"You know, you are quite right. I was just taking a stroll along the trail." The Gleeman claimed, indicating his horse as if it was merely a companion who sought to walk with him. "And what do I find when I do? The loveliest girl in the Two Rivers. Though I suppose it isn't your home." "No, it is not." She replied. "Forgive me, my memory isn't what it used to be." He said with a laugh. "Though I do recall you and Master Ali heading to his home the previous night. Now why would I find you here today?" "I had to go. It would be my head if I hadn't" she said pleasantly, her joke not exactly untruthful. It would have fooled most people, but there was a twinkle in the old man's eye that showed he knew exactly what game they were playing, and he intended to win. He gave a chuckle, and inclined his head. "Oh, girl..." he said. "I'm sure you would make your instructors at Tar Valon proud." The silence after he spoke was defeaning, until the crunching leaves of footsteps ahead of them. Alidren Baldyr appeared with his walking staff, entering the clearing, obviously having already seen the exchange from afar. Ali didn't dislike the old gleeman, but after having run for their lives the previous night, he wasn't in a welcoming mood. "It's nice to see you, Master Ali." Simon said. "You're looking well rested. I'm surprised. It seems your resourceful enough to where you just might live." "I'll give you this one chance to leave." Ali said, clearly understanding off the bat that this man knew more than he should. "Take it, now." There was that weight to his words again, as if he had wrought them on a forge and thrown them at those he spoke to, clearing any argument out of their path. The elder held his ground, however. "I think you will need me along. It's not every day that I find an Aes Sedai and a Ta’veren traveling together, and so far you've done well. But if I can find you, others can." [@Penny]