Chapter 29
The night air was cool against Levi's skin as he stepped out of the inn, his coin pouch significantly heavier than when he arrived. The distant sound of laughter and music faded behind him, but his mind was already elsewhere. His eyes lifted toward the White Tower, and for a long moment, he simply stared. The structure rose like a spear of moonlight piercing the night sky — tall, graceful, and gleaming with an otherworldly brilliance even in the darkness. Its sheer white stone seemed to drink in the starlight, casting a soft, radiant glow. The tower was impossibly smooth, with no visible seams, its surface almost fluid in its perfection. It was majestic — regal and intimidating all at once, and Levi couldn't help but smile.
"I should start gathering information. It's time," Levi murmured, his grin widening. The tower's beauty didn't distract him from his purpose — it only strengthened his resolve. The truth was, Levi hadn't separated from the cohort just because their sluggish pace had tested his patience, though it certainly had. No, his goal in coming to Tar Valon was far more ambitious. He wanted the White Tower's knowledge — its library, filled with ancient wisdom and secrets. After copying the vast collection of Styria's library, his thirst for knowledge had only grown. Books were more than just tools; they were entertainment, an endless source of wonder and fun. And the Aes Sedai — this powerful, mysterious organization obsessed with their so-called "Wheel of Time" — surely guarded knowledge worth stealing.
Levi's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he made his way closer to the tower, though he didn't approach its gates. Not yet. First, he needed information. He would not blunder into one of the most powerful strongholds in the world without preparation. Strolling along the winding streets that circled the White Tower, he murmured softly under his breath, his fingers tracing subtle patterns in the air. "Oh magic, filter out the sounds that are not related to the Aes Sedai or the White Tower." The spell took hold immediately. The noise of the city — the clatter of carts, the distant shouts of merchants, the laughter from the inns — all fell away. A strange hush descended around him, and then the whispers began.
The filtered voices reached him like threads of sound carried on the wind. Conversations about the Aes Sedai, the White Tower's comings and goings, and the powerful women who resided within flowed to him with startling clarity. Levi walked slowly, hands tucked behind his back, head tilted as if listening to an unseen melody. He heard mentions of Novices and Accepted, of Warders and their strange bonds. Rumors of tensions between Ajahs, of new arrivals and secret meetings. He pieced together bits of gossip and serious talk alike, every word a potential key to the knowledge he sought. The more he listened, the wider his smile grew.
A group of guards passed him, their conversation slipping through his magical filter. "…heard the Red Ajah's been restless lately. Something about a male channeler sighting…" Levi's eyes flicked toward them briefly, his interest piqued, but he kept walking, never drawing attention to himself. Further ahead, two merchants argued in low voices, and amid their bickering came a name — an Aes Sedai rumored to frequent the library. Levi made a mental note of it, his pace steady, his mind absorbing everything. The longer he listened, the clearer the map of the White Tower's inner workings became in his mind. Soon, he would know exactly how to slip inside and claim what he desired. But for now, he gathered his pieces, one whisper at a time.
-scene change-
Days passed in a quiet rhythm, and Levi used every hour to his advantage. He walked the streets of Tar Valon like a ghost — never drawing attention, never staying in one place too long. His spell of filtered sound became second nature, a constant murmur of information flowing into his ears. Bit by bit, a clearer picture of the White Tower and its inhabitants began to form. He learned of the Ajahs — the seven distinct factions of the Aes Sedai — each with their own purpose and role. The Red Ajah, feared and vigilant, often patrolled the grounds, their eyes ever watchful for any sign of male channelers. The Blue Ajah moved with purpose and quiet authority, driven by their pursuit of justice and causes. Greens were the battle Ajah, always prepared for war, while Yellows focused on healing and rarely strayed far from their own quarters. The Grays brokered diplomacy, the Browns buried themselves in research, and the Whites, aloof and logical, moved with a serene detachment from the world.
Through careful observation and patient listening, Levi mapped out the White Tower's daily routines. He noted the shifts of the Tower Guards — disciplined and well-trained, but still only mortal. They patrolled the outer walls in pairs, their rotations consistent but with gaps Levi could exploit. The Warders were another matter entirely — bonded to the Aes Sedai, they moved like living weapons. Their presence was harder to predict, and their senses were razor-sharp. Levi made a point to avoid them, slipping into shadows whenever one passed too close. He also discovered the patterns of the Novices and Accepted, the students of the Tower. Novices scurried under strict supervision, their white dresses marking them easily, while Accepted moved with a bit more freedom, wearing their distinctive banded hems.
Levi's patience paid off when he overheard a crucial conversation between two Brown Ajah sisters discussing the library's wards and protections. "…only those with the proper clearance can pass the second barrier," one had said, her voice low and distracted. "And even then, the ter'angreal records are under lock and key." Levi's pulse quickened at the mention of the rare artifacts — another potential treasure trove of knowledge. He also learned of the library's layout: the public halls where even Novices could study, the restricted wings accessible only to full sisters, and the deepest vaults guarded by both magic and steel.
Despite his growing wealth of information, Levi remained cautious. The Aes Sedai were not to be underestimated, and their Warders made his every step a calculated risk. More than once, he had to duck into alleys or assume an insect form when he felt their attention sweep too close. His insect form, while uncomfortable, proved invaluable in slipping past areas too heavily guarded for a human to approach. He used it to eavesdrop on closed-door meetings and listen from high rafters, piecing together every fragment of knowledge into a larger plan. Slowly but surely, the White Tower's defenses unraveled before him, and his smile grew sharper with every secret uncovered.
One evening, Levi perched on the edge of a rooftop overlooking the White Tower's courtyard, watching the flow of people below. A group of Greens sparred with their Warders, their movements fluid and deadly, while a line of Novices hurried toward their evening lessons. From his vantage point, he saw the six great bridges connecting the island to the mainland, each heavily guarded — but he also noted a smaller, less-used entrance near the river's edge. It was details like these that made the difference between failure and success. Levi's mind worked like clockwork, filing away every weakness, every pattern.