Tira Chakima opened her eyes and stared at the drab room surrounding her. She had woken up in this room, deep in the servant’s quarters of the Aesdaishar Palace, every morning for as long as she could remember. Swinging her feet over the side of the bed, Tira went through the motions to get herself ready for the day. She splashed water into her sleep grained eyes, and brushed her long ash blonde hair before tying it up into a bun Then Tira washed and dressed in her livery, which was not as fine as that possessed by some of the other servants.

Only fourteen years old, Tira wasn’t allowed much responsibility. The loftier positions held amongst the palace servants were reserved for those of seniority, who had proven their worth by serving many long and faithful years in the palace. Another reason for Tira’s low status was the fact that she was, put simply, clumsy. She was never allowed in the corridors or rooms that held the more expensive of the royal showpieces. It was a matter of some jest among the kitchen maids that Tira wasn’t even permitted to clear the dinner dishes, for she had broken far too much good china. Her mother’s long service in the Palace was all that kept Tira from being dismissed from her job.

Turning toward the bedside table, Tira moved to pick up the list of chores her mother, Bridaila, always left for her, but it wasn’t there! Oh no, she thought, now I am going to have to go looking for Mother, so I know what tasks have been set for me to do today. So Tira set off through the Palace to look for her mother. Nervously she crept through the silent halls, steering well clear of the delicate Sea Folk porcelain, and other fine artifacts on display in the corridors. Whenever she heard the sound of footsteps, Tira would duck behind a tapestry, or otherwise endeavor to make herself as invisible as possible. At one point she was passed by a gaggle of giggling courtiers, looking majestic in their silks and velvets. Tira could only stand there and shake, her eyes nearly shut, but the highborn lords and ladies merely swept by without giving her a second glance. Heaving a huge sigh of relief, she continued her search. In a palace the size of this one, her mother could be anywhere.

After searching for what seemed like forever, Tira finally found her mother. She chuckled silently to herself when she saw the look on her mother’s stern but loving face.

“What are you doing here!?!” her mother demanded.

“Looking for you,” Tira replied. “You didn’t leave my list this morning.”

“Well drat, it’s here in my pocket.” Bridaila said, handing the list to her daughter. “Now get on about your chores and for goodness sake be careful on your way out of these corridors.”

Tira left her mother, thinking fond thoughts of her. She knew her father had been a simple laborer who had run out when he realized her mother was pregnant, but her Mother had always given her enough love for any four parents. After a while she began to grow nervous as she looked for the way down to the cellars. Where are the stairs, she thought to herself. I could have sworn they were just down this hallway. I don’t know why they display all these things anyway, she thought as she passed all the gilded stands and their treasures. Almost no one at all saw them. She hurried as she saw the end of the corridor, and hopefully her way out, in sight.

As Tira reached the end of the corridor, she was forced to come to an abrupt halt, when a tall woman wearing gray slashed blue silk strode purposefully into Tira’s path. Eyes wide, Tira squeaked, and hurried to curtsy when she realized who it was. Gloriana Sedai, the Aes Sedai advisor in the Palace. Gloriana came to a stop, when Tira’s curtsy brought a rare Sea Folk porcelain vase crashing to the floor. A deep red flush began to creep up her neck to flood her fair face. She stared at the Aes Sedai, waiting for the inevitable onslaught, but Gloriana merely stood looking at her with a bemused, and oddly, pleased expression on her face. She wondered how long they would stand here, looking at one another, when, from behind her down the hall Tira heard an outraged voice call her name.

“Tira!!” yelled Elis, one of the older servants in the palace. “How many times have I warned you to stay out of these hallways?! Your mother’s pleas will fall on deaf ears this time my girl! I will see that you leave the Aesdaishar Palace, for good!” Elis finished her tirade, near to quivering with rage. Though not much taller than Tira’s 5’9”, she seemed to be ten feet tall, and a harbinger doom.

Absolute horror flooded through Tira, she had nothing, hardly any money, and only one set of clothes besides her livery. She thought of her mother, how hard she had worked all these years, so that life wouldn’t be terrible for her, and tears welled up in her eyes. If only a hole would open up in the floor so she could disappear. She had forgotten all about the presence of the Aes Sedai, until she spoke.

“I shall vouch for the girl.” Gloriana said softly.

Tira would have laughed at the look on Elis’s face, except for the abject mortification she felt.

“Gloriana Sedai,” Elis sputtered, “I—I didn’t see you there. I’ll take this girl from your presence, my apologies Aes Sedai.” Elis curtsied deeply and turned the grab a hold of Tira when Gloriana’s soft voice stopped her.

“You didn’t hear me the first time, but I am sure you won’t make me repeat myself again. I said I would vouch for the girl. She will be my chambermaid, and I will give her proper clothes as well. Send her to collect her things and have someone bring her to my rooms, she will sleep in the small bedroom adjoining mine.” Tira watched, wide-eyed, as at a gesture from the Aes Sedai, the pieces of the vase flew back together. Gloriana then left without a glance and walked past them and down the hallway.

It took a few moments for it to sink in. It was impossible. Not only was she not leaving, but she was to be an Aes Sedai's chambermaid. Realizing that Elis was still standing there, she straightened from her curtsy to see a look of utter loathing on the woman’s face. Elis nodded at her and walked down the hall, Tira falling into step behind her.

“It’s lucky for you that the Aes Sedai took pity on you young lady. I’ll take you to the servants corridor, and send someone in a little while to fetch you to Gloriana Sedai.” Elis said to Tira. “I doubt it will take long for long for the Aes Sedai to get fed up with your clumsiness and send you from the Palace herself.” She left Tira at the entrance to the servant’s quarters and departed hurriedly.

Tira packed her things, and quickly jotted a note for her mother to explain where she would be. She tried to make sense of the emotions tumbling through her brain. Fear, curiosity, excitement, and a host of other emotions were whirling around in her thoughts. By the time she finished her packing, she had let excitement come to the forefront. She nearly danced on her toes when the young man came to take her to the Aes Sedai’s chambers.

The Aes Sedai was waiting for her when she entered the sitting room a short time later. She stood there, clutching the bag the held her meager belongings to her chest, not knowing what she should do next. She nearly jumped when the Aes Sedai said, "I will be leaving for Tar Valon at the end of the month, girl. You will be coming with me."

"Tar Valon? I. . . I don't understand. . . "

"Hm? You can channel, girl, and you need training. Some training in grace wouldn't be amiss either. But it's time for you to start acting like a Novice."

No, that can’t possibly be. Me channel? Tira had heard that Aes Sedai couldn’t lie, but this one had to be wrong. I’m nobody, she thought, just a clumsy nobody. Even if I did go to the Tower, they would throw me out in a day. She screwed up her courage and addressed the Aes Sedai.

“Uh—uh Gloriana Sedai? A—are you sure…” her words trailed off as she saw the Aes Sedai’s expression harden.

“Sure? Girl, one thing you will learn when you go to the Tower, and you will go, is that you do not question an Aes Sedai when she makes a statement. Furthermore, Novices do not speak unless spoken to, is that clear?”

“Y—yes Aes Sedai.” She stammered.

“Good. Now, go to your bedchamber and change into your own clothes, that livery is awful. Shortly a seamstress will be coming to see that you have a suitable gown and riding dress to travel with, and we will begin your lessons in manners. Go on, girl, hop to it.”

Tira practically scurried into her bedchamber, convinced the Aes Sedai would accept nothing less than total obedience. She was still having a hard time believing it, but she really would be leaving the Aesdaishar Palace. Goodness, she would be leaving Kandor all together! She started to allow herself a small bit of pleasure at the thought. No more cleaning in darkened storerooms with only the light of a candle to work by, no more Elis, or others like her. She would be sad for her Mother, but she knew her Mother wanted better for her than she had for herself. She would understand. As Tira changed into the one good dress she owned, she caught a look at her reflection in the small mirror on the wall of her room. Her large blue-green eyes looked back at her with a pleased expression, and she thought with happiness that she would finally be able to let her hair loose from it’s tight bun. Tar Valon, she thought, as she did up the buttons of her dress. She couldn’t wait.