Chiya'ath's eyes widened in surprise for a moment before she managed to regain her composure. Standing there with a no nonsense look, was Alora Sedai, the Mistress of Novices. Chiya'ath began to curtsy, but Alora Sedai spoke briskly. "Very good. You are still dressed Novice, so there will be no need to wastes any time." Turning, she began to stride down the hall with a last glance over her shoulder. "Come child, the hour waits for no woman."
Hurriedly closing the door behind her, Chiya'ath quickly followed the Aes Sedai. So many thoughts were chasing each other through her head that she barely noticed where they were going. It was tonight! She was going to be tested, hopefully raised to Accepted. Could she do it? She felt her stomach clench apprehensively, and was straining to focus her breathing in the calming patterns she'd been taught. She had just managed to reach some measure of calm when they stopped before a set of massive doors. Alora Sedai gave the Novice a quick look and a brief satisfied smile, before pushing open the doors.
Chiya'ath's breath caught in her throat as she entered behind Alora Sedai. More from habit than actual thought, she curtsied to the other Aes Sedai present. Her gaze was fixed on the ter'angreal before her. She had never seen anything so beautiful. It was made up of three glowing silver arches, each one rising high enough for someone to step through. All three rested upon a silver ring, and glowed gently. Her gaze followed the curb of each arch, marveling at their sleek lines. Finally, eyes noticed the Aes Sedai sitting by each arch, the glow of Saidar surrounding them.
With a start, Chiya'ath realized that Alora Sedai was speaking to her. "Before we begin, you must realized the you can refuse to go on. Twice more shall this opportunity be put before you, and each time you may again refuse. Know however, that on the third refusal, you will be put out of the Tower forever. It is no shame to refuse, many have." Taking a deep breath, Chiya'ath raised her eyes to Alora Sedai.
"I am ready. I will continue" Nodding, the Mistress of Novices continued.
"There are two things you must know upon entering this room. Firstly, once begun, your journey must continue to the end. Refusal to do so once you've started will result in your expulsion from the Tower. Secondly, to seek, to strive, is to know danger. You will know danger, and to survive you must be steadfast." At Chiya'ath's slow nod of agreement, Alora Sedai turned to face the other Aes Sedai.
"Whom do you bring to these arches, Sister?" began one Aes Sedai.
"One who comes as candidate for Acceptance, Sister." Alora replied.
"Is she ready?" came another voice.
"She is ready to leave behind what she was and face her fears, thereby gaining Acceptance." Alora continued.
"Does she know her fears?" inquired a third voice.
"She has never faced them, but now is willing." Alora finished.
"Then let her face her fears." Chiya'ath began removing her dress, trying to suppress the trembling of her hands. As she stepped out of it, Alora guided her towards the first arch. "The first time is for what was. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast." Chiya'ath could feel her nervousness growing. Before it could overwhelm her, she quickly stepped through.
.........Now where is he hiding!!! Chiya'ath was once again searching for Haka, her younger brother. She would much rather have been practicing with her father, but her mother had been insistent. No archery until Haka was found. Grimacing, she continued walking along the path which lead into the forest near their home. She usually enjoyed her time here. The sun shinning through the leaves made a dappled pattern along the ground, and
everywhere birds were singing. This time however, her joy was marred by the resentment she felt towards her brother. He was always running off somewhere, getting himself into trouble. Although she hadn't mentioned it to her mother, Chiya'ath had a good idea where she would find him today. Their father had found some tracks in the old clearing near the outer edge of the forest. What those tracks had been, he hadn't told them, but he had made them both promise not to go anywhere near there. It was off limits to them both, no matter the circumstances. Knowing how Haka's mind worked, she was sure he'd gone straight there in spite of, or maybe because of, their father's warning. Chiya'ath again wondered what could have scared her father so much about those tracks. He had hidden it well, but she knew him and had seen the fear lurking just below the surface. Nearing her destination, she loosened her belt knife from it's sheath. It was not much in the way of protection, but a feeling of dread had
begun to form in the pit of her stomach. "HELP!!!.....Papa!..." Haka's cry broke through her thoughts, the terror in his voice spurrring her onwards at a run. She could still hear him, whimpering in fear, and now she could make out other sounds as well. Startled to realize that no mere animal could make such a mixtures of growls and half formed words, she prayed she would get to him in time. Reaching the clearing, knife in hand, her gasp of shock drew all eyes towards her. Trollocs! Only three of them, but they were closing in on Haka as he crouched in the middle, his eyes wide with terror, his arms barely able to lift the branch he'd picked up. They circled around him, poking and prodding, delighting in every flinch and terrified mewling sound he made......Be steadfast........."Haka!"
Turning its hairy muzzled face towards her, one of the beasts grinned and advanced, it's scythe-like sword held in one paw. Jumbled thoughts raced through her mind...Light help us both!! Please let Haka make a break for it! Where is the arch? For a brief moment a memory had tickled the back of her mind, but she pushed it back. She had to find someway to save her brother. She circled the beast keeping her knife arm slightly bent and low, the way her father had shown her. It looked to take it's time with her as well, thinking her easy prey. She would show it a thing or two. Out of the corner of her eye, Chiya'ath saw a shimmering in the air, the beginnings of an arch forming......Be steadfast......Once again, the memory tickled at the back of her mind, and this time, she remembered. No!!! He's my brother. I can't leave him, not now, please, not now!!! Taking the hesitation on her part as his cue, the beast before her advanced. She knew what she must do, but still she stood there. Haka watched her with terror filled eyes, mutely pleading with her to help him, save him. Forgive me little one...forgive me Haka Sobbing, she tore her gaze away from him, and quickly spun towards the arch at a run. "No Chiya...help me...Don't leave me......" Her body was wrenched by sobs as she threw herself through, hearing the fear and shock of abandonment in his young voice.
.....She landed on her hands and knees, the tears streaming down her face mixing with the cold water being poured over her. "You are washed clean of what sin you may have done, and of those done against you. You are washed clean of what crime you may have committed, and of those committed against you. You come to us washed clean and pure, in heart and in soul."
Rising unsteadily to her feet, Chiya'ath turned as Alora Sedai guided her to the second arch. "The second time is for what is. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast." Still shaken by her first experience, Chiya'ath took a deep breath and stepped towards the arch. Light, I don't know if I can survive anymore.
......."You did ask!!" the gruff voice answered her. Laughing, she glanced over at the man riding by her side. Eldward, her life mate and travelling companion, sat his horse with the ease of a man born to the saddle. His shoulder length dark blond hair was caught at the nape of his neck with a leather thong, revealing a tanned face.
Few would call him handsome, for the scar which ran from the corner of his left eye down the front of his face made him look menacing. Chiya'ath remembered the first time she'd met him. How hard and unforgiving he'd been then, made bitter by the loss of his entire family. It had taken time to get through that rough exterior and help him heal, but it had been worth every moment. She loved this man deeply. After three years together, she knew him almost better than he knew himself. They were on their way home, finally. It had been a long journey. Although her love of the open road was a match to his, she longed for the comforts of their small cottage. She sighed, thinking of their comfortable bed, and a nice long soak in the hotsprings nearby. Seeing her staring off into space, Eldward leaned over and laughing, tickled her before giving her a brief kiss.
"It won't be long now, my love. Let's make camp in those trees over there. If we leave at first light, we can be home in time for you to whip me up a hearty midday meal." With a last laugh over his shoulder, he galloped off towards the trees, barely avoiding the playful punch she aimed at him. Grinning, she spurred her mount after him.........Be steadfast.......Shaking her head, she arrived just as he was dismounting. Smiling wickedly, she watched him move towards her.
"If I have to make you a midday meal tomorrow you'd better be prepared to awe me with some fancy cooking tonight." Reaching his hands out to her, he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her off her horse. A smile softened his face.
"Anything for you. Ah love, it will be good to be home again, just the two of us."........Be steadfast.......There was that voice again. Why did she think it should me something to her? He was giving her a worried look. "What is it Chi..what's wrong?" She was about to answer, when behind him, she saw it. The arch. Memory came rushing back to her then, and something reflected in her face made him take another step towards her. But I'm happy here... I love him. He needs me. She knew he would retreat back into himself, becoming once again the same bitter man she had met, and this time, there would be no turning back for him. Her heart told her she could not leave, yet her mind reminded her she must.
Closing her eyes, she tenderly kissed him. "I'm sorry.....I love you...but I have to go, I have to." Unable to bear anymore, she ducked under the arm he put out to hold her, and hurled herself towards the light.
........Once again, Chiya'ath found herself back in the Tower. As the water washed over her, she found herself hugging her arms close and rocking slightly to and fro. How could I have left him The pain of seperation still cut deeply. "You are washed clean of false pride. You are washed clean of false ambition. You come to us washed clean in heart and soul."
"The third and final time is for what will be. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast." More so than the previous times, those words offered her some comfort. She hoped that whatever this arch had in store for her, her determination to one day be raised to a full Sister would help her face and overcome it. Taking a step, she passed through the light.
.........Adjusting her shawl, she sighed inwardly. Glancing in her direction, her Gaidin allowed a quick grin to show. How well he knew her dislike of riding in a dress. She had resisted his suggestion about changing into her more formal dress and Green shawl until he had, quite pointedly, told her that he was not going to allow her to proceed unless she agreed. They were nearing more towns and villages. Even with the unrest and tension that was building up around the countryside, few had the nerve to attempt hindering an Aes Sedai and her Warder. Noone seeing her now would doubt she was Aes Sedai, and Green at that, the Battle Ajah as they were known. Attacks by Darkfriends were becoming more common everywhere. Grimly, she remembered their own run in with a group of them. The light blinded fools had taken them for easy pickings and had learned at their own peril how deadly their mistake had been. The memory of that incident brought her mind back to the summons from the Tower. For many
years now, Chiya'ath had been following various leads to the vile creature who had attacked her and her traveling companion, leaving her for dead. She had been on the road to Tar Valon, hoping to gain admittance to the Tower as a Novice. Often, her friend and Sister, Malia Sedai, had helped her, riding with her or tracking down bits and pieces of news which might help her in her search. Malia was already at the Tower and had sent her own message along with the summons. This last lead had looked so promising that Chiya'ath had been loath to give it up, but she
knew that word from the Amyrlin took precedence over anything else. They were to make their way back directly to the Tower. All of the Ajahs were to gather there, all the Sisters recalled. All the years of training and learning, the years of honing her skills as a Sister of the Battle Ajah, were going to be needed......Be steadfast.......Shaking her head, Chiya'ath wondered where that thought had come from. It had been many, many years since she had heard those words. While her mind had been wandering, they had reached a small town, barely big enough to warrant an inn. Once they had both seen to their horses, she led the way into the inn. A quick glance around the interior showed her that even here, few people ventured forth from their homes. The commons room was empty, save for one ragged looking man sprawled at a table, staring into his ale as though all the world's answers could be found somewhere in its depths. Turning to face the innkeeper, she briskly asked that they be shown a room and that a meal be sent up to them. She wanted to be back on the road at first light. A young girl led them up the stairs to their rooms......Be steadfast.......At the end of the hall, a shimmering light began to form. For a moment, she wondered why it should seem so familiar to her. As her Gaidin and the serving girl stopped in front of one of the rooms, she continued towards the arch which was now outlined in the light. Memory returned, and she knew that she must step through. She could feel the guarded confusion and added alertness to possible danger coming
through the bond. Turning to face her beloved Gaidin, she put all the friendship and love she felt for him in her voice. "I must go, this is not my time yet. Know that you have been my greatest friend, as dear to me as life itself. We will meet again." Turning back towards the arch, she stepped through the light.
.......This time she stayed on her feet as the water poured over her. The face of her future Warder was still in her mind, as real to her as the stones under her feet. She knew that someday she would meet him again. "You are washed clean Chiya'ath Sithi of Adonar. You are washed clean of all ties that bind you to the world. You come to us washed clean, in heart and in soul." With a start, Chiya'ath realized that the words had not been spoken by
Alora Sedai, but by the Amyrlin herself. "Give me your hand child." As Chiya'ath did so, the Amyrlin placed a ring on the third finder of her hand, a serpent twined about itself, biting its own tail. "You are Chiya'ath Sithi, Accepted of the White Tower." Dazed, the new Accepted curtsied, still not quite able to believe that she had done it. She was now an Accepted.
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