The Lovers, Reversed

The next morning, the group is supposed to meet Larkin and her cousin for drinks in the evening. They find Kyrie gone, with a note saying that they will be back that night or the next day. They head down for breakfast. Larkin is there, and tells them that a traveling fortune-teller is in town.

Salix, Kendell, and Dev discuss Leona and the fact that she seems to have been Wanted. They flag down Larkin, and ask her about Leona, who tells them the story about Leona and Lord Kentigern. They also discuss the fact that they've seen a lot of undead since they've been together.

The three of them head to the fortune-teller's tent. They enter and are welcomed by a young human woman, who introduces herself as Sura. She offers to do a reading for 1 gold piece each.

Salix asks "Will I find a place to hide what should be hidden?" and Sura draws 3 cards. The first card is the 9 of cups indicating satisfaction, that what she wants will happen. The second card indicates that she will have to choose between two things, and neither will seem like a good option. It also suggests that she should keep her relationships balanced. The final card indicates that she is a strong, compassionate, patient person, even when her friends are in danger. Salix has tears streaming down her face in response to this.

Salix pays another gold and whispers the question "Will my brother find true happiness?" This time, the first card indicates that Kendell is afraid, and is confused, or will be, about what is best for everyone in the end. She predicts that he will face a difficult choice as well, but, if he has courage, he will find success. The second card indicates that he has a great responsibility. The final card suggests that he will find himself terrorized by nightmares, and full of anxiety and stress.

Dev poses their question for the cards: "Will I be able to help my family?" All 3 cards come up reversed. The first card is Lovers, Reversed, and she says that it indicates conflict in relationships, and that they should consider what they want in their life. She also says they have been avoiding responsibility, and should make amends. She predicts that difficult times are ahead in their relationships, and that they must work hard to keep their relationships together. The final card suggests a lack of purpose for them, and warns them to be careful of the path that they walk. She tells them that, overall, they should take these cards as a warning, but to have hope.

Sura asks Kendell if he has a question for the cards. The only question he can come up with is about where he might find pineapples in Ilverness. As they turn to leave, she tells them that she will see them again. She also gives Salix something, telling her to hold onto it and give it to Kendell when the time is right.

That night, Kendell has a nightmare in his trance, which he's had recur a number of times. He wakes up, grabs his things, and sneaks out. He heads back to Sura's tent. Even though it's 2 or 3 in the morning, Sura is there, waiting for him. He puts down a gold piece and says "Will I always be alone?" She shuffles the deck over, and over again before his reading. The first card indicates that he is powerful, and will walk between many worlds. The second card suggests a fear of failure, but, for him, she recognizes that that failure is about a lot more than him. The last card indicates a loss of control and of power. She says that she thinks he already knew the answer to the question when he walked in, and slides the gold back to him. He cuts the deck again, telling her not to shuffle it, and asks her if he'll see her again, then walks out, returning to the tavern. She sends him a message, inviting him to come back, and he does.

In her room, waiting for Kendell, Salix pulls out what Sura gave her, which turns out to be a pendant. It's a holy symbol for the Raven Queen. Kendell returns, and gets a scolding from Salix, but doesn't tell her where he went. The 3 of them have breakfast, with Dev and Salix continuing to grill Kendell about where he want, and him refusing to say.

The three of them hear screaming outside - they run out and find a lot of smoke. Sura's tent has been burned down, and Larkin says that 3 people came and took Sura. Salix turns into a wolf, and sniffs around to investigate. She gets the scent of Kendell and Sura, as well blood and several masculine scents, heading north.