Mave was awash with conflicting emotions as she glanced around the forrest. It seemed somehow more peaceful and part of her was at ease, another part of her snatched desperately for Saidar only to find that she could not reach it. The Power was still there, she could sense its warmth, but it was as far beyond her reach as the moon. She shivered in spite of herself unused to the sensation of helplessness it engenderd.

“Greetings,” an impossibly deep voice rumbled. And a large humanoid, larger than a trolloc but not nearly so ugly, stepped from behind the bohle of a massive oak tree. He was dressed in green linen and wore a cloak that appeared to be made of animal hides, though several deer had obviously been necessary to clothe the giant. Mave had heard and read of Ogier of course, and every day in Tar Valon was to live among the incredible architectural achievements of that race, but this was the first time she had met one face to face. At least Ali was staring with the same open mouth wonder that she felt.

“We get so few travelers to our steeding, less since these creatures of darkness came to the woods beyond, do not fear, they cannot cross the boundaries,” the giant rumbled with a voice like a distant thunderstorm.

“Greetings,” Mave managed after a moment, trying to infuse her voice with an appropriately Aes Sedai level of calm. She glanced back over her shoulder half expecting to see shadowspawn in pursuit but there was nothing to be seen.

“I am Mave Sedai, of the White Tower and this is Master Ali.. that is Alidrin Baldyr of the Two Rivers,” she introduced, remembering at the last moment that Ogier preferred formality especially for introductions.  

“We were making our way south when we were set upon by trollocs, and worse,” she explained.

“I am Ogarif, Son of Hym,” the ogier responded. He reached behind the tree and produced a wondrous staff of sungwood, curved and shaped with sublime elegance and yet still half a tree trunk to Mave’s eyes.

“I have been set to watch the woods, the dark ones cannot cross our boundaries but that dosen’t mean we let them go unmonitored,” he said with a rumbling chuckle.