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The silver arch pulled Nynaeve’s eyes The way back She shook her head, trying to remember It is not real She looked at Marin; stark terror twisted the woman’s face You must be steadfast to survive

"Please, Nynaeve She’s seen me with you She--has--seen--me! Please, Nynaeve! "

Malena came closer, implacable My people The arch shone The way back It is not real

With a sob, Nynaeve tore her arlow

Marin’s shriek hounded her "For the love of the Light, Nynaeve, help , Nynaeve staggered out of the arch, barely aware of the cha in her ears She did not flinch when cold water was suddenly poured over her head

"You are washed clean of false pride You are washed clean of false ambition You come to us washed clean, in heart and soul" As the Red Aes Sedai stepped back, Sheriaave a start, then realized who it was She seized the collar of Sheriam’s dress in both hands "Tell me it was not real Tell me!"

"Bad?" Sheriam pried her hands loose as if she were used to this reaction "It is alorse, and the third is the worst of all"

"I left my friendI left ht, it was not real I didn’t reallyI have to make Moiraine pay I have to!

"There is always so to prevent you, or distract you This ter’angreal weaves traps for you fro, harder than steel and more deadly than poison That is e use it as a test Youelse in the whole world, enough to face anything, fight free of anything, to achieve it The White Tower cannot accept less We dereat deal" Nynaeve stared at the third arch as the red haired Aes Sedai took her toward it The third is the worst "I’m afraid," she whispered What could be worse than what I just did?

"Good," Sheriam said "You seek to be Aes Sedai, to channel the One Power No one should approach that without fear and awe Fear will keep you cautious; caution will keep you alive" She turned Nynaeve to face the arch, but she did not step back immediately "No one will force you to enter a third time, child"

Nynaeve licked her lips "If I refuse, you’ll put me out of the Tower and never let me come back" Sheriaain Nynaeve drew breath "I am ready"

"The third time," Sheriam intoned formally, "is for ill be The way back will come but once Be steadfast"

Nynaeve threw herself at the arch in a run