A Game of Letters (Part 1)

[Linka]

Synopsis: Having just arrived in Tar Valon, Linka begins writing home to her family. She describes the same events differently to all parties in order to create political advantage for herself. Part 1 describes her arrival in Tar Valon and induction into the White Tower.


Beloved Mother,

I have arrived in Tar Valon at last. The journey took most of a month which couldn’t be helped given the size of the entourage. I wonder if by the by we might not consider a third ship, as I suspect it would have been more comfortable to ride make the trip by river regardless of its disagreeable effect on the horses. I’m told one of the servant girls ran off in some village, but it doesn’t seem much of a loss.

Upon my arrival I was adequately met and ushered into the chambers of one Chloro Sedai. Perhaps you can make discrete inquiries into her as I understand she is a diplomat of some kind, rather than an Aes Sedai of the more reclusive sort. She put me through an abominable ordeal with the help of an Accepted, a peasant girl of no account, at the end of which she declared that I was able to channel and could be trained. Even though this is what I professed to hope for, I must confess that I felt a pang of trepidation when she made her announcement. This grew considerably when it was explained to me that I would be required to do menial labor like a scullery made and sleep in a hovel with dozens of other girls and not a maid between us! Worse still this Chloro took it upon herself to send my servants away! Apparently they obeyed this directive and returned to Cairhien on her say-so alone. I will leave it in your capable hands to administer appropriate correction for this behavior but Sealans at least should be turned out of the household for abandoning his post without my say so, beatings may suffice for any of the others you deem salvageable.


Of the indignities I have suffered during my first week here I shall not tell you, other than that these tasks are vile and much beneath one of my breeding. The labor is quite unnecessary, as they could, with a few weaves accomplish everything in seconds, or use their vast wealth to employ competent and loyal servants to fulfill the task. Their rationale for imposing them is the same as any army which forces recruits to labor together on menial tasks, to break everyone down to the same level. Some here even claim to enjoy the work, evidence no doubt of upbringings too mean to be imagined.


Of course I shall endeavor to endure it. There is much here to be learned, though little of it, I suspect, is to be found at the bottom of a dirty soup pot or in cleaning cobwebs out of some dusty corridor. As to the events that brought me here Chloro Sedai seems to believe that I bear some measure of the responsibility. I personally shall not weep for it, even though it has brought me to this place. I trust that you shall remain vigilant on this point, both for me and for yourself.


Your Obedient Daughter
Linka


_________________________________________________

Dearest Father,

Greetings from Tar Valon. I arrived a week ago and was received with honor by Chloro Sedai, a renowned diplomat. She greeted me courteously and had me tested with the help of an excellent and noble young woman with the rank of Accepted, a kind of combination of clerk and countess. She quickly proclaimed that I had the ability to work with the One Power but that an untrained person is unlikely to make much of this ability. Certainly gleeman’s tales of young girls bewitching men are not to be taken seriously.

I have dismissed the servants as it is not customary for novices to keep such. I hope you will treat them well for their good work. Selans in particular did good service and speaks well of you, a trait for which I hope he does not run afoul of others. Chloro Sedai was kind enough to handle the business on my behalf. I trust that on their return they may find their wages and the thanks of a grateful house to greet them.

The study I have undertaken so far has been thrilling, largely my time is spent learning to use the One Power or in other activates designed to properly prepare the mind of a novice for her eventual ascension to the shawl. Many of their customs seem quaint but they are straight forward in their purpose and I find little to object to in the curriculum here.

I am informed that it is impossible for me to marry so long as I am in training. I know this will be a blow the numerous suitors who are already petitioning you for my hand. Sometimes it is the card that is held back which dominates the game however and I do not doubt you will be able to continue to play it for several years.

I was grieved to hear of Anton’s death though what he was doing on the Andoran side of the river I do not know. Doubtless more details will come in time, but for the mean time we must console ourselves that death in the line of duty is the best that may be hoped for by a natural son. I would like to see that his widow is taken care of, perhaps married to some worthy freeholder in one of the outlying estates. I shall depend on you to settle this matter for me out of the regard I had for Anton.

I hope that this letter prove a balm for you in a difficult time Father. Know that I am well and that I am pleased with what I have found her in Tar Valon.

Your Loving Daughter
Linka

[Chloro]

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Please say "RECEIVE" at a silver-haired sedai located in every Ajah wing.

Linka 2

P.S. Wonderful display of a noble brat, not to much but not to little. Bravo!