Weird Tales No.366 by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-23T17:55:06+00:00

The woman led them deeper into the marshlands to a relatively dry island where a wooden hut stood at the summit, a fire burning under an iron cauldron outside. “You can set your things here.” She pointed to the ground in front of the cauldron. “Nothing will disturb you by my fire.”

Murmuring their thanks, Dacia and Joren put their rucksacks on the ground, hunkering next to the fire in an effort to dry their sodden clothes. Their savior’s lackey vanished into the hut, reappearing a few minutes later with wool blankets for them, then slipped back inside without another word. In the light of the fire, every wrinkle on the old woman’s face was cast into harsh relief. Her hair covered her scalp no better than dangling cobwebs.

“I am Gristphizel,” she said. “And you are from Athamé.”

Joren nodded. “I am Joren and this is Dacia.”

“Tell me, have either of you ever traveled beyond the Kingdom of Swords?”

“No, ma’am,” Dacia answered.

“What know you of the other realms?”

“We have heard tell of them.”

“And what of the middle kingdom?”

This time it was Joren who spoke. “We know it is a fell place, and that it is not to be spoken of lightly.”

“You speak wisely. I tread the dark places, the unseen and forgotten places, so if you listen to me, I will tell you what you might otherwise never learn. Would you follow where I lead you? I will not judge you a coward if you say no.”

Dacia squared her shoulders “We are not afraid.”

The ancient woman smiled. It was not a comforting look.

“Sometimes fear is the better choice. But come, let us see where our journey takes us.”

Gristphizel reached into her robe and produced a deck of cards, proceeding to shuffle it with great care and patience, until all the cards were thoroughly intermingled. She offered the deck to Dacia, inviting the girl to cut it into three parts and restore the deck in whatever order she wished.

“Seven cards in all I will draw. Before I look to the path you tread now, and what lies ahead, I shall look on from whence you have come. These two cards will tell me your past weaknesses and your past strengths.” She pulled the top card and set it upside down on the table.

“Here is the weakness you have suffered. Three of Coins, reversed. It points to your lack of mastery, your youthful inexperience.” She gave Dacia a wry smile. “Be comforted. This is no shame upon you.” She pulled a second card and set it alongside the first.

“Ha! Here is the strength you have borne: The Eight of Wands. It signifies the rashness of your youth, decisions made in haste, and journeys taken without forethought. It is good that these have been your strength and not your failings.” She pulled three more cards.

“Now, these three cards cast light upon your present; your dilemma, your challenge, and your desire.” She lay the three face down, in a row beneath the first two.

“First, let me see what you know already—the goal you seek.

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