EVENT: The Ogier find out that they have been called to the Aiel Waste because of a book found within the desert. The Aiel present the book to Elder Noamall for study, and ask that the Ogier in turn allow Aiel scribes to help write its ancient translation, the dialect different from the current Ogier language.
DATE: July 8, 1999
LOGGER: Marith

Canyon Entry: Sun Ridge Hold, Threefold Land

The ravine twists east and west for a bit and then widens out abruptly into a large box canyon, a large cleft running to the south through the middle of the mesa. Steep walls rise to either side with many rows of terraced houses built directly into the walls of the mesa itself. Terraces of boxlike homes with irrigated gardens on the rooftops cut into the canyon walls, and a wide, natural ledge leads as a path around the inside of the canyon walls. Ahead of you and above you to the south juts out a great promontory of bluff colored stone with a flat surface on top. The view from that outcropping must be incredible.

The afternoon sun soars across the pale blue, cloudless sky. All of the shadows are gone while the blazing ball travels overhead, and the activity levels in the Hold slow down slightly as the Aiel seek the refuge of shade in their roofs.

To any but the Aiel, the winter season seems hard to distinguish from the summer. But all about the hold the plants are slightly greener and there is an air of activity that comes from the relief that the relatively cooler days bring.

The entire Hold lies before you, and also ABOVE you. A wide ledge circles the entire canyon about thirty feet off of the canyon's floor. Access to this ledge can be taken by heading up the Jagged Trail to the East of you or the Steep Path to the West of you. Directly ahead of you, to the South lies the Trading Circle. By skirting the Trading Circle to the Southeast you come to the Combat Yard, and by skirting it to the Southwest you enter the Stone Garden. Or, you could turn around and head North out of the hold.

<There are +views here.>

Contents:
Charn Kirajonet
Coldin's Tent

With the sun still well away from setting, a lone figure lopes into the canyon, bulky skirts apparently posing little hindrance to her progress. Her normal pace is more hurried than usual, gaze scanning the Hold ahead of her for the guests whose arrival she missed.

Marith is milling about near a group of Aiel working on pottery. She appears to be admiring the fine workmanship of the items being made and baked before her own eyes.

Anaiya leans against a large rock outcropping, her spears held loosely in her hand, her eyes locked upon the large Ogier standing by her. She shades her eyes against the sun so that she might better watch the current scene.

It doesn't take long for Taigan to pick out the Ogier and only moments after that for her to slow her pace and rearrange her shawl to a more proper position. It is towards Marith and Anaiya that she directs her attention, sending a traditional Aiel greeting for both Maiden and Ogier. Formal greeting.

Charn charn walks in from the Hold. He looks around, then starts to head toward Anaiya and the Ogier.

Anaiya nods briefly to Taigan and Charn, and says, "Charn, TaiganI see you Charn, Taigan. May you both find shade and water today." She returns her attetnion once again to the Ogier.

Slowly, the Eldest turns about at hearing Anaiya's greeting. She seems almost torn between which formal greeting to use, that of the Ogier or that of the Aiel, having not travelled to the Waste much, and the Aiel having gone to the Stedding more often for trade. Finally, she settles on the one she hears, ears twitching back and forth, perhaps worried that she'll mangle it as younger Aiel have mangled her own customary words, "I see you..." Rather than giving a name, she uses the addage to greet both figures 'seen', "May you both find shade and water today.

Slowly, the Eldest turns about at hearing Anaiya's greeting. She seems almost torn between which formal greeting to use, that of the Ogier or that of the Aiel, having not travelled to the Waste much, and the Aiel having gone to the Stedding more often for trade. Finally, she settles on the one she hears, ears twitching back and forth, perhaps worried that she'll mangle it as younger Aiel have mangled her own customary words, "I see you..." Rather than giving a name, she uses the addage to greet both figures 'seen', "May you both find shade and water today." After a second thought, she adds, "And the blessing of the Light and Stillness upon you..." She nods to herself as she adds both greetings together in one, her ears coming to a stop.

Charn reaches the outcrop. "I see you Anaiya. I see you Wise One." He turns to the Ogier "Treebrother! May you always find water and shade!"

Marith turns her head toward Charn, nodding it briefly. A small, or to a human large, smile tugs at her lips as she acknowledges the greeting.

"Taigan, Wise One of Sun Ridge Hold, Broken Spire Sept of the Shaarad Aiel," the Wise One launches into a self-introduction for the Ogier's benefit, but not neglecting to send a nod towards Charn as well. Tilting her head back to better meet Marith's gaze, she remains solemn as she ennumerates what kept her from their welcome, "Shande Rock Hold required my attention far longer than I had anticipated. Erindhra sent word of your coming as soon as you and your party were spotted but my journey by that time proved longer than yours." She adds, with a twinkle of humor touching her eyes, "Outpaced by Ogier. I shall never outlive that."

Anaiya throws back her head and laughs, and drums her spear against her buckler, nodding appreciation at the jest.

Charn looks away, over toward the horizon, as if to gage how long until sunset.

A small chortle escapes Marith, but being an Ogier it sounds almost like a full fledged laugh at the Aiel humor, "I am certain your honor will be restored, in time. Your name sings in my ears, Taigan, Wise One of Sun Ridge Hold, Broken Spire Sept of the Shaarad Aiel." Marith pauses a moment as she gathers her next set of words to thought. "I am Marith, daughter of Paloa daughter of Altar, Eldest of the Stedding Maotai. Again, the blessing of the Light and Stillness upon you."

Anaiya steps towards the pair, and says, "I am Anaiya, Far Dareis Mai, of the Black Ridge Hold, Blue Waters Sept of the Sharad Aiel. May you find water and shade, Marith, daughter of Paloa daughter of Altar, eldest of the Stedding Maotai." Hesitantly, she adds, "Your name sings in my ears. and mthe blessing of the Light and Stillness upon you." she glances to Taigan quickly, and then back to the Ogier.

Anaiya's greeting brings a warm smile to Marith's lips. She bows her head respectfully to the young woman, "Your name sings in my ears, Anaiya, Far Dareis Mai." Even though known for long windedness, Marith seems to shorten her greeting this time. "It is good to hear someone not having my name ringing in their ears for a change." She jokes a little on how others have mangled the customary greeting of the Ogier.

Charn glances at the Maiden, then turns to the ogier "I am Charn of the Wind Shallow Sept of the Shaarad Aiel."

Sunset is but a few hours off yet. Taigan's chosen pace put her in SunRidge Hold well before supper and another night of festivities in the Ogier's honor would begin. "And upon you, Marith, daughter of Paloa, daughter of Altar, Eldest of Stedding Maotai. May you always find shade and water. There is shade and water for you and your party here. I look forward to meeting them." Her words an echo of Anaiya's, she nods approval.

"Many thanks, Wise One Taigan..." Having not really met any Wise One's before, the Eldest seems a little uncertain about how to address the woman, adding the appellation. Carefully, her eyes scan the innards of the hold, taking notice of who is present and who is off exploring, as the Ogier were wont to do as soon as they saw this strange new area, "Your home holds a fascination for many of the younger Ogier."

Taigan watches the young Maiden trot off towards the Hold, then eyes the pottery just recently under Marith's study. "She does honor upon her name with her craft," she notes conversationally. Charn receives a considering glance accompanied with a wry twist of her mouth, "No matter the attempts of the Stone Dogs to dislodge her displays as they make their patrols by." Nodding to the Eldest's address, she muses upon news of the exploration, "As does your Stedding when the Aiel visit. I hope they are willing to ask questions of our people. The ThreeFold Land is not always friendly, even to those who make her their home."

Charn grimaces. "We have to avoid falling over the Red Shields who have fallen asleep."

The Eldest seems to nod her head at that, "Nor do the Ogier, except the Aiel... we get occassional visitors. We've just recently come from Tar Valon, which proved to be a large surprise to many." Marith genuflects, sighing softly, "Even to myself. An eruption occured, causing liquid fire to destroy one of their villages..." She hangs her head a bit, ears dropping, "Many trees were destroyed in those flames."

Taigan quirks a brow at the astounding news, "The wetlands even make liquid out of their fires?" Despite her natural callousness towards those named wetlanders, she does frown, even if a bit of it is from misunderstanding. "That is sad news. Were the people able to rebuild their hold? Or did they have to find new water to move to?"

"The people there live next to a large body of water, and the flames went right over it, from what I could tell. They were able to rebuild their homes, with the help of the Ogier, and their bridge so that they may travel to and from the Island." Marith announces quietly, her ears still drooping, "There is some speculation about the liquid fires, and what they signify. Some of the Aes Sedai there seem to think that the last battle is upon them soon, but I do not know what to believe, not having access to their books and libraries."

Charn's eyes widen slightly. "Aes Sedai think the last Day is coming?" < P>The words 'large body of water' falls flatly over Taigan's ears, lending little comprehension as to the phenomena of the 'liquid fire' but she merely nods in what passes for acceptance. "The Prophecies..." she begins then pauses for a restart. "For the last battle, that would mean a number of prophecies would have yet to pass. As yet, we have seen none of these, nor even a hint." For Charn's benefit. "It is inconclusive," she states finally, "but of interest nonetheless. Speaking of interests, you have not yet seen our discovery, Marith, Eldest of Stedding Maotai?"

Marith gives a small nod of her head, "Some, aye. Though most do not seem to believe so. They are looking into the prophecies that they hold, from my understanding, to see if the Dragon himself is reborn. I have heard rumors that some, during the firestorm that brought the liquid fire, were murmuring that he had come... though if so, there does not seem to be a panic amongst the members of the city, so I am thinking they are mostly rumors." Of course, Marith rattles on, not knowing how much the Aiel do or do not know about the wetland world.

Noamall walks in from outside the hold.

Marith pauses, considering the words presented before her, "We have not yet, no, Wise One Taigin." Marith murmurs in a gentle, quiet voice - or the quietest she cam manage. She stands next to Taigan and Charn, before a group of Aiel making pottery for the Hold.

Taigan nabs a passing apprentice trying to avoid the Wise One's attention to little avail. "We have need of the Ogier book within the Wise One's roof. Perhaps you would retrieve it for their perusal?" Expecting obedience, Taigan doesn't miss a beat in responding to Marith, "It has been a mystery to us ever since Caldiera brought it to my attention. We thought you would be a better recipient of it than we were. Though I will admit to my curiosity as to its contents."

"And I will admit that it is curious other scholars could not decipher its contents." Marith responds, her eyes following the apprentice as her ears start their twitching once more, this time in an anxious, excited manner, anticipating the new treasure to be seen. "Though I am also certain the other Elders are just as curious. They made no small haste in trying to usher others here.... and they are usually the first to remind others to take their time when making decisions.'

Possibly an Elder, an Ogier makes his way slowly unto the scene. Walking toward the group speaking, he makes his way around and looks to the others, bowing his head to the Eldest. Those large cup-sized eyes loook those speaking around, his ears twitching a touch on the subject matter.

Taigan actually chuckles, familiar with the legendary Ogier deliberation. "And we welcome the opportunity to share our roof with our treebrothers in the meantime." She muses up the path the apprentice disappeared into. "She will only be moments, I'm sure." For the newly arrived Ogier, she offers a nod, patiently defering to Marith or the newcomer for an introduction.

Marith glances to the newcomer, and her warm smile appears to widen - rather a large and perhaps frightening thing for some. "Ah.... Elder Noamall." She greets, "The blessing of the Light and Stillness upon you." She nods her head respectfully to the Ogier just joining the group, her eyes momentarily going to Charn, then Taigan, "Perhaps it would be best to introduce yourselves to him... I will mangle th details of which Hold and Sept you are from originally."

Charn looks toward the Wise One.

"Eldest Marith," Noamall's voice trails in a rumble as he says her name. For his size, the features are exadurated, his light smile by Ogier standard is wide across his face. Turning to those of the shorter folk, he nods in respect. "May you find shade," he greets in the Ail ways, his head tilting to the side as his ears twitch.

"I see you Elder Noamall," the Wise One copies Marith's greeting. "I am Taigan, Wise One of Sun Ridge Hold, Broken Spire Sept of the Shaarad Aiel. May you always find shade and water. The blessing of Light and Stillness be upon you." She tacks on the Ogier greeting, the flow of words somewhat awkward in her voice.

Charn says "I see you Elder Noamall. I am Charn of the Wind Shallow Sept of the Shaarad Aiel."

Allowing her smile to settle into something smaller, Marith turns her attention back to Taigan, "Now that introductions are over, I believe Elder Noamal was one of those we were speaking of presently, wishing to haste and see the new discovery."

As though proving that not all Ogier's are the same, Noamall nods at their greetings, a touch more casual himself. But with the bright smile that touches on his lips and cheeks, and then disappears, he's clearly pleased to be here. Eyes look to their surroundings, he turns back to the Aiel. "Gratitude for your shade and water." Nodding at Marith's words, his eyes go wider still if that is to be possible. "Yes, the discovery..." his mind trails in thought.

Out of breath and running, the apprentice previously sent to fetch the tome of interest arrives and skids unceremoniously to a halt, holding the book out in front of her as if a shield. "Tarende Wise One wished me to bring this to you as quickly as possible and return to the roof for some tasks.

Taigan merely nods matter-of-factly at the apprentice's breathless explanation - chalking up the girl's demeanor to some displeasure of the aforementioned Wise One. She presents it equally towards both Ogier, a look of expectation in her eye.

Marith nods her head to Noamall, murmuring quietly, "I will let Elder Noamall be the first to look it over. He has been many things in his time before becoming an Elder."

Perhaps a hunter sometime in his hundreds of years with life, Noamall looks to the book much like one would look to his next challenge of the hunt. Ears twitching, his large lips part as a large hand moves to reach for the big. "Thank-you," he simply states, his fingers moving around the book before he lifts it away. There is almost a savouring to the moment, as he examins the covers and sides from end to end, before even thinking of opening to see the context. "It is old..."

Taigan keeps her attention riveted to the study of the volume, now looking much more like a regular sized book when referenced to Ogier hands.

"Aye, very old." Marith agrees, her ears dancing about in an excited manner. The apprentice she does not even give the time of day as the book is delivered and she traipses off back to whatever chores she needs to attend to now. The Eldest glances to Noamall, temporarily forgetting Taigan is there in her excitement - almost like one of the child Ogier exploring the Hold, "Do you think you can decipher it? I know I can give it a try, but it will depend on the writing and style of text."

Charn glances toward the sun, now hovering above the horizon. "I must go now, Wise One." He nods to the Ogier. "Treebrothers."

Noamall nods his large head as he steps back from the Aiel, fingers fingering the cover before he opens to the first page. "It is old..." he repeats his originally description of it. As his finger trails across the words, one would almost think the Ogier would be in a rush. "Though it looks familiar," he states quietly. "I will let you know more by daybreak." Well, he clearly intends to get little sleep on this day.

Charn decides to tackle the challenges of the Combat Yard and walks in.

Marith nods her head slowly, glancing to Taigan, "Is it permissible that Elder Noamall keep the book with him, to study the text and its contents?" She does not assume, afterall, the book does belong to the Aiel.

Taigan nods to Charn's departing back, then adopting a questioning glance for Noamall's declaration. Marith's question though, receives prompt answer, "Of course. We have done what study on it that we can. Perhaps we might be able to visit upon the study you conduct upon it?"

"Of course," Noamall responds all too quietly to Taigan's request. He seems eager to take it upon his study. "There may be some of this that I can translate."

"You may..." The Eldest agrees, "It is your find, afterall, Wise One Taigan. We would not seem to exclude you from what may be inside. Perhaps you have scholars amongst you who wish to help with writing the common translation?"

"I would, for a start." Taigan states, then opens her mouth to ennumerate a few other names but reconsiders. "There are a few others, of course. We will be available should you require our assistance. But for the moment, I should attend to some tasks." She has just returned to the Hold after all.

Marith nods her head gently to Taigan, "The light be with you, Wise One Taigan." The Eldest murmurs in a gentle voice.

"And with you. Sleep well and wake," Taigan responds, including both Elder and Eldest with her nod before she turns and lopes up the path.

Lost in thought and wonder, Noamall nods absently as he begins to walk away. Even now, his fingers move across the pages, flipping them slowly between themselves trying to gather the language. "Yes... yes..."