Page 6 of Chivalry is Not Dead

“Friend seems generous,” I mutter.

“Tosh,” she replies. “And he’s handsome. Bring him to me.”

Sanders stills at my side. “How does she know I am handsome? Did you tell her?”

“Oh my gods, no! She’s a witch, a very powerful one at that, with the power of sight.”

“Except I can’t see either of you right now!” Selene calls. “Bring him back here.”

Lifting the curtain, I hold it open for Sanders to walk through. Clank through. We will need to get him some modern clothes.

Wait. No. There’s no we about this. I’ll get him set up with Selene and get back to my very normal, very no-medieval-knights-following-me-around life.

While Sanders settles himself into one of the chairs, I greet Selene with a kiss on each cheek. “Selene, this is Alisander. He’s having some… dying troubles. I figured maybe you could help. Sanders”—I pivot toward him—“would you like to explain your predicament?”

Selene holds up a hand as I take the seat next to Sanders. “No need.” She pulls out her tarot deck and begins shuffling. “I’ll do a reading,” her ancient voice croaks.

“Uh… that’s very kind, but maybe it can wait until you tell Sanders what to do about the dying thing?”

Instead of replying, she shuts her eyes firmly, continuing to shuffle. Bitch.

“The art of divination is quite ancient. Though you may have seen these cards before, Sir Alisander, they were not used for divination until after you initially passed. Tarot is a way for us to gain insight into the past”—her hand gestures toward Sanders—“present”—and then toward me—“and future.” She opens her eyes and winks. “I will draw three cards today to see what fate has to say about your own past, present, and future.”

“But—” Selene smacks the deck down onto the table, effectively silencing me.

“The first card I pull will represent the past.” She flips over the top card in the deck.

Death.

I gasp. “Gods, that’s a bad one! Well, I guess it’s good for Sanders since he wants to die.”

Selene casts an admonishing glance at me. “Have I taught you nothing, child? Hush.”

“Sorry, sorry!” I give her a go on hand motion.

She nods in satisfaction. “While the Death card can be a representation of a physical death, it most frequently represents more of a rebirth. Affecting something of large importance in your life.”

“Like his death?” I hiss, folding my arms across my chest. Selene ignores me.

Sanders leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. Something stirs inside me at the thought that he’s actually taking this seriously—not always the case with newcomers to Auraria.

Selene continues. “There will come a time when you have to decide.”

“Decide what?” I whisper at the same time Sanders nods in understanding. She continues to ignore me instead of answering my question and flips the next card.

“This represents the present.” I look at the card.

The Empress.

“Hmm.” Selene eyes me. “The Empress represents abundance, beauty, creativity. A very feminine card. Together these cards represent a cycle of growth. Potentially a time to let go of the old.”

I can feel Sanders’ eyes on me, but now I’m glued to the cards and the words Selene is saying. “What’s the last one?” I whisper.

Selene purses her lips—I know better than to rush her. She closes her eyes and places her wrinkled hand over the top of the deck. We wait with bated breath while she plays her patience game with me.

“This last card will represent the future.”

It’s so quiet, I can hear the murmur of conversation as people walk by the outside the shop. After what feels like an eternity, Selene flips the card over.