In the forest where roads were few and time seemed to slow to stop, there were many and various adventures to be found. Some were mysterious and inexplicable, some were long and tortuous, and some were terrifying and deadly. There was often little to be gained for the wandering knight except honour and regard and yet there seemed to be a never-ending supply of knights ready to risk their life and reputation.
One such knight, the famous Vivainne DeSegur, leader and commander of the Knights Exemplar and a leading member of the Guardians of the Cave, was one such. After her exploits in the Quest to Rescue the Die of Destiny, both she and her beloved Constance, also a Knight Exemplar, vowed to travel the wastelands in search of wrongs to right and evil to subdue. Sometime together and sometime in solitude they travelled the unmapped forests and mountains for months at a stretch.
On one such journey Vivainne, travelling alone with nought but her armaments, weapons and pack horse for supply, came across a clearing in the forest wherein was set a large pavilion all coloured in blue. On the ground before it was placed a large pile of armour and sword with great spears thrust in the ground all about the pile. Each item was covered in blood and gore so that it was apparent that these items did not come there without some mighty battle. In amongst the swords came one to Vivainne’s eye which she recognised being of green leather about the guard and with some red stones set in the pommel. This sword also was slick with blood from tip to handle and Vivainne’s heart near froze to ice as she knew that this was like unto the sword of her beloved Constance.
Dismounting from her horse she drew her great sword and tightened the straps of her armour, she went to the pile of swords but as she reached out to take the sword a knight came from the pavilion, he was all suited in blue armour with visor down and a great spear in one hand and a sword in the other.
‘Take to your mount and come at me if you would remove a sword from this pile, I have the guarding of it to my honour and it has been said in prophesy that no mortal man shall have the better of me, so unless you are an walking dead or other ghoul then you shall perish in your attempt.’
Now Vivainne was sore tempted to reveal her face and femininity to show that she was then the woman to prove this prophesy but having considered this an undue advantage, decided to fight the Blue Knight straight way in a fair contest.
They came together with a great clashing of arms and both of their great spears were shivered in splinters. Both knights took another spear from those placed there in the ground and came together again. The knights were then thrown back to the ground and came next near with swords high, circling and giving and taking great blows and cuts with armour and shields taking terrible dints. Soon enough both knights drew back to catch up their breath and Vivainne did question the Blue Knight thus,
‘ It seems that you must be wise in the ways of death as you have such a mountain of slain warrior’s arms at your door, if you are so bent on taking so many past the Doors of Death what then is the fate to which you consign them? I cannot believe that a Knight such as yourself has not considered at length the destination of those whom you have despatched thither.’
The Blue Knight, putting his sword aside and resting there on a stump replied, “Oft times have I spent in contemplation of this question. Though you know not that I have been instrumental in the passing of all these knights represented here. It is true that in my questing I have had occasion to witness the passing of some few into the place that comes after life and as yet I have not understood clearly just what is beyond those Doors of which you speak. Your question is not answerable by myself and I feel that as a consequence I have become less gentle. I would that you ask a different question so that I may regain my honour with an answer of full wisdom and clarity.”
Vivainne said, ‘ No, I have no other questions to ask, as in this struggle in which you and I are engaged it seems your intent is to send me through those very Doors to a place, that I now know, is a great mystery to you. I am troubled to understand that you have little notion of the destination of your victims.’
The Blue Knight threw down his shield and spoke thus, ‘ This then I vow to you, I shall never, henceforth, intentionally send any man or woman through the Doors of Death until I have understood the nature of death itself and life after death. ‘
With that the Blue knight returned to the pavilion and was seen no more that day. Vivainne, exhausted, lay off her armaments and lay down to rest her bones, intending to rise up again to recover Constance’s sword and force the Blue Knight to reveal the events which had brought the sword to this place. She hoped that knowing this would enable her to ascertain the fate, in life or in death, of her beloved Constance. No sooner had she lain down than she came deep asleep and woke not once through the darkness of the night until the dawning sun touched her face. She jumped up, ready to set about her task only to find that the pavilion and the pile of swords had disappeared, and the clearing was empty.
Vivainne made ready straight and set off following the trail of the Blue Knight deep into the dark of the great trees there and the clearing was left clear and quiet.
The Guardians of the Cave 