The Grey Tower

Sinead gaped at the Asha’man. Leaf through anything? Didn’t Asha’man and Aes Sedai keep secrets in their studies? Apparently not. She hesitated another moment, then walked to his shelves, reading titles off in her mind. “You are comparing the legal philosophies of different lands?” She asked curiously. “Do you not all follow the same code?” She could understand why the Aiel and wetlanders lived differently- the Dragonwall physically separated them, of course cultures would be different. But how could two men in the same field not govern themselves in the same way?

The Aielwoman listened to his explanation while she browsed. She quickly realized there was little rhyme or reason to the shelves; books on Andoran law sat next to a pile of disorganized papers that appeared to be detailing how many baskets of ice peppers a Saldaean farmer could produce in a given month under a series of different circumstances. Despite the disorganization, she suspected that Aelyn knew exactly where to find anything he wanted in that room. I would. A book titled The Killers of the Black Veil caught her eye, and her eyebrows went up in silent amusement. She held it up. “This book is terrible. I would be happy to discuss the laws of the People if you would like to add them to your studies- I can certainly give you better information than this.”

Aelyn very nearly answered off the cuff about how obvious it was that different lands had different codes. However, he had to remind himself that all Aiel followed the same code, and that it was complex in its weaving, because an entire people followed it. At least, this was how he reasoned it. Sinead had spent much of her life on the other side of the Spine of the World, in what she called the Three-Fold Land, and what he had been taught to call the Aiel Waste. They may as well have grown up in different worlds. "Yes, we wetlanders have different codes of law for every nation. For example, in Altara, where I hail from, there is a very controversial law that allows a woman to kill a man under nearly any circumstances. While I was being raised there, it was simply how things were. Now that I am part of the White Ajah, I can't say that I agree with it anymore. Then, there are laws about channeling that differ. There is an overwhelming tension in...the wetlands..." He had to pause when referring to the nations on the west side of the Spine of the World as "the wetlands," but that was the best term he could think of to refer to them collectively.

"...Having to do with channelers. Aes Sedai are known as manipulators, and I'm not sure that the stigma against Asha'man will ever completely go away. But. In Tear, it is against the law to channel. The penalties range from time in prison to fines, depending on each case. However, in Amadicia, it is absolutely forbidden to channel. There, the Children of the Light rule, and they serve a very strict code of religion. Anyone caught channeling is immediately put to death." He was about to go on about the differing philosophies when Sinead picked up a book about the Aiel, then offered to give him better insight on the Aiel's laws and customs.

He stopped in mid-word, and his eyebrows rose as far as they would go. "I...would very much appreciate that. Let me find a fresh book of paper." With that, he slowly walked into his bedroom and walked straight to his empty note books. He couldn't believe his luck! He knew that Aielmen had been coming to the Grey Tower, but finding one to sit down and discuss the finer points of their culture for study was a task in itself! He listed the day's date, then wrote Sinead's name down for his notes. "Begin wherever you like. I'll start the first draft, then refine it as I move on. Now, just for my notes, so that I can give you proper credit for your help...what clan are you a member of, Sinead?"