Chapter Text
The notices had only been posted that morning, freshly printed white rectangles of parchment fixed to the walls of the Accepted and Novice’s quarters, but already they had caused a stir.
By midday, the stone railed galleries were filled with excited young women in the banded dresses of the Accepted, and no small amount of Novices in their ordinary whites. Clusters of girls surrounded each poster, their excitement palpable, their chattering and giggling filling the gallery with high spirited noise.
Through a group of fellow Accepted, Elayne elbowed her way past, breaking from the crowd to take refuge in a shady walkway. She had felt for a moment like she was going to be crushed in the press of bodies.
“Elayne!”
The sound of booted feet rushing towards her made her turn. Egwene was running, skirts banded with the stripes of an Accepted held in her hands, cheeks coloured with excitement and exertion. How fast had Egwene run to find her?
“Have you seen? It’s already the talk of the Tower! Will you enter?” Egwene’s large dark eyes sparkled with her excitement. From her pocket, she pulled one of the papers that was the cause for all the commotion.
“Of course I’ve seen it,” Elayne said, but she took the paper from Egwene all the same, reading the words over again.
“For the first time in a thousand years, the Green Ajah Games are open to any and all Accepted of the White Tower. Accepted who wish to test themselves and experience the meaning of being part of the Battle Ajah are invited to enter.”
Underneath a heading that read What are the Green Ajah Games, the following was written, which Elayne also read aloud as if Egwene hadn’t probably memorized the information already.
“The Green Ajah Games are a historical challenge to showcase the ethos of the Battle Ajah,”
Elayne snorted. Egwene looked askance at her. “So it’s propaganda designed to entice Accepted to choosing the Green!” Elayne said, but she was amused, not derisive, for she thought to choose the Green herself, as she knew Egwene did also.
Elayne continued reciting.
“Accepted pair with Warders in training to compete in a series of challenges which test the battle prowess of both and their ability to work as a team.”
Elayne paused, smiling, the twinkle in her eyes betraying that she was just as excited as Egwene. That excitement coloured her voice.
“Each team may have an Aes Sedai and their Warder for mentors, but is limited to one of each for the competition. An information session will be held this evening in the amphitheatre by Sheriam Sedai and Hammar Gaidin for those wishing to learn more. Accepted and Warders in training are encouraged to attend.”
She lowered the parchment. While the Green Ajah Games was an initiative of the Greens, it made sense that the Mistress of Novices be the one to organize it as she was responsible for the Accepted and Novices.
It was safe to assume that these same notices had been posted throughout the Warder’s barracks, and that similar crowds of young men gathered around them with just as much excitement as the Accepted.
“Will you go with me tonight?” Egwene asked, brimming with barely contained energy.
Elayne smiled at her, finally allowing herself to share her friend’s enthusiasm. She took Egwene’s hands in hers.
“Yes! We both want to be Greens, don’t we? This is our chance to prove ourselves and impress everyone!”
Impulsively, she caught Egwene up in a hug. Holding each other, the two young women bounced with exuberance, smiles full of girlish glee. The rest of the day couldn’t pass quickly enough.
After dinner, the amphitheatre began to fill with women in white and young men dressed casually in greys, greens, and browns as if trying to mimic the shifting colours of a Warder’s cloak. Some even carried swords on their hips, looking to attract the attention of the excited Accepted.
Egwene had lost Elayne in the bustle. The Daughter-Heir had been swept away by the throng of bodies, calling to Egwene as they were jostled apart.
“I’ll see you inside! I’ll save you a seat!” And then Elayne was gone, enveloped by the press of white dresses.
Egwene stood on her toes, trying to catch sight of Elayne’s red gold curls so she could follow, when she felt her arm taken gently by a hand at her elbow. Turning, she was met with the grinning face of the Daughter-Heir’s brother.
“Egwene! I thought I recognized you!” She looked up into Gawyn’s eyes as he smiled down at her, feeling her cheeks grow hot. She hoped her blush was not too obvious.
Andor’s First Prince of the Sword was one of the most handsome men she’d ever seen, with his golden hair and dazzling grin. He was tall, broad shouldered, and shaped by the hours he spent training with the Warders. Gawyn was only overshadowed by his brother Galad, she thought.
Ever since Elayne had said Gawyn was besotted with her, Egwene had taken more notice of him. His green coat was of a finer cut and material than the other young men’s, but he had not worn his sword to tonight’s session.
“I’m glad I caught you,” Gawyn still had his hand on her elbow, but she found herself not minding. “You’re here to learn more about the Games too? Well, Egwene... I wanted…” And he shifted where he stood, hesitating as the flow of bodies moved around them, filing into the theatre.
Some Accepted glanced their way, looking from Egwene to Gawyn with irritation as they blocked the entrance, wide though it was. Gawyn scrubbed a hand through his hair nervously. What did he have to be nervous about, she thought. When he continued, he sounded uncertain, shy even.
“I wanted to ask you if you’re entering the Games and if you’d havemeasyourwarderintraining.”
Egwene blinked, trying to make sense of the mess of words that had just come from the prince’s mouth.
“Yes, I do intend to enter the Games, and… oh.” Her mind had caught up, separating the rush of words Gawyn had fumbled. “You want to enter as a team with me?” No, that wasn’t what he said. He’d asked her if she’d have him as her Warder in training, and Egwene felt her blush grow hotter.
Elayne had told her of Gawyn’s affection for her, but she had also said that Gawyn would not make a move on a woman his brother Galad seemed interested in. So, either Galad’s interest in her had waned, or Gawyn was so enamoured of her, that he’d felt compelled to act and ask to be her partner in this exciting event despite Galad’s interest. Or was it both?
Smoothing her white skirts, Egwene wished that Gawyn could see her in silks instead. “But what about Elayne? Won’t she want you to be her Warder in training for this?”
Gawyn shook his head, grin returning to that handsome face. “Oh, she can team up with Galad if she wants to enter. It’s about time she realised she has two brothers, not just me. Egwene, I want to enter this contest with you.”
They had moved from blocking the entrance, and entered the amphitheatre now.
The structure, carved of white stone, was just as glorious and intricate as the rest of Tar Valon. Crafted by Ogier masons, the amphitheatre was a vast round structure surrounded by tiered seating and open to the starry night sky, its floor soft dirt. The stone had been carved to look like twining branches and leaves, giving the theatre a whimsical, yet elegant appearance.
Globes of light hovered, created by Aes Sedai to provide illumination. In the central performance space, a temporary stage had been set up.
Aes Sedai and Warders sat on that stage, seated in chairs. The bright red flash of Sheriam Sedai’s hair made her stand out among the faculty. The blocky man dressed in light armour beside her must have been Hammar Gaidin.
The sword he wore across his back was marked with a heron, and no small amount of young men in the audience were pointing, trading awed whispers with one another at the sight of it.
Looking up at the tiered seating, Egwene tried to see where Elayne sat, but caught no sight of her. Gawyn was still waiting for her to answer him, blue eyes anxious. She let out a breath she hadn’t realised she was holding.
“Yes. Yes, I would like you to be my Warder in training, and for us to enter this contest.”
Gawyn’s smile was like the sun rising, lighting up his face. She saw relief in his eyes.
“Oh, Egwene! You won’t regret it! We’ll be a force to be reckoned with, you and I!” Gallantly, he offered her his arm, his attitude becoming playful. “Allow me to escort you to your seat, Egwene Sedai.”
She stifled a giggle behind her hand, but took his arm. “Shh, don’t call me that! We’ll get in trouble! I’m only an Accepted.” He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, and then mimed a gesture locking his mouth with an invisible key. He mumbled at her speaking with his mouth still closed.
“Ess Mgewne Swdai.”
She could not help but laugh, delighted by his antics. Gawyn found them seats mid-way up the theatre, and she’d just settled her skirts neatly around her when a ripple passed through the Accepted.
Hushed murmurs, excited squeals, and giggles changed the mood around them. Egwene looked up, wondering what had caused this response in the young women around her. She heard Gawyn’s rueful sigh beside her and he muttered, “Of course.” Exasperation mixed with good humor in his tone, an amused grin on his face.
A tall, slender young man had entered the amphitheatre. Unlike most of the others, he came alone, looking about him with a searching gaze, oblivious to the response of the Accepted and some of the Aes Sedai to his appearance. They were staring at him.
Egwene caught herself staring too. Galad was still the most handsome man Egwene had ever seen, even though her favour lay with Gawyn now. Galad moved with unconscious grace, drawing every eye in the room yet seemingly unaware of those stares. He was just too beautiful! His coat was grey, and just as fine as Gawyn’s, and he had come with a sword on his hip.
When he caught sight of Egwene, his gorgeous smile almost took her breath away, so it was a relief when he spotted Gawyn next, and that smile dimmed down into a perplexed frown. Gawyn waved at his brother, commenting.
“He’ll be the most difficult to beat if he decides to enter. If Elayne won’t pair with him, then I’m sure he’ll have no shortage of willing Accepted to have him as their Warder in training.”
Galad nodded in reponse to Gawyn’s wave, but did not come to join them. Egwene followed his movements as he ascended the tiers of seating, heads turning all around him to watch his progress. Somehow, Galad had located Elayne, who sat with Nynaeve, the latter’s presence surprising. Neither looked pleased to see Galad, but he took a place beside them anyway.
The buzzing of the crowd began to quiet, and now Egwene’s eyes were drawn back to the stage.
The Keeper of the Chronicles had come to the platform. Around her neck, Leane Sedai wore a blue stole, signifying that she had been of the Blue Ajah, and Egwene watched as the glow of saidar surrounded the tall, willowy woman. The Keeper cast a weave to amplify her voice.
“She comes! She comes! The Watcher of the Seals, The Flame of Tar Valon, the Amyrlin Seat!”
A hush fell over the crowd as Siuan Sanche, the Amyrlin Seat made a solemn procession of one to the stage. Her dress was a magnificent ivory gown of embroidered silk. Around her neck draped the seven striped stole of the Amyrlin, lending an air of officiality to the proceedings.
Egwene found herself sitting up straighter, leaning forward eagerly as the Amyrlin addressed the gathering. The other Accepted sitting around her all did the same.
“My children,” the amplifying weave carried the Amyrlin’s voice around the theatre’s circle, “Thousands of years ago, Drosin Ajah Dai Mar, or the Green Ajah Battle Games, were a way for Accepted and Warders in training to experience being part of the Battle Ajah before choosing the green or becoming a Warder. The Green Ajah Games were one of many events historically hosted by each Ajah to showcase the essence of their faction and encourage Accepted to choose them.”
“We have decided that it is time for these events to make a return to the Tower, to help Accepted choose the right Ajah for themselves, and to draw prestige and attention to the White Tower. The Green Ajah Games in particular have always been open to the public with a goal to inspire and encourage girls to be tested and enter their names into the Novice book, and to draw young men to train as Warders, thus bolstering the ranks of the Aes Sedai.”
The Amyrlin paused, casting her eye over the crowd, who she knew were spellbound, waiting for her next words. Egwene held her breath. Siuan Sanche smiled, then continued.
“For thousands of years the White Tower has maintained secrecy and separation from the outside world and our numbers have suffered for it. Now, we seek to demystify ourselves somewhat, and beginning with the Green Ajah Games, we hope to encourage the world as a whole to embrace the White Tower and raise the esteem in which Aes Sedai are held in by all. Sheriam Sedai? You have my leave to begin.”
The Amyrlin’s speech concluded, and Siuan went to sit in the most ornate chair of those assembled on the stage.
Gawyn leaned close to Egwene, whispering in her ear. “So this is a public relations stunt at its core, to improve the image of the White Tower by having us show off.”
She snickered, appreciating Gawyn’s interpretation of the Amyrlin’s speech. But, there was truth in it. The Novice book held few names, and fewer and fewer girls were coming to the Tower every year. If the reintroduction of public events like the Games brought more girls who could channel to the Tower, then it was a good thing.
The flame haired Mistress of Novices took centre stage now. Her voice echoed around the amphitheatre.
“Accepted. Warders in training. The structure of the games is such. Teams of one Accepted and one Warder in training will compete against each other in partnered duels during the first round of the competition. Real swords rather than practice swords, and the One Power is to be used by the Accepted in any manner she sees fit to achieve victory. Victory is achieved when the opposing Accepted and her Warder in training are disabled and unable to continue. The Yellow Ajah will be on stand by at every bout to provide immediate and emergency Healing. These Games come with real risk, real consequences, and are intended to mimic real circumstances. You will be hurt.”
Another ripple swept through the crowd. Some of the murmurs had lost their enthusiasm. A look over at some of the young men who were Warders in training revealed cocky grins and much chest puffing. They, at least, were still excited for the fights.
Egwene looked over at where Elayne, Nynaeve, and Galad sat together.
Elayne looked pensive but determined, her pretty face serious for once. Galad’s face was unreadable, a perfectly beautiful mask of composure. Nynaeve had her braid in both hands. She scowled.
Egwene did not expect the wisdom to enter the Games, as she had made it quite clear she was destined for the Yellow Ajah even though the competition was open to all Accepted.
Sheriam’s voice quietened the audience. “For this event, the Warder bond will be simulated with ter’angreal, as it is forbidden for Accepted to bond a Warder.”
At this, Hammar came to Sheriam’s side and held up two objects. It was a set of matching bracelets. Each were of a plain, silvery metal that shone brightly in the glow of the light orbs overhead.
“These bracelet ter’angreal will be worn by each team member, with the Accepted activating the power of the ter’angeal with spirit. When activated correctly, the ter’angreal will mimic a Warder bond exactly, bestowing upon the Warder in training improved strength, endurance, and physicality along with everything else that the bond provides. Hammar Gaidin will be available later to answer questions regarding this. The Accepted will also feel what an Aes Sedai feels through the bond.”
This news brought with it a bit more of an encouraging response. Excited gasps and eager murmuring made its way around the amphitheatre. Sheriam continued.
“Each team is required to have one Aes Sedai and one Warder to coach and advise them to be eligible for entry.”
More murmurs travelled around the space.
“While this is a contest, it is also a chance to learn, to test strategy and skill, and while there is no prize other than the prestige of competing, teams who are deemed to be successful will progress to the second round. Your Aes Sedai and Warder coaches will have the final say on your progression, for the second round is by far the more dangerous one. So, the ultimate goal is not winning or losing your fixtures, but showing that you are capable and competent, and have the ability to put your training to effective use.”
Egwene could feel the crowd’s interest sharpen. She was on the edge of her seat. Sheriam stepped aside, and now it was Hammar who spoke.
“The second round is to be held in the Borderland nations, on the edge of the Blight.”
The audience erupted. There were cheers, cries of dismay, and whoops of excitement from eager young men and some young women. Hammar raised his voice, shouting over them, his words booming through the weave of amplification.
“Settle down! You’re all light-forsaken idiots if you think you’re going on some fun adventure in the second round! We’ll be throwing you at trollocs, you young fools!”
The Warder detailed how arenas were being constructed on Sheinar’s outskirts, and how trollocs would be funnelled there or captured and caged until needed for the second round fights. It sounded dangerous for the Sheinarans organizing this.
“The second round, for those deemed good enough to participate, is to give you real world experience fighting shadowspawn and to scare you off into joining another Ajah if you can’t handle live combat.”
There were titters of amusement from the crowd. The Green Sisters on the stage looked proudly smug.
“Sign up sheets will available from tomorrow at the Warder’s training yard and in Sheriam Sedai’s office. It’s up to you to form teams, find mentors, and enter the Green Ajah Games! Good luck!”
Hammar stepped back, and Siuan Sanche rose, but it was not to address the audience again. She was leaving. The information session was over. The faculty filed out, and the crowd broke into a buzz of trepidation and excitement.
Gawyn leaned over to murmur to Egwene. “This is going to be amazing. We just need to find mentors, and then we can add our names to the sign up sheet.”
Egwene shivered. The Games were more dangerous than she had first thought, but the excitement in the theatre was contagious, and she felt her expectation heighten. She and Gawyn would surely be among those deemed good enough to make it to the second round. She took his hand, giving it an encouraging squeeze. “I think I know just who to ask to mentor us too!”