High Augur Theoric the Eversnide and Low Elemenstor Rosinquist sat below the sweeping branches of the smirkwood tree on the banks of the Sw'ftfl'w River, sharing a wineskin of dragonapple wine.

"A most delightful day, wouldn't you agree?" the Low Elemenstor inquired thoughtfuly.

"Indeed, that it is." the High Augur replied.

His gaze gliding over the lethargic flow of the Sw'ftfl'w River, Theoric squinted slyly.

"Say, can I interest you in a wager?" he asked his companion with the disarming smile of a shark.

Rivulets of sweat streamed vigorously down the back of Low Elemenstor Rosinquist's neck; Theoric was the High Augur, and posessed the forever-sight. He could foretell the past and guess at the future; any wager against him was risky business.

"I would not mind," the Low Elemenstor said carefully, "but the wager must be fair. You'll have to put your staff down."

"Agreed. Now, turn around and do not peek, that I may hide the staff properly."

With Rosinquist's back turned, the High Augur leaned his staff against the sardonic trunk of the tree, and hung a plaque with the words "This Is Not the Staff of the High Augur" upon it on that staff.

"Now, here is the wager: if you look into the lumbering waters, you will see a rabbit fighting the current. He has been attempting to swim across the river for the past fifteen macroseconds, unable to stay on course. I will bet you a Filleroon that he will be on this bank in less than two macroseconds more."

Low Elemenstor Rosinquist considered the tiring rabbit in the waters. He appeared to be on the verge of exhaustion.

"He certainly looks tired. I do not think he will survive for even more that one and a half macroseconds. I'll take the bet."

Both held out a Filleroon, as per the Rules of Noble Wagering, and watched the rabbit eagerly. As the waters swept him past a group of rocks, the rabbit managed to clamber from the water onto the slippery surface. A few well-timed bounds put him on the river bank proper, where he shook the excess water from his fur and bounced off in the direction of the meadow.

"That was not fair," the Low Elemenstor whined as Theoric snatched the Filleroon from his hands. "He did not fight the current at all; he simply grabbed on to the rocks and climbed out onto land! Had he not done that, he'd be at the bottom of the river by now!"

"He would be." Theoric's smile grew broader. "You ought to learn from the rabbit, Rosinquist. You strive so hard to achieve the secrets of the High Elemenstors through hard work, and yet remain a Low Elemenstor. The rabbit was smart enough to take the easy way out. Hint hint."

The High Augur retrieved his staff and began to speak the rectangular words of timesorc'ley. In the blink of an eye, he was gone. Rosinquist sat down by the tree and began to scratch at the bark, a frown on his face.