The Magic Trick (The Card Game #2)

Ch 8 - Sorceress and Spiders

CHAPTER VIII

SORCERESS AND SPIDERS

"Have we come to the right place? Are you the Daughter of Druids?" Romulus asked, taking a stump.

"I am she." Her voice was foreign and thick. "To see real magic is costly. Ten kopeks apiece."

"We have no money," said Romulus.

"So what have you come for?"

"We were curious to meet you," Romulus answered.

The woman's wrinkled eyes went black. "Who are you?"

"This is Viktor. I am Romulus."

"From what house?" she demanded.

Romulus half-lied. "None. We're orphans."

"Why, that changes things, you poor dears," the Daughter of Druids murmured, pouring two glasses of dark tea and pushing them toward her guests. "And how do you survive? And why do you come to the Druids for answers?"

"What exactly is a Druid? If you don't mind my asking," Viktor rushed to add. Receiving a bitter stare, he took a sip of tea to shield his face for a moment.

"Dru-wids are oak-seers—ancient priests from Celtic shores. Long have they guarded their old knowledge, passing wisdom from line to line, studying the secrets of this world that are all but lost."

Romulus set his teacup back down. "So women can be priests?"

"Do I call myself Druid or the Daughter of Druids?"

"You're a witch?" Viktor asked.

"I am not a witch," she snapped back, her brown curls seemed to redden with anger. "Peasants and their superstitions ... Though if it pleases you, know that Druids of old were said to turn men into animals or stone, and to curse crops, and even, had the power to cast spells."

Viktor felt increasingly uneasy in this forest-like convoy. The old men sitting against the mistletoe wall had barely moved, and he disliked having his back to them. From the corner of his eye, he watched them manipulate smoke through their mouths and nostrils, blowing vaporous rings from their pipes.

"You know, an orphan's life is hard," said the Daughter of Druids. Have you any special skills? You would do quite well to join our Bazaar."

Romulus shook his head. "We're serfs under Master Molo—"

"Yes, yes, yes," the woman cut in, waving the reply away. "And do you think the mines will hold bright futures for you here? I could ... read them for you." 

Disturbing déjà vu swept over Viktor. "No, we've already had out fortunes read."

"By whom?"

"Lady Nutrix," he said.

"Ha! As if the future could be read through cards." The Daughter of Druids scoffed and pulled a cloth off a metal cage that held several black ravens. "That knowledge can only be seen through the flight or blood of bird."

Romulus' head lolled forward. "You know of Lady—"

"I know all the self-proclaimed seers in this land," the woman spat, "Kasta Way's included."

For the first time, Viktor wanted to argue on behalf Lady Nutrix, but then he caught himself. This place was having a strange effect on his mind.

"What do you know about Kasta Way's Gypsies?" Romulus said, speaking slowly.