Name: Kysuri Shimasi
Age: 18
Nationality: Born in Shol Arbela to Arafellin father and Domani mother
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 125 lbs.
Hair: Dark black, braided and held up with pins, with silver bells woven into the braids
Eyes: Grey-blue
Personality: Kysuri has a quick wit and a sharp temper. She rarely gets bested in a war of words, and when she does, she is livid. Curbing her tongue and bowing her head have been the two hardest tasks for her while at the Tower. She is rather high-strung and goes to the Mistress of Novices perhaps more than a girl of her age with two years already in the White Tower should. She is surprisingly vulnerable in private, with someone she trusts. To everyone else, she plays the role of a warrior queen, who kills with both word and sword. Her Borderlander upbringing has made her fiercely proud of her heritage.
Channeling Path: Aes SedaiBlock: None
Current Strength: 37 (Strong)
Base Strength: 33 (Below Strong)
Began Channeling At: 14
Current Age: 18
Flow Affinity:
- Spirit: 10
- Air: 8
- Water: 6
- Fire: 6
- Earth: 4
History Synopsis: Kysuri comes from the home of a noble in Shol Arbela. Her father is an Arafellin noble who married a wealthy merchant's daughter. She was trained in court etiquette and poise as soon as she could walk. She has a tendency to judge the people she meets by their social standing, although she understands when a commoner is right. Shara Sedai, the Aes Sedai who brought her to the Tower, said she'd been channeling for two years, meaning she'd most likely developed her own methods. Apparently, there was no block, which was practically a miracle. Shara's notes also indicate that the lack of a block suggest the wilder has some of her own secret weaves.
As Told by Kysuri Shimasi to a Companion:
A Childhood:
"Well, my father was a member of one of the Arafellin noble houses who saw my mother one day at a feast the King held in court. She was a merchant's daughter, but her father was prominent enough that no one looked unfavorably upon the match, least of all my father. I suspect he would have married her had she been a pig-farmer's daughter. I am the...well, I was born second in my family, but I am the oldest surviving child. My brother Kyshiin was born first, and my father was oh so proud. Mother used to tell me he had Shiin practicing with the Arafellin Guard as soon as his stubby hands could hold a stick. I suppose that was why he grew so skilled. A year later, I was born second, and my mother told me she was relieved that she would not be forced to raise a house of boys. My little sister Kysuin was born two years after me. Mother always said Kyshiin was the foolhardy one, I was the vain one, and Kysuin was the loud one. She has a powerful set of lungs on her and very little sense of being ladylike. My childhood was uneventful, I suppose, at least until I was 14. My father held some political sway, so I was raised to speak and walk like a noblewoman and not to interfere in adult affairs. I always tried though; I would be removed gently but firmly from so many meetings when I was younger. Even as a child, I liked pretty things. My father would buy my brother weapons, and my sister sweets, but he would always find jewels for me, jewels or silks, that is. I suppose I was spoiled rotten, but I don't care. The things he gave me were just beautiful. I can't tell you how much I miss the silk. Having to wear plain white all the time was nearly enough to put me off the Tower entirely. No, I exaggerate, but I did love them so. Boys? Oh, boys and I got on very well. A bit too well, if you ask my Mother, but she always was a bit overprotective. They always had to know their place, of course, and not become too familiar, but as long as they kept themselves in check, I did not mind spending time with them. I had everything I ever wanted: clothes, jewels, a loving family, and several attractive young men who might someday be betrothed to me. Of course, that was before everything changed."
The Meeting:
"It began when I was 14. I had begun to channel, just ever so slightly. I tested it cautiously, though, and never told anyone beyond my mother. My maid, Arika, knew, but only because in teenage fit I tried to hit her with the One Power. With practice, my weaving became stronger and more sure. Well, when I was 16, an Aes Sedai came to my grandfather's house in Bandar Eban. I was visiting him at the time with my mother. I was scared of Shara Sedai and avoided speaking with her. I thought she might be able to tell that I was a wilder. She continually tried to take me away from large groups and speak to me one-on-one. Acting the lighthead, I blithely demurred when she asked, stating I thought she'd rather be near her hosts. Finally, her patience broke. Without forsaking Aes Sedai calm, she grabbed my arm and practically dragged me into my room. She ordered Anika out, and the girl went like a Darkfriend before Questioners. As exasperated as she was, I'm surprised she didn't shake me. She carefully took my head in her hands and I saw a faint glimmer of saidar
around her.
'Child, can you channel?' she demanded bluntly.
My heart stopped for a moment, 'Yes...'
'Don't hesitate, child. You can channel. I can tell you've already begun. How long?'
'About two years,' I answered.
'Then you must come with me to the White Tower. It's for your own safety. If you kept on channeling without training, you'd die. If you were lucky, you would just burn yourself out.'
With that, she gathered her skirts and floated from the room. I stood there, in shock, that I would become an Aes Sedai. Well, that was just the beginning of how I came to the Tower. But the rest is for another time."
Beginning the Journey:
"The next morning, Shara Sedai wished to set out early. I did not mind that she said my maid could not come to the Tower. After all, I'm not a doll. I can take care of myself, and have when it was necessary. But that morning I let Anika put my hair up in ribbons, my best bells, and ornaments. I do have a weak spot for my hair. But this was worth it. After entering the Hall, I gave my mother and grandfather a hug, gave my mother a letter to take to my father and strode out to where Shara Sedai and her Warder was waiting. He was a muscular, fighting, barely-contained-leopard kind of man, but I felt safer with him around. I mounted the horse my grandfather provided and we set off for a normal trip to the White Tower. Or so I thought."
Katar:
"When Shara Sedai told me we would stop in Katar for two days, I couldn't have been happier. I loved Katar, and I didn't often go, as we lived in Shol Arbela and only visited Arad Doman around once a year. We stopped at an inn named the Singing Goose. However, Shara Sedai told me that I was to stay in the room while she took care of some business in another district! Well, I was disgusted. To be in Katar for the first time in one and a half years and not to see any of it! As soon as I was sure the Aes Sedai and her Warder were gone, I crept out of my room. Unfortunately, Shara Sedai had told the innkeeper to make sure I stayed in my room. I manuevered out of her reprimand by saying I was just looking for a glass of milk. She gave me a motherly smile and sent me back upstairs with my milk. Sitting down on the bed, my mind raced to find a way out of the inn. Peering out my window, I saw a cart of hay underneath it. It's certainly not dignified,
I thought to myself, but a little common fun is worth seeing Katar.
Without another thought, I jumped from my window. The landing was harder than I wanted, but not enough to actually hurt. I'm not soft, you know. Anyway, the day was spent wandering through the markets, looking at the Ogier-built structures, and generally wasting time. With a startled glance at the sun, I realized Shara Sedai might return soon. Disregarding all manner of calm and composure, I bolted through the crowded streets...and slammed in Shara Sedai's Warder, Mikel. Blast it.
He grinned as though he knew what awaited me. He was very gentlemanly about it and escorted back in, giving me time to arrange my hair as I wanted. Shara Sedai was sitting at a table in the common room. Without seeming to mind that I was late, she stood and took me back to my room. There, I learned that she didn't want to lash out at me in front of everyone. Her correction was neither harsh nor loud, but very frightening. From then on, I decided to obey the Aes Sedai."
The Two Rivers:
"The next notable stop on our trip was in the Two Rivers area: a town named Baerlon, though I had never heard of it before. It was there things started to get interesting. We arrived in Baerlon around midday, and Shara Sedai decided to pause for luncheon at a local inn. I had arrived somewhat back in her good graces (at least as far as you can with Aes Sedai) and was allowed to wander the streets for some time while the Aes Sedai, posing as a lady, conducted some business. To be honest, she would have sent me away if I had not asked first. Anyway, I walked along the streets of Baerlon without much regard for direction or landmarks. It was not a big city at all compared to Shol Arbela and I had navigated that at the age of five. Soon I found myself in a less traveled area of town. While not slums, the houses definitely possessed a more dingy look. Passing a slightly more clean house, my feet suddenly froze. Out of my past came a voice I never wanted to hear again.
~~flashback~~
The wagon ride was long and arduous, but worth it in 14-year-old Kysuri's eyes. Firstly, it was to go see her grandfather in Bandar Eban. Secondly, it was her first excursion from out under the protective hood of her parents. Thirdly, and lastly, she was accompanied by her 16-year-old brother, Kyshiin. He was the apple of her eye and could do no wrong. It was his persuasion that allowed her to make this journey with him. He was in charge of taking their mother's goods to her merchant father who would sell them in Bandar Eban. She smiled up at him as he rode beside her on his horse. The train of goods stretched out 15 more wagons behind them, with a company of their father's armsmen for protection. In Kysuri's opinion, the guards were unnecessary. Her brother had his silver bell already, and was more than a match for any Shadowspawn who came their way.
"Suri, are you alright? Do you need to take a rest?" Kyshiin asked her yet again.
"No, Shiin. I'm really fine," she answered, "You sound like Mother."
He grinned back at her; the love and adoration on Kysuri's part was mutual as far as he was concerned.
A roar suddenly erupted from the woods beyond the turn in the road. A group of Trollocs barged from the hidden ambush.
"Suri, stay in the wagon! Armsmen, for Arafel!" he called, brandishing the twin swords from his horse's sheath. His bells chimed madly.
Kysuri ducked into the wagon, but watched with wide eyes as the Trollocs and Arafellin soldier met head-on. It was not her first time seeing a Trolloc (no Borderlander was that sheltered) but it was the first time she had seen so many. There must have been at least 70, with only 20 Arafellin guards. Her brother led the charge, already carving two Trollocs into meat for their own cookpot. The guards were dealing out as much or more damage than they took, but their numbers were steadily reducing. Kyshiin decapitated a Trolloc and turned to look for his sister.
"Suri!" he called, trying to warn her.
She burst out from the wagon, right into the arms of a human who regarded her with a leer.
"Wot's this we have? A little Arafellin girlie?" he rasped.
Like any true Arafellin confronted by a Darkfriend, Kysuri spit directly in his face, blinding one eye. He dropped her and she darted towards the only place of safety she knew: her brother. He dismounted, placing her behind him. The guards were falling rapidly,; only five remained, confronted by 20 Trollocs and the Darkfriend. They formed into a pentagon around the boy and his sister.
"Stop!" came the snakeskin command.
Kysuri turned in fear to see a Myrddraal, step from the shadows of the forest.
"I want them as prisoners for the Great Lord."
Kyshiin shook his head, setting his bells chiming violently. Kysuri followed her brother's example, as the guards copied them both. The air filled with the chiming of silver bells. The Myrddraal hissed in vexation at their defiance.
"Leave the boy and his sister alive. Kill the others," commanded the Fade.
The Trolloc rushed with such intensity that the remaining guards were overwhelmed almost instantly. Kysuri opened her mouth to scream as one's club fell and the sky darkened...
...chained to a post, Kysuri could barely lift her head. She looked frantically for Kyshiin and found him tied next to her. She mumbled through the gag to try and wake him up. It was a little before sunset and the Trollocs were stirring a large pot. She was Borderlander enough to know what was in it. She turned her eyes from it to a more frightening sight. The Myrddraal watched her from behind eyeless holes. He stood slowly. She feared he would approach, but he stared for a moment more and walked beyond the shadow of the trees. Kysuri wiggled until her hand closed on one of her elaborate hair pins. Grandfather always teased me that they looked like sursa, she thought. With the point, she triggered the lock that bound her and crept to her brother. The Trollocs were busy with the pot, and there was no sign of the Darkfriend. She used her hairpin again to unlock her brother who came awake when she touched his skin.
Removing his gag, he whispered, "We must get a horse and then ride as fast as we can."
She whispered back, "The only horses are tied up behind the Trollocs."
His mischievious smile lit up his face, "All the better."
He snatched his swords up with a yell, and fell upon the Trollocs. Three were slain before standing, and another before they were armed. Kysuri picked up one of the guards discarded swords (two were too much for her) and gaped at a Trolloc who appeared intent on bashing her head. Raising her arms, she gasped as the creature ran onto the blade and fell over. Unable to free the sword from its body, she grabbed another. Without the Myrddraal nearby, the Trollocs were disorganized and were falling to Kyshiin's blades. Only four remained, but Kyshiin was suffering from his headwound and not blocking their attacks as well. Kysuri raised her hand to point at a Trolloc who might pierce his defense, when a firestream flashed into existence and incinerated the creature. Kysuri's eyes popped as she realized the firestream had come from her finger. She felt more alive than ever before, able to see minute details of things and more vibrant colors. She felt within her the power of that string of Fire. She unleashed it again on another Trolloc, again burning a hole through its abdomen. It fell to the ground, dying slowly. I must be channeling the One Power, she told herself. She released the Power, feeling a tinge of regret. Kyshiin dispatched the last Trolloc...as the Myrddraal stepped out of the shadows. Its eyeless stare took in the devastation that was once its camp and it drew blackened steel. Kyshiin motioned for Kysuri to stay back and raised his swords. Her mouth opened in a wordless scream. The battle was long yet fast-paced and her brother only barely managed to turn the Fade's strikes aside. The Myrddraal also slowed, feeling the effects of Kyshiin repeated hits in its torso. Finally, as time slowed for Kysuri, the blade slipped through and sliced her brother's ribs.
"Kyshiin!" she screamed, sobbing.
The Myrddraal raised its head and began to walk toward her. Backing up, she scrabbled at the Power, trying vainly to summon it back. After one horrible instant, it reappeared. The Myrddraal stopped suddenly. Kysuri raised her hands in defense against the blade of death. From them came streams of Fire, almost looking like serpents, striking the Fade again and again. It shook from the violence and speed of the attacks, and finally fell to the ground. The sun set almost instantly, and the Fade was quiet. She ran to her brother, who gasped with the effort. It was a small cut, but one that would kill him very soon. She cried, and without knowing how let a weave of...something sink into her brother. He gasped as though doused with cold water and stood shakily. The cut shrunk, but did not close fully.
"Suri...you...must get me...to a village."
She helped him to a horse and rode through the woods with the speed of a hunting leopard. His face began to darken as the Myrddraal poison took effect. She saw huts in the distance! She rode into the village and knocked on teh door.
"Please, take us to the healer," she begged.
Soon the healer arrived, and Kysuri blurted out the story, hesitating over the channeling.
"It's...true," gasped her brother.
The villagers regarded Kysuri with a mixture of fear and curiosity. The healer raised her head, and slowly shook it. No! After what I did, how can he not live? she screamed inside. He motioned for her to come closer.
"Tell...them I love...them. Suri...I want you...to have my bells. You...earned them."
She took them from his hair, and stood sobbing over his bed as the healer braided them in for her. He nodded once, as though in approval, and was still. Her tears fell on the body of Kyshiin Shimasi, warrior of Arafel.
~~end of flashback~~
Now, standing in the town of Baerlon, I heard the one voice I hoped to never hear again: the one of the Darkfriend who took my brother from me. I stood perfectly erect, straining to hear the voice clearer. On an impulse, I embraced the Source, enhancing my senses. It was the Darkfriend indeed. I turned to burst into the house, preparing one of my secret weaves, the Fire-serpents, to slay him on the spot. As I turned, I ran into a boy of my own age.
'Let me pass,' I ordered him, oblivious to all but the dead man I would soon meet.
He gave me a strange look, but held me from going past him, 'I wouldn’t go in there. They say he’s a crazy soldier, and he doesn’t like strangers entering. They even said he killed one who did.'
'Little do you know,' I retorted, releasing the Fire-serpent weave and preparing an Air one to switch this boy with.
'True, I am from the Two Rivers down south, but you are not from around here at all. I really don’t think that’s a good idea.'
As I raised my Air-switch, Shara Sedai rounded the corner, 'Kysuri Shimasi! You will stand away from that boy and release it.'
I opened my mouth to protest, but the glow of saidar sprung up around Shara Sedai, and a shield rammed home with another switch falling on my bottom. I jumped.
The boy looked confused, probably over the 'it', 'She was not doing anything, my Lady. I was just trying to talk her out of visiting the man who lives here.'
'Yes yes, thank you boy. You may go. Come with me, Kysuri.'
I shot a hate-filled glance at the door once more and walked towards Shara Sedai. As they rounded the corner back to the inn and the Aes Sedai dropped the shield, I turned to see the house once more, to mark it for when I returned. As I did, my eyes met that of the Darkfriend, and his widened in recognition. It took all my strength to not embrace the Source and flay him alive. But I shook my head and set my bells chiming again. The Darkfriend’s eyes narrowed and he ducked back in his house. Upon returning to the inn, Shara Sedai locked me in my room and would not speak to me at all. The next morning, when I explained what had happened to her (in terms that nearly got me a switching and shielding), she went to the house and found it vacant. We left at midday, and as we left I turned to see if I could see the Darkfriend anywhere. All I saw was the boy at the gates. He smiled and waved at me. I stood straighter, but relented, smiled, and waved back. I will see that Darkfriend again, I know it. If he is at all smart, he may follow me. Unless he knows I am with Aes Sedai. Now, I will have no other thoughts besides finding and killing him,
I told myself firmly. But my thoughts wandered almost immediately, You know, that boy really did have a nice smile
."
Caemlyn:
“After Baerlon, our next stop was Caemlyn, the capital of Andor. We stayed there for about four days. I was forced to accompany Shara Sedai everywhere. She still had me under stricture. When we returned to the inn after visiting some seamstress (I think she was an eyes-and-ears), the innkeeper told us a man had been asking after me. From her description I recognized him as the Darkfriend. He had told her not to mention his visit, but she knew Shara Sedai and suspected treachery. I immediately demanded to know which way he went and began to run after him. Shara Sedai and Mikel caught me, but she decided it would be best if I located him first, and she made me promise to come get her the minute I found him. I agreed and darted away again. After pushing my way through several markets, I spotted the fiend about two streets ahead of me. I followed the Darkfriend, at a distance, to a dark little house. He knocked three times and entered. I had more anger than brains at that point, and I barged in without considering my promise to Shara Sedai. I had enough sense to embrace the Power, but when I entered, I saw three Darkfriends with the one I had followed. I managed to set one on Fire but the other three leapt after me with knives drawn. I suspected, as all Borderlanders do, the knives were poisoned. As I ran through the markets, the three chased me.
‘Hey, watch where you’re going,” a boy’s voice said to me.
As I looked up, I saw the face of the boy who had rescued me in Baerlon.
‘Well, I’ll be…’ he said, ‘What are you doing here?’
‘No time. He’s after me. You have to help me hide,’ I spilled out.
He practically stuffed me into a cart, and the Darkfriends passed me by. He introduced himself as Arnom al'Morn, and I told him my name. The Darkfriends scoured the market as he sat nonchalantly with his back to me, looking as though he was just resting. I told him the whole story in whispered tones. After a while, the Darkfriends barged in on another house. We could see them talking animatedly to another man. I suspected he was a Darkfriend as well. They started preparing to leave, packing up items and things. Arnom snuck me off, and I brought him with me as a witness to Shara Sedai. When I found her, she was less than happy. I got a rough side of her tongue (who knew Aes Sedai knew that language?) and she practically locked me in my room once again. She thanked Arnom however, and told him that he had done the White Tower a great service. She said he would make a fine Warder, but he mumbled, obviously embarrassed, that he wanted to be a Queen's Guard. She told him it was an admirable position. She then told him to leave, as it was no longer his affair.
As he walked out, he turned to me and said, ‘If I ever come to Tar Valon, I might come visit you.’
I blushed like a girl of 12 and said, ‘When I am Aes Sedai, I will come see you at your post. But by then you’ll be Head of the Guard.’
He smiled and waved goodbye as he left through the marketplace. I shook my head to clear it. I had another job to do. I showed Shara Sedai and Mikel the house. She alerted the Guards who stormed in and caught the Darkfriends removing a body. There was a great fight, and three of the Darkfriends were captured. The one I was after got away from the Guards and began to run through the alleys deeper into town. I started to chase him, but Shara Sedai stopped me. I pleaded with her, and finally she conceded to let me pursue him. She told me if I was killed, then she would waste no tears mourning me; I would have made a stupid mistake and would have to pay for it.
Her exact words though were ‘You mustn’t think I will mourn you if you die. You must pay for blunders.’ After I thought them over, I realized she never said straight out she would not mourn over me.
As I followed the Darkfriend, I saw him enter a winding alley, cornered in a dank hole. He drew a knife, but I managed a weave of Air to sending to point first into the clay building’s wall next to us. He lunged at me, and I attempted to erupt the ground beneath his feet. I had no skill in Earth, and further, I did not know the weave. The result was a slight rumble and a shake. It was enough to throw him off balance. He fell, and I snatched his knife from the wall. I could almost feel the darkness from it, and I wanted to be rid of it as soon as I could. He recovered himself and started telling me how the Myrddraal had told him my brother begged for life and offered me instead of him. Enraged by his statement, I leapt at him. His second blade caught my stomach, ripping open a wound. I lay on the ground, in pain, as he stood over me. With a last breath of effort, I raised my hand and plunged it into his leg. As I guessed, the blade was coated with some type of poison, and the Darkfriend gurgled before falling to the ground. As I lost consciousness, I saw Mikel picking me up.
When I awoke, I was back at the inn. Shara Sedai explained that my exhaustion and my ravenous desire to eat came from the Healing she had given me. After a large breakfast, she was determined to set off for Tar Valon.
As we left Caemlyn behind, she turned to me and said, ‘You have spirit and strength.’
Her face darkened, ‘You must leave them behind when you put on novice white and pick them back up before your tests. You will never attempt the things you have attempted with me at the White Tower. If I hear of you causing trouble for Aes Sedai, you will not forget the lesson though you live to one thousand.”
Since she said it straight out, I had to believe. I asked her forgiveness for the trouble I caused, and she pursed her lips. After granting it, she told me that it may seem easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, but I should never do so. I thanked her, and realized with a slight shock, I had come to respect Shara Sedai more than anyone I had ever known. As we arrived in Tar Valon, I had an example to follow if I was to be Aes Sedai. After entering me in the novice book, Shara Sedai left the Tower. She comes back every once and again, and always watches me, but I have not spoken with her again."