Past some thick fronds I see some activity in the glade. Around a small card table are seated a rhinoceros, a stork, a lion, and a buffalo. They appear to be playing a wagering game. When I approach, curious to know their game, I am surprised to see that each of them have a full Celtic Cross lay spread before them. They each draw a card from their own decks and replace the "outcome" card with the new one. The Buffalo appears quite satisfied with his draw, and raises the ante in the pot by tossing in another house-key.

The rhinoceros notices me, and asks: "care for a game of Whist, my dear?" His heavy lips peel back into a huge grin, and his teeth and gums are startlingly human.

I respond to his query with mock severity (as if someone like me could actually assert true authority over a rhinoceros!): "You do not fool me. You are not playing whist. You are auguring. Are you licensed for augury?"

The stork slaps his feathery thigh with his wing and laughs loudly. His teeth are not as straight as the rhinoceros', but very white. "She's got you there, chum," he cackles, "well, ARE you licensed for augury?"

The buffalo, having lain down The Priestess card, an exceptional "outcome" indeed, says with a bemused grin: "what next? Shall we need licenses to look with our very eyes? All people may SEE, my dear."

The lion chimed in: "She's right, girl. Hey, 'a cat may look at a king, I read that somewhere.'" We all laughed at the joke on cats and kings from one who was both.

"Well," I said, "since everything appears to be in order, perhaps I will join you. I have some house-keys for the wager right here."

"But where are your cards, your cards, girl?" asked the stork. "Can't bloody well call oracles without the proper cards, you know!"