Fanfic:Aiko's Three Arches
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The First Arch
Aiko was walking through the gardens. She had a rare free day, as it so happened. She chose to walk in the crisp autumn air. She had a lot on her mind, and she wanted a moment to clear her mind.
She had just passed her twenty-third naming day. That meant she had been at the Grey Tower just over six years. The days and the seasons had past rapidly, and She could still remember the day that her name was added to the Novice book, like it was just yesterday.
She had so many dreams, and still did, but now she looked at things differently, than then. She still wanted to be a Healer, that would never change; she had a realistic perspective of the Healing Talent now though. She Learned through hard work and study that there were things that were just not possible no matter how gifted, or how strong one was with the One Power. She was resigned to that now.
One thing that was troubling her, was that he close friends were all now raised to Accepted status. Some of her tormentors from her early were now Full Ase Sedai now. It just seemed to her that everything was moving faster than time was going. She could not help, but sigh. It was not like the test for the Accepted was going to come any faster for her. She tried to push the thoughts away from her, even though they crept back into her mind.
She felt a drop of rain on her face. She was so deep in thought that she did not even notice the heavy gray clouds. It was about to pour down on her, and wet novices were not sent to Mistress of Novices, but they could be chastised. She made her way quickly to the nearest entrance to the Tower. She just opened the door way when the down pour started. That was close, she thought.
She walked slowly to her room. She thought that she might as well read something. That might keep her mind busy for a moment. She had half a moment to think that thought. There was Miahalla Sedai Mistress of the Novices. Her breath caught in her throat, and her chest tightened. She could not possibly be in hot water for anything; she had done nothing wrong, that she knew of, but there were traps and pitfalls in the rules that could snare even the best novice.
She curtsied deeply, and kept her mouth shut. She had scrubbed pots for a month for speaking before being spoke too. She did not make a mistake more than once; she was no fool. Too Aiko's surprise she was not to be punished for anything at all.
When the Mistress of the novices announced that she was being summoned for the test to become Accepted, she felt like she had been hit between the eyes. Was she even ready for that notion? She had just been thinking about it, but that was just thoughts. Chills ran up her back, and down her arms, as she followed Miahalla Sedai into the deep reaches of the Grey Tower.
Her thoughts were racing faster than her heart when she was led into the chamber that held the Three Arches. She heard everything she was being told, but her amber eyes could not let go of the sight of the swirling light that was inside the Arches. They would make her face her fears; only Accepted, and Aes Sedai knew how they did it. She was terrified already. She could only imagine what she would face, but she was going to be an Aes Sedai. This was the only way to get there.
She undressed, as the the rules stated. One must go in naked and helpless. The rules also were clear; once one started, they had to finish. She let her self be led to the first Arch. She was as ready, as she would ever be. She took a step and for a moment she was infused with the light.
Be Steadfast...The way comes but once... Aiko looked around at the chaos around her. She was in the middle of a battle. They were nearly surrounded by numerous fists of the half beasts. There was lightning falling from the sky, and the earth itself was rumbling. She even spotted a few fades driving the dull witted Trollocs into action.
She was confused for as moment, but that lasted only a blink. She had to duck to avoid a jagged sword that was swung at her head; both Elias, and Isaac turned in her defense. The Hawk faced creature was sliced at the throat and impaled at the same instance.
"What is going on?" She screamed over the clanging of weapons. "Can we get through to the Outpost?" Isaac looked grim, but it was Elias that spoke.
"We have a slight chance. The Channelers are what is making things so sketchy. We have no clue of which ones are with us or against us. There are to factions." Aiko screamed when a bull face trolloc broke through the line one defense.
Elias was a competent soldier. One quick sweep of his broad sword, and the Trolloc's head was split in two. He wiped his blade on the body, and picked up were he had left off. "If we can make it through this fist, we might be able to break free to the Outpost. Here you need to take these, and stay close to me and Isaac."
Aiko took the to long daggers, and looked at Elias like he had turned into a Trolloc. "I have never even held a weapon. Let alone wielded one Elias! I have been a Mender for as long, as you have been a soldier."
"Well, you can not mend us out of this battle. If anything gets close to you use them. It is the only way." Aiko nodded. She had to play her part. They were in trouble from the looks of the situation around her.
Elias blew his horn. It made three sharp peels into the night air. The soldiers started fighting to reform. The were actually doing it well. Once the lines were reformed, Elias led the charge. This was an all out fight to break the insurmountable line. She stuck next to her twin Isaac. Twin? Were did that come from?
They were slowly making progress, but there were breaks here and there in their line. Aiko found herself face to face with a boar face Trolloc. She froze. Her arms swung back an forth uselessly, she was not a warrior. Isaac whirled around her in a graceful dance of death. His broad sword arched in a upwards motion. The Trolloc was dead before it hit the ground. She followed him closer after that. She was sure that she was capable of killing herself before the Trollocs got to her.
Be Steadfast the way comes but once...
They were just in sight of the Outposts walls when the ground beneath them began to shift. The very ground they were standing on erupted into a cloud of dust. She was thrown into the air. All the breath in her lungs came out of her when she hit the ground. She had know idea were anyone landed . She was still trying to get to her feet when her blurred vision cleared.
She heard Isaac scream in terror. A slight woman with a black dress was standing over him with both hands on his head. She was radiating like the sun. Her ebony curls were flowing in the wind. She had a look of pleasure at inflicting pain on Isaac.
The way back...
Aiko saw the silver Arch. She looked toward her brother. There was a chance...
"Aiko, help me!" The silver Arch beckoned to her louder. It came and was ringing through out her head. Tears flowed from her eyes, and she flung herself through the Arch. The only thing on her mind was her brother.
There was nothing but light. Then she stepped into the testing chamber.
"I left him there. The tears were washed from her face with a chalice of cold water. Two more left...just two more...
The Second Arch
Aiko was washed clean. It did not erase anything she had experienced. It was going to be embedded in her mind until she died. She wondered if it was real, even the fact of her standing in front of the second arch; she was still in doubt that it was not partially real.
She wiped her face. The next test was for what was. She straightened her back, and drew back her shoulder's. There was no turning back now. It did not matter, she was no coward. If the tests ended her existence, then she did not deserve to come back. She was ready.
She stepped through. Once again, she fused with the light.
Be steadfast...The way back comes but once...
Aiko looked up at the knock at her door. She had a book in her hands, but she must have been in a day dream, because she had know idea what she had been reading.
Daniko Soroshu glided gracefully into the room. The disturbed look on her face did not detract from the great beauty she was. She was taller than Aiko with dark smoldering eyes, and hair as black as a night with no moon. Her skin was pale, and supple. She always refused to admit it, but she was desired by more men, and woman than Aiko could count.
Aiko set the book on her bed table, and stood.
"What is wrong Daniko? It is too early in the day to be upset with a lesson. What troubles you?"
Daniko inhaled deeply, and look into Aiko's hazel eye's. "Your brother was brought to the Grey Tower. Aiko they mean to Gentle him. I do not know how to say it any other way. They mean to do this today." Daniko's eye's turned to the ground.
"Well, I am not going to let it happen. I will beg mercy if I have to, but that would be suicide for him. He would live with out Saiden, only for a little time. I can not do this alone. Can you help me, or should I find another?" Aiko did not wait long for an answer.
"I am with you." She gave Aiko a quick hug, and then looked deep into her eye's. I would follow you into the blight with a wet stocking for a weapon. You are closer to me than my own mother." She smiled through her grief. "Now, what does your clever mind have planned out, as of now?"
"Well, I can heal severing, so if worse comes to worse he will still be able to channel again, but we should try and get him out of here. I should be allowed to at least talk to him. Maybe we can get him out that way. the only thing will be the Asha'man or Aes Sedai guarding him will be impossible to get him out."
"Not as impossible, as you think. I have talent for illusion. It is strong Aiko. I can pull it off, I know it. If you can get in to see him I'll create the illusion that he is still there, but I will have to distract the guards. because the illusion falters when there is movement behind it."
Aiko nodded. "If there was anyone that could distract anyone, that would be you. It is time you learned how to use that beauty that you deny. Get them away from that cell. I will do the rest. We might be in over are heads. I think it can be done."
Both of them had resolve in their eye's. They walked to the cells in silence. They each had their thoughts turned to the task at hand. Daniko was to lure the guard away. Aiko would sneak Isaac out, and Daniko would weave the illusion. It was not going to be as simple as that, but Aiko knew things about healing that could kill. She would only do them if she was forced to. Her brother was not going to go through this.
Everything was in place. She looked at Daniko; at first there was determination on her face, and everything softened. She was truly a person of beauty. She glided down the hall way, and feinted a trip. She fell to the ground; it was ever so graceful. Aiko smiled. She moved them away from the cell.
Now it was Aiko's turn. She slipped down the hall way. She was amazed when the keys to the cell were hanging from a loop next to the door; but then Daniko could have men dance themselves dead if she wanted too.
Aiko went into the cell. Isaac was chained to the floor on his knee's. He ha a bag over his head; maybe a precaution if he broke the shield that was on him. She pulled the bag off his head. She looked at him.
He had a distant look in his eye's. She knew that he had lost it at the battle, but it was not his fault. He was attacked by the One Power. She knew she could find a way to heal him. She just had to get him out of here.
This meant she would have to walk away from the Grey Tower forever. She did not have a chance to think about it. There was a shimmering silver Arch. She traded glances between her brother, and the Arch. She screamed in frustration, and hurled herself at the arch. Light once again suffused with her entire being
The Third Arch
Aiko stepped into the domed chamber once again, this time she was enraged. Naked as she was, she did not care. She waited for the water to be poured over head.
"Is it real?" She asked. She was shushed, and told that no one knew if it was or was not. She was simply directed to the last Arch. The swirling patterns were almost hypnotic the way they swirled.
The final test she thought. The last part of her journey that would grant her the ring. The last was supposed to be the worst. It was the fear that pertained to her future. She suppressed a shudder.
Just one more time...
She stepped into the Arch for the last time.
Aiko was surprised to be behind a desk. There were reports scattered in neat piles. She had a vague memory of reading them. It was reports fro the network of Eyes and Ears she had spent so many years creating. That sounded odd whispering through her thoughts, and natural at the same time.
Her memory was littered with memories of recruiting agents. Not just for healing purposes, but for battle zones. Reports came to her from the border lands on a regular basis. News of Seanchan was sent to her daily it seemed like lately. In the last thirty years, she had managed to have the Yellows hands in just about every corner of the continent. She smiled. That had been her goal from the start.
There was a knock at her study door. She stack her reports, and placed them in a warded box. One could never be to careful when it came to reports. She crossed the room gracefully. When she opened the door, a smile touched her lips; a smile she shared with her twin brother.
"Isaac! Where have you been off to now? You have been gone months!" She hugged him. He was wearing his two pins, the sword, and the dragon; they were symbols of his status as an Ash'man. He also was wearing his white cord of his Ajah; how he came to choose the White, she would never know.
"I was up north for a bit doing some research. I do not like to stay in the Grey Tower to long. It sometimes brings back bad memories." Aiko nodded. She knew that he had trouble being around channelers at times. She understood that, and always let him go his own way. "I found something very interesting with the name you gave me of our mother. She is definitely alive, and living in Kandor."
"Are you sure? Isaac it has been how many years? She has not even been in contact with the tower."
"I know that I have found her Aiko. I would not say it if I was unsure. That is not logical. I want me and you to travel there. Just think, we could finally get to see her."
Aiko had to think for a second. This could be an unfortunate thing. She had given them up after birth after all. What if she did not want to be found? It would be a disaster if that was the case. She had to indulge Isaac.
"I will go with you Isaac, but I want you to understand that we might not be happy with what we find. I do not want your heart broken. You have already been through so much. You fought your way through insanity, and then climbed the ranks of the Grey Tower." He stepped over her words, and spoke in a cold White Ajah tone.
"I appreciate your concern sister, but I have been through a lot. I also am an Asha'man. I think I have control of my emotions enough, even if we are rejected, or turned away. Do you still look at me like your weak little brother?" Aiko shook her head at the idiocy of the question. "Well I am going to prepare for the trip. I am sure you have me things to tie up before we leave." He turned stiffly, and left her study.
Aiko waited till the door was fully closed, before she frowned. He may be an Asha'man, but he was acting like he was still seventeen. That thought skirted through her mind; it was like her mind was screaming that it was true. She would indulge him, and be there if everything crumbled in on him.
Isaac was right she did have things to take care of; she had to send messages to several people, Daniko, her Ajah head, and other key players in her game. Daniko was the only one she trusted with her reports, and the only one that knew how to decode them. Her Ajah head had to know to replace her rounds in the infirmary. The others she had to leave instructions for other reasons.
Once all was ready, she made her way to the White's quarters. She was always welcomed to her brother's room, but a few Whites sniffed at her presence. She walked right by them; her yellow fringed shawl around her shoulder's allowed her any where.
She tapped at the door, and he emerged ready. "I have had our horses saddled, and my things have already been sent down. Are you ready for this?" He nodded, and they walked in silence to the stables.
Be steadfast...The way will come but once...
They traveled by way of the One Power; it seemed her twin was quite adept at the weave. She had trouble with all of these things that she seemed to be finding out. It was hard for her to process the information when her mind was screaming that it was not true.
It was twilight when he stepped out into view of the small Kandor town of Lenevnoko. It was barely a speck on any map she had ever seen. What better for an Aes Sedai pick a place to hide?
"She lives just outside the village. I know the way, so just follow me." It occurred to Aiko he had never named the woman.
"What is her name Isaac?"
"She goes by Uni Haimoku, but her true name is Sosashu Eniki."
They road in silence; which Aiko was grateful. She hated not know what she was walking into. It could be welcoming, or it could be an unwanted trespass on someones home. She was only here for her brother. She could care less if they found their mother. They after all were given up at birth. They had everything they needed, so why seek more? Her thoughts halted when Isaac announced that they were at their destination.
She had lost track of how long they stared at the small house. Twilight had turned to night, and a light chilled wind stirred her cloak. She turned to her brother.
"Are you ready to get on with this? If you are not, I understand. We could wait a couple days, and find out more about her." He forestalled her.
"Let us go and meet her. I know I am right. It is time." He dismounted, and she followed him to the door. He gave a bold knock. Aiko's breath froze. This was it, no turning back now.
Be steadfast...the way comes but once...
The woman that answered the door had their face, but she was not Aes Sedai; if she was Aiko would feel the ability in her. Aiko sighed.
"I want to introduce us to you ma'am. I am Isaac Navoo, and this is my twin sister Aiko. I mean no disrespect, but I know your real name is Sosashu Eniki. We, I believe are our mother." Isaac was unaware that the woman can not channel.
"Isaac, I think you made a mistake. She does not have the ability to..."
Everything went faster than light itself. The illusion dropped from the face of the stranger. She had curly black hair with streaks of dark hair. Her face was ageless. She barely heard Isaac say the woman was channeling before she found herself face down fifteen feet away from where she had been standing.
She looked up with blurred eyes. The woman had flown Isaac, as well.
"Get up, I am going to finish what I started when I attacked you the first time. Did you like it when your mind was twisted? Did you like what your mother did to you?" She tilted his head to face her. "I walked away from that life a long time ago, and now you found me. Now, when i am done with the two of you will wish you left me alone. The Black Ajah has was of making you turn to our side."
The silver arch appeared. She was not being held. She could move, but go through the arch, or save her brother...
"Aiko, help me!" Aiko made her choice; in her heart it was right even though it burned her to the bone. The woman's laughter followed her to the arch. They were accompanied by her brother's screams.
When she walked into the arch, and was once again in the domed chamber. She dropped to her knees, and placed her hands on her face. The only thing that was in her head, was that she was not meant to save Isaac.
The ring was on her finger, and that was one step closer to the shawl.
