Tarot

by Marissa Kennerson

  Her hands were itching to work. It was the best way she knew to quiet her mind. She started down the stairs to find Daniel and, she hoped, her new loom.

  When she walked outside, a bead of sweat sprang onto her forehead. The afternoon air was thick with heat. Down at the beach, a group of people were swimming and playing in the sand. Her eyes widened, and she could feel the heat rising to her face. She’d never seen so much bare skin.

  The girls were dressed in two-piece bathing costumes and the boys were bare chested, their bodies bronzed, some curvy and solid, others lean and supple.

  A smaller group was on the sand, batting a ball back and forth with their palms, their hands wrapped in cloth for protection. They were loud and uninhibited, yelling to one another as they hit the ball and laughing when someone missed.

  Anna watched them. She felt compelled to join in, but she was afraid of revealing her inexperience.

  “I’m going into the water. Do you want to join me?”

  Anna’s blush deepened, and she felt the little hairs on her neck rise as James ran up behind her.

  “Hi,” she said, recovering. “I was just going to go look for Daniel.”

  “I’ll help you find him.”

  “I don’t want to upset your plans,” Anna said.

  “We can go in after,” James countered, not missing a beat.

  Anna raised her eyebrows. “You’re persistent.”

  “And you’re avoiding. Lara told me you don’t know how to swim,” James teased.

  Anna frowned at the small betrayal.

  “Oh, don’t blame her.” James chuckled. “You have to learn how. It’s kind of a requirement here.”

  “Later. I promise,” Anna said.

  “Let’s go this way. I saw Daniel heading for the farm shed earlier.” James put a hand on Anna’s shoulder to steer her and she felt a chill run down her back. She kept walking forward, embarrassed, wondering if he could sense her reaction.

  When they got to West Farm, James led her past chicken coops and a large field where cows and goats were grazing, to a large wooden structure painted a bright crimson red.

  “I present the shed,” James said, spreading his arms wide.

  “That’s a very nice shed,” Anna complimented. When they walked in, they nearly stepped on a shiny, russet-colored hound, fast asleep in a pool of sunshine, its nose resting on its oversized paws.

  Anna sucked in her breath. She suddenly thought of Bembo.

  “Dragon, Daniel’s right-hand dog,” James said. “Are you afraid of dogs?”

  “No, the opposite,” Anna said. “I love dogs. I had one called Bembo, and I miss him terribly.”

  “Dan!” James shouted. “Where are you?”

  They heard a loud clatter and walked toward the back of the large space, where old farm equipment, musical instruments, tiles, dishes, glass jars, and other discarded objects where piled high along the walls. Daniel emerged, his long hair tousled, a big splotch of dirt on his nose.

  “Perfect timing. I found it.”

  “Yes!” Anna whooped, and Daniel broke into a grin.

  It was dusty and needed some love, but it was a newer loom than the one Anna had used back in the Tower. Just like everything in Cups, it seemed better somehow, more modern.

  “I don’t know much about looms,” Daniel admitted. “But I think I can tinker with it.”

  “I can help,” Anna offered. “It looks like we’d just need to clean it and tighten the screws.” Daniel walked over to a big wooden crate and came back with rags and tools.

  The three of them set to work in comfortable silence, until Dragon stirred from his sleep and ambled over. When he saw the loom, he bared his teeth in a growl.

  “It’s okay, boy,” Daniel soothed. “It’s a loom. Anna’s going to weave with it.”

  “May I?” Anna said, looking from Daniel to the dog. Daniel nodded. Anna stuck out her hand slowly and waited for Dragon to approach. He narrowed his eyes and sniffed her hand tentatively. His low growl rose into a ferocious bark. Anna leapt back and fell into James, who propped her up until she found her balance.

  “Whoa. Hey, buddy.” Daniel cut in front of Anna.

  “Take him out, Dan!” James yelled.

  Daniel shook his head. “He’s usually so mellow.” He led Dragon outside, and when they were gone, silence fell over the shed.

  “Maybe he’s been talking to Ivy.” Anna laughed nervously, feeling breathless.

  “That’s funny. You’re funny, Anna.”

  “He hated me,” Anna said, perplexed. “My dog never barked at me like that.”

  “He did hate you.” James put his hand on Anna’s arm and gave her a dark look that quickly dissolved into a grin. Anna felt a jolt go through her at his touch. “That was kind of intense, though. Are you all right?”

  “I am.” Anna leaned closer to James until their shoulders touched.

  * * *

  The feel of the loom beneath her fingers was like breathing. She and James had unearthed a crate of treasures in the shed after Daniel left with Dragon. It was full of thread, yarn, and all kinds of trinkets, from sequins to buttons and a rainbow of ribbons. She could hardly believe her good luck. They had created a workroom for Anna in a space at the end of the hallway, opposite her bedroom. It was half the size of her room, but it had a huge window with a view of the jungle.

  First, she wove and sewed a sundress for herself, almost as fast as she’d envisioned it in her head. Light blue to complement her dark eyes, with simple lines that drew in at the bust, inspired by the way the girls dressed in Cups.

  When she finished, she held it, admiring her work. She had an extreme agility with a loom that she hadn’t recognized before. She was fast. She had hours and hours, years upon years of practice, but her tapestries were so large and involved. The end result took time—lots of time.

  The Hermit had taught Anna to weave when she was nine, and before long she had surpassed his skill. Her arms had pulled the loom’s shuttle back and forth as if by memory.

  Anna thought about her father, her real father, a powerful magician. Maybe there was something about her ability to weave so quickly that was a little magical.

  Or maybe it was just the hours and hours of practice.

  Anna sat for a few moments thinking about Lara and her gorgeous strawberry-blond waves, her tinkling, musical bracelets and anklets, the easy way she expressed herself with her body, her warmth and kindness. Anna rummaged around in her new stash of supplies and chose a collection of sea greens and shimmering gold threads to weave a dress for Lara, something for special occasions.

  Anna pulled her hair over her shoulder and worked it into a loose braid before embarking upon the new project. She had woven this sort of dress for the queens in her tapestries, and Lara was a queen, after all.

  * * *

  The sun was setting when Anna heard Terra calling to her from the bedroom across the hall. Perfect timing, she thought when Terra bounded into the workroom. Anna was just sewing the bottom hem of a dress for her using a needle and thread. She tied the stitch off with a knot and then cut the thread closely.

  “Think this will fit?” Anna held up a summer dress the color of the sea at midday, made of a light fabric smocked at the chest, with yellow ribbons for shoulder straps. It flowed out from the waist, hitting right at the knee.

  Terra squealed. “Yes!” She held it up to her small frame and twirled. “Oh, thank you, Anna.”

  Anna grinned at Terra’s joy. A warm feeling spread through her chest. She had dreamed of making new friends when she was a little girl, but she’d had to settle for the people she met in books.

  “Oh!” Terra hugged the dress to her chest and put a hand to her head. “I’m supposed to get you for dinner. It’s almost time.”

  Anna frowned. “Another meal has been prepared, and
I haven’t helped at all.”

  “Don’t worry—you can help with cleanup. Loads of fun.” Terra waggled her eyebrows. “What’s that?” She pointed to the wrapped package next to her loom.

  “It’s for Lara. Want to deliver it for me?” Anna asked.

  Terra’s eyes widened. “Only if you come too.” She grabbed Anna’s hand and looked her up and down. “Is that a new dress too? You’ve been so busy!”

  “Do you like it?” Anna swished the skirt.

  “It’s perfect! Like you.” Terra twirled with excitement. She was effervescent.

  Anna snorted. “I’m hardly that.”

  Terra led Anna down the hall to Lara and Daniel’s set of rooms.

  “Lara?” Terra called from the hallway. “Anna has a present for you.” Lara came to the door, and Terra pointed to the package in Anna’s arms.

  “It’s nothing,” Anna insisted. “Just an offering of thanks for your kindness.”

  “How lovely.” Lara smiled. “Let’s have a look before dinner.” She led them into her and Daniel’s bedroom, which faced a side of the island Anna hadn’t ventured to yet. The lilac remnants of dusk were fading away, and all she could really make out were the black silhouettes of moonlit palms against a darkening sky. A large bed sat in the center of the room, with the same kind of fluffy white blankets and plushy pillows that were in her own bedroom.

  “Let’s see what we’ve got here.” Lara’s bracelets jingled as she unwrapped the package and unfolded the dress. Her breath caught. “Anna, it’s divine. How on earth did you create this in an afternoon?”

  “She made three dresses, but that one is the fanciest!” Terra exclaimed.

  Lara held the bodice up, a faraway look in her eyes. She set the dress down gingerly and wrapped Anna in a light embrace. “It’s magic, Anna.”

  * * *

  After dinner, Anna returned to her room, grabbing her satchel and going outside to sit on her patio until the race started.

  She opened the bag and lovingly pulled out the Hermit’s lantern, setting it on the little mosaic table beside her. Above her was a wood pergola that shaded the patio from the sun in the daytime, and when she lit the lantern, the little star in its center threw patterns of light onto the slats. She reached back in her bag and dug around until she found her aunt’s necklace in the bottom lining. She took it out, placing it around her neck and tucking it into her dress. She smiled, wishing her advisors were there with her.

  Along with weaving, the Hermit had taught Anna how to cope with solitude in the Tower. He showed her meditation and breathing techniques, how to close her eyes and count each breath. How to visualize a tiny, golden spark within and let it grow and grow until it covered her whole body, flowing through the Tower, over the Keep, and even out into the stars. This was how she’d fought loneliness when it had scratched and clawed at her all those years.

  Now she found that a little solitude offered her solace.

  She dipped back into her bag and removed her tapestry remnants. For a moment she was overcome with loss. What had felt like great pieces of art were now reduced to these haphazard squares. But as she started to examine them, shuffling through them in her lap and holding them up one by one, she changed her mind. She organized them by land, putting them in separate stacks on the table. She found that when she was able to hold them in her hands, turn them and view them at different angles, they transformed. She could hold and manipulate them, turn them upside down and watch them take on new meanings.

  She took some shears from her workroom and began to clean the edges of the tapestry pieces until they formed a neat stack. She took a deep breath and smiled.

  Sounds of laughter floated up from the beach. Race time. She marveled at the fact that she could just walk down the stairs and join the activity. How many times had she imagined people beneath the Tower, wanting to join them by their fires, to listen while they told one another stories and drank their mugs of ale?

  Anna packed up her tapestry pieces and blew out the lantern. She was going out tonight.

  When the Hermit reached the Magician’s chambers, he found her up and pacing. He was struck by the beauty of her long hair, which spilled down her shoulders in waves of chocolate brown, and her skin, restored to its natural olive tone.

  “There you are! What took you so long?” The Magician turned to him and immediately began winding her hair into a braid.

  “The meeting went on after you left,” he said.

  “Did I miss anything? Sit.” She pulled out two chairs from a small wooden table. A vase of fresh white and red lilies sat in the middle.

  “No, not really,” the Hermit said, taking a seat.

  She squinted at him. “Did you stop to meditate on the way here?”

  “I did. I am of no use to anyone if I am not centered.”

  The Magician stopped pacing and looked at her friend. “You know most of us are off-center for the majority of our lives.”

  “My point exactly,” he said.

  The Magician snorted. “Well, it takes all sorts.”

  “It does indeed,” the Hermit agreed. “You seemed to have recovered.”

  “I’m getting there.” The Magician looked around and lowered her voice. “I need some supplies for a tracking spell. The King has asked me to perform one tonight, but I want to try it here first. I’m worried that if Anna is still nearby, then the spell will lead him straight to her.”

  “Is that wise?” The Hermit furrowed his brow. “What if we get caught? What if it can only be performed once? What if you get all green and gaggy again?”

  The Magician collapsed into the chair across from the Hermit.

  “The King will lose his patience if you are not well by this evening.”

  “You might have a point.” The Magician tapped her foot.

  “You were quite ill before. So pale, you looked near death.”

  “Thank you for that,” the Magician sneered.

  “I just think you should rest and prepare yourself for tonight’s spell. If Senator Bassett gets suspicious, he might connect your sudden illness with the Tower falling and Anna’s escape,” the Hermit said.

  The Magician sat up. “But what if I do lead him right to Anna? What if she’s hiding somewhere right under our noses, and I expose her?”

  “Could you manipulate the spell? You’ll have all of your supplies.” The Hermit raised his eyebrows.

  “Hmm.” She smiled at him. “Might there be a little deception in your nature after all?”

  “We all have deception in our nature. The best way to handle it—”

  The Magician held up her hand. “I’m sorry, friend, but your philosophy is wasted on me.”

  The beach was alight with torches, their swirls of orange and blue flames dancing against the darkness. The light reflected cobalt and crimson on the sea’s vast black face. Along the shore a horde of people whooped and hollered, barefoot in the cool night sand.

  “It’s about to start, Anna!” Henry beckoned for her to join him and Terra at the front of the crowd.

  “Be quick!” Terra shouted.

  Anna darted over to them.

  “We start the race, and Daniel and Lara are down at the other end to mark the finish line.” Terra heaved a huge yellow flag over her shoulder. “You can help me wave this thing. It weighs a ton.”

  Anna took a deep breath to settle her nerves and ran with Henry and Terra toward a small group on horseback at the starting line. James and Ivy were among them, their horses side by side, but their faces were tight with focus and neither of them noticed her. Anna felt a pang of jealousy.

  “Okay, everyone!” Terra held out the flag, and together she and Anna raised it high above their heads. “When the flags go down, you take off!” Henry followed suit, hoisting his own flag above his head. The horses shuffled their hooves in the sand. “Anyo
ne who moves early will be disqualified!”

  Terra’s voice boomed down the beach. Anna raised her eyebrows, impressed by her commanding presence.

  “On three?” Henry whispered.

  “On three,” the girls answered. Anna’s heart drummed in her chest. She held on tight to the flagstaff as Henry began the countdown.

  “One, two, three!” Anna and Terra dropped the flag, and the riders rushed past them, kicking up sand and letting out a symphony of cheers. The hairs on Anna’s arms and neck stood up, and she realized she was screaming along with the others. They watched the contestants disappear into the night as they stormed toward the finish line down the shore. Henry laughed heartily, breaking away from the group and falling down onto the sand. Anna and Terra joined him at a spot halfway between the villa and the ocean.

  “I’ve got to learn to ride a horse. And swim,” Anna stated. Henry and Terra studied her expression. She smiled back at them, but sadness glinted in her eyes.

  “No time like the present,” Henry said, looking out at the sea.

  Anna shook her head and scooted away from the shore. She thought of how she’d rejected the same offer from James. Maybe she was avoiding the inevitable, but the sea looked terrifying in the dark.

  “Let’s just get your feet wet,” Terra offered. “Let the water run over your toes.”

  Anna screwed up her face, eyes closed. She blew out a long breath and opened her eyes again. “Just the toes,” Anna said, eyeing Terra and Henry.

  “Just the toes,” they agreed.

  The three held hands. They looked at one another and approached the water. The riders were long gone. Anna couldn’t even hear them anymore.

  The sea felt like a warm bath on Anna’s feet. She pressed her lips together and ventured a look at Terra. Her eyes danced with excitement. Terra smiled back, and Henry winked at her. A warm breeze picked up the hem of Anna’s dress, and it fluttered around her knees.