"That is where we differ." A kindly, sage like voice pipped in. And as if out of nowhere, the Gleeman from earlier stood next to the two girls with a mischievous twinkle in his blue eyes. He clearly sought to give Mave a helping hand in exchange for help himself. "You see I am looking for the prettiest girl in the town to be my assistant on my second trick. Would you be so kind as to help an old man in his trade?" 

He gave Mave a stately bow, a practiced one at that. One of the last things you might see in the Two Rivers. The exchange only sought to fuel Evelyn's fires even further. Not only was someone here taking Ali's attention, but this Gleeman just insulted her in front of her bloody face! The look on her face was priceless when strong hands grabbed her from behind and lifted her up, before moving her over. Ali then stepped through where she had been standing. Evelyn looked like a plucked goose, and then proceeded to sashay angrily away, muttering curses. 

Ali felt lucky to be alive, so he decided to push his luck and send her scampering. If one were to imagine two large, ferocious bears battling to the death until there was naught but fur and blood left, that was basically the physical manifestation of the conversation Ali had just had with Evelyn and Valerie. Though truth be told, he didn't know how much longer he could keep up denying them. He felt like it was starting to look smarter to just eventually marry her. Who knows? Maybe once she finally got her way she would detract the claws. 

Anyway, he would think about that later. At the moment he was excited to see the Gleeman and Mave. For his part, the elderly fellow eyed Ali up and down. "My, you're a strong lad aren't you? Tall too. Not as tall as an Aiel man, but near enough. Strange eyes to boot, ones like I've never seen before. Who are your parents, my boy? What's your name?" 

"My father's name is Ryld Baldyr. My mother died years ago, but she was from Tear." He said, as if that was a world away. Likely it was, as far as he knew. "I'm Ali Baldyr, and this is my friend Mave." 

"Mave Kashana." She said, smiling happily and accepting the Gleeman's hand as he took hers and kissed the top of it as if they were in a royal court. 

"A pleasure to meet you both. You, my dear, have the look of someone from the Arad Doman. Careful boy, she can snatch up men's hearts like you shear wheat! But enough pleasantries, I have a business proposition for you two. I will give each of you three copper peices if you help me with my act. First I will go alone. Swallowing fire, you see. But after, I will need you to juggle, miss Kashana. Can you juggle?" 

"A little." she said modestly. 

"It would have been better if you said no, but we can work with it." He said, smiling. "And you boy, after her trick and my knives, you can try to lift me up off the ground. But only when I say time, you likely could now with how strong you look, but when I have my audience, I'll pull me trick. Deal?" 

After the Gleeman walked off, Ali looked at Mave's hip. "You know how to use a sword?" he asked curiously. 
[@Penny]