((Continued from Part I and Part II.  Not Required reading.))

 

Selenessin Al'Thorin and her brother Jasine rode to the tower and instead of stopping at the front doors and going in, they went to the stables together, leading their mounts.  They hadn't spoken since the Inn, everything had pretty much been said.  Jasine spoke quietly with a young boy and then he stabled their horses side by side.  Selene looked a little confused when Jase took her tack with him and stored it in a walled-off room in the barn.  She stood there petting Rao's nose gently, soothing the horse that by now was no longer unsettled in new barns with new smells.  The gentle stroking motion was to calm her own nerves as well.  She looked up to Jasine when he returned and then asked quietly, "Why did you put your tack in the room too?"

 

Jasine smiled and gently set a hand on his sister's shoulder. "I'm not going back home, 'Ene.  I'm going to stay here in Tar Valon, and try to get employed by the Tower Guard.  Maybe even become a warder.  If nothing else, I know horses well enough that I'll be sure to find work tending them, nearby.  You won't be alone and you'll be able to find me if you need me."  He smiled again, as she smiled too, and then they hugged.  She held onto him tight, and he gently pat her hair, left free today.  He smooched the top of her head and he left her go, trying to scrub the tears off her cheeks where he couldn't see, but that was impossible.  He pulled his kerchief out of his pocket and offered it to her, and she wiped her eyes and as discretely as possible cleaned up her nose with a soft but effective blow.  Then she offered it back and he tucked it back away.

 

"Bye Jase.  Thank you for coming with you.  And thank you... for.. being my brother."  She smiled at him and blinked away the moisture from her eyes.  He stayed there, by their horses, as she turned and walked back towards the tower.  Deep breaths and a firm resolve kept her from getting all blubbery again and she managed to even smile, thinking about how close her brother would be.  She trotted up the steps to the tower doors with a bounce once more in her step and went into the cool, shaded Hall.  She stood watching the bustle and general activity until she decided that the girls with the rainbow bands at the hems of their skirts were above the girls in all white and decided to approach one of them for help.

 

She dipped into a curtsy that was technically right but lacked a practiced grace.  She curtsied as one who had obviously seen a cursty done properly, but never been taught or schooled how.  She came up from the curtsy and smiled brightly and warmly, saying softly, "Pardon me, Miss, but I'm to see the Mistress of Novices about joining the Tower."

 

The Accepted turned to the girl with a welcoming smile in place almost as if more by habit than emotion.  She nodded and briskly said "Come with me then.  What's your name?"

 

"Selenessin Al'Thorin, from Four Kings in Andor, Miss." Selene stepped quickly to match the woman's pace, hurrying not to be left behind as she was lead deeper into the cool depths of the tower.  She tried to pay attention to which turns went where, but before too long she decided it was hopeless and instead of paying attention to the turns, she paid attention to the Tower itself.  The smooth walls were beautiful, all white, broken in regular intervals by tapestries of amazing quality and little artifacts of great beauty set on pedestals and in alcoves set into the wall.  There was more wealth and beauty in the halls she saw before getting to the Mistress of Novice's office than Selene had seen in her whole life, altogether.  She fingered the firedrop hanging from the thin chain between her breasts lightly, wondering at this tiny gem being her greatest possession in a world of such opulence.

 

She was startled out of her thoughts by arriving at a door.  The woman bid her to wait here and then knocked on the door and slipped inside once beckoned from within.  Selene leaned sideways, trying to catch a glimpse of the woman who would be in charge of her until she learned whatever it is she had to know before becoming an Aes Sedai.  The Accepted returned quickly and with an encouraging smile motioned for Selene to enter.

 

Nervously swallowing, she took a deep breath and then stepped into the room, unnerved by the quiet thump of the door being closed behind her.

Larindhra listened with growing ire to the tirade directed at her by the snooty White perched disdainfully on the edge of the chair in front of her desk. She can flaming stand if my chairs aren’t good enough for her!  At last the woman came to an end, giving a sniff and smoothing her shawl in a self-satisfied manner.

 

“Let me see if I have this right,” Larindhra responded in icily clipped tones. “You accosted a child in an Inn, accused her of either having slipped out of the Tower to meet some boy, or of having a fling with a boy before coming to the Tower.  The girl proved you wrong, but instead of trying to keep your faux pas decently hidden, you come to me, insisting that the girl be punished? For What? Making a fool of you? You did that all by yourself, barging in like that without ascertaining the facts!” She rose and pointed a finger at the spluttering woman. “No – don’t you say another word! You are an Aes Sedai, for the love of Light - try to act like one, instead of coming here whining like some flighty Accepted who can’t control her novice class. Pray your Ajah Head doesn’t here of this, or you might yet find yourself back in this office, howling over my desk.  Maybe that will teach you to uphold Aes Sedai dignity.”

 

The White’s spluttering protestations were cut off abruptly by a knock on the door, which was followed by an Accepted entering and making a rather wobbly curtsy. The girl hesitated uncertainly, sensing the mood in the office, but at a curt nod from Larindhra informed her that a girl by the name of Selene was waiting outside, wanting to join the Tower. A hastily swallowed gasp from the White confirmed that this was the self same girl. “Send her in, Janine.” She turned to the White. “You may leave now – I doubt you want to be here when I interview the child.” At least the woman had the dignity to slip out quietly and close the door behind her without a fuss, leaving Larindhra to observe the nervous looking child in front of her.

 

“Welcome to the Tower, Selene.  Sit.” She gestured to the chair, then sat down behind her desk. “So you want to become a novice? Have you been tested, child?”

 

 

Larindhra Reyne

Mistress of Novices

 

Having nearly convinced herself that the horrible encounter with that woman yesterday was not going to trouble her again, and determined not to judge the woman in the office in front of her by that Aes Sedai's action, Selene was notably distressed at arriving just after the woman left.  Cold distaste was the best description of the look the Sister had shot at her as the two passed at the Mistress of Novice's door and Selene's usual optimism fled her thoroughly.

 

She bobbed into another curtsy, this one even less graceful than the one she had given the Accepted earlier, knees made wobbly by nerves. She whispered a "Hello, Mistress" that was little more than the sound of breath through her throat and then swallowed again.  She moved to the chair, visibly steeling her nerves.  She took a deep breath to calm herself and then tried again. "Hello, Mistress.  Yes, I have been tested, by an Aes Sedai in Four Kings, who told me to report to the tower immediately.  The trip took longer than we'd expected, my brother got sick along the way, but I'm here before the month that the Sedai told me I would have before she checked on me.  Forgive me, Mistress, but I don't know her name.  I was so floored when she told me that I could... could channel, could learn to channel, that my wits completely escaped me and I'm not even sure if I thanked the ma'am.  I mean Sedai. I'm sorry, I'm a touch unsettled.  You see, that..." she gulped in a deep breath and refused to let the venom show in her tone. "That woman who just left here was one I have met before, yesterday in Tar Valon.  I would have reported immediately as soon as I arrived in the city, but my brother, that's Jasine, he's my older brother, he was tired and we both wanted to spend a bit more time, making our goodbyes, you know. I didn't run away!" Her eyes widened at the thought that just occurred to her, that they might think she was here without her parents' permission.  She continued on without a pause, the words tumbling over themselves and her breathing little more than uneven gasps. "I didn't think Mum would like me leaving at first, but I did have their blessing, my parents and sisters saw us off and--" She cut herself off abruptly and flushed a bright crimson, dropping her eyes to her lap as she realized what a brainless chit she must look, babbling on like this.

 

"Forgive me, Sedai.  I am not usually so flighty.  Yes, I'd like to become a novice.  I want to become an Aes Sedai and do what I can to help people, and to fight for the Light." Still blushing wildly, she literally bit her tongue to hold it still and make herself sit silent for two seconds.  Her hands fisted in her skirts, knuckles white as she squeezed the fabric, willing herself to just calm down and relax.

Larindhra had to suppress a chuckle as Selene floundered and blushed and shifted on her chair. The poor child really was nervous as a cat in a strange yard. Giving her a warm, motherly smile (she’d practiced it to perfection), Larindhra mentally cursed the White for putting her in this predicament.  It was one thing berating another Aes Sedai for conduct unbecoming, but another entirely to admit to a novice that Aes Sedai could be just as pig-headedly wrong as anyone else.

 

“I’m pleased to hear that your parents gave their blessings, child,” Larindhra pulled the novice book towards her, hoping to distract the girl from that rather quaky ground, “and that you would like to become an Aes Sedai. All that remains is for me to enter your details here, and we can get you set up with clothes and a room.  I will assign you a Mentor who will explain all the rules and guide you in your first weeks in the Tower.”

 

The brother might prove a problem, one Larindhra hoped to nip in the bud early. Maybe a word to the Master at Arms? The girl had to be kept out of the Warders Yard, at any rate. “One of the Rules is that no novice is allowed near the Warders Yard, and Warder Trainees are strictly discouraged from entering the Tower. I’m afraid you will not be seeing much of your brother, child; not that your studies will allow you much free time anyway.”

 

 

Larindhra Reyne

Mistress of Novices

 

The smile that Larindhra Sedai gave her went a long way towards comforting and settling the girl.  She shifted and crossed her legs at the ankle, listening intently now that she had managed to still her tongue long enough for the Sedai to speak. She nodded as the woman spoke and then gave her information in a much more settled voice. "Selenessin Al'Thorin from Four Kings in Andor.  My parents are Kairyn and Tad Al'Thorin, I don't know if you need that or not.  Mum's name was Al'Aree before she and Da married."

 

She dropped her eyes to her hands when Larindhra Sedai said that she wouldn't be seeing much of her brother.  She expected it, for the most part, but hearing it said out loud just made it feel so final and so real.  She smoothed out her skirts and then clasped her hands loosely together and nodded.  It wasn't so bad, an hour ago she thought she wouldn't see her brother at all until she had a chance to visit her home in Andor.  At least this way she knew he was close, and if she had a chance to go to the stables seeing his horse stabled alongside Rao would be a comforting reminder of both him and home. She looked back up and said "I understand Larindhra Sedai.  I'll abide by the rules."

 

She had so many questions she wished to ask the Aes Sedai, but she knew most of them could be handled by her mentor, whoever that ended up being.  Larindhra Sedai's general kindness had started to restore Selene's natural good spirits and she flashes a quick smile before saying "I'm looking forward to my studies, Sedai.  I love reading stories about adventures and excitement and I'm sure there are so many wonderful stories about the great Aes Sedai of the past.  We never had very many different books at home, and I've read all of them many times each.  I can't wait to see the Library here, it must be amazing.  I'll work very hard to learn everything I have to."

“I’m glad to hear that you are looking forward to your studies, Selene,” Larindhra replied as she wrote the girls details down in the novice book. “The more you study the faster you will learn, and the quicker you will get raised.” Larindhra blotted the book, cleaned her quill and tidied everything on her desk, then rose and entered the little storeroom behind her desk. “Come here a moment, child, so I can measure you.” She took down a few dresses and held them up against Selene until she found the closest match, then handed the girl a set of clothes. “Go to the seamstresses later, so they can measure you properly; they will provide you with three sets of clothes. You can put these on now – just leave all your old things here, and I will put them in a box for you.”

 

She moved back to her desk to give the girl some privacy, taking the opportunity to think of whom to assign as her mentor. “You like studying then, Selene?” A muffled Yes, mistress … I mean Sedai. floated from the little storeroom, confirming Larindhra’s choice. “I will assign Meli as your Mentor then.” And I’d best send the wretched girl a note … and follow up a few times to check, or she’ll be lost in her fog and completely forget about the child. She had just finished writing the note when Selene stepped back into the office.

 

“Here you go, child – give that note to the Accepted Melianna. You will be sharing a room with Carina; she should be able to help you find Meli. And child,” she added with a kindly smile, “the correct form of address is Aes Sedai or Larindhra Sedai.  Now let’s get you settled into the novice’s quarters.” Larindhra poked her head out the door and gave the novice waiting outside her instructions, then turned back to Selene. “Again, welcome to the Tower, child. If you study really hard and keep out of trouble, I will allow you to visit with your brother on your free days.” She chuckled at the look of excitement on the girls face. “Now off with you … and remember to give that note to Meli!”

 

 

Larindhra Reyne

Mistress of Novices

 

Selene rose and followed the Mistress obediently, unable to subdue the bounce in her step and the light in her eyes.  She was going to be an Aes Sedai, and this was the very first step!  Well, okay, maybe being tested by the Aes Sedai in Four Kings was the first step, but this was a big step!  She held still while Larindhra compared dresses and then immediately began dressing as she was bid to.  She took the stuff out of the pockets of her good dress, running a hand over the cream-colored cotton embroidered in tiny white flowers she'd done herself and said goodbye to it quietly.  She would get it back eventually, but it would be a long time.  As she hadn't been given underthings or shoes, she left hers on and just stripped to her shift and  then pulled on the plain white gown that was the mark of Novices in the tower. 

 

The firedrop necklace that her Da had given her remained on, Larindhra hadn't said to put all her worldly possessions in the box.  The high neck of the novice's dress covered any sign of the necklace anyway, it would never be seen.  She kept this little memento of home to herself, and touched it gently through the thin white fabric once she was dressed.  She thought about the few things she'd had in her pockets, none of it was really important except the small painted family portrait.  She tucked that into her new pockets along with a braided lock of Rao's mane and then neatly folded her old dress and put it into the box, her few possessions resting on top of it.

 

She twirled around once when she was back in Larindhra's office, to see how the dress fir and lay against her.  It was a decent fit, Larindhra Sedai had obviously had plenty of practice sizing girls up just by eyeballing them, and the dress would only need very minor tailoring to fit as though it had been made for her.  She bobbed into a curtsy as the Mistress of Novices handed her a note and explained what to do with it.  She colored briefly, a pink blush rising into her cheeks as she was scolded, albeit gently, on the proper way to address a sister and dropped into another curtsy. "Thank you for telling me so kindly, Larindhra Sedai.  I can't imagine most sisters I ran into out there would be as kind." She wrinkled up her nose briefly as she thought of the sister she met in Tar Valon and had seen again as she entered the office, but then forced her countenance to smooth into a pleasant smile.  "I will try to always show the utmost respect, Larindhra Sedai."

 

She took up the note and began to read it out of habit, but didn't get past the heading, addressing the note to another girl, before she folded it back up and tucked it into her pocket, nodding again.  She listened as the Mistress spoke, and then her eyes opened up wide with hope and happiness when she was told she might be able to see her brother on Freedays. What are freedays? Do they happen very often? How much freedom is she allowed on freedays?  She hoped they'd be able to go horseback riding together like they'd done all their lives, and she had a warm flame of happiness burning brightly but gently in her breast as she left the office with one final curtsy, "I won't forget, Larindhra Sedai.  Thank you, Aes Sedai."  She moved to follow the appointed Novice up into the Tower, to her new life.