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Subtitled: A Spit of Friendship

Adirne has arrived from the east.

This large field is on the edge of Whitebridge's park. Well trodden grass
marks where children play and throw balls around. The park extends to the
north and west. You can see a small grocery to the south and an open road to
the west.
[ obvious exits: N E S W ]
East: A town watchman is here, patrolling the city.
South: A little boy plays here.
A campfire burns slowly, sending smoke into the sky.
Adirne the studious is standing here.
A town watchman is here, patrolling the city.
A shaggy brown mare stands here.

Adirne says 'Hello!'

Adirne says 'Sorry for my tardiness.'

Mae says 'I see you, Wise Woman'

Adirne looks at Mae.

Adirne says 'If you will follow me to our house.'

Mae says 'By your leave then, Roofmistress'

Mae now follows Adirne.

*Traveling*

Side Alley
This small side alley twists off towards the east, but seems to be utterly
devoid of any purpose whatsoever. All you can see are the backs of several
of Whitebridge's large houses, with a small wooden gate set into a stone
wall facing you to the east. There is another gate off to the west, from
which the smells of fresh bread and yeast waft over the town.
[ obvious exits: E W ]
Adirne the studious is standing here.
A sailor is here.

Adirne knocks on the smallgate.

Someone looks out through a peephole.

Someone closes the side gate.

The small gate swings open.

In the Quiet Well Tended Herb Garden
This well tended herb garden has been divided in carefully manicured
squares. Separated from each other by low cut conifers, each square bears a
small sign of which herb is found within the perimeter. Another sign hangs
on the wall to the south, explaining the task of the apprentice. She will
gladly issue one of two packages containing herbs to senior Wisdoms, but at
a cost. She won't serve younger Wisdoms as their job is to find herbs
around the world for the seniors.
[ obvious exits: S W ]
South: Jurien the Innkeeper stands here inspecting the quarters.
A well-tended herb garden emits fragrant scents here.
Adirne the studious is standing here.
A sturdy roan colored horse stands alert.
An Illianer steed stands here proudly, its black mane glistening.
The apprentice is here, tending the stores.

Adirne leaves south.
Mae follows Adirne.

In the Private Quarters
This is a very tidy room, lined with neatly made bunks and sparkling clean.
Jurien the Innkeeper must clean this area constantly. The floor is scrubbed
clean and the wood shines with a glowing patina from years of travel and
care. A few pieces of furniture stand in the center of the room to be used
by Wisdoms and students alike.
A board is mounted on a wall here.
[ obvious exits: N E S ]
North: A sturdy roan colored horse stands alert.
East: A slender woman stands here, smiling pleasantly.
A small, somewhat rickety table wobbles on unsteady legs.
A chair made of red oak rests next to the table. [2]
Adirne the studious is standing here.
Jurien the Innkeeper stands here inspecting the quarters.


Mae looks around the room.

Mae turns and examines you.

Adirne has some small wounds and bruises. [Hurt]

Adirne says 'I don't know your customs very well, but you can feel safe here.'

Mae looks disappointed.

Mae says 'You honor me with your gift of shade, I have little to offer, but it is yours'

Jurien the Innkeeper dances for the sheer joy of it.

Adirne says 'Is it customary to offer water as well?'

Adirne gives you a water skin.

Mae says 'You are not entirely ignorant of our ways, Wetlander, mayhaps there is hope for you yet'

Adirne gives you a water skin.

Mae takes but the smallest of sips of water.

Adirne says 'I might have given you the empty one first.'

Mae says 'It had more than enough for me'

Mae gives both water skins to Adirne.

Adirne mutters that she should have checked.

Mae says 'I came looking for one who called themself a Wise Woman, I heard tale of your kind while I was in Tear'

Mae says 'I had hoped that there was some similarity between our own Wise Ones, but'

Mae checks you over once more, 'It does not appear to be so.'

Adirne says 'I hope I will be able to help you, though I'm yet in an... intermediary stage.'

Mae says 'So you are an Apprentice?'

Adirne says 'A bit beyond that.'

Mae says 'More than an apprentice, but not a Wise Woman?'

Adirne nods in agreement.

Adirne says 'For us, there are more stages than just apprentice and wisdom.'

Mae says 'Your customs are strange, Wetlander'

Adirne says 'Perhaps we like things defined better.'

An ancient old woman but still with a sharp look to her eyes and
intelligence behind them. She brooks no backtalk from her charges and all
in her world runs as it should.

Jurien the Innkeeper is in excellent condition. [Healthy]

Mae says 'Is she a guest in your hold?'

Adirne says 'You could say she is the roofmistress.'

Mae says 'Was it not you who gave permission to enter? Shouldn't only the roofmistress give permission?'

Adirne says 'That may be the way in the waste, but here we all have a saying.'

Mae says 'Your customs are strange indeed, Wetlander'

Adirne says 'Jurien will allow anyone that we invite to come.'

Jurien the Innkeeper nods.

Jurien the Innkeeper opens the door.

Will enters the chambers.

Mae sits cross-legged upon the floor.

Adirne sits down and rests on a stout oaken chair.

Mae frowns.

Mae looks at you sitting in the chair, but says nothing.

Mae says 'Since it appears that you are not like our Wise Ones, mayhaps some use in you I can find'

Adirne grins evilly.

Adirne says 'Of course... if I were like your wise ones, I would find use in you more likely.'

Adirne says 'Why do you prefer sitting on the floor?'

Mae says 'We do not have seats like that, Wise Woman, we all sit upon the ground as it shows that we are equal amongst equals'

Mae says 'To sit upon a seat like that is as to say that you are above your equals'

Adirne says 'There are two chairs - they allow us to sit as equals as well.'

Mae looks at the chair as if it were a tiger.

Mae says 'I hope you will excuse me if I pass, Wise Woman'

Adirne says 'At the same time, helping keep our clothes slightly cleaner...'

Mae says 'I would not want to be accustomed to Wetlander ways'

Adirne frowns.

Adirne says 'To be accustomed, or too accustomed?'

Mae says as if humored, 'Yes'

Adirne says 'It helps to learn a bit of the habits of those you live among.'

Mae says 'I do not plan to live amongst the Wetlanders, I came here with a purpose and then I shall leave'

Adirne nods in agreement.

Adirne says 'May I ask if that purpose has any connection to your seeking to talk with a wise woman?'

Mae says 'It may, if you are as Wise as they claim of you'

Adirne smiles happily.

Adirne says 'They?'

Mae says 'The people who speak of you Wise Women'

Mae says 'They say you are wise in many things, not unlike our Wise Ones'

Mae says 'But it appears as if you are from the same roots as the rest of the Wetlanders'

Adirne says 'Are not the wise ones from the same roots as the rest of the Aiel?'

Mae says 'The Wise Ones and the Aiel live in the Three-fold land where we are tested for the day that we are needed'

Mae says 'But you Wetlanders stay in your green lands and grow soft'

Adirne grins, her teeth showing a bit too well. 'Perhaps...'

Mae says 'My purpose here is two-fold, Wise Woman'

Adirne nods slowly while listening.

Mae says 'I first come seeking the Aiel who have left before me'

Mae says 'They have been too long in the lands of the soft-hearted and I believe they may have grown too accustomed'

Adirne says 'How long ago have they come?'

Mae says 'Some have been coming over for several years'

Mae says 'Few have returned'

Adirne says 'And your second purpose?'

Mae says 'To find He Who Comes With the Dawn'

Adirne shrugs helplessly.

Mae says 'Know you of He?'

Adirne says 'I have only ever heard that the Aiel are looking for him.'

Adirne says 'Whoever he is.'

Mae nods in agreement.

Mae says 'He is the one that shall break us until only a remnant of a remnant remains'

Mae says 'And those that are left will live'

Adirne says 'But why search for him then? Wouldn't it be better without?'

Mae says 'The Three-Fold land exists to make us strong for his coming; it is our fate to be broken by him'

Mae says 'Whether we search for him or not, he will come, that is part of the prophecy'

Adirne says 'Then why search, if he will come regardless?'

Adirne frowns.

Mae says 'Because we stand ready to follow him, Wetlander, and we wish to be there when he needs us'

Adirne looks surprised.

Mae says 'He will find again what was once ours and for that we search for him'

Adirne says 'So, He who comes with the dawn will come, and when he does, he will break you, and yet you stand ready to follow him? Because you somehow "know" that is your fate?'

Mae says 'That is what the prophecies state'

Adirne says 'Hrm. I've heard that sometimes what is prophesied happens in an unexpected way.'

Mae says 'However it happens, it will happen'

Adirne says 'The wisdom I have been apprenticed with has traveled to the Waste to study with your Wise Ones for a while.'

Mae says 'Has she? Then she must be strong'

Mae says 'Mayhap she imparted upon you her own learnings?'

Adirne says 'I have been to the waste too, though only briefly, and I haven't met any of them.'

Adirne says 'She taught me some things. Others, she kept to herself.'

Mae says 'Some things are better left learned'

Adirne nods in agreement.

Mae says 'Has the Wise Woman you spoken of ever spoken about meeting other Aiel in the Wetlands?'

Mae says 'Or perhaps you have heard of them?'

Adirne says 'I did say she studied with some Wise Ones.'

Mae says 'But she hasn't spoken of any Aiel since she left the Three-fold land?'

Mae looks disappointed.

Adirne says 'No... I have heard rumors of wars in Cairhien from time to time, though.'

Adirne says 'But as far as I know, no other Aiel has visited our house.'

Mae says 'Wars in the land of the Treekillers?'

Adirne says 'Aiel attackers.'

Mae says 'The Treekillers have broken their oath and have lost their honor, they are not welcome in the Three-fold land, though they sometimes try'

Adirne says 'Mind if I ask a question about that?'

Mae says 'Ask away'

Adirne says 'It is my knowledge that it was king Laman's fault for breaking the oath. Why is it reflected upon all the people of Cairhien in your eyes, when most had nothing to do with that regrettable decision?'

Mae says 'The Wetlander custom of raising another above oneself is strange, but you Wetlanders do it. You raise another above yourself and give him power over yourself. In doing so the Treekillers allowed Laman to cut down our gift'

Mae says 'The blame lies equally in the people as it does Laman'

Adirne says 'The custom is similar with Aiel, though, is it not? Your clans have chiefs. Someone must take decisions.'

Mae says 'They are not the same, I do not serve the Clan Chief. They are wise and they lead, but we are equal'

Adirne says 'That might have its shortcomings as well.'

Mae says 'How do you mean, Wetlander '

Adirne says 'It is useful in that, if a chief makes bad decisions, I assume you can replace him easily, right?'

Mae says 'If he makes decisions deemed unfit, then an Aiel may challenge him'

Adirne nods in agreement.

Adirne says 'That's what I thought.'

The Starling arrives at the docks.

Mae nods in agreement.

Adirne says 'What if, instead, his decisions are right, but the fact that they are is not immediately apparent? What if he is challenged and defeated while trying to do the right things?'

Mae says 'Then it would be up to his challenger to do what is right and needed'

Mae says 'But think we not fools, Wetlander'

Mae says 'A Clan Chief is an equal amongst equals, one would not challenge another unnecessarily'

Mae says 'But had it been our clan chief attempting to cut down the gift we gave the Treekillers, we would have stopped him'

Adirne nods in agreement.

Adirne says 'One other question comes to my mind.'

Mae nods in agreement.

Adirne says 'If you were to give someone a wolfskin, do you decide where he should place it in his house?'

Mae says 'Should I give another a gift, I would expect he use it'

Mae says 'It would be a great dishonor if he were to take it and in turn give it to another'

Adirne suddenly keels over in pain, surrounded by a white aura...
Adirne's body has been taken over by a new spirit!

Adirne says 'But do you get to choose what he should use it for? Whether for his floor or for his blanket? Or to have it sewn and made into other items?'

Mae says 'It would be up to him to use it, Wetlander, once changed hands I cannot control it'

Mae says 'But he would incur 'toh if he thought to accept it and then give it away'

Adirne nods in agreement.

Adirne says 'One other thing, if you don't mind.'

Adirne says 'Of less importance.'

Mae nods in agreement.

Mae says 'You may ask'

Adirne says 'I was wondering about... how shall I put it?'

Adirne thinks hard.

Adirne says 'Whether items are transmitted between different generations of Aiel and how.'

Mae says 'I do not understand what you mean, Wise Woman'

Adirne says 'What happens, for example, to the items of those who are killed in battle?'

Adirne says 'Are they abandoned? Are they given to the closest family of the one who has fallen? Are they transmitted in some other way?'

Mae says 'If they are left then they are used by those who need them'

Mae says 'If I kill a man and spear I need, I will take it to be used'

Mae says 'You ask an odd question, Wise Woman'


Adirne says 'No, you misunderstand what I was trying to ask.'

Adirne says 'Do you know your parents?'

Adirne says 'Are they alive?'

Mae says 'I have known them, but they do not live'

Adirne nods in agreement.

Adirne says 'I... am sorry to hear you lost them.'

Mae says 'Death comes to us all'

Adirne says 'But, assuming they were still alive, and that your father was a member of one of your... warrior societies, is it not?... and he left to fight, but did not return. What would happen to, for example, the items that he owned which he did not take with him?'

Mae says 'That which he left in the Hold would belong to my mother, then'

Adirne nods in agreement.

Mae says 'An odd question none-the-less, Wise Woman, who else would his things belong to'

Adirne says 'And if your mother were to then at some point die, without having found a different husband in the meantime, who would the items belong to after?'

Mae says 'Hers would belong to me, then, should I have need or I would give them to my Society as a whole'

Adirne nods in agreement.

Mae says 'And when I die, what I own will belong to my Spear Sisters as well'

Adirne says 'It is for you to decide whether you will keep them or give them away, right?'

Mae says 'Of course, they do become mine as much as all of mine belongs to my Sisters'

Adirne says 'Oh. I didn't know that you share all that you own with your society.'

Mae says 'Of course, what is mine is theirs and what is theirs is mine'

Mae says 'Do you not have the same custom amongst these within your Hold?'

Mae gestures at the other Wise Women around.

Adirne says 'We... have items that we share and items that we don't.'

Mae nods in agreement.

Adirne says 'We keep an assortment of things for all of us to use.'

Adirne says 'But... my shift is my own, for example.'

Adirne's cheeks color a bit.

Mae chuckles politely.

Mae says 'I would not so readily give my undercloth to another as she wouldn't to me, but should the need be present'

Mae says 'Clothes are but a small thing'

*A slight distraction caused by another Wise Woman*

Adirne says 'Where were we? I can see how, in certain conditions, you'd want to give someone your clothes... but, it would be frustrating if someone were to take a shift that you needed without your knowing.'

Mae says 'If I needed it, then I would be using it'

Mae says 'If she had need of it and took it, I would not fret'

Mae says 'If she took it without need, I would beat her'

Adirne grins evilly.

Mae says 'and my sisters would help'

Mae says 'Theft is the worst dishonor, we do not tolerate it lightly'

Adirne says 'What if her need comes from the fact that her other 3 or 4 are in need of washing, while you only have two - one clean and the one that you're wearing?'

Mae says 'If she had need of her clothes to be cleaned, she would simply remove them and clean them herself'

Mae says 'Not a reason to need to use another's'

Adirne nods in agreement.

Mae says 'If my clothes were to become dirty here, I would take them off and ask use of your wash basin'

Mae says 'Have you any more of your questions, Wise Woman?'

Adirne says 'Maybe a few more.'

Mae says 'For being a Wise Woman, it makes me ponder why you know so little'

Mae chuckles at her own joke.

Adirne smiles happily.

Adirne says 'Other people's customs are the ones that are the hardest to understand.'

Adirne says 'Or rather... not to understand, but to predict.'

Mae nods in agreement.

Mae says 'I can agree with that'

Mae says 'In my time here, I still cannot understand you Wetlanders'

Adirne says 'I do not know your ways, which is why I keep asking questions.'

Adirne says 'I doubt that your Wise Ones can do much better than you.'

Mae says 'Our Wise Ones do not become such until they are ready, I believe they know much that I have yet to learn'

Adirne says 'Yes, but I assume what they learn refers to the Aiel ways, not ours.'

Mae says 'Should the day comes they take me as an Apprentice, maybe I will one day know as much as they'

Mae says 'I do not know the limitations of our Wise One's knowledge, for I have yet to see it limited'

Mae sounds like she's bragging, but keeps a stern face as well.

Adirne half smiles half grins.

Adirne says 'Then perhaps you have not asked them enough questions.'

Adirne winks suggestively at Mae.

Mae smirks.

Mae says 'When I have need to, I do, but I would not bother them for bothers sake, it would be dishonorable'

Mae says 'Only a child insists on asking questions after questions'

Mae says 'I am no child nor do I wish to be one again'

Adirne shakes her head.

Adirne says 'I disagree.'

Adirne says 'Someone who tries to learn asks questions after questions. And it is honorable to strive to learn.'

Adirne says 'In many cases it is the children mostly, but it does not stop.'

Mae says 'Someone who has need to learn has need to find answers, finding them within another does not make you stronger'

Mae says 'And there is a difference between asking a question to learn more and asking questions to be a bother'

Mae says 'Were I to ask you about everything you could possibly know, I would incur much 'toh, it would be a shameful act'

Adirne nods in agreement.

Adirne says 'But asking questions about things that you do want to know should not be a bother, if the person answering them has the time, of course.'

Mae nods in agreement.

Mae says 'That much I give you, Wise Woman'

Adirne says 'One other question. The cutting of the Avendesora. Who gave it and whom was it given to?'

Adirne says 'If you know, of course.'

Mae says 'We gave Avendoraldera to the people of Cairhien as a gift and a sign of our pact, a truce, between the Aiel and their people'

Mae says 'During the Breaking it was their people who gave us the gift of water when no one else would, in return we gave them safe passage through the Waste'

Adirne nods slowly.

Mae says 'When Laman cut down the tree, he broke the truce and our trust'

Mae says 'It was as if he spat at our feet'

Mae says 'That is why some of the Aiel came to punish him'

Adirne sighs loudly.

Mae arches an eyebrow.

Mae says 'Why do you sigh?'

Adirne says 'Because a man's unreasoned decision led to so many lives lost.'

Mae nods in agreement.

Mae says 'He was a fool as are all the Wetlanders who followed him'

Adirne says 'He was a fool about what he did. I do not know about the Cairhienin, though... I assume most of the regular people had no idea about his deeds until after they had been done.'

Mae shrugs.

Mae says 'Who is the bigger fool: The fool, or the fool who follows the fool?'

Mae says 'It matters not whether they knew what he did or was doing'

Mae says 'What matters is that he did it and that justice was served'

Adirne nods in agreement.

Adirne says 'I do think that the most foolish thing the Cairhienin did was not take advantage of the bond with the Aiel to send people to ... the Three-Fold Land to learn your ways.'

Adirne says 'That might have spared a lot of grief.'

Jurien the Innkeeper sighs loudly.

Adirne nods at Jurien the Innkeeper.

Mae says 'Perhaps, but we do not welcome any old Wetlander amongst us'

Adirne nods in agreement.

Mae says 'For they have already been engrained in your Wetlander ways and made soft'

Mae says 'One cannot so easily turn silk into steel'

Adirne says 'Not all of us are the same.'

Mae says 'That is true'

Mae says 'We sometimes fight with those up north in your land of Shienar'

Mae says 'They are worthy opponents'

Mae says 'But they are few and soft-handed Wetlanders are many'

Adirne says 'It's a shame that you fight the Shienarans, though.'

Mae says 'Why? They are one of the few outside ourselves who are worthy to fight'

Adirne says 'Their calling is to face the forces of the Dark One.'

Adirne says 'A Shienaran that falls to the Aiel is one less to fight Shadowspawn.'

Adirne says 'It would be wiser if the Aiel fought someone who truly deserved being killed.'

Adirne says 'At least that's how I see it.'

Adirne shrugs dismissively.

Mae says 'Life is a test for us and we meet it, Wise Woman'

Mae says 'We await the day He Who Comes With the Dawn leads us out to serve our true purpose, that is why we dance with the Shienarans'

Adirne says 'You can do anything while waiting for him. I don't see how the two are connected.'

Mae says 'Sightblinder's minions fear us and do not enter our lands, they are little worry to us'

Adirne says 'They are still the ones who need to be killed rather than the Shienarans. But I don't know if I'll ever convince you of that. '

Mae says 'It is unlikely Wetlander'

Adirne says 'I guess, even if it seems to me that it is a fight that has no real purpose and no results worth mentioning.'

Mae says 'We go there to raid for food and to test our selves, what more purpose do we need?'

Mae says 'Do not your nations fight and bicker amongst themselves for things more trivial than food?'

Adirne says 'Our nations' fights are stupider still.'

Mae nods in agreement.

Mae says 'Your fights do not make you strong, it is pointless'

Adirne says 'I guess I understand raiding for food - though I thought you were self-sufficient, but I'd assume you'd target nations that are richer for that purpose.'

Mae says 'We would not enter the lands of the Treekillers for food, for we want nothing that is tainted by their hands'

Mae says 'And there is a pass in Shienar not present elsewhere, and to fight them for food serves double to make us stronger'

Mae says 'I do not see why you do not understand, Wise Woman'

Adirne ponders life, the universe, and everything.

Adirne says 'I do not see why you call it making you stronger, when with each fight you lose men.'

Mae says 'Because for the ones who have lived, we have learned and steeled ourselves for the next fight that comes'

Adirne says 'But even strong and agile warriors can fall to blades or arrows. Sometimes skill has nothing to do with living.'

Mae says 'You speak some truth, but it is our duty to prepare for the day He comes and to prepare we fight'

Mae says 'Death comes to us all, better that we choose the how than for the how to be chosen for us'

Adirne says 'I think more important than the how is whether you manage to achieve the most of what you can before you die.'

Mae says 'Little matters until He comes to lead us'

Adirne says 'Little might matter after he comes, if he breaks you as you said.'

Adirne says 'He may or may not come within your lifetime, but that does not mean that your life does not matter.'

Mae says 'We live for the purpose, without that purpose we do not live, he will come when he comes and we stand ever ready'

Adirne says 'Do you have any more questions for me? It seems I have learned much more from you than you have from me...'

Adirne smiles warmly at Mae.

Mae says 'You have given me your shade and shared your water, Wise Woman, I need no more than that. You are free to ask your questions as you will'

Mae says 'But I did not come here to learn of Wetlander ways, I seek my brethren as I seek He Who Comes With the Dawn'

Adirne says 'I hope your search is not as long as that of the Tinkers for their song.'

Mae frowns.

Adirne stops resting, and clambers on her feet.

Adirne sits down and rests.

Adirne smiles at Mae.

Mae says 'We do not associate with them nor their song'

Adirne says 'Sitting on the floor is not that bad.'

Mae smiles at her.

Mae says 'Perhaps if you continue to do so, you will be made stronger'

Adirne chuckles politely.

Adirne says 'I do not think strength comes from what you choose to sit on.'

Mae says 'It is but a piece of the whole, Wise Woman'

Adirne says 'I do have to learn how to sit so that my legs don't go numb, I'll grant that.'

Mae nods in agreement.

Mae says 'It takes time and strength to make it so'

Mae says 'But eventually you may have legs like mine'

Mae calls attention to her well muscled legs.

Adirne looks at Mae.

Adirne nods approvingly.

Adirne says 'You do have the legs for running.'

Mae nods in agreement.

Mae says 'We have no need to ride those beasts that you Wetlanders choose to'

Mae says 'Perhaps that is another reason you have become soft'

Mae says 'Relying too much on others than yourself'

Adirne says 'Perhaps. But perhaps there is something to gain from relying on others as well.'

Mae says 'If you cannot rely on yourself you are only a burden upon another'

Adirne says 'You rely on others as well. On your Chiefs and Wise Ones to take good decisions, on your blacksmith to make weapons, and so on.'

Adirne says 'Specialization is useful.'

Adirne says 'It saves time.'

Mae says 'I have a duty as they do, I 'rely' on them no more than they 'rely' on me to fight. It is duty and honor that compels us, not weakness'

Adirne says 'And we rely on horses to take us where we want faster, while they rely on us to feed and care for them.'

Adirne says 'I could train myself to run for miles on end, but my time is better spent helping with healing, and collecting plants, and so on.'

Mae says 'Once you can run for as long as I, you need not worry about running for as long as I, for it will be steeled into you'

Mae says 'And then you could spend your time with your collecting and helping'

Mae says 'Running to your destination'

Adirne says 'You may be right.'

Mae smiles happily.

Mae says 'Perhaps you can learn yet, Wetlander'

Adirne says 'Though I don't know how long it took you to get such stamina for running.'

Mae says 'If you work at it, you will get strong'

Adirne nods in agreement.
Mae says 'I suggest running between your Wetlander cities, to start with'

Mae says 'Perhaps between this and that place called Caemlyn'

Mae says 'That is how I arrived here'

Adirne says 'Have you ever tried to ride a horse?'

Mae says 'I have been made to attempt to do so, but it is uncomfortable'

Adirne grins 'I thought you don't care much about comfort.'

Mae smirks.

Mae says 'There is a difference between that of physical comfort and the comfort one gets from doing that which they know'

Mae says 'It is not the ride, but riding'

Adirne says 'One other question has come to me.'

Adirne says 'Do you raid the lands beyond the waste as well?'

Jurien the Innkeeper smiles happily.

Mae says 'We make trade with them, but we do not fight them'

Adirne says 'Why not? Or rather, why not trade with Shienarans for food, instead of raiding for it? Why treat them differently?'

Mae says 'The Sharans are secretive, even to us'

Mae says 'There are few places to cross through the Cliffs of Dawn and at these places they have built their high walled cities'

Mae says 'These walls are so high that from within one cannot even see what is outside, except the sky directly above them'

Mae says 'The people in these towns wear veils at all times, as if ready for battle always'

Mae says 'And nothing is known of what happens to those who try to exit the Walls to the east, nor do we ever try'

Adirne says 'So you think that the Sharans are stronger and you'd rather trade with them, but you'd rather fight the Shienarans than trade with them?'

Mae says 'The Sharans share the Three-fold land with us, that makes us both strong, even though they do not share our customs. We are people of the same land and they trade and share with us as we do them'

Mae says 'For that reason we do no war with them'

Mae says 'But you Wetlanders have your blades ever ready towards us and only the Treekillers of the past ever showed us kindness'

Mae says 'We owe nothing to you Wetlanders and we expect nothing of you'

Adirne says 'But you tend to punish the children for the deeds of their parents.'

Mae says 'I know not what meaning you intend, Wetlander'

Adirne says 'And if the Sharans had shared their water and lands with you... well, you might be living in their lands, which I assume are wetter than the waste as well.'

Mae says 'I know not what lies beyond their walls, but up until the walls it is as the Three-fold land never ceases'

Adirne says 'Nor do I imagine that you would have bestowed the gift you have onto Cairhien, if Shara had been the nation that was the most helpful.'

Mae says 'The Cairhien gave us the greatest gift when no one else would at our time of greatest need, that is why we responded in turn'

Adirne says 'What do you think might get the Aiel to have the same relations with Shienar as with Shara?'

Mae says 'That would not be for me to decide'

Mae says 'The Wetlands themselves look at us with disdain, as they sit in these soft-lands and grow weak'

Adirne says 'As you said, that does not quite apply to the borderlanders.'

Mae says 'They are worthy fighters, but that does not mean they Wetlands have not made them soft'

Mae says 'The Aiel are like steel compared to the Shienaran wood'

Mae says 'Even steel needs to hack upon it to cut it through'

Mae says 'Whereas the rest of the Wetlanders are like the very silk we trade with them, needing only a light push for our spears to break'

Adirne says 'But why does it have to hack through? I doubt that the Sharans are even as strong as the Shienarans. You can deal peacefully with one people. Why not two?'

Mae says 'How peacefully would the Wetlands let a group of Aiel into their lands? You wetlanders call us 'Black-veiled' and darkfriends'

Mae says 'It is as I said before, the Wetlanders owe us nothing as we owe them nothing, we fight them for resources as we fight one another for it'

Adirne says 'It would have to start somewhere. Perhaps at not killing everyone who walks into the Three-Fold Land.'

Adirne says 'Perhaps at talking with them at the border.'

Adirne says 'I don't see what the downside would be.'

Adirne says 'You do receive peddlers. Perhaps you can send word through them.'

Mae says 'We do not welcome Wetlanders into our lands save few, those who do not seek to trade or tell tales do not belong '

Adirne says 'And perhaps then you won't be attacked while in our lands. And that might make it easier to find He who comes with the dawn.'
Mae says 'If you do not come to the Three-Fold land for trade or stories, then the only other purpose is battle'

Mae smirks.

Mae says 'Anyone who tried to stop an Aiel from finding He Who Comes With the Dawn, would be spit and left for dead, no Wetlander is match for an Aiel'

Adirne grins evilly.

Adirne says 'Aes Sedai and their Warders, maybe?'

Mae says 'We failed the Aes Sedai once, we will not fail them again'

Adirne says 'And it's not about stopping you from finding him anyway. It's about the fact that you might have an easier time if you didn't have to fight anyone who sees you. '

Adirne says 'Who knows, that might make a difference in how much of a remnant of you will remain.'

Mae says 'That is not for me to decide, I only have my duty and will see it through'

Mae says 'If a Wetlander wishes to make peace than he should speak with a Clan Chief'

Adirne nods in agreement.

Adirne says 'But perhaps when you return you will tell a Wise One of my words.'

Mae says 'I will tell them of the words of a Wise Woman, Wetlander, may I never know shade if I do not'

Adirne smiles happily.

Adirne says 'I appreciate it.'

Adirne says 'Would you mind passing me your boots?'

Mae blinks her eyes innocently.

Mae stops resting, and stands up.

Mae takes off her shoes.

Adirne stops resting, and clambers on her feet.

Mae gives a black pair of silver-tooled boots to Adirne.

Mae says 'You ask a strange thing, Wise Woman'

Adirne gives you a pair of padded grey doeskin boots.

Mae examines the new boots.

Mae wears a pair of padded grey doeskin boots on her feet.

Adirne says 'They might be more adequate for sneaking.'

Mae says 'They most certainly are'

Mae says 'You have given me a gift and I have nothing to offer you'

Mae says 'I am in your debt'

Adirne says 'You have offered me a gift of information.'

Adirne says 'While I have failed you in that respect.'

Mae nods in agreement.

Mae says 'Then we shall see it even'

Mae says 'You have done me much service, Wetlander, I feel we have become close'

Adirne smiles happily.

Adirne says 'You are welcome, Mae. Also... would you mind doing me a favor?'

Mae nods in agreement.

Mae says 'Ask away'

Adirne says 'Could you call me something other than Wetlander or Wise Woman?'

Adirne blinks her eyes innocently.

Mae says 'By what would you have me call you, Wetlander?'

Adirne says 'Adirne seems to work for everyone. Adirne Bulesa if you feel just Adirne is too familiar.'

Mae says 'Then I shall call you Adirne as you call me Mae'

Adirne nods in agreement.

Adirne says 'Agreed, Mae.'

Mae says 'I think should we meet again a friend of you I will make'

Mae says 'Even if that means I have to harden your hands'

Mae smirks.

Adirne says 'Do not worry about that...'

Adirne says 'See this house?'

Mae peers around the Hold.

Adirne says 'It isn't Jurien who gets to do the scrubbing.'

Mae says 'Ah, so the Apprentice who is not an Apprentice and Wise Woman who is not a Wise Woman does the cleaning'

Adirne says 'And what we use for scrubbing has to take all the spots out.'

Adirne says 'Regardless of whether they come from sick people, dyes or herbs.'

Mae nods in agreement.

Mae says 'Then maybe not your hands, but your body needs hardened'

Mae grins evilly.

Mae says 'Perhaps ten laps around this wetlander city a day will make you strong'

Adirne says 'I'd like to see you take ten laps around the city. I wonder how long it would take you.'

Mae says 'Around one this small? The sun wouldn't even move an increment in the sky'

Adirne smirks.

Adirne says 'I might want to see that someday.'

Mae says 'Perhaps we will race, then'

Mae says 'I would rather not do so with you admiring, one might thing I am showing off'

Mae smirks.

Adirne says 'But without, one might thing you're just boasting.'

Mae says 'I wouldn't know the meaning of that word, it is not in our nature to boast'

Mae says ‘Now, I think I have sat beneath your shade for too long, I should leave before I overstay my welcome’

Adirne says 'Thank you for coming, Mae.'

Mae says 'It is I who should thank you, Adirne'

Mae says 'For giving me the gift of water and shade, and these fine boots'

Mae says 'I wish I had more to offer you'

Mae says 'The most I can do is share my friendship'

Adirne says 'And I'd be happy to share mine.'

Mae smiles happily.

Mae spits in her hand and extends it.

Mae says 'Then let it be so'

Adirne spits in her hand.

Adirne and Mae shake hands vigoriously.

Mae smiles happily before departing the Wise Woman’s Hold.

This series of roleplay logs was superb. I hope to see more of these in the future, or interact with you in-game.

Thanks Been trying my best to interact with as many as I can 'cause it is a lot of fun It's rewarding to play, imo, one of the most difficult peoples in Randland and have things turn out just right