Cheeks reddening at the apparent amusement his question triggered, Valadin was grateful for the opportunity to move on to other matters. The revelation that the middle-aged looking Asha’man was in fact a century old brought previously questions of what nature of changes the One Power would inadvertently cause in him. Looking over the man with eyes anew, Val could see that time had touched little save for the wings of grey that stretched over each temple; that and the sad burden of wisdom in his eyes collected over the span of decades. Instinctively his thoughts turned to the far younger looking Maegan Sedai. She looked as though she’d barely seen her twentieth summer though her effortless poise and controlled responses were alien amongst the young people that he knew; Valadin felt like a child in the company of both.
Many had heard the stories of the Aes Sedai whose schemes stretched over the span of many generations, but to find the rumor true…it struck a curious and unnerving cord in someone who still struggled to believe that the end times were drawing closer.
Legs folded beneath him, Val considered Durent’s words and questions carefully. Much of what the older Asha’man had said was true. Saidin’s power was a wild torrent that resisted being tamed. His lessons had comprised of little other than subduing that vast ocean, bending it to his will through concentration techniques. After his initial brush with the Power, Val had become dejected after numerous failures controlling it, but now he gradually began to understand that duty required him to overcome his misgivings. If the Pattern had really weaved this path for him, then he would see it to its conclusion. No matter the cost.
“I’ve…well I’ve become quite good at weaving Fire. Most other flows are a bit tougher to manage though I’m among the best at creating Light out of our lot,” Val answered Durent.
Talking about Saidin usually proved as difficult as actually holding it; memories of failure often making the subject a sore point in conversation. Perhaps it was this that turned Val’s thoughts towards the Sister once more. She’d learned to channel some other than the Grey Tower—she’d been to the White Tower. “Maegan Sedai?” he started, curiosity overwhelming better sense, “You come from the Tower? The White Tower? What was it like? Are the stories about Sisters serving the Dark One true?”
The questions would’ve continuing coming forth had not the looks on both Maegan and Durent darkened so abruptly, “Something I said?”
Many had heard the stories of the Aes Sedai whose schemes stretched over the span of many generations, but to find the rumor true…it struck a curious and unnerving cord in someone who still struggled to believe that the end times were drawing closer.
Legs folded beneath him, Val considered Durent’s words and questions carefully. Much of what the older Asha’man had said was true. Saidin’s power was a wild torrent that resisted being tamed. His lessons had comprised of little other than subduing that vast ocean, bending it to his will through concentration techniques. After his initial brush with the Power, Val had become dejected after numerous failures controlling it, but now he gradually began to understand that duty required him to overcome his misgivings. If the Pattern had really weaved this path for him, then he would see it to its conclusion. No matter the cost.
“I’ve…well I’ve become quite good at weaving Fire. Most other flows are a bit tougher to manage though I’m among the best at creating Light out of our lot,” Val answered Durent.
Talking about Saidin usually proved as difficult as actually holding it; memories of failure often making the subject a sore point in conversation. Perhaps it was this that turned Val’s thoughts towards the Sister once more. She’d learned to channel some other than the Grey Tower—she’d been to the White Tower. “Maegan Sedai?” he started, curiosity overwhelming better sense, “You come from the Tower? The White Tower? What was it like? Are the stories about Sisters serving the Dark One true?”
The questions would’ve continuing coming forth had not the looks on both Maegan and Durent darkened so abruptly, “Something I said?”
OOC: Well according Jordan, usually when people channel for the first time without training they feel sickness after and also might go through some spans of uncharacteristic recklessness. That was the experience Val was referring to; it goes away and isn’t caused by the taint. Women supposedly go through it as well though it’s usually more prevalent amongst wilders. Also sorry for the mix-up on the IC character name.
