Ajah Time (Something New? Yes, Something Blue!)
 

She was breathless as the Amyrlin Seat approached, though this was unlike any experience she had had in her life so far, even compared to numerous other encounters with the leader of the Aes Sedai. She could hardly grasp the fact that she had just completed her final test, had utilised all the skills that she had learned over the long years in the ultimate battle, emerging victorious. It was a dizzying realisation, but she stood steady before the Amyrlin, her pride in her achievements sustaining her.

"You have returned to us, Daughter," Ariana Sedai began, "pure of heart and mind, strong in body and the Power."

Rayel waited as the woman dipped her thumb in a small dish of oil and moved it over her subject's forehead in a circular motion. She then listened as Ariana said, "So the Wheel weaves, you are now Rayel Markhin Aes Sedai of the White Tower."

How many times had she been utterly convinced that she would never hear those words? How many times had she railed in despair against the numerous perceived injustices? All those complaints seemed absurd now, and she realised how much she had grown. She realised also that she was no longer Accepted, a young woman struggling determinedly towards some higher goal. She had attained that goal. It was not over yet, of course. She had yet to swear the Oaths and choose her Ajah. Oddly, although she was not quite decided on the latter, she felt no sense of panic. She believed that the final answer would come to her when it was time.

She and Ariana approached the dais that housed the Oath Rod, a magnificent creation that took her breath away. After the initial blinding flare of light the Rod settled into a continuously melting and changing colours covering the entire spectrum of the rainbow. It almost seemed as if the rod sometimes invented colours, for some of them were certainly hard to describe. Perhaps that was only due to Rayel's current state of mind, however.

Rayel watched as all twelve Aes Sedai, including the Amyrlin Seat, continued to channel into the Rod. The first Oath came to her ears as if over infinite space and time, and yet they rang clearly throughout her mind and settled into her marrow.

"Rayel Markhin Aes Sedai, do you swear to speak no word that is not true?"

She answered without hesitation, her awe and euphoria increasing by the moment. "By the Light, I swear to speak no word that is not true," she said firmly.

"Rayel Markhin Aes Sedai, do you swear to make no weapon with which one man may kill another?"

"By the Light, I swear to make no weapon with which one man may kill another."

Having spoken that Oath, she found that she had also made her decision. She felt a sense of incredible peace steal over her, the calm before the storm undoubtedly: peace born out of a certainty about where she was meant to be and what she was meant to do. Her heart flared with fierce pride as she listened to the next question.

"Rayel Markhin Aes Sedai, do you swear to never use the One Power as a weapon except against Shadowspawn, or in the last extreme of a defence of your own life, or that of your Warder or another Aes Sedai?"

"By the Light, I swear to never use the One Power as a weapon except against Shadowspawn, or in the last extreme of a defence of my own life, or that of my Warder or another Aes Sedai."

She could not believe it. It was done! The Oaths had been sworn, and there was only one step left. Now came the moment of truth.

The Amyrlin said, "At this time, you have been given time to think upon the Ajah you believe you would most benefit. Which Ajah do you choose Daughter?"

Rayel felt that she was bathed in all shades of blue. When she thought of her future she thought in blue tones. When she briefly closed her eyes she imagined the blue sky, its reflection in the water, and rather absurdly, a pair of blue silk slippers.

She opened her eyes wide and said in a clear, strong voice, "I choose the Blue Ajah, in the hopes that they are willing to welcome me, that I may serve amongst them to the utmost of my ability, giving my all."

She did not quite know where all the words had come from, but they felt right as they flowed off her tongue. For the first time in many years she felt certain of something, at least. She waited expectantly, not even considering the possibility that her suddenly surging hopes could be dashed.