Chapter Fifteen: First Day
Alessia mumbled a little white shifting in her sleep. She could feel arms around her. Holding her tightly and protectively. She inhaled the familiar scent. She smiled while her eyes were still closed.
"My flower." Liandrin's voice carried softly through the silence. Her eyes fluttered open as she looked up. Seeing the woman in red smiling at her. "Time to wake up. You have chores today." Liandrin spoke as Alessia shook her head and rested it upon Liandrin's chest.
"Few more minutes?" Alessia had asked. Feeling her back rubbed gently. She just wanted to stay in bed with her favorite Sedai.
"No my dear. You signed your name. It is time to start your journey." Her cheeks were cupped by the older woman so she could look at her. All she did was smile and nodded her head. She stood up and stretched as Liandrin hugged her from behind. "Get dressed. I'll do your hair." The woman in red spoke as Alessia nodded. She pulled out the other white dress before changing. Not caring that Liandrin was watching her. A slight blush rose on Alessia's cheeks before she finished. Looking to the side as her hair was done and put up. It was braided much like the other red ajah's hairs.
"You have an earpiece?" Liandrin asked as Alessia's eyes went wide.
"I forgot about it. Tarna gave it to me. A few days after we found the camp when Moiraine Sedai was wounded." Alessia spoke as she reached up to touch her ear. "Will you hold onto it if it's not allowed?" Alessia asked as the woman in red nodded her head. Taking the gold earring from her ear and pocketing it.
"You'll get it back once you take up the shawl." Liandrin spoke. Kissing Alessia's cheek before stepping back.
"You sound so sure of it." Alessia smiled as she turned to smile at her favorite Sedai. She felt her hands taken and squeezed.
"I am going to do everything I can to train you and prepare you. You will become an Aes Sedai." Liandrin spoke as Alessia smiled. "Come. It's dawn." With that, they left her room.
Liandrin disappeared as Alessia heard her name called. She turned and smiled. Seeing Nynaeve and Egwene both walking up to her with a smile.
"Shall we get to it then?" Egwene asked as Nynaeve sighed. Alessia nodded and took the lead. They left the Novice quarters and made their way down to the kitchens where they would spend most of their time there. Hearing the voice of Alanna in there.
"Ah! Welcome to the three of you! Nice of you to finally join us!" Alanna spoke while pulling Alessia into a hug.
"Alanna Sedai. Always a pleasure." Alessia spoke as she bowed to the woman in green after the hug. It seemed all the other Aes Sedai were wondering when the three of them would finally join the White Tower. Being the hot topic was not something she was going to be looking forward to.
"Now, we have enough Novices to do each floor of the Tower. Egwene, you have the green floor. Nynaeve you have yellow. And Alessia, you have red. Be sure to knock and wait for an answer. If there is no answer, go back to the room later." Alanna spoke while handing them each a bucket to collect dishes. Alessia smiled with a bow as she took the bucket. "Get to it!" Alanna ordered as they bowed and left. Collecting dishes didn't seem so bad. She quickly moved out of the kitchens and followed up the stairs pathway. There was more red ajah than any of the other colors. 'Maybe they keep themselves in check?' Alessia thought before knocking on the first door.
"Come in." It was the voice of Melinda. Alessia let herself in and bowed with a smile.
"Ah! Liandrin's flower!" Melinda spoke.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Alessia asked with a smile. She was being polite. She was grabbing the plates and cups as she placed them into her bucket.
"Well. Just something she said a while ago. You're also Moiraine's prodigy right?" The woman in red asked. Alessia shrugged her shoulders. This gave her a raised brow before Melinda placed a cup into her basket.
"Just be careful of the blues." Melinda spoke as Alessia nodded and bowed again. She left and went back to her route. She came upon the last door and knocked. Her heart was racing for some reason.
"Come in." The oh so voice she loved to hear. She opened the door and closed it behind her.
"Liandrin Sedai." Alessia smiled and bowed. Seeing the woman in red dropping her dishes into the bucket. It was now heavy. The sun was already in the sky. She had been at this for a while now. Their eyes locked as Alessia smiled. It was returned when Liandrin cupped her cheek and patted it before taking her leave. Alessia held her breath as she turned and left the room.
She was almost skipping down the stairs when it hit her. The sharp pain of a knife stabbing her in the chest over and over again. Alessia cried out in pain. Clutching her chest as she fell onto the stairs. Grabbing the rail to prevent herself from falling down the stairs. She bit her wrist to keep her voice from carrying down the stairs in echoes. The pain was intense. She tried to breathe through it as her eyes were watering. 'Moiraine.' Alessia spoke in her mind. The woman in blue flooded her thoughts. The intimate time they shared together. The closeness they had. The first time she held Moiraine's hand into her own during Bel Tine. When she held the woman close as her life was slipping away from the Trolloc poison. It was as if her heart was reminding her of the times she was with Moiraine. The love she felt from the woman pierced her heart with another stabbing pain. Alessia cried out while biting her wrist. So hard that she pierced her skin. The pain had slowly subsided as she caught her breath. Wiping her eyes as she stood up. Fixing herself before heading back to the kitchen. Her head was hanging down as her eyes never left the floor. She entered the kitchen to set the bucket onto the table to wash the dishes.
"You're bleeding." Egwene's voice spoke as Alanna grabbed her arm.
"Must have been from the dishes. It happens very often. Come." Alanna spoke while wrapping a towel around her wrist and held her arm above her head to keep the blood from flowing to it. She followed the woman in green behind her as they left the kitchen. She realized where Alanna was taking her. Yellow floor. It was the healing ajah's floor. Hearing voices as she looked around.
"Pay no attention to them dear." Alanna spoke as she opened the door. There were several beds. One girl was laying on the bed to her far right. A blank stare on her face as her eyes were red as if she was crying. Alessia frowned at the girl. She looked at the woman in yellow and then frowned again. There was another woman there that she did not want to see. It was Liandrin. It seemed this woman knew exactly where she was all the time.
"What happened to Alessia?" Liandrin's voice was full of concern.
"Never mind you Liandrin Sedai. It's merely a cut." Alanna spoke as the yellow ajah took her arm and removed the rag. Seeing the bite marks but did not ask questions. Alanna was oblivious to the wounds as she was in conversation with the woman in yellow. Liandrin on the other hand saw. Their eyes locked as Alessia turned to look away. She knew that the woman in red knew. Feeling a warm sensation in her wrist as the wounds healed and no scar was left.
"Thank you." Alessia bowed to the woman in yellow who nodded with a returned smile.
"Back to the kitchen with you." Alanna ordered as Alessia nodded with a bow. She turned and left. She made her way down the stairs as a hand grabbed her shoulder. She nearly jumped as she felt it.
"Did one already happen?" Liandrin asked as Alessia nodded.
"When I was going down the stairs as well." Alessia replied softly. She felt the older woman pull her into a tight hug.
"I wish I knew when they would trigger so I could be there. Next time, come straight to me." Liandrin spoke as Alessia nodded. She felt the woman in red kiss her forehead before taking her leave again.
She made it back into the kitchen as the other Novices had finished their chores and left for the day. She was alone with Nynaeve who was sighing.
"You alright?" Alessia asked as her friend jumped. Nodding with a small laugh,
"Yeah. Just didn't think we would be doing chores." Nynaeve spoke as Alessia nodded. She began to wash her dishes as Nynaeve joined her. "You don't have to help." Alessia spoke as her friend nudged her shoulder.
"You got hurt. Not your fault. Besides, Alanna said if we have time before dinner, she would show us a weave." Nynaeve spoke. This made Alessia pick up the pace and do the dishes quickly. It was fifteen minutes later when they had finished. She and Nynaeve left the kitchens quickly. Making their way to the garden on the ground floor. Seeing Alanna speaking as she nodded at the arrival of them.
"Now, I am going to teach you all how to do a very simple weave called Heating." Alanna spoke as small glass cups were handed to each of them. Alessia held the cup in her hand. Water was poured into it. Her eyes went back to the battle ajah who was smiling and waiting.
"Now. You grab a weave of fire and carefully heat the water in your cup." Alanna spoke as she used a single hand to grab threads of fire as she placed her hand under the cup. Seeing steam rise from it. Alessia smiled at the sight. "If you do not control your weave with the fire, you can and will burn yourself. Or, you can make your cup shatter. It will take a few tries to get it." Alanna spoke as she went around watching the other Novices try. There were some shouting from burning and some cups shattering in hands. There were only burn wounds but were not serious. Alessia felt eyes on her. She knew who they belonged to. She wanted to make the woman proud. When Alanna got to her, they looked into each other's eyes as she nodded. Alessia easily called the Power to her. Closing her eyes as she felt the slowly leave the palm of her hand and into the cup. The water was now steaming. She had done it on the first try and perfectly.
"I see why Moiraine was eager to bring you here." Alanna smiled. The woman in green left and went to help the others in the lesson. Alessia turned and saw the blue eyes on her. Liandrin had her head held high with a smirk on the corner of her lips. Alessia turned away quickly as a blush rose in her cheeks. She felt pride in her chest. Seeing the other Novices leave as Egwene sighed. It took her several tries to get it down and when she did, her cup shattered. Nynaeve flat out refused to do any weaving and left to do extra chores.
"You have to teach me how you do it." Egwene spoke as Alessia grabbed her plate of food.
"Huh?" She asked as she stuffed her face. It was the first time she was eating. She pressed a finger to her lips as some of the Aes Sedai had entered the dining room. They were not allowed to speak. So, they ate quickly and left. They went back to the gardens and sat down. Pulling weeds from the flowers. They were using this time to discuss the lesson.
"How did you do it?" Egwene asked as Alessia hummed. Thinking of how to put it into words.
"Well, it just came to me. Fire is not something you should play with so I guided it calmly through my threads into my hand." Alessia spoke softly. Remembering the heat sensation in her threads to her hand.
"And that Alessia, is exactly right." A voice spoke as they jumped. Tarna was standing behind them.
"Tarna Sedai! I didn't hear you come up." Alessia spoke as she stood up and bowed. Egwene did the same thing.
"This is Egwene?" Tarna asked as her friend nodded. "Weird how you all came from the same place." Tarna spoke as she circled them while her hands folded behind her back.
"What do you mean Tarna Sedai?" Egwene asked as the woman in red stopped and looked her into the eyes. Alessia gulped.
"You three are strong. All three from the Two Rivers." Tarna spoke. "Why?" She asked.
"Moiraine said that it was because the old blood runs deep there." Alessia spoke.
"It's Moiraine Sedai to you or have you forgotten?" Tarna rounded on her. Alessia shook her head quickly and bowed again. "Didn't think so." With that, Tarna had left them two alone. Egwene sighed with relief as they finished pulling the weeds. Putting the wild grass they pulled into a compost bin before washing their hands and left for the Novice quarters. They found Nynaeve in her room as they sat down on the floor. Egwene had closed the door.
"How can you use the Power after what happened?" Nynaeve asked, looking at them.
"What do you mean?" Alessia asked.
"We almost died!" Nynaeve shouted.
"Using the One's Power is dangerous! That is why we are here. Under the eyes of the Aes Sedai. So we can use it correctly." Alessia replied. Nynaeve sighed and sat on her bed. Egwene joined her and hugged her left arm as Alessia to her right.
"We have to do this." Egwene spoke softly. "For Rand. For our families and loved ones." Egwene added. Alessia nodded in agreement. She did not have a family to fight for, but she did have loved ones to fight for. She squeezed Nynaeve's hand into her own before standing up.
"Let's make a promise to each other." Egwene spoke as she stood up. Alessia looked at her friend as did Nynaeve.
"A promise?" Alessia asked as Egwene nodded.
"We are in this together. We help each other. We become the new type of Aes Sedai." Egwene spoke. Alessia gave it a thought. She had told herself that she wanted to be the Aes Sedai that blurred the lines between the colors because love was a more powerful thing. She nodded and touched Egwene's outreached hand as did Nynaeve. They looked at each other before hugging together. How she loved these two. Her best friends. Here with her on this journey.
"We should get to bed. Classes tomorrow." Nynaeve spoke. They nodded and left.
Alessia quickly brushed her hair and put it half way up before running out of her room. The sun was already up. She missed breakfast but she didn't care. She would be the first to arrive into the classroom and smiled.
"Sheriam Sedai." Alessia spoke with a bow to the woman in blue who nodded her head. She took a seat in the middle. The others began to arrive. Once everyone was there Alessia realized there were only six of them. Her eyes then saw one of each color of the ajah come in and take a seat in the back of the room. Liandrin was there for the red. She smiled at the woman who returned it. She turned her eyes back up front.
"Welcome to your first lesson for Old Tongue." Sheriam spoke as she wrote on the blackboard. Alessia saw they had some paper in front of them with each having their own bottle of ink and quill.
"Who can tell me what Aes Sedai mean?" Sheriam asked while turning to look at them. No one raised their hand. Alessia raised hers half way. Sheriam nodded at her.
"Servants of All." Alessia replied.
"Correct. Does anyone know any Old Tongue in this room?" Sheriam asked as Alessia raised her hand yet again.
"Sa souvraya niednde misain ye." Alessia spoke. This had gotten some small laughs from behind her from the others as Sheriam gave her a smile. She could feel a pair of eyes on her as she felt pride again. She had no idea why she wanted to make her favorite Sedai proud.
"Ah. I agree. Aren't we all?" She asked as Alessia nodded her head with a smile.
"What did you say?" Nynaeve asked while looking at her friend. Alessia only shrugged while taking notes down on the things she did not know.
"Kiserai ti Wansho." Sheriam had spoken. There were confused looks as Alessia only smiled at the woman in blue. "How do you respond?" She asked, looking at Alessia.
"Ninte calichniye no domashite." Alessia responded.
"Which translates into?" Sheriam asked while looking around the class. No one responded.
"Your welcome warms me." Alessia replied. Sheriam nodded.
"Alessia, you may leave class. I have nothing to teach you here." Sheriam spoke. Alessia stood up and bowed to the woman before taking her leave.
She was wandering the halls since she did not have chores to do. She came upon singing. She stopped and peeked into the classroom. There were no Novices in there. A couple Accepteds and a few Aes Sedai of different colors. Alanna was leading them. They were singing in Old Tongue. Alessia smiled while listening to them. Their harmony was beautiful as they sang together in sync. Hearing a voice clear, Alessia jumped. Realizing Alanna was looking at her.
"Come in Alessia." Alessia stepped into the room and bowed.
"I didn't mean to interrupt Alanna Sedai." Alessia bowed to her.
"Nonsense! You're supposed to be in Old Tongue class?" Alanna asked as Alessia shook her head.
"No, Sheriam Sedai said she had nothing left to teach me since I was the only one who answered her in class." Alessia spoke as Alanna laughed before directing Alessia to a chair and handed her some paper. There were notes and words on it.
La Bhadi, Sor ta'ing
Obiyar isain en shain
Soende mashi'dai
Am'illar isain Ishar
Nor far din sor ta'ing
Obiyar isain en shain
Soende mashi'dai
Obiyar isain Ishar
The words caught in Alessia's throat as she stopped singing. She had let the others take the lead and sing through the song. They were singing about the Flame. Flame of Tar Valon. The Amyrlin Seat. She frowned. How can someone live a life without love? Alessia couldn't imagine that. The world needed more of it. They had finished singing and left. Alessia blinked a few times to realize she was alone in the room with Alanna.
"Oh. Sorry." Alessia spoke up as she bowed.
"It's easy to get lost into music." Alanna spoke with a smile. Alessia nodded her head in agreement. She felt the woman in green rub her shoulder before taking her leave. Alessia followed suit but found herself back in the gardens.
"Alright there Alessia?" Tarna's voice came as Alessia smiled and bowed to her friend. "Come. Let's see how your shields are." Tarna spoke as she motioned her head. Telling Alessia to follow her. She did. They were going down the stairs. She was confused. She had never seen this part of the Tower. They came into the basement room. It was rather large. Tarna knocked on a door. She said a phrase she did not hear. The door opened as she entered. Alessia followed. Her eyes went wide as she saw a huge room! It was empty. It was like the size of a large field or arena. There were several reds paired up. They were dueling each other using the One's Power? Alessia raised a brow and looked at Tarna.
"Here we practice fighting each other using the One's Power." Tarna explained as Alessia nodded. She was the only Novice in the room. There were only reds there.
"Shield up." Tarna spoke as she stood in front of Alessia. She nodded. Closing her eyes to allow the power to flow through her. She moved her hands to weave the air around her. Her palms opened as her hands were raised up to her hip level. A shimmer of a shield was now in front of her. Tarna smirked. She quickly and accurately weaved her hands. She weaved threads of fire. Aiming at Alessia and shooting at her shield. It shattered. Alessia staggered and raised the shield again. This time it was strong.
"Hold!" Tarna ordered her. There were eyes upon them now. She gulped and nodded. She pushed the power a little more as it did not shatter this time from the heat.
"Good. Now. Push the shield out. How far can you get it?" Tarna asked. Alessia raised a brow before taking a deep breath.
"Shielding are we?" Liandrin's voice came.
"A little. Seeing how far I can push her." Tarna was still smirking.
"Hmm." A small chuckle came from her favorite Sedai. It seemed the class was over. Hers had just started. Alessia pushed her chest out a bit more as a dome was created. Her eyes went wide and smiled.
"Push! Harder!" Tarna shouted at her. She jumped and nodded. Pulling in more weaves of air. Her shield was growing slowly around them. Hearing soft whispers from the reds. Alessia closed her eyes and inhaled. Letting the Power guide her. Opening her eyes and shouted. Pushing the shield as far as she could. Hearing gasps as she looked around. She had covered the entire arena like area.
"Interesting." Tarna spoke. She did a weave Alessia had never seen before. She felt a sharp pain as she grunted and fell to the ground. She could not move. Her shield had broken and fell.
"What did you do?" Alessia asked.
"I merely stunned you." Tarna replied with a smirk. She released her weave as Alessia stood back up. Brushing the dirt off and glared at Tarna. "Hey don't give me that look."
"Teach me." Was all Alessia could say.
"There's my flower." Liandrin spoke. It went silent as some of the reds looked worried and some looked happy. Alessia was standing tall and proud as her chest was out. Her arms to her side as her hands balled into fists. Determination was shone in her eyes. She wanted to learn. Liandrin was standing not far from her as her arms were crossed. Head held high with a smirk.
"Unfortunately Novices are not allowed to learn this weave." Tarna replied. Alessia frowned at this. "She's ready." Tarna spoke before leaving. Alessia watched her friend go before leaving herself as well. Feeling the eyes of the red ajah on her as she did.
She wanted to know how to do the weave. She was pacing back and forth in her room. Classes had ended that day and she already did her chores for the day. She then left her room. She still had time before curfew. She left the Novice quarters and wandered the halls. Making her way onto the other side of the Tower. She heard grunting as she looked down. There were two men fighting with swords. She stood there and watched them. Not knowing there were a pair of eyes on her. Feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, she looked up. Across from her was the woman in red. Her favorite Sedai. She was watching her. Alessia smiled at Liandrin who nodded at her. Returning the smile. Seeing the woman make her way over to her.
"What are you doing out?" Liandrin asked with a smile. By the light. That smile. It made her heart melt. Alessia looked back down to the men fighting.
"I was heading to the library. Wanted to do some research on weaving." Alessia spoke while she felt an arm slide around her waist. This made her smile and lean against the woman in red.
"When you got excused from class today. I couldn't be more proud of you for knowing Old Tongue. Many Aes Sedai are still learning as well." Liandrin spoke. Alessia smiled at this.
"You?" Alessia asked.
"I am well in it. We were there today pretty much scouting the Novices out. I hate to say it but you are on top of a lot of their lists." Liandrin spoke. Squeezing Alessia in her arm.
"What do you mean?" Alessia raised a brow.
"The others want you in their colors." Liandrin explained. 'Oh.' Alessia mouthed. "They cannot do anything until you are an Accepted. Once you are, you will be spending time with each color and see how they work." The woman in red added. Alessia nodded her head at this.
"I still have a long way to go before then." Alessia spoke.
"Do you though?" Liandrin asked. Their eyes met and there was a smirk upon the woman's face. This made her heart flutter. 'Wait what?' Alessia thought. 'What did she mean by that?' She asked herself before quickly looking away as she realized she was starring. Liandrin was still looking at her. Trying to catch her eyes.
"I have much left to learn." Alessia then spoke.
"You are the fastest learner we have ever had. Well. Almost. There are a few in the past that had learned rather quickly." The woman in red spoke as she then looked down to the men and gave a disgusted look at this. This caused Alessia to giggle before covering her mouth quickly. She had never giggled like that before. 'What are you? Twelve?!' Alessia snapped at herself. She received a genuine smile from Liandrin. Oh that smile. Alessia felt her cheeks heat up before grabbing Liandrin's hips and squeezed them before letting go and moving from her.
"Well, off to find that book. Thank you. Liandrin Sedai." Alessia smiled and gave the woman in red a bow before turning to leave. Knowing full well she was being watched.
She finally made it to the library and smiled while humming softly. She was browsing the shelves. The library was massive. The shelves went to the ceiling. Alessia smiled while looking around. She wanted to read everything! Though that would never happen in this lifetime due to the amount of books there were!
"Looking for anything specific?" A voice made her jump.
"Adeleas Sedai!" Alessia bowed and smiled at the woman in brown.
"Ah Alessia! I heard you finally became a Novice! What can I do for you?" The woman asked. Alessia touched her chin and thought for a moment.
"Are there any books on weaving? I know I am not supposed to practice without someone watching but what's the harm in knowing from a book?" Alessia asked. The woman smiled at her before leaving. Alessia remained where she was while looking at a book that caught her eyes.
History of the old Aes Sedai.
t is read on the cover of the book. She pulled it off the shelf and held it close. She wanted to read it.
"Here you are dear. You can check these books out in order to take them out of the library. You can keep them as long as you bring them back." The woman spoke as she pulled out a scroll. "Just sign here as I list those two books." She handed Alessia the quill as she signed her name in print. "Thank you!" Alessia smiled and bowed. She quickly left the library. Heading back to her room as she stopped outside by the gardens again. Closing her eyes while looking up to the sky. Soaking in the moonlight. Hearing footsteps, she quickly left again. It was curfew time and she did not want to get caught. She had made it back to her room in time as she shut the door. It was dark. Dropping the books off on her bed before lightening a candle. She picked up the book on weaving and flipped through the pages. There were hundreds, if not thousands of different weaves for different things! Different weaves were also on the elements as well. Alessia hadn't attempted any weaves that had more than one element. She had seen Moiraine use all the elements back in the village from the Trolloc attack. 'Moiraine.' The woman in blue flooded her thoughts again as Alessia quickly went back to her bed and laid down. That's when the pain started again.