Part 2 Novices at the Tower

[Iris 0]

don't mind typos please

 

Moiraine's Keseira

 

Moiraine rested her hand in her chin and gave Siuan a small smile as Siuan continued eating. Occasionally her dark eyes glanced to the side or behind Siuan's head, still observing. Her eyes came back to Siuan after once such glancing and she spoke.

 

“Do you have to see Merean Sedai this morning?”

 

Siuan gulped some porridge and then replied, “I do. Do you?”

 

Moiraine nodded. “I think it's probably to go over our schedules and rules. She didn't say much yesterday when she showed me my room, but I don't know what else it could be. She said I was to come to her study at eight.”

 

“Me too,” Siuan said. Siuan looked around and a worried look crossed her face. Other girls were starting to rise from their empty dishes and drift back to the corridors. “Um, what time is it now?” she asked, looking back at Moiraine.

 

“It's about quarter to eight,” Moiraine said with a small smile.

 

“Oh!” Siuan began shoveling porridge into her mouth.

 

Moiraine touched her arm. “It's okay,” she said, still smiling. “We'll make it. We don't you want you to sick up on Merean Sedai because you ate your breakfast faster than you could swallow it.”

 

Siuan spoke thickly through a mouthful of porridge. “You don't have to wait for me. Really.”

 

“I want to,” Moiraine said.

 

Siuan looked at her for moment without eating or speaking, and then spooned up the last mouthfuls as fast as she could. “Let's go then,” she said.

 

The two girls did have to rush. Not only was the route to Merean Sedai's study unfamiliar, but the corridors seemed very long, especially when one tried to hustle on a full stomach. A speedy walk sufficed at first, but as their apprehension grew at the thought of hearing the chime at eight with Merean Sedai's study no where in sight, their speedy walk broke into a run.

 

“I think it's this way,” Moiraine said breathlessly. The two turned a corner, skirts lifted to their knees and running full speed down a long blue and yellow tiled corridor with green and gray mosaics on the walls. “Here,” Moiraine said as the two skidded to a halt, panting, outside a dark oak door. Of course they should hurry up and knock considering the time, but they were pathetically out of breath. Despite the moment both exchanged amused grins, but then the chime began and Siuan opened the door so hard without knocking that it swung on its hinges and banged into the wall.

 

“Fish guts,” Siuan said under her breath. Moiraine had only a moment to glance at Siuan before both stepped into the room and were faced by Merean Sedai, looking both motherly and intimidating at the same time. Both girls curtsied, although Moiraine's looked far more graceful than Siuan's. Actually, had Moiraine not set into her curtsy first, Siuan would have forgotten about it all together.

 

“I have no fish guts in my study, Siuan Sanche,” Merean Sedai said placidly. “However, if I hear mention of them again in my presence, I will send you to the kitchens to search for some while you scrub pots.” Her look took them both in now. “And next time be sure you are cordial enough to knock.” Siuan swallowed and almost said “fish guts” again but wisely held her tongue.

 

“Now,” Merean Sedai continued, turning and gliding back to a chair behind a large, stately desk, “let us review what you will need to know as Novices entering the White Tower. Sit,” she commanded, motioning to two hard, plain chairs placed before her desk.

 

Siuan and Moiraine both silently took their places. Merean merely looked at them for a time through ageless eyes, and needless to say the hackles of both girls rose though both tried not to show it. They simply stared at Merean, waiting, who seemed to be considering many things about them that they couldn't even begin to guess at.

 

“Many of the rules of the White Tower are common sense,” Merean began. “Novices are not allowed to leave the Tower grounds. When out on the grounds, you are to be back inside at the evening chime, just after sunset. Unless attending classes or dining, Novices are to stay in the Novice wing, unless summoned by an Aes Sedai or Accepted to go elsewhere. Wandering the Tower without such a summons is strictly forbidden. You are to obey Accepted in addition to Aes Sedai, and show them due respect and deference. You may keep whatever possessions you were allowed when you were shown to your room, but acquiring items beyond that without permission is not allowed. A lackadaisical attitude toward such rules will earn you a well-deserved punishment, and a lackadaisical attitude toward your classes and studies will earn you a permanent escort out of the Tower as soon as you are disciplined enough in the Power not to kill yourself. Do I make myself clear?”

 

Both girls responded, “Yes, Merean Sedai.” It was not merely a methodical response. The woman was awfully intimidating, and the hanging switches off the side of the room only added to the effect.

 

“Now, regarding your studies,” she continued. Her vision rested solely on Moiraine now. “No doubt you have had an exceptional education thus far in your life,” she said. “You will attend the regular Novice courses. However, you will have the opportunity to test out of some courses should you already possess the appropriate knowledge and skills. The Sisters who instruct you in those courses will handle that and make those decisions.”

 

Her look fastened on Siuan now. “I am sure you are in the opposite predicament.” Siuan's cheeks colored. “Obviously, you will attend the regular Novice classes. However, should you need extra tutelage, that can be arranged.” Merean Sedai considered Siuan for a moment. “You needn't be ashamed, child,” she said, her motherliness superseding her sternness. “The Creator chooses Who He wills to place the Ability in. Young women have come to the Tower from all walks of life, and even Amyrlins have been raised from the poorest of backgrounds. There is no distinction between women at the White Tower accept by strength in the Power.” Her eyes looked over to Moiraine now as well. Moiraine bristled inwardly. She didn't like people assuming she was an arrogant noble, but Merean Sedai had a different reason for looking at Moiraine now as well as Siuan.

 

“From what I have come to understand you may both be extremely strong in the Power. Of course, strength in the Power runs in different veins, or talents, but nonetheless there is an overall strength which is measured. You will be tested today by one of the Sisters who will roughly ascertain just how strong you both are.” Merean Sedai seemed pleased as she regarded both of them. “If you are as strong as those who found you claim, there will be much speculation about which Ajah you will choose. Of course, the time of choosing your Ajah will not occur until you past the test for the Shawl, should you pass, but girls are guided from the beginning.” She gave a small smile that didn't quite touch her eyes. “Choose wisely.”

 

* * *

[Iris 0]

Moiraine and Siuan both walked back down the corridor from Merean Sedai's study nearly sweating through their shifts, and not because of the heat.

 

“Light, I hope she isn't always that intimidating,” Moiraine said.

 

Siuan snorted. “I think that's probably why she got the job.”

 

Moiraine laughed. “Well, at least we get to go through all this together. Better than going through it alone.”

 

“I'll say,” Siuan agreed, looking sideways at Moiraine. “I have a feeling meeting with Kanika Sedai for our test is going to have me sweating a lot more than our meeting with Merean Sedai.”

 

“Yes, and this wool shift isn't helping either,” Moiraine said with a wry grin.

 

Siuan gave a small laugh. In truth she really had never thought much about what her shift was made of. As long as it was clean, it didn't really matter, as far as she was concerned. The two girls walked the corridors back to the Novice wing quietly for a time, each turned inward at her own thoughts. Siuan wasn't sure what to make of this Moiraine. She liked her a lot, but she had never been around a noblewoman before. Merean Sedai claimed such distinctions didn't matter, but Siuan couldn't help but feel it. Maybe feeling it wore off after a while. Her thoughts turned back to that embarrassing moment in Merean Sedai's study regarding her education, or lack of it. She had never even learned to read anything besides the signs around the docks in Tear. She wondered if Moiraine thought her a fish-brained dimwit. Despite Siuan's casual strut and aloof expression, she couldn't help but feel smaller than the Cairhienin girl, who was a good hand shorter than herself.

 

Moiraine bit her lower lip in worry, wondering about this test with Kanika Sedai. Merean Sedai had mentioned various talents. Would they be tested in all the talents, or was there just one test that would measure their strength, generally speaking? She knew there were different Weaves in the Power, composed of Earth, Air, Water, Fire, and Spirit, but she didn't know how to separate one from the other. A worried line creased her brow.

 

“Siuan, do you know how to make different Weaves with the Power?”

 

Siuan came out of her own thoughts with a start. “What? Weaves? I have no idea. The only weaves I know about are the ones made my a loom.”

 

Moiraine gave a laugh and felt reassured. In the short time she knew her, this Siuan seemed to have the uncanny ability to make her smile or laugh when she least expected it. She couldn't help but feel a bit lighter around her, like something was being lifted from her shoulders that she didn't even know was there. Moiraine's thoughts came back to the test. Of course they weren't expected to know individual Weaves before coming to the Tower, but Siuan might already know something she didn't, and Moiraine didn't want to look like an idiot. She was glad she had Siuan by her side, but for some reason she had the feeling that Siuan would equal her, if not outshine her. Personally, Moiraine didn't really mind it if she did. She didn't feel an urge to compete with her. She just didn't want to look stupid, in front of Kanika Sedai or Siuan. She couldn't decide whose opinion she was more worried about.

 

The two girls approached the Novice wing, still with a few hours before their test. As they walked past the closed doors of rooms belonging to other Novices, they reached Moiraine's room first.

 

“Here's mine,” Moiraine said, halting. Siuan stopped too. “Which room is your's?”

 

Siuan glanced down the hallway and counted silently. “Five doors down from your's,” she said, looking at Moiraine with a smile. “Too bad we're not next door to each other.”

 

“That would have been nice,” Moiraine said. The two girls stood quietly for a moment, Siuan shifting her feet. She was about to make her goodbyes when Moiraine spoke again. “Why don't you stay in my room, until it's time for our test?”

 

“Sure,” Siuan said and wondered if she sounded too eager. She relaxed her posture deliberately as Moiraine opened the door to her room and the two girls went inside. Siuan looked around the room as she stepped in, which was almost identical to hers accept for a few changes in the color of the small rug and the type of wood used for the stark furniture. She continued standing as Moiraine sat down on the bed. There was no evidence that the girl came from the Sun Palace, accept for perhaps a necklace that laid on the small table where Siuan took a seat. Moiraine had already kicked off her slippers and tucked her feet under her legs. Siuan touched the necklace. “That's really pretty,” she said.

 

“Thank you,” Moiraine replied. “Too bad its against rules to wear it,” she said. “Not that I would wear it,” she added hurriedly. She felt self-conscious about her nobility, a feeling she hoped would wear off soon. She didn't want to give anyone the impression she was trying to flaunt her status.

 

“Well,” Siuan said, “You could still wear it.” She gave a mischievous smile. “You'd just have to make sure it stayed inside your dress.”

 

Moiraine returned the smile with an equally mischievous air, which surprised Siuan. She didn't think noblewomen smiled like that. It was the kind of smile boys and girls wore after they chucked a rock through a porthole or put a fish down some sailor's trousers and ran for dear life.

 

“Keeping it inside my dress would be a consideration,” Moiraine said, “but I actually don't wear it around my neck.”

 

Siuan eyed the necklace again, somewhat confusedly. Did the way you wore such a necklace have something to do with nobility? She started to feel foolish. It was a necklace, wasn't it? “So,” Siuan said slowly, “how do you where it, then?”

 

Moiraine got up from the bed and crossed the small space of floor and sat in the chair opposite Siuan. “I wear it like this,” she said. She picked up the delicate chain so that one end was in each hand, the blue, teardrop gem dangling in the center. Simple enough, Siuan thought, that was how any girl held up a necklace before putting it on. But rather than bring it to her neck, Moiraine brought it toward her face and lifted it, so that the blue gem hung in the center of her forehead while she wove the gold chain through her dark curls and then clasped it somewhere at the back of her head. She brought her hands down and Siuan felt taken aback. It was rather impressive that you couldn't even see the chain at all, accept the bit by the blue stone. But that wasn't the only thing that was impressive. Moiraine was impressive, like someone stuck a princess in a white wool dress. But then again she practically was a princess in a white wool dress. Moiraine's mouth quirked up in a half-smile. “I think I'd get caught if I wore it like this,” she said.

 

“Yea,” Siuan said. She cleared her throat. “Is that the style, in Cairhien?” She hoped it wasn't a stupid question.

 

Moiraine shook her head and the little blue gem moved with her. “No, it's just the way I've always worn it. It belonged to my mother,” she said.

 

Siuan looked at Moiraine quietly for a moment. Belonged. “Is your mother not alive?” Siuan asked, her voice taking on a gentle tone. It might have been recent.

 

“No,” Moiraine said, but her voice was not weighted grief. “She died when I was three.”

 

Siuan nodded. “My mother died too. When I was six.” Despite the depressing nature of the subject, the two girls smiled at one another, sharing more than just a look across the table. Neither had had many friends growing up, but both felt that perhaps the friendship that was fast-growing between them would make up for anything either had missed in her sixteen years.

[Iris 0]

Moiraine stood and walked to stand just over Siuan, who was still in her chair. Siuan watched as Moiraine unlaced the necklace from her hair. Without speaking she positioned the stone on Siuan's forehead and began lacing the chain through her straight, brown hair.

 

 

[Olivia 26]

You've done a good job keeping them mostly in character, especially with little habits mentioned in NS like Momo biting her lip when thinking hard.

 

And that line about Siuan worrying she smelled like fish, haha. Like that pig Tairen lordling in TSR: "No fishermen's daughters. Smell of fish, you see, however you have them washed. A plump farm girl is best."