Each day is the same. Get up at 4:00 a.m. to tend the horses and greet the rooster as he crows. During morning rides for the mounts, the Sun decides to join you on the dew-soaked lawn of the city of Tar Valon. After he fully wakes, he laughs over the surface of the River Erinin while you bathe and change for the morning trek to City Hall.
Every day is the same. The clerk Planchett greets you. His wrinkled hand waves you through. Normally you’d stop to inquire about his day, but he doesn’t seem to be in the mood to talk. His square black hat rides low on his brow. Not a good day for him. So you hurry along to the clerk’s desk where you ask to speak to the Mayor as you tug your dress nervously. There’s no reason this day would be anything different from the last, or the one before, or the one before. The clerk wears a deep jade-colored dress that deepens the hue of her auburn hair. She smiles at you kindly, but you sense a bit of a pitying entwined in that smile. Your hands tighten around two fistfuls of dress as your arms stay tightly against your body. It’s about time to go back to the stable, return your clothes carefully to their hangar, and tell the stablemaster you’ll be here to help another day.
Every day is the same.
“You can go right in, Miss Ahmyra,” the clerk says to you kindly.
Joy flys through you. This is it! You’ve been admitted to the Tower! Everything is going to change! You barely stop yourself from sprinting through the wooden door. You contain your steps to high-heeled clicks on the shiny stone floor.
The mayor looks up from a page. She stands next to a desk at the far end of the chamber. “Ah Ahmyra, I’ve been expecting you. Punctual as always.”
“Miss Mayor, am I a novice now?”
Zandera smiles and states the official words.
“Congratulations, Novice Ahmyra. You are to report to Nymala Sedai of the Blue Ajah, as I understand it--a very shrewd woman. I doubt you will be able to get much past her. Remember to be respectful--to everyone. If you’re not sure of someone’s station, do not stare, curtsey, and call everyone by the highest title you think they could possibly have.”
“Am I to go... to the Tower by myself?”
The mayor looks confused for a moment. “Oh, yes dear. You are to gather whatever belongings you wish to take with you and go to the gates, where you will ask for Nymala Sedai and be permitted to enter. If you have a great deal of belongings, take care because I do not think you will be allowed to keep everything. If you have something very precious you do not wish to lose, you might consider leaving it with your family. That said, do not leave anything behind that you absolutely do not want to lose, as I do not know how long you will be a part of the Tower--it may very well be for the rest of your life.”
You gulp.
“Sorry, I’m not trying to scare you. The Hall has decided to grant you admission. It is a day to celebrate!”
----
Congratulations on your admission to the Tower, Ahmyra al’Ruley! More adventure awaits you!
Every day is the same. The clerk Planchett greets you. His wrinkled hand waves you through. Normally you’d stop to inquire about his day, but he doesn’t seem to be in the mood to talk. His square black hat rides low on his brow. Not a good day for him. So you hurry along to the clerk’s desk where you ask to speak to the Mayor as you tug your dress nervously. There’s no reason this day would be anything different from the last, or the one before, or the one before. The clerk wears a deep jade-colored dress that deepens the hue of her auburn hair. She smiles at you kindly, but you sense a bit of a pitying entwined in that smile. Your hands tighten around two fistfuls of dress as your arms stay tightly against your body. It’s about time to go back to the stable, return your clothes carefully to their hangar, and tell the stablemaster you’ll be here to help another day.
Every day is the same.
“You can go right in, Miss Ahmyra,” the clerk says to you kindly.
Joy flys through you. This is it! You’ve been admitted to the Tower! Everything is going to change! You barely stop yourself from sprinting through the wooden door. You contain your steps to high-heeled clicks on the shiny stone floor.
The mayor looks up from a page. She stands next to a desk at the far end of the chamber. “Ah Ahmyra, I’ve been expecting you. Punctual as always.”
“Miss Mayor, am I a novice now?”
Zandera smiles and states the official words.
“Congratulations, Novice Ahmyra. You are to report to Nymala Sedai of the Blue Ajah, as I understand it--a very shrewd woman. I doubt you will be able to get much past her. Remember to be respectful--to everyone. If you’re not sure of someone’s station, do not stare, curtsey, and call everyone by the highest title you think they could possibly have.”
“Am I to go... to the Tower by myself?”
The mayor looks confused for a moment. “Oh, yes dear. You are to gather whatever belongings you wish to take with you and go to the gates, where you will ask for Nymala Sedai and be permitted to enter. If you have a great deal of belongings, take care because I do not think you will be allowed to keep everything. If you have something very precious you do not wish to lose, you might consider leaving it with your family. That said, do not leave anything behind that you absolutely do not want to lose, as I do not know how long you will be a part of the Tower--it may very well be for the rest of your life.”
You gulp.
“Sorry, I’m not trying to scare you. The Hall has decided to grant you admission. It is a day to celebrate!”
----
Congratulations on your admission to the Tower, Ahmyra al’Ruley! More adventure awaits you!
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