((Chapter 4))

Jacqueline's eyes flew open, and she worriedly looked to a clock on the wall. She cursed when she saw that it was already almost noon. She absolutely hated sleeping late, and she had needed to be up early this morning so that she could go and try to not let the rumors take over. By now, everyone in the Tower probably knew that she'd used Compulsion on Kella. And she'd forgotten again to forbid her to speak of it.

She leapt out of bed and ran a brush through her hair several times before dressing in her usual, comfortable blue silks. Once dressed, she put on her stole and slipped out of the door. After all, she, being so young, was often confused for being a novice, which was rather embarrassing. She entered her room once more and took off the stole. On second thought, she didn't think that she wanted everyone to know who she was today. She strode down the halls of the Tower, at last coming to the Warder's training grounds, where she found Faolan.

Faolan, seeing his Aes Sedai and love, replaced his practice sword in its spot and ran out to meet her. "Jacqueline, we must hurry to do whatever we can. Everyone already knows everything. I must say, it would have been good to have Kella on our side. She is obviously very good at getting her word out."

Jacqueline nodded sadly. "Yes, she has always been incredible at getting everyone to hear her. We have very little time before they will come with the punishment. Come on, Faolan. We will do what we must. We need to speak to the Sitters." Without another word, she sprinted back the way she'd come, Faolan following.

They made their way up the multiple staircases and down many corridors before they came to the Hall of the Tower. Jacqueline was not surprised to see all of the Sitters for the Hall meeting without her. She opened the door slowly and walked in, standing straight and regal. Her black hair flowed out behind her, and her eyes were icy emeralds. She strode down the aisle to the front of the room, Faolan moving with wolfish grace directly behind her. She stepped up to the podium.

"I am sorry to interrupt you, Daughters, but this is a very grave matter, and it needs to be discussed before it is to late-for me, and for you." The Amyrlin Seat's voice carried, and it was firm and calm, so unlike what she was feeling right now. She waited for their response. Just by being here unannounced, she was upsetting protocol, and she knew that they would not like it.

"Yes, Jacqueline, this is a very grave matter. Having a Darkfriend ruling the Tower...well, there is no matter any graver than that. Do you wish to plead you innocence with us? You may try. Tell us-Did you use Compulsion on Kella Storm?" The Sitter that spoke was very young, barely older than Jacqueline herself. It disturbed her that she not only didn't call her "Mother," but she left out "Sedai" as well.

Jacqueline answered, her voice soft and deadly. "I used Compulsion on Kella Storm." She held up a hand, signaling silence. "But I am not a Darkfriend. I am not Black Ajah. I do not serve the Dark One." Her eyes burned with rage. "What I do not understand is why you, experienced Sisters, believed what a Darkfriend had to say. She told the truth about having Compulsion used on her, but anything else she may have said is a lie. I swear to you that I serve the Light, and the Light only." She had to work to keep her voice steady now. Rage and fear built up inside her so that she felt she would explode. How dare they believe Kella, a Darkfriend admitted from her own mouth! Still, she kept her face smooth as she waited for their answers.

The Sitters conversed for a few minutes, some arguing but most just nodding their heads. At last, a Green, someone from Jacqueline's own earlier Ajah, spoke up. "We have made our decision. Jacqueline Black, we accuse you of being a Darkfriend, of being Black Ajah. For this crime, you will be stilled, tortured, and executed. We hereby strip you of the stole and staff. You are no longer the Amyrlin Seat."

Another Sitter, a Yellow, added, "We have proof that you committed these crimes, as we can tell when others are lying much of the time. We saw truth in Kella's eyes when she said that you used Compulsion on her. Yes, you did admit that part. Now, why would anyone even know the weave for that, much less use it, unless they were Black?" When Jacqueline opened her mouth to speak, she pronounced, "I did not give you permission to speak."

As Jacqueline snapped her mouth shut, another Sitter stood, this one Blue, and probably not more than 30 years old. "I am very sorry, Jacqueline. I had always liked you and thought you a good person. Perhaps you are not a Black, but right now, there is much evidence saying you are and none showing that you are not. You will be stilled, Jacqueline, but they will be kind enough to allow you to die. Be grateful." She fell silent, too.

Jacqueline Black, the former Amyrlin Seat, fought to keep tears from pouring down her face. One last Sitter rose, a Red, with a satisfied look on her face. "You will be escorted back to your rooms. The stilling will be tomorrow. You will be notified of your execution date later." She smirked, dark eyes cruelly lit up, as Jacqueline was led from the room.

Faolan walked beside her all the way back to her rooms. The escorts allowed them both into the room. "There will be guards, so don't think of escaping." The door slammed shut. The guards stood behind them.

Jacqueline fell atop her bed and lay weeping. Her body heaved with sobs, and tears streamed down her face. "I'm to be stilled. They will torture me and kill me. Why? Because they believed a Darkfriend. Or perhaps they are Black, as they accuse me of being. I'm going to die." She buried her head in her pillow, which soon became wet.

Faolan sat down next to the sobbing girl and pulled her upright. He put his arms around her and just held her while she cried. When at last she looked up, her eyes were red and puffy, and her body shook. She threw her arms around him and wept onto his shoulder. "Faolan, I love you so much. Don't let the shock kill you." Those were her last coherent words before his mouth covered hers. Eyes wet, she at last pulled away. "I suppose I should sleep before they come and still me."

Faolan nodded. "I will stay here, with you, so that you can be awakened before they come. Be brave, love." He sat down in a chair and watched her eyes close. He felt tears in his own eyes and allowed himself to cry as well. At last, he dried his eyes and stood, looking at the clock. They would be here soon. He reached down and touched Jacqueline's face.

Jacqueline sat up slowly, and, remembering what was going to happen, tears filled her eyes again. She pulled herself out of bed and slowly ran a hairbrush through her hair until it was smooth and shining. She could feel Faolan's pain reflecting her own. She just hoped that it would all be done quickly.

A quick knock on the door sounded before 13 Sitters stepped into her room. Jacqueline straightened and managed to look stately despite the tears obvious in her eyes. They beckoned to her. She nodded slightly and followed them out of the room, down many staircases, and out into a grand hallway. Faolan came as well, not wanting to leave her behind. She stepped up onto the podium for one last time.