Once there was a wealthy merchant who was often absent from his Homestone for many months at a time. He would Companion a lady the night before he would set off on a lengthy trade route and very often would return to find his companion ill - wasting away from loneliness.
And so the years passed, and 5 companions did the merchant bury in the Cities of Dust - all grieved his absence so. When he sought to Companion a young lady of means after the festival of En`Kara, she was cautioned against this move by her kinsmen, who feared greatly for her health and well-being, knowing of the merchant's reputation. But this determined young free woman had taken one look at the merchant and had felt her heart soar for him; and knew she would not be like the others. She agreed to the Companionship, and that night the two drank the wine.
The very next morning the merchant sailed off to faraway Torvaldsland - and the lady set off to the market, in search of rence.
It took the combined efforts of 3 strong kajiri to carry the bales of rence back to the Homestone. Three days and three nights did the free woman sit and sew, until at last - after dressing it in the fineries of her companion; his best robes and trousers; slippers and vestments; there sat on the furs before her - a rence companion!
