Netland Towers Library: The Three Arches

The Three Arches
by Maegan Naskus

Maegan knew it was time. The knock at the door, the Mistress of Novices. Of course, this was because she was ready for the testing. It was about time, as well.

The sound of heavy rain dimmed as they went lower, and lower. The seemingly endless Tower just kept going, lower and lower. Once they reached the large chamber, Maegan looked around curiously. Three arches, some Aes Sedai, some cups on a table. Let's get this over with.

The Blue Sister asked, Whom do you bring with you, Sister?

One who comes as a candidate for Acceptance, Sister. Replied the Mistress of Novices.

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 is now willing.

Then let her face what she fears. The Blue intoned. Maegan took this as her opportunity to do something, and shed her clothes. Standing there, naked, proud, she waited for her instructions. She didn't look at her dress; she would never have to wear plain white again.

The first time is for what was, the way will come but once. Be steadfast.

Maegan strode into the first arch.

-

She was wearing a white dress.

Blasted... why am I...? Then she remembered, vaguely. She was supposed to be wearing white. With a shiver, she wrapped the cloak around her. In the snowy weather, she would be camouflaged well.

Looking around. Maegan saw nothing but avenues of trees. They stood either side of her, a triumphant evergreen fence forcing her forwards or backwards only. How she got there, and why, was beyond her. All she knew was she could go forwards, or head back the way she came. Either way looked the same; lost in the fog, and the soft snow. She figured she could just head forwards and hope for the best. No point on backtracking. Something told her she had to hurry.

The Novice set off at a brisk walk. The snowy avenue inclined upwards, and she thought she was getting quite high. Maegan eventually came across a massive oak tree at a crossroads, subtly placed to the side with a place to rest carved into it. She huddled inside, almost completely hidden when considering she wore white to match the snow. From there the paths ahead and to her right were visible, with the path to the left and the one from which she came blocked from inside the tree. Hidden so quietly, she froze when she heard footsteps and voices.

I saw her head this way. Burn me, she could have gone in any direction!

Then we split up. There's three of us, and she's only a thief, and wilder. She doesn't even have a weapon. Three figures came into view, and Maegan tried not to gape. Kaese was leading two other men, one fat and one thin, all carrying sharp-looking swords. They were his lackeys, she knew. His colour-shifting cloak said it all. He was a Warder.

Memories spilled into her mind as the three took different routes. Maegan had stayed in Saldaea with her mother, and never bothered with the Tower. She worked in an Inn, but sometimes kept the jewellery drunken customers gave her, hiding them in a box in her room. Kaese, the bloody man, was not fooled. He saw her taking his emerald ring, the one from his Aes Sedai some said, and he wanted it back. So that was why she was running. Because when he tried to take it back, she had done... something... and he had leapt back with his hair on fire.

So I'm a wilder as well? Maegan mused. She had never thought of that. At least she was safely hidden, with the white clothes, and even her small bag had the trinkets she had collected. There was no way she was leaving that.

She waited some time, until she was sure they were gone. She only hoped the paths did not lead to dead ends. I could always go back she thought, climbing out the tree trunk and eyeing the path she had come from. That was a bad idea though, she knew. Maegan decided to take the route Kaese took; If she met him, she was sure he would be more gentle than the fat man. Not that she planned on being taken like a piece of meat. He could have his ring back, and she could... do what? She could channel. She could go to the White Tower. The thought terrified her. Perhaps Kaese would take her there, though. If he had his bloody ring back.

She walked quickly. Paths led to the left, to the right, but she kept going ahead. She could smell the sea almost, so familiar it was to her. She would sometimes stand at the cliffs upon the edge of Saldaea, looking out at the sea, wondering whether the Seanchan would try Saldaea next. She sometimes thought of Arad Doman, and wondered how things fared there under Seanchan rule. Probably much the same as before. But not for her. Maegan Naskus, a channeler. Before she knew it she stood at the cliff once again, the sea before her. That it had not frozen almost came as a surprise.

Laila. Maegan turned, mouth slightly agape. She had used that name for years, but it sounded... wrong... on Kaese's lips. The tall man was heading towards her from the left. She backed away from the edge of the cliff, back into the avenue of trees. If she was fast enough, she could find that tree, and...

Going somewhere? His two cronies stood blocking the way back. A small path to the left was all she had, with men either side of her. Maegan wondered why she limited herself to straight lines, to reason, to roads leading nowhere. But there was nothing to it now. She had to carry on, at least until a tangent appeared.

Laila, you can fix this. You can give me my ring back, and I won't hold it against you. Kaese stood only a few paces behind her; Maegan turned, startled, frowning. You can channel. We know who you are at the Tower. Why do you think we are here? We know you can only channel when you are feeling threatened. We know you want to become an Aes Sedai more than anything.

You know nothing! Maegan snapped in a rare moment of anger. Very rare; how could he know her thoughts, her fears, her hopes, better than she? It was not fair! Rage flared, and refused to back down to Reason. You know so little, stuck in your stupid Tower. You play at Daes Dae'mar and pretend your lives have meaning. But they have no more meaning there than they do at the Inn! In the stables! In the blasted Blight! The Light blind me, you channelers and Aes Sedai followers think you have the right of everything!

Now! The fat guy yelled from behind, but before they could grab Maegan a solid wall of Air appeared, which they ran in to. She had no idea how it happened, but it was there, and they were stuck.

See what I mean? You are fools. Maegan took the ring out of her bag. Here, take it. I don't want your Aes Sedai's germs anyway.

Laila, calm down. Just come with me, and we can talk about this. You can channel. There is a place for you there. Your life can have the meaning it never did in Arad Doman. Kaese stood closer, but no walls appeared from nowhere. Looming above her, he took her arms. You were spun out the pattern for a reason, Maegan. The look he gave told her what reason he suggested for it, bonded to a Green or not.

You know my name. She whispered into his chest. Kaese simply nodded.

The way will come but once. Be steadfast.

No!

What is it Maegan?

The Domani stared at the arch which appeared in the path to the side. I can't go.

Go to the Tower?

Another chance. Another change to really try. She could be powerful. She could even have Kaese, if she wanted. She didn't know how that would fare with her complete lack of desire for him, but a man was a convenience the difficulties of their stubborness quickly washed away.

But she wanted to go back. She wanted to become an Accepted now, not in another seven years.

I'm sorry Kaese. She said, and for once she apologised with feeling. She tore herself away from him and ran into the arch, the Light consuming her and burning the man's curses into nothing.

-

You are washed clean of what sin you may have done and those done against you. You are cleaned of what crime you may have committed, and those committed against you. You come to us washed clean and pure, in heart and soul. Maegan gazed at the ground and let the water wash her sins away, but she still felt dirty. It was so real...!

The second time is for what is. The way will come but once... be steadfast. Maegan closed her eyes as she walked into her second fear.

-

It took a moment for Maegan to gain her bearings. She wore the dress of a Novice. She was in her room. All was well.

Some Novices were put with newer girls, to give them someone to talk to for a few days before finding their way. Maegan had no idea why anybody would trust her with a Novice, but there she was, sat across from a girl with curly hair and a ready smile.

So, Aerone... Maegan left the sentence to wither and die as she stood. I think that covers everything.

No it doesn't. Aerone said decisively. Maegan, do you like spiders?

They're alright, yes. Why?

The other girl looked disappointed. Oh. She fished a spider from her pocket, and Maegan actually frowned. She let it scuttle away. What about itching powder? In an Accepted's clothes?

How do you know-

Then there was the glue on the pillow.

I think you should leave.

Aerone got to her feet. She was skinny, but towered over Maegan. She didn't like that one bit. I went to the Inn the other day. The Gholam Inn. There was a lovely young man in there with hair as white as snow. Don't you think he looks like... like such an egg, though, when it's short? I hear it's quite nice when it's grown a little.

Maegan opened her mouth, and for once failed to speak.

You never asked me where I'm from. Aerone continued. You probably know from my good looks. I'm a Domani. I'm twice the woman you will ever be. I will have Noj, and the tall Siswai, and anyone else I fancy. I will pull the pranks you can only fantasise about, when you aren't afraid you'll be my next victim. I'll learn to channel faster than you, become stronger than you, show you how a Domani is supposed to do things around here. Walking over to her desk, Aerone picked up Maegan's hairbrush. I like this. I think I will keep it.

Maegan was, by nature, quite a nonplussed person. She didn't care when Novices didn't like her, she wasn't bothered if people didn't want to sit with her at mealtimes. But this flaming little chit needed a good smacking. I don't think so She said, stepping forwards and grabbing the wrist with the hairbrush in. Maegan was not afraid of hard labour, whereas Aerone was a noble; it was easy to hold her in place. This is my Tower. I'm the one who makes people shift uncomfortably. I'm the one who arranges the awkward silences and people excusing themselves. You are a fool for thinking you have what it takes to take my place. She tugged her wrist down, so their faces were within inches of one another. Grey eyes met green. This is my place.

The green eyes wrinkled into merriment as Aerone straightened, twisting her wrist to free herself from Maegan's grasp. May the best chit win She said, with a smile most men would fall over themselves for. Maegan told herself, there and then, that she would put the fool girl in her place once and for all.

The way will come but once. The shining silver arch appeared where the door once was.

Why do you look so scared? You're not bailing out on me, are you?

No Maegan snapped. But- The arch beckoned her. The arch won. She ran into the arch with crimson cheeks.

-

You are washed clean of false pride. You are washed clean of false ambition. You come to us washed clean, in heart and soul. Maegan glared at the floor. It wasn't real, she told herself. It wasn't real! Somehow, that didn't help. Maegan stood before the third arch with her back straight, her skin glistening with the water.

The third arch is for what will be. The way will come but once. Be steadfast.

-

It was the Blight.

Behind you!

Maegan threw a fireball behind her without thought; the trolloc burst into flames, screeching in defiance all the while. Maegan had already disregarded the beast as she wove Fire and Earth to shower the onslaught of shadowspawn with molten earth. She leapt over a corpse as she struck a swarm with lightning, but the weave had hardly left her hands when she was creating another for the remaining trollocs.

A blow to the head knocked Saidar out of Maegan as she fell forwards, meeting the corrupted earth before she could blink. Dazed, she turned to see a trolloc towering over her, weaponless. She saw the massive fists, though, and the upraised hoof...

Maegan! The trolloc was quickly beheaded and pushed to the side as her Warder offered her a hand. Getting to her feet carefully, she looked up at the man who had saved her life so many times. She had done the same for him, but they were hardly in competition. Thank you Firone.

Firone shrugged his wide shoulders, his ever changing cloak shifting in the non-existant wind. Looks like we emptied this nest just fine.

The others? Maegan asked as they were already heading back to the site at Tarwin's Gap.

Just inside the cave. Firone said. Why do you look so worried? They can look after themselves.

I can look after myself, as well. And I nearly got trampled. Yet out of the cave came their companions, and all was well.

Let me make us a gateway. Noj said.

No, we can walk. His Aes Sedai, Anathobia, was a quiet one, but there was a steely backbone to her which took everyone by surprise. Noj, is channeling your answer to everything?

You aren't a Novice any longer, and I'm not a Soldier. Noj reminded her, And this is no glass spinning on a table.

-

The tent Maegan and Firone shared was next to Toby and Noj's. Maegan had changed into a pale red dress, and was just putting her shawl on when Toby entered, wearing her Red shawl. Noj was behind, in a uniform to match Firone's.

I can never get over you in a shawl. Toby said, giving Maegan a pat on the shoulder. I hardly ever see you in it.

Maegan shrugged and adjusted the blue shawl irritably. The Blues always whispered, and frowned, at her complete disregard for tradition. It was foolish, and illogical. She liked red, and she liked Toby. What was wrong with that?

It was interesting how they were such good friends, Ajahs aside. Maegan was confusing, and Toby was withdrawn. But they worked well together, and their shawls never got in the way of their friendship. They had even bonded around the same time.

Firone looked over at Toby, and Maegan felt his lust through the bond. It was fine. They shared no secrets, her and her Warder. He knew she quite liked Firone, too, with his physique and his unlikely intelligence, but she saw him as more of a brother. And he saw her as a sister he was sworn to protect. Toby, on the other hand, he saw as prime mating material.

Maegan was always much better at hiding her own emotions through the bond.

Anathobia. Firone always addressed her as such. Would you walk with me to the Infirmary? It's a shame, how out of three channellers not one of you can heal a small bruise. They all laughed; it was something they had joked about many times.

Of course I will. Toby smiled, and the two of them left the tent.

Noj still stood there. They had a good feast later, back in the Tower, which was why they wore their best clothes. The suit suits Noj, she thought passively.

Maegan.

Sit down, Noj. Maegan turned to her trunk, now fully packed. She was ready to return to the Tower, when Firone returned. She was never away for long, so the tent would be rolled up and kept in storage but fifty paces away from her spot. Pulling out a silver chain, she turned to find Noj stood right in front of her, his white hair seeming to glow in the power-made light.

I need to know.

You said you wouldn't ask me! She told him, angrily. She never got angry, not with anyone else. Noj knew how to draw it out of her though.

I need to know Noj repeated, Because it's eating me up. I should be protecting you, not Toby. He raked a hand through his hair. Besides, I'm not asking. I'm telling you.

You think you can tell an Aes Sedai what to do?

I do he said, haughty as a lord. I think you'll find the place warded against intruders, and yourself shielded.

You dare! Maegan clawed at the shield, enraged at his audacity. You have the nerve to do this to me! She balled her fist and struck Noj in the chest, just on the plexis. He grunted, and took a few steps back. A kick to a delicate area was to follow, but he knew her tricks, and he blocked her foot. He tugged her towards him, and she fell against his chest.

Several moments later, Maegan pulled away and said between gasps, You really do dare.

If that's the reaction I get, I should channel more often Noj said with a grin.

Maegan tried to pull away, but he had a sure hold of her. She didn't try for very long.

Don't.

We can't do this.

Bonding Firone made it harder Noj agreed, But we can make this work. You're an Aes Sedai. You can do what you want. So can I. We can leave together. I can make a gateway. Firone and Anathobia can come with us. We can all be together. We can swap our bonds.

Maegan looked up at Noj, and didn't say anything.

You're doing your crazy stare again.

I am? Maegan tore her gaze away. Force of habit.

There was a rumbling. The side of the tent was slashed apart, and there was a blinding light. When Maegan opened her eyes, she was being flattened by Noj. And he wasn't moving.

Noj! Maegan pushed him off and rolled him over. Noj! Oh Light... Noj, wake up!

Maegan... Noj blinked and winced. It was Saidin. A lot of Saidin.

Get this shield off me, and we can see what's wrong.

Noj shook his head. I can't. I tied the shield off, and... it's gone, Mae. I can't feel Saidin.

Maegan shivered, and her hands shook as she took his. No. No, they didn't, they couldn't... blood was dripping from the man's uniform, spilling on the tent floor. Noj, I can't Heal, you know I can't, I'll go and get help!

But even as she said it she knew she couldn't. The silver arch appeared behind her.

No, Noj! Come with me, they can help you, they... Noj's head rolled to the side, and he was unconscious. I can carry him, I can move him to the edge for someone to see him, I can take him through the arch, I can - I can do something for him! She tried to drag him, but he was heavier than she could carry (if not quite nearly as heavy as Firone). She tried to call to him through the bond, tell him she needed help, but he was unresponsive.

Don't die on me Noj. Maegan got to her feet and glared at the arch, but she had no choice. She ran into it, but the anguished cry of MAEGAN! From behind her drew tears from her eyes. Maegan! Don't leave me!

-

I won't Mae sobbed as she hit the cold floor, I'll come back- She broke off, looking around the chamber. The Amyrlin Seat herself was there! Quickly she got to her feet. It was not real. It was not real. She had to tell herself that, but it was still painful. So painful.

You are washed clean of Maegan Naskus from Arad Doman. You are washed clean of all ties that bind you to the world. You come to us washed clean, in heart and soul. You are Maegan Naskus, Accepted of the White Tower. You are sealed to us now.

About time as well Maegan thought, but she was still crying