Divine Apostasy Book 7 - Chapter 18

Chapter 18

[Author’s Note: I am outside my normal routine and have not had a chance to even reread these three chapters before posting them. Expect them to be much rougher than what I normally post.]

Echo had found the Bamboo Viper Clan portal ring and Ruwen, Sift, and their twenty-four Adepts joined them three hours later. Once past the bridge, no one bothered them. Either the other Clans had witnessed what had happened on the bridge or word had spread. Regardless, the run across the plains toward the foothills resulted in no fights.

Echo avoided Ruwen, not even making eye contact with him. He wanted to say something to her, to congratulate her for doing the right thing, but his Wisdom stopped him. What she had done went against her nature and upbringing and that had to cause confusion and uncertainty. She certainly didn’t look happy.

They spent an hour tending to the wounded and then Ruwen insisted everyone rest for six hours while he kept watch. Tarot reappeared and Ruwen wondered what the Thieving Misfortune Golem had been doing. Probably thieving.

Sift flew high overhead, giving the excuse he kept watch for approaching enemies, but Ruwen knew he just wanted to have fun. In fact, he’d been forced to compliment Sift’s flying to get rid of the taste of maple syrup caused by the Uneven debuff from the quest That’s Not a Number.

Ruwen focused on Sift high above and used Sphere of Influence to send him a message. Tarot said he’d give you a free reading because you take such great care of Shelly.

Keep your golem away from my turtle.

They know each other from before. He might have stories about Shelly.

Sift remained silent for ten seconds. Well, I guess that would be interesting.

Come get your reading then.

I don’t like cards and I already know my future. It’s amazing.

Ruwen rolled his eyes. Ignore the divination piece and do it for the three spells you get.

I get spells?

Ruwen knew this would get Sift’s attention. He always complained about the unfairness of Ruwen’s spellcasting abilities. The grumbling had decreased since Sift had learned to use his soul to power things like flying, but Ruwen knew the opportunity to cast more would overcome Sift’s natural reluctance.

Ruwen answered Sift’s question. Yes, you get three spells related to your cards. Once they’re gone you can get another reading and get three new ones.

Sift angled toward Ruwen and descended rapidly.

Ruwen did his best to hide a smile and glanced at Tarot who circled their position like a vulture looking for a corpse. He used Sphere of Influence again. Can you do that reading for Sift now?

Sure, Tarot replied as he altered course toward Ruwen.

In seconds they had both arrived. Sift stood next to Ruwen and Tarot floated in front of them on a deck of cards. Ruwen prepared to translate between the golem and Sift.

“Hey, little man,” Sift said to Tarot.

Ruwen stared in disbelief at Sift. “You speak his language?”

Sift shrugged and glanced at Ruwen. “My parents made me learn enough Sacred to read old scrolls and hold a conversation.” Sift turned back to Tarot. “I heard you’re handing out spells. Are they burnt?”

“Burnt?” Tarot asked.

“He means good,” Ruwen offered.

Tarot sighed. “The spells always relate to the card, but the details are new every time.”

“Is there a donut card?” Sift asked.

Tarot stared at Sift for three seconds before responding. “No.”

“You need better cards.”

Tarot rubbed his forehead. “This was a mistake.”

“Welcome to my world,” Ruwen responded.

“Ask your question,” Tarot said to Sift.

“I—” Sift started.

“Don’t waste this on your dumb bakery,” Ruwen quickly interrupted.

“It’s not dumb,” Sift said. “You need to dream bigger, Starfield.”

Ruwen and Tarot locked gazes, their mutual suffering a shared bond.

“Fine,” Sift said. “I won’t. I’ll ask about Lylan.”

“Wait till I tell her she was your second pick,” Ruwen said.

Sift glared at Ruwen. “If I survive that, you will never be safe.”

Ruwen grinned. “Still worth it.”

“Are we going to be here all day?” Tarot asked. “I have things to do.”

Ruwen turned back to Tarot. “What could you possibly be doing.”

Tarot glared at Ruwen. “I’m a busy golem, and this is a target rich environment.”

Ruwen immediately reached down and checked to make sure he still had his belt.

“Hey!” Sift yelled. “Stop doing that! Give my belt back.”

Tarot shook his head as the dimensional portal over his stomach opened. He reached in and flicked Sift’s white belt to him. “I took that like twenty minutes ago.”

Sift snatched the belt from the air and quickly tied it around his waist. “I really don’t like golems.”

Tarot smiled, stepped off the deck of cards, and locked eyes with Sift. The golem hovered in the air and Ruwen wondered what powers the tiny creature possessed. “Ask your question, Sift the broken Sifter, Sage of the Sky, and Champion of two worlds.”

“I’m not broken,” Sift said. “Just not as good as before.”

Ruwen wondered if Sift ever regretted attaching his Air Meridian to his center when they left the Spirit Realm. It had allowed him to fly, which he had improved with his Soul magic, but came at the cost of reducing his sifting of spells and Energy by half. He took far more damage now than before.

Sift looked into the sky for a moment, closed his eyes, and whistled.

“Winter Wren,” Tarot said.

Sift nodded at the golem. “I like you a little better.”

“Do you know any other birds?” Ruwen asked, having heard the same bird whistle a dozen times.

Sift pointed at Ruwen.

Tarot shook his hands, stopping Sift from speaking. “You two run from topic to topic like chickens on mynthyl.”

“Oh,” Sift said, nodding knowingly. “You should ask Ruwen about chickens.”

“Stop it!” Tarot said. “Ask your question already.”

Sift rubbed his chin and narrowed his eyes in thought.

“I know there’s nothing going on in there,” Ruwen said. “You’re faking. Come on.”

Sift glared at Ruwen. “Fine.” Sift faced Tarot and placed a hand over his heart as he asked his question. “How is Lylan?”

The cards exploded outward, spinning rapidly. Tarot clenched his hand and the cards collapsed into pile, fighting with each other to enter the stack. He did this six more times before the deck stilled in front of Sift’s chest.

“Cut?” Tarot asked.

“Of course,” Sift said. “I live with a bunch of Shades, and they’re all cheaters.” Sift considered the deck carefully and continued. “Never play cards with a Shade should be their first rule.”

Sift carefully pulled the top card off and slid it onto the bottom. “Thin to win.” He stood up straight and clapped his hands. “Come on, baby worm biters need shoes.”

Tarot rolled his eyes. “This is not gambling. Are you sure the Shades are cheating? You don’t seem very good at this.”

“Please, I let those thieves win.”

Ruwen raised his hand. “Why do worms need shoes?”

“Stop it!” Tarot shouted again. “What is wrong with you two?”

Ruwen and Sift locked gazes for a second before Ruwen turned back to Tarot. “You’ll need to be more specific, because we don’t have time to go over everything.”

Sift pointed at Ruwen. “His issues take up most of the list.”

Ruwen faced Sift to argue.

“Heavens below,” Tarot said before Ruwen could speak. “I’ve never felt more misfortunate in my long life.”

“I’m really good at advice,” Sift said. “I’ll think of something to cheer you up.”

Tarot held up a tiny finger. “No.”

Before Sift could respond, Tarot continued. He looked into the sky and his voice grew louder. “Harken lost soul. You stare into the abyss. Prepare yourself for its gaze.”

Like before most of the Adepts walked over to watch.

With a flourish Tarot spread his arms, and the cards exploded once again. They formed a circle of seventy-eight cards hovering in front of Sift.

Tarot continued in a loud voice. “I, Tarotmethiophelius, a Divine Fortune Golem forged from the mists of heaven, touching past, present, and future, offer this fortune.”

Tarot lowered his head and locked eyes with Sift. “Champion, choose three cards.”

“I like the sound of champion,” Sift said. “You’re growing on me TM.”

Ruwen already knew to take the Thieving Misfortune Golem seriously, and he wondered if this meant Sift would eventually win the Step Championship.

Tarot continued. “Concentrate on the deck and choose three cards. Your reading awaits.”

Sift immediately pointed at the first three cards.

“You heard me say concentrate, didn’t you?” Tarot asked.

“I did,” Sift said.

Tarot shook his head. “One, two, and three,” Tarot said.

As Tarot uttered the numbers, the cards Sift had chosen glowed, softly and then brightly as white sparks engulfed them. They floated from their places in the circle to the center of the ring.

Sift grimaced as three miniature cards, identical to the ones floating before him appeared on his right wrist. He turned his wrist and studied the black, gold filigree covered, cards.

Tarot raised his arm and the dimensional portal in his stomach opened. The remaining seventy-five cards flew into the portal, and it disappeared. The three glowing cards slowly lowered until they lay perpendicular between Sift and Tarot.

Tarot pointed to the first of Sift’s cards. “Lylan’s situation,” the golem intoned.

Sift hesitantly reached forward as if scared what the card might reveal, and slowly flipped it over.