At this time of day the Channeling Yards were eerily empty. Above the midday sun beat down with impunity upon any who dared to roam beneath its skies. The Shadow's touch was felt in the sweltering rays and those that knew the Last Days were near made their preparations. For some it meant spending time with loved ones, saying all the things that really mattered before the world changed forever. Others bided their time, honing skills and knowledge all in an effort to overcome the enemy in the final battleground. Whether Light or Shadow all creation understood what was at stake when the Dragon took up arms to fight against the Shadow.
Valadin's mind rolled through these thoughts and many more abstractly while waiting for Asha'man Caenis of the Indigo Ajah. The man had promised to teach him about Traveling a fortnight ago.
Deciding long ago the circumstances that had brought about this curiosity in the Traveling Weave were less than noble, Val had practiced a solemn expression should he ever be questioned on his reasons. For the sake of seeking out his family after Tarmon Gai’don. Of course many Asha’man would frown upon personal affairs outweighing more practical cause, but times such as these made people more charitable; he thought. The truth was not far from his intended speech—a shudder still ensued at how frighteningly Aes Sedai that sounded—Val did intend to seek out his family should he live after the Final Battle. The Dream World had afforded an insight to the scope of the world, how large it was, how vast and different it could be in certain places: he needed to see such things. Youthful days of wishing to be held by a mother’s arms had done much to encourage this desire to bloom quite early so it felt natural that with the One Power at his disposal these fantasies should be strived for.
In the distance Caenis appeared on the horizon. Rail-thin and dark beard peppered with gray, the Asha'man was every bit a man readying for years of dotage. Except one look at the steel gray eyes and purposeful gait dispelled any such notion. Valadin had never met the man in person, yet was stroke by how lively he appeared in person. A cord dyed a deep reddish blue dangled at Caenis' coat lapels as the man approached apparently unfazed by the heat. In tow was a seemly young woman not yet old enough to have her looks tampered with by the Aes Sedai agelessness. Valadin wondered vaguely what good a woman could do in the presence of channeling men. It was not a matter of prejudice towards woman; he’d met Miahala Ives forever changing his notion of how powerful women could be. Rather this was a concern of verity after all, women could not sense a man channel.
"Light shine on you, Dedicated," Caenis greeted in a warm fashion that wrinkled the edges of his eyes when he smiled.
"And upon you," Val replied slowly, bowing no more than the other man's rank was due. He'd resumed his education of reading and writing under the tutelage of a panel of Brown; all of whom insisted pronunciation was essential to the lessons.
Briefly he met the cool stare of the young woman before noticing the Serpent ring on her finger.
"Ah! My apologies..."
"No need, Dedicated. We should all be equal in our zeal to resist the Shadow."
A brow raised at that. Truer words had never been spoken, but few of the Tower acted as though they were privy to this fact.
"As you say...Sister.” Unsure he made an awkward show of paying homage to the young woman as well. When he straightened he was met with the remnants of a smile that briefly made him wonder pretty she might have been in another setting.
Caenis barked a laugh and motioned the pair towards a portion of the Yards far from the edges while introducing the young woman as Elyrna Meines, Aes Sedai of the Indigo. With decorum out of the way, Caenis explained to Valadin the essence of their training today and in the effort revealed the reason for Elyrna's presence, "Linking...," Val repeated, sampling the word awkwardly on his country tongue. "Yer...You're saying you'll be able to channel using my Power? And...through that I'll learn to make Gateways?"
"Aye. It'll make more sense once we've started. Reach for the One Power, but do not seize it," the Asha'man instructed. He and the Sister shared a knowing look while Val brought himself to the cusp of drawing upon the Power. It was difficult feeling the intense energy of the Power, but not snatching it.
It took several attempts before Val reached the necessary state. Joining what Caenis had named a Circle he was suddenly swept up in a dizzying storm of Power greater than he had ever experienced. Eyes swinging between the two channelers he realized he could sense their bemusement at his reaction and slight sense of...awe. "The combined might of myself, Elyrna, and you. That's what you're feeling," the Asha'man explained.
Curious to know what handling that much of the One Power was like, Valadin tried to channel, but was rebuffed and found that even his full strength could not be brought out no matter how he strained. Again patient indulgence passed through the Power-born bond they shared. Strangely Val felt he knew the lay of the other channellers thoughts as though they were his own. The deeper he delved into the bond the less distinct the boundary of identity existed until for a disconcerting moment all consciousness fused as one making all three wince.
"Easy lad," Caenis said, the first to recover from the mental recoil. "Relax and I'll show you how to Weave a Gateway."
Allowing the Void to smooth away the distraction Val felt as Caenis assumed leadership of the Link. The various nests of Power were now at the Asha'man's disposal.
Even in the Oneness it took great effort not resist as an unseen force seized the storm of Saidin within Valadin's body. Suddenly a Weave comprised of Spirit with a touch Fire came into fruition with far more precision than Val could've managed alone. It felt as though it was his will that guided the furious Power, yet he knew it not to be.
They stood in a triangular array, each an equal distance from the other. Between them the Flows forcibly folded the Pattern making the air ripple. Val noted that the folding was in concept alone. More accurately the Spirit roughly drew at two points in the Pattern, distorting and reshaping until the distance between them had all but vanished, "See the place before you Travel there."
It was Caenis though it was uncertain whether the words had been spoken through the Link or aloud.
Concentrating Valadin envisioned the image of the Travelng Grounds. The smooth plot of soil shaded by towering ash trees. His mind grasped the detail of the place having visited many times. He could clearly recall how stone walls cordoned this section from the rest of the Tower grounds and the gouged earth guarded almost jealously by those of the Grey Ajah. The Power stirred expectantly beneath Caenis' and Val's guidance, both minds working to shape its force.
Though there was resistance, the sheer might of the Power was enough to transform the threads that shaped the world. While Spirit drew the strings together, Val marveled as there was a very distinct pressure building. At first it had been dismissed as a distraction, but no, there was a tension in the air just before the Flow of Fire did its work. Then a hush fell over the area a familiar slash of silver appeared. Valadin vaguely felt he knew the sensation as the light grew, widening into a doorway large enough for a man to pass unimpeded. An unnatural glow emanated from the Gateway where the Travelling grounds stood on the other side. Letting go of a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding Val laughed, marvel and delight passing through the Link to infect the demeanor of senior channellers.
"Light, that's amazing! It was me, but ya...you were. I made that Weave, right? I made a Gateway!"
Caenis allowed the ebullition continue a bit longer before calling Val to attention. "Now your mind and body knows the Weave, but practice is still required...with supervision."
Quick to nod his acquiescence Valadin begged to continue, but the Asha'man shook his head. "Linking with two men is difficult on an Aes Sedai. Wouldn't be wise to continue," Caenis said looking to Elyrna.
An argument brewed, it came clear through the Link, but Caenis was in control. Soon the Sister sniffed indignantly before offering Valadin an apologetic smile.
"We will do this again, Dedicated. You possess skill with this Weave. It would be a shame to have it go to waste."
Trying not appear disappointed when the Circle disappeared leaving him feeling alone with his thoughts and Saidin Valadin bowed deeply in gratitude to both man and woman. "My thanks. May the Light Illumine you."
The Gateway sealed shut with a low hum, the air looking not quite right for a few moments after as the Pattern was restored to its original state.
With that the meeting dispersed, but Valadin was already thinking of when next they would gather as he headed back to the Tower.
Valadin's mind rolled through these thoughts and many more abstractly while waiting for Asha'man Caenis of the Indigo Ajah. The man had promised to teach him about Traveling a fortnight ago.
Deciding long ago the circumstances that had brought about this curiosity in the Traveling Weave were less than noble, Val had practiced a solemn expression should he ever be questioned on his reasons. For the sake of seeking out his family after Tarmon Gai’don. Of course many Asha’man would frown upon personal affairs outweighing more practical cause, but times such as these made people more charitable; he thought. The truth was not far from his intended speech—a shudder still ensued at how frighteningly Aes Sedai that sounded—Val did intend to seek out his family should he live after the Final Battle. The Dream World had afforded an insight to the scope of the world, how large it was, how vast and different it could be in certain places: he needed to see such things. Youthful days of wishing to be held by a mother’s arms had done much to encourage this desire to bloom quite early so it felt natural that with the One Power at his disposal these fantasies should be strived for.
In the distance Caenis appeared on the horizon. Rail-thin and dark beard peppered with gray, the Asha'man was every bit a man readying for years of dotage. Except one look at the steel gray eyes and purposeful gait dispelled any such notion. Valadin had never met the man in person, yet was stroke by how lively he appeared in person. A cord dyed a deep reddish blue dangled at Caenis' coat lapels as the man approached apparently unfazed by the heat. In tow was a seemly young woman not yet old enough to have her looks tampered with by the Aes Sedai agelessness. Valadin wondered vaguely what good a woman could do in the presence of channeling men. It was not a matter of prejudice towards woman; he’d met Miahala Ives forever changing his notion of how powerful women could be. Rather this was a concern of verity after all, women could not sense a man channel.
"Light shine on you, Dedicated," Caenis greeted in a warm fashion that wrinkled the edges of his eyes when he smiled.
"And upon you," Val replied slowly, bowing no more than the other man's rank was due. He'd resumed his education of reading and writing under the tutelage of a panel of Brown; all of whom insisted pronunciation was essential to the lessons.
Briefly he met the cool stare of the young woman before noticing the Serpent ring on her finger.
"Ah! My apologies..."
"No need, Dedicated. We should all be equal in our zeal to resist the Shadow."
A brow raised at that. Truer words had never been spoken, but few of the Tower acted as though they were privy to this fact.
"As you say...Sister.” Unsure he made an awkward show of paying homage to the young woman as well. When he straightened he was met with the remnants of a smile that briefly made him wonder pretty she might have been in another setting.
Caenis barked a laugh and motioned the pair towards a portion of the Yards far from the edges while introducing the young woman as Elyrna Meines, Aes Sedai of the Indigo. With decorum out of the way, Caenis explained to Valadin the essence of their training today and in the effort revealed the reason for Elyrna's presence, "Linking...," Val repeated, sampling the word awkwardly on his country tongue. "Yer...You're saying you'll be able to channel using my Power? And...through that I'll learn to make Gateways?"
"Aye. It'll make more sense once we've started. Reach for the One Power, but do not seize it," the Asha'man instructed. He and the Sister shared a knowing look while Val brought himself to the cusp of drawing upon the Power. It was difficult feeling the intense energy of the Power, but not snatching it.
It took several attempts before Val reached the necessary state. Joining what Caenis had named a Circle he was suddenly swept up in a dizzying storm of Power greater than he had ever experienced. Eyes swinging between the two channelers he realized he could sense their bemusement at his reaction and slight sense of...awe. "The combined might of myself, Elyrna, and you. That's what you're feeling," the Asha'man explained.
Curious to know what handling that much of the One Power was like, Valadin tried to channel, but was rebuffed and found that even his full strength could not be brought out no matter how he strained. Again patient indulgence passed through the Power-born bond they shared. Strangely Val felt he knew the lay of the other channellers thoughts as though they were his own. The deeper he delved into the bond the less distinct the boundary of identity existed until for a disconcerting moment all consciousness fused as one making all three wince.
"Easy lad," Caenis said, the first to recover from the mental recoil. "Relax and I'll show you how to Weave a Gateway."
Allowing the Void to smooth away the distraction Val felt as Caenis assumed leadership of the Link. The various nests of Power were now at the Asha'man's disposal.
Even in the Oneness it took great effort not resist as an unseen force seized the storm of Saidin within Valadin's body. Suddenly a Weave comprised of Spirit with a touch Fire came into fruition with far more precision than Val could've managed alone. It felt as though it was his will that guided the furious Power, yet he knew it not to be.
They stood in a triangular array, each an equal distance from the other. Between them the Flows forcibly folded the Pattern making the air ripple. Val noted that the folding was in concept alone. More accurately the Spirit roughly drew at two points in the Pattern, distorting and reshaping until the distance between them had all but vanished, "See the place before you Travel there."
It was Caenis though it was uncertain whether the words had been spoken through the Link or aloud.
Concentrating Valadin envisioned the image of the Travelng Grounds. The smooth plot of soil shaded by towering ash trees. His mind grasped the detail of the place having visited many times. He could clearly recall how stone walls cordoned this section from the rest of the Tower grounds and the gouged earth guarded almost jealously by those of the Grey Ajah. The Power stirred expectantly beneath Caenis' and Val's guidance, both minds working to shape its force.
Though there was resistance, the sheer might of the Power was enough to transform the threads that shaped the world. While Spirit drew the strings together, Val marveled as there was a very distinct pressure building. At first it had been dismissed as a distraction, but no, there was a tension in the air just before the Flow of Fire did its work. Then a hush fell over the area a familiar slash of silver appeared. Valadin vaguely felt he knew the sensation as the light grew, widening into a doorway large enough for a man to pass unimpeded. An unnatural glow emanated from the Gateway where the Travelling grounds stood on the other side. Letting go of a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding Val laughed, marvel and delight passing through the Link to infect the demeanor of senior channellers.
"Light, that's amazing! It was me, but ya...you were. I made that Weave, right? I made a Gateway!"
Caenis allowed the ebullition continue a bit longer before calling Val to attention. "Now your mind and body knows the Weave, but practice is still required...with supervision."
Quick to nod his acquiescence Valadin begged to continue, but the Asha'man shook his head. "Linking with two men is difficult on an Aes Sedai. Wouldn't be wise to continue," Caenis said looking to Elyrna.
An argument brewed, it came clear through the Link, but Caenis was in control. Soon the Sister sniffed indignantly before offering Valadin an apologetic smile.
"We will do this again, Dedicated. You possess skill with this Weave. It would be a shame to have it go to waste."
Trying not appear disappointed when the Circle disappeared leaving him feeling alone with his thoughts and Saidin Valadin bowed deeply in gratitude to both man and woman. "My thanks. May the Light Illumine you."
The Gateway sealed shut with a low hum, the air looking not quite right for a few moments after as the Pattern was restored to its original state.
With that the meeting dispersed, but Valadin was already thinking of when next they would gather as he headed back to the Tower.
