3. Political Maneuvering
Written by: Lila Sedai, Amyrlin
Edited by: Matthew Garland
Slowly, Lila Sedai rose from the great chair. Sunlight bathed the two men standing in front of her, and she studied them. Sakan was stony-faced, all plains and angles. The Asha’man was angry, barely containing his rage. She had heard that many Asha’man were often angry. The two men towered over her physically, but she still looked down to them. Her voice was buttery, devoid of the expected edge from Na’cueran’s intrusion.”What is your name, Asha’man? I find it easier to address someone when I know their name.”
Na’cueran blinked twice and regained himself easily. He would not be distracted by Aes Sedai! He replied through gritted teeth, “I am called Na’cueran.”
Lila crossed one hand over the other, her great Serpent Ring showing clearly. She appeared not to notice the man’s hostility. “I am Lila Sedai, but you may call me Mother.”
She walked toward him, her eyes never wavering from the Asha’man. Eyes as clear blue as the sea and as intense as lightning ready to strike. She stared at him a moment. She spoke out clearly, but softly and accentuated her words sternly. “It does you honor that you wish to take the burden of punishment away from Sakan Gaidin, but hear me well Asha’man. You have no ties to the White Tower. The agreement between the Black Tower and the White Tower holds firm, but there are no ties, no bond. This Gaidin has accountability along with his title. His duty is to this Tower and all who reside within it’s walls. His duty is to me! His duty, heavier than a mountain, is only relieved in death!” Lila paused a moment.
Out of the corner of her eye she could see Fleh, Wintrow and Leorn nodding to themselves. “Sakan Gaidin exercised poor judgment that nearly cost a trainee her life. You did not. Even if he allowed you to take the brunt of his impudent actions – and I can’t imagine for a second that he would – doing so would dishonor himself and everyone he has associated himself with.” Sakan stared straight ahead, but his mouth tightened slightly. Marion’s eyes were thunderclouds behind her serene face.
Lils continued. “It would be impossible to explain all that is expected of Gaidin, and I would not attempt to even if we had days to talk. The Hall will learn of this meeting soon and will call session. If you wish to help Sakan, stand with him and tell the truth of what happened. Do not try again to assume his blame for yourself. It will only make issues worse and will appear that you are protecting Sakan. The Hall will believe the attack on the Fortress was an act of retribution and premeditation. Lenience will come if Sakan pleas gross negligence.”
Sakan’s jaws clenched. She was really pushing him, but his outward composure never cracked. Na’cueran looked as if he were ready to jump out of his skin. Lila turned dismissively and walked back to the great chair, and sat down. She was unused to the mannerisms of the Black Tower. They all trained unleashed and wild with erratic disciplines. He could stay or leave whenever he wished, but by the look of him, she believed the collar on his coat was getting tight.
Lila smiled beneath her serene exterior. “You may leave me now. Marion, we will speak later.”
4. Must it go to the Hall?
Written by: Leorn Gaidin
Edited by: Matthew Garland
The Blue Aes Sedai – one of the only Malkieri Aes Sedai in the whole Tower – spun gracefully and glided from the room. Only another Aes Sedai, or a Gaidin, who was familiar with Aes Sedai, could have noticed the pure fury she had masked. Marion was angry that her Warder was being treated like a criminal, and Leorn didn’t blame her. Sakan followed Marion, and a heartbeat later Na’cueran followed, leaving the small room occupied only by the most powerful people in Tar Valon, possibly the known world. Lila Aes Sedai, the Amyrlin Seat, sat in the center of the semi-circle with Cerise Sedai to her right.
The sun shone through the large bay windows that backed the large ornate chairs with satin cushions. The places that the two men had just occupied seemed burned into Leorn’s vision. The dust could still be seen swirling in the light where the men’s boots had disturbed it by their passage. As soon as the door was shut behind them, Lila Sedai rose from her position to approach one of the windows.
While gazing into the Tower grounds below, the Amyrlin spoke, “The Hall will hear of this little meeting soon enough. I had hoped I would have had more time to craft an appropriate notice and speak to a few Sitters in advance, but with the meddling of that Asha’man, word of this will spread like wild fire. Cerise, I…”
Leorn rose from his seat and spoke, “Forgive me Mother, but might I speak?”
Lila nodded her assent.
He took a breath and began. “Do we want this to be a trial, Mother? Sakan Gaidin may have used bad judgment when he allowed Chrys Almear to join him on his way to the Fortress of Light, but that fact remains that regardless of what went on in the Fortress, she is alive. All a trial will accomplish now is to discredit a living legend among the Gaidin ranks. What if we were to keep this as a small tribunal and mete out a private punishment, if punishment is indeed deserved. I am not convinced that Sakan’s actions were innately wrong, and the reputation of all Gaidin is at stake here, not just a single Gaidin. If you let the Hall put Sakan on display for something he thought was right, because he wouldn’t have done it otherwise, then at best you will break the spirit of one of the best men to have ever lived under that barracks roof, and at worst you will make training impossible.”
“Are you finished?” Cerise asked him, a slight frown creasing her otherwise attractive face. A slight nod bobbed from the Arafellin’s head as he sat back down. I don’t know the Game, I’m afloat in uncharted waters, he thought to himself. Sakan, why did you take her? All you had to do was wait another day and get word to us. But if he had waited another day, Krynn Sedai would most likely be dead.
“Leorn, your concern for your Brother does you honor.” said the Amyrlin.
“Thank you Mother,” he stood and placed his right fist over his heart and bent at the waist while his left hand stayed at his side. Had he worn his blade, he would have been gripping its hilt.
She continued. “But you do not understand the severity of the actions he took. There are repercussions that you cannot even begin to speculate on. The Hall will sit on this matter, but they will sit when I ask them to. Do not fear that Sakan will be treated unfairly.” She finally turned from her place at the window to return to her seat within the circle. “And what of the girl, Chrys? How is her recovery coming?”
“It seems to be proceeding very well, Mother,” Flehrad Gaidin said. His features hadn’t changed position since Sakan had left, they hadn’t changed when Sakan had walked in for that matter. “She’s up and about. I believe she’s participating in your lesson on the bow, Leorn. Is that right?”
He nodded. “She is. And she’s got an incredible eye for it. She could very well rival Birgitte, if she keeps on shooting the way she does.”
“I’ve seen her shooting myself,” said Garin, while Wintrow nodded to himself, “She is a natural with that thing in her hand.”
“None of that matters right now,” broke in Lila Sedai, “We will question the girl later; now, I suggest we break for the evening meal.”
Four men stood from the chairs and saluted as one; four men echoed, “By your leave, Mother,” and left the Amyrlin and her Keeper to talk in private.
5. No rest for the weary
Written by: Lila Sedai, Amyrlin Seat
Edited by: Matthew Garland
As the doors closed behind the four men, Lila relaxed a bit in the chair. She rubbed her temples and closed her eyes.
“Mother, do you wish me to get Ailoreen Sedai for healing?” Cerise asked in a concerned tone.
Lila frowned and shook her head. “The Hall will believe I was plotting for Ailoreen’s vote.”
Cerise raised an eyebrow. “I would think you would not need to plot for Ailoreen’s vote. She has always been loyal to you. Or has that changed?”
“Ailoreen’s vote is her own. It has always been that way.” Lila waved her hand.
Cerise nodded knowingly and looked around. She understood that there could always be an unseen ear about. Only Lila’s personal chambers could be warded with no suspicion. “Let us go back to your office. No doubt there is much to do before the Hall is called to Session.” Cerise played along. She knew the Game as well as Lila. She had to. She walked along the side of Lila and began her doting routine. ”Mother, you really should take care. You push yourself so hard sometimes.” She clicked her tongue convincingly.
Lila played along, “Oh Cerise, you do worry too much. I am as fit as I have ever been! All I need is a hot cup of tea and a good meal.”
They continued so all could hear as they passed bobbing curtsies and whispered remarks of praise. “May the Light illumine you, Mother.”
It was important for all to believe that the Amyrlin was a force to be reckoned with and that no rumors arose that her prickly personality was becoming soft. Cerise too kept her reputation in check. She glared at a Novice or two, making them squeak in the middle of their curtsy. Cerise was seen as a stern Red whose only smooth side came to her duty to the Amyrlin Seat.
When Lila chose Cerise, she had done what no other Amyrlin had done in the history of the Tower – as a former Green, she appointed a Red to Keeper. It was unprecedented and scandalous, but when the dust had settled, she had firmly cemented the Reds to the Greens and in turn, to herself to strengthen her hold on the Amyrlin’s stole. She had also protected the pact made with the Black Tower. She had done that to show good faith to Ironia al’Notre, the Blue Sitter who initiated the meetings with the Black Tower and thereby sealed the Blue Ajah to her as well. Yes, Lila knew the Game well and Cerise caught up to her quickly.
Ironia made this situation even stickier. Ironia had bonded Sakan more than two decades ago, after he demonstrated with his Borderlander training that the Gaidin training could add little to his skill. She had passed the bond to Sairi de’Seyen before… the incident… and she had been content to allow Sakan to go his own way , and even to allow Marion to bond him afterwards. But she still held a deep respect, even affection, perhaps, for the Gaidin.
The two women entered the Amyrlin’s offices. Cerise grabbed a Novice by the ear, “Go to the Mistress of Kitchens and tell her that the Amyrlin is in need of nourishment. Be quick. Do not make me come for you.” The Novices eyes bulged out of her head, and she ran off down the stairs toward the kitchens clutching her reddened ear.
Cerise shut the door and warded the room. Lila chuckled. “You are so mean, Cerise! If only I had gotten you as a roommate when we were in Novice White. You would be a different woman.”
Cerise snorted softly, but smiled. “I hardly think so! From what I’ve heard, you were in more trouble with Cadsuane then any other Novice in the Tower as a whole.”
Lila pursed her lips. Many knew Lila’s history, but few dared to bring it up. “True, I was difficult at times.”
The Red scoffed a boisterous laugh. “How did you ever talk your way back into the Tower after you left?” Cerise shook her head in amazement. “Any other Novice would have been turned out. Cadsuane herself wanted you turned out.”
Lila shrugged. “She knew I had refused the Arches twice. She took a calculated but weighty risk that I would refuse again and it would not be her vote to put me out. The Law would do it on it’s own. She was wrong, of course.Very wrong. The Wheel weaves as it will. It was her own weakness that she knew I had the seed of the Dreamer in me. I Dreamed that she would have the Stole. She did not know that I would take it from her.”
“So, that was it! I always wondered.” Cerise smiled.
A knock came at the door.
Lila called, “come!”
The door opened and a Novice entered balancing a tray in one hand as she struggled with the heavy door.
Cerise channeled and took the tray from the Novice with threads of Air. The Novice grimaced and then curtsied deeply. “What is your name?”
The Novice took a deep breath and gulped, “Seraphina, Cerise Sedai. Novice Seraphina.”
“Very well, Novice Seraphina. I will be sure to notify Hannah Sedai that you have completed a chore for the Amyrlin Seat and that she is pleased. You may attend to your Lessons, Child.”
The Novice blinked in surprised and then curtsied again. “Thank you, Aes Sedai.”
Cerise shut the door and took the tray over to Lila who was looking at her with raised eyebrows. She feigned innocent surprise. “What?! How else am I to recruit any to our Ajah?”
Lila chuckled and began to pour the tea for them both. They had much to talk about.
Malkieri Musings 