The Grey Tower

Riahana arched a brow as the Novice began her reply, “With all due respect, Gaidar. I’m on a free period, and both of these men are my friends. I came to watch them spar, and was not expecting such a fight. I'm sorry for any disturbance it may have caused."

The Novice didn’t know who Riahana was, which wasn’t entirely surprising, but the dismissive tone from the young woman wasn’t acceptable when she was addressing a full rank, especially one who was the same rank as the Amyrlin Seat and M’hael.

As the trio started to walk past, Riahana held up her left hand, “Drin’farji, and Ji’alantin, please report to Master Darrow.” The Mistress of Arms then turned her attention to the Novice, “With all due respect, Novice, I was not seeking an apology from you for the behavior of your friends. The pair of them made their decisions, and now have to deal with the consequences.

“Because you do not have somewhere to be at this time, you can report to the Mistress of the Kitchens and explain to her that the Mistress of Arms suggested you needed something to do,” Ria explained. She kept her tone even, and her face was devoid of expression. The Novice might have a free period, but she was not entitled to spend it with her friends, who were now in their own pot of hot water.

Danos had seen Terric jump up from the sands after his healing, and was glad when the man deftly accepted the criticism from Riahana Gaidar.

Danos was certain the tall Aielman was no stranger to tough training and from the little he had heard of the Aiel they were sticklers for respect.

Avyra of course reacted like a wet and cornered badger. Danos wincing when not only did she continue to call them to task, but then balked at the Mistress of Arms no less.

She meant well, and it's interesting that her and Terric are friendly enough that she would leap to his defence as well. But that passion is going to land her with a birching," Danos thought as he saw her look of annoyance just before she headed off to the Kitchens.

As Danos fell in with the other trainee, he allowed himself to match Terric's stride. He was tempted to fall into the Void, the better to dispel his growing dread, but he knew the other man had yet to learn and it seemed unfair to use it somehow.

"Terric, I have a question. You said back there that there was no Toh between you or I, but there was when between you and Riahana Gaidar. I would like to understand that," Danos asked; his curiosity at the often mentioned but vaguely understood Aiel sense of honor, making him ask.

It was a touching gesture, Avyra standing up for him. He hoped she wouldn’t be in too much trouble form the Mistress of Kitchens. He put that from his mind as Danos al’Sheen approached. He did not think he was a vengeful man but he decided to be on guard just in case.

"Terric, I have a question. You said back there that there was no Toh between you or I, but there was when between you and Riahana Gaidar. I would like to understand that," he asked as they walked.

Good another Wetlander who cared to understand the right way of things. “You may have heard the word in your Old Tongue classes, but obligation only covers the smallest part of it. You can’t tell somebody else they have Toh. It’s not like owing somebody the next round of drinks. If you have dishonored or wronged somebody, you can declare that you have toh to them and ask them to help you meet your toh. I do not feel wronged by you so you do not have toh towards me. That declaration washes away the obligation. Without that declaration, one must find a way to meet the toh. Failing to do so loses Ji or honor. Honor comes from your actions, not your birth. While you do not have toh towards me, I do towards you. I did fight out of pride. My pride would not let me bested by a Wetlander.” He raised a hand to forestall any comments, “I won’t claim that I made you do anything. Nobody can make somebody else do something, but I did push the spar past its boundaries. Because of my pride, I injured you and we both must face punishment from the Master of Training. How may I meet my toh?”

Danos walked beside Terric, glad that the walk to the Master of Training's office was long enough to let both men get the air cleared after the fight.

As the Aielman started to explain Toh Danos stopped as he could tell that this was going to take more than passing attention.

Stopping at the fence line, Danos grabbed a chance to wash his shirt a little, getting the worst of the red off before redonning both his coat and jacket. I doubt it will make any difference, but no sense arriving half naked before Master Darrow thought Danos as he buttoned the jacket.

As Terric explained the concept, Danos could tell that it was most likely the barest surface explanation. But in some ways it made sense to him. Its like a master of a craft surveying his work. Once he has his seal none will say no, but it's truly up to each craftsman whether his work is to standard each day. This seems similar. A person can only hold themselves to any standard after all, Danos thought to himself as he noted that the Ji concept also made sense. He had met few nobles, but the idea of honour by birth had always rung false to him.

"I think I can see the beginnings of the idea Terric, and I know how much a part of Aiel culture it is from our lessons here. It's probably something you have to be born with to understand well enough to not insult others by adopting it. But if you feel you have Toh, I will do what I can to help you meet it. For now let's see what Master Darrow demands. After that we will see what our actions have carved as my Uncle would say," Danos finished as he clasped Terric's hand in a gesture of friendship.

As strange as it might have seen before the Grey Tower, he truly felt he had gained a measure of the man. And it was a measure he liked and respected.