Fanfic:A Sudden Interest in Healing
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"Healing is not a science, but the intuitive art of wooing nature."
Lessons in Healing Weaves, from the Class Archives of the Grey Tower, by Miliane Sesuedral Sedai
Lesson 1 – Delving
Mirin sat primly in her chair, her legs crossed elegantly under the banded dress of the Accepted. She watched the teacher, a sister of the Yellow Ajah, attentively. Next to her, an Asha’man, also of the Yellow Ajah, demonstrated the weave with saidin for the male students.
Miliane Sedai wove a simple net of Spirit. "Delving requires primarily Spirit with some Air and Water," she explained. "Earth and Fire, of course, can also be used, but that is a highly advanced technique that will not be taught in this class. Observe carefully; the weave is formed like this, and laid over your patient. You will become aware of the ailments afflicting them." She released saidar, and then continued in her instruction.
"Break into pairs and practice Delving each other. If you know the weave, you may also Heal. However, if you decide to do so, call me over so I may supervise. In any case, you must receive permission to Heal someone before you begin."
Mirin paired up with a slim young Dedicated. His name was Boril, and his demeanor was surprisingly humble.
Boril placed a hand on her shoulder. She saw nothing, but a tingle spread from his hand through her body, and she shivered.
"No injuries," he said. "No soreness or discomfort either."
Mirin smiled at him. "Not at all. It is such a blessing to be an Accepted and not spend hours scrubbing my hands raw on pots and pans."
He laughed. "I know what you mean."
Then, it was Mirin’s turn. She touched his arm and embraced saidar. She guided threads of Spirit intertwined with Water and Air to imitate the net that Miliane Sedai had formed. It was not a difficult weave – the real skill was in interpreting the results. At a minimum, it required the channeler to possess a working knowledge of human anatomy. Otherwise, the tug of the weave was meaningless.
The net surrounded Boril, and then disappeared.
"Your right arm is sore," Mirin muttered. Which muscle was it? Or was it bone? She wasn’t quite sure.
"I had to write five feet of parchment yesterday," he growled. He rubbed his wrist. "I think I pinched a nerve."
Mirin grimaced. Of course. Now that she knew what to look for, she could sense the inflammation of the nerve in his wrist, irritated by the repetitive motions of writing. "Would you like me to Heal you?" she suggested.
He shrugged. "Sure, why not."
They approached Miliane Sedai, who agreed and stood, watching Mirin like a hawk – like a kindly, mother hawk with sharp eyes that teased out every wrong twist in Mirin’s clumsy Healing weave.
"More Air, child. A touch more Air. No, don’t twist it yet! Take a strand of Water. Yes, just like that. Good, good. Use less Spirit. I see that you are strong in Spirit, but take care not to overcompensate. There, that’s it. Careful, careful… guide it into place. Good. Release."
Mirin was trembling with effort by the time she released the weave. Light, Miliane Sedai was demanding! But the weave sank perfectly into Boril’s arm. His fingers twitched, and he shuddered. Then he smiled.
"Feels like new," he said. "Thank you, Mirin! And thank you, Miliane Sedai." He bowed neatly.
Mirin curtsied to the Aes Sedai as well. "Thank you for your instruction," she said.
Miliane Sedai nodded graciously. "Good job. You may go. I will see you next week."
Lesson 2 – Basic Healing
"Today, I'll first teach you how to form the basic Healing weave," said Miliane Sedai. She embraced saidar. "The weave is begun first by taking a strand of Spirit. Lay it out in front of you –" she explained, weaving her example as she spoke, "- then lay a smaller strand of Air beside that. Next, lay a strand of Water, the same size as the strand of Air. Twist them all together in a woven braid. You should now have a circular braid of Air, Water, and Spirit. The body part being Healed would be in the center of the circle. Pair up and practice. You may begin."
For this lesson, Mirin paired with an Accepted named Astoria. Mirin did not like the girl, who was a cold, haughty Tairen. But she had happened to sit next to her; and so they sat facing each other, eyeing each other with unconcealed dislike.
Mirin stuck out her arm. "Here," she said gruffly. Astoria sniffed, and then clasped Mirin’s arm with icy cold hands. The glow of saidar appeared around the other girl, and the weave for Delving formed. It was clumsily woven, and Mirin yelped as a shock of electricity shot up her arm.
"Ouch! Take care!"
"Sorry," Astoria said, sniffing again. She did not sound very sorry at all. A second weave formed, the loop for Healing. Astoria placed it over Mirin’s body.
Mirin shivered, suddenly feeling as though she had been doused in cold water. She wiggled her toes experimentally – there had been a blister on her heel – and then nodded grudgingly. The blister was gone.
Mirin embraced the Source to Delve her partner. But before she could form the weave, Astoria spoke.
"Please do not ask me about what you find," she said softly. Her voice was uncharacteristically meek, and her ice-blue eyes did not quite meet Mirin’s. Mirin frowned, but nodded.
She Delved – and gasped. Astoria must have been recently disciplined by the Mistress of Novices. Her bottom was so tender that she could barely sit. Light, what had the girl done?! But Mirin did not ask. She wove the basic Healing weave, taking care to use the tips that Miliane Sedai had given her the previous week. She was not skilled enough to Heal the other Accepted completely. But she did manage to ease the pain a little.
Astoria smiled at her thinly. Mirin barely stopped herself from rolling her eyes. She didn’t like the girl any more than she did before class. But still, she would not breathe a word about this to anyone. After all, it would be improper to gloat over something so shameful. And if there was anything that Mirin knew how to do, it was how to keep secrets.
Lesson 3 – Cuts and Bruises
Miliane Sedai cleared her throat. "As you may recall, you will be using the Healing weave you learned in our previous lesson. It will be altered, slightly, to be used on cuts and bruises from the patients waiting for us in the infirmary."
The students climbed to their feet and followed the short Yellow sister out of the room. The infirmary was only a short distance away. They stepped into the ward for minor injuries. The long room was packed with grumpy-looking trainees from the Warder Yards.
Miliane turned to her students. "Remember to Delve your patient before and after every Healing. If you may recall, the basic Healing weave used more Spirit than Air and Water. However, when Healing matters of the flesh, you use mostly Air. Observe me."
She approached a pale young man with an ugly-looking bruise on his upper torso. Her hand moved to rest on the young man's forehead. First, she Delved him; then, she threaded together the Healing weave. The bruise disappeared.
"If you prepare the weave properly, the injury will heal itself. Pair up and find a patient. You may begin."
Mirin looked around her and found Astoria glaring sourly at her. Mirin sighed. It seemed as though they were to be partners yet again. They moved to the nearest patient, a handsome young man with very nice muscles. Mirin smiled flirtatiously. He winked in reply.
Astoria hissed in her ear. "Stop ogling."
"I’m just enjoying the view," said Mirin. Her voice came out breathier than usual.
"That makes two of us," said their patient, openly eyeing Mirin’s figure. She giggled, fluttering her eyelashes.
Astoria huffed in disgust. "Brainless chit. Move," she ordered, and shoved past Mirin to place her hands on the patient. The glow of saidar surrounded her and she Delved. She wove the Healing weave and placed it on the man.
He gasped and went rigid. Astoria Delved again, and then nodded with satisfaction.
"I Healed half of his bruises. You may take care of the rest." She frowned at her partner, who was still smiling prettily at their patient. "Focus, Mirin, before I slap you silly!"
Mirin’s eyes abruptly snapped to glare at Astoria. Her jaw tightened. "Do it and I’ll see that you can’t sit down for the rest of the year," she threatened. She stared coldly up at Astoria, completely in control, even though the other woman stood at least a hand taller.
Astoria paled. Her lips thinned. But she stepped to the side and did not speak.
Mirin opened herself to saidar. Astoria had never liked her; now, Mirin was sure that she had made a lifelong enemy. No matter. She had to focus on the patient. She Delved the young man, noting the bruises that dotted his arms and legs, and then wove three Healing weaves in quick succession. Her newly learned Healing ability was still weak, but she made up for the lack in quality with quantity. Behind her, Astoria snorted, but Mirin did not care.
Soon, the lesson was over. Mirin hurried off to her next class without looking back.
Lesson 4 – Colds and Fevers
It was a somewhat cool winter morning. Miliane Sedai greeted her students. "Good morning everyone. Today you will learn about colds and fevers. Because of the season, we have many patients with colds and fevers in the infirmary. Before we go to them, I want you to practice these weaves."
"The first weave is for Healing a cold. Make a small circle of Spirit and Air first and put it above the patient’s chest, and let it settle." The Yellow sister demonstrated as she taught. A glowing circle of saidar floated before her. "The second weave is for Healing a fever. The weave is formed with mostly Water and some Air and Spirit. The web should cover the person’s entire body." She split her flow and wove a glimmering web. It hung in the air, its threads of Water glistening wetly.
Mirin studied the weaves for a few seconds, and then embraced saidar. She had a knack for picking up weaves after seeing them once, even though it still took hours of practice to demonstrate any semblance of mastery. She wove carefully, but quickly. The weaves formed in quick succession, wavering in the air.
After a few more minutes of practice, Miliane led the class to the infirmary. There were women, children, and men shivering there, all covered carefully with blankets. "Choose a patient and begin Healing," she said.
Mirin made sure that she stood far from Astoria. She paired up with a tall, gangly, red-haired novice. Together, they moved to a toddler sitting with his mother.
The novice spoke first. "We are students here to practice our– "
The woman clutched her child closer. "Students?" she spat. "Go practice on someone else, not on my child!"
Mirin gave the novice a withering glance, and then she stepped forward. "Excuse me," she said. She reached out her left hand, the Great Serpent ring gleaming blatantly on her finger. "I assure you that we know what we are doing. I am a Healer. I will not allow any harm to your child." Her tone, confident and slightly haughty, allowed no argument.
The woman eyed her doubtfully. "Are you an Aes Sedai?" she asked bluntly.
Mirin did not reply. The rules forbid an Accepted from claiming the status of a full sister, and she had no desire to visit the Mistress of Novices for discipline. She stared coldly at the woman, and then turned. "Come, child," she said to the novice. "Let us help others who want it."
She had taken only a single step when she felt a hand grasping her elbow.
"Wait! Please!" the woman gasped. She looked down at her child, clearly struggling with herself. She glanced again at Mirin’s Great Serpent ring and sighed. "He’s…he’s burning with fever. Can you… I’m sorry… can you please Heal him?"
Mirin smiled. "Of course, I can," she said soothingly. She placed a cool hand on his forehead and channeled, laying the weave of Water, Air, and Spirit over the child’s entire body.
He stiffened and gasped before relaxing. The sick flush of his face was gone. The woman gently touched the boy. "Thank you," she whispered.
Together, Mirin and the novice continued to move among the crowd.
Lesson 5 – Fatigue
Miliane Sedai clapped her hands, calling the class to attention. "Today, I will teach you how to refresh a person to cure their fatigue. Please note that this weave is not a replacement for real rest. It only gives the feeling that you are well rested, while your body actually still needs more rest."
She demonstrated the weave, a knot of Spirit, Air and Water, and then nodded to her students. "Pair up and practice. You may begin."
Boril tapped Mirin on the shoulder. "Want to pair up?" the Dedicated asked. Mirin smiled. "Sure!"
Mirin touched his arm and channeled. She imitated Miliane Sedai’s weave, guiding flows of Spirit, Air, and Water into an asymmetrical knot. She laid it over Boril and released.
He shuddered violently. "Oooh t-that’s f-freezing," he complained, his teeth chattering.
"Sorry," Mirin muttered. "Let me try again." This time, she wove with less Water and more Air.
A light shiver ran through his body. "Much better," Boril said, with obvious relief. They switched roles. Boril placed his hands on her shoulder, and Mirin felt a tingle. Suddenly, she felt more awake, more alert. His weave had settled perfectly.
"Great job, Boril!" she exclaimed. The Dedicated blushed. They each practiced a few more times, chatting quietly as they wove.
"Why are you taking this class?" Boril asked.
"I want to work in the infirmary," she said.
"Me too." He grinned, showing a set of charmingly crooked teeth. "Aiming for the Yellow?"
Mirin shook her head before she could stop herself. No! Light burn me! She needed to be more careful with her actions. She couldn’t afford mistakes like this!
Boril blinked in confusion. "Then why?"
"I think it’s a useful skill to learn," she said carefully. Boril frowned, but did not question her further. Mirin sighed. She needed to get better at lying.
A few minutes later, Miliane Sedai dismissed them. "Remember, your next lesson is your last," she reminded her students. "Come prepared. I will see you next week!"
Lesson 6 – Broken Bones
Miliane Sedai spread her arms. "Welcome to your last lesson," she said. She smiled, but there was a touch of sadness at the corners of her mouth. "Today, we will learn to mend bones. As usual, you will Delve the patient. After you have located the break, you will weave a sheet of Air. Intertwine it with small strands of Air, Water and Spirit."
Miliane demonstrated the weave at the same time as she explained. "Next, wrap the weave around the break in the bone, and tie off the weave, like so." The Aes Sedai released saidar, allowing the weave to dissipate. Beside her, the Asha’man demonstrated with saidin, although Mirin could not see his weaves.
Mirin wove the weave carefully, double-checking every twist and knot with Miliane’s example. It was the most complex weave that had been taught in this class so far. She tied it off with a final, firm knot, and then waited for her teacher to come and assess her efforts.
At the end of class, Miliane called for her students’ attention. "This is the end of our lessons," she said. "This class has simply offered a small taste of what awaits you if you seek to study the art of Healing. If you are interested in further training in the infirmary, please write your name on this list to sign up for an entrance exam. Remember that the test will also include herbcraft and human anatomy.
"It has been a pleasure teaching you. Best of luck with your future endeavors. Class is dismissed."
Mirin stood in the line that formed, waiting for her turn to sign the list. The odds were slim, she knew. The Yellows were kind, but strict teachers. They allowed only the most prepared students to study in the infirmary, where a mistake could cost a life. Most students who wished to work in the infirmary usually began studying as novices and spent several months in preparation for the exam.
But since her test for Acceptance, Mirin had worked doggedly to learn everything in a few short weeks. She had worked with unfaltering concentration, determined to gain access to the hospital of the Grey Tower.
She would pass. She would not accept failure. She stepped forward and, with a flourish, signed her name at the bottom of the list.
