Chapter 3

“This,” she said, “is the immediate challenge.”

I examined the card. It was: the Fool. I looked at the woman for some kind of elucidation, but she had already moved on to the next card.

“And the card underneath, that is your present.” She slid the top card off so that I could see this card clearly.

“It’s—the Hermit,” I murmured, and looked at the woman. She nodded, and made a motion with her hand that I should continue.

“And, on the left,” I said, “is the High Priestess. Huh.” I frowned at the card, wondering what it meant. I didn’t want to ask the woman, but as she said nothing, I went on to the next card.

“And, on the right, the Emperor. And below—huh! The Devil!” I stared at the horned image in consternation, but again the woman said nothing.

“And above,” I said, “the Lovers. That’s good, isn’t it?” I looked at the woman, but she was looking at the column of nines on the right. “Is there something wrong?”