Deeper Than the Void [Attn: Jack]

[Leala]

Jhanic had given thought to joining the ranks of the Indigo Ajah since he came to the Grey Tower. The Asha'man who had brought him here was from that Ajah. It also seemed like every time he turned around, there was something new to be learned. With so many interests and focuses to keep him occupied, it seemed like the perfect fit for him. He had not spoken to anyone in that Ajah seriously about joining, however. He was acquainted with Elia Sedai, and Asha'man Kalir had brought him here, and Jhanic had even taught him a bit about Aligning the Matrix. But, he did not know what this Ajah would expect of him. If he was going to join this Ajah's ranks, he would need to know what he would be aligning himself with. Even though denial into an Ajah was unheard of, he wanted to make sure that he was making the right choice, not only for himself, but for his future home as well.

And so, he found himself in the offices of all the Heads of Ajah. Jhanic had been told that he would find Asha'man Jerid here. He had taken his ter'angreal class what seemed long ago. That class had started him down his road of study of the instruments of the One Power. There was so much he could do, and so many limitations as well.

Loping down the hall, he found a door with Asha'man Jerid's full name and title on a plaque. He knocked on the door and waited. Standing up straight, he folded his hands behind his back, a posture he had picked up since starting his training here. It made people less uneasy to see an Aiel at attention, rather than relaxed. Jhanic and his spear brothers had a different way about them, though. They were always on-guard. And now, it was time for Jhanic to be on guard about his studies, and where they were taking him.

[Jack]

Jerid Walker's gold-flecked green eyes scanned the book on his desk, absorbing its contents. It was a recent acquirement, a treaties on ter'angreal written almost 150 years ago, almost as old as he was.

The dusty old tome, wrapped in leather, had been located in a very old part of the Grey Tower, in one of the closed off Asha'man apartments. The book was written by an Asha'man the First Seeker knew by name only; the man had passed some years before Jerid arrived at the Grey Tower.

The Asha'man was alone this day, his aide at the moment away tending to his own studies and his wife and Warder Lysira was in the Yards. Clad in Asha'man black, the indigo cord over his shoulder and the sword and dragon pins on his coat lapels, the youthful-looking First Seeker might have looked like a soldier or a scholar depending on his mood. The plain long knife at his side appeared a part of him.

Some of the contents he already knew, others were new to him, such that he would he would have to practice them in order to gain a grasp on it.

Of course, other matters awaited him as well. Two messages lay next to the book, one from his Eyes and Ears north of the Caralain, and a second coming from Ebou Dar. The Seanchan were stirring, receiving new ships and supplies.

That was never a good sign in Jerid's opinion. The Seanchan had attacked the Grey Tower once in the past, and found its armies crushed. Another force had attacked House Walker in the Caralain not twelve years ago, after the Asha'man and then-High Seat had retired to Walker Manor to tend to affairs there.

Walker Manor had fallen, but its people and refugees had been evacuated to House Walker's holdings in the Mountains of Mist. The Seanchan force … what few survivors were left had likely returned to the south with horrors had been inflicted.

He frowned, looking at the other note … when he heard a knock. The First Seeker frowned slightly, his gold-green eyes looking up. He placed the two missives in a drawer and closed the book, his right hand tapping the cover. The tips of his pinky and ring finger were missing, the results of a confrontation long ago.


“Enter,” Jerid said after a moment. Saidin lingered just a hair away.

The door opened, and the Indigo's eyes landed on a younger man that entered. That he was Aiel by heritage was an obvious sign to Jerid, not by the man's height or the red hair alone. It was the way he held himself, the way his body almost tended to be a living weapon. The scar that ran from the younger man's left temple to the chin was an indicator of fight.

Jhanic, Jerid thought. He remembered the lad from a class he once taught. “I see you Dedicated Jhanic,” the First Seeker said simply. “What can I do for you this day?”

[Leala]

When the First Seeker gave permission, Jhanic strode into the office. He was not disappointed with the amount of research that seemed to have accumulated in the space. Jhanic's own notes were taking up far too much space in his own quarters. He had a feeling that if he did not decide on the Indigos, that the Browns would not let him escape. He did not think the Browns were for him, however. Asha'man Jerid greeted him as another Aiel would have, and Jhanic was reminded of how welcome the Grey Tower had made him feel. Despite being forced to wear the coat and uncomfortable boots, and not being able to decorate his quarters as he wished, he still felt as though this place wanted him to fit in.

Walking up to the desk in front of him, he dipped a small bow. "I see you, Asha'man Jerid." He gave the Asha'man a small smile. "I came here today to discuss the Indigo Ajah with you. It first caught my interest when I came here and wished to know more about the One Power. Through my studies, the interest in studying Talents and ter'angreal has only increased. But, I'd like to speak with you more in depth about your Ajah, if you have the time." He stood next to the door, waiting patiently for instructions. After all, if the Asha'man did not have time for him, he could find something else to occupy his time with.

[Jack]

Jerid cocked his head, much as an owl would. His gold-green eyes bore holes deep into the tall younger man, as if attempting to peel back the layers.

It was rare these days that initiates came to him for lessons on the history of his Ajah. He left that to those who might have more time, or were more willing to talk, such as Illyria or Zae.

Jerid motioned for the Dedicated to close the door, and at the same time seized saidin. The storm of ice and fire came coursing through him, and he gained control of it with ease. He drew in just enough to channel flows of Air, removing the cushions from a pair of chairs that were in front of the massive wooden desk in this study. At the same time, he channeled a flow of Fire into a nearby teapot, just enough so that it steamed to near boiling.

The cushions fell to the floor nearby, and the Asha'man rose from his own seat. Before he motioned for Jhanic to sit, however, he gestured toward the tea. “You will prepare the tea. The water is already heated, but I will take mine without additions, lest you want to spend the next month replacing my current aide in his duties.”

If anything survived Jerid's reputation as the Master of Soldiers, it was that he was a strong taskmaster, and unorthodox in his punishments. After all, he had ordered a Dedicated to wear a dress one time to compliment the rule he had broken, just before he gave his blessing to go to the Band of Brothers Inn.

Jerid himself sat on a cushion, in some ways much relieved to be out of the chair. He was versed enough to know the only chair Aiel had was that used by a clan chief, and then only for official business. He had occasion to merit that occasion when he was so much younger and the rest … the rest came from a man who knew perhaps knew more about the Aiel on both sides of the Spine than any other person living in the Westlands.

“You are Tomanelle, are you not, Dedicated Jhanic,” Jerid said. While the younger man might not have worn a cadin'sor that might betray his clan and sept or society, the way he spoke was enough to tip the First Seeker off.

When Jhanic had come with the tea, he motioned to the cushion beside him and said, “It is good that your knowledge of ter'angreal is increasing, but it is not the sole purpose of the Indigo Ajah.”

That statement brought a simple smile to his lips. “The man who trained me, Daimenin al'Donai Asha'man, at the time the First Seeker and later known as the Carpenter M'Hael, or the Silent M'Hael, taught me one simple fact: Everything that is connected to the One Power is in our realm. We should not limit ourselves to items of the Power as the sole source of joining this Ajah.”

He sipped his tea, letting that tidbit of information sink in. “We are every bit the scholars as those of the Brown Ajah, and as theocratic as the White Ajah. Ours is the mission to identify new Talents, study their potential safely. There are those like myself who study not only ter'angreal, but also Portal Stones and Waygates. Some are matter specialists and others prefer to be more … generalists.”

He said the last one with a reverence most might reserve for a beloved monarch or leader. In his mind, those who chose to be generalists rather than adopt a speciality offered a unique perspective to his Ajah. He admired the works of specialists as well, but sometimes they might be … narrow in other areas of opinion.

“The Indigo is also unique, created at the time of the Grey Tower's founding because there was a realization for study specific to the One Power,” he said. “And one of the first and perhaps greatest First Seekers himself was Aiel, and the father of a daughter who became an renown Indigo in her own right.”

Another sip of tea, and his eyes were on the taller Aiel. “What specific questions do you have, Dedicated Jhanic?”

[Leala]

Jhanic's right eyebrow rose a fraction of an inch when he saw the First Seeker lay two cushions on the floor. He smiled. Many members of the Grey Tower could get by with a simple "I see you," but going an extra length to make him feel welcome was an unusual sight. He nodded when the Asha'man instructed him to make the tea. He was never a troublemaker, and didn't need the warning at the end, but he knew that not everyone was so compliant with authority. Jhanic silently prepared the tea for the both of them, keeping his own cup without additions as well. He made sure Jerid had his cup in hand before he sat in front of the Head of the Indigo Ajah. Ah, yes. This sitting position was much more natural than his simple wooden desk in his room, or even sitting with his legs folded on his bed. After he was raised, he would decorate his quarters his own way.

The Dedicated simply nodded at the man's assessment of his clan. Yes, this man had seen some time with the People. If their conversation was long enough, he would likely figure out which of the societies he had been a part of, simply from the context. He listened quietly, sipping the tea experimentally as Jerid spoke of his Ajah. Nearly every word his spoke cemented his want to join it. Jhanic had spoken of ter'angreal as just an example, but he was never one for pouring on words.

He shook his head. "Ter'angreal is perhaps one thing that has interested me since coming to the Grey Tower," he said thoughtfully. "Perhaps the first thing that caught my attention, really. Before Asha'man Kalir found my ability to channel, the One Power had been the realm of the Wise Ones, and my realm was amongst my spear brothers. At least in my clan, there is no role for male channelers to fit yet, so I came here for training." Jhanic reached up and scratched absentmindedly at his scar. This next part had been difficult to admit as a soldier, but now as a Dedicated, he saw it differently. "My spear brothers would all joke about how my attentions seemed to wander, but here, it means that I have a varied interest in studies. I can use my once weakness as a creative tool, I hope."

He was not used to speaking so much with someone he just met, but this meeting was important. He sipped on his tea for a moment before considering his questions. "When I am raised, I will likely join the Indigo Ajah," Jhanic began, considering his words, "but I would like to know what is expected of a member of the Ajah. I want to be able to represent both the Indigo Ajah and the Grey Tower properly when the time comes. Asha'man, what is it that you look for in the Brothers and Sisters of the Indigo?"

[Jack]

Jerid was careful in his evaluation of this Dedicated. The last two decades of his life taught him that much when it came to prospective people in his Ajah or those who would seek the shawl and cord.

Like the Dedicated, he had his own scars to show for those who turned from the Light.

Only, this younger man showed such promise. He was intent on the Indigo Ajah … but yet open in his options. When he was Dedicated … a position he held perhaps longer than most in this Tower's history … he was all but expected to choose the Indigo Ajah upon rising to the cord.

And for some time after, he showed promise before being raised by the Hall to become the Master of Soldiers, and then Keeper of the Archives.

Those years formed one truth in Jerid Walker's abilities: he was as much destined for the Indigo as he was the Green, and had things shifted left instead of right, he might have chosen differently.

Perhaps of all his brethren, the First Seeker was the most skilled battle channeler, and prone to study those aspects of the One Power than most.

“Yes, it would be expected of you in the past to walk north and attempt to blind the Dark One,” Jerid murmured, noting Jhanic's mention of the Wise Ones. Things had changed in the last near two centuries, so it seemed, and more so in the last 150 since saidin had been cleansed.

In many ways, this Dedicated was more fortunate than Jerid's distant predecessor, who went to the Blight to spit in the Dark One's eye. The taint had yet to be cured and … he had left a mighty Aes Sedai alone with a daughter.

In many ways, Liana en'Damier had come to embody the aspects of both the Indigo Ajah and the Green. She was a child of both, with quiet bravado and ingeniousness born of both parents. She was among the first to be identified with the talent for reading ter'angreal in the Grey Tower, and one of the few whom could claim Jerid Walker's loyalty.

He sipped his tea quietly, listening to the Dedicated's expectations and stories. The younger man appeared bright enough. He expected no less of anyone born to the Aiel clans; where most thought them savages, Jerid knew otherwise. He'd walked among them for months at a time during his various self-exiles from the Tower.

But when the boy asked next what was expected of him, Jerid calmly set his tea down and tapped the boy's skull. And then his chest where his heart lay.

“That,” he said plainly. “You are expected to use your mind and listen to your heart before anything else. I would have my Ajah grow, but only if those who seek to join it are truly dedicated to its cause.”

He smiled faintly. “When I was younger than you, barely into my teens, I was a thief in the Rahad of Ebou Dar when the Seanchan Empire conquered us. I grew up in a city, not knowing I had been lost by my parents and raised by a good man who died years earlier. By 17, I was a leading a cell of fellow thieves against the Seanchan who dared enter the Rahad in search of women to collar.”

His smile vanished. “I channeled one night and that changed my path forever. I eventually came here and discovered a Talent for creating objects of the One Power,” Jerid said. “When I was a Dedicated, I learned that I had a singular gift for … battle. Of all the Indigo Ajah you'll meet, you'll probably find me the most likely to … be like a Green.”

There was no false humility in his voice, only simple fact. Among his own Ajah, Jerid was the most battle hardened. The Battle of Lights and the subsequent attack by the forces of the Fiery Serpent proved that. The Seanchan on this side of the Aryth Ocean had since spoken of him as nightmares told to their children as the demon with the golden eyes.

He considered Jhanic for a moment before cutting to the heart of his question.

“What is expected of the Indigo Ajah is first be true to your intent,” he said. “We are explorers, scholars, tinkerers and makers. And when the Last Battle comes, we must act as tacticians and experts in the field of innovation, and if necessary, as soldiers.”

He tilted his head and then asked a very serious question. “What is your expectations as a proper member of the Indigo Ajah?”

[Leala]

Jhanic was quite enjoying his talk with the First Seeker. This man had obviously traveled and done a great many things in his search for knowledge in the One Power. He was not so sure about his comment about blinding the Dark One. "Sight-Blinder" was one of many names used for the Dark One among the Aiel. Before the taint on Saidin had been cleansed, men who could channel among the Aiel were sent to try to defeat the Dark One, although all had known that this was a fruitless task. It was, however, a good way to send a man destined for madness off with a little dignity and a way to keep his ji. Jhanic was very fortunate to have been born after the taint had been cleansed. He hoped that one day men who could channel living among his people could have a role amongst them, but for now, the only way to ensure that they could be trained would be to leave the Three-Fold Land.

Jerid Walker leaned forward after Jhanic asked what would be expected of him upon joining the Indigo Ajah, and tapped his head and his chest. The gestures were unexpected, to say the least, but the message was clear. The foray into research about the One Power would be a treacherous one, and he would need sound judgment if he were to come out on the better end of it. The Asha'man's story of how he had come to have a talent for battle piqued his interest. Had he not found such a good fit with his varied interest, Jhanic likely would have gone to the Green Ajah as well. It had been a long time since he had danced the spears, but a part of him still longed for that complicated dance.

The prospect of serving such a grand purpose in the Last Battle certainly caught his attention. To be a scholar and a warrior. Before he came here, he had been singularly concentrated on being a good warrior. That was his place. He had never given thought to becoming a scholar as well. When the Asha'man asked him what he expected of the Ajah, he took a moment to pause. Wouldn't he expect the same thing from his Ajah brothers and sisters that the Head of the Ajah did? But, this question was more than what it seemed. This was a chance for Jerid Walker to know Jhanic's heart and mind on the matter.

"When I first started my training in the Grey Tower, I saw how much potential the One Power has for the world, and that it must be respected, in order to use it properly, much like wielding the spear. Only my teachers would be able to give me a proper assessment, but I've tried to maintain a high level of respect when learning anything new, and truly anything at all with the One Power. Along with what you've already told me, I would expect the Brothers and Sisters of the Indigo Ajah to show the same respect to each other, for the same reason. What the Indigo Ajah does is as dangerous as it is necessary to the world. If the members of this Ajah do not treat each other with respect, I would expect something would go unseen or misused." He smiled after speaking on this theory. "Hearing you speak of the members of this Ajah, I can tell that you have this respect. And from what has been said between us, I would be proud to work under your guidance when the time comes."

[Jack]

Jerid's eyes were focused on Jhanic as he spoke. The Aiel seemed to grasp the finer points of the Indigo Ajah, or at least as much as those Dedicated and Accepted who would be Raised to its ranks.

If there was one truth, Jerid was rare among his own Ajah. He was a soldier in an Ajah of explorers, but still held to some of the tenants with a passion.

But then most of his Ajah chose their own paths or courses of study. Liana en'Damier and Aric Asha'man in their day was one of the preeminent experts on ter'angreal. Lembirt was extremely knowledgeable in Talents.

Jerid long ago accepted he was a soldier, and most of his studies were directed that way.

And the young Aielman appeared to appreciate the fact that the Indigo Ajah was full of its own dangers. Ter'angreal and other objects of the One Power were something not to be trifled with. More so, he seemed to apply that to the One Power as well, something most channelers didn't seem to grasp as they grew older and more skilled.

One had to respect the ability and wield it responsibly. Abuse of one's ability or the Talents they possessed risked punishment, or worse, inquisition from the Red Ajah.

“The Indigo Ajah would be fortunate to have you, Dedicated Jhanic,” Jerid said calmly. “There is one thing you must understand, though, and it is that the road will not always be an easy one. As you've noted, disrespect or darker motivations within the Ajah could cause misuse of authority or straying from the tenets that this Tower was founded on.”

It was something he would not condone in his Ajah. Not as long as he had one breath left in him.

“You must also realize that every member of the Indigo Ajah is different,” he added. “There are some like me who are more … prone to the martial side. Then there are those who are scholarly like the Browns or philosophical like the Whites. Many more are cautiously hands-on or focus on practical applications after working out theories.”

[Leala]

Jhanic began to feel more confident about his decision to join as he spoke with Jerid. He was certain that he could fulfill the expectations of the First Seeker, at the very least. He had learned a lot about the lands past the Three-Fold Land, and had come to gain a respect that he didn't have at first. He still felt like the warrior who had barely fit into the black coat of a soldier and the uncomfortable boots. He still felt the boots were uncomfortable, but he wore the coat and the sword pin with pride now. He did not know when the Master of Soldiers was planning on testing him for the dragon pin and cord of his choice, but he felt confident that he would reach this place now.

He smiled when Jerid Walker said that the Indigo Ajah would be fortunate to have him. And he definitely understood that life confronting the mysteries of the One Power would not always be easy. Nothing in the dream of life was easy at all times. Perhaps with the respect he had learned for the different people of the wetlands, for the One Power, and for the members of his future Ajah, he would be able to come out on the other end.

Finishing off his tea, he nodded at the words of the First Seeker. "This has been a great help, Asha'man Jerid. It has given me much to think about, and I think it will also help in my future goals. I've found that keeping an open mind and a good amount of discipline has helped me in more way than one since coming to the Grey Tower, and I will continue to strive for those things after I am raised. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Enjoyed our conversation, and I believe I will still choose the Indigo when I am tested. I owe you a toh for this meeting, and I will be happy to pay it at your bidding." Since Jerid had been so willing to show respect for Aiel culture, Jhanic offered the same respects to him with an offered hand to shake to seal an agreement.