Part 7 Novices at the Tower

[Iris 0]

Hearts of Flame

 

“Siuan, you're as stiff as a poker,” Moiraine chided, standing behind the plain wooden chair that Siuan sat in. Parchment was spread on the table and a pen was in Siuan's hand. Moiraine stood behind with her hand on Siuan's, helping form the letters that would make up the word “Silverpike.” Other words were already written on the page, like “Light,” “Blood and ashes,” “Fish guts,” “Fishpaste,” and “Saidar.” The two girls had agreed that Siuan would decide which words would be written, with Moiraine contributing when Siuan was out of ideas.

 

“I'm trying to relax,” Siuan said irritably, with a wiggle of her arm. Siuan studied the word “Silverpike” that Moiraine had already written and was trying to copy it below. “It's hard to remember which parts of the letter to write first.” Siuan's face tightened in concentration, the pen scratching across the yellowed parchment. Moiraine guided her hand when she hesitated for the “k” and then Siuan wrote the “e” unaided. “There!” Siuan said, setting down the pen and admiring her work.

 

Moiraine laughed. “Siuan, if any of the sisters find this we'll both have our bottoms switched.” Moiraine sat down on the chair opposite Siuan, that mischievous gleam in her eyes that Siuan had been surprised existed in the young noblewoman.

 

“Well, if they won't let me say them, at least I can write them,” Siuan said mirthfully. Siuan had been caught swearing several times in the four weeks since Novice classes had started for she and Moiraine, and the Sisters agreed it was time to come down hard on her for her loose tongue. More than once Siuan had left Merean Sedai's with a sore bottom. Thankfully though, she had somehow managed to control her tongue in Elaida's class, so the Accepted never had the pleasure of sending her for a switching. Moiraine was more satisfied with this fact than Siuan. It seemed her curses were mainly relegated to classes that involved extensive reading and writing.

 

Siuan leaned back, hands behind her head, tipping the chair so it cricked ominously as it always did without ever giving way. Moiraine leaned forward with her chin in her hand, looking at the Tairen girl. In the two weeks since they had been friends, they had spent more time together than apart. Awkward silences ceased to exist between the two.

 

Moiraine suddenly spoke in excited tones. “Oh, I forgot to tell you! Myrelle says she managed to get Hearts of Flame from the library!”

 

Siuan lifted her eyebrows, still moving the chair back and forth on its back legs, one foot on the table. “Really?” she said. “How under the Light did she manage to pull that off?”

 

“Seems she had an Accepted check it out for her,” Moiraine replied.

 

Siuan snorted and shared Moiraine's approving smile. “Leave it to Myrelle to find another future Green to do that for her. It's probably required reading for them.” Both the girls laughed. Siuan paused, looking at Moiraine. “How long does she get to keep it?”

 

Moiraine shrugged. “I have no idea.”

 

“Well, if she's had for at least two days chances are she's finished it, so then we can take it.”

 

Moiraine laughed. Normally the book would take at least a week to read without their workload from classes. “We'll have to ask her about it. Sheriam might have already claimed it next.”

 

Siuan nodded. After a minute or so, she spoke again. “You know, Moiraine, we haven't been down to see the Gaidin in training yet.”

 

Moiraine blushed. “I know.”

 

“We should go on our next off-day. Myrelle and Sheriam go all the time.”

 

Moiraine shifted her position. “I suppose.”

 

Siuan looked her over. “You're as red as a beet.”

 

Moiraine sighed. “Thank you for pointing that out, as if I don't already know.”

 

Siuan snorted. “Why don't you want to go?”

 

“It's not that I don't want to go,” Moiraine said. “It just feels sort of awkward, to go there just to stare at the Gaidin.”

 

“With their shirts off, all sweaty and strong.” Siuan said with an exaggerated sound of pleasure in her voice.

 

“Siuan!” Moiraine practically yelped.

 

“Oh come off it, Moiraine,” Siuan said. “You might be from Cairhien, but one day you'll have to choose a Warder yourself. Why not at least get familiar with them now?”

 

“Familiar?” Moiraine said with a small laugh.

 

“You know what I mean,” Siuan said with a wave, almost losing her balance, the chair coming down with a thud. “One day you'll have a man just like one of them following your every step. No sense staying uptight about it.” Siuan resumed tipping the chair.

 

“I suppose,” Moiraine said, sitting back in her own. “I have seen practice sword fighting many times in Cairhien. It's not that I don't like to watch, or that I don't enjoy seeing a handsome man with his shirt off. It just does feel so odd because they're Gaidin. It makes me think about having my own. Only Greens marry their Warders, Siuan, and I don't know if I'll choose Green. I can't imagine having a man follow me everywhere and feeling my every feeling without being married to him. It's so strange to think about.”

[Iris 0]

“We can marry our Warders if we want, even if we're not Greens,” Siuan said. “There's no law that says a sister is forbidden to marry her Warder unless she's a Green.”

 

“That's true,” Moiraine replied. She hesitated for a moment but then continued. “What do you think about the bond though? Isn't it odd to imagine? Sharing all your feelings with a man like that, without any control over it?”

 

“It is rather odd to think about,” Siuan admitted. “You share every physical sensation too.” The two girls looked at each other across the table, both thinking the same thing. The corner of Siuan's mouth lifted in a smile. “Think about what that must be like, Moiraine. Bonded and married to some dashing, handsome Warder and when you make love you feel everything he feels as well as yourself!” Siuan's voice practically crescendoed as she finished the sentence.

 

Moiraine stared at Siuan, her face as red as a sunset. “Light, Siuan! Are you trying to make me faint?”

 

Siuan laughed. “Come on, Moiraine. You know you've thought about it.”

 

Moiraine's face didn't change its color. “Well, who hasn't thought about it?”

 

Siuan snorted. “Elaida.”

 

Moiraine laughed loudly and Siuan joined in. A knock sounded at the door and Moiraine called for the person to enter, the two still recovering from their laughter. Myrelle and Sheriam came in, Myrelle carrying a book. “Look what I've got!” she said excitedly. The two girls sat down on the bed, Siuan and Moiraine turning in their chairs to face them.

 

“She's already almost half way done with it,” Sheriam said wryly.

 

“Ha, ha, ha” Myrelle replied in just as dry a tone. “Sheriam would know since she can't wait to get her hands on it next.” Sheriam blushed but didn't deny it.

 

“So?” Siuan asked, “how is it?”

 

“So good,” Myrelle said.

 

“Why don't you read us a passage?” Siuan asked with a grin. “Satisfy us a little until we get a turn.”

 

Myrelle licked her lips but wore a smile, looking from Moiraine to Sheriam. Sheriam was quick to smile back and give a look of waiting, but Moiraine looked rather blank. Myrelle said nothing though as she began eagerly thumbing through the book. “There was one part I read yesterday that was really good. Okay wait...” Sheriam and Siuan exchanged looks with each other, as well as Moiraine. Siuan knew Moiraine was uneasy, which in truth she found amusing and rather cute. Truth be told, Siuan told Myrelle to read for the pleasure of seeing Moiraine's reaction as well as to satisfy her curiosity about the novel.

 

“I've got it,” Myrelle said, stopping on a page that was definitely rather near the middle. Sheriam could be prone to exaggeration at times, but it seemed this time she was being rather literal. Myrelle's grin widened. “Are you ready?” The three girls nodded, Moiraine's nod rather slow. Siuan smiled smugly. “I was going to read to you about Ryalin and Stacia's wedding night, but I don't want to ruin that for you. So I'll read you this part instead. This is the part where she sneaks out at night to meet him in the woods and he proposes to her. It's almost just as good.”

 

Myrelle began reading from the book without a sound from the other three girls. The more she read, the faster and more dramatic she became. By the time she finished the passage, Myrelle was out of breath, Siuan and Moiraine were on the edges of their chairs, and Sheriam was leaning forward on both her hands, looking over Myrelle's arm at the page. All four of them had red-stained cheeks. Myrelle slowly closed the book and looked up at the others.

 

“Light!” Siuan breathed. Sheriam let out a giggle, leaning back.

 

“I told you it was good,” Myrelle said with a satisfied smile.

 

Siuan snorted. “That's not just good! That's bloody outrageously good!” Siuan leaned back in her chair, a playful expression taking over her face. “What did you think, Sheriam?”

 

Sheriam's smile widened and she spoke without a hint of shyness, despite her blush. “It was definitely very good.”

 

That playful expression seemed to become more obvious as Siuan shifted her gaze. “What did you think, Moiraine?” Siuan craned her neck back slightly, looking over to Moiraine's chair.

 

Moiraine looked redder than ever. She swallowed. “It was good,” she said almost breathlessly.

 

Siuan gave a small laugh and Moiraine eyed her askance. The four girls sat in awkward silence for a minute, each with a smile that seemed to tug at her mouth but was being suppressed--except for Moiraine, who looked like she wanted to bury her face in a pillow. The cricking of Siuan's chair and an occasional pop from a log in the fire were the only sounds in the room until Siuan spoke.

 

“So, Myrelle,” she said with a foreboding tone. “How much of that stuff have you ever done?'

 

A faint red tinged Myrelle's cheeks despite her lightly browned complexion. She seemed to be lost for words for a moment, then she spoke with an air of mustered confidence. “Why should I tell you, unless you tell me about yourself first?”

[Iris 0]

It came off as a challenge, although that smile still seemed to tug at Myrelle's lips, and Sheriam wore one openly on her own face. Siuan didn't like to back down from challenges. “Fine,” she said, her chair still moving front to back in the most casual way. “I've kissed a man before. Er, well a boy, I suppose, since the first time I did it I was twelve and so was he. Then I kissed another when I was fourteen. The second one tried to put his hands up my skirt, but I didn't let him.” Siuan's face looked redder than it ever had before, but her expression was its usual cool confidence.

 

Myrelle nodded. “I've kissed three. And one time I did let one put his hand up my skirts.” Siuan's eyebrows rose but Myrelle broke in. “Just on my leg though! I'm not a flipskirt, you know.”

 

Siuan gave a satisfied nod and her eyes moved over to Sheriam. Of course Myrelle already knew Sheriam's secrets, so she leaned back on the wall that the bed was pushed against and looked over at Moiraine. Moiraine felt like she would've given her right arm just to avoid having anyone look at her during this exchange.

 

“Six,” Sheriam said.

 

“Six! Light!” Siuan said, before she could stop herself.

 

“Well, you know men and women in the Borderlands bathe together too,” Myrelle said.

 

“Blood and ashes!” Siuan said. “So you've seen men completely naked, Sheriam?”

 

Sheriam's face was as red as her hair, but she continued on as if unperturbed. “I've seen them,” she said. Sheriam rather enjoyed having this experience over the other girls.

 

“And?” Siuan said.

 

“And what?” Sheriam asked.

 

“I don't know,” Siuan replied. “I mean that's just so odd! To have a naked man you don't even know in a bath with you!”

 

Sheriam's face darkened. “Generally you mind your own business at the baths.” Sheriam smiled. “Not that everyone always does.”

 

Siuan snorted. “Have you ever seen a man?...you know!” Siuan made an odd gesture with her hand, flipping it upwards.

 

Sheriam laughed. “Of course. Just because they're in a bath doesn't mean they still don't enjoy looking at naked women.”

 

“Well, that beats all,” Siuan said looking aghast and pleased at the same time. “I'd rather bathe with the silverpike though. No offense meant.” Sheriam shrugged. Truth be told she rather liked the attention, even if the other girls found it scandalous.

 

“And you Moiraine?” Myrelle asked, before Siuan got a chance.

 

Moiraine wished she had fallen through the floor and been forgotten. “I kissed a boy, or a man, if you'd like, once. And that's all I'm going to say about it.” Moiraine's closed her mouth purposefully, her cheeks red.

 

“Did nothing else happen then?” Siuan asked ruefully.

 

“I'm not saying, which is neither yes nor no.” Moiraine gave Siuan a level stare.

 

“I'll wager he gave you a peck like a brother,” Siuan said, deliberately egging Moiraine on.

 

Moiraine's mouth tightened. “Well, then I accept your wager.” Siuan snorted and Myrelle and Sheriam exchanged looks. Despite the fact that it was meant to be playful banter, there was a hint of tension in the air.

 

“You know, Siuan,” Myrelle said, “In Cairhien they have some interesting ways of celebrating. During the Feast of Lights any man can kiss any woman without any accountability.”

 

“Really?” Siuan said. “And you've only kissed one man then, Moiraine? Even with this celebration?”

 

Moiraine's cheeks were still red, but now with anger as well as embarassment. “I prefer not give away kisses or anything else in that fashion, Siuan Sanche.” She let the full name slip from her mouth without thinking, a sign that her temper was flaring.

 

Siuan lifted her eyebrows, slightly taken aback. She felt a ripple of anger now too. Was Moiraine insinuating that that was what she had done—gave away her kisses like some flipskirt? Not to mention Moiraine's tone had been all icy arrogance. “In that case I'm sure this celebration at least provided an education for you,” Siuan went on. “You do know what else a man does with a woman aside from kissing, right?”

 

“Of course I do,” Moiraine said. Burn her if she was going to let Siuan embarrass her into silence just to gain the upperhand.

 

“And how did you manage to learn that in a place like the Sun Palace?” Siuan asked.

[Iris 0]

“You mean aside from a spectacle like the Feast of Lights?” Moiraine's mind quickly fumbled for another answer other than the truth but found none. She mumbled something that sounded like “horses.”

 

Siuan barked a laugh and the chair thudded forward. This time she didn't resume its tipping. “Did you just bloody say “horses”?” Siuan asked, clearly humored.

 

“I did,” Moiraine said, practically staring daggers at Siuan.

 

Siuan laughed aloud. “Well, I'm sure they provide more education than fish,” she said. Sheriam laughed.

 

Myrelle smiled only, all too aware of the undercurrents in the room. She got up and walked over to the shelf which held Moiraine's toiletries and other small items. She picked up a comb. “Do you mind?” she asked Moiraine.

 

“No,” she replied, rather quietly. Moiraine looked away from Siuan, and Siuan picked up Hearts of Flame and began flipping through it. Sheriam lounged on the bed, looking off into the fire. Myrelle turned toward the mirror and began running the ivory comb through her long, straight black hair.

 

Moiraine felt like fire inside. Why had Siuan done that to her? She spared a small glance for her friend but found in almost too painful, so she looked away toward the floor. She wished she had something to occupy herself so she wouldn't feel like such a fool, sitting and pretending not to be angry when she felt absolutely livid. She thought if she even looked at Siuan again, she might feel a sting come to her eyes. She locked her gaze on the rug.

 

Moiraine startled when Myrelle touched her arm, giving it a small pull. Myrelle still held Moiraine's comb. Moiraine looked up and Myrelle gave a her warm smile, but her eyes were all sympathy.

 

Myrelle sat on the edge of the bed. “Sit down here in front of me, Moiraine, I want to do your hair.” Moiraine sat and Myrelle began combing her hair, which Moiraine found not only relaxing but a saving grace from sitting awkwardly on that chair staring at nothing. She closed her eyes and Myrelle spoke again. “It would look really pretty with the just the top part on each side in a twist.” Myrelle twisted the hair on each side and then sighed. “I wish I had your curls, Moiraine,” she said truthfully. “They're so beautiful.”

 

“I can make curls in your hair,” Moiraine said.

 

“How?” Myrelle asked. “We don't have an iron.”

 

“Do you have an old pillowcase or shift of anything like that? And a pair of shears?”

 

“Yes,” Myrelle said. “That will curl hair?”

 

“You cut the fabric into strips, twist your hair around it, tie it, and then sleep with it. When you wake up you'll have a full head of curls. It works much better than an iron.”

 

“Really?” Myrelle said. “And to think I never knew.”

 

“Women in Cairhien do it all the time, since ringlets are the style.”

 

“Well,” Myrelle said, “you must do it for me the night before our off-day. Can you?”

 

“Of course,” Moiraine said. “I'll come to your room after dinner.” Moiraine knew that she and Siuan typically spent that time together.

 

Myrelle lowered her voice but the other two girls could still hear. “Are you coming with us to see the Gaidin?” she asked.

 

“Yes, I'll come,” Moiraine said, leaning her head against Myrelle's knee.

 

“Oh good, because there is one man that made me think of you, and I've been wanting you to see him. He has the most stunning blue eyes. I remembered how much you told me you loved blue eyes.”

 

Moiraine's eyes flitted uncontrollably up to Suian for a moment, who appeared to be reading Hearts of Flame. “You'll have to show him to me then,” Moiraine said. She kept her head leaned against Myrelle's knee as Myrelle continued combing her hair. She stared off into the fire, sure that Siuan had heard that comment. She wondered what she thought of it, her wonderment seared by a fuse of anger.

[MierinSedai 0]

Yaaay!

 

Siuan has a bit of a cruel streak in this one.

[Iris 0]

thanks for your comment! i never get any from the usuals *sticks tongue out at them*

 

it was a case of teasing gone bad, as happens with friends. both had internal commentary happening during their exchange that caused it to shift in that direction, although Siuan could be perceived as driving it, but in reality she just brought them both down that road but then Moiraine had just a hand in matters too. it's also their first tiff (at least from my fanfic perspective), so hopefully we'll soon see how the two bounce back from a bad tasting lilt in their friendship.

[Cerendrallion 32]

I read it! And I enjoyed it

 

My only complaint the the lack of Elaida-internal-lust in this one

[Iris 0]

patience, my friend, patience!

[MierinSedai 0]

it was a case of teasing gone bad, as happens with friends. both had internal commentary happening during their exchange that caused it to shift in that direction, although Siuan could be perceived as driving it, but in reality she just brought them both down that road but then Moiraine had just a hand in matters too. it's also their first tiff (at least from my fanfic perspective), so hopefully we'll soon see how the two bounce back from a bad tasting lilt in their friendship.

 

Ah, that makes sense. Maybe some more Siuan perspective soon? I'm hoping Moiraine does something rash towards Siuan in Elaida's class...

 

*waggles eyebrows*