Alyria

DM Member

 

 

 

 

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‘Does that woman have to work me so hard?’ Alyria mumbled under her breath. She had just finished one of her training sessions with Raisa. There was a thin layer of sweat and dirt shining on the parts of Alyria that were exposed. Raisa believe that you should learn everything, including exercise, when learning to wield a weapon. Some of Alyria’s muscles were sore from the use, others we throbbing in response to it. Sighing as a cool breeze blew across her, she started back to her quarters. She could not wait to run and bath, stripping the sweat from her body.

 

Alyria turned the last corner inside the tower and headed towards her room when two slippered feet appeared in front of her. She looked up to see the Mistress of Novices, Faerzyne Sedai , standing before her. Alyria dropped into a quick curtsey, “Good afternoon Faerzyne Sedai. What can I do for you today?†The woman had a grave expression on her face. Alyria almost though she was going to tell her another one of her relatives had been killed when she spoke. “Alyria Al’Vire, you are summoned to be tested for the shawl of an Aes Sedai, the Light keep you whole and see you safe.â€

 

Alyria’s heart nearly stopped beating in her chest. She had spent all of her free time practicing, trying to make the weaves faster and more efficiently, but she so far had not been able to. It would have been nice to have someone to practice with, but she could not seem to make a friend in the tower, nor did she really want one. After her mother was murdered, and her own life nearly taken, she could not trust anyone, save a few Aes Sedai and two Tower Trainees. She tried her best to hide the panic that was written on her face, knowing that she could not.

 

She nodded to Faerzyne and followed the woman down the long hallway, and into the basement of the tower. She stood with Faerzyne in front of two large doors that swung open easily when Faerzyne channeled a flow of air and pushed them open. Inside the doors was a brightly lit, dome shaped room. In the middle of the room was a large oval ring and there was an Aes Sedai from each of the Ajahs there, all wearing their shawls. Alyria took a deep breath and tried very hard to quell the sinking feeling she had in the pit of her stomach. She ran through the novice exercise in her mind, feeling a wash of calm come over her. Faerzyne spoke, her voice loud and clear.

 

“Attend†Faerzye said. The Aes Sedai in the room gathered around the oval in their respected positions. Faerzyne continued to speak. Alyria let her words roll through her, calming her nerves even more.

 

“You come in ignorance, Alyria Al’Vire, how would you depart?â€

“In knowledge of myself.†She heard herself say, strong and remarkable clear.

“For what reason have you been summoned here?â€

“To be tried.†Alyria had waited years for this one moment.

“For what reason should you be tried?â€

“So that I may learn whether I am worthy.†Alyria replied with determination.

“For what would you be found worthy?â€

“To wear the shawl.†Alyria replied with conviction. It had taken years to get here and she would not, under any circumstances, fail now.

 

Faerzyne gave her instructions as Alyria listened intently. "Therefore I will instruct you. You will see the sign upon the ground." Faerzyne channeled and her finger drew a six pointed star in the air, two overlapping triangles written for an instant in fire. The blue sister channeled behind Alyria, and a weave touched the back of her head as the sister said "Remember what must be remembered." Alyria kept undressing and the instructions continued. "When you see that sign, you will go to it immediately, at a steady pace, neither hurrying nor hanging back, and only then may you embrace the Power. The weaving required must begin immediately, and you may not leave that sign until it is completed." The blue sister spoke again. "Remember what must be remembered." Faerzyne spoke again. "When the weave is complete, you will see that sign again, marking the way you must go, again at a steady pace, without hesitation" The blue sister repeated. "Remember what must be remembered." "One hundred times you will weave, in the order you have been given and in perfect composure", said Faerzyne. The blue sister spoke again, for the final time. "Remember what must be remembered." She felt the eyes around the room upon her as she held herself straight with her head up high, and entered the oval…..

 

…wondering where the lights were? It was as black as night; the only sounds were that of the night, crickets and such. Letting her eyes adjust to the light, Alyria could just barely make out a six pointed star on the ground. She did not know why the star was important, but she knew she had to get to it. She walked to it, post haste, and started the first weave just as insects started to sting her skin. She kept her face the picture of serenity as the insects stung her, her hands working on a worthless weave. ‘Why would I want to weave a mess like that?’ She thought as she continued. A bright blue ball appeared and the insects disappeared. Alyria started to look for another star, finding it etched upon the bottom of a river bed. Stepping into the ice cold water, and standing on top of the star, she held her face still as the fish nibbled on her toes. She wanted to burst into fits of giggles, but held onto her calm as she started the next weave. Spirit wrapped around Fire, which wrapped around Earth as she continued. She felt fear start to well up inside her as the water started to rise, quickly approaching her head. It rose faster and faster and Alyria barely hung onto her serenity and the water reached her chin, then mouth. Alyria continued weaving, placing Air and Water into the weave as the water over took her mouth, nose, and finally covered her head. She closed her eyes, trying not to panic or feel the cold as she continued with the weave. Just as she completed the weave, the water was gone and she could breathe. She continued to the next star, and the next, never losing her composure.

 

Continuing on, Alyria faced Trollocs grabbing at her legs, fires that burned so hot she thought her skin would simply melt away, men oogling her and calling at her nakedness, every horror she could imagine. The worst though was her mother being ripped apart by a fade, and her body being scratched and clawed at. She watched in horror, fighting back the tears as she watched. She wanted desperately to run to her, to stop the screams, to stop her from dying. She continued to weave, watching as her mothers screams turned to silence as the Trollocs put her body into their cook pots. She felt her heart break and anger well up inside her as she watched in disgust; the reality of the loss of her, still too close to push away. Her anger fueled her even further, pushing her faster and more precise through the weaves.

 

By the twentieth weave, Alyria had pushed aside all of her fear, letting her anger take control. All of her concentration was focused on the task at hand; finding and moving from star to star. She continued from each marker, face as calm as if it had been made by the one power itself. Lightning ripped through the sky during weave thirty, as a man she did not know shot white light at her. Seventy five brought rain made of acid. It ate through her skin, burning away her flesh and hair. She walked quickly and as calmly as she could from star to star, ignoring the fear and terror that had built up inside of her as each weave was completed. She concentrated on her anger and hatred of her loss.

 

Weave ninety brought death and destruction of everyone she knew, everyone she held dear. She watched as a mad man tore her loved ones from limb to limb, slaughtering an entire town of people. She could hear them screaming, calling for her help. Ninety five brought snow that covered her head, making her shiver as she completed weave after weave. The hundredth weave left her frozen to the bone, unable to feel her hands as she completed the final weave in complete white darkness. When she was finished, she stepped through the other side of the oval, feeling exhaustion wanting to overtake her body. She felt every muscle and nerve ending in her body throbbing and screaming in pain. She gasped as the cold air hit her body, suddenly remembering everything she just went through, every scratch, bump, bruise, and vision. Pushing it down, she stared at the women before her, ignoring everything she felt. She still held the face of serenity, trying not to let her emotions crack through the surface.

 

“It is done.†Faerzyne intoned. She clapped her hands loudly together as if drawing all attention to her. “Let no one ever speak of what has passed here. It is for us to share in silence with she who experienced it. It is done.†She clapped her hands again before continuing. “Alyria Al’Vire, you will spend tonight in prayer and contemplation of the burdens you will take up on tomorrow, when you receive the shawl of an Aes Sedai. It is done.†She clapped her hands again and gathered her skirts, heading towards the door. The women in the room gathered around her, offering praise and healing. The woman in the yellow that had healed her after her attack was there. Alyria never did get her name, but gladly accepted. Nodding and thanking her fellow Sisters for their praises, she dressed quickly.

 

Alyria followed the Mistress of Novices back to her quarters in silence. Someone had lit a fire in the fire place and even set a tray of food there for her. It was a tremendous amount of food, almost enough to feed a family. She ate every scrap; almost sorry when there was no more there. When her food was gone, Alyria changed into a clean Accepted dress and sat on the floor in her room, in the corner opposite the door. The reality of what she had just been through came rushing back. She felt the tears well up in her eyes as she started to cry. They poured down her face, soaking the parts of the dress where they fell. The horror of what she had experienced in the room set her mind ablaze with sadness and anger. It brought back everything she felt when she had lost her mother. She quieted the tears and thought of the man she loved; the man that after tomorrow, she could be with. She had been held away from him after she returned from the farm, and only found time to be with him when she was not in class. The chances had been few and far between, but she hoped with her whole being that he would accept her even now. She thought of her arrival to the tower and the people she had met. Thoughts ran through her head, faster than she could control.

 

There was a knock at the door and Alyria looked up in shock. She did not realize that it was morning. She had made it through the whole night, lost in a world of her thoughts and desires. She stood, stiff from sitting on the floor, and opened the door. Standing in the hall was a sister from each Ajah, wearing their shawls and a determined look on their faces. She followed the women in silence, knowing in just a few minutes, she would finally become what she had been trying to achieve for all these years. The walk down the hallway, to the domed room, took longer with each step. She stood in front of the open doors she found there, for what seemed to be a lifetime. Stepping into the room, she heard the Amyrlin speak.

 

"Who comes here?" She was standing on the other side of the ter'angreal, the keeper at her side. She felt butterflies start in her stomach, but quickly quieted them.

“Alyria Al’Vire†she responded.

"For what reason do you come?"

Alyria looked straight into the woman’s eyes before speaking. "To swear the three oaths and thereby claim the shawl of an Aes Sedai."

"By what right do you claim this burden?"

Alyria pulled all the strength she could so she would not break down at the thought of yesterdays testing. "By right of having made the passage, submitting myself to the will of the White Tower."

"Then enter, if you dare, and bind yourself to the White Tower."

 

Alyria walked calmly and steadily through the oval Ter’Angreal and knelt down in front of the Amyrlin. She smiled gravely at the woman as she pressed the white, slender Oath rod into her hand and channeled a small thread of spirit into the end of the rod. The Amyrlin nodded, signifying she could start the oaths she had memorized upon arrival at the Tower.

 

"Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will speak no word that is not true." Alyria almost gasped as she felt the oath settle on her bones. It was like a heavy weight pressed down on top of her.

 

"Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will make no weapon for one man to kill another.†The oath seemed to squeeze the air out of her, making it thick and hard to breath.

 

"Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will never use the One Power as a weapon except against Shadowspawn, or in the last extreme of defending my life, or that of my warder, or another sister." The oath tightened even more, if it was possible that it could. Alyria took a deep breath and waited for the tightness to loosen, but it did not. The Amyrlin began to speak, drawing her attention away from the tight, uncomfortable feeling of the oaths.

 

"It is half done, and the White Tower is graven on your bones." She took the rod out of Alyria’s hand and placed it back on the pillow. "Rise now, Aes Sedai, and chose your Ajah, and all will be done that may be done under the Light."

 

Alyria rose from her position on the floor and turned to look at the Aes Sedai behind her. She nearly smiled as she thought to herself, ‘I am one of them now, a true Aes Sedai!’ She looked at each of the women, three from each Ajah, her gaze stopping on the Ajah of her choice, the Green. She held her head high and walked over to the three women standing there, wearing their Green shawls. She spoke calmly and clearly to the woman, loud enough for the room to hear her decision. “I request acceptance into the Green Ajah.†She stared into the woman’s eyes before her, not letting anything sway her decision.

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Alyria Al'Vire

Mentee to Tiassale Morobin

Mentor to Taei Mirel

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"Do you know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I get to use to beat you with!" Jayne Cobb, Firefly

 

 

 

 

Apollodoria27

DM Member

 

 

Joined: 29 Apr 2005

Posts: 108

 

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 1:30 am Post subject:

 

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Jaydena let her gaze sweep around her quarters, she had lived there so long that she could close her eyes and wander from room to room without injuring herself. She didn't know when she had become bored with her life or when she had begun to feel out of place and old but it had happened. She didn't know what was to be done about the restless spirit that seemed to reach from her body these days. Her heart ached to be a young Sedai again, to not have the worries and duties of Sitter, to not have to feel as though her days were numbered. Jade wanted to feel the that she held the world in the palm of her hand, nothing and no one could take her down, that she feared nothing, as she had felt in her youth. With a deep sigh she stood from the couch and walked across her room to her cabinets. She opened the oak doors and pulled out a bottle of liquor and a glass, ignoring the voices that taunted her she poured a healthy dose and shot it back. It burned and that at least reminded her that she still lived, that she still needed air to breath. Tonight she would drown herself in her sorrows and once again let the drink make her forget everything she had lost, everything that had walked away and left her screaming in pain. Seia.... the name echoed in her head and she whimpered and wondered where that had come from. The whispers came at her faster, whispers that she should end it all. That life was not worth living with her whore in it. She didn't understand where the sounds were coming from but she could hear them.

 

Spinning in a circle she examined the walls, looked in every corner, yet she couldn't see anyone or figure out where the whispers were coming from. The voice grew louder, "She has chosen someone over you, your looks and grace mean nothing. Your a slut and she grew tired of you, your tricks got old, and she couldn't stand the stench of your lies anymore." Jade crumbled to the floor and sobbed softly as they continued, "All she ever wanted was the woman Sirayn, she used you to get to her, from day one all she wanted was to take that woman's body in her greedy hands. She used you as a substitute, a shell, a body she could pretend was something else." Jaydena covered her ears and whimpered, keening softly as the words continued to pour through her, like water through a sieve. A motion out of the corner of her eye caught her attention and she saw a sealed envelope slide under the door. The voice stopped and she shakily gained her feet. Apparently the demon had decided to give her a moments rest this night. She walked over and picked up the letter, tearing it open, she read it's contents and looked a the small clock she had paid a handsome price for. If she wanted to be fresh in the morning, she had better forget getting drunk and head to bed.

 

Already the pain of a few minutes ago had faded and she wouldn't have remembered what had happened if you brought proof before her. She walked to her bedroom and quickly took one of the small capsules a Yellow had made for her. It helped her to sleep and stopped the nightmares that seemed to creep in on what little sanity she had left. The next morning she woke a little groggy but for the most part refreshed and ready to be about her duties. Jade pushed at the depression that crept in on her as she dressed in a green velvet two piece dress with roses all over it. Dressing quickly for she had slept longer than she expected she pinned her shawl closed and stepped from the room. Making a quick survey of her quarters she shut the door and made her way to the meeting place. Today Alyria would swear her oaths, and no matter how crazy Jade had become she still remembered her duties. When she opened the door to the room she saw she was one of the last to arrive. She took her place and waited as the ceremony started and the words she knew so well were spoken. Soon it was over and Alyria came to stand before the Green Sitters, “I request acceptance into the Green Ajah.†The young woman stared into her eyes and Jade raised an eyebrow at her. With a sniff she spoke, "We shall see about that as time passes, for now we take you to our Captain General." The girl eyed her with courage and Jade turned and began to walk with her fellow Sitters. The woman had spunk and that would help her stay her course in the coming time.

 

They walked silently through the Halls of the Tower, the Halls had been cleared of all servants in respect for the newly raised Sister. It also went back to the time when the new sister walked to her ajah naked as the day she was born. Coming to her ajah clean and a new person. Jade walked gracefully around the last corner and they reached the green tiles that sported swords in them that signaled the start of the Green Quarters. She walked down the hall and stopped before a door that should have been hers. Would be hers if she could just find a way to get rid of that woman inside... her eye twitched several times as she worked on controlling the anger that surged through her. Reaching up she knocked on the heavy door with the sword of Ajah Head on it. Jade pushed the dark thoughts away once more and pasted a serene look on her face as she heard the words to enter come from within. They stepped inside and she walked over to take her spot flanking the desk with the other Sitters as Sirayn took her first look at the young woman who would soon find out that being Green wasn't easy...

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Jaydena Sedai

Sitter of the Green

 

Lyssa Simeone

Tower Guard

 

 

 

 

Allisa

DM Member

 

 

Joined: 31 Dec 1969

Posts: 370

Location: The Far Reaches of Maine

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:45 pm Post subject:

 

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Standing beside Maechella, actually she felt more like she towered over her fellow Sitter (petite women always made her feel a giant) Kareja toyed idly with the silky fringe of her formal shawl as her eyes scanned the room. The idle chit chat and mingling of Ajah’s had ceased and everyone had taken their places. Where under the Light was Jaydena? Just as she turned to voice to thought to Maechella the door opened and the third Green Sitter entered, as beautiful and serene as always, no hint of haste or fluster in her gaze. But she barely nodded at Kareja as she took her place beside her. Kareja frowned but before she could dwell on it further Alyria Al’Vire stepped forward and the ceremony began.

 

Still clad in her Accepted’s white dress with it’s banded hem she reminded Kareja of a young bride as she stepped forward, her auburn hair falling in waves, her heart shaped face full of awe and devotion. Green will suit her well, Kareja found herself thinking frivolously as the girl knelt and sealed herself to the Tower. When the Amyrlin gave her leave to choose Alyria stood for a moment, looking each Sister squarely in the eye. There was no uncertainty in her gaze, merely pride and belonging. Kareja found it hard for a moment to maintain contact with that gaze, knowing what was to come.

 

And here is the hardest part, Kareja thought to herself as Alyria stepped toward them. Look at her, so certain, so ready. But the Green Ajah requires more than oaths, child. Be strong. As strong as steel.

 

Alyria’s voice was calm and assured as she made her request and Jaydena responded first. "We shall see about that as time passes, for now we take you to our Captain General." Kareja glanced at the senior Sitter askance, she was usually not so terse or disdainful. And Kareja felt it cruel to hint at what was to come, it would be hard enough when she faced Sirayn Símeone-Damodred for Light’s sake! Still she followed Jaydena silently out of the room, walking thoughtfully beside Maechella. Alyria looked equally thoughtful.

 

Strong as steel, child.

 

Jaydena paused before the door to Sirayn's apartments for a long moment before she knocked but the voice within bid them enter immediatly, and in none too gentle a tone either. If the Captain General was irritated by something this could go harder for their newest Recruit than usual.

 

Strong as steel.

 

Kareja Niatara

NSW Green Sitter

 

 

 

 

Sirayn

DM Member

 

 

Joined: 31 Dec 1969

Posts: 250

Location: England

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 3:39 pm Post subject:

 

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Ooc: Good lord. I thought I was being facetious when I talked about Jaydena plotting my death. *in stitches*

 

Morning spilled through a glass window high above her head and painted this stately chamber in subtle hues. It lit through a costly cabinet full of tokens from campaigns past, sparked along gold edging where half a hundred portraits lined the walls, picking out the shadows and the dignity in their old faces; the sunlight drew a line of fire along the battered old greatsword hanging on the wall behind her. Nobody had lifted that weapon in centuries, ancient and blunt as it was, and it stood only an inch or so shorter than the soldier in whose possession it currently resided. Sisters long passed into the history books had once named that blade Shadowbane, as severe a name as the sword itself, and it marked the quarters of the Captain General.

 

Admittedly the current state of this office spoke less well of the weight of tradition imbued in it. In a perfect world it might have been some orderly refuge in which only the steady scratching of pen across parchment disturbed the silence, but in fact it looked more like the result of a storm, full of ink and parchment and chaos. Open books scattered every surface as though the Tower Library had been rifled through by particularly learned thieves; reports piled upon other papers, priceless tomes did duty as makeshift paperweights. She had even got a smear of ink on her cheek, which ought to be actually illegal outside the Brown Ajah, and her work was only a fraction done. Stretching her back, twisted by too long spent arguing with the irreverent notes in the margin of a classic work, Sirayn gave into temptation and yawned like a sleepy child. Night had come and gone somewhere during her feverish work. She frowned at the early dawn light as though it had done something to offend her.

 

In ordinary times an Ajah Head might have appointed her successor some years before her own time drew to an end, made that woman her apprentice of a sort, in order to impart every last word of the knowledge and traditions she herself had learned over decades’ work. But these were dark years, her own succession had not been free from difficulty, and during this hectic period Sirayn now deemed it necessary to learn how to be a good Captain General. Only the impartial records of time long gone could impart to her information without expecting anything in return. A hundred secrets, a thousand traditions, and she had to be inch perfect on every one. If anyone could fault her performance she might as well have gambled several people’s careers on making one of their own small number Ajah Head for nothing. This was a time of war … and she still had everything to prove.

 

Her study ended now for tonight at least. Dawn had arrived while she was still comparing On the Green Ajah with somebody’s masterwork Rise from Shadow and somewhere far beneath these stern quarters a young woman was swearing her vows. Rising wearily Sirayn occupied herself with preparing for the morning’s performance; returning books to book cases, parchment and pen to a drawer beneath the polished wooden desk, cleaning the ink from where she had carelessly smudged it on herself in her war on literature. Sunshine gleamed across the desk’s glossy surface. An admirer of the effects of light and shade, not to mention expensive wood, Sirayn looked around the imposing office and treated herself to a brief moment of satisfaction. Her office now: her cage and her stage. The trappings of her success.

 

By the time a solemn knock sounded on the heavy door Sirayn had installed herself behind the now cleared desk, pale skirts straightened and a shawl of vivid emerald colour draped about her shoulders. A little silver winked at her throat. Despite the immediacy of the occasion her thoughts had been elsewhere, brooding on the bloody ruin last time’s initiation had been; remembering red inching between the flag stones toward her, a dark haired child crumpled on the floor, too close to what she feared for her own daughter; marvelling at her own cruelty that she had used derision to give herself back some semblance of control. Nothing like that would happen ever again on her watch. She wore iron composure like a mask, mouth set into a harder line than usual, when she summoned the little delegation into her office. “Enter!â€

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Sirayn Símeone-Damodred

Head of the Green Ajah - 999 NE

White Tower RP Co-ordinator

 

 

 

 

Alyria

DM Member

 

 

Joined: 28 Jul 2005

Posts: 99

Location: Florida

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 11:51 pm Post subject:

 

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OOC - I am putting a bit in here from the future RP we will be doing Sira, the retro back to my days as accepted. If you are not kosher with it, let me know and I will edit!

 

IC - "We shall see about that as time passes, for now we take you to our Captain General." The green sister said quite harshly. Alyria looked at her, not letting the determination slip from her face. She took the woman's attitude like a grain of salt, small and inconsequential. She looked over the other Green Sisters present as well, also not letting her resolve fade.

 

Alyria followed the women in silence, walking down the abandoned hallways. There was not a soul around as they made their way back to the green quarters. Alyria knew she was going in front of the Captain General, but she had no idea what to expect She also had no earthly idea who the Captain General was! She continued along thinking about what she would say to the woman once she met her.

 

They finally arrived in front of what she assumed were the doors to the Captain General's office. Alyria drew in a calming breath and waited for what seemed to be an eternity, before the harshly spoken woman knocked on the door. The voice that spoke next Alyria recognized, yet she could not put a face to the voice. "Enter!"

 

The woman who had knocked on the door reached forward and pushed it open, bidding Alyria entrance to the room. Alyria followed the woman into the room, not looking at anything except the woman before her, one she knew well. She did not let the shock of seeing who it was seated before her, obviously the Captain General, cross her face. She dare not drop the look of determination from her face now, for she knew what a hard woman the person before her could be.

 

Sirayn Sedai had been the one to snap Alyria out of her own misery and sadness after she was attacked. Sirayn went with her to Mayene, after she had learned of her mother's murder, making her see that the royal blood line must take control of the throne. She was there to make her refocused on her studies, focusing her anger and hatred for the asassin that had killed her mother, elsewhere. If Sirayn Sedai had not taken interest in her, Alyria did not know if she would have made it this far.

 

Alyria dropped a curtsy, all the while clearing her mind. She needed a clear head if she were to convince this woman she belonged here. "Well child, what do you want?" Sirayn said, the harshness once again entering her voice. Alyria remained as strong as worked steel as she responded to the question.

 

"Sirayn Sedai, I have come to you today, raised as a full Sister of the Tower. I request entrance to the Green Ajah, showing my worth to you by passing the tests set before me as an Accepted. I am strong willed, determined, and will be an asset to the Ajah, not only in strength, but in loyalty as well." Alyria spoke clearly and without falter. She watched the woman, trying to gauge her thoughts, but knew it was helpless. The woman wouldn't show emotion if it bit her in the rear. Alyria stood in silence as Sirayn began to speak.

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Alyria Al'Vire

Mentee to Tiassale Morobin

Mentor to Taei Mirel

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"Do you know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I get to use to beat you with!" Jayne Cobb, Firefly

 

 

 

 

Sirayn

DM Member

 

 

Joined: 31 Dec 1969

Posts: 250

Location: England

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 1:49 pm Post subject:

 

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ooc: It’s all cool.

 

Time and memory brought with them a thousand doubts, yet looking back upon her past acquaintance with Alyria al’Vire filled her with a certain dark sense of pride. Harsh methods might be criticised, her intentions cast into shadow, but nobody could say that she had not achieved something precious in piecing together the breaks in this gifted child much as she had once put herself back together; that she had not created perhaps in some small part the young woman who stood before her today, bright with determination, not suspecting what lay in store for her. Looking back, cold as it might seem, she imagined that her old tutors in the Great Game might have been proud of her today.

 

Bold as anything the young Mayener stood before her and spoke so clearly her reasons as though they might be keys to open a great door. Initiates were told a hundred times that nobody was ever refused from their chosen Ajah. It must be thrilling to have such certainty, to know for definite that a place in the fabled Battle Ajah waited … and it gave her a certain satisfaction to be poised to snatch all that away. Yet cruelty was a way of life in these halls. If they could break down this child and put her back together to their own rigorous requirements maybe she would realise the promise Sirayn had seen in her ages past. It would take every scrap of courage Alyria Sedai possessed: no doubt it would leave her scarred just as much as that little incident in the city: maybe it would be too much. All that remained to be seen.

 

“You are Aes Sedai indeed. Yet I am not satisfied so far that you are ready to be Battle Ajah.†Sometimes this gift of hers, the silver tongue and the weaving of images and legends into one great tapestry, it was as much a curse as a blessing; the cruellest spells she wove were done with only words. She had never known a gentler use for her skills than to clash as harshly as the ring of steel on steel, to slide a well weighted taunt past the guard, to dazzle and deceive and destroy. This morning she meant to demolish Alyria al’Vire: beyond recovery if possible. It wasn’t justice. But it was the Battle Ajah way.

 

“You have one chance to convince me. Tell me you have lived your whole life for nothing other than this. Tell me you disgraced yourself on the farm for us … though how you could claim that I scarcely know. Tell me your fool’s play with little boys who know nothing is over and done with, that you would betray anyone if I spoke the words, that nothing and nobody means anything to you except the Battle Ajah. Tell me these tales … and make them good ones. Spin me a story I cannot ignore. Make me believe it. Make me believe you are fit to be Green Ajah.â€

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Sirayn Símeone-Damodred

Head of the Green Ajah - 999 NE

White Tower RP Co-ordinator

 

 

 

 

Alyria

DM Member

 

 

Joined: 28 Jul 2005

Posts: 99

Location: Florida

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:32 am Post subject:

 

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“You are Aes Sedai indeed. Yet I am not satisfied so far that you are ready to be Battle Ajah.†Sirayn said, looking upon Alyria as if she was nothing but a child. Alyria felt her anger start to well up at the woman’s words. ‘Not satisfied that I am ready? I have battled more than most Accepted ever will as Aes Sedai, yet she is not convinced I am ready?’ Alyria kept her calm composure as Sirayn continued speaking, but just barely.

 

“You have one chance to convince me. Tell me you have lived your whole life for nothing other than this. Tell me you disgraced yourself on the farm for us … though how you could claim that I scarcely know. Tell me your fool’s play with little boys who know nothing is over and done with, that you would betray anyone if I spoke the words, that nothing and nobody means anything to you except the Battle Ajah. Tell me these tales … and make them good ones. Spin me a story I cannot ignore. Make me believe it. Make me believe you are fit to be Green Ajah.†Sirayn said. The harshness of her words slapped Alyria in the face. She was going to be chastised for mistakes she had made as a Novice, before she even realized she wanted to join the Green Ajah!

 

Alyria ran herself through the novice exercise they were taught before opening themselves to saidar. She felt the wall around her emotions reform, hard as it had been when she was tested. Taking a moment to compile her thoughts, she stared into the woman’s cold eyes, knowing hers were just as cold to look into.

 

“Quite honestly Sister, I could not answer some of the questions you set forth today in the manner you would like. One of the Oaths I have taken requires me to speak no word that is untrue, and while I could manipulate the words so they would be a shadow of that truth, I would rather lay my soul bare to the Ajah I am meant to be a part of.†Alyria spoke quite firmly.

 

“My disgrace that sent me to the farm was just that, my disgrace. I was a fool child, one that had been brought up receiving everything she had ever wanted. Everyone makes mistakes as a child Sirayn, I am sure even you had some in your past. My time at the farm taught me that my focus needed to lie where my intentions wanted me to be. It taught me in order to achieve anything, I must put that same focus to work and not stray from the path before me. So therefore, I would say that my time at the farm has made me a stronger, more focused individual. My “foolish play with little boys†as you put it, was also just that, foolish play. It was the first time in years where I had the ability to do what I wanted, feel what I wanted, and be who I wanted. I have learned from my mistake, paying for them with my penance on the farm. If that is not suitable punishment to you, then I pray, give me what you feel would be. If I am damned to pay a life time for one mistake as a child, than so be it. I would gladly do it to prove to you my worth.†Alyria paused, her hands resting lightly at her side. Her face was the utter display of calm, even though her words were strong and biting.

 

“As far as betraying everyone, telling you no one matters except for the Battle Ajah, I could also manipulate my words, telling you what you wish to hear; I will not however. I would be able to do anything you required of me, anything you needed me to sacrifice, except my relationship with Throm and the one I thought I had started with you. I would be able to betray and fight anyone or anything you required, except for the two of you. The Battle Ajah is my first and foremost priority, both you and he know that. I have devoted my entire life to the tower, specifically to the Green Ajah, and you as their leader. I will always go down fighting Sirayn, and no power in the universe could sway me from my commitment to the Ajah.â€

 

“If you do not feel I have proven my worth, proven that I belong here, than give me a task to help you believe my words. After everything I have gone through to get this far, everyone and every shadow I have had to battle in my life, everything you have seen and helped me go through, if that is not enough to pledge my undying commitment to the Green Ajah, than I am not sure what is. I can only be who I am, no more, no less. I would hope that you would see the potential in me and what I have to offer the Ajah.â€

 

Alyria finished her words, still staring into the woman’s eyes. Alyria had learned how to bottle her emotions, how to let them feed the need and fire within her. In fact, she had learned them from the woman seated before her. She thought she saw something flicker across Sirayn’s eyes as she began to speak.

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Alyria Al'Vire

Mentee to Tiassale Morobin

Mentor to Taei Mirel

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Jaydena waited silently for it to begin, the sooner it began the sooner it could end and she could go back to her rooms and drown in her own pain. Eyeing the recruit she wondered if this one would try and kill herself like Christine Sedai. In all her years as an Aes Sedai and finally as a Sitter she had never thought she would see something like that happen in the Captain General's office. Almost laughing she remembered that Christine had learned how foolish her decision had been before it was all over. She focused back in as Sirayn spoke, "Well child, what do you want?"Without blinking or the slightest show of emotions the woman replied, "Sirayn Sedai, I have come to you today, raised as a full Sister of the Tower. I request entrance to the Green Ajah, showing my worth to you by passing the tests set before me as an Accepted. I am strong willed, determined, and will be an asset to the Ajah, not only in strength, but in loyalty as well." Jade raised an eyebrow and eyes the girl as her opinion of the young woman raised. This one wouldn't be trying to kill herself in the office or blowing herself up with a battle weave. Her thoughts lingered on her own mintee Emily who had killed herself during her battle weaves training.

 

“You are Aes Sedai indeed. Yet I am not satisfied so far that you are ready to be Battle Ajah. You have one chance to convince me. Tell me you have lived your whole life for nothing other than this. Tell me you disgraced yourself on the farm for us … though how you could claim that I scarcely know. Tell me your fool’s play with little boys who know nothing is over and done with, that you would betray anyone if I spoke the words, that nothing and nobody means anything to you except the Battle Ajah. Tell me these tales … and make them good ones. Spin me a story I cannot ignore. Make me believe it. Make me believe you are fit to be Green Ajah.†Jaydena almost turned to look at the woman seated next to her but herself in time. What was this foolishness, the child could weave the best tale and it would do nothing, she would get rejected no matter what was said. This was cruel and even she couldn't imagine doing it to someone. She turned to the girl to see what her reply would be. Alyria started speaking and Jaydena nodded her head as she finished up, “If you do not feel I have proven my worth, proven that I belong here, than give me a task to help you believe my words. After everything I have gone through to get this far, everyone and every shadow I have had to battle in my life, everything you have seen and helped me go through, if that is not enough to pledge my undying commitment to the Green Ajah, than I am not sure what is. I can only be who I am, no more, no less. I would hope that you would see the potential in me and what I have to offer the Ajah." Jade nodded her head in approval and waited to see what Sira would say, though she already knew...

 

Jaydena Sedai

Green Sitter

The harshest part of this game they played was that the result was set in stone right from the beginning. Everyone who found the courage to enter this office exited with their dreams shattered, regardless of how bravely they spoke, their valiant intentions and their fortitude all rendered equally useless. Though she might rail against it in the silence of her own thoughts Sirayn had never had the slightest intention of making an exception for this one child … if she had stood by and watched better women than her denied, how could she possibly single out a lesser … but a part of her dark and intense had wished that her challenge would be taken up; that the response would be so bold and so glorious that all here would be unanimous in their acceptance. A single bright hope remained.

 

All that broke when Alyria al’Vire made her response. Nothing waited there to lift one unprepared child from a hundred others, no truth hidden in her words, nothing to hold onto. It gave her a strange and sudden chill to think that all this time she had still been looking for something special … as though anybody was coming to save them but she herself; as though her dark duty could be passed onward one last time: but no, nobody got deliverance this time. She had imagined herself prepared for this job now, prepared for leadership in the hardest hour the Battle Ajah had ever faced, but maybe some small part of her still wished for a better hero. This morning proved it a false hope. Nobody would lift this weight from her: it was only her and her own determination. And these dark times called for every scrap of command she could summon up.

 

“That … will be enough.†Lazy tones concealed a wealth of steel; harsh edged with an irrevocable finality. Regrets she had in plenty but she would not disgrace herself through her conduct now. “I have given you fair chance to speak and now you will speak no more. I told you to convince me that you are ready to be Battle Ajah; that your name deserves to be listed in the same sentence with Battle Ajah legends who still walk these halls; that you wish nothing less than to be a soldier. You had one chance to take your place among the Green Ajah. You have told me instead that you are not prepared. You are bound by shallow feelings; you remain loyal to others, your heart lies elsewhere and your head knows nothing but stories … and if I cannot depend on you, if I cannot be completely certain that you will navigate always by the light that is the Battle Ajah rather than your feeble feelings for this other child, then I refuse to take you in.

 

“I will put no trust in you until I am satisfied that you are in your heart a part of the Battle Ajah machine. I have no sympathy whatsoever for your weakness; you will put that aside or life here will destroy you. However grand you think your passion is, the lust of two children it is as nothing beside the Ajah, the Tower & the Light; beside the futures of a million million people; beside the turning of this great wheel that provides life for us all … and I count myself among the fool’s attachments you must drop. I do not want your love. I want your discipline and your obedience. You will give me nothing less than that before I trust you. In two hundred years’ time, if you stand here beside me, if this citadel and this city and this world even survive, you will know very well the truth of that.

 

“You are denied entry to the Battle Ajah now and for all time until I am convinced of your value. Once you are ready to stop being a child and start being a soldier I may hear your petition again.â€

bounces!!

Alyria stood there in silence as Sirayn started to speak. The words that came out of the woman's mouth were harsh; they cut through her like a knife. If she could compare anything to the pain she had felt upon learning of her mother's murder, this would be it. She felt the breath leave her chest, time seemed to stop where it was. She could not believe what she was hearing and almost had to stop herself from screaming in rage.

 

Alyria felt her fists clenching, unable to make them open up flat. She knew she held her teeth tight, determination written across her face. She listened as Sira put down every thing she had said, everything she felt, everything she had worked so hard for in the past few months.

 

You are bound by shallow feelings; you remain loyal to others, your heart lies elsewhere and your head knows nothing but stories … and if I cannot depend on you, if I cannot be completely certain that you will navigate always by the light that is the Battle Ajah rather than your feeble feelings for this other child, then I refuse to take you in.

 

These words echoed in Alyria's head. They hurt, ripping what little bit of her heart she had left. She had trusted the woman before her, looked up to her, told her about her feelings... Sirayn had been there when no one else had, pulling her up from the shattered remains she had found that fateful evening in the courtyard. She had given Alyria the strength she had needed to move on, forget about what had befallen her, forget about the past she had loved so. Her she stood now, letting the woman rip up everything she had just helped her rebuild.

 

 

“I will put no trust in you until I am satisfied that you are in your heart a part of the Battle Ajah machine. I have no sympathy whatsoever for your weakness; you will put that aside or life here will destroy you. However grand you think your passion is, the lust of two children it is as nothing beside the Ajah, the Tower & the Light; beside the futures of a million million people; beside the turning of this great wheel that provides life for us all … and I count myself among the fool’s attachments you must drop. I do not want your love. I want your discipline and your obedience. You will give me nothing less than that before I trust you. In two hundred years’ time, if you stand here beside me, if this citadel and this city and this world even survive, you will know very well the truth of that.

 

“You are denied entry to the Battle Ajah now and for all time until I am convinced of your value. Once you are ready to stop being a child and start being a soldier I may hear your petition again.†The finality of Sirayn's words slapped her in the face. She had just been denied access into the only thing she had wanted more than life itself. She felt her world start to crash around her head, all the feelings that she had been holding in for months finally coming to the surface. She knew what she said now would affect her standings with this woman for the rest of her life, but all she could see was red. The anger threatened to cloud her vision, creeping in to each word spoken. She felt herself grasp onto the one power, letting it fill her with it's sweet sensations. She let it flow into her body, making the pain of what she felt more real than ever before. She embraced as much as she could safely, knowing any more, even an ounce, would send her over the edge. She felt the other women in the room grasp the Source as well, knowing they only did so for their protection. She saw a look pass into Sirayn's eyes, possibly wondering if Alyria was now going to extract her revenge upon the woman before her.

 

"They call you their leader? The great Sirayn Sedai? The one who everyone in the Tower fears, shies from in the hallway, the hardest, cruelest Sedai around. In all reality Sirayn, I think you are nothing more than a scared, sniveling Child. I think you use your harshness to cover up the fact that inside you are insecure and scared of your own shadow. You are right, I was a bit fascinated by you, wanting your approval that someday I will be a great Sedai; it has made me weak. In fact, maybe it is not such a good idea to be friends with you. How many people close to you or attached to you in some way, have mysteriously died? How many people have you killed in your insolence Sirayn? How many more will there be?†Alyria released the source, finally in control of her anger and her sadness.

 

“You may be able to deny me access today Sirayn, and you may be able to deny my access each and every time I ask, but I can promise you it will not make me try any less. I will be a Green Aes Sedai; I will be the greatest Aes Sedai the Green has ever seen. I will surpass even you, the great Sirayn Sedai.†Alyria looked Sirayn straight in the eye, seeing the anger lightly pass across them. “If you have nothing else of consequence to say to me Sirayn, than I shall go. I have work I must do and it will not get done by standing here in this room.â€

 

Alyria Al'Vire

 

OOC - Sorry it took so long to respond....I started a new job and things have been crazy hectic....They are under control a bit now though. :D Enjoy!

Jaydena watched the girls closely for her reaction, this was the time in the process where they started weeping, screaming, the attacked, or the tried to kill themselves. “That … will be enough.†Sirayn cut the girl off and Jade knew it was about to start, she could tell that Sirayn was not in a good mood and the girl would bear the brunt of it if she didn’t anything foolish. “I have given you fair chance to speak and now you will speak no more. I told you to convince me that you are ready to be Battle Ajah; that your name deserves to be listed in the same sentence with Battle Ajah legends who still walk these halls; that you wish nothing less than to be a soldier. You had one chance to take your place among the Green Ajah. You have told me instead that you are not prepared. You are bound by shallow feelings; you remain loyal to others, your heart lies elsewhere and your head knows nothing but stories … and if I cannot depend on you, if I cannot be completely certain that you will navigate always by the light that is the Battle Ajah rather than your feeble feelings for this other child, then I refuse to take you in. I will put no trust in you until I am satisfied that you are in your heart a part of the Battle Ajah machine. I have no sympathy whatsoever for your weakness; you will put that aside or life here will destroy you. However grand you think your passion is, the lust of two children it is as nothing beside the Ajah, the Tower & the Light; beside the futures of a million million people; beside the turning of this great wheel that provides life for us all … and I count myself among the fool’s attachments you must drop. I do not want your love. I want your discipline and your obedience. You will give me nothing less than that before I trust you. In two hundred years’ time, if you stand here beside me, if this citadel and this city and this world even survive, you will know very well the truth of that. You are denied entry to the Battle Ajah now and for all time until I am convinced of your value. Once you are ready to stop being a child and start being a soldier I may hear your petition again.â€

 

Jaydena braced herself and looked the girl over carefully, her hands were clenched into fists and Jade would just about bet they were clenched hard enough to draw blood. After all these years as Sister in the Tower and all these years in the Hall of the Tower, she had learned how to read every body signal, every facial expression, every nuance of a person’s speech or movements. Jade waited and finally the girl began to speak, anger coating her every word. Just as suddenly as the girl began to speak she embraced the source, though she didn’t weave anything with it. Looking over at her Captain General and her fellow Sitters she saw their nods and reached out to take the lead of the link they were offering. "They call you their leader? The great Sirayn Sedai? The one who everyone in the Tower fears, shies from in the hallway, the hardest, cruelest Sedai around. In all reality Sirayn, I think you are nothing more than a scared, sniveling Child. I think you use your harshness to cover up the fact that inside you are insecure and scared of your own shadow. You are right, I was a bit fascinated by you, wanting your approval that someday I will be a great Sedai; it has made me weak. In fact, maybe it is not such a good idea to be friends with you. How many people close to you or attached to you in some way, have mysteriously died? How many people have you killed in your insolence Sirayn? How many more will there be?†Jaydena felt her breath rush out in shock and she glared at the young woman. If she had been anything but a foolish child she wouldn’t have spoken these words. A true sister wouldn’t react to the words but would bide her time and wait, a better moment often came. Alyria knew better than to embrace the source in this type of company and yet she had had the utter gall to do so.

 

“You may be able to deny me access today Sirayn, and you may be able to deny my access each and every time I ask, but I can promise you it will not make me try any less. I will be a Green Aes Sedai; I will be the greatest Aes Sedai the Green has ever seen. I will surpass even you, the great Sirayn Sedai.. If you have nothing else of consequence to say to me Sirayn, than I shall go. I have work I must do and it will not get done by standing here in this room.†Jaydena sighed and shook her head, the girl had asked for it and she would be the one to defend Sirayn’s honor. She didn’t get along with her friend anymore but no one had the right to speak to her that way or disrespect her. Drawing fully through the link she wove quickly and slammed a shield between the source and Alyria. Next she wrapped weaves of Air around the girl and walked up to her. Swinging back she let fly the full strength of her arm and slapped the girl across first one cheek and then the other. When she was done she began to speak, “When you can learn to control your emotions and not disrespect your ajah head you will be a Green. Alyria when you can learn that you never embrace the source in front of your Captain or the Sitters as though to attack, you will be a Sitter. You will not speak to Sirayn that way or I will take your Battle Weaves on myself and I will take you apart piece by piece. Right now you are nothing but a foolish child who has lost her toy and wants to whine and scream about it. Alyria when you have been a recruit, passed your battle weaves and your other tests you will go before the ajah and ask to become a Sister. You had better hope they don’t get word of what you did here today or you will be denied, though that almost never happens.†Backing up she spoke again, “Weather you like Sirayn Sedai or not, she has worked hard to get where she is and as your Captain General she deserves respect, when you can stop acting like a petulant child and show others the respct they deserve per their postions, then and only then will we respect you and show you kindness.†Backing up once more she let the weaves go and prepared herself in case the girl attacked…

 

Jaydena Sedai