Summoned (open)

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Alianora
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Summoned (open)

Post by Alianora » January 7th, 2018, 3:32 am

Liaran Sedai
As Liaran walked towards the Hall, the Aes Sedai was fully aware that every step she took brought her closer to her own death. Though she was nervous about the trial that would come before the inevitable, Liaran didn't fear the sentence that would surely follow it. She knew she'd earned it the moment she'd taken the rock in her hands and struck. Those same hands held her shawl tightly around her shoulders as she continued to walk, the only outward sign of her nerves. She resisted the urge to kick at the skirts that covered her legs. The light blue dress was far more ornate than she'd usually wear, but appropriate for the summons she answered. She felt trapped inside of it.

Reaching the Hall, Liaran took a deep breath and released her grip on the edges of her shawl, forcing her hands to her sides. Her head lifted slightly as she passed the spectators who had come to observe the rare sight of an Aes Sedai on trial. She felt calmer than she'd expected as she passed by them towards a single chair that faced five others and took her place in it. Her mind drifted to the lessons in Tower law she'd had many years ago as a novice, of the three judges, the Seat of Rebuke, and the Seat of Pardon who would together preside over a formal trial. She had not thought, then, that she would ever see one. Never in her life had Liaran thought herself capable of behavior that would result in being brought before the Tower for judgment.

Liaran sat up straight as she awaited the arrival of those who would try her, and tried not to think too hard about what was to come, though she could not avoid it entirely. She was ready, even willing, to confess to the murder she had committed. She'd known it was wrong almost as soon as she'd returned home and allowed herself to think about everything that had taken place during the war. What the Aes Sedai feared, and tied her stomach in knots, was the thought of being asked to explain why she'd done it. She did not want to relive those memories before anyone, let alone such a crowd of people, and she knew that she would be given no choice about it. The entire Tower would soon learn her most painful secrets, and Liaran thought that she might just welcome death after that. She took another deep breath, reminding herself that soon enough, it would be over, and she would receive the punishment she was certain she deserved.
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Bella
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Re: Summoned (open)

Post by Bella » January 11th, 2018, 12:08 am

Haeden Ives Gaidin
It was something that the blonde Gaidin had hoped would not happen or come to pass, but as was often said in the Warder Yards: Hope is a lousy plan.

He sat in the stands of observers not out of curiosity or requirement, but out of genuine concern. There was just something in him that drew him to the Blue Aes Sedai. Before, he had worried that it was just duty and then his sense of failure and guilt. But it felt like it went past that now, and he was very worried about what the judgement of the Hall would be.

To the point where he even wondered if he could help her escape should they call for execution. But he knew she was a Blue, and she was remorseful within herself. She would not consent.

It drew sorrow from somewhere in his core.

He tried to combat that sorrow--to fight with the weapons he had, like any good Gaidin--with hope that the Hall would not seek their most extreme verdict; that they would see the mitigating factors and show mercy.

Haeden's eyes lifted to where the seats of the Ajahs were, seeking his mother, but then reminded himself she was not there. She was ordered by Gareth to remain in bed, with the impending birth of his little brother or sister. There was another Green, and the Sitters, there in her stead to make the numbers needed. There would be no help there.

So he leaned forward in his seat, resting his elbows on his legs and resting his chin again his folded hands in the only sign of his anxiety as he watched Liaran sit and prepare herself.

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Andy
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Re: Summoned (open)

Post by Andy » January 11th, 2018, 1:12 am


There were few things that truly rankled him so far as to make him set foot in the Hall. The fact that one of the few whom had stood beside him, and others, however brief, against the Shadow could be tried into oblivion, was one of them. He was not a perfect human, far from it. He had made mistakes and he had killed those who may have been innocent. Black Ajah, White Ajah...it didn't matter. Not in reality. That much had been proved of late, sadly. Who could ever truly prove that those who fell in the heat of the moment were truly deserving?

I remember you Liaran, you are not a bad heart. We talked. Briefly admittedly, but I sensed no Shadow from you he thought as he sat, watching the proceedings.

He was Gaidin Captain and as such was afforded a closer seat than most but he wished he hadn't been. It was distasteful to him. What he saw was a farce. War was war. As he watched the idea that Liaran wanted this crept into his mind. It didn't make sense to him. Poised, ready. The Blue was that and much more. His mind flashed back to the things he had done for the Tower over the years. For its people. He had broken rules, many rules. Some of his best friendships had come from such things.

He was not sure that you could claim both murder and war in the same breath. At least not do so and be consistent. By definition the White Tower had not treated their prisoners of war that graciously. Even supposing that the Grey Tower was supposed to be 'better' it still left a whole slew of questions and philosophies that he was not sure many even tried to care about.

And so he sat, watched and listened. If the evidence was damning then he would stand by it. But he suspected that evidence was as malleable as perspective. Too many had suffered already. He would spare another if he could. Not that he thought he could have that much of an impact, all things considered.

~
Arafel Will Rise, Kick Matty's Butt & Be Totally The Most Awesome Land Evar
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Roan
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Re: Summoned (open)

Post by Roan » January 12th, 2018, 10:18 pm

Tia Sedai
A Blue Sister on trial for the murder of a White Tower Aes Sedai. Given what Jaren had been put through, what Tia, Andraste and the others had been subjected to when negotiating for his release, and the subsequent. . .war, short lived as it may have been? The Green looked around the hall feeling a great deal of uncertainty about what was about to take place.

Admittedly, Tia didn’t know all the details. She’d heard Liaran Sedai wasn’t supposed to be at the White Tower. She didn’t understand the reasons why her Blue Sister shouldn’t have been there, but part of her was more than a little thankful for her presence. It took every single person the Grey Tower sent to see to the freedom of Jaren, herself and the others, never mind the safety of the Learning Ranks.

How could anyone who was at the White Tower that fateful day come before the hall with the charge of murder laid before them?

Word was Liaran Sedai submitted herself to go before the Hall, which was more puzzling. Tia didn’t know Liaran well, but she wondered what compelled her to submit herself. Perhaps everything would become more clear as the trial progressed.

It was not lost on Tia that they were trying the Blue Sister and not Ninya Sedai. The former Amyrlin had killed one of her Accepted. Tia learned of Jesi’s death within hours of her return to the Tower. The Captain General, her own kin, had witnessed what happened, and seethed about the entire thing. That Ninya escaped that same day. . .given Mia was with child and due any day, she doubted her Great Memma would be on the hunt for Ninya soon, but she somehow doubted Mia would simple let others deal with the Darkfriend. Tia wasn’t sure she could let others deal with it, either, but that was a concern for another time.

Looking around the Hall, Tia saw her great Uncle Haeden looking. . .reserved. Not too far from him sat Alrim Gaidin. Both had been at the White Tower that day. Both knew what it was like. Would they speak on Liaran Sedai’s behalf if it came to it? Tia knew she’d step forward for the Blue, and suspected each and every person who’d been at the White Tower would do the same.

Was there such a thing as murder in the midst of war? That was more a question for the Blue, or perhaps the Grey to answer. For Tia, the world was a bit more black and white, in some respects. Could any evidence from that day be so damning? The Green sat back in her seat and crossed her legs, fighting the urge to tap her toe or get up and pace the back of the hall. She was not known for her patience or having the Aes Sedai calm facade, but she did her best to. . .sit still.
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Alianora
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Re: Summoned (open)

Post by Alianora » January 15th, 2018, 3:13 am

Liaran Sedai
The stands were nearly full, and every set of eyes rested on her. The scrutiny made Liaran nervous, though she did her best to ignore it and focus exclusively on the judges before her and the Sitters in their places. She had noticed, however, that Haeden had come though she had hoped, for his sake, that he wouldn't. Doesn't he know that I'll have to tell them all? She hated the thought that he'd have to sit and listen to her explain what the White Tower had done to her for a second time when he'd already had to hear it once, and worse, to witness it. She didn't let herself look at him, instead listening to the ceremonial words that would begin her trial.

"Who comes before the Hall of the Tower?"

She rose from her seat and spoke the appropriate responses calmly, though she could feel her heartbeat begin to speed up. A Sitter for the Grey stood to face her. Liaran kept her head high as the woman read out the charges against her.

"Liaran din Chelai Morning Star, Aes Sedai. You have been summoned before the Hall of the Tower to be judged for the crime of murder. Do you declare yourself to be innocent or guilty of this charge against you?"

"I am guilty," Liaran answered, though her voice remained strong. She'd convicted herself of it many days before she'd found the strength to submit herself to the Hall for trial. By now, Liaran believed that the execution she was sure to receive would be preferable to continuing to live with the crushing weight of guilt she'd felt since she'd returned from the war. She was more than ready to answer before the Hall for what she'd done.

The Sitter continued to question her. "You submitted yourself to us for judgment, claiming that you killed an Aes Sedai from the White Tower without provocation. Describe how this happened."

It was a simple enough question, and Liaran did not hesitate in her response. "During the war, I Traveled to the White Tower against a direct order from the Amyrlin Seat," she began. "I was trying to get to the basements, but I opened the wrong door and found one of their Aes Sedai sitting in a courtyard. I failed to control myself, and I found a rock and hit her over the head with it until I knew she was dead. I did this even though she never raised a hand against me." Her voice never wavered, and she appeared to be perfectly calm, but inwardly the Aes Sedai winced. Her crime sounded much worse now than when she'd told Haeden about it....but of course, Haeden knew how the woman had harmed her, something Liaran just couldn't bring herself to admit before the Hall. Light, but they must all think I'm a monster.

She tried not to think about how she would likely be forced into it as the trial continued. The Sitter nodded, asking, "What was your motivation for acting as you did?" Liaran didn't want to tell the entire truth of the matter. Beaten, stilled, left to die on the Tar Valon road.... Knowing that she couldn't say so, Liaran instead said, "I was angry with the White Tower for their actions against us. They kidnapped an Asha'man and held an entire peaceful delegation as captives. They had no right to do it, and I was so furious about the situation that I did not stop to think about what I did. And...I was afraid of the harm that might come to our people, and I would have done anything to prevent it."

Liaran was more nervous, now, afraid to be asked further about why she had been so angry, why she felt that their people were in danger. She knew she couldn't explain without describing her own experience, and she dreaded the thought. Confessing to murder, she thought, had been easy, compared to the idea of being made to tell the entire Hall, and a good portion of the Tower, what had happened to her, and how it had driven her actions during the war.

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Bella
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Re: Summoned (open)

Post by Bella » January 20th, 2018, 3:20 am

War.

It was the word raging inside everyone's minds, although obviously, Haeden could not know this. He knew that they were talking about a war, however. A short-lived one, when looking at the day the Grey Tower brought its wrath upon Tar Valon, but a war nonetheless, and one that was part of the biggest war of all.

Yet there was another war, and that was the one inside his mind. He knew there was more to this than what she was admitted to... He knew... He had found her on that road. Bloodied. Broken.

The other war was the one raging inside his head that made him want to leap to his feet and declare that harm had been done. She had been harmed, and gravely! And yet, he had sworn to her that he would not tell. And it was her secret to tell. Not his. He would not dishonor her by taking that control from her. He would not presume himself upon her.

But, oh, how it rankled him. He wanted her to tell the truth. Not to shade or color anything to defend herself, but to speak the full truth so that everyone understood what happened when she confessed this terrible thing.

If possible, his intense gaze became more intense. He wished that she would look at him so he could silently plead his case for her to make hers, but...she did not look in his direction. He clenched his hands into fists, but it was the only outward sign of his inner turmoil.

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Roan
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Re: Summoned (open)

Post by Roan » January 21st, 2018, 5:51 pm

Tia listened to Liaran’s testimony. She heard every word, and while she didn’t know Liaran well, what she’d heard didn’t quite fit the picture she had in her mind of the Blue. In the heat of battle, or the middle of a war, nothing was ever quite so black and white as one might think. The Blue’s testimony didn’t seem to leave any room for doubt.

She says she acted without provocation. She went there against the direct orders of the Amyrlin Seat. . .the very same Amyrlin who lashed a Dedicated until he bled and killed one of my Accepted. Why would the Amyrlin order her not to travel to the White Tower?

The last question resonated in Tia’s mind. Why indeed? The woman showed herself to be a Darkfriend. Black Ajah a little voice corrected. Hopefully, those who were questioning the Blue Sister would ask the right questions. In Tia’s mind, it couldn’t be nearly quite so black and white as Liaran was making it out to be. . . could it?
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Alianora
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Re: Summoned (open)

Post by Alianora » January 23rd, 2018, 10:36 pm

Liaran Sedai
The questioning continued, and Liaran felt frustrated. It seemed to her as if she were giving the same answers over and over, and the Aes Sedai did not see the point of it. She had killed, not during battle but out of pure anger. She could not provide an excuse for what she'd done, because there was none, and she knew it. She did her best to restate what she had said earlier, but Liaran did not even try to defend herself. She believed she deserved the execution that surely would be her fate at the end of this.

After some time had passed, the Grey Sitter finished asking her questions, and was replaced by another Sitter, also from that Ajah. This one was an Asha'man who towered over her, adding to Liaran's stress. He carried a stack of papers, and instead of asking her anything, told her to return to her seat. She did, though she did not understand why he had no questions for her. Liaran sat stiffly in her chair, feet flat on the floor and hands folded in front of her, as the Asha'man shuffled through the papers and then began to read.

The papers were quickly revealed to be the records the Grey Tower had kept on her during her time as a novice and Accepted. Most of what the Asha'man read Liaran recognized as being from her time as an Accepted, not so very long ago. She heard herself described as hardworking, obedient, dutiful, and though she knew these to be true, she also could not help but notice that her struggles as a novice were never mentioned, nor the time when she'd run away as a newly raised Accepted. Liaran felt that the positive picture he was painting of her was quite inaccurate, and it made her frown for a moment, until she realized what she was doing and stopped.

When he finished, she was not asked for her opinion on any of it. Instead, Liaran remained where she was to hear from two Aes Sedai from the White Tower who claimed to have seen her during the war. Both told similar stories of having crossed her path in the halls, and that she had not attacked either of them even though she could have. Liaran did not remember either woman, but that wasn't a surprise to her, since she'd been concerned only about reaching the dungeons as quickly as she could. She hadn't bothered to notice anyone who had not been a direct threat to her.

Finally, the Asha'man called her to the front once more. He spoke directly to her saying, "You claim that you killed a woman out of anger and a lack of self control. What your peers and former instructors have said of you doesn't fit with that. You were never mentioned as being angry, violent, or impulsive. In addition, Micara Sedai and Leocadia Sedai have said that you did nothing to harm them when you could easily have done so. Why is that, Liaran Sedai? What made you so angry with the woman you killed, when you so easily ignored others?"

Liaran felt like a fish, caught in a net without any hope of getting free. This was the question she'd feared for the entire trial, one she could not answer without reliving everything that the woman, and the White Tower, had done to her. Her head lowered slightly, her eyes fixed on a spot on the floor, and she somehow found the strength to answer.

"Micara Sedai and Leocadia Sedai never did anything to....harm me, but the woman I killed did, and that's why I was so angry," she said, much more quiet than she'd been earlier. "And...I was afraid, when I saw her......that she would do to the others what she did to me."

"You said earlier that she never raised a hand against you," the Asha'man commented.

Liaran shook her head. "During the war, she didn't." she agreed. "What she did to me happened before the war, and before the Feast of Lights....when the White Tower abducted me." She took a deep breath, knowing she would be made to speak of everything she'd been through in order to explain. She still couldn't help but think that execution just might be preferable to what she was about to do.

Alianora
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Re: Summoned (open)

Post by Alianora » January 28th, 2018, 9:20 pm

Liaran Sedai
"Explain yourself, Liaran Sedai," the Asha'man demanded. "How did this happen, and how was the woman you killed involved?" Nothing in his voice changed, but Liaran knew he had to have been surprised by what she'd just said. Her head lifted, but her eyes remained on the floor. She knew that if she looked up, and saw how many people were listening, she would not be able to speak of it. Unconsciously, the Aes Sedai pulled her shawl more tightly around herself, as if it could somehow protect her from the words she had to say, and the terrible memories that would accompany them.

When she began, her voice was quiet. "It happened when I left the Tower, responding to an inquiry the Tower had received about a possible wilder. I took one of our Gaidin with me, and everything seemed to be in order......but it was a trap." She deliberately left Haeden's name out of her account. He had nothing to do with her crime, and she did not want him associated with it in any way. "We were served tea, and I failed to recognize the forkroot in mine. When it.....took effect, the people I was there to meet were able to drag me from the room, and I saw more rush in to stop the Warder I'd brought from coming after me."

Liaran stopped to breathe before continuing. "They put me in a wagon, forced me to drink forkroot so that I couldn't move, and took me to the White Tower and left me in a cell. At first I was left alone, but after some time passed, the door opened, and that was the first time I saw her.....the woman I killed." She paused then, though she knew the Hall was waiting for her to speak, trying not to remember the darkness inside the cell where she'd been held. "She accused me of lying about being Aes Sedai, and though I told her that I came from the Grey Tower, that didn't matter. She told me I had two choices." A shiver ran through her, and Liaran couldn't stop it.

"She told me that because I could channel, I could choose to sign their novice book and enter the White Tower. If I did not, I would be severely punished for the lie they claimed I told. She....told me exactly what they would do to me, if I refused to sign." Liaran let herself look at Haeden then, but not for long, reminding herself that at least one person in the room would not be shocked by what she had to say next. She wasn't quite sure why his presence helped her keep speaking, but it did.

It was hard for her to continue, and her voice dropped to a near whisper. Liaran knew her words would be carried to the furthest corners of the Hall by the weaves that could amplify her voice, and she wished she could hide herself somewhere. It felt to her as if she stood before them all, ripping open wounds that had hardly begun to heal. "When they came for my decision, I refused to sign, and they bound me and took me out to a courtyard where I saw eleven Aes Sedai standing around a large wooden triangle, and beside that was the woman...the one I killed, holding a whip."

She could still remember it clearly, and Liaran briefly closed her eyes, then opened them again, struggling with the memory. "They tied me to this....triangle...and she beat me until I could barely walk. And.......when it ended....she, the woman I killed, she.....gathered the other twelve in a circle.....she led the circle, and they....." Liaran's voice faltered then, reluctant to think or say the word for what they'd done to her, though she knew it had to be said. The memories surged forward again within her, of hanging there, watching the shield advance on her, and the tearing agony she'd felt when it hit, something Liaran knew she would never forget, even if the Hall had mercy on her and allowed her to live.

The Aes Sedai took a deep breath and somehow made herself say it, slightly surprised she didn't choke on her own words.

"They stilled me."

She wasn't quite done speaking yet, but for the moment, words failed her.

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Bella
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Re: Summoned (open)

Post by Bella » January 31st, 2018, 10:05 pm

It was with relief and pain that Haeden listened to her begin to tell the story he knew she adamantly didn't want to tell anyone.

Much of this particular tale she had not even fully said to him, but he had seen much of it with his own eyes when he found her wandering down that dirt road. She had been beaten and bloodied, and the memory still stung on many levels within him. Part of him wanted to look away from her, for her pain and his own, but he didn't. It seemed...dishonorable to her to do so.

She spoke, and did not say his name. He watched, blinking and wondering why.

She's protecting me.

It hit him like a slap in the face. She wanted to protect him, when it was his failure that had not protected her. Emotion tried to strangle his throat, but he forced the stony Gaidin reserve around himself.

Oh, if he could but jump from these stands, he would have put himself between her and the Hall itself. But again, he would not dishonor her so, and she was clearly a woman of great independence. He had grown up around several of those and knew enough to not insult them with his own actions.

She chose to stand, and he would let her stand. Even if he wished to shield her instead.

When she looked at him, he tried to hold her gaze and convey what...strength and resolve he could give to her, but she only looked at him for a moment and then continued to the harder parts of the tale.

He sat, and he watched, and he listened...against all instinct to do more than any of those.

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