07: My first Task

I woke up when I felt kneading on my back. At first, I didn’t know where I was or what those little pinpricks meant, but then I realised I had whiskers on my face. Socks… right… I’d had a cat since yesterday, and the little fellow was giving me quite a hard headbutt after he’d stopped kneading my back with his claws out.

“Yeah, I’m awake,” I grumbled. I was never an early riser, and talking much in the morning wasn’t really my thing. I preferred to enjoy my first cup of tea in silence and didn’t really want to be disturbed. Socks gave me another bump and jumped elegantly off the bed.

“Come on, get up, you sleepyhead. The bell’s already rung eight times.” I remembered – in an hour, I was supposed to be at Leonora’s. I slipped into my new clothes, splashed cold water on my face, and got ready.

Socks was already standing by the door, wanting his breakfast. But – what else did he actually eat besides cold chicken? He was still too small for mouse hunting. Together, we set off for the dining hall, and I was glad Socks had a good sense of direction. A predator, after all, even if still quite small and cute.

It didn’t take long before we arrived at the dining hall. No one was sitting at the round table, and I wasn’t sure if I should really sit there, but Socks strolled over confidently and looked at me expectantly. And yes, yesterday Sereina had said this table was reserved for the four pages and me.

No sooner had I sat down than the blonde girl from yesterday floated over and asked what I would like to eat. I asked for tea, bread, and cheese. It was worth a try at least. “Tea? What do you mean by that?” she asked uncertainly. “An infusion, just hot water and dried leaves or herbs,” I tried to explain. “Ah, an herbal brew, I see,” she smiled and disappeared. Anything but chamomile tea, I hoped silently.

It wasn’t long before she came back with a steaming cup, a board with slices of bread, and cheese.

“This is for you, and I hope you like Gharbia. It’s an herbal brew made from wild sage, shimmering mint, and dragon herb. Sometimes other herbs are added, but that’s the traditional mix. And I’ve brought some curd for your little friend. What’s his name, by the way?” I remembered Sereina’s warning never to reveal the real name. “Kelo,” I replied spontaneously. Socks looked at me, and I could have sworn he raised an eyebrow. Can cats even do that?

“I haven’t introduced myself yet; I’m Elara,” she said as she placed the little bowl of curd on the floor. Socks immediately dived into his breakfast with delight. “I’m Bobbie,” I answered. “I know,” Elara smiled and vanished again.

Somewhat sceptically, I tried the hot drink, Gharbia. It tasted bitter but also a little sweet, a very special flavour. Well then, if this was what came closest to tea here, I guess I’d have to get used to it.

I hurried through breakfast since the bell had already rung three times. I guessed it was quarter to nine, like back home. It was about time to make my way to Leonora.

Just as I was about to leave, the pages from the four kingdoms entered the dining hall. I really didn’t fancy another confrontation with Cal, so I greeted everyone politely.

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Sereina asked, and I replied that I was expected by the Guild Mistress at the ninth bell strike. I saw surprised faces and made my way out.

I had meant to ask Sereina for directions but didn’t want to show Cal that I didn’t know my way around.

Well, there I stood in the corridor where all looked the same. “What are you waiting for?” Socks asked me and confidently walked down one of the corridors.

“You know where Leonora’s room is?” “Of course, who do you take me for?” Socks purred with a certain satisfaction in his voice.

For the life of me, I had no idea how this little street cat knew his way around the Guild, but I didn’t really have a choice, so I trusted him. Having no better idea and seeing no one else to ask, I followed Socks. He’d have to explain eventually, but now I had to hurry.

With the last bell strike, I knocked on the plain wooden door that I recognised. It swung open, and I stepped inside, of course accompanied by Socks.

Leonora was dressed more simply than on my first visit and looked very busy.

“Ah,” Leonora smiled, “you’ve already found your familiar. What’s his name then?” I really shouldn’t reveal anyone’s real name and that included Leonora.

“Kelo. I found him in town yesterday, and he spoke to me. From Sereina, I learned that this is special and that we can only communicate with our familiars this way.”

“Yes, that’s right,” Leonora nodded, “and I’m glad you’ve already learned the first lesson and haven’t revealed his true name to me. If you’re wondering how I know – well, it just is.”

Leonora became serious again. “I’ve also heard about yesterday’s incident with Calvin, and I will speak with him too. But you will find a way to work together. I tolerate no quarrels among my students. It’s neither worthy of a page nor of an chosen one from the Outside World. I know he’s not easy, and you still have a lot to learn about Tarcania.”

I swallowed hard and was suddenly reminded of my childhood when my father scolded me over a silly fight with one of the village children. He had used almost the same words: ‘It is not worthy of you, Bobbie, to fight with them.’

I said nothing. What else could I say? Cal and I would probably never be best friends, but I would have to make an effort and keep my composure.

“If that’s settled then, let’s get to the main reason for this conversation. You need basic equipment. Getting it is your task to complete within the next three days. After that your training begins, at least the first part. You will go to the Guild blacksmith and choose your sword. Then you will get a staff, craft a cup from clay, and earn at least one silver coin. How you manage that is up to you. The sword is my gift to you and a concession because you come from the Outside World.”

“But how am I supposed to do that? I don’t know anyone here except Sereina, Marcus, and the other pages. And what happens if I fail?”

Leonora looked at me sternly.

“Why are you already wasting your energy and thoughts on failure when you haven’t even started? Am I mistaken about you? I thought you were a fighter. Now go. The blacksmith is waiting for you.” With that, she turned back to her papers. I was dismissed.

I left the room, and Socks followed me. Once I closed the door behind me, I took a deep breath. I felt anger, fury, and a certain helplessness rising inside me.
I wasn’t seven years old anymore, but in that moment, I felt just like I was. I was stranded in Tarcania, didn’t know how to get home, and all the excitement from yesterday afternoon had vanished. I felt hot and cold at the same time, and I wanted to scream as loud as I could – which surely wouldn’t have been worthy of me. But it probably would have helped.

For me, there seemed to be only one way — forward, and not to fail.

Socks rubbed his little head against my leg and purred. I picked him up, and he tolerated me pressing my head against his.

“Come on, let’s find the blacksmith so you can get your sword,” Socks encouraged me. “I know where to find him.”
“How do you even know your way around the Guild?” I asked him. He grinned – if a cat can actually grin – and said amusedly, “I’m a true Tarcanian cat. We don’t just have a seventh sense, but quite a few other abilities as well. That would take too long to explain now; let yourself be surprised. But for now, trust me. And now let me down again. That’s enough physical contact for me.”

I let Socks slide down to the floor and followed him.

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06: The Pages of the Kingdoms

Sereina led me through winding corridors to the dining hall. Socks was still sitting on my shoulder, looking around curiously. He seemed very intrigued, and the word “dining hall” definitely caught his attention.

When we arrived, people were sitting at the rectangular tables who, in my world, would have been Europeans, Middle Easterners, Asians, and Southern Europeans. Sereina took me to the only round table in the room, around which five chairs were arranged. She sat down and nodded at me, indicating I should sit too.

Alright, a round table, while all the others were rectangular — that was clearly something special. But I trusted Sereina, pulled the chair next to her towards me, and sat down.

No sooner had we sat down than a beautiful young blonde girl appeared and asked what we would like to eat. Sereina ordered chicken for herself and salad for her turtle, which she pulled out of her bag. I joined in, since chicken would at least be something Socks could eat too.

The blonde girl disappeared, and it wasn’t long before she returned with the food and the usual watered-down wine. How I would have given anything for some tea! But I sighed and took a sip. Somehow, I felt like I was in a constant, mild buzz — but that wasn’t surprising. This must have been how people in the Middle Ages felt… weak beer or diluted wine at best.

At least, the chicken was thoroughly cooked and tasted quite decent, even though it lacked a bit of salt. But that way I could share some with Socks, and he purred contentedly as he ate the little pieces from my hand.

We hadn’t been sitting long when a young blond man about our age came over and sat down with us. “I’m Calvin from Sapiaria,” he introduced himself, “but everyone calls me Cal.” There was something dangerous, predatory about him that I couldn’t place, but also a certain coldness and aloofness. I smiled and introduced myself as Bobbie from Falkenstein. “Falkenstein? Where’s that supposed to be?” Cal raised an eyebrow and scrutinised me. I can’t even say how uncomfortable that made me feel…

But before I could answer, two more people came over to our round table. They seemed much friendlier than Cal.

“Hello, I’m Amir from Salahara,” introduced the dark-eyed stranger. He had black, curly hair and dark eyes. If I weren’t in Tarcania, I would have guessed he was from Egypt or Syria. Even his clothing was that of an Oriental, and that look… he held me captive.

Thank the gods, though, the young woman introduced herself and broke the spell of the moment. “I’m Trisha from Reviria,” she said. She had pale blonde hair and eyes so blue I’d never seen anything like them before. She wore flowing blue robes that only emphasised her angelic appearance.

Both sat down with us at the table, and the blonde girl appeared again to take their orders.

Cal spoke up: “Amir from Salahara, Trisha from Reviria, I’m from Sapiaria — and where are you both from?” He turned to Sereina and me.

“I’m Sereina from Crescendora, the northern kingdom, and this is Bobbie from Falkenstein.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard that already, but where exactly is this Falkenstein?” Cal asked. “We’re sitting at the round table, and everyone knows only pages from the different kingdoms personally chosen by Leonora sit here. With you, Sereina, every kingdom is represented. So what’s this Bobbie doing at our table?”

I have to say, I was stunned. I’d never heard of these four kingdoms before or that Leonora only accepted four students. What was this about?

But Sereina stood up for me. “Five chairs. Five students, Cal. You have the special honour not only of dining with the chosen ones from the four kingdoms but also with Bobbie, who comes from the Outside World.”

Cal laughed loudly. “From the Outside World? Sereina, do you really believe in these childish fairy tales? Well, what else can you expect from the Crescendorian people?”

Sereina looked as if someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over her head, and that made me angry. I jumped up, my voice trembling with rage because Sereina was my friend — at least, that’s how I saw her.

“Who the hell do you think you are, you arrogant snob? You know nothing about me or where I come from. You come from Sapiaria. What does that even mean? No matter where you’re from, you have no manners, no decency, and if you’re the best your kingdom has to offer and they send you here to be one of Leonora’s students, then I don’t want to imagine how narrow-minded and stubborn the people in that land must be.”

Everyone stared at me, including Cal, and for a few moments there was silence. Socks purred in my ear, “Well roared, lioness, I knew why I chose you. You have fire.” I nearly grinned at that remark, but it would have spoiled my moment. So I sat back down and fixed my gaze on Cal.

Cal’s eyes flashed with anger. “Five chairs, five students, so it shall be, no matter where you come from. I don’t doubt Leonora, but you will have to prove yourself worthy, Bobbie from Falkenstein.” He practically spat my name out, and I wanted to respond, but Sereina held my arm and pressed it down. “It’s okay,” she whispered to me, “I’ll explain everything to you, but for now hold back. PLEASE.” I took a deep breath and did her the favour.

Amir and Trisha watched everything silently without saying a word or taking sides. I’m sure they had their thoughts, but they didn’t show at all what they were thinking. When the blonde girl brought their food, they ate quietly, but I noticed they were still watching me and Cal.

Well, they probably didn’t want to rush things or bet on the wrong horse too quickly. But I didn’t care. I only felt sorry for Sereina, who had been so badly insulted by Cal for standing up for me. She really didn’t deserve that.

The rest of the meal passed very quietly without further incidents. When I finished, I stood up and nodded to Sereina, Amir, and Trisha; Cal, that arrogant bloke, I ignored. Socks jumped onto my shoulder and we left the dining hall.

This was going to be interesting if we were really all going to be taught personally by Leonora. I was 23 and thought I had already left school behind me. At least it was about Tarot, but deep down I wanted to experience adventures and discover new cultures.

I remembered those days back in 1922 in Egypt. Howard Carter — whom my father had supported anonymously — had discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb, and I had been able to take a look inside.

That had sparked a fire within me. I just wanted to know more — about people, their lives, their wishes, their longings, their dreams, what moves them in life and beyond. And that was exactly what I wanted to discover in Tarcania if I was stuck here anyway.

Somehow my feet found their way to my room, and I washed my face with cold water from the basin. After getting ready for bed, all I wanted was to lie down. But Socks was already there, right in the middle of the blanket.

I would have to find a way to work around him somehow. Cats… With a smile, I crawled under the covers and fell asleep — hoping to wake up in time so I wouldn’t give Cal another reason for mockery and scorn.

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05: How I met Socks

I left the Guild and strolled down the winding alleys. Wherever I find myself, my first step is always toward the market, for it is there that life pulses strongest – and why should Tarcania be any different?

I love diving into the colours and scents when travelling, even if the aromas are sometimes less than pleasing or the sights a bit challenging for European eyes. I remember the Arabic souks with their butchers and camel heads hanging from hooks. The clearer the eyes, the fresher the meat, that’s what my guide once explained, though I’ve never felt the need to try everything. Although refusing offered food is generally seen as rude, citing religious reasons is usually accepted—and that’s often how I managed to avoid camel, beetles, and other unidentifiable dishes.

In Tarcania, the market that weaved through the narrow alleys burst with colour and life. It was really fun to snack the dried peaches, crack the roasted pistachios, or simply take a break with a glass of spiced wine. There were also many fruits I didn’t recognise. It was clear I looked like a stranger, and now and then a merchant would offer me a small taste. My favourite was a fruit with a purple rind and white flesh, sweet, juicy, yet with a hint of tartness. I’ve forgotten the name but never the taste. The closest I found later was dragon fruit, which I tried in Mexico.

I still had Marcus’s coins, but I absolutely had to find a way to earn money myself. I hoped the guild would support me in that. I made a mental note to ask Sereina when I returned.

Of course, I was also drawn to the different Tarot decks. There were so many varieties, yet the core idea was always the same. It was probably for the best that I had so little money, or I would have returned to the Guild with at least three or four new decks. One in particular caught my eye – the Fool, my favourite card, was a woman, and instead of a dog, she had a cat as her companion.

Back home in Falkenstein, we had dogs, of course, but also cats that lived in the granary, keeping the mice in check. I loved their independence, though they were half-wild and sadly not the sort you could cuddle. I always regretted that a bit, but I admired their grace and self-assurance.

I let myself drift through the streets and alleys of Tarcania, slowly getting used to the thought of staying here for a while. I probably had no other choice, if Leonora’s words were to be believed, so why worry too much about something I couldn’t change?

The market stalls became fewer as I moved further down into the city. Instead, there were more houses and taverns. I saw women washing clothes in tubs, and children playing with hoops, balls, or small dolls sewn from scraps of fabric. The whole city had a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere. I really felt comfortable in Tarcania, and bit by bit, my usual sense of adventure started kicking in again.

The afternoon was slowly giving way to early evening, and I remembered that I had planned to meet Sereina in the dining hall at sunset. But then, as I passed a narrow alley, I heard a pitiful meowing. I couldn’t just walk on. The Tarot image of the female Fool with her cat came back to mind.

I turned into the alley, and there, sitting right in the middle of the path as if waiting for me, was a small black kitten. He looked at me with such soulful eyes that I couldn’t resist picking up this little bundle of fur. I have to admit, he was irresistibly cute, but he smelled like the gutter. And he meowed so pitifully, as if he hadn’t eaten in days.

It took less than a heartbeat for the little fellow to enchant me. I fell in love. I looked around, but there was no one in sight, no mother cat or other kittens. I glanced into the courtyards and asked a woman who was hanging up laundry if she happened to know where the little guy belonged. She just laughed and said he belonged to no one, a street cat, like so many others.

I looked into his eyes and asked, more to myself than to him, “What are we going to do with you, little one?” And then I heard a voice in my head: “Feed me, what else? I’ve chosen you, and now you’re responsible for me.”

Tarcania continued to surprise me constantly, and that wouldn’t change until the day I left. Alright then, I could apparently communicate telepathically with at least one animal here. Why not? This could get interesting.

“So, you’ve chosen me. And what’s your name?”
“You have to give me a name, for I am your soul companion, your familiar, and you are responsible for me,” the little cat purred.

Well, he was black, with white paws. “How about Socks?” In that typically feline way, he replied, “As good as any other name. So be it. Now, my stomach’s growling. What’s for dinner?”

Hunting mice was out of the question. He was far too small for that, and now that he was apparently my familiar, I had to take care of him. I had hoped he might be as low-maintenance as our farm cats back home, but that hope was soon to be proven wrong.

Socks climbed onto my shoulder, and so, with my new friend, I made my way back to the Guild. Along the way, I started to worry a bit. I had no idea how Leonora or Sereina would react to Socks.

Just before sunset, I returned, and Sereina was already waiting for me. When she saw Socks on my shoulder, she grinned. “You’ve already found your familiar – that was quick. Some of us have special animals, but most people don’t. The fact that you have a cat, even such a young one, shows that you really are the chosen one.” I sighed, resigning myself to fate.

“Don’t worry about Leonora. She knows, and she has a familiar herself, as do I. Mine is a tortoise. There’s one thing you must remember: never, under any circumstances, reveal the true name of your familiar to anyone. That name is for you alone. Never speak it aloud, because you never know who might be listening. This is really important.” Sereina grew very serious, and I took her words to heart, promising to follow this rule.

“And only you can hear your familiar’s voice. If he has called you, then you truly belong together. Was that the case?” I nodded. “If it makes things easier, you can give him a second, public name. That often simplifies things,” she added with a grin.

“Now come on, you two, dinner is waiting.”

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04: The Tarot Guild

Before I left the Golden Chalice, Marcus gave me a few coins. “Just in case, and you can give them back to me before you leave Tarcania.” I was so grateful to have found a friend so quickly here.

I left the Golden Chalice and walked through the narrow streets. Marcus had said that I would find the Guild if I just kept heading uphill. At the highest point of the town, there would be a small park, and there I would find an imposing gate.

Alright then, I followed the streets, passing charming half-timbered houses and small stone cottages, stalls selling fabrics, fruit, vegetables, pots, dishes, trinkets. Again and again, I saw Tarot cards laid out on the tables.

The people were dressed in all sorts of styles. Some reminded me of the Orientals in Damascus, which I had recently left, others looked as though they had just arrived from India, while some were draped in light, flowing robes.

If someone had asked me, I would have said they came from every corner of the earth, but of course, I wasn’t in my world anymore.

I really had to pull myself together to keep walking, as I loved wandering through markets and street stalls in foreign lands, carefully taking in every detail.

Whether in Ceylon, India, Nepal, or Siam, markets always fascinated me, for that was where life happened. I enjoyed tasting exotic foods or simply watching what people bought, what they liked, what they needed for life or pleasure.

After a while, I finally reached the heart of Tarcania and stood before the gate of the Guild.

I was speechless, for the gate was in the Art Deco style, an artistic movement currently very popular in Europe and even overseas. And now, here it was, this stunning gate in Tarcania! It truly was a magical place!

Overwhelmed I stepped through the gate and walked toward the Guild house.

I reached for a bronze door handle and heard a faint ringing in the distance. A few moments later, a young woman, only a little younger than me, opened the heavy wooden door and smiled at me.

I smiled back, not really surprised when she said, “You must be Bobbie. Marcus sent you, didn’t he?” I was slowly getting used to the fact that Tarcania was a very special place.

She stepped aside and invited me to come in. “I’m Sereina,” she introduced herself, turning around as I followed her up a winding staircase to a simple wooden door. “Leonora, the Guild Mistress, is already expecting you,” Sereina whispered, opening the door.

I stepped inside, and my eyes fell on a beautiful woman. I had imagined the Guild Mistress to be much older, and I had to suppress a grin. Yes, even I am sometimes full of prejudices, despite all I have seen and experienced.

Leonora was seated at a table, with numerous Tarot cards spread out in front of her, deeply absorbed in one of the cards.

I paused and waited to see what would happen. She was, after all, the Guild Mistress, and I felt it best to remain quiet until she spoke to me.

After a few breaths, she looked up and met my gaze, her violet eyes seeming to peer directly into my soul. I felt her wisdom, her strength, her determination, but also her devotion to her task, her compassion, and her love.

“We have been waiting for you for a long time, Roberta, and now the time has finally come,” she said in a warm, deep voice. “I am Leonora, the Guild Mistress, but you already know that. I am here to guide you through the mysteries of Tarot and prepare you for your journey through Tarcania.”

A journey? Now she had my full attention! I had only planned to spend a few days here, repair my Dragonfly, and fly back home. And now she was talking about a journey through Tarcania? Not that I wasn’t tempted – I do love discovering new, unknown, exotic lands – but I felt torn.

I was trapped in a world between dimensions, completely dependent on the help of the Tarcanians. Leonora was undoubtedly a powerful woman, and she could certainly help me. But now she was talking about a journey through Tarcania.

I took a deep breath, but before I could say anything, she interrupted me. “I know what you want to say, but don’t worry. Time flows differently here in Tarcania than in your world. You have a task here, and once you’ve fulfilled it, you will return, and it will be as if you had flown straight home from Damascus. But you will be a different person once you have experienced Tarcania.”

Ah. So, I seemed to have no choice. I wanted to say something else, but once again, Leonora stopped me with a glance. I closed my mouth and simply continued listening.

“You will have a room here at the Guild. I will have your few belongings brought over from the Golden Chalice. Sereina will show you to your room. Today, you can wander around the city, but tomorrow, return to me when the bells ring nine times. Then, I will set you your first task, and your training will begin.”

With these words, she turned away and became absorbed in the cards once more.

I had been dismissed, and I left the room with a mixture of anticipation for the adventures ahead and a slight unease.

Roberta. Only my mother called me that, usually when I had done something wrong or when she was angry with me for some reason. This was going to be interesting…

I stood outside Leonora’s room, and Sereina appeared again. She grinned and said, “Leonora is quite special, isn’t she? She can be a bit intimidating when you first meet her, right? But don’t worry, we’ve all felt that way. You’ll like it here in the Guild. You can move freely throughout the house, so make yourself at home.

Tomorrow, your training will begin, and make sure you’re on time. Leonora doesn’t forgive a lack of discipline. Some say she’s a sister of the High Priestess. You’ll have to earn her trust and respect, but if you do, you’ll learn a lot from her and maybe, just maybe, she’ll let you peek behind the veil.

Make the most of today to explore Tarcania, because from tomorrow on, you won’t have much free time before you set off on your journey.”

A sister of the High Priestess? Yes, there was definitely a certain resemblance. I was definitely looking forward to my second meeting with her.

I followed Sereina through the corridors of the Guild, up and down several staircases, through small courtyards, and I wondered how on earth I would ever find my way around here – and, more importantly, how I would ever find Leonora’s room again.

But then I reminded myself that I had never gotten lost in the labyrinthine alleys of Khan El-Khalili or the souks of Damascus, so I would surely manage to be on time tomorrow as well.

At last, Sereina stopped in front of a wooden door and smiled. “This will be your home for as long as you’re in Tarcania. We meet in the dining hall at sunset. Until then, enjoy your time.” With these words, she disappeared.

I opened the heavy wooden door and stepped into my room.

The room was dominated by a large mirror, and I felt a bit as if I were being watched. But I would get used to it, I supposed.

The room itself had a welcoming feel, with a cosy corner by the window, a large bed piled high with pillows and blankets, a table with fresh fruit and a carafe of water, and a comfortable armchair. I could have ended up in far less pleasant surroundings!

Fresh clothes had been laid out on the bed, so I quickly changed, grateful to finally peel off my sweaty, dirty clothes. I hadn’t had a chance to change into something clean since my crash landing.

And now, I was eager to finally explore the city at my own pace.

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03: A morning to remember

I slept long and dreamless, simply too exhausted from the storm, my crash landing, the endless march and then there was the fact that I was supposedly stranded between dimensions. That was definitely something I would have to talk to Marcus about.

The bed was hard, though I had slept in far less comfortable places. It reminded me of a temple in Nepal, where I once spent a night on the stone floor among countless pilgrims, just to witness a sacred ritual at sunrise. That’s something I’ve always admired about India and Nepal – even those of other faiths are welcome to join their sacred ceremonies, as long as they show respect. I can only imagine the faces of my dear Falkensteiners if a Nepali or Indian ever wandered into one of our church services… But I digress.

Even though my bed was hard and my bones ached, I felt somewhat refreshed. It still took me a moment to fully grasp where I was. Tarcania, trapped between dimensions. Phew, that was still hard to believe.

I stretched and washed myself with the cold water in the basin on the dresser. Neither India nor Nepal killed me, so I would surely survive Tarcania. And yes, the icy water did wonders for waking me up properly.

I left my room and made my way down the stairs. Marcus was already up and gave me a warm smile. There were only a few people in the “Golden Chalice”, and they were all looking at me with interest.

Well, if what Marcus told me last night is true, then I was actually something unusual, but could that really be the case?

I took a seat at my table, and Marcus brought over some bread, cheese, and watered-down wine. I remembered… back then, diluted wine and watered-down beer were totally normal. Tea or coffee didn’t seem to exist in Tarcania — or, if they did, perhaps they were like in old Europe: rare luxuries reserved for the wealthy.

Ah well, watered red wine with cheese — at least that went together. I enjoyed my breakfast, not knowing what else to expect that day.

After I had eaten, I reached into my bag and pulled out my beloved Tarot cards. I had bought them only a few months ago in Cairo, after a long negotiation with far too many small glasses of strong, sweet peppermint tea and even more lamenting from the merchant.

In the end, we parted as friends or at least as much as one can be friends with an Egyptian merchant. By the time our deal was done, I knew his entire life story, the jealous squabbles of his three wives, and the endless bickering of his eleven children. If even a third of his stories were true, the poor man deserved some sympathy.

Since that day, I had drawn the cards every single day. Well, I’m not sure if you could really call it “reading” the cards. I shuffled them, sometimes drew one, sometimes three, and simply looked at them. To be honest, I had no idea what to do with them, but the images had a way of captivating me. The figures were so different, the Fool, the Magician, Temperance or those haunting scenes, like the blindfolded woman bound between swords.

The cards resonated with something inside me, even though I couldn’t yet say what.

I shuffled the deck, spread the cards out before me, and drew one. It was the Fool, my favourite card. I had always felt a connection to him, but today more than ever. He steps out into the world without a plan, open and ready to embrace the adventure that awaits him. He carries only a small bundle, just like me. Yet he has a loyal companion in the small white dog at his side.

I, on the other hand, was alone.

I decided to take the Fool as my guide and embrace Tarcania without prejudice– open, curious, ready for whatever might come. After all, that had always been my approach when travelling, whether in the Orient or Indochina. On my journeys, I was always like the Fool — naive, open-hearted, not fully aware of all the risks, somewhat gullible, but determined to soak it all in, enjoy every day, gain new experiences, and learn.

I was still gazing, lost in thought, at the Fool when Marcus took a seat beside me.

He sat there in silence, waiting for me to notice him. When I finally looked up and asked what was on his mind, he looked me straight in the eyes.

“Bobbie,” he said, “you are one of the chosen. Your soul was in Tarcania long before you arrived. Your body has merely followed.”

To be honest, I was pretty surprised. What was that supposed to mean? What exactly was Marcus trying to tell me?

He gestured towards the cards and looked at me intently.
“There is a Guild here – a Tarot Guild – and you should speak with its Mistress. Many things will become clear to you then. For us in Tarcania, these cards are a part of our everyday life in a very special way. Tarot is alive here in Tarcania. But in your world, they are not yet taken seriously, not yet seen for what they truly are: a gateway, a bridge to the soul. The fact that you arrived in Tarcania with your cards, that is something special. You are meant to be a messenger, someone who carries the wisdom of the cards back into your own world.

“There is a tale—some call it a prophecy—that one day a stranger will arrive in Tarcania and learn to read the cards with her heart and her soul. Yet she shall not remain, for when the time is right, she will return to her homeland. Bobbie, I am certain you are that stranger.”

I was honestly speechless. I just stared at Marcus.
Me? A chosen one? Part of some prophecy? Come on…

I burst out laughing and I’ll admit, the watered wine on an empty stomach might have played its part.

But Marcus remained serious.
“Go to the Guild. Speak with the Mistress.”

I liked Marcus, and he didn’t deserve to be laughed at. I bit back the sarcastic remark sitting on the tip of my tongue.
“Alright, Marcus. You’ve been incredibly kind and generous. I’ll go to the Guild and speak with her. But tell me, how can I thank you for the meal and the bed? How can I repay you?”

Marcus waved it off.
“If the Guild Mistress recognises you as the chosen one, then I will be happy simply to have helped you. That is reward enough. But if it means something to you, then read the cards for me, before you return to your land….”

He described the way to the Guild, and I grabbed my bag and my cards. We hugged like old friends, and I set off, on my way to the Tarot Guild.

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