As usual all speech in italics is in the Old Tongue.
Chapter LXXIII - Laying Foundations
The three aes sedai all looked at each other and none of them said anything. Fine. "Rand, Nynaeve, what do you think?"
Rand spoke first, he didn't hesitate once Taija asked. "I think he's earnt it. He's done everything he possibly could, no hesitation. He even agreed to your binding rod scheme and I know how you feel about subjecting yourself to one of those. I vote yes."
Nynaeve was more reluctant. She was definitely a woman who could hold grudges. "They say no one can fall so far that they cannot walk in the Light once more. I like to think that's true, although I'm not so sure. Still… What more could he do? I don't like it, I don't like him, but it's still a yes."
Then they were both looking at Taija. Rand's voice was gentle. "It's up to you Taija, you can say no and we'll speak no more about it. You were the one who was there, he never did much to us. You understand better than either of us ever can."
Did she want to say no? There was the political aspect of it of course, it would be very politically difficult if she rejected him. However, Taija wasn't going to let that influence her actions. She believed in the ideals of the aes sedai and she was going to uphold them regardless of the cost. Either he was worthy or he wasn't. He'd changed or he hadn't. So that was the question, Was he worthy, could she be sure? Was this the Tel she knew? Was there ever a Tel she knew? He hurt her more than anyone else ever had. Thinking that felt pathetic actually. He'd broken her heart but he was responsible for the death of millions of people. Her people. But everything he'd done since… Saving Rand, serving loyally. Saving her. Bringing her Lanfear's head. His obvious self-loathing.
In the end it was politics that swung it for Taija after all. Not that it would be politically expedient to restore him to the aes sedai, that was never going to be her reason. Rather it was the realisation that she honestly believed that saying no wouldn't affect the politics, because he'd still try as hard as he could to do a good job. If she was being fair, and Taija was trying very very hard to be fair, because what she really wanted was to shout at him for being so fucking stupid and then run away and hide, the fact that it wouldn't change anything was a sign that he was worthy of her saying yes.
Taija realised she'd been thinking for a long time, the other two were starting to fidget. "Alright, he's earnt it. I vote yes."
They all looked at each for a second and then nodded before turning back to face the front. A moment later Taija dispeled the webs she'd spun around the platform. Tel was still kneeling, unmoving.
Taija stood and was quickly followed by Nynaeve and Rand. "Tel Janin Aellinsar, we have considered your crimes and what you have done since. You have proven yourself worthy under the eyes of the Light and the Hall of Servants." She glanced at Rand and he pulled a bundle from under the table and walked round it.
"You knelt, wayward and lost. Now stand and be welcomed home as our brother once again. Tel Janin Aellinsar you are aes sedai once more." Rand had been unfolding the bundle and as Tel stood Rand was there, behind him, holding a black coat open for Tel to slip his arms into. Sinuously divided circle of the aes sedai on red background on the left breast and the golden globes of a third name on the collars.
"You have earnt the trust that we are showing you. Wear the badge of the aes sedai with pride for all who meet you shall know that you stand a representative of the Hall of Servants once more, but remember for you have strayed before, to be aes sedai is to serve."
With those final words Taija concluded the ceremony and Rand embraced Tel in a tight hug. "Welcome home brother."
Nynaeve moved after him to give Tel a far more reluctant embrace, but she still did it and said the words, "welcome home brother." She needed to work on her pronunciation.
Taija had got herself back under control enough, she could do this. She followed Nynaeve down and as Nynaeve quickly stepped back from Tel Taija stepped forward. Were those tears on his cheeks? She didn't want to think about it. Taija clasped her arms round his thick chest and pulled herself against him. For a brief moment his arms went around her and she could forget anything had ever happened. Then she was pulling away , back into the real world where she had to face reality, remember everything that had happened, but she still said the words. "Welcome home brother."
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A few weeks later Taija was working in the cold of early spring beside the labourers that had been hired to make a start on the new Hall of Servants. It was a modest start for sure, but time was limited and she figured it could expand as numbers grew. Having a large number of channelers who could help with construction wouldn't hurt either.
Despite the cold air, Taija was down to a short sleeved blouse and trousers, mucking in with the other workers occasionally. It was heavy going. But these people were probably going to be making up a lot of the future staff of the Hall and it was important to start with the ethos she meant to continue with. When their makeshift crane had lifted another block of stone into place Taija channeled, earth and spirit, aligning it with the rest of the wall they were building, strengthening and smoothing the stone.
"Then there's this one, it's a bit out of alignment Taija sedai." The foreman? architect? Taija wasn't quite sure what he was, directed her to another part of the building. While she knew how to strengthen stone and do all kinds of things with it, she had no idea how to actually make a building.
Taija directed the webs and stone shifted slightly, gaps between blocks fading and its face smoothing out.
"Thank you Taija sedai." He gave her a low bow and moved off to shout at some workmen. She'd already asked him several times to call her Taija outside formal occasions, but that seemed to be a step too far for him.
Spinning done for now, Taija went back to the gang of labourers moving log rollers in front of another large block of stone that was being pushed towards the building site and joined in with them. She didn't have to do this, it was a bit silly really, she was hardly the strongest person around, but she wanted to set an example. Aes sedai should not be separate from the people. Elsewhere the girls, Aleksi and Tel were helping with other buildings. Obviously not full time, they all had far too much to do, but this was important too.
Taija had been doing this enough now that the workers no longer seemed quite as uncomfortable around her as before, which was progress. She certainly wasn't treated as one of them, but they were at least accepting her taking part rather than shying away.
Of course Taija did think about just lifting the blocks herself, but it wouldn't be a great idea. Aligning and strengthening the stone once it was in place was actually very power intensive. She and Tel could do it. So could Egwene, unusually for a woman she was very strong in earth. Nynaeve wasn't all that strong in earth despite having plenty of raw strength. Neither was Elayne. Lifting huge blocks of stone with the Power was certainly within Taija's capabilities too, but again, would be very power intensive. She didn't think she could do both for a sustained period, so she did the one that only she could do and just helped with the rest. It was also very good exercise. The sort of thing richer people in her time would have paid a small fortune to simulate in an expensive gym. They probably wouldn't have liked the mud and unsophisticated labourers though.
It did occur to Taija that Tower aes sedai might say this was what they did with novices, but she was ready for when an annoying one turned up to say it. Firstly, she wasn't a novice. If Siuan wanted to go scrub pots and pans she could, but Taija would bet she didn't. Secondly she wasn't doing it to 'build character', she had plenty of that thank you very much. She was doing it because she was part of a team. As Taija lifted one end of a log and helped haul it round with the other workers she grumbled to herself as she made up arguments in her head with an imaginary Tower aes sedai.
Taija's internal grumbles came to an end when a man came striding into the building site. He was tall, black haired with a dark, clean-shaven face and high cheek bones. She supposed some people might find him quite attractive if he wasn't surveying his surroundings with a contemptuous smirk that would have fit right on the imaginary Tower sedai she'd been arguing with in her head.
He swaggered up to Taija's gang, "who's in charge here?" His body language very much said he thought it should be him.
The foreman clearly agreed, bowing low. "Uhh she is, my lord." He pointed over at Taija. Bastard, she didn't want to speak to whoever this was.
He pointed his overly large nose in Taija's direction and looked her over. Thoroughly. She was suddenly conscious of the way sweat was making her blouse stick to her and not happy about it at all.
"Can I help you?" Taija kept her tone mild and helpful. "My lord."
His smirk deepened. "Why yes, perhaps you can." Fuck. Off. "But first you can take me to Rand al'Thor, the Dragon, or his man Tel Janin. My name is Mazrim Taim and I am here about the proclamation."
He clearly expected Taija to know who Mazrim Taim was. She'd heard the name somewhere, she was sure. Was it from Aleksi? He must be a channeler though. Taija already intensely disliked him, so she sketched the motion of a curtsy, despite her trousers. "Of course my lord, I will take you to Tel sedai, the Lord Dragon isn't here. If you would follow me." She embraced saidar, her ability concealed as ever so he wouldn't feel anything, just as a precaution.
Taija was almost certain that he was staring at her backside as she walked, but nevertheless she led him through the construction site to where Tel was working. He was stripped right down to some sort of vest. The idiot was always trying to catch a cold. Why did he spend so much time without a bloody shirt on? No one wanted to see his muscles anyway.
Tel looked up when they arrived and had the presumption to give Taija a tentative smile. Before he could say anything Taija sketched another curtsy. "Tel sedai, this man is Mazrim Taim and he says he needs to see you." She took a couple of steps back placing herself behind Taim.
Fortunately Tel hadn't completely lost his wits and rolled with it. "Thank you." He looked back to Taim, casually dismissing Taija as Taim already had. "So you're Mazrim Taim? I take it you're here for the amnesty and to join the Hall of Servants?"
"Indeed I am. The world is not a comfortable place for men such as ourselves and I was thinking that this looked like a better option than being on the run from the Saldaeans and the aes sedai." He paused. "Well the White Tower aes sedai anyway."
"And you've given up on your belief that you are the Dragon Reborn?" Tel sounded mildly impressed, which Taija knew was a sign he wasn't.
She could hear the smirk growing in Taim's voice. "It is clear that Rand al'Thor is the Dragon Reborn. As for me, well." He shrugged. "I'm strong. I might have been. It was better than crawling into a ditch and dying or letting the Red Ajah gentle me." Taija could sympathise with that at least. "So I was thinking that you would need more 'aes sedai' for this 'Hall of Servants' you're setting up and you certainly need someone of my strength and experience."
"You're that strong?" Tel managed to sound genuinely surprised. He was an annoyingly good actor.
Taija couldn't see Taim's face but she felt like his smirk might have fallen away a bit. "I am sure you are just as strong of course." Maybe Tel wasn't such a good actor.
Tel shrugged and smiled guilelessly. "Well being aes sedai isn't all about strength, but let's see how strong you are. Seize saidin and hold as much as you can."
Obviously Taija didn't feel anything and Tel barely moved, but she'd known him long enough to know when he was actually surprised and hiding it. "Mmm you are very strong."
"Indeed, so I was thinking a partnership. You and I, leading these 'aes sedai'…" Tel smiled slightly. "Beneath the Lord Dragon of course."
Tel's smile widened, "an interesting idea. However, I think you've misunderstood the situation here. Being aes sedai is not just a question of strength, but also of skill and of attitude. It's in the name - servants of all. None of us here are looking to replicate the White Tower's attitudes."
"Of course," there was an undertone of wry, sceptical amusement in Taim's voice.
"Anyway, it's not my decision to make." Suddenly Tel's voice was almost breezy.
"You need to go to the Dragon for every decision?"
"Ha! No, the Lord Dragon is far too busy. You've heard of Taija Kosola?"
"The aes sedai who serves the Dragon?"
"Well she's the one in charge here, not me, so you should probably speak to her."
"I see." He sounded unimpressed. "Where might she be found?"
Tel smiled and tipped his head towards you, behind Taim. He turned to see her smiling face and finally his dismissive attitude cracked just a touch. "Ah, Taija sedai." He gave her a low bow. "My apologies I did not recognise you."