Ripple Eight: Echoes
written by Leanna Lisette Damodred, Miahala Sha’hal and Saphire en'Damier

Thus the Amyrlin questioned the Warder-Channeler Representative about her act inside the Executive Council... the chamber which was still covered with melted frost from her first attack against the shadowsworn now dead. Damp papers and parchments lay everywhere, books were spread over the floor with shards of glass in between.

In great hurry, Miahala Sedai, Head of the Green Ajah... Saphire's Ajah... had been summoned. Her role was to judge and, together with the Amyrlin, pass verdict on Saphire's immediate future before the much later trial. Ellisande were to act as both Warder and witness in this interrogation, and her account might tip the outcome either way.

With a force of ten fully armed Tower Guards outside the Executive Council and another ten in each direction down both ends of the corridor, the four women were quite safe.

Leanna sat, her hands folded together in her lap. Her eyes drifted over the others, her face as smooth and calm as if she were watching little Daeric play on the floor. She had to appear calm. It was her only chance of actually remaining calm.

Her eyes met her near-sister's, Miahala, and Leanna had to suppress a heavy sigh. They then met with Ellisande's, whom Leanna knew to be a tough woman. She was a great Warder for Saphire.

Then, Leanna's eyes came to rest, and to stay on her once Step-daughter, Saphire en'Damier Sedai. What an interesting group it was. Their relations were all so close, she almost felt like throwing aside simple formalities. But, she couldn't.

Saphire had broken a Tower Law. She had knowledge of a forbidden Talent. Having been the Grey Ajah Head for years upon years, Leanna was more than familiar with the laws and punishments that entailed such an act.

Leanna's face did not betray her feelings, but Leanna was desperately trying to think of a loophole, a way to get Saphire off. She could still see the young girl in her novice uniform, Light she could remember the child as a toddler!

"What can you say in your defense?" she finally asked softly. There was no need to ask what she had committed or why. Those facts were as plain as day.

Miahala now sat in this... impromptu council. She was sitting in judgment of her strongest Sisters. This woman had stood by her and the Green Head herself and stood beside this woman on many an occasion.

In Miahala's heart, she knew that Saphire had a reason that was righteous. She knew that though the act was illegal, its cause must have been just. Miahala knew it.

But what could she say now that would not contradict law itself on her word. The glance she exchanged with Leanna and Ellisande said the same thing of them all. For the moment, all she could do was wait for the moment that she herself was called to speak and she had to wait for what Saphire would say...

Saphire Sedai sat in silence looking down at her hands that were worn and calused from constant font-line leadership in the Citadel. At long last she had found her place and heart's desire. But upon returning . . well, now she could almost see manicles cuffed around her wrists. The moment after she'd let her self-control slip replayed in her mind over, and over . . .

She whithered to the floor curled into defensive ball over her knees, cradling her face as soon as the beam of light faded. Her world was darkness. Alone and permiated with overwhelming fear that cast all hope aside. In the distance she heard the familiar voice of her step-mother, the Amyrlin Seat, who's hand was on Saphire's numb shoulder.

The demand to explain broke her dam of her tears, and Saphire's voice wavered in response. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry . . . I wasn't thinking. There was no other way! I'm a horrible Aes Sedai. Worse than the Black Ajah. Oh Burn Me, Creator Flame Me to the Pit of Doom, They're Going To STILL Me!"

. . . and over again in her mind.

It had taken nearly half an hour to get any other reaction from her, longer still to stumble numbly upstairs and back into the Executive Council over the frost that had, now, never been burned away.

"I am an honorable woman." Saphire stated simply to the floor in a tone that was both self-assured and defeated. "So I feel I am already doomed. It was a dishonorable act to burn the Pattern. For whatever the reason, I broke a law almost as strong as the Three Oaths. It does not matter to me that it was in despiration, that it was not done frivilously, or that it saved several Warders and Trainee's lives and potentially others that Sagone could have hurt or killed in his escape or return. I tried everything . . and still, he could not be shielded. In truth, there was no time to think."

She glanced up with emerald eyes that shimmered with tears, "I never researched the weave." Her voice wavered. "Please believe that, even if you think I am a Black sister, or as tainted as one. It has been my deepest secret that I learned in the Third Arch that I have the Talent for balefire." The word stung on her lips. "I have a moderate ability to control it, but only allowed myself one day to practice it so that I would not use it accidentally." Saphire was forced to take several deep breaths in order to steady herself again. "It was only that . . I lost my self-control when Caden was burned alive, and Sigmund was splayed open before me, and the Hall was crashing down all around. One moment when as a warrior I did not inhibit my gut reaction. It was not intentional, and would not have happened except under dire circumstances . . "

She sighed deeply and turned her eyes back to her hands. "But I do not expect to get away with this. Despite the circumstances, I have broken the Law. I will not resist if you decide to still me. But I will take some heart in how this act of the heart has brought Caden, Sigmund, and several others back from death." Then she added, "Perhaps it is fitting that an Aes Sedai for once trades her life for the Warders'."

Leanna listened patiently and with a pained heart. She knew very well just how honorable Saphire Sedai was. Leanna was silent for a long time when Saphire finished giving her defense. Leanna felt torn in half.

Part of her wanted to act as the motherly figure she had tried to be before they found Amora, and the other part needed to act as any good Amyrlin Seat should when a daughter breaks the law. Only, Saphire's actions affected her own life. Without the use of balefire, Caden would be dead, and Leanna could not survive another loss so great.

She gazed at Saphire levelly, staring into the girl's eyes. What loophole in the law could save her? She needed time to think!

After an unbearable silence, she asked another question. "Do you understand the consequences of your actions? Tell me what could be happening as a result of using balefire."

Leanna had to keep the emotion out of her voice. She hated sounding so cold and demanding. A flicker of despair crossed her eyes, but she covered it just as fast.

Saphire winced at the question. She looked up with sparkling emerald eyes that shone with hurt. "Do you truly think that I understand so little?"

Of course, logically, the question had to be asked because the answer must be mutually understood. But Saphire had never been known to be logical, less so when she was upset. She could not fathom how anyone could not know the reprecutions of using balefire. Her response was no accusation. Simply the internalization of the question - that it meant that she could not have used it if she understood its gravest danger.

"I know that balefire burns the Pattern one thread at a time. Sagone's thread was undone just before he wrought havoc upon the Warder Hall; and it was only luck and my moderate Talent that prevented more than his presence in the Warder Yard from unwraveling. I know that if balefire were used more than rarely and in very thin threads it could unwravel existance itself. That is why the Shadow and the Light ceased weaving it in the War of Power because otherwise there would be nothing left to rule. If the Forsakan realize that it has been woven on the part of the Light, they may take up the weapon once again and we will never see the Last Battle let alone the Fourth Age."

Her eyes turned back to the floor. "That is why the Third Arch tormented me with this prophecy. That is why I have held myself in constant check these past three decades. That is why I know I can not be forgiven for faltering."

Mia listened with a pained heart. She was struggling with the same internal debate that she was sure Leanna was, as well. There had to be a loophole. Rules did stand for reasons, but moments of neccesity and emotion should not destroy a promising life because of them. She chose to say nothing yet, leaving it to the Amyrlin until she was called upon.

Chapter Three: The Dawn of Blood
~Ripple One: Alive
~Ripple Two: Captured
~Ripple Three: Trapped
~Ripple Four: Questions
~Ripple Five: Your Mission
~Ripple Six: Task Presented
~Ripple Seven: Vengeful Assassain
~Ripple Eight: Echoes

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