The Grey Tower

At first everything was dark, but then slowly things became clear, or well more clear than the were; things had never been so murky before. Liri tried walking forward but it was like hitting a wall of black fog. She had no idea what what was going on but her gut was telling her that she had to get through this fog and she trusted her gut.

Ever so slowly Liri could see the fog clearing, but she couldn't quiet believe what she was seeing; none of it made sense. All Liri really got were images. She saw a young beautiful young girl with long black hair, but Liri sensed she was in danger, gave danger but Liri had no idea what she could do to help her; or if she even could. Before Liri could do or say anything everything changed.

The girl was still there but this time she was older, and more mature but the danger was still there. Liri sensed that the girl was lonely, well not lonely but something along those lines. Maybe she was just alone. Liri couldn't quiet figure it out but she knew that there was no one there to get this woman out of harms way.

The scene faded again and another scene build itself in front of Liri. She felt like she was intruding on someone else's space but she had no idea how to stop it, or if she even could. She figured she would just ride this out and ask questions later.

This scene was different then the other two. The woman was still there but this time there was a young child with her. The child had remarkably similar hair, and Liri would have sworn the woman was the mother to the child, but that didn't fit with the others. Regardless the future could change and Liri sensed that this part was more important than any other the others, this was this womans savior. Liri couldn't quiet understand it herself but this child, he or she would be the thing that saved this woman.

Liri bolted out of bed sweating. She had no idea what had just happened but quickly she grabbed paper and a quill from her bedside table and wrote down everything. She really didn't expect to forget anything that had just happened but she didn't want to take any chances. Liri only wrote in point form, knowing that that would be enough to jog her memory, so she was done quickly. Becoming more aware of her surroundings, Liri realized that it was in fact morning and she had to get moving soon or she would be late for breakfast. She got out of bed quickly and put on a few dress, tying her hair up in a bed and tucking any loose hairs behind her ears.

With that handled Liri walked out of her room and headed towards the kitchen. The close she got the more her stomach protested. She hadn't eaten much the night before so now she was starving. Liri loaded her plate up with a decent amount of food and headed towards the tables to find a spot to sit. But before she had walked two steps she froze. Sitting on the bench in front of her was the girl from her dream. Liri knew she couldn't ignore what she saw, but she also wasn't exactly sure how to approach her, she made a note to talk to Carra about that. At least she's an Accepted like me, had she been a Novice chances were that the Novice would have thought Liri was playing a prank on her.

Smiling as she sat down in front of the girl Liri spoke up. "I hope you don't mind if I sit here." Her voice was confident and smootth, that was one thing she had been practicing. "I don't think we've met before. I'm Lirievin."

As usual, Mirin was buried in a book. A finger of her right hand tracked across the pages while her left hand clutched a half-eaten fruit. Annals of the Final Night, a history of the War of Power, was grim reading to start off the day. But Mirin found it exceedingly interesting – far too interesting to put down.

A voice spoke. “I hope you don’t mind if I sit here.”

Mirin looked up from her book. She instantly recognized Lirievin Tesiva. While Mirin didn’t know everyone who lived and worked in the Tower, she had a keen interest in gossip and had learned the faces of all her fellow Accepted. A sudden memory of a prank with a basket of snakes flashed into her mind. Light, it had been years since that silly little trick! She kept her face smooth.

“No, we haven’t met,” she said pleasantly. “I’m Mirin Ronaile. Please, take a seat.” She gestured with her fruit.

Mirin marked her spot in her book and tucked it away in her belt pouch. She tried to remember the rumors she had heard about Lirievin. There wasn’t much – Liri seemed to be adept at avoiding gossip. Ah, yes. The woman was interested in the Red Ajah. The newest Ajah of the Tower, and the smallest, with only two members. Would Liri be the third?

“How are your studies?” Mirin asked. Her tone was light and politely interested, the tone that she used for small talk with strangers.

Lirievin Tesiva Liri moved her food around on her plate before taking a small bite. Now that she was closer she vaguely recognized the girl in front of her. If her memory served her right she and another Novice at the time had played a prank on Liri. That really had been ages ago and Liri had been so consumed by everything happening that she hadn't even realized that the girl has been raised, she wondered briefly in the girls partner in crime had been raised as well.

If Liri had ever found out the girls' names she had long forgotten them, she had actually almost forgotten about being pranked. Onwards and Upwards she thought to herself. The girl in front of her seemed so much different the the one she vaguely remembered pranking her.

Liri looked at Mirin for a moment before answering her question, Liri just couldn't shake her feelings from her dream last night, but still had no idea how to bring it up to Mirin. It was odd, she felt like she had been a part of something so significant in Mirin's life, or her potential life, and yet she barely knew the girl and Mirin did not know her. But Mirin had started some small talk and that was a starting point, then maybe she would feel things out and tell Mirin what she had seen. There was no guarantee that Mirin would listen but Liri knew that she at least had a right to know what she had seen.

"Studies are going good. I almost feel overwhelmed at points, so I have no idea how you have time for spare reading" Liri said gesturing to where Mirin had put her book away. Liri had never seen the book she had been reading, so she just assumed that it was Mirin was doing all on her own. "How are you managing all your classes?" she asked politely taking a few more bites of her breakfast.

Mirin finished her fruit as Liri spoke. She tossed the pit onto her plate. "I know what you mean by feeling overwhelmed," she said, understandingly. "I try to find time for reading, though. It's such a stress reliever. Perhaps the classes I've chosen are easier than yours.

"Sometimes, extra reading helps with class as well. Annals of the Final Night is written by Marsim of Manetheren. I find it to be an interesting perspective on the War of Power, and so far it has helped a lot in history class. I highly recommend it. If you like, I can let you borrow it."

She tapped her lip thoughtfully. "My favorite classes are political history and law. It's so interesting to analyze struggles for influence and power. I have the most trouble with logic." She grimaced. "But I'm aspiring to the Blue Ajah and these are their recommended courses."

Mirin tilted her head. "By the way, I've heard that you're interested in the Red Ajah. Is that true?"

Lirievin Tesiva Liri nodded politely as Mirin spoke. She understood the point of doing something to relieve stress, and for her that meant trips into Tel'Aran'Rhoid. Each to their own though, but not being a fan of history Liri would probably never understand Mirin's personal choice.

Liri smiled again as Mirin offered to let her borrow her book. "Although the offer is nice, I'm not necessarily a fan of history and I really think it would take me far too long to read it and return it in a considerable timeline. I do appreciate it though." She hoped Mirin understood, but she didn't really have extra time for reading and reading a history book just made it less appealing.

After her talk of history and politics Liri wasn't surprised when Mirin said she was aspiring Blue it just seemed to fit. But the talk of Ajahs came up and Mirin asked It Liri was interested in Red. She nodded before replying. "Yes, I'm aspiring to the Red Ajah, assuming when I am raised that they will accept me when I am raised." Liri use to feel odd and judged when she told people that but now she had gained the confidence to not worry about it.

"This is going to seem totally left field, but you don't have any children do you?" She knew asking it might seem like she was crazy but she knew she had to do something about this Dream and she had a feeling that beating around the bush would not be the best way to handle things with Mirin.

"I know it may sound crazy, but I just recently found out I have a talent for Dreaming and I saw you were in trouble and a young child was your savior, but it was in the future so maybe you don't. Either way I know this was important and you needed to know. Just please don't take this the wrong way..." that was really all she could say. Mirin would either think she was crazy or believe her but she couldn't sway her any more then she already had tried.

Mirin smiled. "Of course they will accept you," she encouraged. "I'm sure that they would feel lucky to have you." She wanted to ask more about the Red Ajah - but when Liri mentioned having children, Mirin froze. Her gaze snapped to meet Liri's blue eyes.

"What? Children? No, I don't have any children," she said, slowly. A note of steel entered her voice. "And I don't plan to, either." She couldn't help but to think of her path through the arches. Little Lina. Danger. Trouble. Death. No, she would not have children. Never. But Mirin had read about Dreamers and their Talent, which was so similar to Foretelling...it would be foolish to ignore the signs.

Mirin brushed away Liri's reassurances. "It is not crazy. What is the wrong way to take it?" she asked brusquely. Her hands balled into fists. She wanted to leave - to storm off to her room and think, alone - but she had to know. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down.

"I'm not angry that you told me, Lirievin. In fact, I'm very thankful. But again, I do not intend to have children. Ever. Dreams can be interpreted in many ways. You say that a young child will save me. Perhaps the child won't be mine. Perhaps the child will never exist. Perhaps it is a mere... possibility."

Her hands relaxed as she regained control. She tossed her head arrogantly. Beautiful black curls fell about her face. "And besides, what could a child possibly do to save me?" Mirin laughed bitterly. Her eyes, cold and grey, did not leave Liri's face. She wondered if there were other signs that Liri could see, could know.

"How strange it is that you saw me," she mused. "Even though we've never met before and are practically strangers. Can you please tell me exactly what you Dreamed?"

Lirievin Tesiva Liri let out a sigh of relief when Mirin didn't get up and walk away; that had been her worst fear with this.It was strange coming up to a complete stranger, feeling like you knew some intimate part of their life. But she knew in gut that telling Mirin was the right thing. Before Liri even really have time to think Mirin started asking questions. Liri took a deep breath before talking.

"Well I was worried you would think I had come here and made up stories to.. i don't know.. make you feel bad? Or as a prank. I was just hoping you'd take me seriously, as you have." she paused there for a moment. Although she didn't know Mirin, she was getting the feeling that Mirin was tense, but she could have been reading her wrong.

"There is always the possibility that I am wrong. I haven't had this Talent for long, so it's not like I have a lot of experience either. I'm only going by what I felt. It wasn't a long Dream or even a very descriptive Dream. It started in a haze, and when that cleared I saw you, as she are today. I don't know how I knew it but I knew that you were in trouble. Then the scene changed, and again I saw you, but you were older. The sense of danger there and I could feel it getting closer. That faded and I saw you again, but this time there was a young child there who looked a lot like you. Again, there was nothing that said she was yours it was just a feeling I had. But once I saw you with this child I knew that the danger was gone." Liri paused there. She had kind of gone on for quite some time she just hoped that she hadn't spoken too fast.

"Again, all I really have to go on is feelings nothing concrete. And even if what I saw in my Dream was true, the future is not concrete so it can change. But either way, the way I felt, the way the sense of danger made me feel, I knew I had to at least speak with you. If you say you aren't having kids then maybe me Dream wasn't true, or way but it's changed. You would know the probabilities better then me." She stopped there, waiting to see what Mirin had to say.

Mirin listened carefully. Although Liri spoke quickly, Mirin caught every word. As she listened, her expression was neutral, but her eyes remained coldly focused on Liri's face.

When Mirin finally spoke, her voice was gentle, but contained a note of hardness - a hint of something more, like silk over steel.

"Lirievin... Liri," she said. "I apologize because it is not my place to say this. But you, too, have a right to know. All this talk of the possibility of being wrong, the probability of the Dream being untrue, does nothing for my confidence in you as a Dreamer. If you are a Dreamer, then stand by your Dreams! Why are you doubting yourself? Of course your Dream is true! You have power, Liri. Own it. Use it."

Two years ago, her voice would have risen in volume. Two years ago, her face would have been flushed and her gestures animated. But her time as an Accepted had taught her restraint. Mirin was still a passionate young woman, but now her passion was directed and controlled. She barely moved as she spoke, but her words, clear and precise in her Cairhienin accent, flew through the air like a whip.

"While the Dream might be true, the trouble is in the interpretation. The child may be real, or it may only be a symbol. Also, as you said, the future is not concrete. However, the Wheel will weave as it will. Some futures will certainly come to pass. For example, Tarmon Gai'don. Everyone knows that it is coming. But the result..."

She left the sentence unfinished and finally looked away. Around them, the dining room bustled as novices and other Accepted began clearing away their plates. Sometimes, destiny cannot be escaped, she thought. Perhaps this child is also inevitable. Perhaps what I saw in the arches is my fate. The thought terrified her. Mirin felt a sudden chill. But she did not share her thoughts.

"Why the Red?" Mirin asked, suddenly. "At the White Tower, the Blue Ajah and the Red Ajah have long been enemies. Here, the Red is new and small. But I hope that the history of hatred won't become the case here. You are a Dreamer. And I," - her eyes became dark - "I have my own talents as well. Once we become full sisters, it would be a shame if we spent our time and energy struggling against each other rather than working together. What do you think, Liri?"

Lirievin Tesiva Liri took in what Mirin had to say, she told her to be more confident and generally Liri was, but this talent was just so new and she wasn't sure exactly what everything meant. She just had gut feelings to go off of but no experience to back up her feelings. But even so, Liri knew Mirin had a point. Eventually Liri would have to have confidence in her talents and abilities so now what the time to start.

"You're right Mirin. I need to have faith in my abilities and learn to trust my gut." Liri stopped there, not sure how to continue; there wasn't much more to add to that. But Mirin continued speaking so Liri didn't have to worry about what to say. Mirin did make some good points about her Dream though. It could a have been a symbol, but Liri knew what she felt and she didn't think it was. Either was, that was for Mirin's future and now that Liri had told her it was in Mirin's hands on how to deal with it and watch out for it.

Mirin trailed off before suddenly asking her why she wanted to go Red. "It was a hard choice, in a way. I knew I would be interested in a few, mainly Red, Blue and Green. But from there is was just eliminating. I knew preparing for Tarmon Gai'don wasn't what I wanted. But I knew I wanted to help people. After Sean I wanted to help those you couldn't help themselves, or who didn't have the strength to stand up for themselves. That would have fit in with either the Blue or Red but their methods are different and I felt like, feel like I could do what I wanted to do and how I wanted to with Red. Miahala Sedai talked with me and she helped me figure a lot of this out as well." She paused there. Mirin brought up being friends and working with each other. For a moment Liri was suspicious of that but based on her conversation Mirin so far she wanted to trust her and see this in a good light.

"It would be a shame to waste energy and I see no reason why the Blues and Red here should, or would have a feud. Working together, or working beside each other and fighting of greater evils only makes sense to me." She wasn't sure what Mirin would have to say to that, or why she had brought this up but Liri would only wait and see.

Although Mirin had moments of empathy, especially for those close to her, her nature was too selfish to understand true kindness and compassion. She could not comprehend the unselfish desire to help others without receiving anything in return.

Liri had said that she wanted to help those who didn't have the strength to help themselves. An admirable goal, Mirin thought, but rather idealistic. Foolish, to think that the weak would be grateful for help. Dangerous, to expend resources on a cause that may have no promise of return and instead suck the giver dry. If given the chance, some people would just take...and take...and take, no matter what was given, until there was nothing left to give. Mirin had nothing but contempt for such people.

No. She could not understand Liri's kindness and willingness to help the weak. Mirin had colder, more practical dreams.

She did not dwell on these thoughts. Instead, she smiled. "I'm glad that you see it that way, Liri. We both seek to pursue justice, in some form or fashion, and your Dreams could be helpful for this cause. I hope that you don't mind if I come ask you for advice from time to time. And of course, if there is anything that I can help you with, please come ask. I will do my best."

Yes, Mirin was selfish. But she understood the value of equivalent exchange and did not hesitate to use it for her own advantage. Her friendships may sometimes seem cold and transactional, but they were always mutually beneficial. As a bonus, Mirin was fiercely loyal, and she demanded the same from her friends.

Unless, of course, her loyalties conflicted with her goals. But she always assumed that others would be as selfish as herself - after all, that was what she believed about human nature.

Breakfast hour was nearly over. Mirin stood to clear her plate. "I really enjoyed our conversation, Liri," she said warmly. "I am so glad that we've met. Thank you again for telling me about your Dream. What are your plans for today? Do you have class now?"