It was the beginning of autumn in Tarabon, but the late afternoon had a balmy heat more reminiscent of Illian's climate. The leaves had started to turn, hues of green giving way to orange and gold and brown. It was quite beautiful, especially now that the sun was setting. Ninya stood on the manor's western balcony, a crystal flute of Tairen white wine in hand, appreciative of the sight.
The former Amyrlin didn't appear much different from when she used to walk the hallways of the Grey Tower. She was made up in a blue-and-silver dress over a white corset, and her long waves of black hair were pulled back with a silver comb. There was an air about her that would have commanded the attention of all, but she wasn't presently with company. A few servants were in the kitchen preparing the evening's meal, but other than that, she was alone.
Sipping on her wine, Ninya wondered how long she could remain in this place and within this role. The manor was nothing like the Grey Tower, but it was spacious enough for her present desires. The library was slowly being filled with books, but she read at a voracious rate. There was little else to do without the trappings of being Aes Sedai. She read, she drank wine, and she occasionally socialised. From the most powerful woman anywhere to a lady of leisure. It was far from the worst fate she could have received.
When the sun finally vanished behind the hills in the distance, Ninya returned indoors. She took a chair near the window, well-lit by a golden candelabra, and returned to her current read. Between the heat and the wine, she felt herself drifting off. The words on the page seemed to dance around, but she felt a contentment that she could just sleep. Clumsily placing the book aside, Ninya curled into the plump cushion of the chair and fell asleep.
Ninya found herself back in her home in the Grey Tower. A sourceless brightness illuminated her apartments and the world beyond its walls. With a quill in hand, she wrote on the pages on the desk before her. Contentment filled her. This was where she was meant to be.
She felt the weather change. Looking outside, the sky turned into a deep shade of purple. Lightning shot up from the ground towards black storm clouds. Ninya could taste fear on the wind. She was outside, looking beyond the walls of the Tower towards where the lightning originated.
Without looking, Ninya knew that others had joined her. They were aligned against the force that was approaching them. They could smell the danger nearing. Lightning burst forth from the ground again, closer this time. In answer, a flurry of white-hot blasts blew apart the Tower's walls.
"The wards have failed!" one of her compatriots cried out.
Thick clouds of vapourised stonework blocked their view of Hama Valon. The clouds swept towards the Tower like a tsunami, at first consuming the stables, then engulfing the Warder Yards as it approached. Ninya raised a hand, shielding her eyes before the veil of atomised grey struck--
She awoke with a start, hazel eyes darting about with concern before she realised where she was. A dream, she thought. A heat crossed her cheeks. Scaring myself with a dream. Tsking softly at herself, Ninya picked up the wine glass and finished it off, then rose from the chair, stretching out stiffened muscles.
"Time to see what the cooks have prepared." Lifting up her book, she walked through the candlelit room into the hallway, curious to see what this evening had in store.
The former Amyrlin didn't appear much different from when she used to walk the hallways of the Grey Tower. She was made up in a blue-and-silver dress over a white corset, and her long waves of black hair were pulled back with a silver comb. There was an air about her that would have commanded the attention of all, but she wasn't presently with company. A few servants were in the kitchen preparing the evening's meal, but other than that, she was alone.
Sipping on her wine, Ninya wondered how long she could remain in this place and within this role. The manor was nothing like the Grey Tower, but it was spacious enough for her present desires. The library was slowly being filled with books, but she read at a voracious rate. There was little else to do without the trappings of being Aes Sedai. She read, she drank wine, and she occasionally socialised. From the most powerful woman anywhere to a lady of leisure. It was far from the worst fate she could have received.
When the sun finally vanished behind the hills in the distance, Ninya returned indoors. She took a chair near the window, well-lit by a golden candelabra, and returned to her current read. Between the heat and the wine, she felt herself drifting off. The words on the page seemed to dance around, but she felt a contentment that she could just sleep. Clumsily placing the book aside, Ninya curled into the plump cushion of the chair and fell asleep.
Ninya found herself back in her home in the Grey Tower. A sourceless brightness illuminated her apartments and the world beyond its walls. With a quill in hand, she wrote on the pages on the desk before her. Contentment filled her. This was where she was meant to be.
She felt the weather change. Looking outside, the sky turned into a deep shade of purple. Lightning shot up from the ground towards black storm clouds. Ninya could taste fear on the wind. She was outside, looking beyond the walls of the Tower towards where the lightning originated.
Without looking, Ninya knew that others had joined her. They were aligned against the force that was approaching them. They could smell the danger nearing. Lightning burst forth from the ground again, closer this time. In answer, a flurry of white-hot blasts blew apart the Tower's walls.
"The wards have failed!" one of her compatriots cried out.
Thick clouds of vapourised stonework blocked their view of Hama Valon. The clouds swept towards the Tower like a tsunami, at first consuming the stables, then engulfing the Warder Yards as it approached. Ninya raised a hand, shielding her eyes before the veil of atomised grey struck--
She awoke with a start, hazel eyes darting about with concern before she realised where she was. A dream, she thought. A heat crossed her cheeks. Scaring myself with a dream. Tsking softly at herself, Ninya picked up the wine glass and finished it off, then rose from the chair, stretching out stiffened muscles.
"Time to see what the cooks have prepared." Lifting up her book, she walked through the candlelit room into the hallway, curious to see what this evening had in store.