Page 55 of Ruling Destiny

Arthur grants me an enigmatic smile. “I prefer you glean whatever you need from these cards here and now. I can’t risk you losing them in Renaissance Italy.”

I’m struck by the way he saysRenaissance Italy, like it’s Maui or Berlin—just another destination as opposed to a whole other timeline. Though, in the scheme of things, I guess it is. Seeing as how the past is just a continuous echo looping through time.

Or, as Nietzsche said, Time is a flat circle.

I also know that bit about losing the cards was meant to remind me how I returned from my first trip to Versailles without the cards Arthur gave me. And though he didn’t seem to care at the time, I suspect he wants to remind me to not get too ahead of myself. That while he’s pleased with my performance so far, his standards are, and will remain, incredibly high.

“I’m guessing these hold clues that’ll lead me to the Moon?” I look between the cards and him.

“With any luck.” He shrugs.

While luck is certainly part of any Trip, it has nothing to do with why Arthur has summoned me here. Out of everyone else in this place, he’s pegged me as the one who will help him fulfill his biggest dream. And I have no idea why.

“I’m looking for a brief overview of the numerological, astrological, and elemental connections. But don’t overthink it. Often, it’s the surprise component that leads one to the prize.”

I study the cards. “Since the Hermit helped me locate the Sun, I’ll start here,” I say, taking a moment to collect my thoughts before I go on. “As the ninth card in the deck, the Hermit is numerologically linked to the Moon card, which is the eighteenth card, since one plus eight equals nine.” I lift my gaze to meet Arthur’s. He nods for me to continue. “Its element is earth, its astrological link is Virgo, and the meaning behind the card is basically that of healing and self-exploration.”

“Good.” Arthur nods. “And the others?”

With a gloved index finger, I gently slide the Popess, known in contemporary decks as the High Priestess, card before me—a card that I’ve come to associate with Elodie.

“She comes in at number two, which links her to both Justice, the eleventh card in modern decks, since one plus one equals two, and Judgment, which is the twentieth card, as, of course, two plus zero also amounts to two. Her astrological sign is the Moon, her element is water, and she stands for secrets, wisdom, and things of a spiritual nature.”

I lift my gaze again. “Does this mean the Moon is hidden in a church or cathedral, or a place where judicial decisions are made?”

Arthur shrugs, but his mouth wears the hint of a grin. “That’s for you to discover,” he says.

I rub my gloved hands together and move on to the next. “As for the Moon card—” I pause, noticing how Arthur leans in. “As the eighteenth card, it’s connected to number nine, the Hermit, since one plus eight equals nine. Like the High Priestess, its element is water, and it’s astrologically linked to Pisces, the fish, which again points to water. As for its meaning, it’s basically all about illusions, dreams, that sort of thing.”

Arthur nods, though whatever he’s thinking remains hidden from me. An uncomfortable silence stretches between us. Or maybe I’m the only one who’s uncomfortable; Arthur seems perfectly at ease. “And?” he finally says, his gaze darting between the cards and me.

I glance down at the three cards splayed before me. “Maybe I should look at the map again?”

Arthur reaches into a drawer, retrieves a folder, and slides it toward me. “A copy,” he says. “As you know, the original is kept in the Vault.”

I shift forward on my seat and study the same map Christopher Columbus used to chart his way across the Atlantic. Since that historic journey, a slew of symbols were added. Symbols that, from what I can tell, mimic the images used on the tarot cards.

The first thing I do after locating Italy is search for an image that’s the closest to Florence.

And there they are—a crown, an hourglass, and an archer’s bow. Only one of those objects is placed upside down, and another is knocked on its side.

“Reversed meaning.” I slide the map toward Arthur and tap the hourglass with my gloved finger. “It’s an important distinction, indicating that this hourglass isn’t heavy on time, but rather, it’s running out of time.”

Arthur is nearly halfway across his desk now, his fingers pulling at a ring that once belonged to Edward the Black Prince.

I focus back on the cards. “See the difference?” I push the card toward him. “On the Hermit card, the hourglass is heavy on available time. On the map, the sand is running out.”

Arthur says nothing but motions for me to continue.

“Of course, there are plenty of tarot experts who ignore upside-down cards. But since the symbols are purposely drawn this way, it seems like a mistake to dismiss it.”

Arthur nods. “What else?” he says.

I point toward the bow. “While the Rider-Waite tarot deck portrays an entirely different image, the female on this card is said to represent Diana the Huntress. And since she carries a bow, I think you’re correct to relate the symbol on this map to the Moon card.”

Arthur makes a thorough study of the card and the map. “And,” he says, his voice edged with excitement. Or is it impatience?“Anything else? What about the crown?”

I gaze at the map again. Though the crown isn’t quite upside down, it’s clearly been sketched to show it lying on its side. And just thinking about the reversed meaning of the High Priestess card fills my belly with dread. Still, Arthur is waiting, so I have no choice but to say it.

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