EVENT: Rasad and Marith talk about odds and ends.
DATE: January 13,1999
LOGGER: Marith

Secluded Glade: Forest, Stedding Maotai
	Trees surround the area everywhere, nearly hiding the path used to come 
into this secluded haven. An aura of eternal peace fills the air due to the 
echoing sounds of the small babbling brook that cuts right through the middle 
of the glade. Small stepping-stones can be seen going across the brook, each 
showing a different color.
	Soft rays of sunshine billow down into the glade with a warming wonder. Several Ogier can be seen lounging about lazily, no matter the weather or 
season, taking in the afternoon splendor. Wildflowers of all sorts seem to dot 
the glade in small patches, ranging in reds, blues, violets, pinks and many, 
many more colors. The fragrant air seems to linger nearby, perfumed by the 
various budding flowers. Somewhere, not too far, birds appear to sing 
cheerfully. To the north, a small path leads out of the peaceful serenity of 
the secluded glade.
                                           
Contents:
Rasad
Stone Statue

A group of four Ogier slowly enter and join a lone Ogier by the brook.

A soft rustling sound can be heard within the bushes. Out emerges an Ogier 
woman, with a long woolen cloak thrown about her shoulders - enriched deeply by 
threads and threads of embroidery. By the way she carries herself, she could 
only be someone if importance about the Stedding. In her mittened hands, she 
carries a book, something she appears to be reading as she walks along the 
path, all covered with the wintry snow.

Rasad is sitting down, his back pressed up against a towering tree, a flute to 
his lips as a haunting melody drifts towards the heavens, as the rustling is 
heard he pulls the flute down, both eyebrows lifting as he spots the Ogier's 
arrival, a quick smile in greeting. "Good eve." Softly.

Marith pauses in mid stride, looking up from her book. From the expression on 
her features, and how her ears are twitching about, this particular Ogier 
appears to be startled, "Good evening... Be welcome in Stedding Maotai." She 
gives Rasad a curious look, "I am Eldest Marith, daughter of Paloa daughter of 
Altar." She comments quietly, though there is a faint hint of question within 
her eyes as she regards Rasad.

The tufted ears of an Ogier child twitch curiously as he looks down from a 
lofty perch amidst the branches of a tree. Seen, he blinks great eyes and with 
haste (for an Ogier), climbs down, and scampers off.

Rasad nods and stands, bowing with his hansd across his chest. "Rasad Madhi of 
the Stone Moutain band." His grin widens as he says. "I do hope my playing was 
not disturbing you, I have heard of the sensitivity of your kind's ears." He 
lifts his own eyebrow questioningly.

Marith's eyes widen a bit, and a small look of confusion touches her features. 
However, she nods in respect, "Your name sings in my ears, Madhai Rasad. I had 
not know another band was with the River Band." She comments in a casual tone 
of voice, keeping her deep rumble to what might be a soft murmur for the Ogier. 
A soft smile touches her lips as she shakes her head, "Your music was lovely... 
and my ears were in no danger of behing harmed."

Rasad shakes his head, pushing his hand through his hair, and he leans back 
against the tree. "There isn't, I have taken leave of my band for a bit. Giving 
some of the lads a chance at the reigns, and the last thing they need is me 
looking over their shoulder. So Skye gave me leave to travel with her band." He 
smiles, and bows again, a small nod of the head. "You are too kind."

Marith ahs slightly, a small bit of understanding coming to her features, "I 
see now." A light smile touches upon her features. She moves forward in teh 
snow once more, looking toward some of the trees that might still have some 
fire damage done to them. Sheshakes her head, tsking to herself, then turns her 
attention back to Rasad a brief moment. She then sits on a log, murmuring 
quietly, "Tell me, Madhi Rasad, what news of the world do you bring with you? 
Madhi Skye told me of the eruption of Dragonmount... has anything equally as 
exciting occured within the surrounding areas?"

A young Ogier couple passes through the secluded glade, walking with pedantic 
steps and almost seeing no one else as they gaze at each other.

Rasad rubs the side of his face, and shake his head. "None of it good, I 
think." He glances at her and says. "You did hear of the Dragonmount erupting, 
yes?" He cranes his neck slightly to look up at her imposing form. He nods as 
he hears. "I don't think anything exciting, just odd. There seems to be a hum 
in the air, a feeling of expectination, a waiting, but for waht?" He shakes his 
head. "Did she tell you there were symbols seen in thesmoke?"

A brow lifts at Rasad's words, causing Marith to shake her head from side to 
side. A keen look of interest touches her features, "No, she did not. I believe 
she was slightly... busy... watching the girls dance at the reception." This 
appears to cause Marith to grow faintly crimson about the face - which could 
only bring to mind one dance, perhaps, that would make this particular modest 
woman unsettled.

The soft conversation between two Ogier matrons is carried on the soft breeze 
within the glade, the occasional words "marriage" and "my son" dancing on the 
wind as they walk off towards their homes.


Rasad chuckles, a hearty, heartfelt chuckle, and he winks. "Just be glad the 
young ladies didn't have such lovely ears as yours, or your Ogier brethern 
might have been goaded to haste." Showing he has had some experience with the 
Ogier. He hunkers down then, and takes up a stick and draws the acient symbol 
of the Aes Sedai in teh snow. "That was seen in the snow."

This somehow appears to cause the Eldest to blush even more, her cheeks 
becoming quite crimson. Even her ears seem to wilt at -that- particular 
thought, "Indeed.... I do not think such actions would have been appropriate. 
We've already enough young men wanting to leave the stedding, they do not need 
reasons to go chasing after things."

A wicker basket, large only by human standards, is filled with fragrant blooms 
in colorful hues while a nearby young Ogier woman with dainty ears gathers more 
into her arms.

Rasad looks up from his hunkered position, she truly towers over him now, like 
a small mountain. He stands back to his full height, not use to being loomed 
over so. "I see the sense of expectation has not left the Stedding untouched, 
unless this is a usual thing for your young men?"

"The young men are always rash and hasty." Marith murmurs quietly, "We try to 
settle most of them down as early as possible. Their wives make certain they 
stay put." Her tone is casual as she speaks, as if it were just a bit of every 
day logic - at least for the Stedding.

Rasad nods, and says. "I wish we humans had such a tried and true method, but 
we aren't so civilized." He grins at her. "Unfortunately I must return to the 
wagons, I have something I need to eheck on." He smiles apologetically. "We 
will talk again I hope."

"I will look forward to speaking with you once more, Madhi Rasad." Marith 
murmurs her voice soft and pleasant.