Child of Ember - Chapter 18

An odd look crosses Celestia's face. She reaches in her pocket and pulls out the ring that was found at the scene of the fire. "This might also have some kind of effect on the reading," she said as she set the ring on the cloth that was wrapped around the deck.

image of Celestia's cloth

Here are the cards for an extended cross pattern.
Note: all cards marked with a * are considered inverted.

1 the avenger* (the focus)
2 the Marionette*
3 The beast *
4 The Darklord
5 Swashbuckler
6 innocent
7 ghost *
8 Donjon
9 temptress *

Celestia took the deck and closed her eyes. She concentrated and flipped over the top card on the deck. Opening her eyes, she set it in the middle of the cloth.
Speaking out loud, "This card is called the Focus," she said pointing to the card. "It is the Avenger. It speaks of ultimate justice and revenge. But I think the Avenger we are chasing has gone off track to an extreme because the card is inverted. In some instances, the inverted card means the opposite of what it normally means or some kind of perversion of the normal meaning." Celestia looks over at the ring. Picking it up she places it on the Focus Card. "This should help focus the reading."
Celestia turned over the next card of the deck. Placing this card below the Focus Card, she says "This card speaks of events of the near past. It is called the Marionette and like the Avenger it is inverted. The Marionette speaks of the presence of a minion of some greater power. It could also have a hidden agenda. This could mean that the Child is a link and not the end of the chain we are trying to follow. But with this card also being inverted, The Child could be the link as well as the end of the chain."
The next card is turned over and placed to the left of the Focus card. "This card bespeaks of some kind of set-back or potential problem for the Avenger. This card is the Beast and like the other 2 cards dealt so far it is also inverted. In the normal position, it represents the savage beast that lurks within. It is usually hidden below the surface but manages to have some kind of control over actions. It often hearlds crimes of passion or some similar rash acts. With it being inverted, it could mean that the beast has escaped in some way and doesn't act from a hidden position, but a visible position."
"This card is the counterpoint to the events of the near past. It talks of events of the near future." Celestia said as she turned over the next card and placed it above the Focus Card. "This card is called the Darklord." Breathing a quick sigh, "And it is facing the proper way. The function of this card is to tell of a Single important individual that is often evil or tyrannical. It also has an ominous and foreboding aspect too."
"Now the last card to complete the basic reading talks of the things that can aid the Focus." Turning over the top card and placing it to the right of the Focus, Celestia reveals The Swashbuckler. "Here we have someone that recognizes the importance of money but not drawn to it personally. Perhaps someone that has inherited some money or maybe someone that married into some wealth. I would hazard an opinion being that the person has money and connections but didn't really have to work to get them."
Looking over the cards, Celestia pauses. "I think I am going to extend the reading. There are some points that seem vague that might be clarified. Also the number of inverted cards seems odd. Especially the placements of them."
Closing her eyes in a brief moment of concentration, Celestia turns over the next card. "Here we have events that have long past. They are the roots and ancient ties that bind the Focus. This card is called The Innocent. It speaks of a victim. A defenseless person of some great importance. It could also be the figure that is pulling the strings of the Avenger. Or perhaps the Avenger has killed the person and that is why it is inverted. The Puppet Master would then no longer control the strings of the puppet."
"As the reading expands, so does the elements acting for and against the Focus. The Force that truely opposes the focus, the Force that will do its best to disrupt or defeat the Focus is the Ghost. Like its partner the Beast, the Ghost is also inverted. The Ghost foreshadows an ancient curse or magical fate that will work to undue the Focus. It could be the force that animated the Focus is now starting to loose its power and when it goes, the Focus will be at its weakest."
"The manifestation of the distant future and the ultimate outcome of the events at hand is," Celestia paused as she drew the next card and placed it above the Darklord. "The Donjon. And it is facing in the proper direction" she said with a smile. "The Donjon tells us that there will be some kind of isolation or Imprisonment. The Focus will learn that actions have consquences."
"The last card in the reading is the force that strongly supports the focus in its endeavors and the counterpart to the Ghost." Placing the last card to the right of the Swashbuckler, Celestia reveals an inverted Temptress. "The Temptress speaks of some manner of temptation that will lead the focus away from the things that it values. We might be able to introduce another 'prize' that would cause the focus to enter a trap. The Temptress may also be able to aid us as well."
Celestia looks at each card carefully and then slowly starts picking them up. "I thank my ancestors for the guidance," she says softly and wraps the deck back in its cloth and then places it back in the box she took it from. The box is then wrapped in an oil cloth and placed back in its pouch. The pouch is then returned to it position on Celestia's belt.
When Celestia is finished putting her deck away, she looks around to see who heard her reading and to see if they have any comments. (she was alone).

The ranger turns and heads down the road deciding to lead his horse back in and tying it up before heading into town. The first tavern he comes across he will enter and take a seat at the bar.

The tavern stretches before him like a landed fish. Sails like fins protrude from its body, and it seems an odd mesh of fish, tavern, and ship.
The crowd inside is noisy, sweaty and rough. A single tavern girl works her way through a crowd of grasping hands, balancing a heavy platter of food on her shoulder. Tottering only slightly as she swats away a over-friendly hand, she smoothes her skirt and approaches you.
What will it be," she says taking the measure of the newcomer.

The urban ranger smiles slightly and looks about the room with interest before replying, "Yeah I will be needing a good ale if it pleases good lady." He walks to an open table and sits waiting for his ale and a private word with the young tavern wench.

"Whatever," she says. "Cost ya a silver though." she says as she deftly kicks a guy in the groin as he reaches for her from behind. She turns and heads for the bar.
There is a open spot in a booth in a dark corner. As Griffen moves toward it he gets the feeling of eyes on you. He looks up, seeing a mindflayer staring at him from above the hearth...

The rangers entire body tenses to an almost painful response and he leaps back in shock. Soon he is backpeddling towards the door of the tavern. He looks to the surrounding patrons for dizzy eyed stares and people following him. He stops at the door and watches the creature closely hand reaching to grab up his crossbow.

Just as he begins to stumble back does he notice that it isnt breathing. A brass blaque below it reads: The Demon of the Depths. Its form is emaciated, its black eyes sunken into its skull. A single four fingered hand seems to be reaching out for something, frozen in that pose eternally by death.

The ranger shakes his head and walks to the aformentioned table looking to the surrounding peoples of the tavern with a shrug. He slips into a chair and observes the room offhandedly waiting for the return of the tavern wench.

The waitress brings the aforementioned drink and lays it before him without a word. and turns to leave.

The ranger looks up and ponders for a moment then calls out to get her attention, "Hey, can I ask you some questions?"

She looks at him oddly, then shrugs. "I suppose."

He reaches into his pouch and sets three gold pieces on the table before him. He lowers his eyes and smiles as he speaks, "I would be greatly interested in anything you can tell me about the current big news in this town. I am particularly interested in any very strange things that may be going on these days." He looks up at her, "I'm sorry to keep you from your job. If it will anger your boss I will speak with him myself before I leave. I am in search of simple answers."

She eyes you carefully, as though cautious to speak. She gives the room a casual glance before returning her stare to you.
"There is a big Masque this week. All the nobles worth their salt will be there. A lot of parties going on, what with the festival and all. And I heard that Lord Lithenstien has him a new consort. Good thing to, considering what happened to his last one.
Rumor has it they never did find her body. But that is just a rumor. And of course there was that fire the other night. Don't know much about that. Lots of people say that it is them Falkovnians. I dont buy that. They wanted to burn this place they would need an army. And even then no one would notice," She chuckles to her self.
"People come here to drown their sorrows. Some times they float though, no matter how much bub you pour over them," she says as a drunk stumbles past only to collapse in a heap on the floor. "So what are your sorrows, Maybe i can help them sink?"

He sighs and looks down at the table for a brief moment before responding, "I am looking for an old foe of mine. He wears black more often than not and more than likely is a non too personable sort. He would have come in only today. He is a vile sod and I must bring him to the bear of justice."
He looks up at her, "Also could you tell me of these other fellows, outlanders, like me that arrived today. I hear some commotion was caused in the inns in the city itself. I am to help them with some quest of theirs but know little of what happened."

"Jus' 'xactly whats this sod done to deserve your ire?" she asks with an arched eyebrow.

The ranger looks at her with a serious smile as she worries what the vile killer of his homeland is guilty of, "I am a hunter of criminals. It just so happens that this particular one has done things that personally make my quest to hunt him personal. I'd rather not say what those things are for the individual may not be here at all." He looks around the tavern slowly and back to the table, "I simply must bring the fiend to justice."

"Well it would be a lot easier to tell you if he was around if i knew what you were looking for. This is kind of like walking into a merchants stall and not telling him what you want but demanding that he deliver as soon as possible," she say with just a hint of agrivation.

The ranger sighs and nods his head, "I'm sorry to bother you so fruitlessly with my strange rantings." Griffen then proceeds to tell the barmaid everything he knows about the thing he's been pursuing for years.

She nods. "Closest I have neard of someone like that is The Bogeyman. Likes to sneak into the rooms of children while they sleep and burn them, so I hear. But Never kills them, just burns them."

The ranger nods and seems to be taking a mental note. He stands slowly and slides the coins to her, "Thank you for your help." He looks around, "Don't let the drunks get ya down." He pats her on the shoulder and heads out the door turning down the boulevard and looking for any other open taverns.

"Hey," she yells, "Take care, lots of nuts out tonight." She looks around and smiles. "I get off in a bit, if you would care for company..."

The ranger stands in the doorway contemplating for a few moments then nods, "Sure, I'll be outside so when your finished just head on out." He smiles at her and steps out the door walking slowly down the street before leaning against the building and watching the surrounding shadows thinking that mayhaps his vile foe rest somewhere therein watching continually.

After nearly half an hour you see her step out the door. A smile comes unbidden to your lips as you notice just how pretty she is. Her beauty is subtle, with out a trace of artifice. Her eyes are a gentle brown, matching the color of her hair. Her face is void of any trace of makeup, but the cold of the evening air has given a soft blush to her cheeks. She returns your smile warmly.
"So what did you say your name was?"

The ranger reaches for her hand and kisses it softly before taking her arm and beginning to walk down the street, "My name is Griffen. Griffen Hawks, and yours is?"

"Patricia Foxgil."

After she answers he continues to walk and looks about the strange town he knows completely nothing about, "So tell me about this city. For one, What is it called?" He smiles, "I swear I know absolutely not where I am."

"The name of the city is Mortigny. What more would you like to know?"

He observes her for a moment and then looks off into the shadows, "Yeah tell me about yourself. I'm interested in you." He continues to ask a fair amount of questions about her and the city itself. He asks about the ruler of the city. He also asks if a lot of people just appear here from the mists. He just walks with her until he finally asks where she would like to go with a broad smile.

"The council of nobles rule the city, as well as the other cities in the nation. The head families are the Reniers and the Ronges families. But there are about ten or so families in all."
"We don't get a lot of travelers from the mists, but it does happen."
"Actually It is almost time for church ceramonies. A poor girl died in a fire the other night and we are having a memorial for her tonight...".

"I think that's somewhere I might need to go. My friends are looking into that young girls death for some reason," he waits for her to lead and follows in that direction. "So tell me about yourself. Are you from here? How long have you worked as a barmaid? What are your dreams?"

"Friends? I thought you had come here through the mists? About me..." Here she blushes, " There is not too much to tell... But yes I am from here, well not here exactly. I grew up across the border, but moved here almost 13 years ago. I have been working at the flying fish since they brought it here, about 5 years ago. As for dreams, I don't remember them, they disappear when I wake up!" She says with a laugh.

The ranger smiles slightly and continues walking towards the service eyes gliding over the shadows briefly to assure their safety.

The streets are filled with performers, this is the second day of the street festival. Such an odd time to have a funeral you think. Patricia goes on and on about the city and the festivities as you walk. You get the odd sense that you are being watched, though you see no one following you...

The ranger continues slowly taking a moment to afford her a smile, "So, how far away is the temple. I don't know much about what happened except for what the peoples I have met have told me. This fellow Dolph who invited me in when I first arrived told us that I might be able to help in solving some kind of mystery but I am still in the dark about it."

Patricia takes him there, then leaves.
It seems though she knew the woman, there was some tension between them.
It would seem that she came only to make her peace.