OOC: I am re-writing this to be more accurate to Dayana's Story, and because she is my favorite ever character of mine.
996 NE
Dayana stood just outside the chamber that every Novice tried to imagine from the moment they heard about the test. She wore her plain white novice dress as she had for the last five years. Sheriam Sedai, the Misteress of Novices stood next to her. The red-headed Aes Sedai turned to her as the door open. Inside she saw an arch made of three connecting rings. The chamber was huge and far beneath the White Tower itself.
The room was domed and was carved out of the bedrock of the island. Lamps lit about the room cast a pale glow that was reflected from the smooth stone walls. The three silver arches connected at the top and all sitting on a thick silver ring. They looked to be of all one piece but as to what laid inside, Dayana could not tell. An Aes Sedai sat cross-legged on the stone floor where the arches touched the ring. The glow that Dayana had begun to associate with the One Power was surrounding each of them and the device itself. A fourth Aes Sedai stood beside a plain table with three large silver chalices on each. As every novice knew, the chalices was filled with clear water. All the Aes Sedai wore shawls just as Sheriam Sedai at her side. Blue on Sheriam's shoulders, Grey on a slight sister with her hair back in Taraboner braids. The sister standing at the table wore green and winked at Dayana earning a reproachful look from Sheriam. The Yellow sister sitting nearest to the door was so plump that Dayana wondered how comfortable she could be sitting on the floor, and in contrast, the Red sister just beyond her was very bony and she wore an expression that told Dayana that she was uncomfortable.
Two things I will tell you now that no woman hears until she is in this room. The first is this. once you begin, you must continue to the end. Refuse to go on, and no matter your potential, you will be very kindly put out of the Tower with enough silver to support you for a year, and you will never be allowed back. Dayana gulped but nodded. Second. To seek, to strive, is to know danger. You will know danger here. Some women have entered, and never come out. When the ter'angreal was allowed to grow quiet, they simply were no longer there. And they were never seen again. If you will survive, you must be steadfast. Falter, fail and . . . Her silence was more eloquent than any words. This is your last chance, child. you may turn back now, right now, you will only have one mark against you in the novice book. Twice more you will be allowed to come here, and only at the third refusal will you be put out of the Tower. it is no shame to refuse. Many do. I myself could not do it, my first time here.
Dayana just stared at the three arches, not wanting to take her eyes off of them. There was soft white glow within. To become Aes Sedai, to make Avena Sedai proud of her her fate would be within those arches. I am ready. She said meakly.
The Green sister cleared her voice. When she spoke she spoke formally, like a Gleeman reciting in High chant. Whom do you bring with you, Sister?
One who comes as a candidate for Acceptance, Sister, Sheriam replied just as formally.
Is she ready?
She is ready to leave behind what she was, and, passing through her fears, gain Acceptance.
Does she know her fears?
She has never faced them, but now is willing.
Then let her face what she fears.
Sheriam stopped and turned two spans from the arches and Dayana dutifully removed her clothes, folding her dress and shrift, laying the to the side with her shoes and stockings. She tried not to think about being naked. Despite the chill from the stones, the young Cairheinen girl was sweating.
The fist time is for what was. The way will come but once. Be steadfast. Shariams voice sounded weary. Dayana had heared the gossip from the novice quarters; another Novice had been through the same test only an hour before this, a girl named Ildeshi who showed some promise and probably would achieve the shawl if she could remember that an Aes Sedai should not be talked down to. Shariam looked down at the Cairheinin Novice. So much potential, if only Avena Sedai were around more to guide this child. She fears others, even Avenas sister Sarrara has difficulty reaching out to her. Her block is so strong, she needs comfort and guidance from someone she trusts. Sharim watched as the young girl stepped forward into the first ring.
996 NE
Dayana stood just outside the chamber that every Novice tried to imagine from the moment they heard about the test. She wore her plain white novice dress as she had for the last five years. Sheriam Sedai, the Misteress of Novices stood next to her. The red-headed Aes Sedai turned to her as the door open. Inside she saw an arch made of three connecting rings. The chamber was huge and far beneath the White Tower itself.
The room was domed and was carved out of the bedrock of the island. Lamps lit about the room cast a pale glow that was reflected from the smooth stone walls. The three silver arches connected at the top and all sitting on a thick silver ring. They looked to be of all one piece but as to what laid inside, Dayana could not tell. An Aes Sedai sat cross-legged on the stone floor where the arches touched the ring. The glow that Dayana had begun to associate with the One Power was surrounding each of them and the device itself. A fourth Aes Sedai stood beside a plain table with three large silver chalices on each. As every novice knew, the chalices was filled with clear water. All the Aes Sedai wore shawls just as Sheriam Sedai at her side. Blue on Sheriam's shoulders, Grey on a slight sister with her hair back in Taraboner braids. The sister standing at the table wore green and winked at Dayana earning a reproachful look from Sheriam. The Yellow sister sitting nearest to the door was so plump that Dayana wondered how comfortable she could be sitting on the floor, and in contrast, the Red sister just beyond her was very bony and she wore an expression that told Dayana that she was uncomfortable.
Two things I will tell you now that no woman hears until she is in this room. The first is this. once you begin, you must continue to the end. Refuse to go on, and no matter your potential, you will be very kindly put out of the Tower with enough silver to support you for a year, and you will never be allowed back. Dayana gulped but nodded. Second. To seek, to strive, is to know danger. You will know danger here. Some women have entered, and never come out. When the ter'angreal was allowed to grow quiet, they simply were no longer there. And they were never seen again. If you will survive, you must be steadfast. Falter, fail and . . . Her silence was more eloquent than any words. This is your last chance, child. you may turn back now, right now, you will only have one mark against you in the novice book. Twice more you will be allowed to come here, and only at the third refusal will you be put out of the Tower. it is no shame to refuse. Many do. I myself could not do it, my first time here.
Dayana just stared at the three arches, not wanting to take her eyes off of them. There was soft white glow within. To become Aes Sedai, to make Avena Sedai proud of her her fate would be within those arches. I am ready. She said meakly.
The Green sister cleared her voice. When she spoke she spoke formally, like a Gleeman reciting in High chant. Whom do you bring with you, Sister?
One who comes as a candidate for Acceptance, Sister, Sheriam replied just as formally.
Is she ready?
She is ready to leave behind what she was, and, passing through her fears, gain Acceptance.
Does she know her fears?
She has never faced them, but now is willing.
Then let her face what she fears.
Sheriam stopped and turned two spans from the arches and Dayana dutifully removed her clothes, folding her dress and shrift, laying the to the side with her shoes and stockings. She tried not to think about being naked. Despite the chill from the stones, the young Cairheinen girl was sweating.
The fist time is for what was. The way will come but once. Be steadfast. Shariams voice sounded weary. Dayana had heared the gossip from the novice quarters; another Novice had been through the same test only an hour before this, a girl named Ildeshi who showed some promise and probably would achieve the shawl if she could remember that an Aes Sedai should not be talked down to. Shariam looked down at the Cairheinin Novice. So much potential, if only Avena Sedai were around more to guide this child. She fears others, even Avenas sister Sarrara has difficulty reaching out to her. Her block is so strong, she needs comfort and guidance from someone she trusts. Sharim watched as the young girl stepped forward into the first ring.
