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A Warder is Made by
Aelric
Gaidin
and
Niniane
Sedai Aelric
Calrillian
looked
critically
at
the
shine
on
the
boot
held
in
his
hand.
Its
partner
had
just
been
vigorously
polished
to
military
specifications
and
he
wanted
both
to
gleam
as
if
the
two
were
mirror
images
of
one
another.
He
sat
the
one
boot
next
to
its
mate
and
looked
over
the
entire
ensemble
laid
out
on
his
bed.
Black
leather
boots
now
ready
to
pass
any
inspection,
soft
woolen
socks,
dove-grey
woolen
hose,
a
serviceable
black
leather
belt
with
the
golden
buckle
bearing
the
Calrillian
coat
of
arms,
white
silk
shirt
(made
sparkling
white
by
a
bit
of
saidin-wrought
cleaning),
dark
forest-green
doublet,
and,
hanging
from
the
post
on
the
door,
a
dark-grey
woolen
cloak.
Yes,
this
would
go
well
with
his
scapular-length
black
hair
and
grey
eyes.
Aelric
did
not
imagine
himself
handsome,
but
he
had
his
own
sense
of
style
and
he
meant
to
do
Niniane
Sedai
honor
by
looking
his
best.
Padding
over
to
the
tub
he
had
constructed
in
his
quarters
in
the
Ashandarei
hall,
Aelric
channeled
flows
of
fire
to
heat
the
water
and
settled
himself
to
a
quick
bath.
He
contemplated
the
long
white
streak
in
his
hair
that
originated
in
a
scar
at
his
forehead.
Aelric
remembered
back
to
that
horrible
day
and
choked
back
the
emotion
that
the
memory
brought.
He
had
never
determined
what
had
happened
to
his
beloved
sister
that
fateful
day
when
the
Myrddraal
and
Trollocs
had
attacked
their
travelling
party.
Only
a
frail
scholar
at
that
time,
he
had
been
unable
to
protect
himself
much
less
his
sister.
The
scar
at
his
forehead,
and
the
lock
of
white
hair
originating
from
it,
had
come
from
the
touch
of
the
Shadowspawn's
foul
blood
shed
when
a
rescue
party
arrived
and
drove
off
the
Halfman
with
crossbow
fire.
Aelric
wondered
what
his
birth
parents
would
think
of
what
he
had
made
of
himself;
now
a
scant
hour
from
being
bonded
as
a
Warder
to
Niniane
al'Valon
Sedai,
Sitter
for
the
Green
Ajah,
of
the
Jhirad
Sept
of
the
Goshien
Aiel.
His
father
had
always
wanted
him
to
follow
in
the
warrior
tradition
of
Arafel
and
had
never
been
satisfied
with
Aelric's
youthful
pursuit
of
life
as
a
scholar.
'Well',
thought
Aelric,
this
would
have
to
do,
though
he
did
not
affect
much
in
the
way
of
traditional
Arafellan
dress.
Aelric
stood
from
the
bath
and
dried
himself
with
a
soft
towel.
On
the
other
hand,
neither
did
he
look
much
like
a
Saldean,
the
land
of
his
adoption.
The
Fade's
blood
upon
his
forehead
had
erased
his
memory
and
he
had
been
adopted
by
a
Saldean
soldier.
Only
years
later
had
Aelric's
memory
been
restored,
when
healed
by
a
passing
Yellow
Sister,
Iliana
Sh'mur
Sedai
-
the
current
Keeper
of
the
Chronicles.
The
sword
lying
in
its
well-worn
scabbard
at
the
foot
of
the
bed
however,
was
of
Saldean
make
-
a
gift
from
his
adoptive
father
when
Aelric
had
been
promoted
to
Ashandarei.
Though
not
power-wrought,
the
blade
was
forged
by
the
finest
craftsman
in
Saldaea
and
made
of
an
iron
ore
found
in
an
unusual
crater
located
in
the
extreme
northwest
of
the
country.
The
blade
held
a
unique
orange-blue
cast
and
was
incredibly
sharp
and
resilient
compared
to
most
metals.
Aelric
again
wondered
how
his
adoptive
father
could
have
afforded
the
blade;
only
the
wealthiest
nobles
typically
bore
them.
Looking
at
the
water-clock
on
his
dresser,
Aelric
made
haste
to
complete
his
dressing.
The
last
item
to
complete
the
picture
was
the
beaten
silver
ring
used
to
hold
his
hair
at
the
base
of
his
neck.
It
was
the
only
item
he
owned
from
his
mother.
He
only
vaguely
remembered
her,
for
she
had
died
while
Aelric
was
still
quite
young,
but
its
nearness
seemed
to
keep
her
memory
alive.
He
had
not
yet
told
Niniane
Sedai,
but
he
had
arranged
to
have
several
emeralds
placed
into
the
silver
ring
to
honor
her
and
the
Green
Ajah.
Aelric
though
it
fitting
that
an
item
from
the
woman
who
had
given
him
life
should
become
one
that
would
call
to
mind
the
woman
he
was
about
to
pledge
that
life
to
protect.
Taking
a
last
look
around
the
room,
for
he
would
now
move
to
quarters
for
Gaidin
in
the
Halls
of
the
Green
Ajah,
Aelric
made
sure
all
was
ready.
As
he
finished
his
final
self-inspection,
a
knock
on
the
door
heralded
his
escort.
Opening
the
door,
Aelric
looked
at
the
friends
he
had
made
during
the
intense
training
each
had
received
over
the
past
few
years;
other
Ashandarei
and
senior
Dai-Katanas
of
the
White
Tower.
Garic
Lisown
of
Kandor,
Davian
Aereas
of
Amadicia,
Tarrent
Elderoni
of
Malkieri,
Sorhan
al'Danielle
of
Mayene,
Arifis
Koren
of
Shienar,
Ryu
Hayabusa,
and
Gantoris,
Anthonius,
Malkier,
and
Gavin.
Acting
as
Aelric's
man-at-arms
was
young
Cordazar,
a
new
Katana
to
the
Tower.
Nodding
to
these
men
with
whom
he
had
shared
the
rigors
of
the
practice
yards
(and
not
a
few
adventures
with
a
variety
of
novices),
they
turned
about
in
order
of
seniority
and
lead
Aelric
to
a
room
deep
in
the
root
rock
of
the
White
Tower.
Aelric
took
a
deep
breath
as
their
column
approached
the
open
broad
double
doors.
Here,
one
could
feel
the
weight
of
the
White
Tower,
and
the
responsibility
thus
borne
by
all
Aes
Sedai.
As
each
man
in
the
escort
entered,
he
turned
right
and
left
in
sequence
joining
others
that
would
witness
the
bonding.
As
Aelric
arrived
at
the
door,
he
paused
awaiting
the
sign
to
proceed
and
looked
at
the
spectacle
before
him
while
doing
his
best
not
to
be
seen
doing
so.
The
room
had
a
large
vaulted
ceiling
giving
an
ambiance
of
space.
The
whole
chamber
was
dark,
broken
only
by
strategically
placed
torches
or
lights
wrought
by
Saidar.
Aelric's
aesthetic
sense
was
pleased
by
noting
that
lighting
was
most
effective
against
a
backdrop
of
its
absence.
Immediately
before
him,
forming
a
double
line
through
which
he
must
pass,
stood
the
Gaidin
of
the
Green
Ajah.
Among
them
stood
Darshan
Barshavrem,
Fared,
Saateph,
Balak
Halfhand,
Palis
Santhan,
Usal,
Kalin,
Jaim,
Rajara
Tiger's
Claw,
and
Gawaine.
At
the
head
of
either
line
stood
Janus
Kirin,
the
Tower's
Master-of-Arms
and
Hilarion
Gaidin,
bonded
to
Niniane
Sedai,
who
shortly
Aelric
would
call
brother,
joined
by
a
bond
of
loyalty
to
the
woman
who
sat
upon
a
chair
situated
atop
a
broad
dais.
The
Accepted
standing
at
the
doorway
nodded
to
Aelric
having
received
the
signal
to
begin.
Aelric
was
pleased
to
see
Kirasu
Terelon
whom
he
had
met
soon
after
entering
the
White
Tower.
Aelric
then
proceeded
to
walk
up
to
the
foot
of
the
dais,
between
the
double
line
of
grim-faced
men,
men
sworn
to
Aes
Sedai
of
the
Battle
Ajah,
men
who
together
stood
ready
to
fight
at
Tarmon
Gai'don,
the
Last
Battle
with
the
Dark
One.
Aelric
and
Hilarion
exchanged
nods
as
the
former
passed
and
Aelric
could
at
last
look
upon
Niniane
Sedai.
She
was
flanked
by
her
Sisters,
standing
in
rows
to
either
side.
Among
them
stood
Ariakas,
Dalina
al'Maerian,
Miera
Songer,
Kharo'lin
Beregon,
Fariinya
En'Drangor,
Kasera
Madreni,
Kerilaine
Ellorien
(the
Mistress
of
Novices),
Ninaeve
Demodred,
Leanna
Anshar,
Sora
a'Desaan,
Catalina,
and
Jendaia
Rhiannon.
Niniane
Sedai
managed
to
maintain
her
calm
Aes
Sedai
exterior,
but
it
was
a
difficult
task.
Was
she
ready
for
this
so
soon?
It
seemed
like
Ji'an
and
Quester
had
just
left
her.
True,
she
was
in
need
of
more
than
one
Warder,
and
she
and
Aelric
had
always
gotten
along
well.
She
had
intended
to
ask
him
to
bond
with
her
before
the
death
of
her
other
Gaidin,
but
it
just
seemed
to
be
happening
so
quickly.
Glancing
at
Hilarion
she
was
somewhat
reassured.
He
too
had
been
shaken
by
the
deaths
of
his
brother
Gaidin,
but
thought
that
this
was
a
necessary
and,
more
importantly,
a
good
match.
He
liked
and
respected
Aelric.
Unconsciously
Niniane
smoothed
her
skirts.
She
wasn't
comfortable
in
these
heavy
gowns
that
wetlanders
wore,
although
she
had
to
admit
that
they
were
beautiful.
The
green
silk
Andorean
dress
was
lovely,
but
a
bit
much
for
her
tastes;
she
longed
for
her
simple
white
cotton
skirt,
or
better
yet
her
cadin'sor.
The
occasion
however,
demanded
a
great
deal
of
formality.
Quickly,
before
Aelric
entered,
she
smoothed
her
red/gray
hair,
making
sure
it
was
staying
in
its
tight
bun.
She
glanced
at
Kerilaine
who
smiled
understandingly
at
her.
She
ignored
the
fact
that
Hilarion
was
unsuccessfully
trying
to
hide
a
smirk.
She
briefly
touched
the
pendant
that
her
first
Warder,
Sasha,
had
given
her.
His
loss
had
faded
with
time,
but
would
never
be
healed
completely.
She
knew
the
pain
of
losing
Quester
would
also
fade
with
time,
however
the
emptiness
left
by
Ji'an,
who
had
also
been
her
husband,
would
never
fade.
The
bracelet
angreal
he
had
given
her
at
their
wedding
seemed
to
weight
a
thousand
pounds,
but
she
took
comfort
in
the
fact
that
Ji'an
would
have
approved
of
Aelric.
It
seemed
that
she
had
held
and
lost
too
many
Gaidin
for
one
person
-
she
was
determined
it
would
not
happen
again.
Deciding
it
was
now
or
never
she
raised
one
finger
to
the
Accepted
by
the
door.
She
watched
as
Aelric
walked
towards
the
dais,
passing
the
battle-hardened
men
bonded
to
her
sisters.
Was
it
fair
of
her
to
make
him
join
their
ranks?
Bonded
to
a
White
or
a
Brown,
she
knew
he
could
also
pursue
the
intellectual
life
he
loved
so
well.
She
watched
as
he
and
Hilarion
exchanged
nods,
and
then
he
looked
up
and
met
her
eyes.
She
knew
in
that
instant
that
this
was
a
man
now
destined
for
battle,
who
would
have
never
bonded
with
someone
who
wasn't
also
devoted
to
the
direct
destruction
of
the
Shadow
and
his
loathsome
minions.
She
touched
her
bracelet
and
pendant
again,
this
time
for
a
different
reason.
Although
Aelric
was
the
one
taking
the
oath,
she
privately
swore
that
she
would
not
live
to
put
another
Warder
in
the
ground.
They
would
stand,
all
three
of
them,
together
at
Tarmon
Gai'don
and
she
would
make
the
Shadow
pay
for
what
he
had
taken
from
her,
from
all
of
them.
This
good
man
was
pledging
his
life
to
protect
her
yet
little
did
he
know
how
hard
his
job
was
going
to
be,
considering
her
resignation
to
die
before
she
lost
another
Gaidin.
He
was
willing
to
give
his
life
for
her,
and
she
was
willing
to
die
to
see
that
wasn't
necessary.
As
he
approached
her,
her
fears
were
quieted.
The ceremony was itself simple and yet eloquent. Aelric stood at the foot of the dais. Speaking out in a clear voice "I, Aelric Calrillian, son of Tehan and Arwen Calrillian of Arafel, Ashandarei to the White Tower, do now come to offer my life and my sword to the service and protection of Niniane al'Valon Sedai, Sitter for the Green Ajah, of the Jhirad Sept of the Goshien Aiel. To this I so pledge my hope of Salvation and the Sight of the Light Eternal." Then ascending the dais to kneel at Niniane's feet, Aelric pulled forth his sword laying it upon her lap. As Aelric placed his hands with palms together, Niniane Sedai took them between her own saying, "thus do I accept your covenant under the Light. Together, we will fight the Shadow for as long as Life breathes in us." Then taking Aelric's head between her hands, Niniane embraced Saidar, the female half of the True Source, and weaving the complex flows bonded Aelric to her. Momentarily, a look of wonder came across Aelric's face as he became AWARE of Niniane in a new and wonderous way. "Rise Gaidin" said Niniane softly, and Aelric arose, a newly made Warder. |