The Wheel Turned

Chapter Two: Shatter

Sixteen years old (Four years before the Shattering)

The sun was up high in the sky as the summer heat was beating down on the small village. Alessia was walking down the dirt road to another building. She entered it and sat down in a chair watching a woman move about.
"How is your leg?" The woman asked. Alessia lifted her right leg and rubbed it gently.
"Still hurts when I overwork it." She spoke. Ever since she broke her leg when she was ten years old, it has not healed properly. Her walk had a limp.
"Well, it has been years since it happened. Keep working at it." The woman spoke.
"Nynaeve, it has been six years since it happened." Alessia spoke with a frown.
"I know. I wrote to the Tower to see if any of the healers would give me some advice for it. Nothing yet." Nynaeve spoke as she was organizing her herbs and what not in the cabinet. Alessia stood up and walked over to help her put the medicine up.
"I want to talk to you about something." Nynaeve spoke as she sat down. Alessia sat back down again watching the Wisdom. They had become close in the last six years since the incident.
"Everything alright?" Alessia asked while looking at her friend.
"Yes. I just don't want you to get upset or feel like I am abandoning you or the village." Nynaeve spoke. Alessia was hanging onto every word that the Wisdom was saying.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"I am going to the Tower. I can touch the Source." Nynaeve spoke. Alessia frowned at this. "I am not the biggest fan of Aes Sedai no more than you are but." She sighed while pulling out a book and handed it to her. Alessia took the book. It was the list of herbs and medicines that the Wisdom had over the years.
"This is for you. I made it for you." Nynaeve spoke. She was still frowning at this.
"Do you have to go?" She asked.
"Yes. Tower law says I have to." The Wisdom spoke.
"When are you leaving?" Alessia asked.
"Tonight. One of the sisters will be here to collect me." Nynaeve spoke. Alessia stood up and gave Nynaeve a hug. It was returned.
"I am going to miss you." She spoke softly.
"I will miss you as well. It will be hard not having you around." Nynaeve chuckled. Alessia smiled lightly at this. The Wisdom was someone she loved to learn from. Learning was something she enjoyed. Her education may not be the greatest but she did with what she could. They finished cleaning the room in silence before leaving. Alessia looked up to the sky and smiled. Feeling the sun's warmth on her face as it was going down. She felt a nudge as she followed the Wisdom down to the Tavern. Everyone was getting ready for Bel Tine for tomorrow. She waved and smiled at the familiar faces that she had come to know over the last six years.

"So, have your eyes on anyone special?" A woman spoke as Alessia grabbed a plate with cups on it. She shook her head. "Come on dear. You will be of age in a few years. I am sure some man will want you." She spoke. Alessia rolled her eyes at this. She cared about no man. All she wanted to do is live her life in peace right now. She left the bartender as she set the cups down at the table that ordered them. She gave them a bow as she turned to leave. She was here for a few hours as the sun went down. It started to rain lightly as Alessia leaned against the wall. Listening to the men and women sing and laugh all over the tavern. Seeing Marin was telling her husband it was almost time to leave for the night. She waved at Alessia who nodded and walked over to follow her. Seeing two riders come into the village as they stabled their horses.
"Must be here for Nynaeve." Marin spoke as Alessia frowned. It was a woman in blue. She could barely make it out from the dim light against the rain. She couldn't see the other rider as she left the area. Entering another building where she was living for the time being. She managed to avoid eye contact as she closed the door behind her. She went straight to her room and sat down. Looking out the window as the woman walked into the Tavern. She frowned. She was going to miss her only friend she had.
"I wonder if they have any news on her." Marin spoke. Alessia raised a brow and opened the door to listen. She was caught listening in. "Come in here dear." Marin spoke. Alessia did as she was told.
"I am sorry. I don't mean to listen in." Alessia spoke softly.
"It's alright dear. You remind me of my own daughter." She spoke as she looked up. "Her name is Egwene. She's a channeler and at the Tower. Learning to control it. She's older than you by four years. She left a long time ago." Marin spoke. Alessia stood up and gave the woman a hug. It was returned with a back rub.
"I hope that woman has news for you." Alessia spoke.
"As do I." Marin spoke. "Come along, get some rest. Big day tomorrow." The woman spoke as Alessia nodded. She took her leave again and headed back to the room she was staying in. She crawled into bed and laid down. Hearing the people of the village leave the tavern late as she was able to finally go to sleep.