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Name: Athara Malin of the Black Water Nakai Aiel
Pronunciation: A-there-a ma-linn
Age: 17
Society: Aes Sedai
Ajah: Aspiring Green
Nationality: Aiel

Mental and Physical Description:
Physical: Tall, very muscled, long blonde hair, hazel eyes Mental: Typical Aiel, but slightly more...forward than most

Biography:
I can honestly say, I despise the Wetlands. What is there to like about the place? The people all dress like the idiots they are, women flaunting what they don’t have and men drooling at the lacking females. It disgusts me. After I crossed the Dragonwall, I adapted, changing my wardrobe to clothes that would disguise me in these strange things called ‘forests’ with these even stranger things called ‘trees’. Even so, Aiel could see me easily, but could these Wetlanders? Of course not! Again, it disgusts me.

I, naturally, was born in the Waste. Now that is a truly remarkable place. The people there are actually sane, and capable of things these soft people on this side of the wall can only dream about. My sire was a Shae'en M'taal, my mother a well know Wise One. Both were hard people, and raised me to have the kind of strength they have.

The time came when our clan was to travel to these worthless Wetlands, and being the resilient family we were it took us a matter of hours to have every last one of our possessions in packs and secured to us. It took a full rotation of the sun before we reached the other side of the wall. Once there, every Aiel was astounded by the things we saw. Water was in the form of white powder, and massive holes full of it scattered the landscape. Wars were fought over trivial things like who ruled and who owned what scrap of land. People were more concerned over how they looked to others than they were about ji’e’toh. It disgusts me.

My mother had known I had the capabilities to become a Wise One early on, and had begun teaching me basic skills. To my utter astonishment, once my mother heard about this White Tower and these Aes Sedai, she changed her thinking instantly. To my absolute horror she decided that I would better serve as an Aes Sedai. An Aes Sedai! Obviously, I was furious. All I wanted to do was to be a Wise One. I had worked diligently to do so, and was willing to do anything required. But my mother stood firm, under the argument that I could bring good to this Tower, and it would be a powerful statement to have a gifted Aiel as an Aes Sedai. I could have spit on her.

With a memorized map in my head and a pack full of necessities, I was discarded by the Nakai and instructed to fulfill my duty to my clan and become Aes Sedai. Only then was I to return, to learn from the Wise Ones again, and perhaps take my teachings back to the Tower. That was how I was to help fight the Nameless One, so said my mother. And this I will do. But still, it disgusts me.

Audition:

Athara could hardly believe what she was hearing. She wanted her to go to the thing called the White Tower? Was she mad!? No self-respecting Aiel would be caught dead in that hole for half-trained witches! Those women thought they were Goddesses, above the Light themselves. And she was just about to say so when her mother glared sharply at her.

"I know what your thinking, girl, and I will have none of it. You WILL go to the Tower, and you WILL learn what they have to teach you." It was amazing how the woman could sound deadlier than dehydration without even raising her voice. Athara sighed inwardly.

"But Wise One, there is no point to my going to this *place*," she accented the last word, voice dripping distain. "You are more than capable of teaching me than these women who call themselves channelers. I would be far more useful as a Wise One than an Aes Sedai." Light but did that word sound odd!

"Daughter, I have...Seen this," her mother said, lowering her voice to an onimous tone. "If you do not go to the White Tower and become Aes Sedai, one of the Green Ajah, the Nakai will cease to exist. They will meld into the Shaido, consumed with hate and unable to follow the Old Traditions. You know what I say will come to pass unless you do what you are told." With that, her mother sat straight again and waved her hand at one of her *gai'shain* for water. He did so without hesitation, before fading into the background again. Athara could only stare at the ground

"If you have...Seen, this then it must be true. I will do as you say, I will become an Aes Sedai, one of the Green Ajah. When I have done so, I will join you yet again." Reluctantly, Athara bent to gather her things, that had been discarded heatedly when she had first entered. Her mother stood and ran her hand across her daughters cheek, a rare moment of tenderness.

"'Till shade is gone, till water is gone, into the Shadow with teeth bared, screaming with defiance with the last breath, to spit in Sightblinder’s eye on the Last Day.' I will visit you in *Tel'aran'rhiod* daughter. May you always find water, and may you always find shade, Athara Malin," her mother formalized sadly.

"'Till shade is gone, till water is gone, into the Shadow with teeth bared, screaming with defiance with the last breath, to spit in Sightblinder’s eye on the Last Day.' May you always find water, and may you always find shade, Wise One Jesmah Malin," Athara responded, turning from the tent and making her way out of the camp of the Nakai. She saw her father watching her leave and grieved for his sadness. She had sworn she would be back, and so she would. Still, it disgusted her.

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