The Grey Tower

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.

Though it had been long since curfew had been seriously enforced Valadin remained cautious as he left the main grounds. A few Dedicated spotted heading from one of side gates, but it had been Dione, a tow headed man of middling years. Leaving behind a wife and six children the Arafellan had quickly attained the Sword pin. Usually as had been the case with Val, advancement brought scorn if not quelled by force or compromise with the ruling body of Dedicated. It was strange that even those in training spun similar webs of influence to pass the time.

Leaving the Tower and the flickering torchlights behind brought Val to the tracts of land which had come to be a second home to him. A chilling breeze brought the night's cold despite the thick coat worn over an equally thick tunic. Learning the trick to ignore heat and cold still stood at the top of Valadin's list of tricks to learn in the coming days, but the eagerness of his purpose quickly put his mind to task.

Today Saidin resisted more than usual. Valadin fought to seize the Power and succeeded though with difficulty. The deep of the night opened itself to him as the Power permitted farseeing sight across infertile tracts of land that comprised the Channeling Yards even without light. Breathing deeply he drew the Oneness more tightly about himself. The inner tempest slowed...slightly.

Ignoring the icy gusts that cut into his skin Val roughly brought together Flows of Spirit and Fire as Caenis had shown him. As had been the case each night since training with Asha'man Caenis and Sister Elryna the night was riddled with failure and success. Weaving a Gateway did not pose as great a difficulty as it had in the past. Through the Circle Valadin had learned the knack for folding the Patterns thread to bring two points together. More often that not a slash of silver light hanging in the air would produce a brief moment of satisfaction.

The problem lay in changing the Gateway to suit his needs.

In the Blight in the thick of battle Valadin had been able to tap into a talent beyond even what Caenis had shown him. Trying to explain it to the older channeller had proved fruitless thus far. Their training had covered the Weave and nuances of Traveling. Of all the lessons learned it was that Shadowspawn could not pass through Gateways that intrigued the most. Had he known that on his first patrol in the Blight things could've turned out differently.

The night's third attempt proved to be as frustrating as any other. The Gateway's pure glow temporarily warded the evening darkness away as the Traveling Grounds stood but a step away. One of the Grey Ajah eyed the portal, brows knitting together upon realizing that Valadin wasn't coming through. Before trouble could brew the Gateway snapped shut and darkness fell heavy again.

Must choose another spot. The thought had whispered to him before yet the warning that Caenis had given him of cutting any living thing that happened to be in the vicinity of forming Gateway paralyzed Val with terror; likely the man's intent.

Conceding that tonight's experiment would yield little benefit Valadin left off for some rest.

Many months had passed and experience had seasoned where enthusiasm had started the foot to path. Valadin had secretly spent his time Weaving Gateways and now it had become second nature. Some weeks ago he'd even stumbled upon the trick to change the size of the Gateway. It was this that had brought about his requesting Asha'man Caenis to the Channelling Yards.

Time had changed little of the Indigo. Only the sharp intelligence and a hunger to learn cast a different light over the otherwise unmarred complexion.

"Thank you for coming, Asha'man," Valadin greeted with a respectful bow. As his skill in Traveling had grown so too had his command of language and the proper use of words. It was now rare the Browns fixed him with cross stares for mispronunciations. No, usually other behaviors earned such response. "In my last message I'd written that I'd been able to change the Gateway in both size and shape. I wanted to demonstrate this for you."

With a cursory nod, the older channeller gave Val leave to proceed, eagerness flashing behind grey orbs.

Saidin came quickly to him now. Practice had further developed the connection to the One Power. Like any weapon, time spent together flensed away the awkwardness of uncertainty.

Immediately the burning chill of the male half of the Power filled and sought to dominate. By now the dance was familiar and it ended with Valadin easily suppressing Saidin to his will. The Power raging within, all else faded from mind as well-known Flows of Spirit and Fire were Woven.

The heartbeats that passed as Saidin imposed Val's will upon the fabric of creation itself, the Pattern, were always mesmeric as the Power itself. Feeling the threads of reality shift atop one another, pleating two seperate threads of the Pattern together seconds before a hole was made between the two points brought with an intoxicating awareness of one's potency. Spirit and Fire were amongst his strongest elements so the Weave was indeed suiting.

A Gateway forced itself into existence, the silver doorway cutting into reality with rough assertion. This was one of standard size, just large enough for a man to walk through without the need of bending his head.

"You learn quickly. Was it only a few months ago I passed the Weave to you. Impressive."

The praise sent a ripple of satisfaction through Saidin's surface, but Valadin's mind had already begun plucking at the edges of the Gateway with fine threads of Spirit, pulling at the corners with steady persistence.

Care was to be taken as pulling too strongly caused the Gateway to explode with great force. Too weakly and it collapsed on itself, backlashing against the channeller if the Weave was not tied off. The very spot where Caenis stood upon was the blackened remnants of a failed Gateway that had nearly cost an eye. "The key is maintain the Flows until the Weave is finished. I've found once tied off no alterations can be made," Val explained without looking away from his work.

Several moments passed before the limits of Valadin's ability were breached. By this time the Gateway had grown wide enough for a small cart to be pulled through and tall enough for an Ogier to just creep through...but only if they hunched over as they passed.

Sweat dappled Val's brow when he tied off the Flows. Pushing further would'fe threatened overtaxing his ability to channel. Grinning through his fatigue he studied the thoughtful appearance of the Indigo Asha'man who seemed to be muttering to himself while studying the Gateway.

"Asha'man?"

Caenis turned his examination on Val now. "You a fine a Talent there boy. The Indigo could use someone like you."

A placatory chuckle came from Valadin until he noticed the tightening line Caenis' mouth had settled into.

"Forgive, Asha'man…I" Val started, but was stopped with a hand from the Asha'man who now chuckled himself.

"No need to fret. Just the Tower is changing so quickly in recent years. Used to be each Ajah fought amongst overselves to gain position. Now it seems the future lies in the strength our young."

Taking the statement at face value, Val bowed his head in gratitude as Asha'man left him with a parting word: "The true purpose of talent is to share it with others."

The shouts of Master Elonid leaked from the door of the man's study. Servants and footman cringed with each new wave of vitriol while trying to be about their work. Valadin managed to keep a brave face...and from fidgeting; he couldn't tolerate in others so it wouldn't do for himself.

After a last burst of raised, warbled voices the door swung open emitting a fuming Asha'man Caenis, "The Master of Soldiers will see you now, Dedicated."

Noting the tightness in the usually affable man's mien, Val stepped into the office with nary but a nod. Inside the smell of faded spice and other obnoxious scents made a nauseating brew that set the stomach at ill ease. Soti Elonid sat at his desk in a room crammed with items and accoutrements from lands afar. On one side stood a flushed Sister Elryna and as Caenis moved to the other flank, the courage Valadin had worked up began to flounder.

Standing there, back straight and moisture prominent on his brow, Val wondered whether to remain steadfast despite knowing the truth in the allegations made against him.

"Sit, Dedicated," rang Elonid's peevish voice rang shrilly against the ominous hush. "I hear you've been learning of the Traveling Weave," Val was asked when he'd taken his seat.

"Yessir. Asha'man Caenis and Sister Elryna have been kind enough to help me."

"Well, what have you learned?"

At this a questioning look was aimed towards the other superiors in the room, "Nevermind them, answer me. Now."

Focusing once more on the bald pated man, Val took a calming breath before answering. The edge to the inquiry seemed loaded with more meaning than could be gleaned at a glance.

"Gateways are Woven with Spirit and Fire when using Saidin. By bringing two points of the..." Elonid's wave cut off the rest of explanation.

"What of dangers? Do you know of these as well?"

"Uh...yes, I..."

"Tell them to me."

A spark of defiance flared at the harsh tone, but was quickly cooled by the icy glares coming from all three across the table. "Well for one...you could cut anything or anyone who happens to be standing in the way of a forming Gateway..."

"Quite right. This is why we have designated places for Traveling...none of which include the Novice dormitories!"

Hearing the misdeed voiced aloud made Val flush and wish he were anywhere, but the stuffy study. "T'was an accident...was thinking about someone who used to a Novice while I was practicing and...it just happened. "M'sorry, Master Elonid. I accept whatever punishment is given."

Old Samhl had once said that apologizing early when being rightfully accused was the best way to earn sympathy and possibly leniency. Making a silent promise to give the old innkeeper a good kick in the shin if they ever met again, Valadin withered beneath the admonishing looks that made a literacy lesson appealing at the moment.

No one spoke directly for awhile as the three superiors deliberated through a sequence of glances, movements, and Caenis' shoulders sagged visibly.

"Dedicated Valadin Manelle," the grizzly Asha'man began, "By encouragement of the Master of Soldiers you will start training in the Skimming skill...today."

At this Val brightened, boyish grin breaking out over his expression. Before he could contain himself he rose, bowing deeply, "Thank you! I promise I won't disappoint! I..." A frown dimmed the earlier happiness as something occurred to him. "I've a full day of lessons in the next month...plus several new recruits to see to. I really haven't the time."

Soti Elonid's answering smirk gave all the reply that was necessary before the man's lips parted to spell out Valadin's doom. "Of course you'll have penance for every duty you fail to attend. I hope it shan't take you long to your lesson."

So began the most difficult months that Val had suffered since the early days as a Soldier. Caenis became a most brutal instructor drilling on holding concentration while forming Gateways, supplementing the exercises with a cach of Soldier blowing up the ground not more than a span away from where Valadin stood.

"Skimming is used when Traveling to a place you're not very familiar with the destination. Useful for making the trip to unknown places, but better still is a Gateway cannot be directly made to follow you."

Being in no mood for the long winded explanations the Indigo was prone to Valadin offered only silence in response and kept it so until Caenis directed him to seize Saidin. Feeling the Power suffuse his being was one of the few benefits to the lessons. Val could feel his growth in strength since the last month; he often wondered how much stronger he would become in the future. Sensing his charge had done as instructed Caenis continued, "Fire and Spirit to form the Gateway, but this time imagine a pitch black void. This is a separate plane, one which exists between many worlds."

The next few stretch of time passed with a long drawl about the mysteries of worlds yet to be explored and how it was the duty of the Indigo to unearth the answers to these questions. Evening was setting in hard when Valadin had opened a Gateway to the infinite darkness of the void. The impression of omnipotence felt when piercing the fabric of the Pattern with Flows of Spirit and Fire had not lost its impact as Val stood caught up by the scene. Air rushing out from opening cooled immediately as it touched the atmosphere of another world, chilling the winds into low-crawling mist.

Val was about to step through when a hand clamped down on his shoulder. Bloody old man's got a fierce grip. As he met his teacher's eyes it proved difficult to temper the anger smoldering in his chest. "You must imagine a platform lest you tumble endlessly to the nothingness."

"Imagine...a platform." It was doubtful Caenis missed the incredulous tone of the statement, but the Asha'man nodded unbothered by his pupil's arrogance.

Keeping the sigh from escaping, Val did as he was told and to his amazement a strangely shaped foothold appeared when his boot stepped out into the void. Readying to take his second step into the strange portal, he was stopped as Caenis' hand was again heavy upon his shoulder.

"You're lesson is finished." It was when Val studied the calm, knowing smile of the older channeller that he realized the instruction had not only been to teach a useful trick of the Power; somewhere he had been expected to something else.

What that was he doubted he'd ever know until it was explained to him.