EVENT: A visitor from Tar Valon presents Marith with a gift, and later a 
tinker finds his way into the small copse.
DATE: January 15,1998
LOGGER: Marith

Evin knocks on your front door. The sound is muffled by the thick wood.

Evin says "Excuse me, mistress...I knocked, but no one answered. *has only 
poked his head in.*"

Marith glances over at the door, tufted ears twitching, "Yes...?" Eyes widen 
gently as a human head pokes into her abode, "Might I help you, sir?" The 
Eldest inquires.

Evin smiles nervously. "Good day, Eldest. May I come in?"

Marith sets down her book and rises smoothly from her chair. She nods her head 
a bit, curiosity lining her eyes, "Indeed, you may." A slight smile tickles at 
her lips, attempting to hold to her pleasantries, "I do not believe I have seen 
you in the Stedding. Be welcome. Have you traveled with the Tuatha'an? There 
are so many that there is no doubt that I've missed another."

Evin leans against an oversize (for him) chair. "No, Eldest. I am newly come 
here from Tar Valon, originally from Amadicia." His Amadician accent is 
pronounced, and may be recognizable if the Eldest has heard it. "I have heard 
of the Stedding, but never visited one, and I thought to come and see. Indeed, 
it is a wondrous place."

"I thank you for your compliment to the stedding." Marith speaks, her voice 
rumbling a bit with pride. Her tufted ears twitch back and forth abit, in a 
curious manner, "Tell me, is there any news of what's happened within the city? 
I hear that Dragonmount has erupted from the Tuatha'an, and that the town if 
Alindaer was destroyed...." Her ears wilt sadly at that, head shaking from side 
to side, "Such a sad waste, and loss."

Evin shakes his head sadly. "It is true, though I am not certain what 
connection the eruption has with the Tuatha'an. But Alindaer is being rebuilt 
even now. I have a leather-working shop there under construction right at this 
moment, to open next week. The High Councilor knows that the villages are 
essential for trade, and he is funding the reconstruction."

Evin ahems slightly.

The Eldest nods her head in the most gentlest of manners, "I have received word 
of the rebuilding efforts. The High Councillor sent a messenger asking for aid 
from us. I have sent forward my own messenger to the city, to speak with him 
about our arrival. Unfortunately, we cannot leave just yet, as our visitors 
will be here for quite sometime, however we will be at the city as soon as all 
the necessary arrangements are made."

Evin pulls a rather large leather item from his pack, deflating it 
considerably. "I bring you a gift as a token of my goodwill toward your 
Stedding, Eldest." He holds up a wide leather belt, sized to fit an Ogier, and 
engraved with a thickly twining vine pattern died green. The vines are not 
quite as thick as those on the rest of the Eldest's clothing, but they are 
close. Evin seems to find the belt a rather heavy burden.

The Eldest's eyes widen at the gift, considerable surprise showing upon her 
features. Her voice sounds touched, "Thank you, sir... for your gift. I am 
certain one of the Elders will perhaps enjoy it." She reaches out to take the 
belt, and thusly relieve Evin of his burden.

Marith might not find it so, or perhaps she has no need of it?

Evin ahems nervously. "I don't imagine many of my countrymen have done the 
stedding much good, Eldest. I believe the Children of the Light are a necessary 
precaution for we humans at least, but some of them tend toshow poor judgement, if you understand me."


Tufted ears twitch about at Evin, a brow lifting on Marith's features, "I have 
not heard that the Children of Light were causing the Stedding any problems. I 
had thought, to my knowledge, that the Ogier and Children were at peace with 
one another." Confusion alights Marith's features as her ears twitch back and 
forth.

Evin frowns. "You understand that there are always rumors about the Children of 
the Light, Eldest, and while I was in Jehannah I heard rumors that the Children 
had...ah...broken the Pact within a Stedding in Ghealdan. Even if it is not so, 
the Children are, naturally, men of war, and I could not expect them to commend 
my homeland to you. I mean to cause you no consternation, Eldest, only to speak 
what I have heard."

"I think that those are perhaps rumors, sir..." Marith's words flow eloquently, 
a soft smile coming to her features, "And there is nothing to fear, for there 
are no Stedding in that region. We Ogier know where a great many of them are, 
having traversed long and far to find them, and reestablish them."

Evin looks slightly embarrassed. "Well, I am sure yo

Evin looks slightly embarrassed. "Well, I am sure you know best where the 
Stedding are, and I am glad to hear that the rumors are false. I hope that your 
land here may prosper, and that should any masons do business with me they will 
be satisfied by my work."

Marith inclines her head graciously, "I will be certain to spread the word." 
She looks down at the belt within her arms, studying it, "And I will show them 
the sampling of work you have given me." She smiles lightly, "Perhaps one or 
two will visit your shop when we come to Tar Valon."

Evin nods. "I regret that I have been unable to stay long, but I suspect that 
by the time I return my shop will be completed, and I must prepare for the 
opening. It has been pleasant visiting Stedding Maotai. Walk in the Light, and 
the Light shine on you, Eldest."

"I most enjoyed your visit. May the roads be safe during your journey. I hear 
there have been some bandits abotu between here and Tar Valon from some of the 
peddlers that come in this direction that venture into the Waste."

Evin says "Thank you, Eldest. It would not be well if I were robbed again as I 
was in both Jehannah and Caemlyn. Fare you well."

Marith nods her head shortly, offering a faint smile, "Light protect you, sir." 
She watches as Evin prepares himself to leave.

Later in the day.....

Small Copse: Forest, Stedding Maotai
	The first thing noticed when entering the copse is the oddly placed well sitting right in the middle. The next odd thing that might be discovered are the tiny windows placed within several of the mounds, looking down in what seems to be some living area. Great Trees, beech, apple and many others, appear to surround the area, offering protection against the dangers of the forest.
	Smells of baking bread, vegetables and other delicious foods appear to perfume the air, coming from the grassy hills, as Ogier prepare their midday meal. High above the sky the sun floats over the copse, it's rays beaming down brightly. Everything seems at peace and restful as spring arrives, bringing with it a sense of happiness and rebirth. Mounds of flowers and grasses appear on top of the small hills covering them with a colorful myriad of perfumed wildflowers. A well, worn path leads toward the south, heading in the direction of what seems to be a forest clearing.
                                                      


Rasad walks in from the south, exiting the clearing.

The door to one of the hovels opens, and the Eldest just appears to be exiting 
one of them, pulling her cloak about her shoulders to ward off the cold winter 
air. She smoothes over the folds of her cloak a bit, making certain the cloth 
and embroidery are not wrinkled.

Rasad walks along, preceded by the sound of laughter, a group of brightly 
colored individuals, tinkers obviously are walking through the trees, 
occasionally one will break into a song that is picked up by the others. Atop 
Rasad's soldiers sits a girl of about five, obviously enjoying the ride. 
Ocassionally a theywill pass an Ogier and nod in greeting, or go quiet as they 
see someone obviously in deep study or thought. Such is it when they arrive, 
into the small clearing. Rasad smiles and bows in greeting. "Good afternoon, 
Eldest."

That is, Rasad nods his head in greeting, the girl atop his shoulder giggling 
and says no so quietly. "I'm almost as tall as her."

From one of the mounds, an Ogier lass reaches out to close her window.

Marith glances up at the child, a warm expression touching her eyes. She, too, 
bows her head in greeting, "Greetings Madhi Rasad. Your name sings in my ears." 
She rumbles quietly to the Tuatha'an Madhi.

Rasad smiles and says. "As your greeting warms my heart." He glances up and 
says to the Eldest. "Don't mind Anna there, she tends to let her eagerness get 
the better of her." A hrmp his heard from above his shoulders, and then the 
young lass tousels her hair, her exrepression saying "So there." He nods and 
introduces his other companions, saying. "We were just enjoying a walk through 
your Stedding. Amazing really, that sense of peace it brings. Do you know the 
reason behind it?"

Glowing eyes watch a few humans and Ogier before a few coyotes bound out, brush 
up against someone, and run off.

"The Stedding remain even a mystery to us." Marith smiles apologetically, 
folding her hands before her, "Though you are all welcome to enjoy it as long 
as needed. It is a welcoming feeling, yes?" SHe smiles up at the child, 
"Children are gifts to us all, it is well you enjoy their eager ways, at 
times."

Rasad reaches up and tickles Anna, getting a delighted little squeal for a 
moment, and then and admonishment not to do that. He nods. "Children are our 
gift to the world." He grins a bit. "Though they are our trial as well. Are 
they young Ogier still so eager to leave the stedding? Have you though of 
perhaps letting them out for a short time, to sate that urge?"

A young Ogier lass garbed in soft green carefully lowers a large bucket into 
the well for the crystalline waters found within.

Marith fixes Rasad with quiet a look at his question regarding young Ogier. 
"There are indeed young Ogier about Maotai,a s there are any other Stedding. 
They are not marture enough until they have reached their hundredth naming day, 
however,a nd should be watched closely. Those that seek to strive out sooner 
find themselves well settled before any urges to leave overtake them." SHe 
does, however, allow a smile to come to her features at Anna's antics. "They 
should be guided and protected, until old enough to care for themselves."

Rasad grins a bit, setting Anna down, and telling her not to go far. One of the 
tinkers behind hiim tells him he will watch her, and gets a nod in response. He 
asks Marith. "So young women never feel these urges to go outside and see the 
world?" Quite curious it seems. "Oh, before I forget, if I wanted to learn 
Ogier lore or songs, who would I speak to?"

"Some do, I suppose." Marith admits quietly, "I myself had those same urges." 
She smiles gently, rememberance touching her eyes, though in a sad sort of way, 
"However, I could never leave the Stedding along to explore the world." She 
shakes her head, "At first thought of the Longing, I'd come home. And, it is 
much safer to stay here, in these peaceful woods." She lifts a brow at the 
question, thought and consideration coming to her eyes. "I suppose one of the 
Elders, or perhaps Karal. He is a Speaker, and knows much about the Stedding 
and Ogier Custom." Speakers are arbitrators within the Ogier society - much 
like lawyers of modernday times.

Rasad nods and asks. "Do I need to make an appointment of some kind, or just 
knock on the door and say Hello?" He glances over his shoulder, some of his 
Tinker freinds laughing at the thought of an appointment.

Several Ogier, probably a family, come into the copse and go into their home 
below the ground.

Marith shakes her head a bit, "There are no cases pending within the Stedding, 
or things to be heard at the Stump, that I know of, so feel free to knock at 
his door at any time." Marith answers, eyes moving to watch those Ogier that 
are passing through the Stedding.

Rasad nods, rubbing his upper lip thoughtfully. 'What sort of cases are usually 
brought before them?" He obviously has difficulty envisioning these gentle if 
large creatures committing some crime.

Traycor walks into the residential area, exiting the guest house.

Traycor says "hi"

Amusement touches Marith's eyes a moment as she regards Rasad, "The same sorts 
of cases, sometimes, that are brought before your human courts, I would expect, 
among other things. We do have somemore slightly... active... members in our 
community that cannot seem to keep still. But then... they are the more hasty 
members of our community." Marith answers, her voice a smooth rumbling, soft in 
nature. She turns her eyes to the newcomers, both Karina and Traycor, just now 
noticing them. She smiles warmly, "Good day." SHe greets, eyes moving over 
Traycor curiously.

Rasad turns to regard the newcomber as well, a touch of surprise entering his expression. An odd matched pair it seems for such a setting, some of the 
Tinkers behind him whisper to each other, before they all offer greetings to 
the newcombers. Rasad says quietly. "Good afternoon."

A young Ogier lad reads a thick volume beneath the spreading branches of a 
beech tree, large eyes slowly blinking shut as he falls asleep in the light of 
the sun.

Traycor bows to Rasad formally, his ears twitching. He glances at Marith 
questioningly, then smiles at Rasad."Welcome to the stedding. May you find 
peace."

Rasad nods and says. "Thank you, and may your peace be everlasting." He stands 
after a moment and says. "I'm afraid I must be going." He glances to his Tinker 
friends, some of them opting to stay, other deciding to head back. "I will 
return though, until then may your days be as pleasant as the Ogier are."

Rasad stands and nods to all, before taking his leave.

Rasad walks to the south, entering the clearing.