by Greyhound

Card drawn: Queen of Wands from the Spiral Tarot

Adara ran from the boarding house to her mare tied outside. The Moon was full as she spurred her down the path, but she and the mare knew this path well. She shot off a supplication to the gods to keep Devin at the wise woman’ s house long enough for her to catch up. She berated herself for not having revealed her secret sooner … With luck on her side and her mare rested, she should be able to travel much faster than Devin.

Devin continued down the road in silence. He hoped Maupin was right, that the wise woman could assist him in his quest. He knew it was probably a hopeless one, but he also knew how much he’ d regret not trying … If only he knew the full extent of what must be done.

Devin thought back to the carefree days of his youth … the joy and pleasantness of that time. His mother was a great beauty and full of life. Her sparkling laughter and vivacious spirit was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her death giving birth to his younger brother was a terrible blow. Even more so to his father … But this quest was not about her, it was about him, and what would surely happen if he didn’ t find a way to end the terrible cycle. All the men in the royal family either died or lost their minds upon reaching their fortieth year. Those that died appeared to have done so in great pain and torment… those that lived … well … they could never speak with any rationality about what happened to them. At best those that lived were never more than vegetables afterward. Devin knew his father’ s time was coming and coming quickly. His father had accepted his fate, and was planning on handing over his kingdom to Devin when his birthday came… The problem was greater than his family though. His kin were becoming fewer… adopted sons suffered the same fate as natural ones and not many were willing to take the risk of dying or madness so young.

Devin had believed for years that a curse was what held his family and his kingdom captive. This story was told and retold in hushed whispers and dark rooms around the castle, but no one in Devin’ s family appeared to take the story seriously. His great-great-grandfather had roused the ire of an evil sorceress many, many years ago. She was quite taken with him, but he did not return her affections. She became obsessed… with her magics she appeared to him as different women, all beautiful and charming, but Devin’ s ancestor always saw the hard core underneath and was not enticed by her. She held out hope until he had met and married Devin’s great-greatgrandmother, and on their wedding day the Sorceress had declared that he would not live to see his grandchildren grow up, nor would any male of the family enjoy such a pleasure. No one gave it any thought until Devin’ s great-greatgrandfather had died on the evening of his fortieth birthday. The Sorceress was never found. Of course, everyone thought surely she must have died a long time ago…

The carriage jerked to a stop in front of a small cottage in the wood. From the outside it looked surprisingly cheery and warm, although Devin wasn’ t sure what he expected. He got out, gathering his valise and paying the driver. A slight drizzle began to fall as he approached the cottage door. Before he could knock, the door opened and a voice called out “Come in and have some tea, young one!”

He had to duck his head to enter, but was able to stand straight once inside. The woman laughed a hearty chortle and remarked that she didn’ t have tall visitors very often. She motioned to a table already set for three and lifted the heavy water pot off the stove, deftly filling the waiting teapot. “Why have you set three places?” asked Devin. “You brought no one with you?” asked the wise woman. “Should I have?” asked Devin, slightly confused. “No matter” said the woman… “She’ll be along shortly, I expect.” Trust that girl to be late to her own funeral… she muttered under her breath. The wise woman was younger than Devin anticipated… she was about his father’s age and attractive, with long blondish hair and pale blue eyes. She had a generous figure and a ready laugh. She grinned at his discomfort and said, “I’m not what you expected, am I?”

“Since time we have, young one… let us see what the cards will say.” She didn’ t wait for a response before bringing out a small bag. She shuffled and shuffled, moving her lips in apparent prayer, then suddenly stopped and set the deck down. “Cut the deck, son. We will then see how to proceed.” The deck looked just like those used in court to play a card game. Devin had heard about the cards having other, more mysterious uses… As she laid out the cards, a feeling of energy crackling surrounded him. He leaned in closer. Her eyes intently focused on the cards as she began to speak. Her voice sounded like it was coming from far away. “The Fool”, she said, “You are beginning a journey that you have no idea how to begin.” “In fact” she continued… “You have no idea how to accomplish your goal, do you?” She went on… “The Knight of Swords… I see you wish to rescue your family from the curse upon it. Take action rather than stand idly by.” “But”, as she laid the 7 of Swords, “you are surrounded by deceit”. The Queen of Wands was the next, “You will have help from a female companion and the Chariot shows that you are more powerful than you know.” “The Fool is not wise, but he has great faith that he can do much. Now I want you to choose one more card, young one…" The wise woman spread out the cards on the table and gestured for him to pick one. He chose and turned over the High Priestess. “You will meet a priestess to help you on your journey, son… seek her wisdom first…" and with that the wise woman gathered up her cards into a neat stack and said “Now… time for some tea.” As they sipped tea and chatted, the wise woman asked how Devin planned to travel. He realized that he hadn’ t thought that far ahead. The wise woman removed her scarf and handed it to Devin. “Give this to the man further along the road”, she said. “He owes me a favor and will know it is I doing the asking. He’ ll provide a decent horse for you.” Devin thanked her and finished his tea. Getting up to leave, she said “Not quite yet, young one. I have gifts for you, but I must ask something in return.” Devin nodded his head, wondering what he’ d just agreed to. “First, a lock of your hair, child.” He bent his head to her waiting scissors… Then she wrapped the lock of hair in a red thread and set it upon her mantle. She went to her closet and pulled out a long, thin bundle wrapped in an oilcloth. “This sword was crafted from the finest steel and the oldest magics…" she said. “It is reputed to have the power to kill utterly, an evil force. But take much care, when you use it, child… wield it wrongly and its force will turn upon you. Wield it rightly and you will succeed.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out an unusual looking stone. “This will help you know whom you can trust” and she pressed the stone into his hand. “Try it with me now, son… you must learn how it feels. Hold the stone in your left hand… now think of someone you trust…" Devin pressed tightly onto the stone and thought of Maupin, whose company he had just left. The stone warmed and felt suddenly hot… he opened his hand and saw that the stone was lit from within, shining brightly. “Now, someone you know to be untrustworthy…" Devin saw the stone turn from brilliant to black in an instant and felt the coldness immediately penetrate his skin. “I don’ t know how to thank you”, Devin was overwhelmed by her gifts. “Oh, you’ ll pay me back, young one”, her bright laughter filled the room. “Come see me after all is said and done”, she said. “Now you’d best get walking… dark is falling…" Devin took up his coat and bag and ducked back out the door into the drizzling rain.

Adara reached the cottage in the woods, burst breathlessly into the kitchen and cried, “Is all lost? Have I missed him entirely?” “My dear, all is not lost. As usual, I’ ve fixed things. He travels on foot and we have time. Sit and have tea with me, darling.” Adara sat down in her favorite chair and absently stirred honey into her tea. She was young, about eighteen, and a redhead with flashing green eyes. She did everything with enthusiasm and passion and frequently second-guessed her instincts. “Was I wrong not to tell him the truth, Mother?” she asked. “No child, he would have been frightened and not accepted your help. Worry not, you will find him soon. Place this lock of hair in this locket and always wear it. If you are separated, you will always know in what direction he lies …” “He will no doubt be surprised at your presence and your special abilities, dear, but keep our relationship a secret … he’ s off to find a Priestess to guide him to his next step. You know the holy place he must journey to … to see She who Knows … Guard him well, my dear…” “I will, mother” “This quest of his benefits both our families, though he does not know it yet … Don’t forget to pack your bow, dear…” “Mother!” Adara rolled her eyes in protest, but her mother was right … she was about to walk out without it. She gathered up her things (bow included) and hugged the wise woman, her mother tightly. “Pray we succeed, mother!” she said as she strode purposefully out into the rain. I’ ll be doing more than that, child … the wise woman thought to herself.