An old woman was wiping down the last table in the quaint little inn. She had been working hard all day and night on what she considered one of the busiest days she had ever seen at the Tower Vista Inn. As she finished up and turned to put away her rag and head into the kitchen, she heard the front door open. She turned to send away whoever had come calling at this late hour. Her eyes fell upon a girl who looked to be no more than 15 summers. As she opened her mouth to tell the child to go, the girl cut in…
"Please, I know it is late. This is the last inn to still have a light on and I am in need of a place to rest. I promise I will trouble you for nothing more than some water to drink. I will even make sure that I wash the mug when I am done. I have been walking since daylight and I would love nothing more than to lie down. If you have any space with a roof where I may rest I will give everything that I have to use it for one night. I will be gone on the morrow. If I do not have enough to pay whatever you charge, I will stay the day to work off what I owe. I know my way around a kitchen, I follow orders without hesitation, and I can handle drunken men if I must. Please don't send me back out into the dark night. Please," she pleaded.
The old innkeeper knew she could not refuse the poor girl. Carlyn had always had a soft spot for girls in need. She had many hard times in her own youth. She sat upon a stool and pointed to the one next to her for the girl. She called Helina, one of her maids, out from the kitchen and had her bring a mug of drinking water. When Helina returned with the water, the girl drank half of it right away and held the mug in both hands, forcing herself not to gulp it down, but to savor it.
"Tell me girl, what do I call you? I can't go calling anyone who might become one of my maids just girl."
"I'm sorry, I've forgotten my manners, I am Cerise," the girl replied.
"And what is a young one like you doing walking the day away, and alone as you are?" the gray haired Carlyn questioned.
"I really am not that young, I know I look it, but I am 17. It troubles me to no end that I look as I do. I have yet to figure out exactly why, but my mother always said it would become a blessing later in life. As for my travels, I am headed to the White Tower. I haven't exactly figured out what I will do once I get there. I would have walked there tonight, but I can walk no farther today, I fear. I do not believe that an uninvited, dirty, girl would not be welcome at this hour either", Cerise replied.
"If you have no idea what you plan to do once you are there, then why would you walk from wherever it is you are from just to get there and do nothing?" questioned Carlyn.
"Well, it's the only place I have yet to set foot. I have been everywhere, and that is no boast. I figured I might as well see it now. I must admit, I'm a little unsure about going, I'm not so sure being around all those women who can do all those things you hear about in stories. Don't get me wrong, I know not all of it's true, but I don't know if I want to find out what is and what isn't." Cerise answered, with a yawn to top it off.
Carlyn studied the girl sipping at her water for a moment. She remembered when she was young and wondered if she had that same look of knowledge as this girl did. The girl was not the prettiest girl Carlyn had seen, but she wasn't ugly either. Carlyn decided one could not describe her as plain, but she could not come up with anything better to call what she saw. Cerise had something about her that just wasn't really seen with the eyes, that told you she was different. 'Maybe,' she decided, 'I am just getting too old and tired to figure people on first sight anymore.'
"Well, Cerise, I have a small room at the top of the stairs that I use for storage. It happens to be empty at the moment, and you are welcome to it, for a small fee, of course. There is nothing that I can give you to sleep upon, but if you want it, it's yours for the night." Carlyn said with a nod. Cerise didn't have enough to pay for the room, but Carlyn showed her to it anyway.
As she was leaving Cerise, to get some rest herself, she said, "I will see you in the morning. I will have some chores that you can do to make up for the room and something to eat in the morning. If you work as hard as you say, you should be able to finish by the midday meal. If you do well at them, I'll even feed you then too. Sleep well, you look as if you need it."
As Carlyn closed the door, Cerise closed her eyes and began to think about what lay ahead. She didn't think very far before her exhaustion took it's toll and carried her off into dreamless sleep.
When Cerise awoke, it was still just before daylight. As she stretched her stiff muscles, her hand brushed across something upon the floor that she did not remember being there last night. As her sleepy eyes focused upon the object, she saw that it was a small basin, and next to it was a pitcher of water, she smiled. Sitting there in the near lightless room, Cerise dug through the one bundle she had left. She found a brush that had once belonged to her mother and began combing her long white-blonde hair. Tying it back with an old, faded ribbon, she began rummaging for some clean clothing to put on. Cerise hummed to herself as she washed up and got dressed. Descending the stairs, her nose gave her a hint of fresh bread being baked in the kitchen. She realized that she was famished, and hurried to find Carlyn.
The rotund old innkeeper was busy removing a loaf of sweet smelling bread from the big iron oven. Cerise wondered if the old woman had any children, she had that motherly way about her. There were two other girls working on chopping vegetables for a stew-pot and a sour-looking woman slicing cheese and fruit.
"Good morning mistress Carlyn. I really must thank you for the space in which I rested last night. I really am grateful for your wondrous hospitality." Cerise chimed, as she took a knife from the table to help chop vegetables for the stew she was sure would be served at midday.
"Ah, Cerise, good to see you up. I didn't think we would see you quite this early, but just as well. I could use your help in serving the morning meal to our other guests. My poor little Gillian has taken ill this day and will not be able to work. Can you handle a full tray? I need four extra bodies this morning, considering how many patrons have decided to dine with us. You can put down that knife and put on an apron. Faralain there," she said pointing to the girl standing next to Cerise, "will show you where everything is. You're to serve this morning, that is the place I need you most. Be quick about it Faralain, we've a lot more work than we expected this morning and I'll need you back in here shortly."
"Faralain, you keep chopping," Cerise said with a smile and a nod," I can find my way around. You don't want to fall behind just because of me. Save some chores for me girls, I don't want to get bored come time we're done feeding the whole city." With that, Cerise grabbed an apron from a hook on the way behind her and stepped out into the common room while tying it on.
The sight that greeted her eyes upon entering the room was remarkable. It seemed her joke about feeding the whole city wasn't far from the truth. There was not one place to sit in the whole place! There were men standing while eating in-between some of the tables. Spotting another serving girl coming back into the kitchen, Cerise pulled her aside and asked which section was hers. The girl looked at her strangely and said, "Where ever there are folks without food." Cerise dropped her smile and nodded curtly and made her way quickly to a table of rough looking men. She had no problems with any patrons, or with any of the other serving girls. Cerise did notice at one point during the frantic feeding frenzy, that the other two serving girls had stopped to take a break, allowing her to do all the work for a while. Cerise didn't mind. Things seemed to go smoother with them out of her way. When things finally quieted down, enough to stop and do nothing but breathe for 5 minutes, Cerise went back into the kitchen.
"Looks good out there. The tables are clean; everyone has been fed, thanked and sent out the door smiling. Well, almost everyone, there were a few men still lost in drink who had to be settled, but I think they'll come back. Maybe next time they'll sleep off some of their drunkenness before they come in though. You know, this place is very busy in the morning. It must be the food. I can't say it was the staff, those girls never smile. You really should think about getting more girls working in here so you can spend your time watching over things more and not standing in front of the oven. Also, one thing I thought I would mention, in a few places I've worked not too far from here, they have the girls serving watch over specific areas of the common room. Say the three of us are working, we would split up the tables into three equal parts and watch over those who sit only in our section. It seemed to work quite well. When I go out there, I know who's been welcomed, who's eaten and is just enjoying conversation, and who has just come in. I did find myself a little confused now and again out there this morning. With business like you get, you really should consider it." Cerise said nonchalantly as she began chopping vegetables once again, never stopping to rest.
Carlyn was amazed at how much this girl could talk. She did have a good suggestion though. "Do you ever stop moving child? If you don't stop to take a breather right this instant, I may just send you off to the tower here and now." Carlyn ordered. Cerise put down the knife and looked down to study her hands. "That's better." Carlyn said more softly, "now, if I know the girls as well as I think I do, you spent about half the morning working by yourself. They haven't figured out that I know they aren't working if they don't come in to fill their trays with food. That's pretty tough, but they do leave new girls alone to sink or swim for a while on their first day. That says a lot for you, they've never taken a break for that long before. That stunt of theirs just cost them dearly, I just thought of a whole bunch of chores that need to be done today, and considering they're all rested up, I think they'll have the energy to them." Carlyn's face broke out into a big warm smile and she winked the conspiracy to Cerise as she put her arm around the girl and headed her out of the kitchen. Faralain and her companion giggled over their chopping until the sour-looking woman, now placing the vegetables into the pot, gave them a stern look.
Carlyn led Cerise out the back door to a small yard where two girls Cerise had not seen before were doing the daily wash. Carlyn turned to Cerise and told her, pointing to a tall girl with big, dark brown eyes and the darkest hair Cerise had ever seen, "This is Tolana, and this is her sister Allene," she added pointing to a girl who was as different from the first girl as one could get. Allene was short with light blonde hair and small, light brown eyes. The only thing the two shared was that they were both thin. "I would like you to help them get these things washed up. Then come and see me before you go." Carlyn said.
"Thank you again mistress Carlyn. I'm sure we'll have the wash done quicker than you expect. I'll come looking for you as soon as we're finished." Cerise replied pulling up her sleeves. Cerise started in on cleaning the linens without a word. Tolana and Allene were silent long enough for Carlyn to reach a point beyond earshot before turning to question Cerise.
Tolana asked, "So, what brings you to the Tower Vista?"
"What did the mistress mean 'before you go', aren't you going to stay?" Allene added almost on top of her.
"I'm headed for the tower, and I'm working for the room I slept in last night." Cerise replied.
"Oh, I was hoping you'd stay, we really do need more hands around here." Said Allene with a frown.
"You just want another person to do your work so you can flirt with Harrs all day," Tolana said to her sister with a laugh. "She has a thing for one of the stable boys," she said to Cerise.
All three girls giggled as they focused on their work once again, though Cerise had a different reason for her laughter. When they finished hanging the wash to dry, it was mid morning. So Cerise headed to the kitchen to look for Carlyn.
When Cerise reached the kitchen, she found it empty, save for a large gray cat lounging on a stool in the corner. There was a small note on the now clean table folded in two with her name on it. Cerise picked up the note wondering who would leave her such a thing. It turned out to be from Carlyn with well wishings. It seemed she had gone to the market for more vegetables. Carlyn asked her if would like to wash and paint the room in which she had spent the night for a few coppers for travel. Carlyn had everything she needed brought up to the room already. Cerise got herself a drink of water and bounded up the stairs to begin the chore set before her. Upon entering the small room, Cerise found a pail of soapy water and scrubbing brush, a brush for painting and a container of white paint. She grabbed the scrubbing brush and set to work washing the far wall. As she worked, she began to sing to herself.
As she turned to set aside the cleaning materials and begin painting, someone standing in the doorway startled her. She cut off her singing, and curtsied. The man standing before her blushed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I was just enjoying listening to you sing." He said with a bow. "I am Erran Tallar. I am the evening entertainment in this fine establishment. I know a beautiful voice when I hear one, and you, my dear, have one of the best voices I have heard."
"Thank you," was all Cerise could say. She had never had anyone describe anything about her as beautiful before. A part of her wanted to hear him say it again and again. The part that won her over told her he must want something from her, and to get back to her work. "You'll have to excuse me sir, I do have a lot of work to get done. Perhaps we may talk later," she said hurriedly as she took up the brush and began to paint. By the time she built up enough courage to turn around to check whether he was still there, but he was not. After a short while she began to relax once again, and her singing resumed. As Cerise was just finishing the last wall, Carlyn came into the room carrying two stools. She placed them on the floor and sat upon one. When Cerise finished her work, she joined Carlyn to rest a moment.
"You have a beautiful voice child." Carlyn said.
"Thank you mistress." Cerise replied sheepishly.
"I have seen many girls come through this town, most on their way to the tower. Most of them have been running away from something. Do you mind telling me your story?"
"Well, I don't have much to tell. I am just a simple girl who is trying to find where she belongs, I guess."
"Simple is not a word I would use to describe you. I have never had a girl come through here who knew her way around an inn so well, nor one that works so hard. I can see that you have traveled far, just by the dress that you wear. That is not something one wears here, nor is it an Andoran style."
"No, it isn't. I think this is from somewhere in Illian. I can't remember anymore. I've had it so long and have been so many places since I first bought it. My mother and I used to travel a lot."
"You and your mother? Where is she now?"
"She died last year. We were in Arad Domon. We were just leaving when she took ill. I guess I decided to continue on after that." Cerise replied and a small tear escaped her best effort to hold it back.
"That is sad. I can see you loved your mother."
"Yes, I did. She was warm and loving, but she had her faults. Her biggest one was a man."
"Many women have that problem."
"I suppose I really can't call it a fault. She loved him. I just wish I could have met him. You see, he was my father. My mother fell in love when she was young. He was a gleeman just travelling through who had been wintering at the local inn for a time. Her parents did not like the man and forbade her to see him any more. My mother would sneak off to see him anyway. One day, he left. My mother was so in love that she followed after him. Shortly after that, my mother found that she was going to have a child. Even after I was born, she did not give up her search. Every town we came to would spark a new hope that we would catch up with him. And every time, we would find that he had moved on already. I really wasn't coming here on purpose. This is where the trail has brought me. I've grown tired of searching. He left her, why should I keep trying to find him? All he did was hurt her. Every day of her life began with dreams of the day when we could be together. Every day ended in the sorrow of those dreams never being fulfilled. We would stop and work at inns for food and a place to sleep for a while. Sometimes we would work in the kitchen, or provide entertainment in the evenings. My mother had the most beautiful voice, so she would sing for the patrons of small inns that could not afford someone all the time. I learned tricks from the gleefolk we would run into along the way. It was our way of life. Now all I can think to do is either find him for her, or just stop looking. Part of me wants to continue, for her. I just am so tired of the hunt. If I find him, what do I do then? I know I'd just want to scream at him for leaving her. I can't even imagine how I would introduce myself. I couldn't just go up to him and say 'Hello, my name is Cerise an'Nathe, I'm your daughter'. I suppose I will just go to the tower and see what I see. If I find my destiny lies somewhere within, I'll stay. If I don't find it there, I'll continue to seek my father out," she said with a sigh. "I'm sorry, I am rambling on. My mother always said I could talk forever and still have more to say," she added as she quickly got up and gathered all the supplies she had been using. "Just tell me where you want me to put these things and I'll be off. "
"No need, I'll put them away. You did a good job Cerise. You have restored my faith that there are still honest people in the world. Before you go, feel free to get yourself something to eat, you've earned it. I wish you well on your quest to the tower. If you find your destiny is not there, please come back here, I could use a hard worker around here." Carlyn said smiling. "If you do stay at the tower, I ask a favor of you, please give my greetings to someone, her name is Lila." She handed Cerise a small pouch that made a jingling noise as it swayed in her hand.
Cerise smiled at the motherly innkeeper. She had never told anyone about her life, but somehow, she knew she had found a friend she could trust in Carlyn. Maybe should would come back and stay if she was rejected by the tower. She took her bundle down to the kitchen to say farewell to everyone she had met and grab a piece of bread before stepping out onto the busy city streets. Cerise was, lost in thought as she stepped out of the doors and turned to go up the street when she ran right into someone and dropped her bundle. She bent down to get it when the person stopped her and picked it up for her. When she looked up at whom it was that she had crashed into, she was surprised. The older gentleman who handed her bundle to her was the man who had been listening to her sing earlier. "Oh, excuse me Master Erran. I am sorry." Cerise said as she visibly stiffened.
"No trouble my lady, I was at fault. Don't tell me you're leaving already? We haven't had a chance to talk. I was looking forward to it. It's not often that a woman with your talent comes my way. In fact, I have had time to think on it. I have heard a voice that sweet once before, and considering what I do for a living, one can't blame me for taking an interest. Tell me, ah..."
"Cerise," she supplied.
"Cerise, what an enchanting name. Where are you from? That dress is lovely, but it is not something from this area of the land. If I am not mistaken, it is of Illian fashion?" he asked.
"Yes, that's right, it is. You've been there, then? It really is a wonderful place. I'm sorry that I cannot stay longer, but I really must get moving. I am expected somewhere and going to be late as it is. If you will excuse me?" She quickly turned to go.
"We'll talk later then," he called after her.
Cerise walked toward the tower without really paying attention to her surroundings. She pulled out the piece of bread and nibbled on it as she walked. There was something about that man that troubled her, but she could not tell what it was. She decided she was just being suspicious. Subconsciously she would turn her head once in a while to check if he was following her. Minutes later, she looked up to find herself standing at an entrance to the tower.
Cerise stopped suddenly as she took in the sight before her. She was in awe. She had been to many cities, but none of them prepared her for this. She had heard all the stories of how beautiful the tower was, but somehow, beautiful was not the word she would use to describe it. It was more than that, it was… there just was no word that was enough. She couldn't help feeling good all over, and yet so small at the same time. She decided that she could finally say she had seen it all.
It took her a few moments to recover her senses and realize she was standing there with her mouth hanging open. Quickly, she closed her mouth and headed for the great gateway that would lead her to the tower. She stopped just before the gateway, realizing she had no idea of where she was going, or what to do when she got there. Just then someone shouted at her to move or be trampled. She jumped out of the way of a wagon full of supplies just in time to watch it roll slowly through the gateway and off to it's destination. Cerise gathered herself up again and decided to just go to the tower. Surely someone there would be able to tell her where she should go from there. She remembered hearing stories of Aes Sedai knowing all there is to know. She didn't know if it was true, but if it were, then there would be no problems, they would know why she had come here. Wait, why did she come here? As she walked toward the great tower, she thought on this. She could not come up with an answer. Just as she was about to turn around, something sailed past her head. She did not see what it was and as she looked around to see where it had come from, a girls voice called out "Sorry" from behind some trees. Cerise began to wonder what was going on around this place. She thought about wandering around to see what she could see, but she decided it might be better not to. She wasn't sure if the Aes Sedai would appreciate her snooping around. She decided the proper thing to do was to find an Aes Sedai and ask permission to look about the grounds. She began her walk toward the tower once again.
Just outside the massive construction, she stopped again. Should she go in? The great doors were open as if in welcome of anyone who wished a visit. She had come this far, why not continue? She stepped through the doors and her eyes went even wider with amazement. There were people of every nation gathered in the great hall. She saw girls in white, some with stripes of color at the hem, rushing around from one group of people to the next. She didn't know what to think of it. It looked like a great market square with no wares for sale.
A girl whose name Cerise did not catch approached her and asked how she could help her. Cerise just stood there not quite sure what to say. When she got no answers, the girl threw up her hands in frustration and told Cerise to gather herself together and she'll come back to her in a moment. Cerise spotted a woman in a flowing dress and shawl that moved with a grace she had never seen before. The woman seemed to float rather than walk. This was the most elegant woman Cerise had ever seen. As the woman came near to Cerise, she stopped. Cerise held her breath, this ageless woman could be only one thing, Aes Sedai. The Aes Sedai smiled, put her arm around Cerise gently and said, "Come along child, it is time to put on the white."