It was a beautiful summer day in the Outer Garden when the white deer finally returned.

They moved down from the mountains and tentativly nibbled on the rich green of the lands surrounding the Gardens of Altair. The deer had avoided the Gardens, but now the sun was bright and the sky was clear and Danger, beyond the occasional mountain lion, was scarce.

They were grazing in The Meadow at high noon when two of the younger boys saw them. Both their mouths had droped open before they remembered their duties and offered a short prayer to the Godess. As they crouched and prayed, softly so as not to disturb the rare visitors, they memorized every line of muscle and buldge of joint as they had been taught. They were the first in their classes at the Academy to see the white deer, the first in almost ten years, and stories told around the fire since childhood flooded back to them. Silently, they moved to the edge of the clearing and gazed in wonder from the shadows of the trees.

One of them, a man-child, accidentaly tripped in a tangle of roots and the other, an elf, chided him.

Curiosity and wonder fought to stay and watch the graceful animals with their ballarina legs and poised necks, and the soft shimmer of cloud that seemed to follow them. But the Elders would be stern if they knew it hadn’t been reported right away. So they backed away quietly, the elf poking fun at the man-child, and they took the high road at a run. Twenty minutes later, they were panting at the door, gulping in short breaths, “Deer-Meadow-Back!”

The news sent a wave of excitement through the grounds, further inspired by the knowledge that such an event must be celebrated with a feast. Since it was noon, and a Sunday, the decision was made, and immediately preparations began. The traditional Sunday Gathering would be kicked up a notch--leisurly late-afternoon sports and a relaxing dinner of simple foods would be replaced with the lardor’s finest. The girls would take special care to look their best and the boys would be especially mischivious. Fires were lit, knives were honed.

Meanwhile the two boys, feeling very important, lead two of their Elders back to the meadow.

Crouching again amongst the trees, the man-child took special care to watch his step. Their master, Lord Wilson, towered behind them and watched in quiet as the boys whispered. After a quick count and confirmation they were gone, leaving the deer to graze alone. Lord Wilson looked uncharicteristicly happy.


***Knowledge without Goodness is Dangerous
and Goodness without Knowledge is Weak.***

nt