The Wheel Turned

Chapter Eight: Tower Life

Alessia found herself covering her face as they sat down in the Ways. Her face against her knees as she forced the tears back. Loial was speaking to Lan quietly.
"What happened was not your fault." Moiraine spoke softly. Pushing Alessia's hair back behind her ear. Kissing her cheek and forehead in the process.
"I told her to not pull too much. I told her it would kill her. I shouldn't have gone." Alessia spoke weakly.
"You did not kill them. She knew what she was doing. She had to protect the city." Moiraine spoke as Alessia shook her head.
"No. I'll never do it again." Alessia spoke. Wiping her eyes.
"We should go." Lan spoke.
"You have no choice. Lessy, look at me. You need to embrace it." Moiraine spoke. She raised a brow at the nickname Moiraine had given her. Alessia stood up and grabbed her bag. Following Moiraine in silence. She could hear their footsteps against the hard stone as they walked. "You are born to protect this world, Lessy. Please. Don't run from it." Moiraine spoke softly as she took Alessia's hand and squeezed it.
"What did you find out? When you left me behind. And why are you calling me that?" Alessia asked with a frown as she was looking at the ground.
"The Bore has been drilled into. It's open. The Dark One can influence people now. When the hole happened, that's what caused the Shattering in the sky. And it fits. It makes it special and it's mine." Moiraine added. Alessia sighed and nodded her head.
"Of course. I had a feeling that was the case." Alessia spoke as she looked up. Seeing the gate up ahead.
"Channel it open." Moiraine spoke as she shook her head.
"No. I won't channel again." Alessia spoke with a frown.
"Are you refusing a lesson?" Moiraine asked.
"It's not a lesson. I already know how to do it. Why don't you do it?" Alessia asked.
"Because I asked you to." Moiraine spoke as Alessia gave Moiraine a look.
"What happened?" Alessia asked again. "When you went to the Bore." She added.
"I told you. I went to look at the area." Moiraine spoke.
"Of course you avoid the whole question." Alessia shook her head.
"Then I guess we will remain here for the rest of our days." Moiraine spoke as Alessia grunted. Making fists of her hands before channeling. Opening the gate slowly as she then let go of the weave. Frowning at it. She followed Moiraine out of the gate and shielded her eyes as the sun hit her face. Once her eyesight was regained, Alessia looked up. Seeing three Reds there waiting. Liandrin was one of them. Seeing the woman in red under the rays of the sun had given her tunnel vision as she stared at her. Liandrin could obviously see her watching.
"Moiraine Sedai. Glad you brought our favorite little channeler back." Liandrin spoke as Alessia shook her head as she focused again.
"Yes. I am trusting the Tower to keep her safe." Moiraine spoke as Alessia frowned.
"You're not coming?" Alessia asked.
"You didn't tell her?" Liandrin asked as there was a smirk on her face.
"Tell me what? What is she talking about?" Alessia aside while looking at Moiraine who looked sad now.
"She's been exiled from the Tower for ten years." Liandrin spoke. "Less if the Mother calls her back." The red ajah added.
"You've been...you lied to me?" Alessia asked with a frown.
"You forget Lessy, I cannot lie. I meant what I said." Moiraine spoke as she touched Alessia's cheek as she stepped back.
"You left me alone in the city and now you gave me false hope?!" Alessia frowned.
"Alessia. Listen to me." Moiraine spoke.
"No! No more secrets." Alessia spoke as she shook her head.
"Come. You are expected at the Tower." Liandrin then spoke.
"Write to me. Please." Moiraine spoke as Alessia walked over to Tarna who was watching her. She looked at Moiraine before grabbing the Red ajah's hand and mounted the horse.
"Where will you go, Moiraine?" Liandrin asked.
"To finish a task." Moiraine spoke as she was given a horse. Lan mounted it and offered his hand to Moiraine. Watching them take their leave.
"Come. Let us be off. It's time to write your name in the Book." Liandrin spoke as she took the lead.

The ride to the Tower did not seem to take long as Alessia could see the Tower right up ahead. She sighed a little as they slowed down while entering the city. She felt her heart sink. Moiraine was not telling her everything. She had a feeling that she was hiding something. How could she trust Moiraine now?
"You're awfully quiet." Liandrin spoke as Alessia looked up. They had arrived. She dismounted and grabbed her bag. Tossing it over her shoulder. She turned to find herself face to face with Liandrin. The woman was watching her closely.
"What happened out there?" Liandrin asked.
"Come now sister Liandrin. She just arrived. She needs rest." Tarna spoke.
"We'll talk later. Hmm?" Liandrin asked as she cupped Alessia's cheek. Caressing it. "Come along." Liandrin spoke as Alessia followed in silence. Her head down as she sighed again. Walking down the hallway as she was led to another area she had yet to discover.
"This is the Novice Tower. Your room will be here." Liandrin spoke as she opened the door. Alessia walked inside. Watching the woman in red grab a white dress from the wardrobe. "Get dressed into this and we'll burn the other stuff." Liandrin added. Handing Alessia the dress. She looked at the woman. Waiting for her to turn away.
"Do you mind?" Alessia asked. Liandrin shook her head. The red ajah then turned around as Alessia quickly got out of her old clothes. Putting on the dress. It was a perfect fit. She was going to ask how but decided against it.
"I changed." Alessia spoke. The long sleeves on her arms were comfortable.
"You look good in that. Like you belong here." Liandrin spoke as Alessia looked into the light blue eyes and nodded her head lightly. "Come dear. Time to start." Liandrin spoke as she handed Alessia her bag. Following the woman in red out of the room. She had to make a mental note to remember where her room is.
"There are only three other Novices as the rest are Accepted. I cannot tell you how happy we are to have you here." A new voice spoke as Alessia looked up. Seeing an older Aes Sedai in blue with white hair into a large bun. "I am Sheriam Sedai. Mistress of Novices. Come dear." Sheriam spoke as Alessia followed the woman in blue now. Liandrin was right behind her. They entered another room with a book on a stand. It was a large circular room. There were other sisters in the room as well.
"It seems your arrival has caught the attention of my other sisters." Liandrin chuckled.
"Signing your name means you are leaving your old life behind so that you come to us to learn to become an Aes Sedai." Sheriam spoke. Alessia took the feather without a second thought and signed her name.
"Welcome Novice Alessia Solace of Andor." Sheriam spoke with a smile. Alessia nodded her head once. "Come along." Sheriam spoke as she followed the older woman into another room. There is a large fire in the center.
"Here you will burn the things you brought with you. Putting your past behind you. What you were so you can become what you are meant to be." Sheriam spoke as Alessia looked at her. Dropping her bag into the fire.
"Welcome, daughter Alessia." Sheriam then added. "Come. Time for you to join the others." Sheriam spoke. She felt her shoulder touched as she looked at Liandrin who nodded her head with a smile. Alessia nodded back before following the woman in blue again. She was still silent as she saw others in white like herself. They were in the garden. It seemed like Alanna was giving a lesson.
"Sister Alanna. May I introduce, daughter Alessia. She will be finally joining us." Sheriam spoke as Alanna gasped.
"Good to see you!" Alanna spoke with a smile. Alessia nodded her head. Seeing Jane and Nynaeve smiling. Sheriam had taken her leave.
"Alessia!" Nynaeve spoke as she hugged Alessia tightly.
"Hello." Alessia spoke softly. Hugging her back.
"I can't believe it! When Jane told us you were here." Nynaeve spoke.
"Come now! Settle down. Plenty of time for a reunion." Alanna spoke.