When the time had come and the Book was writ anew, the stars of women and men and others had been changed strong. The Blue Knight and Vivainne were glad of it and once more turned their faces to the world beyant. It was time to return home where their hearts remained in full and with their partners who loved them. They secured the words new in their vellum scrolls close by them to disseminate those new to all and set out on the very ship with wind and wet water all about. It seemed well set and fair to home shores, but a vile storme set about the waves until it moved so furious to take the ship in parts that were far and distant.
When they came nigh an island shore, the sand and rough rocks piled up against them jumping up on one another in great mountains. The two knights climbed and saw the grass that ran to the shore in rivers. They came at a place which was smoke and smokiness with bits lying down where they should stand up.
All the men there came naked to them covered in hurt and blood, they demanded from Vivainne the number of their strength that they might fight them or fight them not. It seemed the men had nought but leaves to eat and grasses to cover themselves at night. Vivainne and the Blue Knight told of the words in the book and the men asked what a woman is. Vivainne did show that which she was and the men there who lived said that was a new thing to them.
Now Vivainne asked how came there, then, men. It was related that men were found washed to the shore in time of storme with no memory or person, but grew in their minds soon to become Islanders.
Vivainne asked who then, is the ruler who provides guidance in this isle. It was shown how men of the island must fight the others each day to see the strongest that he should rule for one day. Every day they fought, making groups and armies and clans and gangs and tribes to win the rule of that day, when the ruler was decided then he must make a plan to build a house or plough a field but in the next contest as the men fought, all the works were broken again so that nothing was made and life was hard.
The Blue Knight Spoke. This is truly a place for fools if it leaves men to sleep in the rain and eat leaves. For surely a better way can be found in some short time. He spoke to the men there. If you wish it, we can show a simple way to make a better life for you who have been so cruelly washed upon this shore.
The islanders agreed to hear what could be proposed. The Blue Knight and Vivainne sat long into the night, making a new rule of laws.
Then in the grey morning when the sun had not yet won full sway, came they down the path to the men.
Listen, at new moon take the number of sticks that is the same as men, all one hand long except one which must be a finger short of a hand. Let a man hold the sticks in such a way that the sticks all appear one length. Now let each choose a stick until the short is taken. That man shall rule for one month. The next month the same again except that the men who have ruled must not join until all the men have been ruler and then the whole shall repeat.
Shall we not fight? The islanders asked. The Blue Knight said, No, there is no profit in it and only harm. To fight is the last resort of a wise man and the first action of a fool. Keep your blood in your limbs that they may do good works.
Now the island came built with shelter against the cold wind and food was grown too in some time so that the men saw how wisdom might benefit each and all.
Vivainne and the Blue Knight took some water into their ship and once more sailed on the tide hoping to make their way home.
The Guardians of the Cave 