In one Age, called the Fourth Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose in the Land of the Crystal Throne. It sped across the great Aryth Ocean to the Tai’Seanchan coast. It continued over the Mountains of Mist, picking up the scent of Two Rivers fine tabac and singing along to a tune made by a Tinker’s tea kettle. It swirled around the vast prairie known as the Caralain Grass, with it’s Black Tower fortress, and the island city of Tar Valon, home of the fabled Ogier-made White Tower...The wind swept through the valleys, skimming along the lake that once was Shadar Logoth, lifting the raven in flight. It howled through the Blight past the snorts and bellows of Trollocs, carrying on it the stench of their cookpots and rot as it whipped by a Myrddraal without creating so much as a ripple in its dark cloak. If you listen closely to the wind you can hear the sound of “friends” whispering in the dark as it whistles by you. The shadows beckon you to their warm embrace; where will the wind take you? For you must know, the wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was A beginning.
The Keeper of the Chronicles
The Keeper of the Chronicles is second in authority to the Amyrlin Seat. She is chosen by the Amyrlin, usually when she comes into office, and is traditionally from the same Ajah. Her badge of office is a stole, in the color of her Ajah, but she does not represent her Ajah; she speaks only for the Amyrlin Seat, who represents all Aes Sedai. The Keeper also acts as secretary to the Amyrlin. The Keeper has a staff with a gilt-flamed top.
The anteroom to the Amyrlin’s study has one wide table and a chair behind it for the Keeper of the Chronicles. She also has access to the Thirteenth Depository. Included within the Thirteenth Depository are the lists of those who have been stilled and executed.
Most Keepers have eyes and ears in other countries, but Leane was unique in that she had a network of eyes-and-ears inside Tar Valon itself. By strong tradition the Ajahs send to the Keeper whatever dribbles from their own eyes-and-ears they are willing to share with the Amyrlin.
The Keeper cannot enter the Hall without the Amyrlin, and cannot enter into discussions in the Hall.
When going to the Hall the Keeper precedes the Amyrlin, leading her to the Hall. In the hall, The Keeper sits on the left of the Amyrlin.
When she is announcing the Amyrlin to the Hall, the Keeper says,
"She comes; she comes! The Watcher of the Seals, the Flame of Tar Valon, the Amyrlin Seat. Attend you all, for she comes!"
or less formally,
"She comes. The Watcher of the Seals. The Flame of Tar Valon. The Amyrlin Seat. She comes."When deciding a vote in the Hall the Keeper says:
"The lesser consensus standing, an agreement will be sought with . . .[whatever the matter is]. In the interest of unity, I ask for the greater consensus to stand"Traditions & Protocol
Whatever Ajah she comes from, the Keeper of the Chronicles speaks only for the Amyrlin, and the Amyrlin speaks for all Aes Sedai and all Ajahs.
The Amyrlin gives few audiences without the Keeper present.
When camping, the Amyrlin and Keeper have tents to themselves.
When the Keeper comes into the Amyrlin's study she bows, and does the same as she leaves.
As second to the Amyrlin, the Keeper has no real authority over Aes Sedai except what the Amyrlin chooses to give her, and most assuredly none to dismiss anyone from the Amyrlin's presence.
It is a courtesy for servants to bow and curtsy when the Keeper passes them, but it is not required from sisters.
The rooms with a balcony overlooking the great square in front of the Tower go with the office of Keeper.
The Keeper can enter any Ajah’s apartments.
Previous Keeper
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Previous Keeper
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