Briefing and Background Info: The first male Novice in the reunified White Tower goes through the Three Arches. Will he make it? What will happen, this test to become an Accepted has only ever been completed by females...
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A knock on the door. Jo'hon felt nervous today, for some reason. He opened the door. There, looking calm and regal was Siera Sedai, the Mistress of Novices.
"Siera Sedai." Jo'hon stumbled over his words. He bowed; Aes Sedai did not come down to the Nice Halls for no reason. "How may I serve you?" Jo'hon asked earnestly, almost making eye-contact with the Mistress of Novices.
He noticed the shawl that she was wearing. And when he looked closely, it was almost as if the aura was swirling about nervously. It must be some formality. he thought to himself. Maybe she just came out of a meeting with the Sitters.
But Jo'hon was still doubtful.
Without warning, Jo'hon was led to the basement. No words were spoken, but none were needed. By now, Jo'hon knew perfectly well that this was the Test of the Three Arches, the test in which novices become Accepted, and have the privilidge of wearing the snake ring. His heart was thumping rapidly, but he managed to keep his legs from shaking when he went down the stone staircase to the basement, following Siera Sedai. Novices and other people eyes Jo'hon curiously, and had a look in their eyes as if he would never be seen again.
This would be the first time a male Channeler would be allowed to go through the Three Arches, and he knew as well as all the other people in the Tower that this could result in death. In the basement, there were several Aes Sedai glaring at Jo'hon, some were happy, but several were obviously dissatisfied that a Male Channeler would go through this test.
"Novices are given three chances at this. You may refuse twice to enter, but at the third refusal you are sent away from the Tower forever." Siera Sedai said all of a sudden, when there was complete silence in the room.
"I accept, Siera Sedai." the almost shaking voice of Jo'hon said clearly.
"Take off your clothing." The Mistress of Novices instructed.
Jo'hon took of his novice robes, feeling rather uncomfortable and cold in front of so many female adults, at least twice his age. When he had taken all of his clothing, Siera Sedai continued:
"Very well," the Mistress of Novices said, "I will now tell you two things no woman nor man hears until she stands where you do now. Once you begin, you must go on until the end. Refuse to go on at any point and you will be put out of the Tower as if you had refused the third time. Secondly, to enter the arches, to seek their knowledge, is to know danger. Some women have entered and never come out. When the ter'angreal went quiet, they were simply not there..... The way back comes but once, you will have to be steadfast. This is your last chance, refuse now and it will only count as your first. You may still try twice more after that. If you accept now, there is no turning back."
Jo'hon was nervous, that information ahd shocked him, it would be a lot harder than he thought it originally would be, but he now fully understood the daunting task ahead of him.
"I do accept, Siera Sedai" said Jo'hon, his heart ricketing faster than ever.
"I know what you are feeling, Jo'hon. Everyone here does. I've instructed the Asha'man here on what the Rings need to hold them open, and I feel confident in their abilities to do so. However I shall leave the final choice up to you since you will be the first male channeller to ever enter the rings and hopefully not the last. Would you prefer to have women who have experience keeping the rings open, or men who's link to you is closer than we could know? Both sides will do their best in ensuring you come back to us, at least from our side, once inside the work will be yours."the Amyrlin Seat said, with a warm smile upon her face.
"The Asha'man would be great, Mother, if that will be good for you." Jo'hon said, unaware of the smiles that appeared on the few men that joined the Aes Sedai in the room. The ceremony continued, and the rituals that seemed to happen so fast, seemed like second nature. Jo'hon was nervous, this would require a lot of strength, and he knew that a minority do not pass the Three Arches. Even those were not spoken off in front of fledglings such as Jo'hon, he knew the outside rumours which seemed extremely frightening.
"Then ready yourself, Child," the Mistress of Novices said, looking carefully at Jo'hon, examining him. It almost seemed like she was judging him, wondering whether he would pass or not.
"Whom do you bring with you, Sister?" An Aes Sedai asked. Jo'hon could not recognise the voice because he was facing Siera Sedai.
"One who comes as a candidate for Acceptance, Sister," the Mistress of Novices replies
"Is he ready?" was the response, from the same Aes Sedai. Jo'hon could hear the words crystal clear.
"He is ready to leave behind what he was and pass through his fears to gain Acceptance," the Mistress of Novices said, much more confidently than Jo'hon himself felt.
"Does he know his fears?" The same Aes Sedai asks.
"He has never faced them, but is now willing," the Mistress of Novice said, smiling at Jo'hon. Her aura flowed out happiness and confidence, with bright and colourful swirls surrounding her.
"Then let him face his fears," The response came back.
"The first time is for what was. Be steadfast. The way back comes only once," The Mistress of Novices said to Jo'hon. Maybe he imagined it, but he thought he saw a twinkle in her eye. They have never had a male Channeller go into the Three Arches. I might die! he thought. His heart now pounding like a huge drum beat, only then irregularly.
The silver arch in front of him was activated by the ter'angreal and odd flickering light appeared in it. Without looking back once, Jo'hon stepped into the Arch.
He woke up. He was in his home village. What was I doing? Jo'hon thought to himself, and he slowly stood up. Something inside him told him that he must go back to old woman. He had to be punished for being late. Jo'hon walked into the hut where he had spent his childhood years. Now much older, the woman was sitting down in a rocking chair, with a huge spanking spoon. Jo'hon did not say anything as he was beaten blue with the spoon, a nail had been added on it, and bits of flesh seemed to be torn out of his body as he stayed silent, eradicating the pain by thinking about it more than ever. She stopped. Jo'hon looked up, his mother had arrived back from Andor.
"Jo'hon?" his mother called. "I need you to help me carry the leftover bags of the tapestry." Jo'hon stepped out of the sunlight, his wounds from the beating had disappeared, it seemed like the old woman had made them vanish. Jo'hon hugged his mother. For some reason, it seemed like he hadn't seen her for years.
"Get off me, and start carrying! I managed to buy a hare from the market by trading one of those white lace handkerchiefs, you remember those?"
"Yes I do, you made them by the fireplace every fifth day of the week." Jo'hon replied, a smile creeping on his face. He picked up one of the huge cloth sacks and hurled it over his shoulder, making his way to the house. After having emptied the cart, he brought the horse to the stable. It wasn't a very good horse; a minor House had sold it off after it had fallen in a race. Wait. Where's Mother? he thought to himself. He ran outside the stable. For some reason, he knew that this was very important, and for some reason, he knew his life depended on this. He ran as fast as he could to the front of the house, and there was a pack of huge dogs, the size of small adults. They were surrounding the mother. She looked nervous, buy she knew well enough not to make them even angrier. Jo'hon realised she was crying.
"They just appeared Jo'hon!" she sobbed, almost inaudible. "I have tried calling for help, but everyone seems to have gone! Even our neighbour! Please help me.." The dogs were foaming at the mouth, and were growling loudly, baring their teeth at the mother, but totally ignoring Jo'hon. Jo'hon decided that his mother was his life, and when he made that decision all became clear. He would grab the spade on the wall, and save his mother.
"Aaaargh! Help me Jo'hon" his mother screamed, her voice cracking as the dogs charged at her, their mouths tearing her hair. Chunks of hair were ripped off her head. Then at the same time, a silver arch appeared not fifteen yards away from Jo'hon. It was the arch or saving his mother from the animals he hated the most. It was extremely difficult, but in that split second he ran to the arch. He knew it wouldn't stay there for long, but he knew that he had to go through there. He went through, and as he did, he heard his mjother's final words: "I hate you Jo'hon!" and the silver light engulfed him.
He had completed the first Arch Test. Tears streaked down his face. Jo'hon wanted to die.