Constance came awake in the same moment as the birds outside. The tower wherein she had remained the night, one of many in the great City of Az, was silent. Her partner, Vivainne, continued to sleep peacefully. Constance came out in the cold air upon the battlements of the tower to look out as the sun made its rising over the roof tops. She considered the year ahead, its possibilities and demands, its potential and parameters. Her life with Vivainne and the Knights Exemplar had brought her many adventures and worthy battles of which she was justifiably proud. Their quests in the causes of justice, equality and the understanding of truth gave her great satisfaction.
This year then, she resolved, would be the greatest of all. She would not spare herself in pursuit of her dreams of a better life for all those who found themselves downtrodden or discriminated against. With this fire burning in her, she returned to the Chamber where Vivainne was now awake.
We must go forth this year, she said to Vivainne, we must ride into the battle for truth with more vigour and resolve than ever before. The world has suffered in this time of ailment, and we must put our strengths to the demise of this great Plague Beast, and all its apologists, which bounds around the world showing no mercy.
It would help if everyone got vaccinated, said Vivainne, but you have it right Constance, my heart. Let us now ride out to face this Beast in all its terror and madness. The time is now and the Eray of the new is with us. Let us heed the glad tidings of renewal and bury our weaponry in the Plague Beast’s mangy hide.
Where shall we find it? said Constance, and will our weapons be sharp enough?
Only the Plague Beast knows these things, answered Vivainne packing her armaments and making ready her great war horse. Let us ride out.
As they made their way out through the great gates of the City of Az another Knight came to them with armour all in Blue and his Visor down.
Do not speak to us Ser Knight, spoke Vivainne, with you by our side, we are stronger by far. Our welcome to you and the reason for your presence need no words that I can think.
They travelled for some days into that place where the tracks and claw marks of the Beast were most to be found, and there, in a great forest, they made their pavilion.
Did you manage to get your booster jab before we left? Constance asked the Blue Knight.
Yes, I am as immune as I can be, he replied. What shall we do if we come across a person who has not been vaccinated, he continued, how can we save them from the Beast of the Plague?
We shall bring them a message of hope, said Vivainne, we shall wash the scales of fear from their eyes and protect them as best we can. We will defend them with all our might and honour. We will rid them of this pestilence that comes in form of a great Beast.
Then people came to them from a village in the forest. There is a trouble amongst us, they cried, our wives and husbands and mothers and fathers come with sickness from a source that is not shown to us. We see the mark of its passing but cannot believe in it because it is not shown.
We shall help you as we must. The Knights said. For in our vision the Beast of this Plague is clear and strong.
Then tell us what it is you see cried the villagers.
It comes down on the wind from the east and bestrides the marches. Its back is of scales as a snake which are of multicolours and glisten in the evening light. Its tail is of fire made like a torch of dry wood and oil which can never be extinguished. Its limbs are made strong with vines and roots about and come to paws as large a shield and covered there with claws like unto splintered spears. Its head is like unto a great rat that is gone wrong. The eyes so small and bright, the long jaw pinned with teeth uncountable, if it has ears, they are not to be described. But the worst of it is by its breath, with which it makes people to fall. Thus, it is important to wear a visor or mask at all times.
This is then a truly fearsome beast. Said the villagers. But we have been told that if we wear a mask then we shall never be free.
That’s fine, said the Blue Knight, though this is not a freedom that I can understand. If your strange freedom includes not respecting other people, just go away now from all others and live with the Beast in your strange freedom and isolation. We shall remain here and care for each other.
That night, as darkness threatened the firelight, the Blue Knight recorded in his journal:
Tomorrow we will beard the beast in its lair and give these people the freedom that is true and comes with well being through vaccinations and the simple use of face coverings.
Then they slept.
The Guardians of the Cave 