Chapter Eighteen: The Ter'angreal
"Oh." Was all Alessia said softly while seeing the arches in front of her. She felt an arm around her shoulder as she was turned around to face the Mistress of Novices.
"Whom do you bring with you tonight sister?" Alanna asked while looking at them.
"One who comes as a candidate for Acceptance, sister." Liandrin replied.
"Is she ready?" Leane asked while tilting her head up a little.
"She is ready to leave behind what she was, and, passing through her fears, gain Acceptance." Sheriam spoke.
"Does she know her fears?" Alanna asked.
"She has never faced them but she is willing." Liandrin spoke with full confidence.
"The first fear is what was, the way back will come but once. Be steadfast." Sheriam spoke as Liandrin was taking Alessia's white Novice dress off of her. She had undergarments on and turned a little pink but regained herself.
"Be warned you shall not channel once inside the arches." Leane spoke as Alessia nodded her head. She was worried.
"You may refuse to take this test twice but will be marked for it. Third time refusing will get you thrown out." Alanna spoke as Alessia nodded. Liandrin took her books, dress, socks, and her necklace. She felt naked without her necklace. Seeing the woman in red set her items on a small fountain before turning to look at her.
"This test is not for the faint of heart. You must want this for yourself and no one else. Or you will fail." Liandrin warned her. She nodded. Being an Aes Sedai was what she wanted to become ever since she was little.
"Alessia." Sheriam spoke as she turned to face the Mistress of Novices. "Last chance to step away if you wish. You cannot stop once you start." The woman in blue asked. Alessia lifted her chin up and took a deep breath. She shook her head and turned to face the first archway. She could feel the pride coming off of Liandrin. The four Aes Sedai began to channel. The first archway shimmered as it was activated. Alessia took a deep breath and stepped into the archway.
Alessia stumbled onto the street while looking around. She had come through the first archway into her past. She looked around and took a deep breath. She was ready. She had to be. She wanted this.
"Get her!" A boy shouted. Alessia looked around. She was a little girl again. Blinking a few times as she got her bearings. She was back in Andor. Few years after she moved from Tarabon. She took a deep breath and ran. Running from the boys. She turned a corner and there she saw her. Moiraine. The woman standing tall and elegant.
"She went that way!" A voice shouted. Alessia felt her feet run towards the woman in blue. She had her arms outreached as Alessia ran into them. Feeling the woman hold her protectively.
"You can't protect her forever, Aes Sedai!" The boy spat as they ran away from them. Alessia stuck her tongue out at them. Hearing a chuckle as She turned to face the woman in blue. She was then let go. Frowning at the loss of contact before seeing Lan smiling down at her. Ruffling up her hair.
"Hey stop!" She giggled and moved his hand away.
"Where is your father dear?" Moiraine asked as she shrugged.
"I don't know. He is always busy or away doing stuff." Alessia frowned. She felt Moiraine guide her back to her home. Alessia was humming softly while she was skipping a little bit to her footsteps.
"Do you have to go?" Alessia asked with a frown as the woman in blue hugged her tightly again. Alessia was petting Moiraine's hair. She wanted to remember the feel of it. She then looked into the blue eyes as it made her catch her breath.
"Yes. I will be around. Don't fret." Moiraine spoke as Lan gave her a bow. Alessia watched the two leave as she frowned. She had come to love the other Aes Sedai she had met. She turned to go back into her house and hopped about. Hearing voices as she looked around. She frowned. Shrugging before she climbed upon the counter to reach the honey cakes that Musin had put up. She slipped and fell off the counter. Feeling a pair of arms grab her to keep her from hitting her head.
"Watch yourself! You are not allowed to climb!" Musin spoke as Alessia mumbled and bowed her head. Feeling her shoulder pat as she looked up. Musin handed her a honey cake. Alessia squealed and ran to the sitting room to sit on the couch and ate it. Humming softly as she did. Enjoying the taste of the cake. 'Wait. I don't remember this.' Alessia thought as the memory then faded as another one came.
'This is weird.' Alessia spoke as she found herself standing in the library. She had a book opened in her hands. Feeling something hit her shoulder. She jumped. There stood her teacher. Shouting at her in Old Tongue. Alessia replied back.
"Good. You aren't completely hopeless. Honestly, why do you daydream so much?" Her teacher asked as she shrugged her shoulders. She was daydreaming about weaving. Using the Source as she stood tall protecting a village. That's what she wanted to do in her life. Protect those who could not protect themselves.
"We are done for the day." Her teacher spoke and left. She was alone in the library now. She took advantage of this and browsed the shelves. Pulling books from them. She was eight years old as of now. Reading was her favorite thing to do since she spent most of her time indoors. Hearing a voice, she turned and spotted the Ogier.
"Glory to the Builders!" Alessia beamed as she did a curtsy bow to him.
"Alessia. Good to see you again!" He loudly spoke while putting books up.
"Tell me about her?" Alessia asked as she sat on top of a table. He turned and smiled at her.
"About who?" He asked.
"Ha ha Loial! The yellow Ajah that saved your life!" Alessia was smiling widely.
"Well, there was not much to go on about it. She was kind, smart, and amazing at healing. One said she could stop the heart from using the One's Power." Loial spoke as Alessia gasped. She was hung onto every word he was saying. There were two more voices that came in from the doorway. Alessia was too absorbed into what the Ogier was telling.
"Glory to the Builders." Moiraine's voice came as Alessia turned around and ran to the woman who spoke. Hug attacking her tightly. Hearing a soft chuckle as her back was rubbed.
"Moiraine Sedai. I have the book you spoke of." Loial spoke as he left.
"He was telling me about the Yellow ajah that saved his life. Though he didn't exactly get to that point in the story yet." Alessia spoke as she touched her chin while going into thought. She felt her cheeks both cupped by Moiraine's hands as she looked into the blue eyes and blushed. Cupping Moiraine's cheeks in return. 'By the light this woman is beautiful!' Alessia thought. Hearing the Ogier come back and hand the blue ajah a book.
"I'll see you again soon my dear." Moiraine spoke and kissed Alessia's forehead before leaving. Alessia had her hand touching her chest as her heart was pounding.
"Now where was I?" Loial asked as Alessia reminded him. "Right! I was shot by an arrow. The woman came out of nowhere. There was a red ajah there with her. She said she was out helping cease fire in a battle that broke out in a village. I remember her telling me that it was all going to be alright as she used the Source to heal me. Very kind. She was good with the shields as well. Keeping the arrows from hitting us. Once I was healed, the fight was over." Loial spoke as Alessia had her mouth opened while listening. He chuckled and closed her chin. She smiled and swung her feet back and forth.
"Now, let us practice your Old Tongue." He spoke.
"Alessia go get the door!" Her father's voice shouted. She stood up and answered it. It was a woman with short black hair and a gold and black dress. Alessia bowed to the woman as she let herself in.
"Happy name day my lady." The woman bowed and left. There was a dark aura around that woman. She shrugged and huffed. Sitting back on the couch.
"Is my little lady not having a good day?" A familiar voice spoke.
"Liandrin Sedai!" Alessia shouted as she ran and jumped and hugged the woman. Hearing a chuckle as she felt her back rubbed. The woman in red was hugging Alessia protectively and tightly as well.
"I'm so glad you came!" Alessia was beaming non stop now. Taking Liandrin's hand into her own and pulled her to the couch. Handing her a red rose. 'I remember this.' Alessia thought. She smiled at the memory. It made her heart leap every time she saw this Red Ajah. She had come to love this Ajah.
"Tell me! Have you gentled any men while on your travels?" Alessia asked as she was bouncing. Seeing Liandrin give her that smile. 'Oh that smile.' Alessia felt her cheeks burn as her heart fluttered. How she could melt right then and there. The memory flashed forward as she frowned. It was that night. She turned to face her bedroom doorway. Her heart rate went up. She slowly walked over to it. She pulled the door open and slowly looked out.
"Father?" She asked while walking towards his office. There was a flickering shadow dancing on the floor hallway from the light on the other side of the door. She was frowning. Her fear was coming back as she opened her father's study door and shouted. She ran over to him and shook him.
"Father!" She screamed. Her scream was so loud, it carried across the streets from her home. Feeling her body start to resonate with energy. 'No! Stop! You must not channel!' She shouted at herself. Hearing footsteps as she was crying. There was a white dagger plunged in his back as blood was dripping from his mouth. His veins were black from the wound. 'Trolloc poison?' She thought.
"Come Alessia! We need to get you out of here!" Moiraine's voice came. Feeling the woman in blue gently grab her and pull her away.
"No! I want my father!" Alessia shouted as Moiraine made her look at her.
"Listen to me. We cannot stay here. Let me take you to the Tower." Moiraine spoke as Alessia sniffled and nodded her head. Hearing shouting as guards and White Cloaks had come towards them. Rocks were shot at them. Alessia turned and saw. Moiraine was weaving. She had forgotten how beautiful and elegant Moiraine was when she used the One's Power. Her heart was fluttering at the sight. Feeling someone grab her as she screamed. Thrashing and kicking around. She managed to get free.
"Lan grab her!" Moiraine ordered Lan as he came running towards her.
"The way comes but once." A voice whispered in her head. Alessia turned around and saw the archway. A man stood in front of her. He was all white. He swung. Alessia fell backwards. Her chest was sliced across. Feeling the warm liquid drip as she stood up. Sprinting towards the archway.
"Alessia!" Moiraine's voice called to her.
Alessia staggered as she came through the archway. Her knees buckled a little as she regained herself. The familiar stone cold floor as she grounded herself. Feeling out of breath as she looked forward. She looked at the four Aes Sedai. Alanna winked at her as her eyes trailed over to Liandrin who was holding a chalice. It was rather large. Leane came over to her. Poking her chest as Alessia winced.
"Some wounds are real enough to come back through. Sometimes wounds are too great to the point one does not return." Sheriam spoke. Seeing Leane weave spirit. The long thin cut across her chest was healed. She bowed to the woman. 'So some Novices never came back from these trials. It was true then. Now she was even more determined.' She thought as Liandrin came up to her and dumped the water over her head. Feeling the cold water. It felt refreshing.
"You are washed clean of what sin you may have done and of those done against you. Washed clean of crimes you committed or those committed against you. You come to us washed clean and pure, in heart and soul." Liandrin spoke as Alessia kept her eyes locked with Liandrin as the woman stepped back to her spot next to Sheriam.
"The second time is for what is. The way comes but once." The woman in blue spoke. Alessia walked forward across the second arch that was across from her. Seeing the Aes Sedai channel as the second arch had opened. Alessia took a deep breath and stepped inside.
She looked around as there were fields of flowers every way. Farms stretched as far as the eyes could see.
"Do my eyes deceive me?" A voice asked as Alessia whipped around and saw she was back into the Two Rivers. She smiled and bowed to the woman that had taken care of her so long ago. "You are back? Why did you come back?" Marin asked as Alessia frowned.
"I came to see how you are doing." Alessia spoke. Deep down, she did miss the people of the Two Rivers.
"You don't belong here woman!" A man shouted as Alessia frowned and saw it was Egwene's father marching over to her.
"What has happened?" Alessia asked with a frown.
"You abandoned us like you did to your people in Tarabon!" The man shouted. He became faceless. Alessia gasped and tried to channel but decided not to. She remembered. She was in the arches. Instead she felt a sword on her belt. There was screaming as she looked around. Houses were on fire. It was like the Trolloc attacks all over again.
"You have to help us! Please! We sent word to the White Tower! No one came!" Marin's voice spoke as her arm was grabbed.
"The Aes Sedai are spread thin!" Alessia spoke.
"Then use your power!" Marin shouted at her. Alessia grabbed her side and felt it. Her sword was there. She pulled it out and ran towards the faceless man. She swung it and it sliced his arm off. Hearing a roar as it made him angry. Alessia staggered back. Her heart was racing rather fast. Slowly backing up. 'No stop! You swore to protect those who cannot protect themselves! You always wanted to be an Aes Sedai!' Alessia shouted in her head. She swung again, this time his head.
The fight had come quickly as it left. The remaining Trollocs ran from the village again. Alessia huffed a little as she caught her breath again. She was helping bring the wounded and dead to the center of the village again. She knelt down and helped stitch up wounds. She could not do any healing yet. Wiping blood off of those who were dead already. She frowned and looked around. Smoke was rising all over the village. Blood stained the ground again.
"You'll burn for this witch!" A man shouted while pointing at her.
"No! I was helping! I was trying to help!" Alessia shouted as hands grabbed her.
"They're dead because of you!" Marin shouted as Alessia was struggling against the men who were dragging her to the center by the tree. There was a post with branches around it. It was a burning post.
"No! I was helping! I promise!" Alessia screamed as she felt her body slam against the post. Her hands being tied behind her. "Please don't do this!" She shouted. A little girl was watching her. She looked sad. Alessia could only pray to the light for her. For these people.
"Light forgive me. Forgive all those here. May you watch over and guide them. Protect them." Alessia spoke as her head tilted back as she prayed. Fire had started. Licking her arms as she screamed. The searing pain as her flesh was being melted.
"The way comes but once." The voice whispered. Alessia started tugging and slamming her arms against the post. The fire burned the rope as she jumped over the fire.
"After the witch!" The man shouted as Alessia made a mad dash to the archway. She jumped through it.
She felt the cold stone floor as she slammed against it. Coughing as tears were burning in her eyes. Hearing gasps. Alanna and Liandrin both came running to her. Feeling the woman in red pull her up to stand up. Alessia could see her arms. They were burned. Alanna was humming softly as she felt a cooling sensation as the burned flesh went back to her normal skin. Alessia took a deep breath and sighed in relief.
"That was nasty." Alanna whispered as Alessia nodded her head. Wiping her tears away. Sheriam had come forward and dumped water over her head again.
"You are washed clean of false pride. You are washed clean of false ambition. You come to us washed clean, in heart and soul." The woman in blue spoke. Alessia bowed to her and looked to the third and final arch. Her heart was pounding as she closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath as she opened her eyes. The final one. It was the hardest one of them all. Some never came back from this one. She was determined. Her drive is what was keeping her going.
"The third time is for what will be. The way back is but once." Sheriam spoke as Alessia nodded. Taking one look at the four Aes Sedai a last time as they channeled. The final arch had opened. The shimmering told her it was time. Alessia took a deep breath and entered it.
She opened her eyes and blinked a few times. She leaned up and stretched her arms above her head.
"Good morning my love. Sleep well?" A voice spoke as Alessia turned and saw none other, Liandrin Sedai. The woman in red leaned in and kissed her hard and deeply. Alessia blinked and jumped a little. "Alright my love? You seem a little off edge." Liandrin asked as Alessia smiled at the woman. Pulling the woman close into her arms and smiled. Kissing her softly again. It felt right. It felt so perfect. Having the woman in her arms.
"I am well my darling." Alessia spoke softly. Smiling into those light blue eyes that looked into her soul. She gave Liandrin another kiss. This time it was deep and with passion.
"Hmm. My love. We are wanted at the Tower." Liandrin smirked at her. Alessia groaned and nodded. Standing up and seeing her reflection in the mirror. She looked older. Her hair was longer again. Her cheeks are thin and high. Her ocean blue eyes remained the same. Her body was more toned.
"Moiraine said she will meet us there." Liandrin spoke as she grabbed a cloak and tossed it to Alessia. She grabbed it and put it on. The cloak was purple. Weird. She looked at the Great Serpent Ring. It had a purple stone. "Get dressed my love!" Liandrin shouted at her. Alessia turned and saw Liandrin also in purple.
"Moiraine is meeting us?" Alessia asked and heard a chuckle.
"Part of the plan, my love. Don't want to keep our wife waiting do we?" Liandrin asked. 'Our wife?' Alessia asked herself. She was married to not one but to two very different women. Two very different Aes Sedai. She looked back to her right hand and sure enough, there were two rings on her ring finger. She blushed at this. Smiling non stop as her heart swelled at this. She heard a throat clear as Alessia jumped again.
"Honestly, you are out of it today. We need you to have a clear head, my love. Perhaps last night was too much for you?" Liandrin asked as Alessia looked up to her wife and blushed. There was a smirk upon the woman's face. She quickly changed her clothes. She was in all purple. 'What is the meaning of this?' She asked herself before she followed her wife out of the room.
Looking around, they were staying at a tavern for the moment. She looked around and was familiar with the area. They were in Andor. It was not far from her old home. She frowned as the memories flooded her again. She felt someone grab her hand and guided her. Alessia smiled at the woman before her. Liandrin hasn't aged a day still. Her long honey hair is still at her waist line. Braids in her favorite hair style. Her body still had those perfect curves. The woman had a small sway to her hips as she walked. Alessia could not help but stare. 'She is so beautiful.' Alessia spoke in her mind. She looked away quickly when she was caught staring.
"You can stare all you want, my love. No need to hide your feelings. I can feel them, remember?" Liandrin spoke as she cupped Alessia's cheek and caressed it.
"Right." Alessia smiled and nodded her head. "Let us be off then!" Alessia added. She mounted the horse that Liandrin was on. They shared a horse as they rode out of Andor. Alessia wasn't sure how long they rode as they came into a forest. Hearing voices from a camp nearby. The horse slowed down as they entered the camp. There were many Aes Sedai there. There were no Reds. Frowning at this before she dismounted.
"Moiraine Sedai is in the small tent on the edge." A voice spoke as Liandrin said her thanks. Alessia looked around and smiled. There were many more green Ajah than she had ever seen. She took the lead as she entered the smaller tent on the edge of the camp. You could hear water running down the river nearby.
"Hello my love!" Liandrin spoke as she walked over to Moiraine. Alessia felt her cheeks heat up as she saw the two embrace and kiss each other. Moiraine was also in purple. 'What is it with purple?' Alessia asked herself.
"Like what you see my Lessy?" Moiraine asked. 'Lessy.' That nickname. How she loved it so much. It made her heart flutter as she was blushing non stop.
"She's been distracted today. I blame last night." Liandrin spoke as Moiraine chuckled.
"Well, if all goes well, there will be plenty more." Moiraine spoke in that tone that sent her chills down her spine. Alessia blushed even more at this. 'What is with these two?!' She thought. She felt gentle arms snake around her waist as she looked up. Meeting the blue eyes of Moiraine. She smiled at her. She pulled the woman close and kissed her deeply. Those soft gentle lips. She missed them. She felt her heart ache. She knew this wasn't real. She wanted it to be. So badly.
"We are ready Alessia Sedai!" A voice called from the tent. Alessia raised a brow at this.
"Come Lessy, my love." Moiraine spoke as she took the lead out of the tent. Alessia gave Liandrin a confused look.
"You're the one leading the mission, love. Come along." The woman spoke as Alessia nodded and followed her. Once outside, she saw several knights in armor. The knights were in a circle around her as were all the Aes Sedai that were there. Alessia looked around her. She was in the middle of the circle. She took a deep breath and began.
"Look around you." She started as eyes were moving. People looking around each other. "Do not forget these faces. Faces of friends. Faces of loved ones. Faces of family." She spoke as she looked at her two favorite Sedai. They were smiling at her. Her heart soared at this but she kept a straight face.
"Tonight we march upon the darkened city! The Dragon Reborn will be there waiting for us. We will aid him in his fight. The Last Battle." Alessia spoke as breaths were now being held. She held her head up high. Her heart was pounding now. Her eyes were looking around the crowd. Then she saw them. Egwene and Nynaeve. She smiled at them as they smiled back. Perrin was there. His eyes were yellow. Wolves were howling in the forest line around the camp. Mat was there as well. He was holding a horn on his side. Not sure what it was but she continued talking.
"I want you to not fear death for it is another journey we all must take. I want you to not fear going into this fight. Do not fear about the darkness that is waiting for us there. I want you to stand strong and with the Light as it may guide us and protect us! Watch over us as we defeat this enemy once and for all!" Alessia shouted as there was cheering. She felt a rush of energy. She looked around. All the faces she had come to know and love. They scattered about the camp and started to pack up. Alessia took a deep breath and walked over to her wives.
"Good speech love." Liandrin spoke as she nodded.
"Remember, we cannot interfere unless it comes down to it." Moiraine spoke as they nodded. Hearing some chattering as she turned to look at the camp again. All the people followed the woman with gold hair. She had yet to meet her. Horses being mounted as the yellow ajah were preparing themselves for the fight to come. Alessia had ordered them to stay in the back lines just in case they were needed for healing. Feeling her back rubbed, she turned and saw Moiraine smiling at her. Holding her hand out for her. Alessia took it and mounted the horse. She snaked her arms around Moiraine's waist and held onto her. Letting her love flow to the woman she fell in love with. She could hear a soft moan to her left. Liandrin had her eyes closed. Alessia smiled at her. She could feel her love for them both drifting to them. As theirs drifted to her.
"Let's go and beat this darkness once and for all!" Liandrin shouted as they kicked their horses' sides gently. They started as a trot before galloping. It was a long ride to the shadowed city. Alessia looked up and saw the familiar sight.
"I remember this place." Alessia spoke. They dismounted as they heard shouting. The fight had begun. There were several flashes of lights as the Aes Sedai were fighting the darkness that came.
"What happened?" Liandrin asked. She was talking about the memory.
"Moiraine had that wound. There was not a single moment I did not let her out of my arms. Keeping her warm." Alessia spoke as the memory came to her mind. She felt her hand squeezed by Moiraine.
"I remember. That was the moment I knew I truly loved you." Moiraine spoke as Alessia smiled and blushed at this before taking a deep breath. She took the lead towards the entrance. Seeing other women in purple like her. They bowed to her.
"It's time." One of them spoke. Alessia nodded. A woman weaved streams of white around them. Alessia then jumped. They climbed up the walls with ease. Stopping at the top on the edge. Seeing the fight with their own eyes. Liandrin made a move and Alessia stopped her.
"Remember. Unless it is absolutely needed, we cannot interfere." Alessia reminded her wife. The woman nodded and stood back. Her hands behind her back as she watched. They watched from the edge of the city walls.
Hearing shouts as the battle was taken longer than it should have. It was time. They were losing. It was time for them to step in.
"Now!" Alessia shouted. Hearing the women behind her speak in Old Tongue as they weaved quickly. Seeing several fireballs shot up into the night sky and rained down upon the darkness. Burning everything in its path.
"They're here! Fight on!" A Faceless screeched as Trollocs came into view.
"Link up." Alessia ordered. Moiraine stood in front of her as her sisters linked with her. Moiraine raised her arms as the clouds danced to her command. Lightning shot down from the sky several times. Killing everything in its path.
"Move in!" Alessia ordered as she drew her sword and ran into the fight. Hearing screaming as time slowed around her. They were losing ground. Hearing more shouting in Old Tongue as her sisters shouting as they weaved. Then the tide had changed. Hearing a shout, Alessia turned and saw her. Liandrin had fallen to her knees. Alessia ran and caught her. Hearing a cough as blood came from her mouth. Alessia saw the wound. She was stabbed. She gently laid Liandrin down and kissed her forehead.
"Stay with me my love! I can heal you!" Alessia spoke. Feeling her cheek caressed as Alessia pulled the knife out. Hearing a groan from her wife as she weaved. Weaving inside that arches. She then stopped.
"In this life and the next." Liandrin spoke as Alessia began to sob.
"No! No no no!" She shouted. Covering the wound with her hands.
"Your pain is my pain! Your happiness is my happiness. Your love is my love." Alessia spoke and closed her eyes.
"Do not leave me my love." Liandrin spoke.
"I would never leave your side. We are bound to each other, remember?" Alessia smiled weakly.
"The way comes but once." A voice whispered in the wind. Alessia looked up and saw it. The archway!
"Do you trust me?" Alessia asked Liandrin who looked deep into her eyes.
"With my life." She replied. Alessia wrapped an arm around her neck and helped Liandrin stand up.
"Moiraine! With me!" Alessia shouted. The woman looked at her and nodded. Running towards her. Grabbing Liandrin's other arm as they made their way towards the archway. They had entered it.
Alessia found herself running out of the archway and fell to her knees. Her body was shaking as she was crying. Covering her face. She couldn't look up. She couldn't. She did not want to see Liandrin there. Or Moiraine. Sniffling a few times before she wiped her eyes and looked up. Seeing the four Aes Sedai looking at her. Alessia stood up and held her head up. She had made it through the Ter'angreal. She then looked at the woman in red who was smiling. It was a prideful smile at her. Watching the woman walk up to her and pour water over her head for the third time.
"Kneel" Sheriam spoke. Alessia did not hesitate and knelt.
"You are washed clean, Alessia from Tarabon. You are washed clean of all ties that bind you to the world. You come to us washed clean, in heart, and soul. You are Alessia, Accepted of the White Tower. You are sealed to us now." Leane spoke. Since the Amyrlin Seat was not at the Tower, it was the Keep of the Chronicles duty to do this. Leane gently took Alessia's right hand and placed the Great Serpent Ring upon her middle finger. There was a rush of warm sensation inside of her as soon as the ring was placed upon her finger. Feeling the woman in blue grab her arm as she finally stood. Liandrin came over and helped Alessia change into a new white dress. This time, there were all seven colors of the Ajahs on it around the waist.
"Welcome, sister." Leane spoke as she placed a kiss upon Alessia's cheek. Alessia could not help but nod. She was not smiling. Her heart was racing after the events she had gone through. It felt. Traumatizing.
"Take her to her new room, Liandrin." Sheriam spoke as she, Leane, and Alanna had turned and left the room. Alessia was silent. She felt her hand gently grabbed as she was led out of the room as well.
The woman in red kept looking at Alessia as if she might faint.
"I'm alright." Alessia spoke softly. Feeling Liandrin stop and pull her into a tight embrace. Alessia took it. Holding the woman close in her arms. She did not want to let go. Instead, she felt tears fall from her eyes. She pulled back and wiped them away before she started walking up the stairs. She fell silent again. Feeling her hand grabbed again and their fingers intertwined. Alessia squeezed her hand and smiled weakly. They came upon her old room. She silently packed her things. Leaving the Novice dressed as they would be washed and given away. Liandrin then pulled her gently by her waist as she was led to another part of the Tower. It was smaller. Unlocking the door as they entered. Alessia looked around. The room was bigger. The bed was softer and also bigger. There was a desk with a mirror on it. She had a patio with a small table and a chair there. It was all in all, a lot nicer than the Novice rooms.
"This is your new room." Liandrin spoke as there was light. It was a little dim in the room since it was night time. She looked around and nodded. Setting her bag into the wardrobe. There were more Accepted dresses in there. Not caring how they got her size. She sighed lightly while looking around.
"Will you stay with me tonight?" Alessia asked. Liandrin grabbed her arms and hugged her again.
"Of course. Anything you want, my flower." Liandrin spoke. Alessia pulled back and sat on her bed. "Are you alright?" Liandrin asked while sitting next to her. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"Was any of it real?" Alessia asked.
"No one knows. Sometimes yes and sometimes no. It is all based on one's fears." Liandrin spoke as Alessia nodded. "It could be real." Liandrin added as Alessia looked at the woman in red. Right into her eyes. Liandrin smiled while cupping her cheeks. Caressing her softly. Without thinking, without hesitation or protest, Alessia cupped Liandrin's cheeks and closed the gap. Crashing her lips against Liandrin's. Kissing her deeply.