In the Library [Attn: Soldier Taesh]

[Bella]

In what would come as no surprise to anyone who knew him, Derren was in the library. He had one part of one long table claimed with two books opened before him, as well as a small stack of paper that he was taking notes on. His studies were ongoing, for he felt that answers for the present and future could be found if one studied the past.

And there was much past to study. He was well on his way to be a century old and he still hadn't studied it all to his satisfaction yet.

Derren channeled his natural-born intensity into projects like this and so it was that he rarely looked up. It was during one such infrequent moment that he noticed a young man walking in the section near him. The uniform marked him a Soldier, though it wasn't anyone that Derren had met. He watched him for a moment, out of curiosity really, and thought he looked like he was seeking something.

"Can I help you find something, Soldier?" he asked. He'd spent enough time mentoring and teaching the Tower's youth for the question to be second nature.

[Kenneth]

It had been an exhausting day for Taesh. Between channeling lessons, chores, and everything else that must be done the young Atha'an Miere was tired. However he found himself in the library searching for a text because of a history lesson earlier in the day. It was an Asha'man of the Brown who was teaching interested students about the history of the different nations, that had started this literary quest. During the lesson the topic on the history the nations had shifted to a discussion on the many conflicts and wars that had taken place. Taesh had taken much interest in that part of the lesson, specifically in how and why the wars were ended. It was after asking several questions, long after the class had ended that the Asha'man had told Taesh that there was a Treatise on Treaties he might be interested in as well as a book called Recognizing Conflict, both written by Aes Sedai of the Gray Ajah.

So it was that Taesh found himself in the library. He had already found several books on different wars, but not the ones the that he was looking for. He hoped that no one currently had it out of the library, he really wanted to learn about drafting treaties. After hearing about all the devastation of war, and it's long reaching affects both geographically and temporally, he wanted to learn more about their effect, why wars happened, and most importantly how and who ended them. Still he couldn't find the books, and was getting frustrated when he heard another voice.

"Can I help you find something, Soldier?"

Taesh jumped when he turned to the side. He hadn't even noticed anyone else in the area, he was so intent on finding the recommended books. Once the surprise wore off Taesh looked at the face, one he didn't recognize but he had spent enough time in the Tower to recognize rank on sight. He bowed to the unknown Asha'man quickly, knowing that some were very strict on protocol. When he stood straight again he smiled and looked from the Asha'man at the table to the books on the shelves.

"I apologize for disturbing you," he said. "I am just looking for two works. A Treatise on Treaties and Recognizing Conflict."

[Bella]

Derren acknowledge the young man's bow and apology with a single bow of his head. The Grey was not as insistent on all details of protocol as some of his brothers and sisters were, he did insist on a certain level of respect in good manners and he was pleased to see the young Soldier observing such. He hadn't seen him before, but that was not unusual. There was a bumper crop of young ones lately, or so it seemed.

The books he was seeking were what really piqued his curiosity, however, because they were written by and frequently read by those of or aspiring to his own Ajah. One corner of his mouth pulled up slightly. "I am in possession of one here," he said, waving at the open copy of Recognizing Conflict that was on the table before him.

"A Treatise on Treaties--" A play on alliteration that formed a tongue-twister that had always bothered him. "--I am not sure of. It should be on that second shelf, third section there. If it's not, it's likely one of the Grey has it signed out." He pointed to where he described. "Are you aspiring to that Ajah? Not your average light reading for a Soldier."

[Kenneth]

Taesh didn't know whether to smile or sigh when the Asha'man pointed at the book on his desk. If he was currently studying from it, Taesh could all but kiss his chance of borrowing goodbye. The Atha'an Miere turned to where he was directed, looking for the treatise, hoping to find at least on of the two literary works. Two his surprise the work was exactly where the Asha'man said it was. If it was a seaviper I would be dead right now Taesh thought to himself, the book had been right in front of him.

He carefully took it off of the shelf, the Browns who ran the library threatened dire consequences if anything happened to any of the books. Then Taesh turned back to the helpful Asha'man and smiled in appreciation, his dark-brown eyes flashing with mirth now that he had accomplished part of his mission.

"Thank you" he said first. "I am not sure about the Grey. I don't really know a lot about them" he admitted. "From what I have heard though, I believe I could commit myself to the Grey. Give me calm seas over a storm any day." Even on the Star Song it was often commented on how quickly Taesh would appear to diffuse a situation, with guile, quick-tongue, and laughter.

"Thats why I came looking for the two books. Raenard Asha'man started talking about wars in History of the Nations class, but I wanted to know more about how they are ended. And then I thought, but wouldn't it be even better to know how to stop one before it starts? My mother always said the best Windfinders where the ones who saw the conditions for a storm before the first storm cloud formed."

That was Taesh's theory on ending wars. If you saw the storm cloud before it became a storm cloud, then you could stop the storm before the first strike of lightning.

[Bella]

Although the metaphors were different, the words the young man spoke rang very familiar to the Borderlander Asha'man. It brought out a little more of a smile to Derren, as such things do for everyone. So, he gestured at the chair at the table in invitation. "You are welcome to share the book, if you like," he offered.

"My name is Derren Asha'man, and I am of the Grey. Your words speak of wisdom, and a guiding principle of my Ajah. Conflict is best ended before it has truly begun, though knowing how to calm one that has started is a necessity as well. It is possible, just a lot harder."

[Kenneth]

Taesh smiled as he took the offered chair and placed the treatise down on the table beside the other two books already open.

"My name is Taesh Durlaen, of clan Rossaine" Taesh responded. I had heard that men and women of the Grey Ajah were dedicated to bringing about peace" the Atha'an Miere began. "When my parents first made the Bargain with the Asha'man who said I had the ability to channel, I thought I was only here to learn to wield saidin and then return to my ship. Perhaps as a Windfinder, or whatever the Clan had planned for me." Taesh still did not know what other terms there were to the Bargain his parents had made, or how the would effect him and his personal plans for his life but he had stopped worrying so much.

"I still don't really know what my parents want from me, but I do know that now that I am here, I want to do something what what I have been given. What better way than keeping calm the waves?" he asked. The more he learned about the Tower, the more he found himself wanting to be apart of the greater works that the Aes Sedai and Asha'man where at the center of. The longer he learned in the Tower,the more he realized that the life of a Windfinder, even that of a Cargomaster or Master of the Blades would not please him anymore. The currents flow from the Towers and this one I think most of all, the only way to change the tide will be to be here and apart of this place he thought to himself. The only problem was Taesh did not know how his parents or Clan would feel about that.

Still he would sail that sea when it came to it, and not before. In that moment what he wanted to was to learn more about the men and women who shared his thoughts and principles. "Can you tell me more about the Grey, Derren Asha'man?"

[Bella]

"It sounds like you already understand the mission of my Ajah," Derren said. "Instinctively, which is a benefit to the Grey. The desire for peace and the willingness to work to attain it are the cornerstones of our mission. The Grey Ajah is dedicated to learning the laws of the lands, even as they change, as well as the histories. For in the past we can find much to understand the present, and the future.

"We seek harmony, and excel in mediation and negotiation. We learn how to do these things in any number of situations. The most ideal is before a conflict begins, as you've stated, but we are often charged with wading into situations where the conflict has already begun, to try to hammer out agreements and deals that will end a conflict. We must be good at seeing all sides of an issue, and finding compromises."

[Kenneth]

Taesh nodded as Derren Asha'man spoke. It seemed that he as meant for the Grey, and they for him. Everything that the Asha'man described as the mission and purpose of his Ajah resonated deep within Taesh. The Atha'an Miere liked to laugh, and liked to make others laugh. And the best laughter happened when you could enjoy it, when everything around was calm and peaceful, then you could really dedicate yourself to laughing. Not laughing to keep from crying, and laughing to lighten the mood. Deep belly laughter, just because all was right with the world and you could laugh. To Taesh, the men and women of the Grey Ajah were the ones who took care of the all right with the world part. He could see himself in the future being apart of such a grouping. It was the first time since coming to the Tower that Taesh could see himself actually being apart of the Tower for the long haul.

If I am going to give up the sea, it had better be for something worthwhile he thought to himself.

He knew that many among his people felt that those who did go to a Tower should be secretive and have little contact with others. Taesh could never live that life, he would die without interaction and new experiences. More and more he felt himself breaking from the Seafolk and their ways. He knew that none of the Atha'an Miere would be happy about it, but he found that he was concerned about that less than when he had first entered the Tower. He had found something that he could dedicate himself too, and be good at, that could replace his connection to his people if they did choose to ostracize him.

"Thank you Derren Asha'man, for explaining and for letting me look through the book. I do not want to continue to bother you, but may I seek you out at another time, to talk further?" Taesh asked hopefully.

[Bella]

It always lightened the spirit to meet a young one who felt the call of harmony the way that Derren did. It brought the rare (if small) smile to his face, like it did now. He inclined his head slightly. "I would be glad to," he said easily. "In the meantime, I recommend this section of the library." He gestured to the place he had pointed to for the young man to find the book he sought. "It is primarily books of topics relevant, if not written by, the Grey.

"I also teach classes on diplomacy, as well as the laws of the land. When you have a set of class sessions in need of filling, consider taking one of them. Otherwise, you can find me here or ask for me in the Grey Halls. If I am in the Tower, I would be happy to speak further."

[Kenneth]

Taesh nodded, his face positively beaming. The joy the the meeting and the conversation brought showed in the ever expanding smile and the brightness of his eyes. The Atha'an Miere Soldier knew that it would be some time yet, if ever, before he had to make a decision one what Ajah to join; but he was glad of this meeting. It made him feel more connected to the Tower, a feeling that had been lacking since his arrival. That there were those who felt the same way that he did, made him feel that this Tower could become his ship, and the people his Clan. It was as if this meeting was fated, because the Atha'an Miere felt a weight, that he had not even noticed he carried, lifted from him. He was free now to truly commit to the Grey Tower, because there was finally a feeling that this place could become home.

The Pattern weaves as the Pattern will he said to himself, a phrase he had oft heard repeated in the Tower. Still smiling he bent to his elected studies, choosing to read through Recognizing Conflict first, since he did not know if Asha'man Derren would need to take it when he left. He had more questions for the Asha'man of the Grey, mainly about his personal experiences, but they would have to wait for another day. A day that would not be too far in the future if the young Soldier had his way.