Chapter Sixteen: Hidden?
Morning was already there as the sun was barely up as Alessia was already out of bed. Moiraine was still asleep. She was being quiet as she changed into a new dress and packed her stuff. She had a dreamless sleep last night and was very upset about it. She could feel a worried feeling in her stomach knowing full well that Lillen was probably worried. Alessia took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She was sitting at the table as she focused on her feelings. Sending a calming feeling towards Lillen, hoping she would feel it.
"I see you are already awake." Moiraine spoke as Alessia opened her eyes and looked over. Nodding her head lightly. The older woman had gotten out of bed to change. Alessia looked to the side as she sighed softly.
"Is everything alright?" Moiraine asked.
"Yes. I never had a dreamless sleep before." Alessia spoke as she grabbed her bag as Moiraine grabbed hers.
"Well, having those helps your mind relax and rest." Moiraine spoke. Alessia knew this, though she was hoping to speak to Lillen in her dreams last night. Hearing a knock on the door as it was opened.
"Ah, you both are awake. Good. Breakfast will be ready soon and we will take our leave from there." Verin spoke as Alessia nodded her head with a smile. She followed Moiraine out of the room and Lan was leaning against the wall and spotted them.
"Let me." He spoke as he took Moiraine's bag and then Alessia's.
"Thank you, Lan." Alessia spoke as she gave him a bow.
"No worries." Lan spoke with a smile and took his leave. Feeling a hand on her shoulder as she was then guided away towards the kitchen.
"Good morning!" Adeleas spoke as Alessia gave her a bow as Alanna walked into the kitchen as well.
"We are eating outside and then heading out." Adeleas spoke as Alessia smiled and nodded her head. Following the brown ajah outside. She could smell the food and felt her stomach growl. She sat down and waited for the others to start eating first.
"Did you sleep well?" Adeleas asked as Alessia nodded her head lightly
"I did. I am excited to get started on the lessons." Alessia spoke as she was filling her plate with eggs and toast before eating. "This is good. Thank you Adeleas Sedai." Alessia spoke with a smile.
"Thank you dear." Adeleas spoke with a smile. She was going to help her clean up after breakfast.
"So, we decided that we are going to have you wear different clothes while you are outside of the Tower for our lessons." Verin spoke while eating and not looking up from the book she was reading.
"Is that allowed, Verin Sedai?" Alessia asked with a curious look.
"Not in the Tower. You are training under us for the time being. I think it will be best for you to be comfortable." Verin spoke, still not looking from her book. Alessia nodded her head lightly and finished. She helped Adeleas clear the table and went back to the kitchen to help clean up.
"Ready?" Adeleas asked as Alessia nodded her head with a smile. She followed the older woman out. It was a bit cold outside as she shivered. Not realizing she did not pack any cloaks. Feeling something warm wrap around her shoulders as she looked over her shoulder. Moiraine smiled and patted her back. She was now wearing a blue cloak that Moiraine had wrapped around her shoulders.
"Thank you." Alessia spoke lightly as Moiraine nodded her head as she took the lead with Verin. She frowned as she knew where they were going now. They were going to go through the Way gates. She stopped and took a deep breath. Feeling her shoulder touched as she looked at the person. It was Adeleas this time.
"Everything alright dear?" She asked. The others stopped to look at her. Moiraine then knew.
"It'll be alright. I promise." Moiraine spoke as Alessia sighed.
"Yes." Alessia spoke as she began to walk forward.
"Do you remember how to open it?" Moiraine asked as Alessia nodded. She reached out to touch the Source and moved her hands to weave in the way she was taught. Moving one hand forward as the gate opened. Smiling at her work as she dropped the weave as she felt her shoulder patted.
"Great job!" Adeleas spoke as Alessia nodded her head as the brown ajah took the lead then followed by Lan. Tomas, who Alessia learned is Verin's warder. He is an older man with graying hair. A kind man who followed Lan inside as well. Alessia was the last one inside with Moiraine. It seemed Alanna was making sure they were getting to Andor safely. Torches were lit as Alessia held one while looking around. She felt uneasy again. Following in silence as she looked around. It was dark. Pitch black inside. The silence in the ways was deafening. She could hear their footsteps against the floor as they made their way across the pathways and small bridges.
"We'll rest here for now." Moiraine's voice carried over in the surrounding area in echoes. Alessia sat down and leaned against a crystalized pillar. Yawning lightly. It felt like they were walking all down. "Get some rest." Moiraine spoke as she sat next to Alessia. Looking at the woman in blue before sighing and nodding her head. Leaning her head back as she closed her eyes. Feeling an arm snake around her shoulder as she looked over to Moiraine who leaned a little against her.
"I want to tell them." Alessia spoke again softly.
"No. You cannot." Moiraine replied.
"Do they know?" Alessia asked while looking at the brown ajahs and Alanna were sitting together talking to each other.
"No." Moiraine replied to her question.
"Going to tell them?" Alessia then asked. Nodding towards the others.
"No." Moiraine spoke again. Alessia frowned at this. She hated keeping secrets from those she cared about. Especially this secret. "Until the time is right." Moiraine then spoke. The blue ajah still had her arm around Alessia's shoulder as she sighed a little.
"I can't keep it from Liandrin and Lillen." Alessia spoke softly.
"I understand. Come. Time to go." Moiraine spoke as she gave Alessia a small kiss on the side of her head before standing up. Alessia followed suit. Standing up to follow.
"Won't be long now!" Alanna spoke as she was smiling and took the lead. Alessia raised a brow before looking at Moiraine who chuckled. Taking a deep breath and continuing on following.
Seeing the city of Andor in front of them, Alessia sighed in relief as they made their way towards the city.
"How long were we in the Ways?" Alessia asked.
"Not even a full day dear." Adeleas spoke as she was taking the lead with Alanna, Followed by Verin and the warders. Alessia was in the back with Moiraine as she was carrying her bag. Seeing that Moiraine and herself were the only ones that had a bag.
"Is there a place for the Aes Sedai in Andor?" Alessia asked while nodding her head at the guards that allowed them through the gates.
"Yes. There is a house that was given to the White Tower a long time ago." Adeleas spoke as they were now making their way down the road. Alessia felt her stomach growl as she blushed at this.
"Here my dear. Get us some dinner." Alanna spoke as she handed Alessia a small pouch of coins. Alessia nodded with a bow. Seeing Moiraine grab her bag.
"Go ahead. I'll take this inside." Moiraine spoke as Alessia gave her a bow and turned to leave down the road. The air was warm despite the fact that the season changed. She shivered and held onto her cloak tightly while looking around. It felt odd being back in Andor. Especially the same city her parents had fled with her. Taking a deep breath as she entered a shop. Seeing several displays of meat and what not. She scrunched her nose from the smell.
"How may I help you?" A young man's voice came as she turned to look.
"Hello. I am looking for some venison for dinner." Alessia spoke as she leaned over a shelf looking rack
"How many pounds?" He asked as she looked at him.
"How many would feed for about ten people?" She asked. It was just in case someone wanted seconds.
"Hmm. Well I could recommend this here." He spoke while pointing at a large piece of meat. "It's venison. Fresh today as well." He added.
"I'll take it." She spoke as the young man smiled and nodded his head. He then wrapped it in paper and went to a counter to weigh it and wrote the information down. Alessia smiled and paid before taking her leave. She had a handmade bag to carry the meat. She went to look at the fresh fruits and vegetables that were being sold by an older woman outside on the side of the road. The food looked fresh as she was browsing. Some meat looked fresh and some meat did not.
"See anything you like?" The woman spoke. Her voice was kind. Alessia smiled at her.
"Any strawberries?" Alessia asked while looking back.
"Yes, though, they are cheap, not many due to being out of season." The woman spoke. Alessia nodded her head and took out her personal coins to pay for a small amount of the strawberries. She smiled as she packed them into her pocket.
"I would like to get some potatoes and carrots." She added as she paid. Smiling as the woman was thanking her several times for being a customer. She only smiled and bowed to the woman before taking her leave. She yawned lightly. Hoping to actually get some dreams tonight. She wanted to see Lillen and Liandrin. She needed to see them. She was humming softly as she made her way back to the place they were staying. Hearing shouting as children were playing and running around in the streets. She smiled while watching them before taking her leave again. Seeing the house as she entered it.
"I am back!" Alessia shouted as she looked around. She was at the entrance of the house. Seeing a dining room across from the kitchen and then on was a sitting room. Seeing Alanna walk out of the room and towards her with a smile.
"This way." Alessia spoke as Alanna took the lead. Alessia followed Alanna to the kitchen and set the bag onto the counter. "What did you get?" She asked while Alessia pulled out the packaged meat and set it aside. "Go unpack. I'll start. Come join once you are done." Alanna spoke. She bowed to Alanna and walked around the hallway. Wondering which one was her room. Seeing a door opened as Moiraine stepped out and waved for her to follow. She did. Walking up to the woman in blue as she entered the room.
"This is where you are staying." Moiraine spoke. She looked around the room. It was plain like the Novice room back at the Tower. Except the bed was bigger and it was definitely more comfortable. She sat down and smiled.
"It's cozy." Alessia spoke as Moiraine smiled at her before sitting down at a table. "When am I proclaiming?" Alessia then asked in a more serious tone.
"Drop it Alessia." Moiraine then spoke. Alessia sighed at this. "Do not mention another word about it. It's to protect you." She added. Alessia shook her head and walked over to the dresser and began to unpack her bag.
"We are going to get you some clothes tomorrow before training." Moiraine spoke as Alessia nodded her head. She grabbed her bag and set it on a chair by the door and left to leave. "Where are you going?" Moiraine asked as she began to follow.
"To help Alanna Sedai finish dinner." Alessia replied as she made her way to the kitchen now. Alanna was humming while she had rinsed the vegetables. Alessia had forgotten that her strawberries were in her pocket as she pulled them out and set them on the counter. Walking over as she pulled out a knife and began peeling the vegetables. Feeling a pair of arms snake around her from behind as she jumped a little.
"Just me." Moiraine spoke softly in her ear. She shivered. Not sure how to respond to this. Moiraine was not afraid to show what she felt. Alessia smiled weakly and nodded her head as she finished. Sliding the carrots and potatoes off the board she used and washed her hands. Moiraine had let go as she left with Alanna to get the others. It seemed the food was now finished as she went to help set up the table.
Alessia went down the hall to knock on all the doors to let the others know dinner was now ready. She smiled and went back to the dining room and sat down between Moiraine and Adeleas. Watching the others fill their plates before she did.
"Don't worry dear. You can grab your food with the rest of us." Adeleas spoke as Alessia smiled and nodded her head. It had been a long day. She just wanted to go to bed soon. The food was good.
"Don't forget to drink your tea." Alanna spoke as Alessia nodded and took a drink of her tea. Yawning lightly as she was eating her food.
"Tomorrow, I will be taking you to the library once Moiraine is done." Verin spoke as Alessia nodded her head. She was listening to the others chat as they were eating.
"Moiraine. What did you find at the Bore?" Verin then asked. Alessia looked up as her food was halfway to her mouth. She was curious as well.
"Well. It seemed the Dark One now has a hold in the world. He can influence others." Moiraine spoke. Hearing a soft gasp.
"That would mean that.." Alanna began.
"Mean what?" Adeleas asked while looking back and forth between the two.
"The Dragon is reborn again?" Alanna asked. Everyone went silent. Then Alanna's warder busted out laughing and shook his head.
"Nonsense! The Dragon hasn't been born again." He spoke as others were nodding. Alessia frowned and looked at Moiraine who was also frowning. She had a feeling that no matter what happened, they didn't believe it. Feeling her thigh squeezed a little under the table as Alessia sighed a little.
"I mean, it would be great if the Dragon was born again. It would be nice to have a powerful channeler to teach." Alanna then added as she finished her food. Moiraine cleared her throat as she drank her tea.
"Wait, you are being serious?" Alanna then asked as everyone was looking at the blue ajah. Moiraine had a serious look on her face.
"If it's true, then the Reds will want to find him and gentle him." Verin spoke then.
"Why? I thought the male side was cleansed?" Alessia asked.
"To prevent history from getting repeated." Verin replied. She nodded to show she understood.
"Who said the Dragon was born a male this time?" Moiraine then asked. Everyone went silent again.
"If the Dragon is a woman, then we need to find her and make sure she is safe at the Tower." Alanna then spoke.
"So, we need to find all women who can channel brought to the Tower." Verin spoke as she finished her food.
"You are forgetting that the Dragon hasn't been born again." Alanna's warder spoke.
"Right." Alanna then spoke. Alessia stood up and began collecting the dishes. Feeling her arm rubbed by Moiraine as she took her leave to the kitchen to clean up. Putting the leftovers up as she cleaned the dishes. Drying her hands off as she went straight to her room. Seeing Moiraine was sitting on her bed while reading.
"I can sleep in a different room." Alessia spoke as she went to grab a gown.
"No. Stay." Moiraine spoke without looking up from the book. Alessia changed into her gown and set the dress on the back of a chair. Sitting down on the other side of the bed. She then plopped down. Her head hitting the pillow as she yawned again. She turned onto her side facing away from Moiraine. Feeling the older woman shift on the bed as the candles went out. Then she felt Moiraine pressed against her from behind. She was being cuddled. It felt comforting in a way. She just wished it was Liandrin or Lillen.
Feeling her forehead receive a kiss as she jumped up. Looking around to see Moiraine already dressed as Alessia yawned and stretched out her arms. Looking out the window to see the sun already coming up. She frowned. She had another dreamless sleep. Did Lillen not want to contact her? She frowned and closed her eyes. Focusing her bond with Lillen. Sending her a worried feeling before sighing and looking up.
"Everything alright?" Moiraine asked as Alessia nodded her head.
"Yes." Alessia spoke as she took the Accepted dress that Moiraine handed her. She waited for some privacy. The older woman however didn't turn. Alessia then just changed into her clean dress. Putting her cloak on as she followed Moiraine out of her room. Seeing Alanna set a plate on the table. Alessia smiled as it was the strawberries cut up with cream.
"You never mentioned you bought strawberries." Alanna spoke as Alessia smiled.
"Well, I bought them with my own coins but honestly, I forgot about them." Alessia spoke as she took a slice and dipped it into the cream and ate it. Feeling Moiraine grab her arm gently.
"Time to get going." Moiraine spoke as Alessia nodded and followed the woman in blue out of the house now. Looking around as the city was just waking up. Alessia was looking around. The cold air made her shiver a little. She could see her breath in the air as she exhaled. Following the blue ajah in silence as she was looking around. There was light frost covering the ground and buildings around them.
"Here we are." Moiraine spoke as she entered a building that was oddly opened this early. She followed inside to see several different clothes on displays. Several different colors as well. Alessia smiled as she was admiring a sleeve white button up blouse as Moiraine grabbed it. There was a smile on her face.
"We'll have you wear black and white with a colored belt to represent the Acceptance." Moiraine spoke as she was handing Alessia several different pairs of clothes for her to try on. Her favorite was the long black slacks that fitted her legs with a little flare at the bottom with the blouse she eyed. She wanted to wear it out. She pulled out her coin purse as Moiraine took it away and pocketed it.
"Wait outside." She spoke as Alessia nodded her head and took her leave. Leaning against the building of the store as she waited. Seeing the door open as the blue ajah came out and smiled. Handing Alessia the bag.
"I don't know how to thank you." Alessia spoke. Feeling an arm wrapped around her shoulder as she was led back to the house they were staying in. It seemed the others were all now awake as she could smell the food being cookies.
"Get changed." Moiraine spoke as Alessia nodded. She went back to the room she was staying in and dumped out the clothes onto her bed. Something had caught her eyes as she looked a little to the left. There was a large black tarantula. She smiled and reached down a little. Feeling it crawl onto her hand and up her arm before just sitting there. She lifted her arm and smiled. Seeing that it was watching her.
"Hello there, little beauty." She spoke softly. Watching it raise a single front leg up and then down before crawling down her arm and off her hand. Back onto the bed. She smiled before folding the new clothes she had gotten. Putting on her favorite outfit and tied the belt around her waist. It felt odd and tight.
Once done, she headed out of the room and smiled as she was fumbling with her belt.
"Here. Let me." Moiraine spoke as she walked up and started fixing her belt. Alessia nodded her thanks as she sat down.
"Today, we are going over some Ter'angreal." Verin spoke as Alessia smiled at this.
"Will I be able to tinker with some?" Alessia asked.
"Absolutely not. Have you not learned after the incident with that man?" Verin asked. Alessia frowned and nodded her head as she slumped a little in her seat as she was silently eating her breakfast. It had come and gone as Alessia finished cleaning up as she followed Verin out of the house this time. Heading across the street and a few blocks over as a massive building was in sight.
"Whoa." Alessia spoke as her eyes went wide.
"Like it?" Verin as she opened the door. Alessia followed her inside. Seeing bookshelves among bookshelves along the walls. The Tower library was still bigger but this was more laid out to give it more of a roomy look and feeling to it. She was waved to a seat as she sat down. Wondering why as Verin took off. Alessia was still looking around as she wanted to dive into the books already. Verin had come back with a few books in her arms as she handed them to Alessia. She took them and placed them into her bag as she was given a journal to write her notes in.
"Alright, those are your starting books. If you need more, you are welcome here anytime. We have access after hours as well." Verin spoke as Alessia nodded. "Though, just because we do, does not mean that you should in any circumstance be here after curfew hours." Verin warned her.
"I understand, Verin Sedai." Alessia spoke. She stood up and followed the brown ajah back out of the library and back to the house. She now had much to start reading about and notes that she was going to be taking. She made sure she had plenty of ink for writing. She was now back in her room as she was writing letters to her friends and to Lillen and Liandrin as her door opened. Her books were opened as well. She had written a few pages of notes.
"What are you writing?" Moiraine asked as Alessia smiled before looking up.
"Letters." She spoke as Moiraine took the letters from her and burned them in her hand. "What gives?" Alessia gasped while looking at her.
"No one can know you are here." Moiraine spoke.
"Why?" Alessia asked.
"We can't trust anyone." Moiraine replied.
"You cannot or I cannot?" Alessia asked.
"Both of us. I am supposed to keep you safe and protected." Moiraine spoke.
"You cannot be the only one who is doing so." Alessia spoke. Moiraine was silent for a moment.
"Stop bringing this up." Moiraine sighed with annoyance.
"I can't stop. I cannot hide who I am from those who I love and care about." Alessia spoke softly. Her eyes threatened tears as she rubbed them. Feeling arms wrap around her chest from behind as Moiraine hugged her.
"I need you to trust me." Moiraine spoke in her ear. Alessia nodded her head and felt a kiss on her cheek as the older woman pulled away.
"I do trust you. I need you to trust me as well." Alessia spoke as Moiraine watched her before nodding and sat down on her bed. Pulling the book out again to read. She was watching Moiraine before going back to the book she was reading. Tapping her quill on the journal she had before sighing a little.
"Everything alright?" Moiraine asked as Alessia nodded her head.
"Yes. Just wanting to do some weaving." Alessia spoke.
"Well, practice your weaves. You're an Accepted." The older woman spoke.
"Got a weave you want to teach me?" Alessia asked as she sat up straighter.
"Not at the moment, no. Maybe ask sister Alanna." Moiraine spoke. Alessia jumped from her seat and quickly left the room. It felt better not wearing the dress anymore. Seeing Alanna was speaking to Adeleas as she spotted her.
"Hello dear! I was just about to take my leave back to the Tower for a few days." Alanna spoke as Alessia frowned.
"I was hoping you would teach me a new weave." Alessia spoke.
"Ah yes, when I come back. I promise." Alanna spoke as she side hugged Alessia with a smile. Adeleas had taken her leave.
"Tell Liandrin and Lillen Sedai I said hi?" Alessia then asked. Alanna only smiled at her before taking her leave. She frowned at this. Watching the green ajah take her leave as she went back to the bedroom she was in. Seeing Moiraine was still reading.
"She had to go." Alessia spoke as she sat down next to Moiraine. "Why can't you teach me?" Alessia asked. She still wanted to know what had happened at the Bore when Moiraine left her behind.
"It's not my turn to teach you." Moiraine spoke without looking up.
"Neither was it Alanna Sedai." Alessia added while giving Moiraine a look. She looked up and then chuckled while nodding her head.
She was reading her own book now on her bed. She was leaning against Moiraine now Who had an arm wrapped around her shoulders while absorbed in her book. She would weave air to turn the pages in her book. Alessia was in awe at this. Being able to use the One Power for anything. She wanted to learn it all. Even create new weaves if she could. Moiraine then broke the silence.
"Tell me. What gave you the idea to weave out the poison from that man?" Moiraine asked. It wasn't in a harsh tone but in a curious one.
"Well. I know what blood feels like under a weave after much practice with Chesmal Sedai. Feeling a foreign liquid was easy to identify. From there, we were able to extract it carefully from his body." Alessia spoke. Feeling her shoulder rubbed. Moiraine was smiling. Her blue eyes met Moiraine's blue eyes.
"I am proud of you." Moiraine spoke. This made her smile.
"Thank you. I know I still have to face my punishment." Alessia spoke.
"Speaking of. Sister Sheriam will be visiting to give you the punishment." Moiraine spoke in a more serious tone.
"Will I be getting the switch or the belt?" Alessia asked with a frown.
"Possibly the switch. Seems to have more effect on you." Moiraine replied. Alessia shook her head at this and sighed softly. "You'll be alright. Just don't tinker or experiment without a Science Ajah present." Moiraine added as Alessia nodded her head while hearing a knock on her door as it opened. Adeleas poked her head in and smiled.
"Come. Time to eat." She spoke as Alessia jumped from her bed and followed the brown ajah out to the dining room. Taking her seat while waiting for the others to start eating. Seeing her cup poured with tea as she smiled and nodded her thanks.
"Don't forget to drink your tea." Adeleas spoke as Alessia nodded her head. Grabbing her cup and she blew against the hot liquid before taking a drink. Then she felt something on her chest burn. She winced and looked away from Moiraine and the others who would be asking questions. She knew. Lillen was looking for her. She smiled softly at this.
Liandrin's POV
She had finally brought the runaway back to the Tower. By the time she had come back, her little dove was already gone. Lillen seemed to be in a good mood from that damn smirk she hated seeing.
"What is it to you?" She asked while tying the horse up in the stables.
"I bring a message from our Accepted." Lillen spoke softly. Liandrin looked at her and raised a brow.
"We have many Accepteds." Liandrin spoke as she crossed her arms.
"The only one we truly care about." Lillen rolled her eyes at this. Grabbing her hair to put it behind her to tie it up. Making sure it was braided as well.
"What is it?" She asked as Lillen took a deep breath and sighed with a smile.
"She said the next time she sees you, she wants to bond with you." Lillen spoke as she stood up straight but her hands folded in front of her. Liandrin gasped softly.
"Are you sure she said that?" Liandrin asked. Hoping that Lillen was not playing with her. She wanted nothing more than to bond with her Accepted. "I am sure. She and I bonded." Lillen added as she smiled again. Liandrin frowned at this. How could Alessia bond with Lillen before her?! Jealousy had risen inside her stomach as she wasn't the first to bond with her. She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose before grabbing the bag from the saddle and headed into the Tower. "Do you not want to bond with her?" Lillen asked quietly.
"Of course I do! I just wished it was before I left." Liandrin frowned at this.
"Well, she was sad when you left. Also, I cannot find her in her dreams." Lillen added. Liandrin frowned again at this.
"Why would that happen?" She asked. Lillen only shrugged at the question. "If she is not dreaming, then that concerns me." Liandrin spoke as she was trying to get settled in.
"I will try and pry more into it." Lillen suggested as Liandrin nodded her head. "Come. We are wanted as well." Liandrin sighed while taking the lead to her room to drop off her bag into her room. Lillen was silently following. Looking around her surroundings as she was taking everything in for the first time again.
"I sent out some spies. She was found but the room was unfamiliar." Lillen spoke to break the silence. They were now leaving the Tower. Pulling the black cloak on and putting her hood up. They needed to be silent when leaving.
"Can you create the portal?" Liandrin asked. Lillen nodded as she only waved her hand. She hated how much stronger this woman was than her. She stepped inside right after Lillen. It did not take long as they appeared in their new location. Near the edge of the cliff outside of a small village. The house was large and circular in shape. This is where they held meetings on the goings in the world. She stopped to watch Lillen now.
"What are you doing?" She asked as Lillen had her eyes closed as she was focused. A single hand in front of her as she was weaving. Her other hand upon her own chest. Then it clicked. Lillen was searching for her dove.
"I found her." Lillen then spoke.
"Where is she?" Liandrin then asked.
"She's somewhere in Andor." Lillen replied.
"Are you coming or going to be standing around?" Lanfear's voice spoke."We are coming sister Lanfear. Time to get this meeting started. I am sure the Black Tower wants to know how things are going." Liandrin then spoke as she took the lead into the house.
End of POV