Note: Original posted here: www.wheeloftimerp.com with the cooperation of several other authors. This piece of writing describes the test that Accepted undergo (at least at the Wheel of Time RP) in order to become Aes Sedai. My character, Rayel, is currently undergoing her test. The test for AS is similar to that for Accepted, except that it only involves one arch.

Into the Unknown

Sometimes she found it difficult to believe how dark it could seem in this place even while the daylight hours lasted. She had lost track of time by now, and for the most part she was entirely absorbed by the tomes that lay before and around and behind her. One of them, a work written by a nearly outdated but still influential historian several decades ago, lay open on her lap. Her neck would've caused her grief from being craned for such a long time, if she had not been so absorbed in the task at hand: a comprehensive study of the history and nature of the Forsaken.

The study of the Forsaken had long been a passion of hers, and after all these years it was only just coming to a head. She felt as if she was on the brink of obtaining a much more thorough understanding of the subject, but no matter how close she came the facts she had gleaned just would not gel together into anything truly understandable. She was certain that every little fact she had gleaned so far could be slotted into a broader wealth of knowledge, but she had failed so far to create a viable framework into which those facts could be slotted. It was something to do with not having all the facts. While she couldn't stand not knowing everything, she had recently come to the reluctant conclusion that she might not have a choice; that perhaps her goals were unrealistic.

She stifled a yawn behind her hand, glanced around briefly, noted without surprise that she was still alone up here in this niche, and turned back to her current task: analysing the three most influential opinions on the nature of Graendal's power in relation to her most remarkable personality traits. If she didn't pause in her studies to take in her surroundings now and then, she developed the most excruciating headaches.

She was not sure how long it was until another inhabitant of the Tower joined her; all she could judge time by was how much she had read: everything on Graendal that was necessary for her current purpose. She had written two sentences in her notebook, working from the notes she had already made in her head. She could already feel her argument's main points pulsing in her mind. Now all that was left was for her to record them while they were still crystal clear.

She sensed more than heard movement ahead of her and lifted her eyes automatically. She blinked in surprise when she saw Madeline Sedai approaching. She rose hastily, her assignment forgotten, and dipped into a curtsey. She went to ask a question of Madeline but before she could get a word out, the Aes Sedai's hand lifted to stop her.

"Rayel Markhin, Accepted of the White Tower," the woman intoned, "You are hereby summoned." The look on her face might have frozen Rayel's blood in her veins, but instead she felt a calm veil of acceptance descend over her. "Ask no questions," Maddy added, "and delay not in your coming. It is time."

'It is time', Rayel thought. It has been so long since I last heard those words. Madeline was already walking away when she gathered her skirts and stepped away from the desk, her work abandoned. She gave it a cursory glance before hastening after Madeline.

They exited the library, and Rayel shivered in the marginally colder air. Still she said no word, and nor did her companion. As she and Madeline descended through several floors, they saw less and less other people. The familiar feeling of anticipation, of being just a speck in a fathomless universe and yet having the brightest floodlights suddenly fix on you, returned. She was reminded of the day she had descended into the bowels of the White Tower, with Madeline leading the way, to be tested for the ring. The feeling was somewhat amplified now, and her chest felt a little tighter…and yet the calm veil that had sheltered her earlier was still hovering just above. With every step she took it came closer, and eventually she felt it rest gently on her. A feeling of calmness, and her sense of steely determination, rippled through her from head to toe, smoothing away the goose bumps that had been coming and going since the descent began, scouring away her doubts. And then they were there.

A pair of white stone doors loomed before them, gleaming dully in the shadows. In the centre was a beautifully engraved Great Serpent, symbolising the greatest power this age had known, and its beauty and meaning overwhelmed Rayel. She drew a deep breath and watched Madeline's arm extend. The softest touch on the Great Serpent sent the doors swinging open silently, smoothly, revealing the chamber that lay beyond.

It was softly lit and seemed to welcome Rayel, allowing her to keep her invisible veil of faith in herself. Do not be too self-assured, woman, a small inner voice reprimanded, as if anticipating the possibility of some cataclysm that could result of overconfidence. This the most dangerous thing you have ever faced. And yet no one looked harsh or scary. These women were Aes Sedai, most of whom she'd related to in some way for years now. They were not out to get her; they wanted her to succeed as much as she wanted herself to. As long as she remembered to be strong, surely everything would be all right.

As she and Madeline drew closer to the single arch that resided in the centre of the room, Rayel glanced about, noting the presence of the seven torches. She noted the liquid patterns that swam across the walls, in shades of burnished copper, white and ordinary gold, silver, and all possible shades in between. She felt for a moment as if she had entered a chamber full of liquid metal, cool against her skin instead of hot enough to slough the skin off her bones. She felt briefly uplifted as she imagined that she and the other women here were the only ones who could breathe the liquid in.

Then there was the arch, a seven-foot high structure made of wood. Rayel studied the strange symbols that decorated it, coming to the rapid conclusion that they were there for more than decoration alone. What did they mean? She supposed that for those who chose the Brown Ajah, such questions would be more than just passing ponderings. She was not sure what Ajah she would choose, but she was fairly certain that, in spite of her love for certain areas of research, she would not be requesting permission to don the brown-fringed shawl. Her path lay elsewhere…though precisely where she could not yet say.

The Amyrlin Seat appeared before her and Madeline, and thoughts of Ajah choices winked out in her mind instantly. Very few times had Rayel met with this woman face-to-face, and she had never got used to it. She assumed it took years after passing this final test to be able to stand before Ariana Sedai and fail to be overawed. Beside her was Deiree Sedai, and on either side of them Zhareen and Briar Rose. Rayel met Zhareen's eyes briefly but the woman gave no outward sign of what she thought. She was not precisely cold, but rather chose to keep herself distance. They all did, it seemed to Rayel as she met each gaze one by one.

Then Madeline was speaking to her, and she knew it had truly begun. "Accepted Rayel Markhin, today you will be tested for the shawl. You must pass through this ter'angreal, and if you come back to us, you will be known as Rayel Markhin Aes Sedai, you will don the shawl of whichever Ajah you choose. You will know danger in this Testing, and you must rely on your heart and wits to see that you remain calm and act wisely. If you fail, you will not survive. You must use all that you know of the One Power; all that you have learned in these years if you hope to return to us."

She paused to let those first comments sink in, and then continued. "You may not refuse this Test. If you do refuse, you will leave the Tower at once, and you will never be Aes Sedai. Knowing this, do you wish to continue?

Rayel nodded resolutely, feeling thankful when a faint glimmer of fear melted away once more. "I will continue, if it pleases the Light," she said.

With the initial formality over, Madeline turned to the row of Sisters who had been observing the sequence so far. Deiree Sedai stepped forward, the Keeper's staff held forth.

"Who comes before us?" she inquired, her voice seeming to ring with authority throughout the chamber.

"One who seeks to be Aes Sedai," Madeline replied. "She has been deemed worthy, and will stand to be Tested."

"Has she completed her training in full?"

"She has, and stands ready. She is ready in mind, body and spirit. She wields the One Power with skill, and she seeks to lend her strength to the White Tower."

Now it was Rayel's turn. Deiree turned to face her directly, tapping the staff on the floor. "Do you seek to serve the Light, daughter? Do you seek to be Servant of All? Do you seek to be Aes Sedai?"

Rayel smiled very faintly. "I will serve, as it pleases the Light, Aes Sedai."

Deiree nodded. "As one who serves the Light, you must be clad in the Light."

And there it was; the signal. Rayel undressed, folding her garments as they came off her and setting them on the ground by her side. There was nothing for it now but to go forth into the Arch. Madeline began moving toward it, and Rayel's legs moved automatically. Another glimmer of fear surged – or tried to surge – within her, but she quashed it ruthlessly. One of those voices reappeared inside, suggesting that it was a bad sign if she had to force herself to calmness. She ignored it and fixed her gaze on Madeline, who had been there through so much of her White Tower experience.

"May the Creator guide and protect you," the woman said. "The way back will come but once. Remember your heart, remember your wits, and at all costs, be steadfast."

Be steadfast. The words echoed in her head briefly, and she looked to the Arch. She hesitated for the hair of a second before stepping forward, immersing herself into the light. Her surroundings melted into the light and soon enough everything was white. That whiteness divided her millions of ways and swept her away. Back in the chamber the Aes Sedai waited.