Amphital: a fantasy novel project
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�That deck is a lot bigger than the sort they use at The Three Sheets or The Jackline,� Trey said.

�So young and yet already familiar with the goings-on inside of taverns?� Jesca laughed. �Yes, child, this is a different sort of deck.� She picked up the cards, and then fanned them out across the table in front of her, face up. �You may recognise some of the designs. The decks all have a common source, though as different peoples met and mingled across this world, the cards have changed. New stories and legends are always being told and retold; over time a story may become a card, or inspire one. The common deck has grown, and each Reader draws what they need from that wellspring. No one would use all the cards, though perhaps my deck is more complete than most�

Without looking down, she picked up a card seeming at random, and placed it in the center of the table in front of Trey. �You will not find a deck quite like this one anywhere, child,� she said. �These were painted by my late husband, the paper used was made by my own father, and the pigments were selected and ground by myself. Every Reader will eventually become attuned to his deck, though these... are very close to my heart.�

Trey looked down at the presented card. The Lady, known in the usual card games as the Lady Luck. This card was different though, the Lady was presented seated on a simple throne, of ivory or painted wood, with a slim septer in one hand and a slip of paper, or perhaps a card? in the other. A plain silver circlet capped the streaming hair, a shining jewel or star at the brow. The card was quite lifelike, Trey thought, and almost seemed to move as he looked at it. The face of the Lady was suddenly very familiar. Trey looked at his hostess.

Jesca smiled. �Yes, child, that is me. Though perhaps my dear husband took a few liberties on this one design.� She placed the card back in the deck. �The card is not myself, though. A card will have many different meanings, depending on which cards support or oppose it in a reading, and on the nature of both question and Seeker.

�In the past you have seen a Player's Deck, which has perhaps 5 dozen cards, or what is called the King's Deck, where more trumps have been added. Some consider this to be a bit dangerous, inviting a touch of magic and risk to the game.� She picked up the cards and began to shuffle them. �If there is magic, it is to be found in the players, not the cards. But few gamblers would know that.�

Again she set the cards in the center of the table, but this time Jesca took Trey's hands and held them with hers on top of the deck. �I am attuned to my cards,� she said, �and for this reading you will be also, briefly. Now close your eyes and breathe the way I've taught you.�

Trey closed his eyes and again took in a long breath, letting it out slowly. And again. But the warmth of Lady Rowan's hands on his were at the top of his mind, and he started to blush.

�Perhaps that is enough, child� Jesca said. When Trey opened his eyes he saw a bemused smile on her face, like she knew what he was thinking. But is was still another long moment before Jesca removed her hands, and again took up the cards.

�You have seen five, perhaps six of the seven Suits, and their Ranks. These are common to the player's decks. And you have seen one type of Trump, Personae like the Lady. There are other symbols and markers in my deck, which will be new to you. My deck is indeed special, for my dear husband illustrated each card, even the simple ordinates in each suit.�

Trey had a slightly puzzled look on his face. Jesca again gently laughed. �But perhaps that is too much to go into, for just today's reading. Let's take a look at a few of the cards together.�

The first card up was The Ace of Flames. Trey saw what Lady Rowan had meant, for there was a full painting on the card, like many of the trumps. A single stylized candle flame would have been enough for the cards he was used to, and while this card was similarly marked in one corner, the rest of the card showed sparks flying in darkness, as if a flint were struck on steel. �Ah, the first card of the first suit. As good a beginning as any. The Spark shows potential. Many of the Aces are representations of a start or an origin.�

Trey was intent on the card in front of him. �Aces are origins,� he parroted, and nodded like he understood. He stared as if the painting were about to come to life, to light the table on fire. Again, Jesca laughed lightly and motioned him to sit back in his chair. �Breathe, Trey. And be calm. These are not spells, child, there is nothing to fear. We look into the cards for guidance, like a sailor might consult the stars. Nothing more.�

Next drawn was the Sixth of Stone. Trey had not known the card had a meaning, except as part of a winning run or set in games, but he saw that again the card was illustrated. A loose pile of stones surrounded a short pole carved with runes. �This is a burial marker, a cairn, though of course it might not mean death. Still... child, have you known recent loss?�

The meaning of the card slowly sunk into Trey. He looked away, but he answered her question. �A month ago. My mother, and younger brother.� Trey did not face her, but Jesca thought he might be about to cry, perhaps holding back so as not to appear weak in front of her.

Jesca set down the deck. �This is perhaps not the problem you came to me with, though we may be able to see to this as well.� She touched his arm as before, lightly, and waited for Trey to once again face her. �Will you talk to me of this, child?�

Trey considered. His eyes seemed to search Jesca's face for an answer. Eventually, he nodded.

Jesca rang the small silver bell. �I have time this afternoon, luckily, and this reading will take time.� Rosyl's head peeked in from the curtain that divided the reading room from the rest of the shop. �Rosyl, the tea will be ready soon, I think,� Jesca said.

�Yes, ma'am�

�And join us for a cup, won't you? I think we can close our shop for the rest of the day.�

Rosyl smiled, but still asked �Are you sure, Lady?�

�Yes, Rosyl, a few hours won't matter much. And I don't expect any of our regular customers until early evening.�

�Yes, ma'am. I'll be right in with the tea�

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