wait that long. A panicked look crosses her face, as she glances back and forth from the arch to her belt pouch. Closing her eyes, she whispers, "I'm sorry..." and begins trying to cross the room towards the Arch.

A loud cry 'WEstee!'

As soon as you leave the first arch, a chalice of water is dumped upon your head. You hear Sionil speaking, "You are washed clean of what sin you may have done, and of those done against you." That same monotone voice greets your ears. "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."

Weste cringes as the yell hits her ears just as she leaves. Tears start to fall again. "I failed her again... I swore I'd fix it... and I chose..."

Irinya looks up from where she is seated, the hint of a small smile quirking her squarish lips upwards as she sees Weste reappear.. She has seen Novices not coming back out.. Her eyes and the rest of her face remains expressionless though, and one would only notice the tiny movement of her lips if looking directly at her.

Moments later, Rayche is there, a calloused comforting hand once again on Weste's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. "Calm, child." she murmurs, steadying her, but also unerringly leading her towards the second arch. A few moments, she allows for the child to compose herself, then her voice is back to ceremony. "The second is for what is. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast." The last a hissed whisper of insistent urging, and again the light squeeze on Weste's shoulder before she draws back once again, leaving her in front of the looming arch and the uncertainties its silver glow contains.

Weste nods, whispering, "I can only go forward now..."

As you pass through the second arch, your memories flitter away just as before, though this time you find yourself wearing the pure white woolen dress of a novice and upon a horse, returning from a long drawn out term at the Tower's farm. You and your Aes Sedai watcher are passing through a small village, one you recognize as the same one you came through when you first were sent to the tower. On your mare you can see beyond a hedgerow a group of men in a uniform you don't recognize, they're harassing a woman and her family. You know that woman, she was helpful to you on your original trip out. Looking again you see one of the men has a rope and is stringing it up to a tree.

Weste blinks at the sight, and motions for the horse to move closer to the Sedai's. Why did she ever think horsemanship was tough? "Pardon, Aes Sedai." She knows starting the conversation is wrong, but she's willing to accept the punixhment in this case. "The family there are good people, I've been through here before... we have to help."

The Aes Sedai blinks once "Where, child? What family? Oh. Yes, I suppose I should help them if they are innocent of a crime."

The Sedai turns her horse towards that of the family in peril.

Weste turns her horse with the Sedai, and squints her eyes to make out what is happening more clearly. "The woman was kind to me when I was coming to the Tower. There's no reason to kill her..."

The Sedai reaches the farm and calls out to them "Why do you harass this poor woman and her family so?" In response one of the men call out "She's a traitor, she has gone against the word of the Savior! And as such must be punished for her actions!"

Who is this Savior fellow? You've heard rumors that have slipped out from the lips of the Aes Sedai, a man who seems to have taken over both Tear and Illian to the south. But this is the land surrounding Tar Valon, why would they be this far north. The woman is still in danger though.

Distant, yet near.. The scene is interrupted by the archway showing once more... Flickering and wavering slightly, calling..
The way back..
Small sparks and lights dance along it...
... comes but once....

Weste looks incredulously at the Sedai, unable to believe what she heard from the man. "She can't be killed... not for this..." More quietly, she asks, "Should I embrace, Aes Sedai?" She suddenly starts, and her horse reacts to that motion. Where did that arch come from?

The Aes Sedai shakes her head and looks to Weste, whispering quietly "There are too many of them for me to take on alone, I need your assistance. Open yourself to link with me. No I don't want to endanger you with you channeling alone."

Unfortunately, Learning to link is one lesson you have yet to take.

Weste shakes her head, her attention returned somewhat by the Sedai's words. "I don't know how to link, Aes Sedai... If the rope were to fray, we might have more time..." As she says time, she remembers the arch, and before she realizes what she is doing she starts her horse towards it...

As the Aes Sedai whispers to you, the men move closer and closer to string up the woman

Wavering. Flickering. Sparkling. The archway is there again, just out of Weste's vision, calling again.

Be steadfast.

The Sedai nods "An excelent idea." she calls down to the men "If you don't release the woman, your rope will never be allowed to remain taut."

One of them responds "What are you, some witch or something?"

Weste closes her eyes. She cries out, "Run Sedai... I... I can't help." She forces herself to look at the woman once more and memorize her face as she rides towards the arch.

Three times, the Archway will appear... It is there again. The last chance.. It calls out to Weste once more.. Be steadfast. The men begin to push the woman up to the noose, despite the warnings.

As soon as Weste exits the second arch, once again is she greeted with a chalice of water being poured over her head, "You are washed clean of false pride. You are washed clean of false ambition. You come to use washed clean, in heart and soul." The Mistress of Novices speaks in deep monotone sounds, which appear to echo about the chamber in an ominous way.

Weste tumbles out of the arch, wasting even less time in finding tears this time. "Was it real? Is she really in danger? Did I really leave her?"

Irinya's former tiny curve of lips is a little bit noticable this time, forming a small, almost gentle motherly smile for Weste, would she notice it. Almost a contradiction to her dark eyes, hard and focused in concentration. Her lush waves of hair has fallen down over one side of her face slightly, hiding her cheek, and almost her right eye, before joining the layers of red silk that conceals her form.

Once again, Rayche approaches, her face steadily composed, though no doubt she has been pacing the long moments it took for Weste to reappar. She doesn't answer the question, though her look is one of unknowingness at that part. Relentlessly, she leads. "One to go, child. Do not fail now." she whispers, words for Weste alone. Then back to her drone of ceremony; "The third is for what will come to be. The way back comes but once. Be steadfast." she says, once again leaving Weste alone in front of the arch..

Weste steadies herself, before entering for the last time.

The third arch passes by you and a light flashes before your eyes. Memories of the previous arches appear to have vanished from your mind as you enter the small village in eastern Andor. Rumors have reached your Blue Ajah ears of a young teen girl who has survived drowning amazingly. A wilder easily explained, and also by the rumors this girl is deathly ill. The sickness coming extremely strong, showing unless you can do something in time another savable would be lost...

Weste holds her thoughts to her purpose entirely. This was what she was meant to do, the reason the pattern spun her out, she believed. She rides up towards the closest villager, and asks him quickly where the girl that has drawn her here is resting.

"Aye, M'lady, Janace is in that house over there. Let me lead you, please. The strangest thing when she fell in. As if every boat out fishing was pulled right towards her, despite the people inside rowing them they couldn't get out of its pull"

The man leads you to a small house, and mentions that this is where the village wisdom lives, opening the doorway for you to enter.

The archway is most likely rather familiar for you by now.. Yet at the same time distant, as you can sense it from the corner of your eye, as it slowly appears, waiting for you. Wavering, flickering, the one and only way back.

....Be steadfast..

Weste nods to the man once more before entering the house. Time enough to thank him when the task is done. She quickly senses the pull from the other channeler, and walks up to the girl's bedside. She smiles warmly and genuinely to the girl. "Janace? Do not be afraid. I have come to help you."

Sitting at the bed is a small woman, the girls mother, obviously by her appearance. "She complains of pain in her stomach, Lady..." pausing to learn your name. On the bed Janace is balled up in a fetal position, holding onto her stomach for dear life

Weste smiles and nods, getting out a package of herbs she has just for this symptom. She silently curses her ineptitude at Healing, and administers them to the girl. The arch out of the corner of her eye draws her for a moment, and she wavers... Moans and cries as the girl weakly opens her mouth to accept the herbs.

The mother continues "Will they help her, Lady?"

Weste nods. "But it is a temporary cure, I don't have much time. She needs to learn to control what she is. Listen to me Janace. Control your thoughts on just one object. Picture a flame in your mind."

The girl pauses her moaning and though her eyes were already closed she attempts to follow the woman's directions

Her mother continuing to worry over her daughter continues to ask "What will a flame do? Do you want me to bring you a candle to see better?"

Weste shakes her head. "You must trust me Janace, and do as I say. Empty your mind of all thoughts. Everything but a flame."

....But once...

The archway flickers once more, calling to Weste.

The girl weakly murmurs 'I can see a candleflame.'

The mother frantic, stands and rushes to gather a candle, oblivious of the actions that Weste is doing

Weste blinks, feeling the pull of the arch once more. "You must listen to me, I don't have much time." She immediately makes a flame appear in the air, and ties it off. Even though it's Fire, it's a small weave, and shouldn't cause a problem if abandoned. "Look at that flame. Think of nothing else but it."

The girl feeling the heat of the fire in mid air pops her eyes open slightly, gazing into it's light. watching it flicker out there. her body starts to relax a little though the pain is still evident on her face.

Weste glances back and forth from the arch to the girl. She directs a hard glance at the Mother. "Do you trust me?" she forcefully asks.

The mother looks to her "If you can save my baby. do what ever you can. Please just save her."

Weste shakes her head. "Not again. I can't.." Still the arch draws her. In frustration, she takes the mother's words to heart and cries "Forgive me" as she grabs the girl's wrist. With adrenoline surging through her, she charges towards and into the gateway, towing the girl behind her.

Weste exits the arch and suddenly realizes her hand is empty. Without even realizing the Sedai are present she turns around yelling "Janace!" into the arch.

"You are washed clean of Weste Rovanti from Kandor." Sionil intones, her voice echoing about the testing chamber in a monotone manner. As she speaks, the final chalice of water is poured upon her head, as if actually washing away all that's happened in the past and what might happen within the future. "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 Weste, Accepted of the White Tower. Welcome." She regards Weste deeply with her emerald eyes, still as if regarding the girl for the first time.

Weste sobs as the water is pour, not even registering how cold it is. She just cries, and stares into the empty archway.

Sionil nods her head to Rayche, motioning for her to bring a Towel and the clothing of Accepted to Weste, then turns her attention to regard the Accepted. Sympathy lines her eyes, as if showing she knows what, if even just a little, the girl has just been through. ""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.

Weste nods, though she listens and memorizes the words, they aren't registering. She finally breaks her red eyes away from the arch and towards Sionil and the other Sedai.

With a low hum, and a flickering of sparks across the arches, Irinya and the other Sisters let go of the source and their grasp of the three arches.. Several drops of sweat rolls down Irinya's forehead, a considerable sign of weariness and spent effort for this seasoned Aes Sedai. The other two show equal signs of being tired.

Rayche (Posed by Irinya) walks over to Weste and hands her a towel, "Dry yourself off with this, child", she says. She holds out a neatly folded Accepted dress to her as well.

Weste takes the towel and starts drying herself off, saving the face for last as her eyes continue to cry. She then takes the dress and slips into it, wiping her tears with the side of her hand.

Sionil after Weste puts on the dress of Acceptedhood, 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

Weste nods and obeys, almost absently though.

A golden ring, carved with the image of the Great Serpent is produced and placed upon Weste's ring finger on her left hand, "On this finger, and this hand alone may you wear this ring." Sionil pauses her words, keeping that ever so studious expression deep within her eyes as she does so." Once you are raised to the shawl, may you wear it where you wish, but not until then" Her 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.

Weste nods, and wipes her eyes with her right hand. She glances down almost detached at her left, thinking of the sacrifice this ring cost her. Though she hears Sionil's tone, she misses the hard glance, just staring at the hand..

Sionil squeezes Weste's hand as she puts on the ring "Congratulations, Accepted. Take the next two days to compose yourself, and when you're ready come see myself or Roseana to assist you for the next part of your training. You'll need to take a lesson in Spirit before you may teach."

Irinya's chest rises and falls slowly, but firmly under the thin layers of silk, as she eases herself up from the cushion she was seated on, her lips curving upwards into a motherly smile for Weste, but doesn't say anything yet.

Weste nods, and finally looks back up to Sionil again. "Thank you," is all she is able to whisper, and she glances around to the other Sedai thanking them as well. She even smiles a bit when she notices Irinya's own smile.

The Sedai about the chamber begin to filter out, as they pass the former novice now Accepted, they give her hugs and congratulations.

Weste hugs each of the Sedai back, and finally turns to go, still looking a bit stunned after the ordeal.