Raskle Sanrile

Tear

Latasha.Boyd@dartmouth.edu

"Father, I wish to go." I stared at the rigid back of my father, a noble-born Tairen, as he stared out his study window at the city below.

"Rasalyn." He turned. "I grow weary of your childish pursuits. For years you have known that you must take your place as a ruling member of our family alongside your brother. Yet you have proceeded to beg for lessons from gleemen, countless artisans, and gardeners instead of learning the finer points of etiquette as a daughter of a nobleman should. I allowed them when you were younger because your mother and I believe that you would grow out of this stage you are in and accept what you are. I refuse to grant this request because it too will pass."

"This is not a childish pursuit, father!" I yelled, knowing it would not help my cause, but reveal my passion. "I am going whether you agree or not. I ask that you would bless my journey instead of condemning it."

His right eyebrow raised at my heightened voice. "This I cannot do. Insist on this request and you are no longer welcome here as my child. I will consider on a level with …those people."

Aes Sedai. He still couldn't bring himself to say it, not that anyone in Tear wanted to. They thought the One Power a dreadful thing. Especially after the Dragon announced himself.

"My daughter knew her duty and would not have forsaken it as you so readily do." He turned back to the window.

I slowly exhaled, and willed the tears not to fall from my eyes. I ducked my head so that he couldn't see my face if he turned around again. "Do what you must as will I. I do not forsake duty so easily as you perceive, Lord Paege, but lay aside one law to pick up another."

* * *

The time for childish pursuits has passed. The phrase droned endlessly in my mind as I prepared to leave. As I packed, I decided to leave many of my personal things behind-- dolls, ground balls I used to play scoring games with, cards, and my beloved books. They belonged to Rasalyn, after all.

"Raskle?" A tall young man with brown hair and eyes similar to my own leaned against my door. My brother.

I tried to smile at his nickname for me but failed. "It seems you have finally gotten your wish, Kile. You are now an only child."

Kile wrapped his huge arms around me. "No matter what you do, I won't disown my sister. I came to tell you that the old man won't let mother say goodbye to you. They have to show a united front to the servants, you know." He rolled his eyes and sat on my bed. "You takin' all this stuff with you?" He gestured across my bed at the array of dresses.

"I'm training to be a Gaidar. What am I going to with any of that?" I shook my head. "No, I'm not taking it. Wish I had a pair of breeches, though."

My brother looked at me for a second then left the room. He came back shortly afterwards with breeches, a dark blue sash, and a black coat. "This should work until you get to Tar Valon, at least. The coat will most likely too big but the breeches shouldn't be too bad, if you fold up the ends a bit when you tie them." At six feet, two inches, he was a good six inches taller than me.

I hugged him fiercely. "Thanks, Kile. I won't forget you."

"You better not, Ras. I expect a letter." He left so that I could change.

I never saw him after that.

* * *

"Excuse me, sir." I stopped a man who had been practicing with a sword on the side of the main road. He glanced up, eyeing my clothing.

"The name's Sanrile. What can I do for you, young'un?" He sheathed his sword and walked toward me.

"Which road do I take to Cairhien?" I had decided against asking for Tar Valon until after leaving Tear.

"Cairhien? What business would a girl like you have there all alone?"

"Please, sir."

He looked at the sky. "Might as well camp with me and tell me your story. It'll be getting dark soon and you won't be getting far even if I told ya." He walked away from me and farther off the road. "Well? Ya comin'?"

I hesitated, but decided I could trust him and followed behind.

* * *

"You came this far, aren't you even going to fill it out?" Vanla looked over my shoulder at the Siswai application. He'd thought my story so interesting that he had decided to accompany me to the White Tower, teaching me a few sword forms whenever we stopped for the night. Let's just say that I have my work cut out for me.

I stared at the paper, my quill poised over the spot that says name. I picked it up and slowly wrote, "Raskle Sanrile."

Sanrile blushed. "I'm quite honored, Ras, but why did you use my name?"

"Well, I'm no longer a Paege and it seemed the best choice. Raskle for what has gone before, and Sanrile for the journey yet to come." I looked at what I'd scrawled. "The time for childish pursuits has passed."