A Mother's Wrath (Attn: Elia Darrow, MoN)

[Jack]

The Lady Liessa Majere of Tar Valon (with caemo by Kera en'Walker Elien Aes Sedai of the White Tower) The learning ranks were in a buzz that morning. They whispered and gossipped, especially as the pair of women marched through the Novice Hall as if going into war.

That they were not of the Tower was obvious. One was a youthful looking Cairhienin woman of extreme beauty and confidence, dressed in dark silk gowns and blue brocade, her raven black hair dressed up in ringlets so much in favor of Tar Valon fashion. What most noticed, however, was that she was the spitting image of one of the more infamous Novices in the Hall, only shorter and without red hair.

The other woman was an Aes Sedai by simple observation alone. She bore a serenity unmatched by all but other channelers, and the ageless face was a dead giveaway. Her gold-flecked emerald eyes were piercing, and while she was much taller than the Cairhienin woman beside her, there was a sense she walked only as an equal, not as the proverbial puppeteer.

Both were unknown, but one name was spoken that drew back memories many younger Aes Sedai knew, especially those initially kidnapped as Novices and Accepted when the White Tower attempted to undo the Grey.

Kera en’Walker Elien, Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah, of the White Tower, the Aes Sedai who betrayed her own for the sake of peace. The one who returned to her own Tower after the resulting conflict ended.

But for some strange reason, it seemed that the Andoran woman with auburn hair dressed in a red gown was not the one in control. And she seemed a bit hesitant to counsel the small Cairhienin.

The small Cairhienin’s amethyst eyes scanned the area, looking for a familiar face, even though she had been informed she was in the Tower’s classrooms, not in the Novice Hall.

The pair made their way to the second floor and to the Mistress of Novices’ offices.

The door opened at that moment, with what an Accepted about to exit when the woman turned to see the pair. She looked as if she was ready to bar their entry when the Cairhienin said two words, in a serene, almost musical voice.

The Accepted considered her choice, apparently: Face penance from her Mistress or risk being run over by a woman infinitely more willing to tear into her. She chose the former and simply moved aside for the pair before scurrying away.

The Accepted apparently on duty this morning was likewise no match, for when the question was posed of what the pair wanted, the Red Aes Sedai spoke.

“The Lady Liessa Majere of House Majere of Tar Valon would speak with your Mistress of Novices ...”

Liessa, the Cairhienin woman, spoke up, breaking any ceremonial nonsense, much out of character for one of her upbringing.

“I will see Elia Darrow Aes Sedai now, and if she delays or vanishes into thin air, I will hunt her down and yank her by her ear back here,” Liessa said, all in an even tone. Her amethyst eyes did not reflect the calm however. They bore into the Accepted’s soul like an auger handled by a skilled gardener. “Tell her I am here to return my daughter home, and if your mistress attempts to delay, I will pull this hall down around her ears and then box them.”

[Craig]

Elia Sedai

Only a few weeks had passed since the tragedy. Since the previous building was reduced to rubble, the office of the Mistress of Novices had moved into the Tower proper. The room was spacious. It had been a previous classroom converted into the new office.

A red-haired woman sat behind a large mahogany desk. Malachite eyes bore a hole into the Accepted's head. The young woman looked pale, even for a Cairhienin, although whether that was because she had brought down the wrath of the Mistress of Novices on her head, or because of the other officer in the room, was a matter for debate. The Gaidin Captain stood to one side of her desk, arms crossed, face like a thunderhead. His grey-blue eyes were an oncoming storm front, and he was no more impressed by the Accepted's misdeeds than she was.

Another man sat nearly unnoticed in the corner. He was carefully sorting a basket of letters.

"Go, now," hissed Elia in an all-too soft tone. "I will see you tomorrow, before dawn. And if you dare..." She let the rest of the threat go unsaid. The slightest of nods from Ravak confirmed that he would be no more pleased than his sister if the Accepted didn't appear in the morning, and the Darrows already had a solid track record of recovering runaways. There was nothing for the Cairhienin to do but nod and accept her fate.

The Accepted hurried out. Before the door closed behind her, a voice rang out.

“The Lady Liessa Majere of House Majere of Tar Valon would speak with your Mistress of Novices ...”

Three heads turned toward the door. A second voice cut in.

“I will see Elia Darrow Aes Sedai now, and if she delays or vanishes into thin air, I will hunt her down and yank her by her ear back here. Tell her I am here to return my daughter home, and if your mistress attempts to delay, I will pull this hall down around her ears and then box them.”

Emmond coughed and shook his head, clearly stifling laughter. He placed his stack of letters aside and stood from his chair. As he passed by the desk, he leaned down to reach Elia’s ear.

“It wouldn’t be the first time a hall has been pulled down around your ears,” he whispered. Then he straightened and bowed respectfully. “By your leave, Elia Sedai?”

"A moment, Weland. I may have need of you. Open the door, then take a seat." She gestured vaguely to the far end of the room as her attention shifted onto Ravak. He gave a minimal shrug. No clue either, mm? Well, it was unlikely to matter; no-one left the ranks of the novices without her say-so.

Emmond crossed the room and opened the door.

“Let them in,” he said.

[Jack]

Liessa was not one for waiting, despite her outward sense of calm. But it was her amethyst eyes that betrayed her impatience, and a wrath that could set fire to this entire flaming hall and the building to boot.

She didn’t need to look at Kera Sedai to know she was walking on thin ice over a deep, dark lake during a warm summer day. Liessa knew how Aes Sedai worked. She’d been brought to the Tower as a young woman when it was revealed she might be able to channel, but the year of training proved she could perhaps touch the Source one time in thirty at best, and then only with extreme effort.

She’d met her husband there, perhaps the best man she would ever know, except one other. And right now, she was furious with both men for very stupid but equally different reasons.

The Cairhienin noble looked sideways at her old friend and sometimes adviser, and saw the discomfort. It wasn’t visible, but she knew it nonetheless. The taller Andoran woman’s eyes kept shifting about, as if expecting a spectre or Fade to pop out of the shadows and gobble them up.

She knew the Red Aes Sedai’s past, knew in a time of war between the two Towers, she’d went against her Ajah’s wishes and essentially ratted them out after they kidnapped channelers from this Tower, rumor had it including its Amyrlin Seat. Liessa admired Kera for that, but at the same time knew the woman would fight for injustice or what was wrong.

Liessa was concerned only with getting her Cassandrya back. As much as her daughter had tested her nerves as she grew, Liessa was immensely proud of Cassie. She embraced her passions rather than be subdued by them, and she didn’t give in to pressure to be “traditional” in her relationships. Yet Liessa tried to teach her some modicum of respect, something Coren, Cassie’s twin, already possessed in spades.

And nothing, not even a month on the road to reach Camden Corelle, and then a short hop to the Grey Tower thanks to a kindly Aes Sedai wore her down. The Aes Sedai who had woven the gateway here also supplied the appropriate information on who to contact about a visit with her Novice daughter.

After more than a year since her husband and oldest son had been captured by Whitecloaks and a flaming fool Andoran lord, and the disappearance of her second-oldest children (Coren was safe in Tar Valon again), and the discovery of the news that she was here, no thanks to an idiot of a man, Liessa had been furious.

And she became even more furious when the infrequent letters from her daughter suddenly stopped a month ago. That’s when she decided to act, and not even her lord husband could dissuade her.

“What are these Indigo like,” Liessa asked quietly. Kera’s gold-green eyes flickered toward the small woman, who might as well been a full-plated soldier and smirked. After all, the woman had borne six healthy children, including two sets of twins. And the labors had been anything but short.

“Unpredictable and extremely intelligent, especially one in particular,” was all the Aes Sedai revealed. Liessa frowned, silently hazarding a guess at who Kera was referencing. But from everything she had heard that person had long since gone from this place, and barely resided in Camden Corelle.

She was about to say something when the door opened and the pair of women were admitted. Kera took the lead by a hair, graceful in her red gown, but it was again clear she was but at best a first among equals.

Liessa’s eyes immediately took in the spacious room, noting every occupant, every little decor, every item that could give her knowledge of what she faced. The woman with the malachite eyes and red hair was obviously Elia Darrow, and the man who stood beside her was obviously of relations to her, brother most likely. From the looks of it, he was a Warder. She knew the type, more than she would like to admit publicly.

She even acknowledged the presence of the servant who had admitted them. One should be aware of all persons.

“Elia Darrow Aes Sedai, Sister, I am Kera en’Walker Elien of the Red Ajah from the White Tower,” she said with a slight nod of respect for the younger woman’s position. Her gold-green eyes sparkled in the light, and Liessa admired her friend’s self-restraint. Cassie was as much a treasure to the Aes Sedai as she was to her mother. “May I introduce the Lady Liessa Majere, nee Tamodred, of House Majere of Tar Valon and House Tamodred of Cairhien ...”

A month of travel finally snapped in Liessa and she took a step forward, her amethyst eyes briefly on the man was most likely a Warder, half daring him make a move. And then purple eyes met malachite.

“You are to summon Cassandrya Majere to these chambers and inform her that her mother will be taking her home,” Liessa said calmly. Her eyes held a different emotion as she lifted a finger. “Cassie Majere, Cassandrya Majere, whatever name she signed in your flaming Novice Book, you will bring her here. She’s my height, looks like me except she has red hair and probably has bedded half your Novice population and run circles around your Accepted for intelligence.”

She saw the sharp glance thrown at her by Kera, along with the slight shift in her body. It was likely the equivalent of rolled eyes or a sigh of frustration. For the Red’s part, she was secretly debating on whom to wager should it come to a battle of wills. Sadly, her gold was on Liessa.

[Jenny]

Emmond

Emmond sat discreetly in the chair by the door, behind the two visitors. How convenient, he thought, wryly. He listened quietly, head bowed in deference and hands clasped in his lap. Every limb lay stilled, drawing no attention.

His next thought was rooted in amused disbelief. What an arrogant, insufferable woman. Though many parents thought highly of their children, apparently Lady Liessa thought her daughter was born from a whole new plane of existence. Running circles around Accepted, was she? Ha! Light, he wouldn’t be surprised if Liessa claimed her daughter had bowel movements of pure gold.

Even little Kaira, who he thought was the most precious child ever to grace the face of this world, didn’t do that.

From her presence through the bond, it seemed that Elia’s temper had merely transferred from the Accepted onto Lady Majere. Quietly, Emmond shifted a leg. A small pain shot across their bond as he stubbed his toe against the foot of the chair.

[Craig]

Elia Sedai

A small pain from Emmond caught her attention. His emotions settled into quiet, calculated determination. It was a cold feeling, the state of mind that she recognized as when he contemplated murder. He tilted his head as if to ask her: Would you like me to get rid them both?

Elia kept her expression still, though vexation shot through the bond. Whatever happened to diplomacy from the former Grey? She allowed herself a small smile. A useful pet, if a touch overeager. And what was he actually going to do here? With Ravak watching, and sitting in a classroom in the middle of the Tower? Really Emmond...

She used that small smile on the two newcomers. The first was to acknowledge the due deference shown to her by Kera Sedai. Elia hadn't met an Aes Sedai of the White Tower since her ascension to the shawl, and her misgivings about her former home quelled slightly with Kera's presence. Maybe it is just novices and wilders they hold in such scorn. No, actually on second thought, she doubted it. All of those titles spilling forth was a little too much. Maybe that was all for Lady Majere's benefit, but she didn't need to hear any more than "Kera Sedai" from the channeller herself. Elia did not even see the hypocrisy in judging the Aes Sedai by her ego.

But if Elia had a mild dislike for the Red sister, it was nothing but weak tea against the Cairhienin. At first glance, Elia had thought a ghost had entered the room. Ringlets may not have been Mirin Sedai's fashion, but everything else seems cut from the same cloth: the raven-coloured hair, the blue silk dresses; that beauty which was beset by the ugliness underneath it all. In Mirin's case, it was the foul darkness in her soul. In Liessa's...

Well, if the former Grey Asha'man didn't think diplomacy was to call for, who was she to argue? Elia merely sat back in her chair, putting on a show of well practiced ease and Aes Sedai serenity. She could have taken any part of Liessa's diatribe and plucked it apart. Fifty tales or half-truths sat ready to be unleashed, but she had no real desire to roast the woman on the spot. Her novices and Accepted were important to her; their mothers far less so.

"Welcome to the Grey Tower," Elia replied smoothly, "Would you care to take a seat?" She pointed at the two spindly chairs of Ghealdanin design, but her focus was already moving onto Kera. She gave the Red sister a questioning look. Even in Tar Valon, the Mistress of Novices wouldn't care to acquiesce a request to take a novice out from the Tower's protection. Did Kera think it so different here? Strange.

"I am aware of your daughter, Lady Majere, but as I am sure you have already been informed by your advisor, novices do not leave the protection of the Tower -- either Tower -- until they are safe to do so. And in your daughter's instance, that is far from the case."

The words did not seem to appease the diminutive noblewoman, so Elia continued. She was not interested in hearing any more silly demands. "As for bedding our other novices, I shall have the Gaidin Captain look into that." Offhandedly she gestured to her brother. His statue-like qualities ended as he rubbed at his nose, before his hands returned to his sword hilts.

"I believe there would be a lengthy penance for such an offense," said Ravak. Elia's smile broadened; she was pleased that he could read into her intent.

One Darrow followed after another. "And as for intelligence, you may be right. But her choice in friends leaves something to be desired." Ellessya was serving a short penance at the Farm, alongside another novice. Both for their own protection in the wake of the attacks. Suspicion still sat in the bones of the survivors, even if her predecessor had been found guilty by the Hall of Sitters. "And she is no Accepted yet, nor does that seem to be forthcoming."

That seemed a satisfactory enough put down for now. Time for the other approach. "Now if you wish to see your daughter, that can be arranged, when she is not otherwise indisposed with her studies, chores, or other duties. Or I can ask her to write to you, if your time here in Hama Valon is limited. It would be a shame to inconvenience you further, Lady Majere."

[Jack]

Liessa was aware of everything. It was her curse, in a sense, and to an extent also Cassie’s and Coren’s as well.

She saw the questioning look shared between this Mistress of Novices and her own friend, as well as the latter’s own resignation to the fact things could continue along their expected course, and silent acknowledgement that the noblewoman had been briefed.

She noticed the young Aes Sedai’s Tar Valoner accent, however subtle it might be now, and she was vastly aware that the woman was trying to play off Liessa’s apparent lack of diplomacy and the not-so-veiled threats.

The latter was the woman’s undoing in Liessa Walker’s opinion. She might have grown up on the edge of Cairhien to a family who disapproved of the capital’s rigid structure, but she was Cairhienin nonetheless. And her words could cut like razors.

Her eyes landed staunchly on the Warder. “Then I should be speaking with you if the Mistress of Novices thinks she is incapable of investigating her own charges,” she said. “It appears that this Mirin Aes Sedai that my daughter was so fond of had more influence running her charges than your counterpart.”

Her amethyst eyes glittered. “You’ve never dealt with a Majere, have you? My husband’s family is headstrong, unrelenting and passionate, and for some reason possessed of a moral center that causes them do stupid things for the right reasons.” She spoke as if it was a merit to be lauded, instead of a failing. “Punish them and you’ll find an unrelenting challenge when they complete it and then become more stubborn and more unpredictable. She would chew you up and spit you out like she did with her older brother the day a ten-year-old pummeled him, a lad six years older, all because he teased his younger sister and her twin brother. As for her choice in friends, if you speak of this Ellessya what’s-her-face Seanchan brat from Walker Manor, I understand the girl has been nothing but a moral center for my daughter, at least from the last letter I received.”

Kera was watching everything, and she had to privately admire the shift in attention from Elia Darrow to the unnamed Gaidin Captain. She was well aware of the game they played, trying to draw Liessa more into either backing down or muting her aggression. Liessa was no fool, even if she was blinded by a mother’s love.

And then the other shoe dropped and the Red Aes Sedai saw her opportunity. She was patient. All Eliens were. Her brother Trae was the living, breathing example of that for more than three decades, a guest of this Tower when he was blinded and then an extraordinary diplomat who managed to build more bridges between the Aiel and Cairhienin this side of the Spine of the World in a decade than most had attempted half-arsed in the last fifty. His book on the Aiel was required reading even in certain circles of the White Tower.

“You will arrange a meeting now,” Kera said immediately after Liessa finished. “As I understand it, she should be on the archery field in the Warder Yards for the next hour.”

Her gold-green eyes sparkled. “I spoke with Nyoma Sedai of your Yellow Ajah before we came here, and she informed me that she’s been granted that reprieve to help her focus given the incident of what she suffered four months ago.”

She saw the look in Liessa’s eyes about knowledge a mother didn’t know, but she ignored it. Nyoma had told Kera essentially that Cassie had been poisoned over the course of many weeks, had been planted with an ter’angreal to influence her dreams, and that she’d been placed under the Yellow’s care.

“As for not leaving until she is deemed safe to leave, there is a condition of her coming home,” Kera continued. “She will be brought to the White Tower as a Novice and trained there, as she should have been in the first place.”

Her eyes focused on Elia and she said simply, “Your Tower’s Sojin Majere made mistake in bringing Cassandrya Majere to this Tower. She may have been within the influence of House Walker’s influence and they may keep faith with the Grey Tower, but the Walker in the Caralain also acknowledges Tar Valon’s right to its potential Novices. She would better suited to that atmosphere and better controlled.”

Her gold-green eyes wre still as she considered her next move in the instant she had lest the Mistress of Novices spoke. Most wouuld wait to deploy their secret weapon until the battle was at a climax, but Liessa already went into this knowing she would lose. A mother's wrath was never a good thing, especially when the Cairhinenin woman was normally reserved.

Kera pllyayed her card. "Should you disagree, then summon your Ajah's soldier and seek his opinion," she said simply. "Uncle Walker served for near two decades as Master of Soldiers of this Tower, and in his tme, he oversaw the dscipline of learning ranks, but he was even in his discipline. He is here in this Hall this day, per the information from the captain of his guard at Camden Corelle."

Bless the flaming stubborn woman who commanded Jerid Walker's armsmen she had spoken to before they had come through a gateway. Jerid Walker was lord of Camden Corelle, a seat granted to him by the High Seat of his House. Kera had kept in contact with her uncle for years, with the last letter sent six months ago after he abdicated the role of First Seeker for somone he had not named.

[Craig]

Elia

"Uncle Walker? You are referring to Jerid Asha'man?" A little smile of satisfaction once again crossed her lips. "This would be the same Jerid Asha'man who appointed me as his First Sitter mere weeks after obtaining the shawl? No, I don't think this gathering merits any further participants."

Elia sniffed dismissively, as she scanned for something on her desk. Her grounded Shienaran accent turned haughty, mimicking the Lady Majere's crisp Cairhienin tones. "If you wish to converse with your uncle, do so in your own time. You bandy names and titles around like I should be impressed, but I wouldn't care in a month of Sundays. I don't care for the Great Game or your noble houses, and I don't care for the White Tower neither." Finally she caught sight of what she wanted. Caught under a pile of paperwork, sheltered by a thin white cloth, the last of the morning's honeycakes sat on a large plate.

She tore a piece off between her fingernails, and gave the pastry far more of her attention than the two other women in the room. Emmond's boredom settled into her own feelings, and her voice turned flat. Elia didn't even turn to address the Andoran in the corner when she next spoke. "Weland, send word to Nyoma Sedai that she is to attend me in my chambers tonight after sundown, and also seek about organising a meeting between myself and the First Seeker. I believe we need to have a word about one of our wayward brothers."

The man stood, bowed, and silently slipped out of the room.

Malachite eyes swivelled coldly to Liessa's. "Your request to move Cassandrya from the Tower is declined, whether to Tar Valon or into your personal custody. This meeting is over. Ravak?" She flicked her fingers towards Liessa by habit, but the brawny Gaidin was already moving to escort the two unwelcome guests out. No-one stepped into her office and made demands of her, unless it was the Amyrlin Seat or the Great Lord Himself.

[Jack]

Jerid Walker Asha'man and Nyoma Sedai [subtitle]Later that evening ... pray no fireworks go off[/subtitle] Rare was the day that the former First Seeker and his Warder returned to the Grey Tower. And for once in living history, after he had been absent during perhaps the worst crisis it had faced.

Rumors placed him at the site of the now crumbled Great Serpent Building with his Warder, and in meetings with several Aes Sedai and Asha’man. He’d steered clear of one office, that of Illyria Sedai, and focused mostly on the learning ranks. Many opened up to the Asha’man, mostly for the paternal feeling he evoked.

The Aes Sedai and Asha’man of the Tower, however, noticed the man’s silent fury and sense of guilt. One complimented the other and all knew to stay clear of it lest they be caught in the wake of whatever followed.

This was especially true after he had met with the Cairhienin woman and White Tower Aes Sedai who had come from Tar Valon.The pair of women had left his apartments none the happier.

Now he stood in the offices of Elia Darrow Sedai, a woman he raised high in his Ajah when he had been First Seeker. The Yellow Aes Sedai who had accompanied her, Nyoma Sedai, sat, drinking tea, awaiting the First Sitter and Mistress of Novices. Both noticed the slight movement of the small Gaidar who was near the door, hand on her sword. Lysira Gaidar might have been a diminutive Gaidar, but she was a formidable opponent, especially when a heron graced her bow. It was easy to interpret the Gaidar’s slight shift as irritation flowed along the bond she shared with the oldest living Indigo.

Nyoma, for her part, worried about the outcome of this meeting. Cassie was showing some progress befoe incident with the Serpent building, but its aftermath and the revelation that Mirin was a traitor devastated the girl. Cassie had looked up to the Blue like a mother figure, and her death had set back so many months of therapy.

Adding Jerid Walker to the mix, however much she admired the man, was like lighting a flame in a building full of fireworks. The Altaran Yellow worried for the sake of her charge. To his benefit, the Asha’man had actually spoken his granddaughter to discern the exact emotional damage suffered from the destruction of the Serpent building.

It was worse than Nyoma had feared, from what Jerid had reported. The man might be fire and blood most of the time, but he had an innate ability to discern what children felt. He was perhaps one of the few channelers alive his age in the Grey Tower who could observe that effect at his age. The other was Miahala Majere Sedai.

Nyoma opened her mouth to speak when the door opened to admit the arriving party. She knew what was to come and it would not end well.

“You disappoint me, Elia,” the Asha’man said, without facing her. “You did right in denying the request put before you, but you acted like a child by reacting to Liessa’s demands by stooping to her level. And you expelled the one woman you may have diverted an all-out war with Tar Valon. Perhaps i made mistake when I appointed you First Sitter.”

Nyoma flinched visibly, rare for an Aes Sedai. The former First Seeker was known for his blunt approach, but the words he had spoken were virtually unknown. And worse, he spoke to the Mistress of Novices like a father did to a child.

“I told Kera Sedai and the Lady Liessa the same thing, that they shame themselves without consulting me first,” he murmured, without turning his back. “A word to my son and I would have been at Camden Corelle within a day. A word from you and I would be here in an hour.”

He turned around, his gold-green eyes dead cold. That was not a welcome sign, for it was a look reserved for those about to meet the Creator’s embrace.

And instead of issuing demands, he waited for Elia’s response. Nyoma swore under her breath. This would not be a promising meeting.