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 Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:31 am
Aradoa knew she was in trouble as soon as the Aes Sedai whirled around. She expected to be yelled at, but the Aes Sedai merely said "You will not ask an Aes Sedai where she has been until you are an Aes Sedai. Maybe you have forgotten that you are not. A trip to the Mistress of Novices might remind you. You will report there when I am finished with you."
"Yes, Aes Sedai. . ." Aradoa said meekly, curtsying and dropping her eyes.
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:40 am
"Now then," the Aes Sedai said, "let's see this knife of yours." Aradoa lifted her head quickly, clutching the knife to her bosom, fire burning behind her eyes.
"I'm not going to steal it or break it, child, do not worry." Aradoa gave one last moment of hesitation before reluctantly releasing the knife to the care of the Aes Sedai. Wel] she thought an Aes Sedai cannot lie. . .
"Thank you, child. Also when you're at the Mistress of Novices ask for your punishment to be doubled. Maybe that will help you remember not to hesitate or be defiant to an Aes Sedai."
"Yes, Aes Sedai. . ." Aradoa said, trying to sound meeker than she felt.
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:44 am
The Aes Sedai turned Aradoa's knife in her hands studying it. She unsheathed it, looking at the blade. "This is a very sharp knife"
"I sharpen it every night, Aes Sedai. It helps calm me down before bed."
"I see. Here you may have it back now," the Aes Sedai said, handing it back to Aradoa. Aradoa tried not to snatch it out of her hand, but barely managed not to. She saw an amuse look pass over the Aes Sedai, but nothing was said about visiting the Mistress of Novices again. Perhaps she figured I'm already going to be in enough trouble Aradoa thought spitefully.
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:51 am
"Sit down child," the Aes Sedai said as she sat down. Aradoa curtsied and gave a "thank you Aes Sedai" before she, too, sat down. "Now then," the Aes Sedai began, "I want you to hold your knife while we try this exercise again. Now close your eyes. Good, very good. Now imagine: you are a beautiful flower. . ." the Aes Sedai continued in an entrancing tone. . .
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:55 am
Aradoa listened, fully relaxed. She idly ran her fingers over the curves of her knife, tracing what she had traced a million times before. She was the rose. She was the petals. She was surrendering. Slowly the petals began to open, and she felt the warm rush of life flood into her like a waterfall. She drank up as much as she could, wanting even more of this ecstasy.
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:59 am
"You will stop that RIGHT NOW!" The Aes Sedai yelled. Startled Aradoa let go of the One Power, immediately feeling like she'd lost life all together.
"Do you know what you were doing?" The Aes Sedai said strictly, relief entering her eyes. "You could have stilled yourself trying to draw that much Power at this time!"
"I-I'm sorry, Aes Sedai," Aradoa replied, still in shock.
"It is okay, child, you just have to be more careful." She suddenly smiled. "Well it looks like we have figured out what your block is."
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:03 am
Aradoa looked at her puzzled. "What are you talking about? Isn't my block broken? I just embraced the Source."
"Just because you've embraced it doesn't mean your block is gone; the knife in your hands is what allowed you to do it. Practice a few more times with that knife embracing the source, and this time do NOT keep grabbing for more."
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:05 am
With the knife in her hands, Aradoa had no problem surrendering and feeling the life and warm fill her five more times. After the fifth time, the Aes Sedai took the knife away and asked her to embrace it again. As hard as she tried, she just could not do it. Tears of frustration leaked out of her eyes.
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:09 am
"Don't cry, child" the Aes Sedai said motherly.
"Why not? I feel like a failure! It's right there but I just can't get it!"
"Shhh. . .now don't you worry. Blocks come down. We'll figure it out, don't worry. No one is giving up on you, especially not yourself. Now dry your eyes. I have a few more things I'd like to try."
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:17 am
Aradoa dried her eyes and blew her nose. The Aes Sedai then opened the bundle she had brought in with her and handed Aradoa a knife.
"This is not my knife, Aes Sedai," Aradoa said.
"Do you think I don't know that, child?" she asked a tad annoyed. "You would do well to mention this to the Mistress of Novices when you go see her. . ."
Aradoa winced. So much for her thinking I'm going to be in enough trouble as is. . .
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:25 am
Aradoa took the knife and looked down at it. The sheath of the knife was rusted and in very poor condition. She took the knife out and examined the dull, poorly crafted blade. This is a terrible quality knife she thought. She looked up to the Aes Sedai questionably.
"I want you to hold this knife while we do the exercise again," she said to her pupil.
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:31 am
Aradoa focused again, holding the knife in her hand. She imagined herself as a flower, but the petals would not open up.
"Well, that helps," the Aes Sedai said.
"How can that help Aes Sedai? It didn't work."
"Who says it didn't work? Maybe I wasn't just testing to see whether or not you were able to be filled with the One Power. . ."
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:38 am
Aradoa thought she understood. Their lesson continued, each time trying with a better quality knife. Nothing seemed to work. The Aes Sedai gave Aradoa back her knife and asked her to try to embrace saidin with it again. Aradoa was able to do it without any trouble at all. The Aes Sedai took the knife, and put it in her bundle.
"What are you doing with my knife, Aes Sedai?!" Aradoa exclaimed loudly.
"Why I'm taking it with me, novice," she replied staring down at Aradoa, "and I will not have you talking to me like that again. Report to the Mistress of Novices right now and add this to what you need to be punished for."
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:44 am
"Please don't take my knife," Aradoa pleaded, tears forming in her eyes. "Please don't punish me this way. . .I know I failed today, but please don't take my knife from me for it. . ." The Aes Sedai looked down, the sternness on her face subsiding.
"I'm not taking your knife to punish you, child. I'm taking it because I want to see if you not having it in your possession will affect your block in anyway," she said softly. "You will get your knife back, I promise. Now off to the Mistress of Novices with you, and you don't have to report the last incident to her. It will be our little secret." The Aes Sedai put her hand on Aradoa's shoulder and squeezed reassuringly before leaving the room.
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 1:20 pm
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