Chapter Eight: Tower Life
Alessia found herself covering her face as they sat down in the Ways. Her face against her knees as she forced the tears back. Loial was speaking to Lan quietly.
"What happened was not your fault." Moiraine spoke softly. Pushing Alessia's hair back behind her ear. Kissing her cheek and forehead in the process.
"I told her to not pull too much. I told her it would kill her. I shouldn't have gone." Alessia spoke weakly.
"You did not kill them. She knew what she was doing. She had to protect the city." Moiraine spoke as Alessia shook her head.
"No. I'll never do it again." Alessia spoke. Wiping her eyes.
"We should go." Lan spoke.
"You have no choice. Lessy, look at me. You need to embrace it." Moiraine spoke. She raised a brow at the nickname Moiraine had given her. Alessia stood up and grabbed her bag. Following Moiraine in silence. She could hear their footsteps against the hard stone as they walked. "You are born to protect this world, Lessy. Please. Don't run from it." Moiraine spoke softly as she took Alessia's hand and squeezed it.
"What did you find out? When you left me behind. And why are you calling me that?" Alessia asked with a frown as she was looking at the ground.
"The Bore has been drilled into. It's open. The Dark One can influence people now. When the hole happened, that's what caused the Shattering in the sky. And it fits. It makes it special and it's mine." Moiraine added. Alessia sighed and nodded her head.
"Of course. I had a feeling that was the case." Alessia spoke as she looked up. Seeing the gate up ahead.
"Channel it open." Moiraine spoke as she shook her head.
"No. I won't channel again." Alessia spoke with a frown.
"Are you refusing a lesson?" Moiraine asked.
"It's not a lesson. I already know how to do it. Why don't you do it?" Alessia asked.
"Because I asked you to." Moiraine spoke as Alessia gave Moiraine a look.
"What happened?" Alessia asked again. "When you went to the Bore." She added.
"I told you. I went to look at the area." Moiraine spoke.
"Of course you avoid the whole question." Alessia shook her head.
"Then I guess we will remain here for the rest of our days." Moiraine spoke as Alessia grunted. Making fists of her hands before channeling. Opening the gate slowly as she then let go of the weave. Frowning at it. She followed Moiraine out of the gate and shielded her eyes as the sun hit her face. Once her eyesight was regained, Alessia looked up. Seeing three Reds there waiting. Liandrin was one of them. Seeing the woman in red under the rays of the sun had given her tunnel vision as she stared at her. Liandrin could obviously see her watching.
"Moiraine Sedai. Glad you brought our favorite little channeler back." Liandrin spoke as Alessia shook her head as she focused again.
"Yes. I am trusting the Tower to keep her safe." Moiraine spoke as Alessia frowned.
"You're not coming?" Alessia asked.
"You didn't tell her?" Liandrin asked as there was a smirk on her face.
"Tell me what? What is she talking about?" Alessia aside while looking at Moiraine who looked sad now.
"She's been exiled from the Tower for ten years." Liandrin spoke. "Less if the Mother calls her back." The red ajah added.
"You've been…you lied to me?" Alessia asked with a frown.
"You forget Lessy, I cannot lie. I meant what I said." Moiraine spoke as she touched Alessia's cheek as she stepped back.
"You left me alone in the city and now you gave me false hope?!" Alessia frowned.
"Alessia. Listen to me." Moiraine spoke.
"No! No more secrets." Alessia spoke as she shook her head.
"Come. You are expected at the Tower." Liandrin then spoke.
"Write to me. Please." Moiraine spoke as Alessia walked over to Tarna who was watching her. She looked at Moiraine before grabbing the Red ajah's hand and mounted the horse.
"Where will you go, Moiraine?" Liandrin asked.
"To finish a task." Moiraine spoke as she was given a horse. Lan mounted it and offered his hand to Moiraine. Watching them take their leave.
"Come. Let us be off. It's time to write your name in the Book." Liandrin spoke as she took the lead.
The ride to the Tower did not seem to take long as Alessia could see the Tower right up ahead. She sighed a little as they slowed down while entering the city. She felt her heart sink. Moiraine was not telling her everything. She had a feeling that she was hiding something. How could she trust Moiraine now?
"You're awfully quiet." Liandrin spoke as Alessia looked up. They had arrived. She dismounted and grabbed her bag. Tossing it over her shoulder. She turned to find herself face to face with Liandrin. The woman was watching her closely.
"What happened out there?" Liandrin asked.
"Come now sister Liandrin. She just arrived. She needs rest." Tarna spoke.
"We'll talk later. Hmm?" Liandrin asked as she cupped Alessia's cheek. Caressing it. "Come along." Liandrin spoke as Alessia followed in silence. Her head down as she sighed again. Walking down the hallway as she was led to another area she had yet to discover.
"This is the Novice Tower. Your room will be here." Liandrin spoke as she opened the door. Alessia walked inside. Watching the woman in red grab a white dress from the wardrobe. "Get dressed into this and we'll burn the other stuff." Liandrin added. Handing Alessia the dress. She looked at the woman. Waiting for her to turn away.
"Do you mind?" Alessia asked. Liandrin shook her head. The red ajah then turned around as Alessia quickly got out of her old clothes. Putting on the dress. It was a perfect fit. She was going to ask how but decided against it.
"I changed." Alessia spoke. The long sleeves on her arms were comfortable.
"You look good in that. Like you belong here." Liandrin spoke as Alessia looked into the light blue eyes and nodded her head lightly. "Come dear. Time to start." Liandrin spoke as she handed Alessia her bag. Following the woman in red out of the room. She had to make a mental note to remember where her room is.
"There are only three other Novices as the rest are Accepted. I cannot tell you how happy we are to have you here." A new voice spoke as Alessia looked up. Seeing an older Aes Sedai in blue with white hair into a large bun. "I am Sheriam Sedai. Mistress of Novices. Come dear." Sheriam spoke as Alessia followed the woman in blue now. Liandrin was right behind her. They entered another room with a book on a stand. It was a large circular room. There were other sisters in the room as well.
"It seems your arrival has caught the attention of my other sisters." Liandrin chuckled.
"Signing your name means you are leaving your old life behind so that you come to us to learn to become an Aes Sedai." Sheriam spoke. Alessia took the feather without a second thought and signed her name.
"Welcome Novice Alessia Solace of Andor." Sheriam spoke with a smile. Alessia nodded her head once. "Come along." Sheriam spoke as she followed the older woman into another room. There is a large fire in the center.
"Here you will burn the things you brought with you. Putting your past behind you. What you were so you can become what you are meant to be." Sheriam spoke as Alessia looked at her. Dropping her bag into the fire.
"Welcome, daughter Alessia." Sheriam then added. "Come. Time for you to join the others." Sheriam spoke. She felt her shoulder touched as she looked at Liandrin who nodded her head with a smile. Alessia nodded back before following the woman in blue again. She was still silent as she saw others in white like herself. They were in the garden. It seemed like Alanna was giving a lesson.
"Sister Alanna. May I introduce, daughter Alessia. She will be finally joining us." Sheriam spoke as Alanna gasped.
"Good to see you!" Alanna spoke with a smile. Alessia nodded her head. Seeing Jane and Nynaeve smiling. Sheriam had taken her leave.
"Alessia!" Nynaeve spoke as she hugged Alessia tightly.
"Hello." Alessia spoke softly. Hugging her back.
"I can't believe it! When Jane told us you were here." Nynaeve spoke.
"Come now! Settle down. Plenty of time for a reunion." Alanna spoke.
She sat down between Nynaeve and Jane as Alanna went back to the lesson.
"Today we are going to learn how to weave a ball of light. Useful when in a dark area." Alanna spoke as she was moving her hands. She was weaving. Alessia normally thought she would be happy in seeing this but something inside of her broke. She frowned a little.
"Now, each of you try." Alanna spoke as Alessia looked around. Watching them able to weave without struggling. Alessia frowned as she reached out to the source and nothing came. Nothing actually came. She frowned and sighed. Grunting as she reached out again.
"Everyone dismissed." Alanna spoke. "But you Alessia." She added as Alessia folded her hands in front and looked down. "What happened? Are you blocked?" Alanna asked as Alessia shrugged her shoulders. "What happened out there?" Alanna spoke as Alessia shook her head. "No matter. We'll get you through that block. Come. Join the others for the next lesson." Alanna spoke as Alessia nodded her head. She followed the green ajah across the lawn and into a new hallway. Stopping in the doorway.
"Sorry sister Lanfear. Please excuse Alessia's tardiness. I needed a word with her." Alanna spoke as Lanfear's eyes went wide as she saw Alessia.
"Of course. Come in daughter Alessia." Lanfear spoke. Alessia nodded and walked into the room and saw Lillen in the back. She stood up when their eyes locked.
"Pst." A voice took her attention. Seeing Jane pat a seat next to her. Alessia sat down quickly as she was given a book, papers, and an ink with quill.
"Now who here can tell me about the War of Power?" Lanfear asked as Jane raised her hand. Alessia frowned at this. She knew nothing of this topic so she wrote down everything Jane said. Word for word.
"The War of Power, also known as the War of the Shadow. It was a devastating global conflict that marked the beginning of the end of the Age of Legends." Jane replied.
"Correct." Lanfear spoke as she was writing in Old Tongue on a black board. Alessia felt her brain starting to stress out as she copied what Lanfear wrote. Making a mental note to get books from the library.
"It's old tongue as she is explaining it more." Jane whispered to Alessia who nodded her head. It felt like an hour as Lanfear went on about the Age of legends. Alessia was writing non stop on everything she was hearing. Almost going through all her papers that she was given. Frowning at this. The bell had rung.
"Next time, we shall go over the Heroes of the Horn." Lanfear spoke.
"Don't worry. You can get more paper." Jane spoke as Alessia set the papers inside of the book cover. Putting the cork in her ink jar. "Um. Your bag is in your room. Assuming you didn't grab it?" Jane asked as Alessia nodded.
"Daughter Alessia, a word please." Lanfear spoke.
"I'll let Alanna know you're being held up." Jane spoke as Alessia nodded her head. Watching her classmates take their leave as she was now alone with Lanfear and Lillen.
"Lanfear Sedai." Alessia spoke softly and bowed her head to the woman.
"Where did you go?" Lanfear asked. Alessia knew the sisters were going to be hounding her for answers.
"Fal Dara." She answered.
"Why?" Lanfear asked. She could feel dark brown eyes watching her. Alessia however was looking down to the ground. "Look at me." She spoke as she did. Lanfear was much taller than her.
"Moiraine Sedai said she needed to check something." Alessia replied.
"What did she go check?" Lanfear asked.
"The Bore." Alessia answered.
"Why did she bring you?" She asked. This was it. What Moiraine told her to not tell anyone.
"I do not know." She lied.
"I see. On your way." Lanfear spoke as Alessia nodded. Giving her another bow before quickly leaving the room.
She walked down the hallway and frowned. She did not know where she was supposed to go now.
"Lost?" A gentle voice spoke as Alessia nodded her head. "You're awfully silent now." Lillen's voice came as Alessia sighed. They were the same height. Walking next to Lillen as she was guided to where she needed to go.
"I won't pry. Your mind is in flight mode. Fighting with itself." Lillen spoke as Alessia raised a brow at her. "I can see it in your eyes." Lillen spoke as she touched Alessia's arm gently. "If you want, I can help you get that block off." Lillen added.
"How did you?" Alessia began.
"I know many things. I can sense it in you." Lillen spoke. Alessia decided not to ask anything else. She only nodded her head and looked back towards where they were heading to. Lillen guided her to a kitchen area.
"Thank you, Lillen Sedai." Alessia spoke softly as she gave the woman a bow. It seemed to have made her smile when she spoke her name. The woman nodded her head before taking her leave.
"Alessia dear! Dishes are not going to wash themselves!" Alanna's voice called out as Alessia turned and walked into the kitchen. Seeing three other Novices there. It seemed the Accepteds already finished their chores and left.
"Alanna Sedai. I apologize for being late." Alessia spoke softly.
"Nonsense. Jane told me. Once you are done here, dinner will be ready then you can retire to bed. You are to say nothing during meal times." Alanna spoke as Alessia nodded her head.
"Alanna Sedai?" Alessia asked as the green ajah looked at her with a smile. "Will I have time to go to the library at all?" Alessia asked.
"On weekends. There are no classes during the weekends. Chores are still to be done and studying on your own time." Alanna spoke as Alessia smiled.
"Thank you." Alessia spoke. Alanna took her leave as Alessia sighed.
"You alright?" One of the girls asked.
"Yeah. Just exhausted." Alessia spoke.
"Is it true?" Another asked.
"What?" Alessia asked as she began washing the dishes.
"That you helped flatten an army of Trollocs?" She asked.
"News travels fast in the Tower." Alessia spoke. They all gasped while looking at her. "What? I only helped." Alessia spoke softly.
"It's just that. You're really strong!" A girl spoke. "We are glad you are here." She added.
"I don't know. What happened there. It was a mess." Alessia spoke with a sigh.
"Well for what it's worth. You're safe now." Another spoke.
"What are your names?" Alessia asked.
"I'm Taylor. This is Emma and Arlane." Taylor spoke as Alessia nodded her head to each of them.
"Pleasure to meet you." Alessia spoke as they smiled. "I'm." She began.
"Alessia. We know. We heard a lot about you!" Emma spoke with a smile.
"Oh." Was all she could say as the girls started back onto the dishes as one was helping the servants make dinner. "How come I was told to go to bed after dinner?" Alessia asked.
"Yes, we all do. It's so we can get up at dawn to start the day. It starts early here at the Tower." Emma spoke as Alessia nodded her head. Hearing chattering in the hallways.
"Come! Dinner time! Remember, we don't talk during mealtimes unless a sister speaks to you." Arlane spoke. Alessia followed them in silence. Looking around the place as paintings lined the walls as they bowed to the sisters walking past them.
"We grab our plates last." Taylor spoke. Seeing a line as they others had gotten their food. Alessia frowned every time she saw a blue ajah. Hoping she would see Moiraine but pushed it back into her thoughts. The woman had left her alone when a battle happened. She grabbed a bowl that was filled with soup and was given bread. She sat next to Emma and across from Taylor. She looked around and saw Jane who nodded at her before focusing back onto the other Accepteds. Alessia looked back at her bowl and pushed it away. Sighing softly.
"Settling in alright?" A voice made them jump. It seemed Lanfear had spoken to her. Alessia nodded her head lightly. "Eat. You will need your strength." Lanfear added before taking her leave. Hearing soft happy sighs coming from the other Novices. Alessia raised a brow at them. They were all staring at Lanfear as she walked away. Shrugging as she began to eat. It wasn't the best but she was not going to complain. She finished eating as she put her dishes up before following Taylor out of the dining hall.
"What's with Lanfear Sedai?" Alessia asked as Taylor was smiling.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Taylor asked.
"It seems like you all like her." Alessia spoke as she observed them.
"Well. She's amazing." Emma spoke.
"More like the best!" Arlane spoke. It seemed they had crushes on her. Alessia's eyes caught the dark brown ones. She smiled weakly at Lillen who nodded at her before walking away.
"That's Lillen Sedai. Stay away from her. She's weird." Emma whispered as Alessia frowned at this.
"How so?" She asked. She wanted to know more about her.
"They won't let her teach classes nor teach any Novices. No one wants to be around her." Emma added.
"Her and Liandrin Sedai." Arlane added.
"Heard Lillen Sedai loves poisons. She studies them, I heard." Emma added as Alessia was following them to the other side of the Tower. She remembered when she was attacked by a Trolloc and poisoned her. Lillen was the one who figured it out.
"I assume this is your room?" Taylor asked as Alessia nodded her head. They all entered her room and sat around. Alessia closed the door and sat on her bed next to Taylor.
"Our other favorite sister was exiled. Shame. I enjoyed learning from her class." Emma spoke.
"Moiraine Sedai? What did she teach?" Alessia asked.
"Many different things when she had time. She's usually going back and forth from the Tower and her travels. We don't see her much." Emma replied.
"I'm glad Liandrin Sedai isn't allowed to teach. She scares me. A lot." Arlane spoke as they all but Alessia chuckled a little.
"Plus, Lillen Sedai is, like totally crazy." Taylor added.
"She seemed really nice to me." Alessia spoke as they all gasped and looked at her. "What?" She asked.
"Just stay away from her if you like your sanity." Emma spoke softly. Alessia nodded her head lightly. She was still intrigued by those sisters. For some reason.
"Curfew!" A voice shouted in the hall.
"Oh! We got to go! Nice meeting you Alessia! See you tomorrow. I will come get you before we start tomorrow. I'm sure you want a bath. Don't forget your bag for classes." Emma spoke as Alessia nodded her head. Watching the three of them quickly leave her room. Alessia put the candles out and crawled into bed. Feeling the roughness under her back. She curled up with her knees near her chest and sighed. It was comforting to know she was safe for now. Though, she did not know how long her true identity would be hidden. She mumbled a little as she closed her eyes. Trying to force sleep.
"Trollocs!" A voice screamed as Alessia jumped up. She looked around and saw she was in a city. It was burning to the ground. Rain was light coming from the sky. Her breaths were short as she had been running.
"Stop! We have to help!" The voice of Amalisa brought her attention back as she looked at the woman. Her eyes were burned out. Alessia shouted and shook her head. Stepping back and she tried to channel.
"I can't!" She shouted at the woman.
"We are dead because of you!" Amalisa shouted as she pointed at Alessia. She shook her head.
"No! I'm sorry! It wasn't my fault!" Alessia shouted. Shaking her head again as tears fell.
"Your fault!" The voices echoed over and over again in her mind. She screamed while covering her ears as the Trollocs rampaged through the streets. She was in Fal Dara. The Gap was destroyed and the city was invaded. Alessia grabbed a short sword and began to swing it around while running through the streets. Hearing children screaming and shouting at their fallen parents. Alessia frowned.
"Why did you leave me?!" She screamed at a blue figure that turned and left. "I wasn't ready." She spoke softly. Hearing a roar as she turned and swung the sword. Killing a Trolloc 'This isn't what happened.' Alessia thought as she was looking around again. She was covered in black liquid mixed with blood. She frowned while she began to channel again. Nothing came again.
"You were supposed to save us! To help us! You ran away!" A voice from a woman that appeared in front of her. Pointing at her again.
"I did help! I helped save the city!" Alessia shouted at the woman.
"We are dead because of you! Your power killed us! It's your fault!" The woman screamed again.
"Your fault!" Amalisa spoke again.
"No. It wasn't!" Alessia shouted. Feeling the tears against her cheek.
"You're nothing but a murderer!" Voices chimed in as Alessia looked around, she was surrounded by the city folk. All pointing at her.
"It's all your fault!"
"Filthy murderer!"
"You killed us!" The voices kept repeating themselves over and over again as Alessia covered her ears.
"I'm so sorry! It wasn't my fault! I didn't mean to!" She shouted.
"You are a murderer." A calm voice spoke as Alessia turned and saw Moiraine looking at her. There was an angry look upon the woman's face. Alessia shook her head.
"No…" She spoke softly.
"Murderer!" Moiraine shouted.
"No!" Alessia screamed again.
"No!" Alessia screamed loudly. Hearing her door bang opened as Alessia was tangled in her blanket as she fell out of bed. Feeling a pair of strong arms grab her. She looked up to see Sheriam Sedai helping her up in bed.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." Alessia spoke softly.
"You didn't. One of the girls came and got me. Said you were having a night terror or something." Sheriam spoke. Alessia frowned. Looking at her doorway and saw all three Novices looking at her with scared looks.
"I'm sorry." Alessia spoke again.
"It's alright. Go back to bed you three. Or take your baths." Sheriam spoke. "Come with me, Alessia. Grab a change of clothes. You're sweating." Sheriam spoke as Alessia nodded her head lightly. Grabbing a change of clothes before following Sheriam out of her room. She frowned as she followed the woman up the stairs. It seemed the Tower was already waking up.
"I didn't wake anyone else up, did I?" Alessia asked quietly.
"I do not know. Your screaming was pretty loud." Sheriam spoke. "What happened in Fal Dara?" She asked as there was a knock on the door. "Come in." Sheriam spoke as a yellow walked into the room followed by Liandrin.
"I heard screaming. Is everything alright?" Liandrin asked. Her eyes widened when she saw Alessia.
"Yes sister Liandrin." Sheriam spoke as Alessia felt her shoulder squeezed by the red before taking her leave. "Sister Chesmal, prepare Alessia a tonic for dreamless sleep if you can for tonight." Sheriam spoke as the yellow sister bowed before taking her leave.
"Now, tell me." Sheriam spoke as Alanna had come into the room.
"I heard screaming." Alanna spoke as she was looking at Alessia.
"Does anyone else want to come in?" Sheriam asked as the door was opened. It seemed some of the other sisters were waiting as well. Alessia frowned.
"Daughter Alessia, go bath and start your day. We shall speak later." Sheriam spoke as Alessia nodded her head. She gave the woman in blue a bow before quickly leaving. She walked down the hallways rather fast as she came upon the washroom. Seeing the other Novices went quiet when she came in.
"I'm not going to drop dead or destroy something." Alessia spoke softly.
"What happened?" Emma asked as Alessia got undressed and got into the bath. Feeling the water still hot.
"It was a nightmare." Alessia spoke as she began to wash.
"It sounded pretty scary." Taylor spoke.
"It echoed in the halls and a lot of sisters were woken up from it." Taylor added.
"I didn't mean to wake anyone up." Alessia frowned as she began her hair. It was now longer. Past her middle back. They didn't ask anymore questions and she was grateful for that. She had finished and dried off. Feeling someone pull the water from her hair. She smiled and said her thanks.
"Don't mention it. Really. We aren't allowed to channel without an Accepted or an Aes Sedai." Taylor spoke.
"Safe with me." Alessia smiled as she brushed her hair.
"Come! It's the end of the week so no classes tomorrow!" Emma spoke. Alessia smiled weakly at this.
"I need to grab my bag." Alessia added.
"I'll come with you. I forgot mine." Emma added. "Plus, you need to know where the classes are." She spoke. Alessia quickly made it back to her room and grabbed her bag. Putting the book she had gotten into it with her papers and writing things. She put the strap over her shoulder and closed her bedroom door. Seeing Emma waiting for her.
"Come!" Emma spoke.
"Did we miss breakfast?" Alessia asked.
"No. We are heading there now and then to class." Emma replied. It seemed like fruit and porridge was for breakfast. This was much better tasting than dinner. She grabbed a small bowl of fruit and sat with Emma. She frowned since she hadn't caught up with Jane yet. Looking around as the Accepteds were not there.
"Quickly!" Taylor whispered as they ate quickly. Putting their dishes up before quickly running to their first class.
"We have an hour break after this class. Some use the time to catch up or converse with others." Emma spoke as Alessia sat down at a small table next to Emma. She nodded her head as Sheriam Sedai came into the classroom.
"Sorry I am late. I will be covering for Lanfear Sedai today." She spoke as Alessia heard some sad whispers.
"Now now. Today we shall work on our Old Tongue. Alessia. Do you know what Aes Sedai means?" Sheriam asked. She remembered Moiraine telling her.
"Servants of All." Alessia spoke.
"Very good. Is that all you know?" Sheriam asked.
"Machin Shin." She added. Sheriam gave her a worried look before nodding. Going back to the board as she began to write. Alessia was writing everything down. She was given another book. She flipped through it to see translations and what not in the book. She sighed in relief as this was very helpful. Hearing the bell as they all piled out.
"You coming?" Emma asked.
"I'm going to try and catch up. I'll meet you outside for weaving." Alessia spoke as Emma nodded and took her leave.
"You mentioned Machin Shin. How do you know of the black wind?" Sheriam asked. It seemed Liandrin had come into the room as well.
"We took the Ways to go to Fal Dara. I accidentally channeled inside. That's how I know." Alessia spoke with a frown.
"Very well. Don't be late to your next class." Sheriam warned her as she nodded. Liandrin had waited for the woman in blue to take her leave before sitting next to Alessia. Light blue eyes met her dark blue ones.
"Are you doing alright? I heard the scream." Liandrin asked.
"Yes. Just a nightmare. Chesmal Sedai is going to give me a tonic before bed." Alessia spoke softly. She was flipping through the pages as she was translating the words Sheriam had written. Liandrin closed her book and took her hand.
"I am here if you need to talk. But I would like for you to tell me what happened." Liandrin spoke as Alessia frowned at this.
"Why does everyone keep hounding me about it?" Alessia asked in return.
"We need to understand what happened so we can get to the bottom of the block you have." Liandrin replied. She nodded and sighed lightly. It seemed like Liandrin she could trust.
"Moiraine took me to Fal Dara. The city was going to be attacked by Trollocs and Shadowspawn by the thousands." Alessia started. Seeing Lillen had come into the room silently. Sheriam had come back.
"Forgot something." She spoke.
"Thousands of them?" Liandrin asked as the other two started to listen in.
"Yes. Lady Amalisa asked for my help in defending the city. I said I would. Loial. The Ogier said Moiraine had ordered me to go back to the Tower." Alessia spoke.
"How could you if only you had the Ogier to take you back through the ways?" Sheriam asked as she sat down. Lillen was now sitting on Alessia's other side. Taking her hand into her own under the table.
"Moiraine taught me how to open the gate." Alessia replied.
"By the Light." Sheriam whispered.
"Continue." Liandrin spoke. Alessia frowned. Feeling her hand squeezed for encouragement. She sighed.
" There were three other women there. It was just the five of us there. She had us link with her as the army of the Dark was getting closer. I could feel her pull too much power as I told her to stop. That she was going to kill herself and the others. She wouldn't listen. She called upon lightning and killed most of the Trollocs before the three other women burned out. They were killed by using too much. From my power. I told Amalisa to stop. She said she couldn't. She burned out as well before finishing off the enemies." Alessia spoke quietly while looking at the book in front of her.
"How did you survive? You said most of the army." Sheriam asked.
"I killed the rest of them using my Power. Moiraine found me after it happened." Alessia spoke. Feeling her eyes water as she wiped her eyes quickly.
"They're dead because of me. Of my power. Moiraine told me I'm powerful. I shouldn't have gone. Should have just left when I was told to." Alessia spoke with a frown.
"Using the Power is dangerous. People die from it when they are not ready or use too much of it. Lady Amalisa knew her limits but pushed on anyway." Liandrin spoke.
"What happened was not your fault. You defended a city when you did not have to." Sheriam spoke.
"But those women are dead because of me." Alessia frowned while looking at the Mistress of Novices.
"That is what you think. It was not by your doing. It was by Lady Amalisa. She knew her limits and yet she pulled more from you. Killing the others in the process. You survived because you are stronger." Sheriam spoke. That didn't sound very good to her ears.
"Then why does my mind keep telling me it was my fault?" Alessia asked softly.
"Because you were not ready. If you were properly trained before then, you would have been ready but you were not. You should have listened to Moiraine yes, but what you did took courage. You should be proud." Sheriam spoke. Alessia nodded her head lightly and sighed. She wasn't convinced but maybe someday her mind would push past this and allow her to use her power again.
"Come. Time for your next class." Sheriam spoke as Alessia nodded. Feeling the loss of contact before following the woman in blue out. Not knowing that Liandrin and Lillen were speaking to each other.
–Notes–
Okay! Maaaybe some of this fanfic will follow the show a little bit but there is much more! Hope you all are enjoying it so far!