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 – and 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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