Elayne and Nynaeve secure passage to Tanchico aboard the Wavedancer by revealing they are on a mission to help the Dragon Reborn.
Elayne and Nynaeve arrive at the wharf. Nynaeve takes a moment to show us how entitled she has become by reprimanding the carriage driver for the poor quality of the road. Elayne soothes things over by tipping the man for his trouble, and as they approach a ship called the Wavedancer, she reminds Nynaeve to be less of a bitch with the Atha’an Miere.
Commonly known as the Sea Folk, the Atha’an Miere live on and near the ocean. Their ships are the fastest way to reach Tanchico, but there are some complicating factors. First, they almost never grant passage to Aes Sedai, which is why Moiraine gave Nynaeve and Elayne letters of rights allowing the bearer to withdraw thousands of gold marks from various banking locations. Second, one does not simply purchase passage aboard a Sea Folk ship. Instead, you are expected to give a gift that is commensurate in value with your desired destination. Perhaps this was the inspiration for the Washington, DC gifting stores where every item you buy just happens to come with a complimentary bag of weed.
Why are the Sea Folk so coy about accepting money for passage? They don’t say, but maybe it has something to do with boobies. As Elayne and Nynaeve negotiate passage with the Sailmistress in charge of the Wavedancer, a topless girl serves them tea. The Sailmistress castigates the girl for letting it all hang out, and reminds her that they can only do so when they are well away from land. Elayne, having been raised as a diplomat, smooths things over yet again. Meanwhile, Nynaeve’s prudish brain is basically imagining a ship full of nudists at sea.
Nynaeve quickly becomes impatient with the Sea Folk, and asks them directly if they will grant passage or not. The Sailmistress changes the subject and asks about the Dragon Reborn. He is known as Coramoor in Sea Folk myth, and they are destined to wander the sea until his coming, when they will serve him. Realizing how important Rand is to them, Elayne decides honesty is the best policy and reveals their mission to hunt the Black Ajah in Tanchico. It is in service of protecting the Coramoor, and that is all the Sailmistress needs to know to grant them a swift passage to Tanchico.