In The Cards

Done properly, your Reading will provide you with knowledge of the future. Of course, the problem always lies in interpreting that future. Your answers will always depend on what questions you ask, and the terrible fate you foretell may not come to pass in exactly the manner you expect it to. Then again, it may, and in such a case it is always good to have your Will prepared in advance.

Excerpt from 'The Chaltar Deck of Cards - An Introduction'

She didn’t want to think about it. She diligently tried to push it away from her conscious thoughts. But now that she had acquired the knowledge, it wouldn’t go away. Zaerini stared at the book lying next to her on her bed as if it were a poisonous snake. Sarevok’s diary. If she’d been told a few weeks ago that she’d hold it in her hands before long she would have laughed out loud. And if somebody had told her that the things she learnt from it would make her want to weep for the one who had tried to kill her more than once, the one who had killed Gorion… Why then she would no doubt have wanted to claw out the eyes of whoever implied that she would insult her foster father’s memory that way. But now…she felt differently.

The red-haired half-elf shuddered silently and gave the book a long look. The images evoked by the paragraphs within weren’t pleasant ones. My brother – I wish things could have been different for you. She closed her eyes so as not to have to see the book any longer, but the images from within the pages still kept rolling by behind her closed eyelids. Nobody – especially no child – should have to live like that. As much as I always loved Gorion, I don’t think I ever fully understood just how lucky I was to have him. But now…I do.

There had been other information in the diary as well, very important information. Mentions made of plots to incite a war, to eliminate Grand Dukes, to gain power. And not just the power to rule a city either. He hears our sire’s voice, same as I do. I’d already guessed that much, and that he was listening to it, being controlled by it. But to see it spelled out so plainly…mass murder in order to achieve divinity…it hardly bears to think about. But how can he believe this will work? How can he possibly believe that Bhaal will allow him to take his place? Then she groaned quietly as the answer came to her. Because he wants to believe of course. And our sire knows exactly which words to use, which false promises to make. It’s been so close for me, so many times. If not for Gorion – and my friends – it might as well be me wearing that spiky armor.

And your trusty familiar. Let’s not forget that. Softpaws was curled up in her Mistress’ lap, enjoying being petted.

Of course not. That goes without saying.

What will you do with what you have learnt, kitten? Will you tell the man called Scar?

Zaerini thought about this for a moment. No. I don’t dare, at least not yet. First of all, we don’t know if he can be trusted. Second, he’d probably want more proof. He has no reason to believe that this diary is the real thing. But the most important reason is personal. Sarevok calls me by name in this book. He calls me his sister. Anybody who reads this will know who…what…I am. Remember that Flaming Fist soldier who wanted to kill Viconia because she was a Drow? That is how they will see me as well. A monster. A threat. Somebody who must be destroyed so that the ‘forces of Good’ can sleep easily at night. No, I won’t show this to Scar unless I really have to. It’s bad enough that Adahn knows.

What do you think he intends to do with that knowledge, kitten?

I have no idea! For the life of me I can’t figure out the motives of that one. He hasn’t tried to blackmail me yet, but I don’t dare be complacent. And there’s something about him…

Such as?

I don’t know, and it’s extremely annoying. He…he reminds me of something. Or somebody. But I can’t think who or what, and I have a feeling that I should know, and that it’s really obvious. It’s driving me out of my mind, and I don’t know if I should confront him with it or not.

Leave it for now. He’s not here anyway, so you can’t do anything about it right now. I’m sure you’ll figure it out eventually.

I suppose you’re right. But there might be something I can do, actually. I’ll do another Reading of my cards. It may not solve that particular puzzle, but at least I should learn something from it.

The bard carefully shuffled her deck of cards and spread a number of them out on her bed, faces down. Give me knowledge, she asked the cards. Show me secrets. Show me what dangers I should keep watch against, what threats there are in my future. Then she slowly started turning the cards over.

The Two of Swords and the Fool came up first, coupled with the Knight of Swords. Then came the Bard and the Rogue. Next the Lovers, inverted. After them came the Serpent. Then the Emperor, crossed by the Devil. Finally – there was Death.

The cards swirled and danced before the half-elf's inner eye, and gradually the room around her darkened until the cards were all she could see. They filled her eyes and her mind, and she strained her ears, listening for what they had to say. And then the material world around her slipped away, and she found herself somewhere else entirely.

Zaerini was standing on a dark and deserted plain, dead and desolated. No grass grew there, nor any flowers. The sky above was black and empty without a single star, and there wasn't even a faint breath of wind. This place feels dead. Or maybe not dead exactly. More like it has never truly been alive.

And then there was a movement from within the surrounding shadows, and the first of the Cards sprang to life before her. The Two of Swords came first. A woman in rich clothing, such as a wealthy merchant might wear, wielding a large sword. She was facing an ugly grey humanoid, with wrinkled skin and shining silvery eyes, and it was armed with a sword as well. A doppelganger. The Two of Swords means deceit and trickery. That certainly fits. Woman and monster circled each other warily, swords clashing now and then in a slow dance of thrust and parry. At first they seemed evenly matched. But the woman was tiring, and now the doppelganger was growing stronger, moving faster. With a triumphant hiss it drove its sword straight through the woman's heart, catching her sword as it was about to fall to the ground.

The creature turned towards Rini, its eyes like empty mirrors that saw everything and betrayed nothing. "Foolish fleshlingssss," it hissed contemptuously. "You cannot hope to fight ussss. Even now, our numbersss are growing." It rippled and changed, and within seconds it had assumed the exact shape of the dead woman. Only the silver eyes remained for a moment, before they turned a normal brown. "You see?" the doppelganger asked. "We are many, and we are everywhere." It smiled an unpleasant smile. "Who can you trust when even your closest friends may be one of us? The little thief? The druid? The wizard? Or maybe we'll strike closer to home than that even…"

"No! You're lying! None of my friends belong to you, and if you so much as try touching them I'll tie you in knots and rearrange your face with my fist!"

"But is my servant lying, little sister?" The half-elf turned around at the sound of the deep and powerful voice. Sarevok stood there, smiling triumphantly, wearing the familiar armour and helmet. The shadows cast by the atrocious spikes fell across his face in a way that reminded Rini of the bars of a cage, but Sarevok didn't seem to notice. His golden eyes were glowing with power and confidence. The power of our shared blood. If he ever tried to hold it back it hasn't been for a long time now. "My plan is working perfectly," her brother gloated. "You will see for yourself soon enough, assuming you live that long."

"Are you trying to impress me, big brother? I'd have appreciated it if you'd settled for doing it the way elder brothers normally do. Like climbing the tallest tree in the neighbourhood, or stealing apples for me."

Sarevok frowned, seemingly annoyed by this remark. "Mortal foolishness," he said. "I have left all such things behind now. Once my plans come into fruition, I will fully ascend to our Father's throne." Slowly his form faded away into nothing, his words still hanging in the air. And there, where he had recently stood, Rini glimpsed the pale outline of a ghostly figure dressed in jester's motley. No, my brother. I am not the Fool here. But how will I ever make you understand that? I hope I can. But if not…then I will do what I have to do.

Hardly had the first few cards disappeared before two more came to take their places. The Rogue she recognised well enough, a shadowy figure cloaked and hooded, watching her with a sort of lazy arrogance that made it itch violently between her shoulderblades for some reason. The Bard was even more familiar. Her own golden eyes were looking back at her out of her own face, solemn and a little sad. They were pulling at her, drawing her closer, making her head spin. She approached her twin, and as she reached out to touch her Zaerini felt herself melt into the other, becoming one with her. In an instant, she had taken the place of the Bard within the Reading.

"What's happening?" she asked. "Did you do this?"

The Rogue snorted quietly. "Hardly," he said in a dry voice. "I didn't exactly ask to be here, you know. You are the one who arranged this cosy little get-together, in case you'd forgotten. I certainly have better things to do."

"Yet you do seem to show up everywhere," the half-elf slowly said. "Just who are you anyway?"

There was an infuriating smirk, hauntingly familiar. What is it about him?! There's something I'm not seeing here. "Come now," the man in front of her said. "You don't expect me to give away my secrets for free, now do you? I've grown rather attached to them over time. But as for me turning up, let me warn you in advance that my absence will do you no good. Rather the opposite, in fact." He paused, and when next he spoke his voice was deathly serious. "Allow me to demonstrate." He waved his hand briefly, and the scenery shifted around them.

The first thing Rini noticed was how cold she was. Then she felt the pain, terrible burning pain all along her body, and there were dark streaks of blood here and there in her red fur. She was in her cat form, but something was very wrong. Searing wounds seemed to be covering her, hurting terribly, and she was cold and hungry. She was lying on dirty straw, and the first thing she saw as she raised her aching head was the metal bars that surrounded her. A…cage? No! I have to get out! Wild with panic she staggered to her feat, her ears flat against her head. Then she noticed the other occupant of the cage and she felt the fur rise all along her back.

The large black wolf was standing at the other end of the cage, watching her cautiously. She had a terrible feeling that those powerful jaws could probably snap her in two like a dry twig. But the wolf was making no openly hostile move for now it seemed. And then she noticed that whatever had happened to make her feel like she'd been run over by a cart had affected him too. There was blood dripping slowly from that thick black pelt as well, and she thought she could spot the same shallow but painful wounds that marred her own skin. When he took a step towards her he did it slowly, painfully, and she could see ribs showing as if he'd been starved for a very long time.

You see? The eyes of the black wolf were burning with pain and anger. This is what will be, and soon.

But I don't understand! Where are we? Who has done this to us? If you know, then tell me. Please.

We are in the same place, and in two different ones. A cage of pain, wrought by betrayal. It will take time for us to free ourselves. And the one who inflicted those wounds is the one who never wanted to do so, but will nevertheless.

Who? WHO!

The wolf took a limping step towards her, and then halted, snarling silently in an obvious effort to keep the pain at bay. The pup, of course. His mental voice was raw with agony, and Rini didn't think it was all physical. You…you must find him, and keep him close. You will find him before I do, but remember this. I will come to check on you.

The pain was gone. Zaerini, once again back in her half-elven form, shivered briefly. The cage was gone as well, as was the wolf. Other cards passed by her briefly. The Lovers, normally a young couple entwined happily with each other. But the card was inverted; she could see the man and woman turning their backs to each other. Lovers means duality. But inverted…that can't be good. Somebody is more than they seem to be, and it's going to cause a lot of trouble.

Then there was pain again, a brief sting at her ankle, and she cried out, startled. The Serpent hissed at her feet, a small brown snake this time, nearly invisible. She could already feel her flesh bloat and swell as the poison burned in her blood. "Sssso…" the snake said. "One of ussss has finally caught up with you. He will be pleasssed…"

"W-who? Sarevok?"

"Hssst! No. Him."

The snake slithered away across the ground, and was gone in a heartbeat. Rini felt her mouth go dry with fear as she saw what now approached. The Devil. A dangerous card under all circumstances, evil and unpredictable, taking pleasure in the pain of others. He was truly monstrous, a vast and bulky shape, with jutting fangs and scales, and a hideously misshapen and clumsy head. "Hello, Zaerini," the Devil said, in an incongruously pleasant male voice. "I have been waiting to meet you for a long time."

When he touched her for the first time she couldn't keep herself from screaming, and as he went on about his business she continued doing so. And through her own screams she could hear Death laughing in the voice of her sire.