Siobhan had never put much stake in card readings. Yet here she was once more in the losers area. And this fool, considered one of the winners of society, was wasting his time with card readings.
Of course as a Bard she was aware of Tarot cards. Vim-Kios claimed that for this unique group of people he had cut down the cards used for viewing. Apparently the lesser arcana would muddy the waters leaving only the major arcana. This act only led to less credibility in whatever he was doing.
If so called fate in the cards could be manipulated by choice, then what good was that fate? These sorts of things allegedly predicted the future. Well if they predicted things because of choice, then there were far less convoluted ways to replicate those effects.
She had decided to be the first to get her reading since it meant that she could walk away from such foolishness. Normally, she would have declined to ever humor herself with such an endeavor. Unfortunately, she had no choice.
A Mythril Adventurer wasn’t one who could be ignored. Especially since the entire reason she found herself in a semi habitable place was to join the guild he helped oversee. She stood now on an isolated island in an even more isolated jungle towards that goal.
Dangerous people had taken a book that by all rights was hers. And they claimed to live on the Abyssal Continent. A place that only the highest ranked members of this guild were permitted to travel to.
The Abyssal Continent was a feared place. Allegedly it was full of Demons. Normal people going there was akin to suicide. Yet she needed that book.
The Dwarf stood on the crux of some discovery. One that seemed to be even more important than she could fathom since it had been snatched away from her. The Lost Continent was considered well, lost. Yet she had found signs that spat in the face of all world history.
Yet here she was stuck with card readings. And most humiliating was what she ended up getting told. Naturally she bit her tongue. The one who drew the card was one of the most powerful and feared men in the world. He could kill her with no penalty.
But what had he drawn? Oh powerful one what will you deem my future? This was stupid.
“Ah I see. This is interesting?”
“What is?” She feigned interest but did her best not to be rude.
“Your reading came up, Lovers.”
“And what does that mean?” Siobhan had mustered enough patience remaining to see this through.
“In the reverse position it usually indicates that you are focusing on yourself a little too much. Is there some personal goal you are focusing on?”
Vim-Kios scared her with how specific that seemed to be given her hunt for that book. This had to be a coincidence. These sorts of things were written and tailored so that they always applied.
“I’ll give it some thought.” Done dealing with such mundane matters, she had something else to focus on.
“One last thing.” The Mythril Adventurer seemed one who enjoyed last words. “I would tell your friend Faustus to be careful. When I finished his reading, it was Upright Tower.”
“Which means?” The Bard didn’t know or care enough about the subject to pay it much mind.
“It means that drastic changes are coming his way. If he can embrace them he will be better, but if he chooses to fight what fate has in store, it might be too much for him,”
Well everyone had drastic changes coming their way. That was how life worked.
Siobhan bit her tongue. If she spoke her feelings, she might find herself in trouble. But what could she do? This was a Mythril Adventurer she was talking to.
“Understood.” That was all to be said. Now to find that Orc. They had fished together before. But now there seemed to be more food. The first round had been a little cruel to their bellies.
Wondering what was in the fancy place across the lake, the Bard decided to stare out at the sea. She didn’t remain in silence for long. A former opponent in the arena came calling.
“Are you curious to know what’s over there?” Ratha asked. The Dwarf didn’t like her very much.
Siobhan remained silent. Not conversing with this Elf would do her some good.
“You’re not upset with me are you?”
“I am. That was a dirty trick you pulled.”
“And you, as a Bard, are quite capable of the same.”
Ratha was right of course. The real reason she was upset is that it was unfair that the Elf had thought to play that trick on her first.
“You have to want to win more than the enemy in any battle.” The Elf continued. “Otherwise why should you conquer anything?”
“Oh lay off her Ratha. She doesn’t seem to be in the mood for philosophy.”
Siobhan didn’t know Li-Ang the Wizard very well. But in the moment, wanting to be far away from the Elf, she was thankful for his words. Of course, the other Bard tried to protest.
“It is when people are in opposition to talk that it is most important to speak.” Ratha muttered.
“Did Vim-Kios rattle you that much? It’s an elaborate performance. He is a Mythril Adventurer after all.”
“It did bother me.” Ratha paused for quite a while. Siobhan used the opportunity to move away from the conversation.
The Dwarf overheard something about a Hanged Man and The World. She never wanted to see those cards again. Now where was that Orc?
He wasn’t out in those green fields. A shame. This was her favorite spot. Maybe she should stop planning for her next time being here. This was the losers area. She needed to want her victory more. The fact that Ratha was right once again stung even deeper this time.
Well, at least this island was small. If Urubark wasn’t outside, that left only one place: the makeshift shelter. That place was cold at night. But much better than living in a cave. At least there were no monsters here.
And there he was, reading some book in one of the beds on the floor. He didn’t seem like the reading type, which meant she was only intrigued when she got closer and saw what he was reading.
“It’s just a fancy cookbook.” he explained when he noticed a confused Dwarf looking at his material.
Not the only confused Dwarf either. Addek was sitting in the room too. He seemed to be helping himself to a lot of booze. She had no idea where he stored the stuff.
“Ay lass. What can I do for ye?” Ugg she had looked at him. Now the smelly Dwarf thought that she wanted to interact with him.
“You can go away,” Siobhan motioned with her wrist.
“That’s a bit cold, dontcha think? I was here first.”
“I didn’t know there were rules here about that. Though I suppose given your lack of anything else involving the word, I guess we should be grateful you understand it at all.”
“You wound me in a way that only a Dwarf lass can.” Addek shook his head and muttered something about getting a reading.
It made sense that sailors believed in such superstition. Why waste time with those cards though? There were actual mages here. A spell could predict the future. But cards, especially those that lacked enchantments, couldn’t do anything.
“He’s not so bad.” The Orc continued reading his book during this entire exchange.
“He’s obnoxious. There is a reason I avoid other Dwarves. Can’t stand my own kind.”
“Maybe it’s a you problem.” Urubark stood up and demonstrated far more intelligence than a simple berserker might. “When in doubt, let this be your key.” He tapped her chest. Right by her heart. At least he hadn’t tried to grope her. That happened a lot.
Remembering Vim-Kios’ words once more angered her. The Dwarf hissed. “It’s just a coincidence!”
“What is?” The Orc asked.
“That Mythril Adventurer’s readings.”
“Oh is that what troubles you.”
Urubark laughed, but only for a moment. His face transformed in shocking ways showing her his most serious stare.
“I would pay a lot more heed to him. Among my people, Vim-Kios is known as the Seer. His predictions are uncanny and accurate. You would do well to listen to his advice.”
Now an Orc was lecturing her. Right now I wish you would go back to being a legend. Frustrated, she found a nearby spot to take a nap. If there was even a chance that the Mythril Adventurer was right, then it gave a lot for her to dwell on.
Am I being selfish? Is my entire goal not strong enough for victory?
She couldn’t keep losing her battles. The Adventurer’s Guild was her one chance to get to the Abyssal Continent and reclaim that book. But getting depressed over things wouldn’t get her anywhere either.
So she did the most proactive thing she could think of. “Can I spar with you tonight?” Urubark looked absolutely delighted.
“Now that’s what I was waiting for. There is plenty of space. Let’s work ourselves into a frenzy.”
The Bard intended to match that enthusiasm. So long as they got rest tonight, this would only prepare her for tomorrow.
If you liked this excerpt, be sure to check out the rest of the series here.