Three Arches (Solo Thread)

[Cadence]

Chapter 1: The First Arch

Kira followed the Mistress of Novices through the halls of the tower.  It was night, and that just seemed odd to her.  She traveled down flights of stairs to places she had never been before. She was finally brought to a domed room, where three silver arches stood.  Aes Sedai were there.  Kira had learned of the ceremonies here.  It was part of her training.

"Two things I will now tell you that no woman hears until she enters this room. The first is this: Once you begin, you must continue to the end. Refuse to go on, and no matter your potential, you will kindly be put out of the Tower with enough silver to support you for a year and will never be allowed to come back," the Mistress of Novices began. "The second: To sekk, to strive, is to know danger. You will know danger her. Some women have enter, and never come out.  When the ter'angreal was allowed to grow quiet, they were not there.  And they were never seen again. If you will survive, you must be steadfast. Falter and fail. You may refuse three times.  Refuse now and it will be one mark against you.  It is no shame to refuse.  Many have."

Kira thought about this for a moment.  It was a serious decision.  But the only thought that came to here was she had to be Aes Sedai. "I am ready."

They entered and an Aes Sedai, Kira thought she was a Red spoke. "Who do you bring with you sister?"

"One who comes as a candidate for Acceptance, Sister."

"Is she ready?"

"She is ready to leave behind what she was, and, passing through her fears, gain Acceptance."

"Does she know her fears?"

"She has never faced them, but is now willing."

"Then let her face what she fears."

Kira knew she faced her fears clad only in the light, so she removed her dress, folded it and set it aside. She approached the arch.

"The first time is for what was. The way back will come but once.  Be steadfast." the Mistress of Novices concluded.  Kira stepped through the Arch.

---

Kira was on the docks at Tear, the smell salt water and fish permeated the air.  She moved through the market, catching stares of passers-by. Suddenly she realized she was naked, and ran back home covering herself as best as she could.  She found a dress there and quickly put it on.  Her harp was by the door and she picked it up and was about to play when she was interrupted.

The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.

Kira's father approached. "Kira - time to go is all your stuff packed."

"Where are we going, father?" she said, this moment feeling incredibly familiar to her.

"We're going to Tar Valon, don't you remember?"

Oh no! Please not this!

The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.

"No, father, I don't want to go!"

Anger laced with fear etched her father's features. "You will go, witch!" He raised his hand to strike her.  This part was different. Her father had never hit her before.  Behind her father, a stone arch appeared.  It had not been there before.

The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.

Instead of cowering away, Kira ran towards her father, pushing him away.  It hurt to do that, but she had to make it to the arch.  She knew.  She stepped through

The Red sister raised a chalice over her and spoke, pouring the water over Kira. "You are washed clean of what sin you may have done and of those against you. You are washed clean of what crime you may have committed and  of those committed against you.  You come to us washed clean and pure, in heart and soul."

Kira could feel the tears struggling to push through as she remembered that day.  The day she had been abandoned. She held them back, just barely.  Took a few deep breaths and prepared to enter the second arch.