Chapter Eight: First Lesson
Early morning had called her to wake up. Alessia was sitting up in the bed as the blue ajah still had her arms around her waist. She gently moved Moiraine's arms from her, trying not to wake the older woman up. She had been successful while slowly removing herself from the bed. It was just yesterday they had lost a sister. The camp was silent. Still asleep and still in mourning. Alessia didn't blame them. She quickly changed into the clothes the red ajah had given her. It was simple pants and a shirt. Putting her belt on to keep the pants from falling. Her boots were on next. She had brushed her hair out. It was now laying all wavy as she fought with it. Giving up at it was just hanging there now. Not even put up. She left the blue tent and looked around the camp. There was barely anyone outside to keep watch. Not that they needed it now since the only threat would be animals and bandits. Seeing no fire was lit yet. Alessia decided to take initiative and headed to the firepit. She knelt down onto her knees and placed the dried leaves and sticks in the center. Grabbing the flint as she used her dagger. It took her a few tries but managed to get it. Leaning down to gently blow on the small flame as it grew. She smiled at her handy work before standing up. Brushing off the dirt from her clothes.
"Nice." A voice spoke as she turned to see Tarna. Smiling at the woman and bowing at her. "You could have just used the One's Power to light it." She added.
"I don't know how. I don't want to risk anything." Alessia spoke as her friend nodded.
"You'll be learning a lot once we arrive. If someone is already wanting to teach you." Tarna was smirking at her. She raised a brow. "Come. There's a town nearby. I wanna check it out. Come with me?" Tarna asked. Alessia nodded.
"Yes, let me grab something first." She spoke. She turned her heels and went back into the blue tent. Moiraine was still asleep. Alessia quickly moved to her bag and grabbed her coin purse before tucking it into her belt and left.
She found Tarna mounted on a white horse. Alessia untied Spot and mounted him. Seeing the Aes Sedai all now waking up and circling the camp.
"Let's go." Tarna spoke as Alessia kicked Spot's side gently as he began a gallop after her friend. It was not five minutes before they arrived in town. It was a busy town.
"Look! Aes Sedai!" A little girl pointed to Tarna who smiled and nodded at the girl. The mother hushed the girl and pulled her away from them.
"Ah. There's a tavern here. The men would like to know about this." Her friend spoke. She knew why. Maybe having a drink or two would help ease their pain? She was looking around and spotted a clothes stand.
"I'll be right back. Don't go far." Tarna spoke as Alessia nodded. She went over to the clothes and looked through them. Smiling as she picked out an outfit she liked. Paying the woman a good few marks for them.
"Thank you Sedai." The woman spoke.
"Oh, I'm not a Sedai. Thank you." Alessia gave the woman a bow before she turned to pack the clothes onto her horse. She was looking around as her friend came back.
"Here. A present." She spoke. Alessia raised a brow as she was handed a gold item. "Here." Tarna took the gold item and placed it onto her ear. It was an earring. It clipped onto her skin tightly to make sure it didn't fall off.
"Thank you. I love it actually." She smiled at Tarna who laughed lightly. She then realized it was only the red ajah who had these. "Trying to convert me before I even make it to the Tower huh?" Alessia teased her friend who rolled her eyes.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." She laughed. "Strawberries!" Tarna had gasped as she dashed over to a fruit stall. Alessia was confused.
"What's a strawberry?" She asked as she followed. Seeing a red berry that had seeds on the outside.
"Oh, I can't afford those." Tarna frowned. Alessia raised a brow. They were perfectly grown berries. Apparently it was a delicacy across the country.
"How much?" Alessia had asked the man.
"Ten marks for a pound." He spoke without missing a beat.
"Holy light!" Alessia spoke. "I'll take four pounds!" She spoke while pulling out her coin purse.
"Alessia!" Tarna spoke as she quickly hid Alessia from sight while looking around. "You cannot wave that around." Her friend added.
"I'm not. I just want to get some of these to share with the others." She spoke while paying the man. She saw people eyeing her. The people decided the better of it by not messing with her due to an Aes Sedai being there with her. They had finished their tasks and mounted their horses again before leaving.
They were silent as they left the town and made their way back into the wooded area. There was laughter and a lot of chattering going on.
"Where did you get all of that?" Tarna finally asked as they hopped off of their horses.
"It was left to me after my father's passing." Alessia spoke softly. She frowned a little. She grabbed the strawberries and her clothes and made her way into the blue tent. Seeing Moiraine was finally awake. She was alone in the tent.
"Where did you go?" The woman in blue had asked.
"Town. With Tarna Sedai." Alessia replied. She set the items down and changed into her new clothes. Not knowing that Moiraine was watching her closely. She blushed and turned her back towards the older woman. She was now wearing black pants that fit better. A red long sleeve tunic that went past her waist a little. She put her belt around her waist outside the tunic. She felt better now. Her hair however was a different story. She went back to her bag and put her old clothes into it. Separating the strawberries into three different piles before wrapping them with a cloth. She handed one to Moiraine with a smile.
"A present." Alessia spoke as Moiraine smiled at her. Pulling her into a hug. Alessia returned the hug before heading out of the tent. She made her way over to the red tent. The red ajah she had yet to speak to nodded her head to allow her to enter. Alessia did see Liandrin and Tarna speaking and stopped quickly as they spotted her.
"I hope I am not intruding?" Alessia asked with a small frown.
"Not at all my flower. Come in." Liandrin spoke with a smile.
"Oh, I'm just dropping these off." Alessia spoke as she handed the red ajah a cloth that had strawberries. She could feel the blue eyes watching her. Taking in every inch of her look.
"Red looks good on you." Tarna spoke.
"Still trying huh?" Alessia asked with a smirk. Looking at her friend.
"Still do not know what you are talking about." Her friend returned the smirk and crossed her arms.
"Uh huh. Sure." Alessia rolled her eyes playfully.
"Ah! Strawberries." Liandrin spoke while taking a bite of one. "Mmm. Such deliciousness." The woman in red spoke. Alessia was watching Liandrin savor the taste of the berry. She couldn't help but watch with a smile. The woman's eyes were closed as she chewed the berry slowly to savor it.
"Want a bite?" Liandrin asked as she opened her eyes to see Alessia starring.
"No..I uh.. It's all.." She stuttered as she was then cut off as Liandrin had cut her off by putting a berry between her lips gently. Alessia had no choice but to take a bite. She couldn't help her cheeks flushing with heat again. Her eyes were staring right into Liandrin's blue eyes. Not moving an inch. She couldn't take her eyes off of the woman in red as she tasted the berry for the first time. The juice of the berry had rushed across her mouth as she tasted it. The sweet juiciness of the berry was definitely worth the price.
"Well." Tarna's voice brought her back to reality as she blinked a few times.
"I uh. I got to go!" Alessia spoke as she quickly left. Her heart raced against her chest again. It was such an intense feeling from there!
She had made her way over to the green tent where Alanna stayed. She let herself inside to see Alanna and Nynaeve speaking.
"Ah! Alessia! Come in! Come in!" Alanna shouted. Her arms raised up in a welcoming like motion.
"I brought a gift." Alessia spoke as she handed Alanna the rest of the strawberries. Knowing this woman would share with the rest.
"Strawberries! You are too kind my dear!" Alanna spoke as she took one berry to eat it.
"Mmm! So good! Please. Sit." Alanna spoke as she motioned to a pillow by her. Alessia did as she was asked and sat down. It was just in time as Moiraine had joined them. She sat down between Alanna and Alessia.
"Moiraine dear. Where did you find these two beauties?" Alanna asked softly while taking another bite of her strawberry. Moiraine only kept her silence.
"A secret huh? No worries. Now tell us. When did you first touch the Power?" Alanna had asked Alessia who only mumbled lightly.
"Nynaeve?" Her attention turned to the Wisdom this time.
"I um. Well. That was the first official time yesterday but I was able to listen to the wind before." Nynaeve spoke. They were all silent as Alanna offered Alessia a berry. She took it and ate it slowly. Her mind went back to the scene in the red tent. She then felt someone touch her hair. She blinked a few times when she focused again. Moiraine was putting her hair up like hers. Half way up. Nynaeve had stood up and bowed. Taking her leave.
"I think the yellow will go after her. She had the healing talent." Alanna spoke. "What about you dear? Tell me your story?" Alanna spoke. Alessia frowned a little and looked at the woman in blue. Moiraine nodded her head. Not letting go of Alessia's hair.
"It was the day after my tenth name day. I heard something crash from my bedroom. The maids were already gone from sight. It was late. I had ignored my father's words and left my bedroom. I went to his study and he was laying there across his desk. A knife plunged into his back. It was a white dagger. I didn't know better at the time. I tried waking him up." Alessia spoke. She felt her eyes sting at this. Moiraine had finished her hair.
"He was dead. Then that is when I realized it. He was gone. My only family left. I screamed and cried. Not knowing what was happening. It happened like Nynaeve's. I had this white orb over me as it exploded all around me, Destroying my home in the process. That's the first time I touched the One's Power." Alessia spoke.
"To touch it so young." Alanna spoke softly. Alessia shook her head and got up and left the tent. Hearing a protest from Alanna her eyes caught the red ajah's. She turned away and left.
Alessia had found a spot in the wooded area not far from camp. There was the river down by her feet. She was standing as her eyes were scanning across the bank of the river. Her arms cross. She didn't fight the tears this time. Hearing footsteps, she quickly wiped them away. Turning to see Liandrin standing by her.
"You alright my flower?" Liandrin asked in a tone she had never heard before. It was a caring or loving tone. She wasn't used to it. She nodded her head and sighed a little.
"What happened there?" The older woman asked. Pulling Alessia close in her arms.
"Alanna Sedai asked Nynaeve and myself when the first time we touched the Power." Alessia spoke softly.
"And?" The woman in red asked.
"I was ten Liandrin Sedai. Ten years old. I found my father dead and it triggered it." Alessia spoke.
"This memory pains you?" She asked. Alessia scoffed and nodded her head.
"I'm tired of it. I am tired of being a weak and helpless girl who cannot defend herself. I want to be strong. Like the Aes Sedai and protect those I care about." Alessia spoke in a serious tone. It was a new feeling she had. Feeling her waist squeezed before letting go. Liandrin had stepped to the side. She was weaving. Gold threads. Alessia took a step back. The woman had weaved a small fireball. She was holding onto it. Giving Alessia a look she had never seen before. Fear was hitting her inside.
"Block my attacks." Liandrin spoke. Feeling a rush of heat fly past her and hit the ground nearby. She gasped and looked at the women.
"You took oaths!" Alessia shouted.
"My intention is not hurting you. Now block me!" Liandrin shouted as she weaved another one. Alessia did not know what she was doing! She weaved air from around her. Feeling her chest tighten as she weaved a weak shield. Just in time to block Liandrin's fire.
"Good. Again!" The woman in red instructed. Alessia weaved again. This time her movements were more firm. The shield she weaved up was stronger. There was a presence. Moiraine was watching from a distance. She was out of sight and they did not spot her.
"Now hold it!" Liandrin spoke. The look was on her face still. She meant business. Alessia grunted as fire was pounded against her shield. The red ajah had thrown only a few at her as Alessia felt her weave fall. Feeling the power wearing her down as she was now catching her breath.
"The Red Ajah are known for their shields for protection. Not only for each other but to prevent others from using it." Liandrin explained as Alessia gasped. Falling to her knees. Liandrin had weaved a shield. Covering Alessia with it.
"You can feel the One's Power but cannot touch it. Making you angry?" She asked. Alessia was grunting. She couldn't use it! "Use that anger!" The woman shouted. Alessia shouted. She weaved a copy of the red's and used it. Breaking out of the shield. Liandrin was now smirking at her. Alessia felt the sweat on her forehead again. Watching the older woman move closer to her as Alessia backed up a little. On alert. How could she let her guard down?!
"My flower. I did not do this to hurt you. I did this to prepare you. You wanted to learn. You've told me ever since you were little." Liandrin took Alessia's hand into her own and intertwined their fingers. Alessia had melted at her touch. Feeling the strong arms of the older woman pull her close. Sitting down as they leaned against a tree.
"Ever since you were little. You told me many times over. All you ever wanted was to become an Aes Sedai. Now here you are. On your way." Liandrin whispered into Alessia's ear. She shivered at the tone the woman in red spoke in her ear. They had stayed like that for a few moments as Alessia finally caught her breath. Her head still felt heavy at the closeness of the older woman.
"Stay with me tonight. Share my bed." Liandrin spoke. It wasn't a question. It was an invitation.
"Do I need to keep my guard up?" Alessia asked. Giving the woman a look. Hearing a chuckle as Alessia felt her cheeks cupped by both of the older woman's hands.
"You should never feel like that with me." She spoke softly as it made Alessia melt again. She was staring into the blue eyes she had come to love again. Nodding her head lightly.
"Good. Come. We should get something to eat." Liandrin spoke as well. They both stood up while brushing off the dirt from sitting on the ground. They began to head back. Alessia felt her hand brush against the older woman's hand and felt her cheeks heat up again. 'Why?' She asked herself. What on earth was she even feeling?! The woman in red took her hand and squeezed it. They held hands only for a few moments before letting go as they reached back to the camp.
"Ah! Alessia. Come dear." Moiraine's voice was heard from the green tent. Alessia looked over and saw the woman in blue. She headed over to her and followed inside. Alanna was talking to her warder before he left.
"Ah! Alessia!" She shouted. Alessia winced at this. Was this how it was going to be every time she faced the green ajah?
"Alanna Sedai." Alessia bowed to the woman again before taking a seat. She was handed a plate. There was meat on it this time.
"We were blessed today!" Alanna spoke. Alessia ate in silence. Listening to the two Sedai talk as Alanna was snacking on fruit again after finishing her plate.
"So, did you enjoy dinner?" Alanna had asked as Alessia nodded. She gave a small smile as someone took her plate.
"Come with me." Moiraine spoke.
"Until next time you little beauty!" Alanna chuckled as Alessia raised her brow at the woman in green before following the blue ajah out. Moiraine seemed to be in no hurry as they slowly made their way to the blue tent. Nynaeve was sparring with Lan. She was using a sword. Alessia was watching them for a moment before feeling her arm gently grabbed as she was pulled away. Moiraine had led her back into the tent. Seeing a single candle on the table.
"I want you to light this candle. Watch." Moiraine spoke. Alessia's eyes were now focused on Moiraine. The way this woman moved caused a stir inside of her. The elegance she had when she weaved. Seeing the candle light up as Moiraine finished.
"When you weave, you are weaving threads of the elements you are using. You must find the element you want and weave it to you." Moiraine explained. She managed to find the heat nearby. She copied the weave perfectly. Lighting the candle a little harsher.
"You saw the weave once and already mastered it." Moiraine spoke. "Try again." The woman spoke. She was now standing behind Alessia. She moved her hands to circle them. Creating the weave again. The next thing she knew, Moiraine had moved her hair to the side and kissed her neck softly. Causing Alessia to lose her concentration.
"What are you doing?" She turned to face the woman in blue.
"You must learn to weave without distractions." Moiraine replied. Her blue eyes staring right into Alessia's ocean blue eyes.
"I can't do this." Alessia spoke as she attempted to leave. Feeling her arm grabbed and pulled back.
"I intend to train you and that is what I am going to do." Moiraine spoke.
"I'm not a Novice ye!" Alessia spoke back. Her voice was rising.
"No, but it's better to be prepared. We are still a long way from the Tower." Moiraine had warned. She wasn't wrong. Who knew what would happen between then and there. Alessia nodded. She began her weave again. This time Moiraine's hands were trailing down her arms. Her fingertips gave her goosebumps. Lighting the candle again this time. She smiled at her work.
"Good. We'll try a new weave tomorrow. Go rest for now." Moiraine spoke as Alessia nodded. She quickly left the blue tent while red faced.
Alessia found Nynaeve sitting by the fire next to Lan as they were snacking on the strawberries as Alessia joined them. Looking into the fire.
"Thank you for these." Her friend spoke. Alessia smiled and nodded at the Wisdom.
"You know. Won't hurt to learn sword fighting." Nynaeve spoke.
"She knows how." Lan added.
"Really?" Nynaeve asked as Alessia nodded.
"Egwene's father taught me. Said I should be knighted." Alessia spoke as the two laughed at this. Alessia chuckled lightly at this. This was nice. Just not having to worry about anything at the moment.
"I also said she should become a warder if she couldn't channel." Lan added as Nynaeve laughed again at this.
"Women cannot become warders." She spoke. Lan smiled and stood up.
"I am going to take a watch. Get warmed up." Lan spoke as they nodded. Watching the man leave. Alessia was watching her friend. Nynaeve had this look on her face. It made her raise brow in question.
"What?" Her friend asked. Alessia jumped and waved her hands.
"Nothing!" She chuckled.
"So, women can be warders? Next thing I know men can be channelers." Nynaeve spoke. Liandrin was not far from them. Listening to them talk.
"Actually thousands of years ago known as the Age of Legends, men were channelers. They were known to be stronger than the women." Alessia spoke.
"Wait. Men went crazy though." Nynaeve spoke.
"Not back then. You see. Before the breaking of the world by the former Dragon Reborn, men could channel. Women had warders that were women as well. It's still like today but not as common. Very rare. Anyways. There were two power sources that both men and women could pull from." Alessia was explaining. She could feel the blue eyes watching her from the red ajah. This caused her heart to race again as she had a small claw at the side of her stomach forming.
"Saidin, the male side and saidar, the female side. Men were powerful but women were able to link together to take down anyone. No matter how powerful they were. Now, since the Dragon broke the world, the men's side was known to be cursed. Any man who could channel would only be able to channel from the saidar. Hence them going insane. That's when the Aes Sedai decided it would be a better fate to gentle them. Taking the power to spare them from killing the ones they loved first. Though that took a dark turn as they would always end up taking their own lives." Alessia spoke in a matter of fact voice. She knew this lesson well since her former teacher pounded it into her head.
"So, the red Aes Sedai would just travel the world to gentle the men?" Nynaeve asked. "Sounds too much." She added.
"No. Only in our country. Other countries have other ways of dealing with it. The one in the far south would send their men who could channel up to the Blight to fight off as much as they could and were encouraged to burn themselves out." Alessia added. Nynaeve sighed and shook her head.
"Sometimes I hate how much knowledge you have from this kind of thing." Her friend spoke. Alessia frowned.
"No. I meant it in a good way. I can trust you to tell me the truth." She spoke as she was glaring at someone. Alessia followed her friend's line of sight and caught Liandrin watching them with a smile before leaving.
"You should probably stay away from that one." Nynaeve spoke. Alessia raised a brow at this. "I see the way she looks at you. Waiting to get her claws in you or something." Her friend spoke as Alessia chuckled.
"I highly doubt it." She spoke.
"I wouldn't. Just. Stay away from her. She is a snake. I can feel it." the Wisdom added. Alessia frowned at this.
"You don't like any of the Aes Sedai." Alessia spoke.
"I like that green one. Alanna I think is her name." Nynaeve spoke. "I don't like the red one and Moiraine I still don't trust." She added. Alessia felt her heart sting. What would her friend think about her then?
"Alessia. Let's let the others know about the town." Tarna's voice came from behind her. She nodded and stood up. Following her new friend as she motioned for Nynaeve to follow. She did. They had entered the large green tent that belonged to Alanna. All the Aes Sedai were inside with their warders. Alessia was standing in the back as Nynaeve made her way over to Lan and sat next to him. Alessia took a seat as well. Alanna was singing a song as her warders were playing the instruments. Alessia was swaying a little side to side in tune to the song. Feeling her hand gently grabbed and her fingers intertwined. Looking over to see Liandrin holding her hand again. Looking back to Alanna as all attention was on her. The song was beautiful. About the mother of the earth. Hearing her children calling to her. Once she was finished, everyone applauded. Alessia was among the louder ones.
"Now now. Alessia and I have found somewhere I think you all will be interested in going to." Tarna spoke as Alessia felt her cheeks turn red as faces turned to look at her. She frowned at the absence of the red ajah's hand from her own.
"Well?" Alanna had asked.
"There's a tavern in the town." Alessia spoke as a few of the warders cheered. The night was still young.
"Let's get drunk!" Stepin shouted as the others cheered. Hearing laughter as they made their way out of the tent. It seemed they were moving camp to the town as they packed up. Alessia went around camp to help anyone who needed or wanted it. She was avoiding both of the Aes Sedai that gave her a lesson today. Tonight, everyone would be resting tonight inside some walls where it was safe. Assuming there was plenty of room. Some people would have to share. Not that she minded it at all. Once everything was packed up, Alessia helped put the fire out. She mounted her horse Spot. Feeling someone mount Spot behind her. Arms sliding around her waist.
"Don't mind if I ride with you?" It was Liandrin. Alessia shook her head and smiled. Her eyes caught Moiraine. There was a look on the woman's face that she didn't like. It made her feel awful. She clicked her tongue to get Spot moving as they followed the others following the trail to the town. She could feel a warm breath against her neck as they rode in the early night. Arriving into the town not long after. Seeing the townsfolk whisper among themselves as they parted. Allowing them to enter. Alessia dismounted Spot as did Liandrin. Tying him to the post with the others as they entered the tavern.
"We have just enough rooms for you folks if you share up." The barkeeper spoke.
"We'll take rooms in between." Alanna spoke as Alessia was looking around. Seeing faces watch them just as she did when Moiraine had first come to the Two Rivers.
"You and I are sharing." Nynaeve spoke as she handed Alessia the key. They slipped away from the crowd. Seeing two single beds in the room. She sat down on one and set her bag down. Looking out the window as there were kids running around.
"This town must be safe for children to be awake and running around." Nynaeve spoke.
"It's because of the Aes Sedai." Alessia said back. "Let's get a drink." She added as her friend smiled and nodded. They headed back down the stairs to see the others spread out talking to the townsfolk or to each other. Alessia and Nynaeve found a table in the corner.
"Um. Just a beer please." Nynaeve spoke as the waitress smiled and looked at Alessia.
"Um. Mead?" She asked as a small chuckle came from her before she left. It was not long as songs broke out across the tavern. Alessia was listening in as she took a drink from her mug. Coughing at the burning sensation she had gotten.
"Have you never had mead?" Nynaeve asked as she shook her head. "Why did you order it then?" She laughed as Alessia shrugged her shoulders. She wanted to try something new this time. Moiraine and Lan had joined them. Nynaeve let out a sigh as if their night had ended badly.
"Heard you did good today with your first lesson." Lan started the conversation. Alessia nodded her head lightly. Feeling her hand under the table taken. Moiraine was now the one holding her hand.
"What did Liandrin want this morning with you?" Moiraine asked lightly only she heard.
"She wanted to teach me the shield of air." Alessia spoke softly.
"You need to stay away from her." Moiraine spoke. Alessia looked at the woman in blue and removed her hand. "I mean it." She added.
"Why?" Alessia asked.
"She's not to be trusted." Moiraine added. Their eyes were locked with each other.
"And I can trust you?" Alessia asked in response. The woman in blue only gave silence as her answer. Alessia scoffed and shook her head. Moiraine had left the table to retire.
"She's only looking out for you, she cares about you greatly." Lan spoke to her.
"I can take care of myself." Alessia spoke as she finished her mead. Paying the waitress for their drinks plus a tip. Her night had ended.
Her eyes found the red ajah's before heading up the stairs. She went to her own room and changed into her night wear. Stuffing her clothes back into her bag. Brushing her hair out before braiding it into a single long braid. Tying the red string around inside of the braid as well. Making it look nice. She sighed while leaving the room. She turned to see Liandrin standing in her room doorway. Alessia felt her foot automatically leading her towards the woman in red. The door was closed behind once she entered the room. The two looked at each. Not exchanging any words as Alessia was led to Liandrin's bed. Crawling into the older woman's arms under the covers. She had completely melted again.
"Tarna is in the other bed." Liandrin spoke. Alessia nodded her head lightly. "What happened?" She asked. She already knew something was bothering her.
"Moiraine told me to stay away from you. As did Nynaeve." Alessia spoke. Hearing a chuckle.
"You can't help it. We're drawn to each other." The red ajah spoke. Alessia wondered what she meant by this. "Was that all?"
"No, they said you cannot be trusted." Alessia added. Feeling Liandrin's arm gently rubs her back. Sending waves of goosebumps across her body. She avoided eye contact. Still trying to figure out what her body was trying to tell her. It was confusing. Liandrin had a bigger effect on her than Moiraine did.
"Do you trust me?" Liandrin had asked.
"You haven't given me a reason not to." Alessia replied as she yawned lightly. Feeling a kiss upon her forehead as she turned to face the wall. It seemed Liandrin had done the same as her arm was wrapped across Alessia's waist. Holding her close. The way she was holding Alessia felt like it was protective. It made her heart swell at the feeling. Blushing as she pushed the thoughts away. She was going to have to have a word with Alanna about these feelings. It was confusing her and it was becoming a bit too much. For now, her own body was tired from the day. Using the power for the first time in her control had worn her out. Maybe in the days to come, she will get better. Feeling a warm breath against her neck had told her that her favorite Sedai had fallen asleep and she would be following not long after.