Nick:
Jainie Sedai
Date/Time:
Sunday, December 7, 2003 at 10:43:54 AM CST (Sunday, December 7, 2003 at 5:43:54 PM CET)
Browser/OS:
Microsoft Internet Explorer V6.0 using Windows XP
Subject:
A day beyond expectation - part one
Message:

A gust of wind rushing through the open window swept around the room, forcing Jainie to close the windows. She stood up and stretched. It was near midnight. The stars were hidden in dark clouds, not even the moon could be seen. In the distance, lightning flashed as a storm approached. Jainie walked around the room, feeling very sleepy. All the time since Karein visited her four days ago she was going through the evidence from the trial with the “traitor”, Sereina, but no results came up yet. Karein’s visit did brig some light in the matter, but nevertheless there was no evidence of something alike happening before that might’ve provided any key fact or a suggestion of the background events.

But speaking of Karein, Jainie wasn’t sure about her being so helpful. It looked like she wanted to avoid something. What could that mean? Evidently, there was something very strange going on with this case. “A pity I haven’t been here when it all began,” Jainie sighed. But maybe I was quite lucky, after all, she corrected herself and sank back in the chair.

So, once again. The accusation was built on an evidence of Serenia harbouring a male channeler. Sereina denied her guilt straight enough, so she was either a darkfriend, or she wasn’t guilty. However, not being guilty might’ve ment also that there was a male channeler, but Sereina was forced to keep him secret and couldn’t do anything with it, knowing that any sign of this would make her silenced and dead. She also said the evidence was made up, probably meaning that it wasn’t right, but even this could be loopholed – the evidence was made up, but Sereina’s words also suggest that the base fact, the thing with the male channeler, was not untrue.

However, this possibility leaves open who and why made Serenia hide the fact this man existed. Jainie has already worked on why – to put Sereina out of the way and change the Sitter. But new sitters were chosen by the Ajah heads, so this would’ve made sense only if either Junarth was a darkfriend, or if there was someone who could possibly force the head of the Reds to raise a specific person to the post of a sitter. But how cold be anyone able to force an Ajah head to do something? Only with knowledge of something that would be too important for the sitter’s future among the Aes Sedai not to accept the terms given by the person in possession of the fact. And what could be such a knowledge? The sitter’s place among darkfriends. But if Junarth was really a darkfriend, what sense would it have to reveal her? Only if the darkfriends in the Tower – darkfriedns in the tower?How could I be so calm about this? – were quarreling among themselves. This opened a whole new bunch of questions yet to be answered, but Jainie didn’t feel like thinking about these. There was plenty of unsolved mysteries so far, so this part could wait.

But if Sereina was a darkfriend and there were no other involved, why would the Amyrlin alert the Sitters, why not the person with the evidence against Sereina? This was another question Jainie didn’t answer yet. In fact, Jainie never ment to delve so deep into the matter, but she felt like there was no way back now. Her thoughts spun wildly in her mind, suggestions loomed up and then disappeared, and no answer was found yet. Jainie knew exactly what this ment – she was awake for too long. Quietly, she washed her face, changed to her nightdress and laid herself in bed. This case is really going to finish me off if I don’t get at least eight hours’ sleep from tomorrow on was Jainie’s last thought before her eyes closed and sleep came.

Jainie’s sleep was long and untroubled. The first sunrays came through the window and lit the room with a golden haze, illuminating the sleeping Aes Sedai. But none of this woke Jainie up. The sun was rising and bird songs increased in volume. The streets of Tar Valon were full of people, rushing after their everyday business. And the Tower, magnificent as ever, glistened in the light and reflected the sunrays in such a way that it gleamed like a giant diamond.

Jainie was awoken by a knocking sound from the window. She slowly sat up, yawned and gazed in the sunlight. It was a glorious day with the sky clear from horizon to horizon. She rubbed her eyes, rose and stretched. The knocking sound continued to penetrate the tranquillity. Jainie ignored it and slowly walked over to the sink. She washed her face, the cold water making her feel wide awake, and dressed in her favorite blue dress. She felt like singing. Except for that horrible sound! „Keep quiet,“ she said in the direction of the noise. It only got louder. Only now did Jainie notice there was a bird sitting behind the window, tapping its beak furiously against the glass. „All right, here we go, then,“ she added in a soothing voice as she opened the window.

The fresh breeze came at first as quite a shock to Jainie. However, it was quite a pleasant feeling. She just stood there, bathed in the sunlight and let her hair ripple with the wind. Her sight was fixed at some distant point, not noticing the bird flutter in the room and settle upon the lamp. Finally, after some minutes, she stepped back but didn’t close it. The bird now took of from the lamp and landed on Jainie’s shoulder. She strook the creature gently and scooped it into her hand. Just as she expected, there was note tied to the bird’s leg. Jainie carefully unwrapped it. It was written in a sharp, precise handwriting.

It’s a really long time since we’ve last met.

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Lovely day.

Jainie’s spirits rose even further as she recognized the handwriting. This was a really glorious day. Maybe it was just about time to get out of the Tower for a walk. She threw the message inside the fireplace and channeled shortly, just to burn the paper. The bird has already fluttered out of sight. Jainie walked over to the rack and picked up a cloak, considered it for a while and then put it back. It was warm enough to leave it here. Jainie opened the door and stepped out of her room.

It was quite a normal day in the Tower. Jainie rushed through the corridors, occasionally stopping to greet a friend. When she descended to the first floor, she noticed a pair of Younger Novices sneaking through a side corridor. She watched them for a while, curious about their business. One of the two turned around.

Jainie never thought one’s expression could change so quickly from determination to shock as this woman’s did. She walked to the novices and gestured at them to come closer. The other turned around too. “What’re you two doing in here?” asked Jainie, half expecting a “nothing” response. She was right. “Oh, it’s nothing, Aes Sedai,” the older of the two stammered out, but her voice was far from sure. It was absolutely clear to Jainie that they were up to some joke. “Oh, don’t tell me you aren’t after some real good fun,” Jainie replied calmly. The novices’ gaze was fixed to the ground. “And raise your heads. I’m no sending you to the Mistress of Novices,” she half laughed. Once again, the pair of them obeyed. Their faces were now a mixture of shock and disbelief. “C’mon, you two. Who’s that for?” ask Jainie and pointed toward a small pouch in the younger novice’s hand, probably full of pepper. “Umm, ahem, it’s for Karein Sedai, Aes Sedai. Are you going to punish us yourself now?” Jainie hardly stiffed a giggle. “Oh, Karein could only use some exercise,” she said and gave the novices an encouraging smile. “I’m not spoiling this fun. And my name is Jainie.” The eyes of the two younger women in front of her widened in awe. “Go on. But this is only among us three, all right?” The novices nodded and sped out of sight. Jainie turned away and smiled for herself. How long is it since I’ve done this to Sarey? Sarey, a Brown, was like an angry cat for a week afterwards. If she ever found out who’s done it, Jainie was sure she wouldn’t get anything from the library with Sarey being the top librarian. Still in her memories of her days as a novice, Jainie stepped out of the tower in the sunlight. Nothing, nothing could spoil this day.

Nick:
Jainie Sedai
Date/Time:
Monday, December 8, 2003 at 7:09:23 AM CST (Monday, December 8, 2003 at 2:09:23 PM CET)
Browser/OS:
Microsoft Internet Explorer V5.5 using Windows NT 4.0
Message Tag:
Roleplay
Subject:
A day beyond expectation - Part Two
Message:

The Tower grounds were as busy as ever. Jainie headed in the direction of the Warder training grounds, still thinking about the times she was a novice, young and (almost) innocent. It was a really great time, when I didn’t have to worry about what’s happening somewhere way south in Eahron and about Sitters changing positions. She almost crashed in Emorna of the White, being lost deep in her mind. She raised her head in purpose of an apology, but it was Emorna who spoke first. “I’ve talked to Dhia Sedai already and also to the other two Sitters of your Ajah, Jainie,” she started. “In my class yesterday evening, the Amyrlin herself came and announced that Tarline, one of the Accepted from that class, was about to be raised to the shawl.” Jainie openly gazed at the white sister, not believing her words. Tarline raised? “She also said that although Tarline was an Accepted for only three years, there, now I’m quoting her words, there are reasons, and good reasons, for this action, and thus will Tarline Do’nara Aislien raised to the Shawl, ending the quote. And now Tarline said she chooses the Blue Ajah. Mother sent me to report this to all of your Ajah’s heads and I couldn’t catch you until now. The ceremony is beginning in an hour’s time.” Jainie still couldn’t believe Emorna’s words. “You are expected to be there within ten minutes. A pity Tarline didn’t choose the White, though. She’s really talented with Spirit, almost as you are,” the white sister sighed and swept away. Jainie finally realized her Ajah would have a new member. This day was getting better and better. She wheeled around and rushed back in the Tower.

As the ten minutes’ limit came to an end, Jainie stepped in the room where the Accepted were raised to the Shawl. As she expected, they were waiting just for her. Tarline was also there, shining with pure happiness. Jainie noticed that there was another accepted, just leaving the room, but she didn’t remember her face. Now it wsn’t time for such thoughts. Jainie knew perfectly well what her part in the ceremony is, but still she almost trembled with nervosity. This was the first time an Accepted has chosen the blue Ajah since she herself was raised, and the more she realized the importancy of the event, the more nervous she got. And after a seemingly endless wait, the ceremony began.

…”I shall not say an untrue word. I shall not create a weapon…”

Finally, the ceremony was over. Tarline, now Tarline Sedai, and Jainie walked side by side to the Blues’ acomodations. She was assigned to show Tarline her rooms and introduce her into this part of the tower. All the Blue sisters wore an expression of satisfaction. In fact, Tarline was making a really fast progress during the time as both a Younger Novice and an Accepted and was probably the most talented of all the current Accepted. More and more reasons for this day to be one of the best in my life.
While Tarline was being settled in her new room, Karein changed her dress. As she put the new one on, suddenly she felt itching worse than she could imagine…

“Damn these novices!” Karein strained through her teeth as she performed a series of stretching gymnastics in a desperate effort to reach a spot on her back. Jainie had a really hard time in trying not to laugh. The novices she met earlier today had done a wonderfull job… Jainie was quite sure that this was the first time Karein ever ran the whole length to her room. They’d done a relly wonderful job. “Oh, Karein, I’ll take your class now. I’ve always wondered if the teaching styles changed since I was a novice,” she said instead and left Karein to herself. Just as she left her room, Jainie broke into laughter. I doubt I had such a good laugh since I saw Sarey do the same, she thought as she rushed to be in the class on time.

Jainie entered the class only three minutes later. The faces of the novices turned as she passed them, all either surprised or amazed. There were some voices asking where Karein is, but she didn’t heed them. She had no time to plan the lesson, but Karein said these were almost ready to become Accepted, so a bit of practice could do some good.

“For you all. My name’s Jainie. Karein is a bit… well… indisposed,” Jainie continued as she scanned the classroom for any familiar face. Right in the corner, the pair of novices responsible for the “incident” were trying not to meet her eyes. “so I’ll teach you today instead of her.” She felt that this might’ve made a good start of the lesson, but there wasn’t much expectation in the faces of the women in white.

“Karein told me that you are at the level where some of you, only some, are almost ready to become accepted, so I think a bit of practice could only do you good.” The sudden wave of cheering almost knocked Jainie off her feet. “But mind this. If any of you channels without my permission, I’ll make sure you’ll beg for only a visit at the Mistress of Novices!” The cheering stopped and the classroom fell silent. Jainie felt like laughing. This was an excellent way to make them really interested. “But I hope that all of you have enough brains to closely obey my instruction. Now, I’m sure all of you can do this,” Jainie chaneled and a small ball of light glew on her outstretched hand. The class ws quite quick on uptake as the women on front of her copied her threads. “Very well. And now try this,” she said and her sphere broke into three, circling above her hands. The novices copied the feat again. “So, this is a basic thread of Air, very usefull, but can be also altered to more complicated structures, for example this,” and the threads changed to light the room even brighter, so bright that some novices covered their eyes. “This is called extending the threads…”

The lesson went on fairly well, to Jainie’s surprise with no incidents. It was really quite fun – Jainie didn’t know what was Karein pointing at, saying that this class was a nightmare. Actually, Jainie thought that, without any exception, all the novices were really good for their level – she strongly suspected some Accepted were not capable of doing for example an illusion, although simple. And speaking of Accepteds… the one that was in the room of Tarline’s raising still troubled Jainie’s mind. Why would she be there? And no one seemed to notice her when she left… this was really something to consider. But not now, on the perfect day.

Arawill was furious. She was clearly stronger and more experienced than Tarline, has been an Accepted for a longer time, has never done anything against the rules… this was really unfair. She was really angry, so angry that she didin’t notice that there was someone else in the room. She also didn’t notice the falsh of light as a dagger swept through the air, the last thing she could before sinking to the ground in a widening spot of blood…

Espria closed the door behind her and settled on her bed, tears splashing down her front. The novices’ classes were really tough, too tough for her. She was at the bottom of her strength, totally desperate for anything that would make her hold on. She didn’t notice the doors’ silent creaking through her sobs. Then came a sound of an unsheated dagger and steel rushing through the air. Suddenly, Espria felt a hot, burning pain on her neck and then… there was no then.

Dheanor slowly sheated his dagger. This should be enough to attract that damn woman’s attention. He was paid really good and intended to finish the wor he was paid for. Oh, the new head of Merists will have his wish fullfilled…

Jainie closed the door of her room behind her. Oh, this had been a realy good day…