The Tower whole again.
The afternoon was spent in preparation for battle. Sheriam concerned herself completely with her Keeper's duties, preparing reports for Egwene about what had been done in her absence that were as clear and honest as any had been. As soon as they were alone in the Amyrlin's tent, Egwene looked at her, the anger at the escaped sisters for a moment replaced by regret.
"I hope you can forgive me for what I did. I should not have relied on Verin's information, especially not after she admitted being one of the Black."
Indeed, you shouldn't have, Sheriam thought acidly. Strange how it stung that Egwene had taken the word of a self-proclaimed Black concerning her, even if it was true. But she said curtly, "It is Verin who is to blame."
Egwene shook her head. "I still don't truly understand her motives or methods -some of those thirteen were on her list, but others were not. Once the Tower is secured, I will get to the bottom of this," she promised.
Wonderful. Of course it was to be expected, she and the other Black would just have to thwart that effort. "Thank you," Sheriam said aloud, not bothering to hide all of the irritation in her voice. It would simply seem to be directed at Verin and Egwene's accusation. She switched smoothly to the reports she carried.
"There is no report from the sisters sent to the Black Tower," she started out. "No message, no contact at all. They should have long been back, or at least sent word."
That was something that genuinely worried her too. To the best of her knowledge, there were no Black sisters among the delegation, but it was worrying enough to deal with the Black Tower, hundreds of men who could channel, who now had bonded Aes Sedai, who knew what else they would be up to. But there was no news, not a whisper.
Egwene looked grim at the report. There was one bright point; several of the delegates had been those close to Egwene. Nisao, Theodrin and Faolain were all out of her hair for the time being. But Myrelle had been part of her group in Salidar, not a Black but someone she could work with where other Tower business was concerned.
"The number of novices continues to grow," she reported next. "While we have not moved recently, word has spread we are taking women of any age, and more keep arriving every day. I must say, Tiana is having trouble dealing with some of them. She can handle the sheer numbers but she is having a hard time with some of the older ones, especially those of greater strength."
"Have Tiana come see me," Egwene said, looking thoughtful.
"Yes, Mother," Sheriam acknowledged. Then she continued with the financial reports. It was a good thing they were making their move tonight, funds and supplies alike were running low. Now that the Tower had Traveling, it would actually be at an advantage in the long run, its vast coffers supplying wealth far longer than their rebel group could.
She went and found Tiana, then saw to it that Arinvar would have Wing saddled for her. Twice she noticed Siuan, watching her from some distance but with quiet intent. Damn the woman, Egwene might trust the Oath Rod but Siuan clearly did not.
The afternoon went on, tension high in the camp. Outrage reigned over the escape of the thirteen -thirteen!- Black sisters, and novices, Accepted and servants ran as they went about their lessons and chores. The Aes Sedai stood amongst it all, scowling darkly as they oversaw the preparations to leave.
Most of the Aes Sedai would not come with the assault force, Egwene had decided they would remain in the camp and only be available for Healing, or to be called if Elaida was the first to use the One Power in the coming battle. The Oaths prevented them from taking part in the attack outright, and Egwene stated she would not have them put sisters or Warders in danger so they could use Saidar. Sheriam had listened to the orders hiding her contempt -it was another example of how restrictive the Oaths were, and of how little experience Egwene had in skirting them. There were still ways the Power could be used, to shield their forces from arrows, to wrap the White Tower's soldiers in pockets of Air… It was stupid not to use the Power when you had it, and there would be higher losses among Lord Bryne's men because of it. But she did not argue, choosing to save any credit she had built up with Egwene's false -or so she thought- accusation for a later time, when she might need it for the Black.
She was also less than pleased with Egwene's choice of dress. Egwene insisted on wearing red, to symbolize the Red Ajah, and to make it clear that she would be Amyrlin of all Ajahs once they had re-taken the Tower. Less forgiving, Sheriam would greatly prefer the Red Ajah be disbanded or at least disgraced. She had protested this choice, just briefly, but Egwene had woven her concerns away. And sent her to find the blasted dress, too! She'd quickly delegated that task to Ashmanaille, who had more clothes than anyone else in the camp and always noticed exactly what anyone else was wearing. It had still been an effort to find the crimson dress, even the servants knew red was not held in favor in the camp and rarely if ever wore any shade of the color.
Sheriam walked with Egwene through the camp as Lelaine approached the Amyrlin and curtsied.
"Mother," she said. "Bryne sends word that all is ready for the assault. He says the western bridges would be the ideal point of attack, though he suggests that gateways be employed to send a flanking force of his men behind the White Tower lines. He asks if this would be possible."
Egwene considered a moment. "Tell him I will make the gateway myself."
At least one sensible decision!
"Excellent, Mother," Lelaine said, bowing her head before she fell into step beside Egwene. It was amazing how the woman's attitude had changed now that they were on their way to re-take the Tower. Suddenly she was trying hard to get into Egwene's favor, always vying for a more important position. The only reason the woman wasn't a Black was because she was too ambitious, too extreme in her desires and too obvious in her attempts to better her own position. Moria had once told her Lelaine had dropped hints in the past about being less-than-picky of the methods by which she reached her goals, clear hints, and that was exactly why Moria had feigned ignorance and refused to recruit her.
Sheriam could not help but wonder if something similar played with Romanda, although the Yellow was just a tad more subtle than Lelaine. The Sitter was waiting beside the road ahead, dressed in yellow as usual, hair in a tight bun. She curtsied to Egwene and barely glanced at either Lelaine or Sheriam before taking position on the other side of the Amyrlin.
"There is no sign of any of those missing. Mariyanna and Raisa weren't seen since last night but it is unlikely they simply went on some errand of their own. They would have had no reason to, and their horses are still here."
"And of course it would have been thirteen," Egwene said angrily. "Anything from the residues?"
"There was a gateway woven in Leesa's tent this morning, it could still be read but it led only to a shed in the country, not too far from here. There they found a mass of weaves, perhaps a dozen or more gateways woven on top of each other, or in quick succession more likely. It made them impossible to read. In Kerryn's tent there were also signs of Travel, but those had dissipated too far."
Excellent, Leesa had been careful. Sheriam was glad to hear the sister had taken precautions against being followed, she had been a good choice indeed. There were of course the many gateways within the camp and to the Ivory Shell but those were hours older, and would be unreadable by now, as the ones in Kerryn's tent had been. Also it was impossible to check out every tent in the camp, reading residue was hard work and there was just too much channeling going on at all times. Whether Kerryn had used the same trick Leesa had or not, her gateway from this morning would probably never been found.
"We will send out a list of their names and descriptions to Caemlyn, Cairhien and all allies, although they are likely sensible enough to flee to some area where the White Tower has little or no contacts. Perhaps even to the South and the Seanchan; Liandrin at least had accomplices among them."
It was hard to hide her smugness, the South and the Seanchan! Leesa and her group should now be safely installed on a farm in Kandor, well away from any city or larger town where news of the Black might be spread, and in quite the opposite direction.
While Romanda gave her report they had reached the edge of the camp, where their horses awaited them, as well as a large group of soldiers and one Sitter from each Ajah. They mounted and rode out, through the soldiers' camp, which stood almost empty, tents deserted and grass trampled by boots and hooves.
As they left that camp also, the glow of Saidar sprang up around Egwene. Again she showed at least some sense, to trust the soldiers to protect them completely would be folly.
They rode up to the battle lines outside the village of Darein. The houses stood empty as the villagers had been evacuated to a safer place, and the village was deserted apart of course from its main thoroughfare, which was lined with Lord Bryne's soldiers. Beyond that Tar Valon and the White Tower could be seen, a wide field of smoke still trailing up from its center. Even from this distance the damage to the White Tower was obvious, dark scorched holes in the bright white walls. The Tower must be in a terrible state, for it to still smolder almost a full day after the Seanchan attack!
Lord Bryne waited for Egwene at the back of the army, Siuan beside him. Strictly speaking the Blue should have remained with the other Aes Sedai in the camp, but the woman always made herself an exception. Siuan made a horseback curtsy as Egwene approached, and Lord Bryne saluted. And they were riding very close together. Sheriam looked at Lord Bryne again, noticed the subtle change even as Egwene spoke.
"You've taken another Warder, at last?"
Siuan narrowed her eyes. "Aye."
"Do your best to keep her out of trouble, General," Egwene addressed Bryne even though she still looked at Siuan. "She has been in quite a bit of it lately. I have half a mind to give her to you to use as a foot soldier, I believe the military organization might be good for her, and remind her that sometimes obedience overrides initiative."
Siuan looked away.
"I haven't decided what to do with you yet, Siuan," Egwene continued in a softer voice. "But my anger has been kindled. And my trust has been lost. You will need to soothe the first and stoke the second if you wish to enter my confidence again."
She turned from Siuan to Lord Bryne, who looked decidedly uncomfortable even though he was not the one addressed. He would feel every bit of shame and discomfort Siuan felt.
"You are to be commended for your bravery, letting her bond you, General," Egwene said. "I realize that keeping her from trouble is a nearly impossible charge, but I have confidence in you."
Bryne relaxed. "I shall do my best, Mother." He turned his horse, looking along the line of soldiers. "There is something you should see. If you will?"
Egwene nodded, turning her horse and riding beside him down the roadway. Sheriam followed, and to her annoyance, so did Siuan. And Gawyn, but she did not mind that. Romanda and Lelaine stayed back at a wave of Egwene's hand, but why didn't she make Siuan stay behind as well? Any satisfaction Sheriam might have gotten from the dressing-down of Siuan was overshadowed by the irritating discovery that the woman had taken a Warder. And Lord Bryne of all people, someone who could not easily be made to disappear. This could be a serious complication if -when- the time came the woman could no longer be held off. That Egwene claimed her trust in Siuan had been broken was only of little help, as Siuan's continued presence showed.
Bryne led Egwene to the front lines, and Egwene prepared a weave of Air, shielding their little group from any arrows or other projectiles. Did the blasted woman truly not realize that they could have done the same for a good portion of the army if only she'd allow the Aes Sedai to take part?
The cobbles on the roadway gave way to large paving blocks as they passed through Darein, and those gave way to marble squares leading into the Alindaer Bridge, the large, white span crossing the river to Tar Valon. Here was the thing Lord Bryne had taken them to see: Gathered on the other side of the bridge, bunkered behind a blockade of stones and large logs, was a force of the Tower Guard, Flame of Tar Valon on their tabards. And there could not be more than a thousand of them.
Bryne's assault force here was ten thousand strong.
"Now, I know it was never numbers that were keeping us from attacking," Bryne said. "But the Tower Guard should be able to field more men than that, particularly with conscriptions out of the city proper. I doubt they've been spending these months carving pegs by the fire and reminiscing about old times. If Chubain has half a mind, he's been training a new set of recruits."
"So where is everyone?" Egwene asked.
"Light only knows, Mother," Bryne said, shaking his head. "We'll lose some men getting past that force, but not many. It will be a rout."
"Could the Seanchan have really hurt them that much?"
"I don't know, Mother," Lord Bryne said. "It was bad last night. A lot of fire, a lot of men dead. But I'd have pegged the cost at hundreds, not thousands. Perhaps the Tower Guard is clearing out rubble and stopping the fires, but I still think they'd have gathered a larger force when they saw me forming up here. I've taken a spyglass to those lads over there, and I've noted more than one set of bleary red eyes."
Egwene sat silent for a few long moments. "You haven't questioned the wisdom of this assault, General."
"It's not my habit to question where I'm pointed, Mother," Lord Bryne replied.
"And your thoughts on the matter, if asked?"
"If asked?" Lord Bryne said. "Well, attacking makes tactical sense. We've lost Traveling as an edge, and if our enemy can resupply at will and send envoys in and out whenever they want, then what's the purpose of a siege? It's time to either attack or pack up and leave."
Egwene nodded slowly. Sheriam frowned, puzzled. Surely Egwene would not get second thoughts now?
"How long can we wait before you absolutely must begin this assault, General?" Egwene asked.
Lord Bryne frowned, then looked at the sky. "It is getting late. An hour, perhaps? After that, it will be too dark. With numbers this favorable, I'd rather not add the randomness of a night battle into the mix."
"We will wait, then, for an hour," Egwene decided.
Sheriam was confused, saw the confusion echoed on the faces of Siuan, Gawyn and Lord Bryne himself. But no one questioned the Amyrlin, she least of all. It was one more hour for the Black in the Tower to prepare. The more she saw of the damage, the smoke so long after the battle, the small and nervous-looking force on the opposite side of the bridge, the less sure she felt that the Black in the Tower would have been able to get organized like they had at the camp.
The hour passed. Egwene waited a few minutes longer, what was she waiting for? She just sat her horse, staring at the soldiers on the other side of the bridge. Finally she turned.
"Here now," Lord Bryne said as he leaned forward in the saddle. "What is this?"
Egwene turned back to the bridge and Sheriam strained to look. Distantly, a procession was coming down the road from the direction of the White Tower. Reinforcements? No, it was only a small group. A small group of women. Aes Sedai!
Egwene raised her hand, staying any attacks by Bryne's men. The procession rode up directly to the Tower Guard barricade. A moment later, one figure stepped out in front of the road block, accompanied by a single Warder. Sheriam had to strain her eyes, even though she held the Power, but then she recognized Andaya, as much by her thin stature and her grey dress as by her features, which she could not make out at this distance. She made to tell Egwene but Lord Bryne had given her a spyglass and Sheriam could see she had also recognized the Grey.
The glow of the Power surrounded Andaya, and Siuan hissed, causing several soldiers to raise their bows. As if Egwene could not see it for herself! Egwene raised her hand again.
"Bryne, I will not have the first shot fired until I give permission," she said forcefully.
"Stand down, men!" Lord Bryne bellowed. "I'll have your hides if you so much as nock an arrow!" Well disciplined, the soldiers immediately lowered their bows.
Andaya wove the weaves to make her voice carry. "We would speak with Egwene al'Vere," Andaya said, easily audible now in spite of the distance. "Is she in attendance?"
Egwene wove her own flows to amplify her voice. "I am here, Andaya. Tell the others with you to come out and show themselves."
So they did. Nine more women clambered over the barricade, standing next to Andaya. Egwene studied them through the eyeglass. "Ten Sitters," she said. "Two from each Ajah, except the Blue and the Red."
Two of each Ajah, no Reds. Velina was there, and Sedore, but not Evanellein and not Duhara.
"That's promising," Bryne said.
"Well, they could be here to demand my surrender," Egwene replied. She wove the flows of Saidar again. "Alright, what do you wish of me?"
"We have come," Andaya seemed to hesitate for just a moment before replying. "We have come to inform you that the Hall of the White Tower has chosen to raise you to the Amyrlin Seat."
Sheriam gave a surprised gasp, which was echoed by Siuan, and Bryne cursed quietly to himself. Several soldiers muttered about traps and one said something about never trusting an Aes Sedai, forgetting for the moment his own present company.
Egwene stood silent for a moment, then replied. "What of Elaida? she demanded. "Have you deposed yet another Amyrlin?"
Now the other side was quiet for a moment, the Sitters moving closely together.
"They're conferring," Lord Bryne said, looking through his spyglass.
"Elaida do Avriny a Roihan, Watcher of the Seals, the Flame of Tar Valon, the Amyrlin Seat… was taken in the raid last night. Her whereabouts are unknown. She is presumed dead or otherwise unable to fulfill her duties."
"Good," Sheriam let out, surprised and more than a little pleased.
"By the Light!" Lord Bryne lowered his spyglass.
"No more than she deserved," Siuan muttered.
"No one deserves that," Egwene said, briefly turning to them, taking her eyes off the Sitters. She raised her hand to her neck. "Better she had died."
Sheriam snorted quietly.
"This could be a trap," Bryne said.
"I don't see how," Siuan said. "Even though Andaya is the only one who has spoken, she must be telling the truth. The other Sitters would not back a Black."
Egwene shook her head. "No, they wouldn't. They backed Elaida but a Black? I can not believe that."
"I am still hesitant, Mother," Lord Bryne said.
Egwene restored her weave. "You will let my army enter? You will accept the other Aes Sedai back in fellowship and will reinstate the Blue Ajah?"
"We anticipated these demands," Andaya said. "They will be met."
There was silence, only the sound of the waters lapping under the bridge and the scrape of a horse impatient with the wait.
"Then I accept," Egwene said across the bridge.
"Mother, this might be rash," Siuan said cautiously. "Perhaps you should speak with…"
Egwene interrupted her. "It is not rash. It is what we've wanted." She eyed Siuan. "Besides, who are you to lecture me on being rash?"
Siuan looked down.
"General, prepare your men to cross, and bring the Sitters at the back forward. Send runners back to the Aes Sedai camp with the news, and make certain your men at the other bridges know to stand down."
"Yes, Mother," Bryne wheeled his horse about and gave the necessary orders.
Egwene kicked her horse and started to ride across the bridge. Sheriam followed, and after just a moment Siuan muttered one of her fish curses and followed as well. Gawyn came after her, and then a squad of soldiers obeying a command of Bryne.
They hurried across the bridge, Sheriam had to kick Wing in the flanks to make the mare keep up with Egwene's horse. She looked at the Tower as they neared it, the ugly, blackened holes and the rubble even worse close up than it had been at a distance. But she thought this time she could understand Egwene's haste. They were back in Tar Valon, riding back to the White Tower, at last! Damaged, but it stood and it would be whole again.
-0-
As they arrived at the Tower, Egwene was met by a group of servants, the Sitters of course would wait for her in the Hall. The servants led Egwene into the waiting chamber, and almost immediately after, Lairain hurried by, hardly glancing at any of them as she went into the chamber after Egwene.
Several other Sisters came, Musarin and Tesan and Jala. Siuan started to argue with Jala that Egwene had already been raised, and this ceremony was unnecessary. For once Sheriam agreed with her, but she did not mingle herself in the discussion. She waited and took the messages from runners who arrived from Lord Bryne and the Aes Sedai they had left behind.
Siuan raised her voice as she argued heatedly, loud enough to be heard inside the waiting chamber, for Egwene called for her.
Siuan opened the door and peeked in.
"I was raised by the rebels, Siuan." Egwene told her sternly. "These women deserve a chance to stand for me as well. Otherwise, I will never have a claim to their loyalty. The ceremony must be performed again."
Siuan scowled, but nodded. "Very well."
"What news have you?" Egwene asked next.
Sheriam stepped forward and reluctantly Siuan moved aside a little as she opened the door further.
"Bryne has moved most of his troops across the bridges into the city," Sheriam said. "His men have taken over the positions of the Tower Guard at the fortifications, and he has send the Guardsmen he relieved, along with some of his own men, to put out the fires in the city. The Seanchan set several houses on fire to cover their retreat."
Egwene nodded as she heard the report.
"What do you want with the sisters from the camp, Mother?" Siuan asked. "They are starting to wonder."
Sheriam frowned at Siuan, who spoke out of turn as so often, but as usual Egwene ignored the transgression.
"Tell them to gather in front of the Sunset Gate," Egwene said. "Have them stand in ranks by Ajah, with Sitters in a line at the front. Once I am finished with the ceremony, I will greet them and formally accept their apology for their rebellion and welcome them back into the Tower."
"Accept their apology?" Sheriam and Siuan exclaimed in choir, astonished.
"They rebelled against the Tower," Egwene said. "Whatever the need of what they did, there is reason for an apology."
"But you were with them!" Siuan said, even as Sheriam pointed out "And you are their Amyrlin."
"I no longer represent just them, Sheriam, Siuan," Egwene said forcefully. "I represent the Tower. The entire Tower. And the Tower needs to know that the rebels regret the division. They needn't lie and say that they wish they'd stayed, but I think it is appropriate for them to express their sorrow for the hardships the division caused. I will acquit them, and we can get on with healing."
Sheriam frowned and bit her lip as she heard Siuan sigh beside her, but they both knew it was no use to argue.
"Yes, Mother," she said and Siuan echoed her.
They withdrew from the entrance of the waiting chamber and closed the door. Sheriam glanced at Siuan, who looked equally exasperated with Egwene. This would not sit well with the others of the Little Tower. At least Egwene had not specifically included the two of them in her order. Siuan of course had been captured and stilled, lucky to escape with her life, and Sheriam knew she would've suffered that same fate if she had been caught. She wasn't at all sure the Black would've protected her. Elaida wasn't a Black, and she had been Siuan's Mistress of the Novices. And that had been before stilling could be Healed!
"This is a fine kettle of fish," Siuan cursed as they made their way to the front gates, and for once Sheriam agreed with her. But there was no helping it, they relayed Egwene's instructions and cut down the protests some sisters made.
They were back in time to see Egwene about to enter the Hall. Siuan quickly handed Egwene a pair of slippers, taking her riding boots and taking them away. Sheriam followed her to the entrance of the Hall, but when the gong rang and the great, dark doors inlaid with the silver Flame of Tar Valon opened, she fell back, keeping her distance until she would be called upon. Tesan was the only one who went with Egwene all the way to the doors, she would stand and guard the doors to the Hall during the ceremony.
Even from her position, she could see Egwene stop only a few steps past the doors. The voice of Saerin rang out from within.
"Who comes before the Hall of the Tower?"
For whatever reason, Egwene did not reply. Sheriam could not see inside the Hall from her position, what caused Egwene to stop?
"Who comes before the Hall of the Tower?" Saerin called again.
At that time Tesan leaned in. Sheriam could see Egwene ask something of the White, but she could not hear what it was. There was a brief exchange between Egwene and Tesan. Then Tesan started, and Egwene turned towards the Sitters inside.
"One who comes humbly, in the Light," Egwene responded finally.
Anything else was cut off as Tesan closed the doors behind her, and, with a brief glance at Sheriam, left. What kind of errand had Egwene sent her on, during the ceremony of her raising?
Sheriam was even more baffled when some time later, Tesan reappeared, accompanied by four of the Tower Guard and Silviana, in chains! The Red looked disheveled, her dress rumpled and dirty at the knees, her black hair in a coarse braid. But she still looked calm even under Sheriam's scrutiny. What had happened here and what had Silviana done? More so, what did Egwene want with her, at this of all times? Sheriam itched to ask but from the puzzled look on Tesan's face, she would not know the answer to that last, most important question either. And the rest could wait.
Soon after the great doors opened and Egwene gestured for her to come in, and to the guardsmen to follow as well. The wait had not been long; unlike that time at Salidar, the Hall must have reached consensus quickly here.
As she walked through the doors, Sheriam started and almost stopped at the sight of the Hall. A great, round hole gaped in the wall behind the Amyrlin Seat, allowing one to look directly at Dragonmount in the distance. The rest of the damage was not extensive, the Seat itself undamaged and the dust and smaller pieces of rubble obviously cleared away before the ceremony, but it was disconcerting to say the least.
She tore her eyes away from the great blemish in the wall and looked at the Sitters. The ten who had met them at the Alindaer bridge were there, of course, but while the third Sitter of the Yellow, the White and the Brown were present, there were none of the Red. So they hadn't just held back from meeting them at the front line, they had not been present at the ceremony at all. So much for Egwene's choice of dress, if the Red had not stood for her it would still take a lot of effort for the Ajah to feel she was truly their Amyrlin. But what worried Sheriam most was the absence of Evanellein. She did not like the woman for remaining with Elaida, but where could she have gone? Velina and Sedore were there, but where was Duhara, had the Hall decided to leave the Red Sitters out of the raising, or was she missing too? She did not know, and no way to find out except to wait and see.
Even as she took this all in, she walked across the painted floor, knelt and kissed Egwene's ring. Then she rose and stood at Egwene's side.
"Sheriam is my Keeper of the Chronicles," Egwene announced to the Hall. "She was my Keeper while we were away from the Tower and she still is. From the Blue, let there be no question the Blue Ajah is back."
Sheriam cast her eye across the room, registering how each of the Sitters responded. None seemed particularly hostile, but she would not trust those who weren't Black for some time. They had supported Elaida, and while it had been according to the Black's instructions to create a split in the Tower, it said much about the judgment of character of those who weren't Black but had still remained here in the Tower, had even served in the Hall!
Egwene turned to the guardsmen who lingered in the doorway with Silviana, reluctant to enter far into this Hall, but also unwilling to let their prisoner move further into the room by herself.
"Release the prisoner's chains," she ordered.
The soldiers did so, although one looked much too doubtful, Sheriam thought. Likely the duty officer of these four, and responsible for Silviana, but even so a member of the Tower Guard should not look so reluctant at an order from the Amyrlin. Metal clinked as the chains fell away. The Sitters turned in their chairs to look.
"Silviana Brehon!" Egwene said, standing up. "You may approach the Amyrlin Seat."
The guardsmen stepped aside and Silviana crossed the room, in her dirty, rumpled dress but her face calm. She knelt before Egwene and kissed her ring.
The Sitters stirred, confusion clear on their faces. "Mother," Yukiri spoke up. "Is this the best time to be dispensing judgment?"
Egwene withdrew her hand from the kneeling Silviana and looked first at Yukiri, then let her gaze roam across the rest of the Sitters.
"You all bear a great deal of shame," she said.
The Sitters frowned, others raised their eyebrows.
"This," Egwene said, gesturing at the broken wall. "You bear responsibility for this." She pointed at Silviana, who still knelt before her. "You bear responsibility for this. You bear responsibility for the way your sisters regard each other in the halls, and you bear responsibility for letting the Tower remain so long in division. Many of you bear responsibility for that division in the first place!"
"You are a disgrace," Egwene continued. "The White Tower -the pride of the Light, the power for stability and truth since the Age of Legends- has nearly been shattered because of you!"
That was better, Sheriam thought, finally she put Elaida's Sitters in their place, even if she had to put that bit of prating about the Light into it again. She looked on coldly as several sisters gasped in shock, eyes wide.
"Elaida.." Rubinde began.
"Elaida was a madwoman, and you all know it," Egwene cut her off as she stared down on the Sitters. "You knew it these last few months as she worked unwittingly to destroy us. Light, many of you probably knew it when you raised her in the first place.
"There have been foolish Amyrlins before, but none have come as close to tearing down the entire Tower! You are a check upon the Amyrlin. You are to keep her from doing things like this. You allowed her to disband an entire Ajah? How is it that you allowed the Tower to fall so far? And when the Dragon Reborn walks the land, no less!
"You should have removed Elaida the moment you heard of her disastrous attempt to confine Rand al'Thor. You should have removed her when you saw how her bickering and pettiness was turning the Ajahs against one another. And you should certainly have removed her when she refused to do what was needed to bring the Tower together again, whole as one!"
Egwene looked down at each of the Sitters in turn, stared hard at each until they looked away. It did not take long. They had been angry at first, but now Egwene had shamed them, and several turned red as they averted their eyes. Sheriam looked on with satisfaction. But Egwene was not done yet.
"None of you would stand up to her," Egwene spat. "You dare call yourself the Hall of the Tower? You who were cowed? You who were too frightened to do what was needed? You who were too caught up in your own squabbles and politicking to see what was needed?"
Egwene finally turned her eyes away from the Sitters and looked down at Silviana. "Only one woman in this room was willing to stand up for what she knew what was right. Only one woman dared to defy Elaida, and she accepted the price of doing so. And you think I brought this woman here to extract vengeance on her? Are you really so blinded to think that I'd punish the only person in the entire Tower who did anything of decency these past months?"
The Sitters all looked down now, some even shifted uncomfortably in their seats, but Silviana looked up at Egwene.
"You did your duty, Silviana," Egwene said. "And you did it well. Rise."
Silviana stood. She looked haggard, and from close up Sheriam noticed her eyes were puffy and red and she swayed a little on her feet as she rose. But it seemed to pass quickly and Silviana stood in front of Egwene.
"Silviana," Egwene said. "A new Amyrlin has been raised. And, it shames me to say, it was done with subterfuge similar to Elaida's raising. Of the seven Ajahs, only five were represented. The Blue I know would support me, were they here. They have stood for me in Salidar. But the Red were not even given a chance to voice their dissent or approval."
"There are good reasons for that, Mother," Silviana said.
"That may be true," Egwene said. "But it all but ensures that my reign will be marked with tension between myself and the Red. They will perceive ill will where there is none, and I will lose the strength of hundreds of women. Women that will be sorely needed."
"I… don't see any way around that, Mother," Silviana said, but something started to dawn on Sheriam. She had come to know Egwene in the past months and combined with her reports earlier this afternoon…
"I do," Egwene said. "Silviana Brehon, I would have you as my Mistress of the Novices. Let it not be said I spurned the Red."
Silviana blinked, but Sheriam nodded as she saw her suspicions confirmed. Silviana herself recovered quickly from her surprise, and knelt again in front of Egwene.
"I would be honored, Mother, truly honored," the Red said.
"This will be a difficult time for the Red Ajah, daughter," Egwene said. "Their nature has always been to capture men who can channel, but reports claim that Saidin is clean."
"There will still be rogue channelers, Mother" Silviana said. "And men are not to be trusted."
"I didn't say that your purpose would vanish, only that it would change. I see great things for the Red Ajah in the future -an expanding of vision, a renewal of duty. I hope you can help guide them."
Sheriam was less certain. She approved of Egwene's decision to appoint Silviana as Mistress of the Novices -she would be able to deal with the older novices much better than Tiana, and although she'd liked to see a Black in the position, she would have been hesitant to suggest any who had been in Verin's journal. Even if Egwene no longer trusted the list, Sheriam knew not to push her luck. But to change the purpose of the Red? Aes Sedai were notoriously stuck in their ways, especially those who had remained in the Tower. Those who had been with the rebels had learned they might have to put up with unconventional things, but even there every little change had to be fought for. And to change the duties of an entire Ajah? Sheriam had hard hopes in it.
Egwene in the meantime looked up at the Sitters, who were watching in stunned silence.
"I'd order you all to do penance," Egwene said, "save for the fact that I know some of you, at least, were working behind the scenes to stop the crumbling of the White Tower. You didn't do enough, but you did something. Beyond that, I think that the penance we often demand of ourselves is ridiculous. What is physical pain to an Aes Sedai?"
Perhaps nothing when you've been trained by the Aiel, Sheriam thought, irritated at Egwene's return to her prating. But she carefully kept her irritation from showing.
Egwene took a deep breath. "And I am not guiltless either. I share some of your shame, for it was during my tenure that these disasters occurred. I sided with the rebels, allowed myself to be raised by them because it was the only choice. But that choice still gives me culpability.
"Bear your shame, Sitters, but bear it with determination. Do not let it break you. The time for healing has begun, and there is no longer any use in pointing fingers. You failed. But you are all that we have. We are all that the world has."
One by one, the Sitters looked up.
"Come," Egwene said as she strode across the painted floor towards the door. "Let us greet the rebels."
Sheriam walked next to Egwene, Silviana on her other side. The Sitters followed behind.
"Mother," Silviana inquired. "I can only assume you had a Mistress of the Novices already, among the rebels. Do you intend to maintain two of us?"
"No," Egwene replied. "Tiana is stepping down. I must warn you we have been accepting women of all ages, and you will find the numbers far greater than you dealt with here. But I trust you can handle them."
"Thank you, Mother. I will not disappoint you," Silviana replied.
Sheriam looked around as they walked through the hallways, disturbed at the extend of the damage and how little had as of yet been done to clean it up. In the Tower itself, at least, no more fires smoldered, but she was sure she saw blood still on the tiles in one of the corridors.
Soon they reached the Great Square, on the east side of the building. The square was filled by sisters, in ranks by Ajah as ordered, the Sitters -their Salidar Sitters- in front.
Sheriam spotted Leane standing with the Green, released from her imprisonment but looking no better than Silviana did, and narrowed her eyes as she saw Siuan near the front of the Blue. Leane likely had been brought out by the Tower's sisters or even by guardsmen, but surely Siuan must realize the order hadn't, strictly speaking, included her? It must be her sense of loyalty that made the woman join the Blue sisters in spite of that. While many of the Salidar sisters had supported her, Sheriam's loyalty to the Little Tower did not run that deep, especially not since she was well aware they would see her dead if they knew her true Ajah. She was not going to let herself be shamed in front of those who had cast her out.
Egwene took position on top of the tall steps leading up from the square to the Tower, her back to the ornately carved doors. The Tower Sitters went to one side of the spacious landing, Sheriam to the other. Silviana, after a brief hesitation, joined her.
Egwene used the Power to amplify her voice, then addressed the crowd. "Sisters, daughters. I have been raised properly to the Amyrlin Seat. Both sides of this conflict have chosen me. Both followed the prescribed methods and both now accept me as their Amyrlin. It is time to join together again.
"I will not pretend that our division did not take place. We of the White Tower are sometimes too eager to forget those facts we don't want to acknowledge. This one cannot be hidden, not from us who lived it. We were divided. We nearly came to war with one another. We have disgraced ourselves.
"You rebels before me have done something terrible. You have shattered the Tower and raised up a rival Amyrlin. For the first time, troops have been marshaled by Aes Sedai against Aes Sedai. I led those troops. I know of this shame.
"Necessary or not, it is a shame. And so it is that I require your admission of guilt. You must take responsibility for your crimes, even those performed in the name of the greater good."
Sheriam looked at the Aes Sedai in the square. She saw more than a few frowns, but also more ashamed blushes than she liked. Great Lord, it had been necessary, it was ridiculous to feel guilty over what was done when you were left with no other choices. Yes, indeed, Egwene had been with the Aiel far too long.
"You did not come here in glory," Egwene continued. "You did not come here victorious. For there is no victory, and could have been no victory, when sister fought sister and Warder died to Warder. Mistakes have been made on both sides, and we will all have to work hard to repair what we have done. It is said by blacksmiths that a sword that has been shattered can never be whole again. It must be completely reforged, the metal melted down to slag, then reworked and re-formed.
"These next few months will be our re-forming. We have been broken, then torn down nearly to roots. The Last Battle approaches, and before it arrives, I mean to see that we are once again a sword forged with strength, whole and unbroken! I will make demands of you. They will be harsh. They will stretch you to the limits of what you think you can bear. I will take these burned holes and fill them! Accommodations will have to be made, for between us there are far too many Sitters for the Hall, not to mention five too many Ajah heads. Some of you will have to step down and bow yourselves in humility before those you dislike."
Sheriam wondered if it would be too obvious if all the Black stayed on as Sitters. Egwene might now believe Verin's list of names was not correct, but it was not the same. Possibly there was a bit of doubt left somewhere inside her, and they'd do best to avoid anything suspicious. Perhaps better to give up one of the Sitters' positions.
"These days will test you! I will force you to work with those you saw as enemies just hours ago. You will marsh alongside those who spurned you, or hurt you, or hated you.
"But we are stronger than our weaknesses. The White Tower stands, and we shall stand with it. We will become one again. We will be an assembly that tales will tell of. When I am finished with you, it will not be written that the White Tower was weak. Our divisions will be forgotten in the face of our victories. We will be remembered not as the White Tower who turned against itself, but as the White Tower who stood strong in the face of the Shadow. These days are legendary!"
Cheers burst out, mostly from the novices, servants and soldiers, but Sheriam noticed even a few of the Aes Sedai cheered. They had to know better, had to know that this was not realistic! Perhaps if they had years, an Amyrlin like Egwene could re-form the White Tower. But Aes Sedai resisted change, and after all they had been through it would take time for the Aes Sedai to trust each other again. To think it could be done quickly, or that they would have the time to do it in with the Last Battle so close, was foolishness. Well it had been mostly the younger ones who had cheered.
Egwene raised her hand and the noise died down.
"Let it go forth across the land!" Egwene shouted when all was quiet again. "Let it be spoken of, let it be relied upon, let it be remembered. The White Tower is whole and complete. And no one -man, woman or creation of the Shadow- will see us divided again!"
The cheers were louder, much louder now, and more Aes Sedai joined in, even older ones who should know better. Of course there were those who, like Lelaine and Romanda, had reason for brownnosing. A cheer was not covered by the Oaths, as long as one did not use any actually supportive words, one could cheer all one wanted.
This time Egwene let the noise die down by itself, which took several minutes. Only then did she gesture at the Blue sisters from the camp.
The Sitters took the lead. One by one, Ajah by Ajah, the Aes Sedai apologized for the division. Some said so clearly, swayed by Egwene's self-righteous talk of shame and humility, others had more trouble finding the right words to express regrets. Sheriam looked closely, watching out of habit for those who might be unhappy enough to be approached by the Black. The procedures took a long time and darkness fell, servants bringing torches and flares to light the square. Finally the last sister gave their apology as ordered.
Egwene raised her voice and called once more for attention.
"I realize this has been a long day for all of you. But the Wheel waits on no man -or woman- and there are things that can not wait until tomorrow. The Hall -all Sitters- will meet immediately, and afterwards I want to see all full Aes Sedai and their Warders, one Ajah at a time. Everyone, remain available to come into the Hall when called upon."
There was a little stir among the sisters, some murmurs of surprise, but no complaints, at least none that could be heard aloud. Sheriam followed and so did Silviana.
In the Hall, the double ward was woven; as Kwamesa wove hers Aledrin followed suit, while Egwene briefly explained why this was necessary. Gasps from several of the Sitters, but also knowing nods from Saerin, Yukiri, Doesine and Seaine, as Egwene named them as the ones to come up with the idea of re-swearing the Oaths. Some of the Sitters protested, indignant that such a thing was necessary, but Egwene herself took the lead by re-swearing, Silviana offered to go next, and she was followed by Saerin, Yukiri, Doesine and Seaine.
Then the rest of Elaida's Sitters took their turn and swore on the Oath Rod. Including Velina and Sedore. So Mesaana had taught them. But where was Evanellein? Duhara had been gone for some time, Sheriam now heard, but Evanellein had gone missing only last night, after the Seanchan raid. Had she fled on purpose, being a stronger channeler, like Leesa and Kerryn from the camp? Even if the Tower Blacks had thought of that, it would not make sense to give up a Sitter's position beforehand, there were plenty of strong sisters who did not hold a position in the Hall. It was a sign that all was not well, and Sheriam's fears were confirmed when the Ajahs were called in, White first as it had been in the camp. Alviarin herself, the only one who knew all of the Black, was missing too!
With growing concern she watched as the Oath Rod was handed around the room, two Black sisters Sheriam knew accepting it, but then Yanine hurled it across the room and tried to open a gateway before she was seized and shielded. Two among the Green failed the test, one Yellow was seized, and four, four of the Gray! Then one from among the Brown and a full six of the Red. The final score was twenty-three missing -at least they were likely safe, for now- and fifteen captured. What had gone wrong?
Egwene quickly called judgment. By the time the last Ajah, the Red, had been tested on the Oath Rod, it was very late, and she ordered the Black sisters Stilled. In the morning they were to be briefly interrogated and then executed at High. However much it pained her, Sheriam did not dare argue, to argue was to risk all. So she kept her emotions under tight control, even when she, Moria, Sedore and Velina all had to take turns in the circles doing the Stilling.
The Warders of the captured sisters struggled and raged, but to no effect. All cursed at the sisters holding them wrapped in Air, none turned on the sister they were Bonded to. As the Stilling was done, the severed Bonds made little difference in their anger, except for Tarian, Kaya's Warder. An aging man who had been bonded to the Green for all his life, he collapsed when she was Stilled and the Yellow could not wake him. Still breathing but unconscious, he too was taken to a cot in the cells, where the Warders would be held until they could be interrogated and their allegiance could be determined. As if their rage was not enough. Sheriam had little doubt they would continue to support their sisters, even those who had not actually been a Friend of the Dark.
As soon as she could, she retired to her old room.
(Author's note: I realise this chapter was very, very much like the one in the series, but Egwene's 'prating' has to be included to get from the point of warning to the rest of the story, with only a few small changes. And I personally like Sheriam's thoughts I inserted :)).