Bera Harkin is an Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah.
Appearance and Personality[]
Bera is a stocky Andoran with a square face. She looks like a farmwife with short brown hair and brown eyes, and would have been mistaken for a farmwife if not for her agelessness. Despite this, she has a sternness and strength of character equal to that of her Green colleague Kiruna Nachiman.
Strength and Abilities[]
She has a One Power strength of 14(2), placing her close to the very top of the Aes Sedai hierarchy. Among the rebel faction, only Romanda Cassin and Lelaine Akashi surpass her in strength, and only Sheriam Bayanar and Kiruna Nachiman are her equal.[1] She is strong enough to Travel.
History[]
Bera was born in the year 938 NE in Andor.
She went to the Tower in 953 NE at the age of 15. After spending only four years as Novice and four as Accepted. During this time, she and Kiruna were pillow friends. Alhough both enjoyed men exclusively later, they remained the very closest of friends.
Bera was raised to the shawl in the year 961 NE at the age of 23 - an almost unprecedented young age.
She has three Warders.
Activities[]
Searching for the Dragon[]
As is the case with many Green sisters, Bera became allied to the Salidar Aes Sedai.
When Elayne and Nynaeve arrived in Salidar, they discovered that Bera and Kiruna had been chosen by the Salidar Hall as ambassadors to the Dragon Reborn in the Aiel Waste. It was thought that their seven Warders would offer sufficient protection in the hostile Waste. Although not explicitly spoken, the Salidar Six likely nominated the two because they were two of the five strongest sisters in the camp and it suited them to get rid of them for political reasons. They departed soon after their appointment.
Bera and Kiruna later discovered that Rand had returned to the Westlands and had just saved Cairhien from attack from the Shaido. They correspondingly altered their plans, following rumors and news, eventually travelling to Rand in Caemlyn instead. They would join with the sisters from the rebel faction already in Caemlyn - a group led by Merana Ambrey. After a breakdown in relations between this group and the Dragon Reborn, Bera and Kiruna assumed leadership and decide to follow him to Cairhien with nine Sisters.
Fealty to the Dragon[]
The group of nine sisters left Cairhien with Perrin Aybara and participated in Rand's rescue at the Battle of Dumai's Wells. Bera is one of the nine Sisters forced to swear fealty to the Dragon after the battle and is placed into the Wise Ones' care.
Cadsuane Melaidhrin arrives in Cairhien and finds Bera in the Sun Palace where she drills her on all the events that have occurred recently. Bera is part of Rand's embassy when he meets with the Sea Folk and makes the Bargain.
Like the others sworn to Rand, she intends to keep her oaths as best she can. However, she could not stand up to Cadsuane openly. She adapts to being an apprentice much better than Kiruna does.
She puts Shalon din Togara Morning Tide to the question as to why she was found bound with Ailil Riatin.
After being sent by Rand to negotiate with the rebel High Lords of Tear, she comes to an agreement with Estanda. She gives Rand the good news while he is in the Stone of Tear that the rebels have agreed to disperse in return for Darlin Sisnera being made king.
She is part of the group that investigates Alanna Mosvani's mysterious disappearance from the Stone of Tear.
She fights in the Last Battle with Aviendha's group of channelers at Shayol Ghul. After Aviendha's initial battle with Hessalam, Bera Heals her vision which had been damaged. Aviendha had her lead a circle.
Viewings[]
- Min Farshaw sees an aura of brownish yellow and a deep purple.
- Min sees her in the palm of Rand's hand. This indicates she will keep her oath and can be trusted by Rand.
Her friendship with Kiruna mirrors that of Siuan and Moiraine: same Ajah, same level of strength, among the strongest of sisters, one a noble and the other a commoner.
- ↑ The Wheel of Time Companion, various entries