The Grey Tower

Two women stepped into her office. Although the majority of girls who came for testing were turned away, Mirin could feel the kinship of the One Power with both women. A broad smile spread over her face and she stood, spreading her arms.

"Welcome to the Grey Tower, Rhe'alenya! I am the Mistress of Novices here and you may call me Mirin Sedai. Please have a seat."

The Aes Sedai gestured to the cushioned chair across from her. From a bookcase next to her desk, she took a large ledger. "This is the Novice Book," she said. "Please sign here."

Then she turned to the Accepted. "Thank you for bringing her here, Betrys." Her expression cooled as she regarded her former roommate and friend. She wished that she could seem kinder, but did not want to be accused of playing favorites. "Don't you have other things to tend to?"

Rhe'alenya was rather surprised by the enthusiastic greeting from Mirin and let out a breath she hadn't even realized she was holding. She didn't know exactly what she had expected, but certainly not somebody as welcoming as this. While she knew Aes Sedai were about helping people she also knew that a Novice could expect stern treatment during training. Unsure as to whether this was simply her welcome or if Mirin were as such all the time she decided to play it safe. Thank you, Mirin Sedai Rhe'alenya said respectfully as she smoothed the back of her skirts to sit. When Betrys was dismissed she turned and gave her an appreciative smile with hope that they would meet again. Rhe'alenya already liked the girl and thought she would enjoy having her as a friend.

Turning back to the Mistress of Novices she looked at the Ledger of Novices being set on the desk. It was rather intimidating, but in a way that put excited flutters in the stomach. Rhe'alenya picked up a pen and signed where the Aes Sedai had specified. Once the ledger had been signed she sat erect in her chair with hands respectfully folded in her lap and watched Mirin, wondering what was next.

Mirin took the ledger from Rhe'alenya and placed it on her desk with a heavy thud. She would put it away once the ink had dried. But for now, there was a new novice to attend to. The Blue sister settled down into the chair next to the girl.

"Rhe'alenya Taremandrin," she said, recalling the name written in the Novice Book. "You must be tired from your travels. Would you like some tea? Tell me about yourself, please."

Halfway through Rhe'alenya's story, a servant brought a tray of tea. Mirin offered a cup to the new novice, and continued to listen intently. An Andoran farmgirl, raised with two loving parents and a younger brother. Older than many of the girls wearing white - in fact, only a few years younger than Mirin herself - it was a miracle that she hadn't burned out. Saved from the dangers of the One Power by a block - she was a wilder who could only channel when angry and frustrated.

Rhe'alenya was a passionate and stubborn woman, which was a good thing for an Aes Sedai, who needed to be commanding and strong of will, but which meant she might fare poorly as a novice, for she would be hard to teach. She needed to learn that bending did not mean breaking - and to learn how to surrender.

These thoughts did not show in Mirin's grey eyes. She listened compassionately, with unwavering attention. When the story came to an end, she spoke.

"You have the ability. You have the desire. Your name is in the Novice Book. You will leave behind Rhe'alenya of Arien. You will become Rhe'alenya, a novice of the Grey Tower. Listen close, because the rules are many and punishment is strict. Starting tomorrow, you will be enrolled in classes, not just pertaining to the One Power but also of writing, mathematics, history, literature, and philosophy. You will be assigned an Accepted for a mentor - in fact, I think Betrys would be quite suitable. You will be prompt to your lessons and respectful of your teachers. Each morning, a chores list will be posted on the bulletin outside my door... "

Mirin droned on, the familiar words rolling quickly off her tongue. Most girls were overwhelmed and retained little of the information, but these rules would be repeated and discipline delivered until they learned to listen.

"I will give you some privacy behind that screen," she continued, gesturing to a wooden screen hiding a corner of the room. "Behind it you will find a several sizes of novice dresses hanging in a small closet. Please remove your dress and belongings and put on a suitable size of dress, and then take a couple extra as changes of clothing. Your belongings will be locked away for safekeeping - and your current dress will be burned. You are leaving behind Rhe'alenya of Arien and entering as a novice of the Grey Tower. Do you have any questions?"

Rhe'alenya felt welcome by Mirin Sedai, however she knew to show deference to the Mistress of Novices. She accepted Mirin's offer of tea gladly and hardly paused in her story when the tea arrived. It was difficult to read Mirin's face however her nerves had eased a bit since arriving. When Mirin said she would be leaving behind Rhe'alenya of Arien and entering the tower as a novice, Rhe'alenya's stomach fluttered with both excitement and anxiety.

Rhe'alenya listened quietly as Mirin went over everything she needed to know coming into the tower. There was such a flood of information and at such an overwhelming time that by the time Mirin had finished her (what had to be) routine speech Rhe'alenya was sure she had missed more than one thing in her worry about trying to keep up. When told Betrys might be a suitable mentor Rhe'alenya smiled. They hadn't gotten off to the smoothest start but Rhe'alenya liked the girl.

To be quite direct, Mirin Sedai, I have many questions but my mind is going so fast I can't seem to put one complete inquiry together. I hope I may ask later when I have calmed if there are any questions that have not been answered. Truly, though, I think the best way to learn is to do so I hope to get any answers I might need about joining the Tower.

With a curtsy Rhe'alenya disappeared behind the screen where she was instructed to change and gather novice dresses. She hadn't realized her hands were trembling until trying to undo the buttons down her back. After a bit of a struggle with the things, she finally got her clothes off and located a properly sized dress. Holding it in her hands she looked at it. It was so plain, yet so bold. It was an introduction to a new life and adventure. It was more than a change of clothes, it was a change in the pattern with which she had become familiar. Taking a deep breath Rhe'alena donned the dress and gathered extras as instructed and slowly stepped out from behind the screen.

Folding hands in front of her, Rhe'alenya stopped just outside the screen unsure of what to do next. She decided to speak. Gently clearing her throat Rhe'alenya said Mirin Sedai? I have done as you instructed and am ready to proceed. Proceed with what she did not know, but the first step had been taken. Rhe'alenya Taremandrin was now a novice of the Grey Tower.

"Please place your other dress in the fireplace," said Mirin. When the girl had done so, the Aes Sedai opened herself to the Source and channeled a weave of Air and Fire.

Fire, for heat and flames; Air, to quicken the blaze. With a blinding flash of light, the dress disappeared, leaving behind a neat pile of ashes. Mirin released the Source.

"Welcome to the Tower, child," she said, formally. She collected the new novice's personal belongings and placed them in a labeled box. It would be locked in vault and be returned if Rhe'alenya reached the Shawl - or if she was turned out of the Tower.

"I am nearly always in my office if you have any questions. You are also always welcome to slip notes under my door if I am not here. Your room will be in the novice quarters, which are in the building to the south of the Tower. Let's see... there is an open room on the third floor, second door to the right. Here, let me write down the room number for you. Well, I think that's all. Rhe'alenya, it has been a pleasure getting to know you. Light be with you."