The Keeper's Chronicles

The Red Ajah

Sunlight poured through large glass windows, catching crystal goblets and making it look as if a rainbow had been shattered across the fine linen. Novices ran about silently, presenting trays of cheese and fruit and pouring cool wine for the Aes Sedai that sorted through small stacks of papers they had brought. Each Sitter had at least a dozen things that they wanted to be covered, as in any typical Hall Sitting. But Jhenis knew this one would be different. Only one thing would be discussed, and that one thing was on no agenda except that of the Amyrlin and herself.

Out of the corner of her eye Jhenis saw Alanna stir, and then heard the light, high ting as her fork lightly taped her goblet several times. Each Novice quickly found a spot on a table to set their trays, and then lined up before Alanna. One by one they curtsied deeply, and hurried out the door. The last closed the heavy double doors behind her. Only then did the Amyrlin rise. A weave against eavesdropping was woven by Jhenis, and then Alanna spoke. "Daughters, today we will address only one issue," she was greeted by several startled looks, but no one spoke. "That issue is, the Red Ajah." A few puzzled looks passed between Sitters, but Alanna moved on.

"Due to the past split of the White Tower, the Red Ajah has moved from the largest Ajah to the smallest. Its numbers are dwindling quickly, also due to the Black Tower." Jhenis felt her stomach heave, but clung to her Aes Sedai serenity. Men who could channel, sworn to the Lord Dragon. They could do nothing about it either because of the formation of the Black Tower by the Dragon Reborn himself. As if she had read Jhenis thoughts, Alanna continued. "Due to the Black Tower, men who can channel are protected, which eliminates the Red Ajahs purpose. And so, the Keeper and myself propose that the purpose of the Red Ajah is changed." Everyone looked shocked, and the Red Sitters looked as if Alanna had just planted her fist in their stomachs.

"But first, it is mandatory because of the nature of this change we propose that everyone retake one of the Three Oaths." No one moved, no one spoke, no one knew how to respond. Jhenis took advantage of the silence, and pulled out what she had been holding in her lap the whole time. The Oath Rod. Quickly she embraced saidar and wove the appropriate weaves and spoke. "I swear to speak no word that is untrue." It was an effort not to moan as the binding was reinforced. It was like a second skin was applied too tightly, and sank down into her bones. Shaking herself slightly she went on. "I am no Darkfriend." She then handed the rod to Alanna and she did the same.

By the time the Oath Rod had gone all the way around the Hall, three members of the Black Ajah had been found, shielded, and bound up in Air. They would be interrogated and Stilled later. "From now on," Alanna said, "It will be a requirement for every Sitter, before she is raised, to take that Oath again." She waited for everyone to settle back down before going on. "Now that you have seen with your very eyes that the Black Ajah exists, we propose that the Red Ajahs purpose is changed to rooting out the Black Ajah and finding Darkfriends. Because of the dangerous nature of this task, we would recommend that Warders are bonded. In fact, it would not be frowned upon for more than one Gaidin be taken by each Aes Sedai. In many ways, the Red Ajah and the Green would become something of sister Ajahs, while we also hope that ties with other Ajahs do remain with both. The change would also open the opportunity for current Red Sisters to switch Ajahs if they so choose. They would have to appeal to the Sitters of their choice Ajah for acceptance, but I do not foresee any problems with that. We recommend that the way the change would take place is for the Red Sisters would fill out a form of some sorts saying that they understand the switch and agree to follow that purpose. Then those forms or letters would be sent to Jhenis Sedai, and recorded. We now want to take a vote."

Alanna resumed her seat as the Sitters each took out a sheet of parchment. She had said everything very quickly, and had not given the Sitters much time to think it over. Most votes were done that way though, then the Sitters were forced to go on their first instinct.

One by one, folded pieces of parchment were passed to Jhenis. She wrote down names and their simple yes or no. Once she had received all of them, she wrote down the last name and their vote. Quickly, she penned at the bottom the date and Red Ajah Purpose Change-Root out Black Ajah and Hunt down Darkfriends. Possible Multiple Gaidin.

The Keeper rose. Silence filled the room, and anticipation laid heavily in the air. "The Hall has voted Yes on the change of the Red Ajahs purpose, with 16 votes Yes and 2 votes No. Let it be known that the Red Ajahs purpose is now to root out the Black Ajah and Darkfriends."