There came in sight upon the track way a battle most fierce. A bird no larger than the fist of a young child was set upon by a wolf the size of a house, its fur, all rough and foul, with drool falling from its fangs, each the length of a knife. All the time the bird would fly down and peck at the wolf, crying out an alarm. The wolf for its part, would leap at the bird and snap its terrible jaws to crush and destroy. But the bird came easily through its teeth to renew its pecking.
The three knights, the Not Clever Fox and The Heartless Box came there. Vivainne dismounted most simply from her horse and came to them in peace. She asked them to give her the reasons for this affray.
The wolf said. I am a wolf; I am brave and I am fierce, I will eat what I please.
The bird said, I am not brave, and I am not fierce. The robins or rouge gorge from which I am come, are known to be brave, yet I am the Not Brave Robin. Am I then to be less than thou? I will not hear it. I will peck the head of the great wolf until he says that I am his equal in value.
The wolf said. I am a wolf; I am brave and I am fierce. I will eat you because I can.
You understand now, said the bird to the travellers, this is what I have to contend with. Can each creature do what they want ‘because they can’, I don’t think so. True bravery is making a judgement of actions and of thought. In these things I am brave, I am a philosopher.
The wolf said. I am a wolf; I am brave and fierce. I will eat you all now.
Well, said Vivainne, This will not come to pass, leave now fierce wolf and we shall part in peace.
The wolf came to Vivainne with a leap and towering over her, made to cage her in its great jaws.
Vivainne set upon the wolf and pulling down its head, stepped upon its lower jaw with her mailed foot and lifting her sword, smote in its mouth and this was its death.
The Not Brave Robin now said, So, this is where the bravery and fierceness has come, I shall remain a proud and Timid Robin, brave in ideas but eschewing fierceness.
Vivainne considered this, at length she spoke, Timid Robin, I would discuss this with you at length. Would you do me the honour of travelling with us so that we may tease out these ideas as you have presented them.
The Robin on his part assented, I will travel with you as long as your horses will disturb the ground that I may find worms and other such creatures revealed, for my repast.
So came the company on the road to the City of Az. Three Knights Exemplar, The Not Clever Fox, The Heartless Box and The Not Brave Robin. Now the road passed over a final hill and as they passed the summit a great City of halls and windmills came in view. The City of AZ.
The Guardians of the Cave 