Familiar ground, she had been here before and yet it seemed like this was the first time she stepped into the great hall of the White Tower. The door behind her closed and her eyes moved towards the great steps that lead on. Fawne knew that she had to find the office of the Mistress of Novices, Leona Sedai had explained her where this room could be found. Their travel from Cairhien had not been uncomfortable but there was not a great exchange of words either. Leona Sedai and her Sister had found Fawne in Cairhien and asked her to meet them after her class in school. Cari had been very understanding at Fawne’s words that she would return to Tar Valon. When Fawne told her mother how she would become a novice, something changed in Cari’s eyes but still, she was happy for Fawne and helped her pack her belongings.

 

Now, Fawne was entering the White Tower, alone as Leona had travelled on, knowing how Fawne had lived most her life in Tar Valon and who would know where these final steps would lead her. Fawne believed it was the first test of becoming a novice to be left here alone. She took a deep breath and stepped forward when a woman in a beautiful deep brown dress came up to her. Her eyes seemed not to see and Fawne quickly took a step backward, when the Aes Sedai noticed her she looked disturbed. “Child, what are you here for?” she simply asked and Fawne found her voice was dwindling. “I apologise Aes Sedai, I am here to speak to the Mistress of Novices of the White Tower.” The Sister nodded, “Do you know where to find her, of course not, follow me.” Fawne dared not to say that she had been given very precise instructions and followed the Sister along.

 

She did not recognize the path that they took, having only been here once over 6 years ago to meet Leona Sedai in her Red quarters. Alex, her father had lead the way then and Fawne had only looked at the beautiful wall decorations, the lovely carpet on the ground and the softness of the light that bounced of the windows. She passed different walls now, but still was impressed by their beauty and when she looked out one of the windows, she saw the garden that looked a lot like the garden that Alex had taken her to after their meeting. Where he had told her it was ok that she would not become a novice here, that it would all turn out fine. Leona Sedai had not found the ability to learn then,  but she had now and told Fawne that although it was very weak and it would require a great deal of work, Fawne might be able to learn how to wield the One Power. Fawne had not dared to question the Aes Sedai about how she had found this change in Fawne, why it was important to learn to wield Saidar now. She had been a little too impressed at finding Leona Sedai in Cairhien, 6 years after their first and only meeting. She was not asked about her father either, but something told Fawne that Leona knew her father was gone. Just like she knew how to find Fawne in Cairhien.

 

“Here you are,” the Aes Sedai said and waited for Fawne to knock on the door. “Thank you Aes Sedai,” she replied and knocked twice, a little harder than she meant to. Fawne was nervous, was this really what she wanted to do? She was told that her ability to learn was very small, this meant she would hardly be any danger right? Perhaps the Misress of Novices would not agree with Leona Sedai and just send Fawne on her way again. Funny that would be, after travelling all this far from Cairhien now to doubt that she could even remain here. The door swung open and Fawne took a step forward, unsure of whether this was not the first step of heading back out.

 

"Good day Aes Sedai, my name is Fawne Namere and I am here to study in the Tower. That is, I was tested by a Sister named Leona Sedai, she told me that I had the ability to learn to channel and that this was my place to learn." She dropped her eyes and shuffled her feet, maybe this was a bit too forward, but Fawne usually spoke first and thought about it after.

 

 

Fawne Namere

 

Tugging at her shawl in agitation, Larindhra paced around her office. An Accepted with child! If she had know about the dratted girl’s condition, not to mention what she had been up to to get that way, she would never have allowed her to go through the Arches! Drat the wretched girl! Eventually she had to resort to novice exercises to regain the required Aes Sedai calm.

 

Just in time too! As she paced past the door, it resounded with a loud knock. Larindhra opened the door and motioned the nervous looking girl standing there to enter.  “Yes, child? What can I do for you?”

 

"Good day Aes Sedai, my name is Fawne Namere and I am here to study in the Tower. That is, I was tested by a Sister named Leona Sedai, she told me that I had the ability to learn to channel and that this was my place to learn."

 

Larindhra gave Fawne one of her vague, motherly smiles. “Well, you have come to the right place then, Fawne. You say Leona Sedai has tested you? Very good.” She added another warm smile. “Have a seat, child. Why don’t you tell me where you are from and how it came that Leona tested you.”

 

 

Larindhra Reyne

Mistress of Novices