POOHEAD189

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

Ali had not embarrassed himself nearly as much as he had imagined. His feet had moved well and he took her hand whenever the music called for it. He had to smile, because truth be told he was having a fine time. If you had told him yesterday that a fun girl would pop out of the brush and suddenly start to reorganize his life with her presence he would have called you a fool and to put down the brandy. Now, sitting by her and taking a rest, he felt very satisfied with how the afternoon was turning out.

"Me as well," he replied to her, wiping his forehead with his solid forearm to brush off the light perspiration.

"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?"

Both Ali and Mave blinked at the interruption as the old and affable mayor approached, trying to be as congenial as usual, though he was also as blunt as badger. Ali smiled, having an easy way about him. "Is there something wrong with her?" he asked, indicating toward Mave, and the mayor grumbled, shaking his head earnestly, with his hands out as if to settle the two of them down when they hadn't made a move. "No, no she is a fine woman. I'm certain you're a fine woman. Everything is just so strange, please let me know if there is anything you need to tell me."

"I know about the man asking for me, but I don't know who he is." Ali said, his face turning from lighthearted to taking his concerns a bit more seriously. "I've seen him twice the past day, but you need to believe me, Mayor Al'Cagan, I haven't done anything other than help Mave this morning. Maybe he's with them?"

"Maybe, lad. Maybe." The mayor replied, puffing smoke out of his pipe as he tried to think of another protest or reason for these queer happenings. "Your da told me you went to Taren's Ferry yesterday. Did you skip out on paying anyone there?"

"You know I always win at dice. Light, and you know I'm not dishonest enough to cheat someone out of money." Ali said, slightly defensive at the accusation. "I'm not sure what's happening mayor, but I honestly do not know who the man is or what he wants. I stake my life on it."

When he meant something, it was a palpable feeling, as if the world could feel his surety. The mayor nodded, convinced. "Hmmm, very well, very well. But I only ask so the Wisdom doesn't get to you first. Or young Evelyn. Be glad she wasn't here today. That pretty young thing has had her eyes on you for years."

"I'm sure we'll see her tomorrow." Ali said, wanting to change the subject off of the girl. Blood and Ashes, his mother had always said women liked a pair of shoulders but the last few years he'd had more attention than he was used to. He had not known Mave long, but at least she didn't try to tug him around like a dog on a leash. "Thanks for the talk Mayor. Tell your wife we loved the meal." It was clear Ali meant for the questioning to be done, and the Mayor took his cue. "Yes, yes, good talk my boy. Good talk." as he waddled away.

"We'll need to be getting back soon." Ali said, and then he added something else, as if there was someone else speaking for him. "You know, if you're not comfortable with staying at my house, you could stay at the Inn. I'm sure it wouldn't cost any coin." Oddly enough he hoped she refused, but he wasn't about to make her stay at his place.
@Penny

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

Ali felt tongue tied. Not in his worst dreams did he think Valerie could sneak past him and lecture Mave alone, but he had caught the tail end of it. Not only had she failed in intimidating her, but Mave had sent her packing! Briefly he wondered if he could ask her to stay for protection, not the other way around. What's more, he found it very attractive. I must be insane. "Don't worry, she's needed a talking to for awhile." he said.

"In fact, she's not the only one." He said, looking around suspiciously. They had all quieted down and even looked more demure after Mave had questioned the hospitality of the Inn, but Ali still felt eyes on him from every corner. Maybe he was so disturbed by the Dark Rider's attention because it was like the attention of the women in the village. Being weighed and measured by the very feel, even if he saw no eyes truly on him.

"Well I'm certain they'll settle down in a few days." Mave said, slipping a piece of cake in her mouth and chewing with delight. There was a cold, sweet taste to the icing that complimented the richness of the breading.

"You know it's funny," Ali said, taking a sip of his cider. He hesitated to continue, and only did when Mave's exotic eyes lifted to meet his. "When I found you on the road, I'd thought you Aes Sedai."

She stiffened, eyes widening slightly as he hit the nail on the head. He didn't notice and continued however, looking over his shoulder. "Ridiculous, I know." he chuckled, crossing his strong arms over his chest. "It was the shawl and when that man tripped coming after me. But it seems the most dangerous thing about you is your tongue, which is greatly appreciate because I am not bloody listened to."

"Do you dance?" she asked suddenly.

"What?" he asked on instinct, and suddenly realizing a jaunty tune was being played just outside. A dance was not something that would give the others an impression that they were not smitten, plus he had not danced in three winters! Light he'd be terrible. "I uh, I don't-..."

"Come, dance with me." she said, doing her best to distract him as she laid a hand on his bicep, smiling. His gaze couldn't help but be drawn to hers. "Alright," he nodded, and she led him to the porch where one of the younger boys played a flute. It was Bran's little brother, Braidon, and the song was a less than modest one he was obviously playing to unnerve the older folk, though it did have a catchy tune.
@Penny

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

Ali found he trusted her, though light knows why. She had a forceful grace about her that spoke of things he wasn't used to, and if he didn't heed her he might be dead, all without saying so. As unaccustomed to women as he was, he knew that wasn't something you ignored. They stepped back onto the road, and all but ran to the north bridge that carried them over into the town proper. Ali was fraught with anxiety of what was happening to his home, but Mave's hand squeezed his and took all doubt from him as they moved.

Once they came within eyesight of the town, she let go of his hand and he drew himself up straight, striding over with his walking stick 'clacking' on the wooden planks of the bridge. They would see many young girls in curious braids in a circle, watching some of the older women raising a festive pole, chanting softly as they did so. Young boys ran across their path, smiling and laughing and a few even giggled at Ali and Mave.

Ali ignored the audible gossip of the smiling women as they passed and entered the Winespring Inn, and a welcome warmth accompanied their entrance. The place was hearty and filled with rural cheer. Red and green ties were sewn ubiquitously across the walls and on the very plump woman who greeted them with arms outspread. "Ali! Oh, I heard the news!" She said, pleased as fresh peaches. Her hair was tied in a brown bun and an apron was slung across her ample hips. "This must be her. You are a lucky young woman, though this one is more stubborn than most."

"Mrs. Al'Cagan, she's just a friend." Ali said, though the words seemed to fall like lead before they reached her ears. She waved him away as if it was nonsense. "Come, I have a table set for you. Edgar! Where is that fool oaf?" The plump woman then shimmied away, nearly knocking over a lamp as she did so.

The food here smelled even better than at Ali's home, with country spices and cooked lamb that drew everyone's attention. It wasn't crowded inside, but there was a few of the townsfolk chatting and eating. A group of girls Ali's age sat at a larger table in the back, congregating into groups like women often did. Except Mave, Ali noted. He didn't know anyone crazy enough to scale the mountains alone.

As they sat down and began to eat, Ali doing his best to ignore the looks and whispers that accompanied them, the Wisdom showed up yet one more time, arms over her chest and hip cocked to the side. It wasn't a surprise to Ali, but the fact that she interrupted their meal without apology was something that brought a raised eyebrow from Mave, the woman clenching her fork as if to stick the woman. "So, are you still sticking to that fool story of how you met or are you going to let me do my job, Alidren Baldyr?"

"I don't care if it's a fool story, it's true."

"You're impossible, Ali. And you, don't think you can weasel your way into this town without being given a good talking to. You and Ali better tell Evelyn this concocted tale of a story and see if she is pleased to hear it." She said.

"Evelyn isn't pleased at anything. Now let us eat our meal." Ali said, his face red from embarrassment. She gave a loud 'hmmph' and spun, her hands curled in fists, muttering about wool headed fools. Mave looked less than comfortable, though truth be told Ali knew it would be even worse if they hadn't shown up now. If they came for Bel Tine a few days later without introducing her then all of the festivities would halt.

However, after the Wisdom had exited, they actually had a quaint meal for a short while, with delectable but hardy food and Cider that beckoned the tastebuds. "You know I can see how you could handle a few street toughs, if you have to deal with this everytime you come into town." Mave joked, and Ali had to chuckle. "I'm just glad my da isn't here or he'd be questioning me and giving me a talk as well."

Ali saw her cider cup was empty, and volunteered to get her an extra helping. He took her cup when she agreed with a smile, and he made it to the Kitchen. Though in the small corridor leading back, Bran was there, hiding behind the wall. Ali nearly dropped the mug. "Light Bran, what are you doing here?"

"You didn't tell me you had a woman in the house, Al." he said. "I thought we were friends. Here I came over to warn you about a strange fellow and you had a strange woman in there. What if he's her husband!?"

"Don't be stupid. And I didn't tell you because I didn't want you involved in anything that might get you into trouble." Ali explained.

"Why didn't you tell me you were sweet on a girl at least?"

"I'm not." Ali replied vehemently, though his cheeks reddened.

"Well if you aren't, then someone else will be." Bran said, poking his head out of the corner and looking at Mave, who was now being presented a cake and a crown of flowers. Despite the attention, the crown was given to her by a small child cute as a button, and the tastey cake was given to her silently by Mrs. Al'Cagan "She's prettier than Evelyn and Valerie, and a foreigner to boot. How are you so good with women, by the way?"

"You're the one that's good with women. Don't be a fool. Besides, that's not important. I saw the dark rider on the road..."

"What!?" Bran exclaimed, and Ali placed a hand on his mouth. "Sssshh, I'll talk to you later. But be careful."

Ali would come back to their table moments later when Bran went out the back, setting down a cup of Cider for her. "Sorry that took a second." Burn me, but she does look lovely in the flower crown.
@Penny

Have I Found the Place?

Welcome to the guild!

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

Ali - Farmboy Staff Fighter (for now)

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

"Alidren Baldyr!" the stern woman yelled. "You get out here right now!"

She had long, flowing strawberry blonde hair, with waves of curls that framed her broad but lovely face. Her dress was conservative, most likely due to the chill, colored green and white with archaic symbols stitched into the wool fabric. Her hair was tied into a long braid that flowed down her back, and she placed her hands on her hips. "I won't ask a second time!" as the mayor simultaneously knocked on the door, taking a much less aggressive approach.

"Young Alidren, might we have a word?" he asked, affable.

Ali's jaw was set firmly, and his hands curled into fists as his strong chest lifted and fell from his deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to experience. Still, he had an apologetic look when he looked at Mave who seemed far from comfortable. "I'm sorry, stay here. This won't take long." he told her, and stepped out of the Kitchen and into the foyer. He had thought to hide from them, but if he came to Bel Tine in two days without an explanation of where he was then he would be the village liar.

When Ali opened the door, he would be kindly but firmly given a greeting by the mayor. A stout man in wool and cotton, with a mustache that was flecked with grey. Ali stepped outside, and the door would shut behind him. Mave would see Ali squaring off with the woman, who looked a barely two or three years Ali's senior, at least by the way she acted. She only made it to his chest but she had a way of speaking to him looking down her nose.

The Mayor would sometimes pipe in to defuse the situation, but mostly it was Ali and the woman, with the tall younger man explaining rationally and the woman seemingly taking everything out of context and in the worst way possible, though by the end of it, she seemed to be satisfied, though annoyed that she wasn't conceded to immediately by Ali, who turned and stormed back into the house, closing the door behind him.

He didn't talk for nearly half a minute, fuming and obviously not wanting to engage in conversation until he cooled off. Once he did, he sighed and stepped into the kitchen, trying to find something to do. "I need to leave the Two Rivers." He said, unable to not think aloud, needing to vent. "No matter how old you get or what you've done, you're always seen as a fool unless you're the head of a family or a wisdom." he said.

He realized he hadn't explained what happened. "The Mayor and Wisdom Valerie had come over expecting to see you and to give you a talk, but I explained what had happened on the road...three times. Eventually when I didn't change my story they believed me, and told me it wasn't right to keep you here. Then I told them to get off my property." He said, taking out some bowls from the upper cupboard for later use tonight.

He grinned at the last part of his explanation. "I'll go start a fire in the den." he declared, walking out of the Kitchen though remaining in earshot. "I'll make coffee soon, if you want some."
@Penny

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

Ali had just finished fixing the stitching, a line of thread in his teeth as Mave stood as still as a statue. To his surprise, his professionalism overweighed his bashfulness, because she was indeed a very pretty woman. But he focused on his work, noting her approval at having him help, which in turn gave him a bit of elation that only a young man could get when seeing the smile of a woman. Still, it all dropped into the dirt when Galen Brightstone and Stephan Anderlen poked their heads into the door.

If Ali wasn't so single minded me might have slipped on the stitching or poked Mave, but thankfully he almost didn't notice the interruption until they were already turning and running down the street. His mouth dropped open in horror, and his first instinct was to chase after them, but the fact that Mave was there, lovely eyes gazing at him and even amused that kept him from running out the front door. Still, he sighed. "Oh light!"

He set down the thread and needle, and placed a hand on his forehead, riding his thick, wavy fringe up as he contemplated what this meant. At Mave's forthcoming question, he replied with. "I think..." He sounded as if he was pronouncing terrible news, like one would give a family who had unknowingly lost their farm. "No, I know." He said, and laughed helplessly. "Don't be surprised if everyone in the town tomorrow believes you're my future wife."

He could only imagine how awkward it must feel to be her at the moment, and for his part he looked away to hide the embarrassed blush. "Well, the wheel weaves as the wheel wills." he replied. It was a saying he had heard a Gleeman say when he was a small lad over ten winters ago, meaning 'whatever happens, happens for a reason.' "I'll check on your bath water. Does it feel ok?" he asked. It had been quite a skillful stitch up, for someone with such large hands.
@Penny

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

He smiled in relief, please she was a reasonable person and wouldn't simply run off without much rest. He would feel and likely act differently with a relative stranger living in the house with him alone, but it was still better for his conscience that she took his offer. Plus it would be nice to entertain a guest. He had not done something nice for someone for awhile, not that he wasn't apt to, but it seemed every chore he did was an obligation and not a kindness.

He stood up, his height and solid shoulders apparent once more, particularly because she was still seated. "I do." he said, going to clean up the pans. "But they're off visiting my Uncle miles away and they'll be gone for a few days." he confessed. He wiped his hands of grease on a small cloth so he could begin cleaning, speaking as he started. "I should be living alone, or with a fiance apparently. But my siblings are all too young to help my father out with the more important things he needs help with so I've stuck around for a few years."

Once she was done, he'd take her plate and refill her water cup with the barrel of water in the corner kitchen, handing it to her again. "I know we have some hand-me down dresses in the room down to the right at the end of the hall, where my father still keeps some of my late mom's dresses. Sorry if that's weird, but that's all we have. Though we do have quite a lot of knitting equipment through the foyer, because half of what we do here is sew to make textiles to sell, so if you want that instead, then certainly."

He had an earthy and earnest way about him, though it contrasted the clear capacity for exacerbation and intelligence she saw when she first found him on the ground or when he'd handled the thugs. He moved like a mule at work. Then again people did say that about Two Rivers men. They could give mules lessons and teach stone with how stubborn they were.

"How about this? You can check on if a dress fits and I can sew your dress back up later, and while you're changing clothes, I can make a hot bath." He spoke matter of fact-ly, like a man that was born into work.
@Penny

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

"You can stay here for a few days." He offered, and immediately realized exactly what he had just offered. Well, he couldn't just kick her out of the door, so far was she from the Arad Doman. Thank the light his family would be gone for four days, so by the time they got back, if Ali was quick he could make it as if she had never been here. "It's no trouble, and you might feel better after a real bath. I only wiped off what blood I could off of you." He said sheepishly.

"Coin?" he asked incredulously. Coin money was a luxury here, and not many had more than ten coins for rainy days or when the Peddlars arrived at Bel Tine. He was short on money, truth be told. Like he had recalled, this winter was particularly harsh and there was little reason to travel such dangerous roads, so trade other than actual trading of flocks and herds went from uncommon to rare. "I couldn't accept coin from you, it was the right thing to do."

And it had been. A lot of men often wondered if they would do the right thing in a certain situation, and he had. He guessed he should be proud of himself. "But if you want to, you can stay here and then in two days we can go to the town for Bel Tine. It's not safe going down the road alone, though I think you can appreciate that more than most."
@Penny