Lannie
Blue Aes Sedai
Joined: 01 Jan 1970
Posts: 1847
Location: Netherlands
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 Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2004 11:56 am |
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Arette Nenatiar
Time to choose a hand to lead the Tower (attn: Sitters)
Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 9:00 pm
OOC: The candidates and those pledgewomen of theirs who are Sitters won't be voting in this meeting. It would be recommendable that the pledgers would be rather some old, respected NPCs from the same Ajah the Sitter pledgers would have been from, because it makes things so much easier. I'm apologize any inconvenince. No bios or anything are needed for the NPCs, just names.
IC: Today was the day when the world would see a new Amyrlin Seat and once again strong Tower. Karana Majin had been arrested four nights ago after the Hall had decided of her Deposal and stilled in the Traitor's Court the day after when Sitters had had their chance to question her. It was a shame that they hadn't been able to use the Chair of Remorse because Adrai was certain that a woman with her will power hadn't told them everything. But a traitor or not, Karana had still been an initiate of the Tower and thusly protected by the Law of Questioning.
No Sister would have wanted to go near her anymore if she had still been available, not after what had been done to her. The idea of loosing saidar made even Adrai flinch inside, but the feeling was swept away by cold fury so very unlike her that filled her when she thought of the woman who had had the temerity to make the Tower look like a fool after they had thought Karana no threat anymore.
And now she had vanished from her cell and from the city yesterday without a trace. They had searched the place through with a comb but it had yielded only the fact that her guards had fell asleep from herbs on their lunch and that there had been a sudden increase of domani women - which Karana also was - in the city, few of who even looked suscpiciously like her. All claimed to have a real business in the city or then they were refugees... Still it was a disturbing pattern. And it was clear that someone within the Tower had helped her or she couldn't have got away from her cell. And that was another treason great enough to earn Stilling. Adrai lead the investigations personally now and she would make them pay.
But there was no motive even for the Browns to do it, except maybe to get Karana away from the public eye as a public reminder of their Ajah's failure. No, the only thing that could explain this was an attempt to wreak chaos and that smelled like the Dark One as surely as her name was Adrai Tynin. But she could not bear to allow herself to believe that Karana was a darkfriend, an Aes Sedai! or that there could be even more Black Sisters in the Tower. But she would put her personal beliefs aside again, like she had done for almost three centuries already, and dig to the bottom of this. First they had an Amyrlin to Raise, though.
Adrai forced herself to focus on the filling Hall again. Not that the situation there was any more positive. They had two candidates, both of whom refused to give up their claim. It was almost non-heard of as it was going to lead to exilement of the other and those who had stood to pledge for her. The Whites had been approached by both factions and it was obvious that the older borders still remained. They had listened, but hadn't promised their support to neither side. They would be the Ajah that would tip the balance for one of the candidates and even they had made up their minds, they had agreed to not stand until it would be evident that there would be no coat turners among the factions. Lanfir had offered to make Nastasia her Keeper to get the support of the other faction but Asyndara had made no admissions. It was a clever move from her as the required majority of Sitters had already chosen the Blue suitable to advice Karana.
Lanfir and Asyndara would not be allowed to vote naturally because they were the candidates so the Hall would be comprised only of 19 Sitters today, the pledgers entering with their supportee. This was most peculiar, to have both of the candidates enter the Hall and ask to be allowed to serve. The ceremony could not be followed normally but Adrai knew how to do it and she had briefed the Sitters too. Lanfir and Asyndara would be standing on opposite sides of the Hall and those who stood for each, would move to their side and remain standing. As it was fairly evident that the required Greater Consensus would not be reached immediately so it would go to the feet washing. For both candidates. Adrai heaved a sigh. It should have been resolved outside the Hall and she knew that big part of the blame lay on her. But the Whites had to be sure.
Eyeing around the Hall, her lips curved to a near smile as she watched the Sitters ponder which Seats to take. Today Adrai and the Whites sat the closest to the Amyrlin Seat again and it would have been the Green's place on the throne's other side. The quickest got always the best Seats and it would be very revealing who had been the most eager to sit next to the Whites today and thusly on the same side of the Hall. But soon enough the Sitters who should be present at that point had all at their places glancing at Adrai and expecting her to begin so the candidates could enter. Adrai channeled open the wide doors leading to the Hall of the Tower revealing an unified front of pledgers, all wearing their shawls and finest clothes. Behind them stood Lanfir and Asyndara. After the whole entourage had stepped in, she closed the doors.
"Who comes before the Hall of the Tower?" she intoned. The pledgers stepped smoothly aside, revealing the candidates.
"One who comes obediently, in the Light", they answered in unison.
"Who comes before the Hall of the Tower?" Adrai demanded again.
"One who comes humbly, in the Light", the chorus replied.
"Who comes before the Hall of the Tower?"
"One who comes at the summons of the Hall, obedient and humble in the Light, asking only to accept the will of the Hall."
This time among the Reds, Perine, the youngest Sitter of the Hall and just elevated stood and spoke the ritual question that dated to the Breaking of the World. "Are there any present save women?"
Adrai rose first, slipping her shawl to her elbows and unbuttoning the column handily on the front side of the dress. She pushed it down to her waist along with her shift. "I am a woman," she announced, Perine following in her wake.
The others began baring themselves, each announcing, once she was showing proof, that she was a woman. Perine then walked slowly walked around the room, pausing before each woman, then halting in front of her own chair and announcing that there were none present but women. Adrai then pulled up her bodice with the others with no haste, but no procrastination either. The candidates could not cover until later in the ceremony, though.
"Who stands for this woman and pledges for her, heart for heart, soul for soul, life for life?" The three supporters of each candidates declared their pledges without hesitation.
"Come forward, Asyndara Ellenios and Lanfir Marithsen," Adrai commanded and they knelt before her. "Why are you here?"
"I was summoned by the Hall of the Tower", came the twofold answer.
"What do you seek?" Adrai was calm like a pond, inside and outside.
"To serve the White Tower, nothing more and nothing less."
"How would you serve?"
"With my heart and my soul and my light, in the Light. Without fear or favour, in the Light."
"Where would you serve?"
"In the Amyrlin Seat, if it pleases the Hall of the Tower."
Women on the both sides of the Hall stood and moved to stand on the side of their candidate, but Adrai and the Whites remained seated. This would go to the feet washing even after they stood for their candidate because all Sitters wouldn't be behind for just one woman, but to make it no longer than necessary, they would declare their side when everyone else were aligned. As expected the Blues, Browns and Yellows were behind Asyndara and the Greens, Reds and Grays behind Lanfir. Casting no look what so ever on Asyndara, who had most likely thought to save them the trouble of walking to her after seeing where they sat, Adrai crossed the floor to Lanfir's side, the two other Whites following her.
There, it was done. But it was only the beginning, now the eight women on the other side of the Hall would have to find a reason from within them to stand for Lanfir too, or they would be banishing 8 women, instead of 4 from the Tower tonight. The pledgers prepared for their tasks, wide basin of water, cloth and lenghts of toweling on their hands. The feet washing by both would be done clockwise so there would be no ackward bumpings. Adrai slipped off her shoes and sat waiting for the first petitioner to reach her.
Adrai Tynin
TPC Sitter for the White Ajah
The Eldest in the Hall
Lanfir Leah
Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 10:46 pm
OOC: If I did anything wrong with the names of my fellow pledgers, I'll be most happy to edit.
Lanfir stared at the closed door, breathing deeply and evenly to assure she didn’t start hyperventilating and trembling. It was an old trick a Yellow had taught her a long time ago, when she saw a young Accepted tremble at moments of intensity. Breathing slowly and evenly was a way to concentrate upon your own body and to clear your mind, much like the novice exercise with the rosebud.
Her hands slowly smoothed over the cloth-of-silver of her dress, until they clasped together gently, and Lanfir felt herself calm down as she waited. This is it, this is it, oh Light, this is it… Today was the day her future was hinging upon. She had taken a gamble – she and the ones that were supporting her… her pledgers.
She stole a glance at Taya. Her friend was standing next to her, the utter epitome of serenity. If today she would fail, if today would see Asyndara ascend the Amyrlin Seat, then Lanfir and her pledgers would be banished from the Tower. Herself, her warders, but also Taya, Igneta and Sellyn. Light, I just got back here and finally found a home. I don’t think I could bear banishment… neither my own nor the knowledge that I caused the downfall of three of the most venerable Greens that I know.
She had already spoken to her gaidin and told her of her predicament. Thankfully, they had supported her all the way. “Where you go, we will follow.”
Alec had even said with a faint trace of amusement in her darkblue eyes: “Maybe we get to fight the Blight after all, then.”
“Not before Tarmon Gai’don, I hope, Alec,” Lanfir had smiled back. Yet it had made her think. If the Tower chose to banish their best chance on an experienced Battle Sister at the Seat, then she would go to Fal Dara and offer them her sword and her skill with saidar. She hoped dearly that it would not come to that (Light, not after she had worked so hard… and had met so many wonderful people, her friends… she would miss them so) but she was prepared. Just in case. Lanfir had gambled before, and with high stakes (she remembered a mission into Amadicia that had been a gamble, but they had come out on top, thank the Light), but this was more than just risking her life. This was…risking her reason of being, just after she had retrieved it again.
Lanfir stared at the door, outwardly calm and silent, and waited for it to open. She had tossed the dice, made the gamble. Light help her, she wouldn’t back out anymore. She’d even accept Nastasia as her Keeper… for the time being.
She knew she wouldn’t be able to get the Greater Consensus all at once – it would come down to serving the Whites, she supposed. The Whites were the ones to tip the balance. Lanfir would scrub the skin of their feet if she needed to. Light, she would wash the feet of all nineteen Sitters present and even the rest of Tar Valon if she needed to. It was for her future... but most of all, the future of the Tower and the world. Asyndara was a capable woman, but she was Blue Ajah – and too much into intrigue and politics… and this was a world where the time for talking was done. The time for fighting had begun. And Lanfir would fight for all that she was worth.
A brief rush of saidar opened the doors. Lanfir stepped in, blinking against the light of the Hall for a moment as she felt followed her pledgers. Her gaze flickered over the assembled Sitters (she saw Lyanna’s intense green gaze and knew her friend was here for her, at least) for a moment until her pledgers stepped aside and the doors closed behind her.
Now there is truly no way back…
"Who comes before the Hall of the Tower?" Adrai entoned, the glow of saidar winking out around her.
Lanfir looked at the eldest Sitter and heard her own voice echo with Asyndara’s on the other side of the Hall: "One who comes obediently, in the Light.”
"Who comes before the Hall of the Tower?" Adrai asked.
"One who comes humbly, in the Light.” The words were as old as the White Tower itself, spilling over her lips and those of Asyndara. Lanfir looked at the other contender – her rival, today. Asyndara answered her steely gaze calmly, as Adrai continued her questions.
"Who comes before the Hall of the Tower?"
Again, the formal intonations were performed in a perfect chorus."One who comes at the summons of the Hall, obedient and humble in the Light, asking only to accept the will of the Hall." Bloody Light, it almost seemed as if they had practiced it together. Lanfir would have chuckled if her mind hadn’t been occupied with the tension of the moment.
Perine, a Sitter of the Red, then intoned in a clear voice: "Are there any present save women?"
Adrai was the first to rise, unbuttoning the front side of her dress to prove: "I am a woman," she stated.
Perine followed her, baring herself. And so did the others… Lanfir unlaced her own bodice, the cloth of silver slipping from her shoulders and the cool air in the Hall caressing her skin. “I am a woman,” she said.
Perine inspected everyone assembled, making sure that all who were present were indeed women. The Sitters began to dress again, but Lanfir and Asyndara remained bared – until later in the ceremony.
"Who stands for this woman and pledges for her, heart for heart, soul for soul, life for life?" Adrai asked, her bodice back in place.
“I do,” Taya said. And so did Igneta and Sellyn. The lack of hesitation in their voices made Lanfir feel warm inside. Unfortunately, Asyndara’s pledgers were just as firm.
"Come forward, Asyndara Ellenios and Lanfir Marithsen," Adrai said. Lanfir knelt before her, smoothly, side to side with her rival.
"Why are you here?" Adrai asked.
"I was summoned by the Hall of the Tower,” she replied, in chorus with Asyndara.
"What do you seek?"
"To serve the White Tower, nothing more and nothing less."
"How would you serve?"
Lanfir looked the White Sitter straight in the eye and spoke passionately: "With my heart and my soul and my light, in the Light. Without fear or favour, in the Light." Asyndara’s voice was a perfect echo of her own.
"Where would you serve?"
Here it comes, my pledge, my gamble, our future… And her voice was without fear or hesitation as she spoke: "In the Amyrlin Seat, if it pleases the Hall of the Tower."
Lyanna and Jaydena were the first to join her side, quickly followed by the Sitters of both the Gray and the Red Ajah. Three Ajahs had joined Lanfir’s side, and a quick look at Asyndara showed that the Blue contender had managed to get the Yellows, Browns and Blues at her own side. No big surprises there… although that small shimmer of hope that the Whites would indeed stand up for her died at that very moment.
Until Adrai indeed rose and walked over to Lanfir, the two other White Sitters in tow.
Lanfir could have cried. Or kissed Adrai. Or both.
The majority had chosen for her – but she needed the others to stand for her as well. The Yellows, the Browns, and the Blues. One battle won, but not the war. Not yet… but she had talked, she had politicked until she had pulled two all-nighters in a row, she had sowed her seeds and on this day, on this moment, it would be made clear if her flowers would bloom.
Lanfir took the cloth and the basin of water, and knelt smoothly before the bared feet of the first Sitter.
~Lanfir Leah Marithsen
Green Ajah
Candidate for Amyrlin Seat
Perine
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 9:34 am
Perine waited for her part in this Hall gathering. She was nervous, afraid that she would forget something in her simple part. Her thoughts were interrupted as Asyndara and Lafir among their pledgewomen walked in the Hall. It had begun. Adrai started with the proper questionin of the candidates. Perine felt her heart racing in great speed. Her part was next. As the youngest Sitter present she was to be the one that makes sure only women are present. Getting up she spoke in clear voice. "Are there any present save women?"
Adrai was the first to announce to be a woman and bare her breasts, Perine followed and so did all the other women in the Hall. Perine walked infront of everyone inspecting that they all were indeed women. Perine returned to her own seat. "There are none present here today but women." She announced and everyone exept Lannie and Asyndara dressed up again. The voting would begin soon.
As the last ritual was spoken it was time to make the vote by walking behind thir candidate. Perine walked with her two Red Sisters behind Lanfir. This decision had been reached in the meeting between the Grays, Green and Reds and Perine watched as only the White Sitters were left standing undecided. It seemed to take for ever. Tension was very notisable inthe Hall and everyone watced at Adrai to see where she would walk to. Perine hoped she could close her eyes and not look, but that was a weakness she did not want to let be seen. Finally Adrai followed by the other White Sitters took to Lannies side. The decision was made but the gathering was not over.
They would still need to get the objecting sitters to change sides. This could take a while. Perine thought. Lannie took the cloth and the wash badin and started to wash the feet of the Sitters.
~Perine~
Reddie
Pookie
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 11:39 pm
The ceremonies seemed to take forever today. So much hinged on the Tower accepting Lanfir to lead it. The Green was strong, capable, not that Asyndara wasn't either, but Lanfir was also focused firmly on the Last Battle. Marce wasn't sure that Asyndara had the same drive. Lanfir had proven herself to Marce. Asyndara hadn't. It was that simple.
When the time came, she stood behind Lanfir with the other Grays, Greens, and Reds. The eight of them stood, watching the Whites and hoping beyond hope that they wouldn't have to find a reason to stand for Asyndara. Marce wasn't sure she could stand for any besides a Green or perhaps a Gray knowing what was waiting before them. She slowly let out the breath she was holding as Adrai and the Whites crossed the floor to join the group behind Lanfir. Now it all depended on the Browns, Yellows, and Blues. The smallest goal had been reached, but now came the true hurdle. She only hoped that Lanfir's offer to take Nastasia as her Keeper would sway the last three Ajahs to her side. That is, if the Blue could get past the bitterness of knowing that Asyndara and her pledgers would soon be leaving the Tower in disgrace. There would be many fences to mend after this mess. The Grays would be busy.
Marce Dalfor
Gray Sitter
Lyanna Ellisande
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:51 am
Lyanna tried to force her hands to calmness by bundling up her fingers on top of eachother in her lap, but they still shook. Sitting next to Jaydena, she glanced over at the other chair, which of course was empty today. Light, Lanfir! In her heart of hearts, Lyanna had not really believed that Jade or anyone else would pick up her suggestion, but they had. And the machinations that Lyanna had kicked into action had now reached their highest point. Her friend would walk in there any minute now, and ran a fifty percent chance of being banished out of the Tower forever, together with three of their most respected Ajah members, amongst whom their Ajah Head. They were gambling at high stakes.
The ancient ritual ensued. Lyanna had never been present at the Raising of an Amyrlin - when Kathana had died and Karana had been raised, Lyanna had been out of the Tower. What's more, she hadn't been a Sitter - but she knew every word, every phrase, every action by heart. They all did.
Adrai channeled open the door, and it was odd not to hear the familiar intonation of the Keeper, announcing the Amyrlin. Instead, both Lanfir and Asyndara and their entourage entered, and stood when Adrai asked who came before the Tower and why. The incantations went to and from, and Lyanna sat back in her chair, letting out a shivering sigh. It had begun, and she could do nothing to influence the outcome now. The Sitters around her had unreadable faces, and the ritual continued.
Perine rose, asking them to prove that they were women, and one by one, the Sitters did so. Lyanna struggled with the elaborate buttons of her dress, but managed. The green silk - oh yes, Green was absolutely required for this meeting - slashed with thread-of-silver and studded with sweet water pearls came away slowly as she bared herself and proved that she was what she claimed: a woman. Asyndara did the same, and so did Lanfir, peeling away the stunning cloth-of-silver which enhanced the silvery strands of her hair. They would remain bared long after the others had covered themselves again.
And further it went, with Adrai adressing the pledgers and subsequently the candidates themselves, who declared themselves to be willing to serve in the Amyrlin Seat, chanting in unison, but in reality being at the utmost opposites. It was surreal, yet it was happening. Lyanna held her breath when all rose and it was time to choose. She knew that the Hall would divide equally now: Brown, Blue and Yellow for Asyndara, and Red, Gray and Green for Lanfir. Eight against eight. But what about the Whites?
They remained seated until after all other Sitters had declared themselves. Lyanna wanted to reach out and touch Lanfir on the shoulder, but she didn't. She was in no way prepared to do anything that might influence the Whites to choose Asyndara's side after all. And so she remained silent, with a smooth face and a beating heart, which suddenly took a double take when Adrai rose to her feat and without faltering chose Lanfir's side. The other two Whites followed.
Light! Oh Light! Lyanna's fists almost tore the tender fabric of her skirt to pieces. Halfway there. But the most difficult was yet to come.
Lyanna
Sitter for the Battle Ajah
Apollodoria 27
Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 5:28 pm
Jaydena smiled and tucked her hair into place, her heart nearly burst with the events that would take place today, today the candidate for the Amyrlin that she had helped pick would be taking her rightful place. She had no doubt in her mind that Lanfir would get the position, the other ajahs would have to see the right of it. Surely someone else but the White could see logic and realize that Battle Ajah equals victory in the Last Battle. Nodding with satisfaction she surveyed herself in the mirror before setting her shawl on her shoulders and heading out the door. Today her dress was very special, a thick silk, with a high necked color, green in color with small embroidered swords lining the hem and waist, the swords perfectly matched the swords on the door of each green sisters door. On her neck she wore a matching pin at her throat and a sword through her hair. The long green fringe on her best shawl swung lightly as she walked toward the Hall. Her thoughts on one thing, and one thing only, Lanfir and the Greens rightful place. Their place had fallen some since the Namandar debacle and she fully intended to see them respected once more.
She entered the room and took her seat on one of the Green benches in the front of the room. The meeting started quickly as she knew it would, everyone wanted this to over with as much as she did. An Amyrlin in her rightful place and leading the Tower through these Dark and cold times. The two candidates came forward and Jaydena quickly took her place standing next to Lanfir, the Reds and the Grays followed and stood with heads proudly raised. Jade nodded to each of the women and smiled and her mintee Perine, the woman had come far in the years since her novicehood, you would never have know that the shy novice would become a powerful Sitter for the Red. The ceremony continued as she eyed the Brown and Yellow who joined the Blue candidate, Jaydena sneered silently as the woman and turned to look at the White. They sat by themselves, some with smug looks on their faces, they knew that everyone was waiting on them and that they could make or break the candidates. Finally, the Whites joined Lanfir and Jaydena squeezed her hands as tight as she could, she wanted to jump and shout, yet it wasn't over yet. Lanfir began to wash the feet of the Browns as they all waited...
Jaydena Sedai
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Last edited by Lannie on Sat Oct 23, 2004 11:57 am; edited 1 time in total |
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