Now when they came to leave their boat was full victualed and watered against the journey. Vivainne and the Blue Knight took their leave of the women well and set sail. In the sea they were lost as the stars were covered in darkness. On the third night some wind came and filled the sail till the ropes cried and the ship sailed so far and so fast that both Vivainne and the Blue Knight believed to never see their homes again in this life.
Then, in the darkness the wind took them in the bay of an isle set with high trees along the shores. In the morning Vivainne and the Blue knight tied the shipe safe and traveled inland to espy the native people who might help guide their course towards home.
In time they came to a place of people with shelters set in fields of crops all about. Near a small stream made a pool where water might be gathered and there some people washed.
Approaching the village, they saw many women, men and others eating and preparing for the days work. They asked who lived upon the isle and if there was a person with some authority who might provide some help to the weary travellers. They found a great beautiful settlement of sturdy houses, busy commerce and much laughter and music. They moved to its heart, where they found men, women and others, who did sit in a circle, speaking with those who would come to ask for advice or deliberation upon matters of the community. Constance and the Blue Knight were bade welcome, and given meat, bread and good ale, and prevailed upon to rest and take respite from their journey for as long as they wished.
And after eating and drinking their fill, Constance did ask what is this place? And who is the leader here?
And one of the Circle did reply:
This is a place of harmony, community and endeavour; a place whose inhabitants work together to allow each other to live in comfort and joy, and each is encouraged to do whichsoever work they feel is best suited to them. We are the council, the leaders of this place; each year a new council takes the place of the old and, by rotation, each citizen takes on the burden of rulership in turn. It is a sorry task, but by sharing its weight equally, one is not more afflicted than another.
And Constance did question the circle, and ask why leadership was a burden, and did no one want the task of leadership, for everywhere she had been elsewhere she had found mankind afflicted with the hunger for power over others.
And the peoples around the Circle laughed and said: each one of us receives education in our youth in many subjects, and from these chooses that to which we are most suited, and most desire, and feel a kinship for, and from then will work our lives through in pursuit of our own goals and share our work with each other that we may take joy, and use, and benefit of each other’s skills. No restrictions are placed on any man, woman, or other, in the expression of themselves and the pursuit of their own purpose and joy and the only rule is that we do not cause each other pain or benefit ourselves by taking of the happiness of others. And so, each may seek their own bliss, together and alone. In this way, the task of leadership becomes a wearisome one, not to be coveted. But it is necessary and we each must play our part.
Then Constance and the Blue Knight did walk among the village and found its citizens, men, women, and others, prevailing happily in their tasks; there were carpenters building a new house for a young family, fisher people collecting bounty from the rivers, teachers teaching the children, clothmakers fashioning strong clothing, sails, and linens, dancers and singers performing for enraptured audiences, and more besides.
At last they did come across a building housing a large collection of books, scrolls and papers, and were begged by its keeper to stay a while. The keeper did say:
Here we have collected all the works, teachings, and knowledge that has been discovered by our peoples. It is in this way that we build upon that which has come before. We would that you allow us to read and inscribe a copy of that scripture that you carry, and furthermore, you must tell us everything that you have seen and know about the wide world, that we may keep record of your knowledge. Through this learning we may become more than we were.
And Constance and the Blue Knight did tarry merrily amongst these peoples, allowing them to copy of the Book of Chivalry, and telling their tales at great length, and in return were given much food and drink, much laughter and entertainment, and a warm bed, and much enjoyment of their time.
Their boat was improved by the boat makers of the community, and food was given for their journey by the cooks, and gifts of books, and art, and clothing, and useful instruments for the making of their passage easier, and great star scrolls which did track the course of the heavens above, that had been observed and recorded by the astronomers of that isle, so that they might find their way home with ease. All this was placed in a fine coffer with carvings and decoration for their pleasure. And then they did leave, biding their new friends farewell with some regret.
The Guardians of the Cave 