Mave wasn't really sure why she wanted to dance. It wasn't something at which she had gotten a lot of recent practice at. Partially it was to move the conversation away from the notion of her being Aes Sedai. That wasn't technically true, but it was close enough that she would prefer he didn't dwell on the matter. Maybe it was because she was certain it would infuriate the Wisdom, or maybe it was because she had been stuck in the White Tower for long enough that she missed it. Accepted were taught to dance in the fashion of a noble soiree but it would have been unseemly for them to engage in the more energetic country dances. Regardless of her motives, obscure even to her, she led Ali out onto the green.

It was a broad expanse of grass that functioned as a village square. Already a Beltane pole had been erected, with pieces of colorful fabric twined carefully around its twelve foot length to avoid flapping in the light breeze. Lanterns were being set out also in preparation of the celebration. There were already several pairs of young people dancing on the grass to the music. Most of them were of an age with Mave and Ali though there were a few older couples and a few precocious younger ones. Several of the older more staid villagers had looks of disapproval on their faces, but they made no mood to stop the impromptu celebration.

The dance was simple enough that it only took a minute or two of watching before Mave, pulling Ali behind her, took her place on the green and they began to dance. It was more fun than she had imagined, all the more so for being a relief from her cares. Why shouldn't she take a moment to enjoy something, soon it would be Beltane and she would have to be on her way but while she was here she might as well enjoy it. Several local girls were giving her hard looks and she realized that Ali must be something of a prize in these parts. An unmarried man with an aging father and a thriving trade must be a match that made mothers swoon. Soon enough she was laughing as the whirled and danced on the green and it was almost a disappointment when the fiddler, a boy younger than Ali, was forced to take a break.

"Its been a long time since I danced," she admitted as they sat breathlessly on one of the wooden benches. As they longued Master al'Cagan came busting over, a concerned look on his face. He was puffing his pipe in and out fast enough that it could only be a sign of nerves.

"Alidrin what is going on, first its bandits, this girl... begging your pardon miss, and now I hear there is some strange man looking for you? WHat have you gotten yourself into boy?"