“Is London safe?” ( Sophia -@stedfastasthou )
“A mother bear must always think of where she nests her children.” Kezia said with a cadence that let slip her own agreement, an acknowledgement given from one mother to another. Though the Countess had not indicated who she asked the question for, Kezia simply bowed her head in knowing. It was a mystery to many to how Kezia knew what she knew. “Let us hope I may afford you some restful sleep.”
Knowing full well the dangers of London, Kezia only hoped that the cards would prove her wrong.
The fortune teller glanced at the cards before her in a single line, a line that laid out one’s past, present, and future. It is quickly noticeable that the middle card portrays a large upside down sword that seems to have a dark glean to it.
She surveyed the first card gravely. The card revealed a Nine of Wands. “You faced an ongoing battle. You have been wounded deeply. Heart heavy, you find yourself drained and fatigued. But your battle is far from over, I’m afraid. Your past is not merely the past.” The Nine of Wands depicts a tired man, clenching a long staff in his hand. Behind him, eight others create a defensive fence.
“You will be expecting trouble but this will be the final challenge in your oh so long journey. Nine is a very important number. Do not fear, this nightmare will soon reach its end.” She gave a reassuring nod.
The next card was yet another that depicted violence, an unnerving face to reveal given the question. This time, she shook her head. “My Lady, you must brace yourself. Paired with the Nine of Wands, I am afraid the Ace of Swords when reversed is a very bad omen. This is a card of brutality and chaos. Something terrible is inbound. This card is often associated with miscommunication at its least threatening form, to great injustices, financial disparage and the worst of legal matters. I see terrible things in store, my Lady. Terrible.”
“I can provide some relief.” Paired with the Nine of Wands, Kezia was sure of this now. For the Five of Pentacles, in its reverse position, is another card that signals the end of hardship. “Hope is renewed and the end to the hard times are in sight. This is what your future awaits.” The two figures suffering in the snow seem to cower in the flicker of candlelight, sending long shadows over their faces. “Financial difficulties in particular will recover. In fact, there is a great spiritual renewal. Both in spirit and the material, you will be well and fulfilled.”
A heavy sigh envelopes the older woman’s body, voice hoarse with pain from seeing this minacious and treacherous future. “My Lady, I cannot give you a hopeful answer, and for that, I am deeply sorrowed. There is great danger for you, and your family here in London. Though I can only offer the comfort that you will overcome this calamity.”
She met the red-haired woman’s gaze steadily -- she who held her gaze so strongly that there was no doubt in the fortune teller’s mind -- this was a woman who would go to Hell and back for her children. “One moment longer of your time. If I may, I would issue a warning then, my Lady. Look here.” Her finger found the man who looked away from the other cards: the Nine of Wands. “He looks away from the other cards, occupied with the past pain, that he does not see the looming sword waiting to strike. I urge you to be wary, and keep your eyes forward instead, else you will not see the danger until it will be too late.”
