The Grey Tower

Bastian knew life away from his little cabin in the woods would be very different from anything he’d yet experienced. Hama Valon alone was almost overwhelming, given its size and the variety of foods and goods he saw as the Master of Arms and Captain General returned to the Tower with him. He’d spent some of his free time in the town, and knew he could get lost in the variety of foods there were to try.

Was he the sort to get into trouble? Not really. While many youth might go through a rebellious stage, there wasn’t much for Bastian to rebel against growing up with his parents. They didn’t see that many people, though his parents insisted on good manners. Those lessons stayed with him after his father’s death. He was far from a young man, and seemed a bit older than a number of his fellow Drin.

Pay attention and learn all you can. . .it sounded like something his father used to say when Bastian was but a small boy. It was advice he’d taken to heart, and would need to do so again if he were to prove himself worthy of the uniform he wore. Could he make it to be a full-fledged Gaidin? Time would tell.

Adjusting to his new life would take time, and he was mostly a patient person. The number of people, both in Hama Valon and here at the Tower was bordering on overwhelming given how much of his life he’d spent solely in the company of his parents, or on his own. Having only had to rely on himself, he wondered if he could truly serve an Aes Sedai or Asha’man in the way Master Darrow served Miahala Sedai.

They were married, though, so perhaps it was different and less about serving for the two of them? It was a question he let bounce in his mind as he walked alongside Haeden.

“Is it something you’ve done much of? Protecting channelers? Are you. . .what is the term I’ve heard? Joined. . .no. . .bonded?”

Bastean listened intently, nodding his understanding as the pair continued to walk. “From what I’ve learned in the short time I’ve been here, to be Gaidin seems to mean to be responsible for another’s life and well being.” He reached up to scratch at his beard as he furrowed his brows, “Listening to what you and others have said, I can understand why someone wouldn’t enter into a bond without much thought. To be responsible for another person’s well being? To be willing to lay down your life so they might live? It is not a trivial thing, and I imagine could be a heavy burden to bare.”

The Drin looked out across the Yards to see an number of Learning Ranks engaged in spars, learning their craft. He’d already learned a few things thanks to his father, and his skill with the axes would likely serve him well. Could he serve another and put his life on the line to protect theirs?

“Since my father died, I’ve only been responsible for me. I’ve lived alone in my little cabin for long enough that all of this can be overwhelming if I let it. This many people? This many buildings? So few trees?” He stopped to look around before turning his pale gaze to Haeden. “My life will never be the same.”

He gave the Gaidin a wry smile, “I suspect I am not the first to say such a thing after crossing paths with your Mother.”