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Played on 2004/08/29
As written by the hand of Kheldar
4th Day of Danu, 999 NE
The festivities have ended, though it has been a grand spectacle to
behold! With the installation of a new Amyrlin Seat, there seem to
have come a definite sense of purpose over the inhabitants of Salidar.
Although the scars over the Breaking of the Tower are still fresh, the
installation of a, no I should say the Amyrlin Seat is a strong
signal to the world and to the supporters of either group: the Tower is
broken and the split-off Aes Sedai are ready to move on!
Interesting though this all may sound, I am currently involved in
the more down-to-earth problems of managing a library consisting of two
whole cabinets - well, mainly of extending the collection. Where to find
books, what books would make good additions, which Initiate might have
an unused copy which she no longer requires, etc. In the course of
recent events I have had more squabbles with Initiates and even a Sister
or two than I had ever thought I would have the stomach to seek out. By
the Light - I had never thought I would ever have the stomach to get
involved into a squabble with anyone wielding the One Power!
But the care of the library was trusted to me, and there is a great
want for study material among the Initiates; more than our collection
can provide. I am glad that Sister Dyrele was officially burdened with
the care of the library. The shortage of books has put the librarians in
the awkward position of deciding which Initiate is allowed to pursue
what knowledge when - a task that should have been the responsibility of the
Sisters.
To my great surprise, I receive a summons to the Amyrlin Seat.
Normally, I would have been preoccupied with the honour of meeting her
and the dread of what would be discussed. But I am curious to meet her.
Many are the tales of the political machinations of the Sisterhood, and
upon learning that a very young Sister was installed, I wondered if
this position had been thrust upon her and if so, for what purpose.
After all, beyond my position as librarian I felt I had little ties to
the Aes Sedai.
Upon arriving at the Keeper of Records, I found that I was not the
only person summoned. Three Initiates were trying, with varying degrees
of success, to prevent their anticipation from showing. One of them I
knew well, for Tryane Ahr'Rut regularly frequented the library. Next to her
stood an Initiate who bore an uncanny resemblance to Tryane and who
could be no other than her younger twin sister. The last Initiate wore a
dress concealing her flesh, but exposing her figure. This could be none
other than the Domani Initiate, whom had been the topic of some talks
between the younger Initiates. There was also a
member of the squad present, a woman by the name of Tadra Jenrik.
The Keeper of Records gave us some directions on how to behave in
front of the Amyrlin Seat. We are ushered into the study of the Amyrlin
Seat. Egwene Al'vere, Mother of the Sisterhood, is standing nervously
behind her desk. I cannot help it, the first thing that I think of is that
this young woman was purposefully manoeuvred into this position.
The Amyrlin Seat tells us to rise. Then she informs us that the breach
in the Tower will not heal if half the Aes Sedai remain in Salidar.
Therefore, packing will begin shortly and the force will be on the move.
Unfortunately, not all those blessed with the One Power who sought to
join the Aes Sedai at Salidar have already done so. Some Aes Sedai must
remain behind to put these people on the right track.
There is a caveat: who can be trusted? Egwene confirms the existence
of the rumored Black Ajah to us... I can still scarcely believe it as I
write this down. Sisters who operate for the Dark One!
The Amyrlin Seat also informs us that members of this despicable Ajah
may have the ability to lie.
My mind seems to be split in two: one half absorbs the rest of the
meeting, while the other half is reeling in shock and wondering why (in
the name of the Light) the Amyrlin Seat would confide such news in our
little group. One of the Initiates receives a Ter'Angreal - one half of
mind registers this, the other half adds this to the mix of confusion
that is forming.
The ter'angreal can be used to contact the Amyrlin Seat. It is
a one-way communication device: if an Initiate (or a Sister) embraces
the One Power and then speaks the password ('Amalasan' - the name of one
of the few False Dragons who was able to channel), the Mother will be
able to hear her words. The ter'angreal is shaped like a disc
with a hole in it at the top. We are to be attentive and thwarth any
plot of the Black Ajah we should come across, if it is within our power
to do so.
5th Day of Danu, 999 NE
Most of the day I stay in my room, pondering the previous day's
meeting. After midday, I feel like I need to do some hands-on work and
decide to go to the library. Of course, the books need to be packed as
well, since most of them will be brought along. Helping with this puts
my mind off of the troubling meeting and fills the rest of the day.
Carrying heavy books in this oppressive heat is a good way to remove
any dark thoughts from your mind.
6th Day of Danu, 999 NE
This day I decide to bid adieu to the acquaintances I have made over
the last month in Salidar. It is good to see all of them, and most of
them seem eager to leave and begin to mend the break in the Tower.
7th Day of Danu, 999 NE
Today Tryane, Beh'larah (the younger sister), Eleya (the Domani
female), Tadra and myself came to see the caravan depart. The remaining
Sisters (Sister Manak Posavina of the Blue Ajah, Sister Narienne Accad
of the Yellow Ajah, Sister Buelle Elliser of the Gray Ayah and Sister
Eadrica Tobanyi of the White Ajah) remained apart from our little
group.
The departure took most of the morning. Afterwards, an emptiness
seemed to settle over the previously busy village. Our spirits somewhat
dampened, we reconvened for lunch. During lunch, we hear a cry for help
coming from the outside. The Initiates, Tadra and myself were quick to
our feet and investigated, the Sisters followed us at a more dignified
speed. The boy seems overwhelmed - and who wouldn't be? One moment the
town seems abandoned, the next you are surrounded by nine
strangers...
The boy hurriedly begins his tale: he is Narvin Furlan, son to a
nobleman who owns a farming estate two days from Salidar. This estate is
on the borders of the region under influence by the Children of the
Light. Apparently the farm is now under occupation by the
Whitecloaks.
A feeling of sympathy and anger rises within me. Those darned
Whitecloaks! For all their preaching and talk of the Light, they may
very well be among the most oppressive forces known to mankind. Having
read of their deeds, I find it incredible they still dare to claim to
be champions of the Light.
However, what holds true for the organisation does not necessarilly
hold true for the individuals that compose it. A regular meal, a bed and
the thought that you are doing what you can in the fight against the
Dark One have tempted many who themselves are not evil in nature.
Eadrica Sedai takes Narvin aside and talks to some. Eadrica is quite
clearly the eldest Sister. She is beginning to gray - which can take
quite some time for those blessed with the One Power (according to some
of the instructional books I have glanced in).
Eadrica instructs us (the three Initiates, Tadra and myself) to accompany
her as we will conduct the boy home and get to the bottom of this. We
all pack hastily and turn in early for one last good night of rest.
8th Day of Danu, 999 NE
We depart in the early hours of the morning. It is already warm, even
though it is close to midwinter. Late afternoon we can
hear the sounds of a nearby river. A turn of the road shows us the
rivers and one of the Wonders that have survived from the Age of
Legends: a magnificant structure bridging the almost 1,000 feet wide
river here. The arch of the bridge runs so high, that even larger ships
should have no trouble sailing underneath it.
Narvin, who rides with Eleya (much to his pleasure), is excited at
seeing the bridge. It is of course a landmark of how far away from home
he is. As we slowly ride onto the bridge, a squad of Whitecloacks ride
up over the arch of the bridge. They order us back and claim we have no
business in their lands. Eadrica Sedai calmly states that we will
continue and nudges her horse forward. Clearly, the Whitecloak
commander is accustomed to having his orders followed. He seems at a
loss how to handle the situation.
Meanwhile, Tadra has moved her horse to the side of the bridge and
taken aim upon the commander. The commander is staring angrily and with
scarcely concealed hostility upon Eadrica Sedai. She returns him the
favour, demonstrating that one does not live so long as she has done as
an Aes Sedai by being intimidated or outwitted so easily.
Eleya has gotten a dreamy, peaceful look over her face - as sure a
warning sign as the Whitecloaks are to receive! Suddenly, Be'hlarah
grows to some 10 feet and advances towards the commander and the
regulars behind him. "This is not your place. LEAVE!" she commands in a
terrifying voice. The regulars race eachother to comply. The commander
glances back and suddenly fear is clearly visible in his eyes. He turns
his horse around and snarls back, "You shall not go far into our lands,
foul witches!".
As he rides away at a more dignified speed than his underlings, Tadra
shoots an arrow in his back. Her hand seemed to be going to her quiver
for another shot, but three pair of Initiate angry glances and one of a
full Aes Sedai manage to put such thoughts quickly out of her. We cross
the bridge and find ourselves a camping site a short while later.
Tadra is spoken to sternly by Eadrica Sedai. I hear Tadra explain:
"Well, I thought 'That one is mine!'". I sigh deeply. Thankfully,
Eadrica Sedai seems possessed of a patient nature. Today, she almost
seemed to be a kind, loveable grandmother who can be stern at times, but
for the incident at the bridge. There it became quite clear that there
is a different, powerful side to her. However, this is directed at
enemies and not at those under her protection. I feel that the Initiates
feel comfortable in her presence. With that thought I fall asleep.
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