The Grey Tower

"Everything is a Bargain with my people" Taesh responded to the Aiel. "Want an Atha'an Miere to transport something for you, prepare to negotiate. Need some information, that needs negotiation. The better the Bargain, the more prestige. Do something great for your clan, and you could see yourself married to a Sailmistress before the sun sets. That's how my mother and father got married. She was already Sailmistress, and he just another body on the ship I suppose." Taesh didn't really know much about his father's like before he became Cargomaster of the Star Song. "He did something, got a great trade agreement exclusively for the Clan, and before the tide could change he was married to my mother. At least that's what everyone tells me" Taesh smiled, remembering his parents, and his clan fondly.

"But yes friend Aiel. You want passage on an Atha'an Miere ship, you make a Bargain. And we might not collect right away, but we always get what was promised. Don't worry though, we never ask for your first born like some say. The shorebound tend to be a little to soft for sea-life, or so I hear" Taesh laughed. "Word is though you Aiel are a tought lot, though I hear trying to get one of you actually on a ship and out to sea might cost more than any Sailmistress would be willing to pay." Another laugh escaped the Atha'an Miere's throat.

"Hmm," Jhanic mused as his friend explained the bargaining system of the Seafolk. He laughed at his comment about it being difficult to have an Aiel board one of their ships. "Yes, just the idea of a vessel that can move on water, or that it would even be necessary for something like that to exist was like a fantasy to me. Water is extremely hard to come by in the Three-Fold Land. Clans begin blood feuds over it, if they feel that their water has been unduly breeched. I would hesitate to say that I would board a ship easily, but I could be convinced." He laughed at his own uneasiness.

"The bargaining system sounds interesting. The Aiel have a system that is harder to explain than the exchange of goods and services. It's called ji'e'toh. Honor and obligation. For instance, I considered the Asha'man that discovered my ability to channel as having ji, because he was good enough to tell me of this ability. I consider myself to owe a toh to him, because had he not told me, there is a chance that I could have harmed someone, or myself without the training needed. I must now meet that toh by successfully finishing my training. Ji'e'toh is a way of living for Aiel. It is something that I still strive to live by, but it is difficult sometimes, because no one else here adheres to it, and it is not my place to make them do it." he shrugged.

Glancing at the sun, he remembered something. "Ah, and now, I must continue to meet that toh to Asha'man Kalir. I must leave, if I am to make it to my next class on time. It was a pleasure speaking with you, Taesh of Star Song. I hope we meet again someday."

A look of disappointment crept across the Atha'an Miere's face. He was thoroughly enjoying the conversation, and the learning opportunity. The explanation of ji'e'toh was especially interesting and Taesh wanted to know more. It was different than his people and their Bargains but he could see a thread of similarity between each. We are similar in many ways, I too would be interested in seeing a Wavemistress and Clan Chief interact Taesh thought to himself.

To Jhanic he said "I understand my friend. Duty always calls here, especially for we mere Soldiers." A genuine smile was on Taesh's lips as he bid the no-longer-a-stranger Aiel farewell. "I am sure that we will meet again. Next time I'll tell you about being on a ship in the middle of a maelstrom. Imagine, water beneath and above!" Taesh said laughing as the Aiel turned to leave. "Strong winds to you Jhanic of the Tomanelle." Taesh couldn't remember the rest of the words the Aiel had given when he introduced himself.