The Grey Tower

Herarn finished polishing his boots until the shined enough for him to shave off their reflection then with a deft flick of the One Power he snapped his uniform out causing it to be wrinkle free and all the creases sharp and parade dress ready. It was an old weave, at least by his standards. It was one of the first full weaves he’d ever learned. Oh he’d learned to use flows of one element to do a chore, but this had been his first actual weave requiring more than one Element. The fact that it’s function changed based on the elements used made it a multi-purpose weave. Air and Water simply cleaned the fabric, adding a hint of Fire removed any wrinkles, and adding the faintest touch of Earth would effectively starch the uniform.

The memory of how he had learned the weave made him smile. Things were certainly done differently here in the Grey Tower. Here they used smaller classes with more one on one time with an instructor if you had problems with a weave. Though by comparison, they didn’t allow you to channel without oversight of a second rank or higher. He had his own thoughts about that but even if he were to find himself in a position to change that, he wouldn’t.

The Black Tower did things the way they did because they wanted to produce human weapons. The only to do that was to sift the weak from the strong. A blacksmith didn’t use inferior quality metals when he crafted a sword for a Blademaster, he used the best iron he could get his hands on, even if he had to smelt it down himself repeatedly. Here in the Grey Tower, the Asha’man were more like the male Aes Sedai of previous ages. They still used the One Power as a weapon, but they only did so in defense of life or as a last resort.

Once he had thought that the Black Tower had the right of it. After all, the way they trained Soldiers and Dedicated was the way that the Car’a’carn had ordered, right? He had come here to do his duty, but his duty conflicted with his honor which would not allow him to lie to fulfill his desires. In the end, his honor had caused the Black Tower M’Hael to send three Dedicated to kill him. He’d managed to kill all three of them by the skin of his teeth and nearly died himself in the exchange.

He still hadn’t gotten the why and whatfor of things, but the powers within the Grey Tower had deemed it appropriate to Test him. He had become Dedicated to the Grey Tower. He had forsworn his allegiances to the Black Tower immediately after and had sent a letter to his Sept, his Clan Chief, and the Wise Ones of his Sept explaining everything. He would not be declared da’tsang by his own people without giving his own side of the story. He had received no response from either letter… yet. But he expected one sooner rather than later.

As he dressed, he considered his upcoming appointment with the First Inquisitor of the Red Ajah… who also happened to be the Amyrlin Seat. He was beginning the exploration of the Ajah’s each in turn. He was starting in the Red mostly because they only had two members at the moment and both required appointments in order to speak with them. As the two members in question were the Amyrlin Seat and the M’Hael, who rumor had it was stepping down from the position, but was still busy enough with Grey Tower business.

So he had scheduled his appointment two weeks ago, it was the earliest time he would manage to get with the busy Amyrlin and he wasn’t even guaranteed his full time slot with her. Adjusting his uniform, he put the pin into his collar and sighed. There was no point in bringing a journal, ink well, and pen. He would remember enough of his conversation with the Amyrlin to make The Decision at a later date. He had heard a couple young Dedicated talk about going Green so they could Bond multiple women. He had only shook his head. They would be disavowed of that notion soon enough. One woman was all a man ever really needed… if she was the right woman. His Society was accepting of a man who had multiple wives, but it was always his First-Wife who had the final say.

Herarn left his room unarmed as he did every day. But this day seemed to be one of those days. One of those Dedicated hidebound to the rules, laws, and by-laws of the Tower caught him as he was coming out of his room. “Herarn… you need to return to your quarters and come back out armed.”

Herarn looked at the waifish man like he might a puppy who had just peed on his freshly polished boots. “Am I not armed, Janison?”

Janison was a good man despite his shortcomings. He had been one of the other men to arrive at the Grey Tower under his command. And it was obvious that the Black Tower left its mark on the man. He stood ramrod straight and carried a sword at his waist. It was ironic that Janison had changed so. He had been one of the ones who was constantly in trouble in the Black Tower for breaking rules left and right. Dedicated didn’t even have to look for a reason to punish him, Janison broke nearly every rule he could short of one that could have him declared Darkfriend or Traitor. The fact that he had been the first of the Soldier's who had taken and passed his Arches had gone to his head a bit.

“No, you’re not. Not I insist you return to your room and arm yourself before you proceed any further.” said Janison with a shake of his head.

“Janison, I think you need to go see a Healer. I think something is wrong with your eyes at the very least. Did you fall on your head recently?” asked Herarn patiently as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“What’s that to mean? There’s nothing wrong with my eyes and I’ve not fallen recently.” Said Janison imperiously as he glared at the other man.

“I am Aiel. Born and raised. Think on that a moment. If the logic of that statement does not fire that small brain of yours then you’re hopeless. Now if you don’t mind, I have an appointment with Mother.” said Herarn as he turned on his heel and took one step before he felt Janison seize saidin and throw up a barrier of Air in front of him.

“Then you must….” Started Janison before Herarn turned on him.

“I am Aiel, Janison. I am always armed even when I sleep. The Creator blessed me with nine weapons to carry with me everywhere I go. The fact that you’re a busybody who can’t see beyond the boundaries of written word is why you’re so damnably blind. I have two fists, two elbows, two knees, two feet, and a head to think. Besides, this isn’t the Black Tower, Janison. We aren’t expected to go around armed everywhere unless it’s for a weapons class. The sooner you realize that the sooner you’ll make Asha’man. Now mind your own bloody business, because Light help me if I miss my appointment because of your putting your nose into my business.” snarled Herarn as he stooped down so he could be nose to nose with the smaller man. The look on his face was one of rage but once Janison nodded his understanding Herarn was his usual calm self.

“I’ll see you around Janison. Maybe we can catch up some other time and reminisce about our time together in the Black Tower. But now I really must hurry or I’ll be late, and it’s rude even by Aiel standards to make anyone wait.” said Herarn as he hurried off to the Amyrlin’s office.

Upon arrival, he bowed deeply to the Keeper, “Dedicated Herarn to speak with the Amyrlin Seat regarding the Red Ajah as part of my Ajah Exploration requirement. My appointment is at second bell.”

The Keeper looked at him and sniffed as if she didn’t know the Amyrlin’s schedule like the inside of her own eyelids. Probably had it inscribed there too. She went into the Amyrlin’s Office without a word, when she came out she said, “The Amyrlin will see you now.”

Herarn entered the Office and took a mental breathe as he went over the known protocols for dealing with the Amyrlin Seat. Once inside, he knelt formally, left hand at his side where his sword hilt would be, his right fist pressed to the floor, and bowed his head, “As you have summoned me, Mother, so I have come. I stand ready.”

It was a formality, since he had scheduled the appointment, but she could have turned him away. So technically by that thinking, she had summoned him.

Carraidhin Glaisne The Keeper escorted the tall, lanky boy in, and as ceremony dictated he bowed. "Thank you, Virya." the voice of the Amyrlin Seat rose from behind the wide cherrrywood desk. "That will be all for now."

There was a slight pause before the Amyrlin spoke again. The door clicked behind the Keeper of the Chronicles and then two heartbeats passed. Carra regarded the boy with stone eyes, her Keeper telling her that he was once Aiel and had come from the Black Tower. "You may rise and approach the Amyrlin Seat, child, and speak of why you wished to petition an audience."



Ooc: I'm sorry. It's a short post, and took forever for me to reply which makes me wish it was longer. But I had such a block, and i'd hate to make you wait longer.

Herarn stood and stood at parade rest. There was a lot of the Black Tower formality in him that would need to be filed down a bit, but in this case it did him good. Herarn was not heavily muscled but he would not be described as anything but muscle bound without his shirt. Despite his chores, classes, and punishments as a Soldier, he had kept his body in fighting trim.

“Mother I have requested this audience to learn about the Red Ajah. As at present only you and the Former M’Hael are the only known members of the Ajah, and Asha’man Jaryd is currently indisposed with his own duties I find myself having to impose on you. I am required to learn about the various Ajah’s so that should I be found worthy, I may choose an Ajah upon my Raising.” stated Herarn clearly. He knew he was probably stating the obvious a little bit, but he did want to express that he had done his research into the Red Ajah enough to know that this was his only means of learning about the Reds and that he was not idly requiring the Amyrlin’s time that could be devoted to a great many other things.

“If now is not the best time, or I have requested too little time, I can reschedule for another time Mother.” stated Herarn understanding that what he was requesting might require more than was allotted to him.

Carraidhin Glaisne Carra set her quill down, and leaned back in her chair. A little of her Amyrlin persona faded, but only a slight shift as her eyes regarded the Aiel boy thoughtfully. "You wish to learn about the Red Ajah." There was a nod. "Then lets move to the seating area. This desk is too stifling for such conversation." She pulled her Amyrlin Stole off her shoulders, its weight eased on her mind with the movement, and set it neatly down on her desk.

Carra stood and lead the way to the set of chairs around a table set on a large area rug that embraced all eight Ajah colors. She sat with grace and ease into the chair, one that was similar to the chair in her home in the Red Ajah Quarters in the basement but no where near as comfortable. But it wasn't a chair that wasn't a discomfort. "Sit, please." She indicated to a chair across from her for him to sit. "What questions way on your mind, Dedicated Herarn?" Switching to a less formal address in hopes to put him at least a little at ease.

Herarn sat down across from the Amyrlin and the First Inquisitor of the Red Ajah and tried to ignore the one question that had been bugging him since he had been Raised to Dedicated. But it came out anyhow. “I know that this does not pertain to the Red Ajah, or any other Ajah, Mother. But the question has to be asked. Despite my coming to the Grey Tower under false pretenses and possibly putting you further from any kind of cohesiveness with the Black Tower, you had every right to have me thrown out of the Tower at the very least or handed over to the Black Tower as a neat Shielded little package. I know they’ve sent envoys asking after my head whether discretely or blatantly I know not as I was not privy to those conversations.”

“Despite the political gains that turning me over to the Black Tower could have given the Grey Tower, why did you keep me here and have me Raised as a Grey Tower Dedicated?”

Herarn did not show any hint of shame or awkwardness in his query. He had done his duty to the Black Tower by spying on the Grey Tower. But that duty and his obligations to the Black Tower were now done. Forever. He owed them no toh and as far as he was concerned the M’Hael owed him toh.

If he earned the right to be Raised to Asha’man of the Grey Tower, he would serve faithfully in whatever capacity he could.

Carraidhin Glaisne Carra was not the one that handled the problems this young Dedicated had caused, but it had been something that passed by her desk. The relations with the Black Tower were tedious at best, a nightmare if one under exaggerated, were only aggravated by this boy's actions. If Riven had not intervened Herarn would most certainly be dead or worse at the hands of the Black Tower Asha'man.

"You don't give a kicked dog back to its abusive owner unless you are willing to put them both down." Carra said smoothly. "You are Aiel, or at least were at one point. You value honour and serve your debts, which can put you into some very unfortunate situations if one knows how to manipulate it. I don't know how you came to serve the M'Hael of the Black Tower, nor do I care. A man's history can stay history. But you have a future ahead of you that someone decided was worth investing in, and we protect our own. Whether you are capable to earn the Asha'man pin's and Cord is up to you. We will give you the tools and the training but the only way to gain the rank is by passing the test. You raised yourself to Dedicated, that was something you did on your own."

Herarn tilted his head. He did not understand the comment about abused dogs, was this another Wetlander saying he knew not the meaning of. But he decided he would investigate it's meaning at a later time. Nodding he said, “I am still Aiel, Mother, though I have had to make a great many adaptations in order to stay sane here among Wetlanders. But know that I have given up any loyalty to the Black Tower and have shifted those loyalties to the Grey Tower. I have much toh to repay and I think that even taking the White would not be enough to absolve me of that toh. But know that I am thankful for the second chance and you will not regret the decision.”

“But back to the original reason I am here, I understand that of all the Ajah's the Red is the smallest and newest. Other than that, there is little known. When I inquired about the Ajah I was given only your name and that of the former M'Hael. What does the Red Ajah stand for? What sets it apart from the Red Ajah of the White Tower whose sole focus was the hunting of male Channelers?”

He had more questions but those three would allow for more digging and were the most obvious questions to ask.

Carraidhin Glaisne “But back to the original reason I am here, I understand that of all the Ajah's the Red is the smallest and newest. Other than that, there is little known. When I inquired about the Ajah I was given only your name and that of the former M'Hael. What does the Red Ajah stand for? What sets it apart from the Red Ajah of the White Tower whose sole focus was the hunting of male Channelers?”

"A simple set or questions with some very big answers." Carra allowed a smile through the cracks, although like always they never touched her eyes. It was clear the interest in the boy with the Red Ajah but up until now most asked in passing curiosity. The answers were easy and almost a mouth piece but this... Herarn was looking for something deeper. It was so obvious to her.

"I learned some of what the Red Ajah was in the White Tower. Protectors of Humanity, keeping those that were a danger from causing more danger to be brought upon the world. They were hunters, killers, and they did it in the name of the White Tower. And parts of it were still quite appealing. But what service they provided is not necessary in the Grey Tower. After all, do you not think that all Ajah's here serve the Light and the Grey Tower to protect the world?" It was a test. How much did this boy know? Carra wondered how deep his level of thought went. She would challenge every last one before she would welcome them into the Red Ajah. Not because it was easy but because what was right was only relative, and that was a very very dangerous path to follow.

Herarn blinked at the question. He opened his mouth but didn’t speak. He wanted to lie. He wanted to say yes, but he knew better. He had been in the Wetlands long enough to know that some used the Towers for their own gains, some came to learn how to channel so they could use the Power for their own agenda, and some, even among Aes Sedai and Asha’man alike, sold their souls to the Shadow.

“Even at risk of punishment, I must answer truly. No. I do not. No one is truly immune to the lies of Grassburner. Some fall to the Shadow. Others use the Towers and the One Power for their own gains, even when they don’t directly serve the Shadow.”

He tensed in his seat, prepared for the Amyrlin Seat to levy a punishment for doubting the purity and unity of the Aes Sedai and Asha’man.

Carraidhin Glaisne "There is a grey area that all skirt around. Those bound by Oaths and promises moreso than others. It is logical of you to think this way, for even the Shadow isn't afraid of the Light in the same way the Light fears the Shadow." She gave a nod of approval in a similar way she might have had she been teaching a class. The years had served her well, and being Amyrlin for a time has taught her far more composure than she has forced upon herself in her youth as a Novice or Accepted. Trying to have this conversation with Jaryd held a different kind of passion, but with Herarn Carra was curious to know...

"There is always a focus on the Shadow and the Light, but not all bad things come from the Shadow and not all good things come from the Light. The Red Ajah, as much of it is defined as of yet, stands in both. We are sworn to serve the Tower and the Light, but our means are every bit as important as the ends. In a world so defined by Light and Shadow, it can be difficult to stand with one foot in both and acknowledge the benefits of each without the world automatically assuming you serve the Shadow. Therefore we seek Balance, to protect not just the world but also each other. Being made aware that what must be done will need doing and not for the purpose of the passion driven behind it."

She paused, letting Herarn soak in what she said. "What passion in life do you seek, Dedicated? Do you wish to one day return to others like you in the Waste? To serve out Justice that is so common among the Aiel culture, or do you seek something more. Something far more grande?"