The Carnival at Moonbright

Leaf watched as the door opened before him. He walked up the wooden stairs and into the small room covered by an orange tent. Leaf took a moment to let his eyes adjust as he glanced around the room. Incense burned from hanging plaques on the wall, and herbs like sage and lavender were laid out in bundles across from the entrance, giving off a strange smell that choked his senses. The area had enough room for three chairs and a small table, on which a crystal orb and one small candle were placed. In the chair across the table, a slender but tall woman sat, her eyes watching him as she gestured for Leaf to sit.

“Hello, Leaf.” the woman said. A small deck of cards was being shuffled through in her hands, almost subconsciously.

“Hello Madame Moontremble.” Leaf responded.

He sat opposite her and heard the door creak as it closed behind him. The candle on the table provided the only significant light, casting shadows behind Madame Moontremble to grow up into the ceiling and take hold over the walls. Leaf looked confused as he watched Madame Moontremle set the cards down on the table and reach her hand out.

As her hand moved, a small creature made of shadow appeared next to her, placed a small item in her hand, then disappeared back into the ether. She brought the item to the table and set it down for Leaf to see. It was his identification card, used to access classified information at the Athenaeum in Moonbright.

“Sorry, I’m sure parlor tricks aren’t what you came here for. My little friends tend to pick people’s pockets right as they pass my threshold, so I have extra information. You know, a little dramatic flair to add to the show.”

“I see,” Leaf replied. He took the card off the table and grabbed a book from under his cloak, clasped in a leather holster. Leaf opened the book to the front, where a small card pouch had been placed, and set the card inside it. The book appeared to radiate arcane energy, the ink on the pages adding light to the dim space.

“So, do you just do parlor tricks, or are you specialized in actual divination magic?” Leaf asked.

“Oh, I dabble in a few things. We are in a carnival, though, Leaf. I have to add some flair to make money.” She answered back, her hands moving over the deck of cards.

“I spent most of my youth studying fortunes. Trying to divine the future, look into the past, and understand the intentions of those around me. My full name is Ramona Moontremble, Madame of Taromancy. I assume you came here to see if my work was authentic or simply a ruse. Would you like to test your fate against my cards and see how honest they are?”

Leaf nodded and adjusted himself in his seat to better see the table. Madame Moontremble set the cards before her and waved her hand over them. As if animated, the cards shuffled and turned in front of them before pulling out three cards and finding their final space on the table. She pointed to the card on Leaf’s left and watched as it flipped over to reveal itself.

“The Magician.” She stated. The card was facing Leaf upright, and he looked at it curiously. The card was beautifully designed, with a mage standing at the top of a tower, with lightning in the background under the mage’s control. As Leaf stared at the card, it seemed as though the clouds in the sky of the card were moving with a strong wind, and he could feel a slight breeze take over the room.

“The Magician in this standing position references many things; Willpower, desire, creation, and manifestation. It is clear that in your past, you were hungry for knowledge and willing to do what it takes to reach new heights. You were focused on your craft, even if those around you did not relish in them.”

Leaf watched as Ramona turned her hand slightly and gestured to the following card. The Magician laid down as the middle card rose, flipped over, and turned upside down. On the card, it seemed as if a man was inside a cavern with many crystals. In the distance, just outside the cave, was a desolate landscape with no living plants or creatures. The crystals in the cave seemed to give off a faint sparkle that caused Leaf to look up at Ramona rather than maintain his gaze on the card.

“The Hermit Reversed. Interesting…” Ramona looked at the card, then glanced up at Leaf as if she was glimpsing beyond him for a moment.

“The Hermit in this position represents loneliness and isolation… Like you’ve lost your way. It seems that you have been stumbling for some time, little one. You have been offered a chance at excellence, and you squander it. You work, and I am sure you do good deeds for those that command it, but you do not focus on your potential. You hide away from the world and don’t let those inside who would help you acquire transcendence.”

Ramona smiled, knowing that she was correct. Leaf listened intently, trying to discern whether her skills were accurate or her game was more promising than he anticipated. The world around this small space seemed to be eerily hushed. Leaf knew there were people outside, but he could not hear them. The only noises were his shallow breaths and her voice.

She set her hands down on her lap and peeked down as the card fell into its place, then the next one rose. She faced Leaf before the card flipped and never hesitated from his eyes, confirming further her skills, as she did not see the card’s face.

“The great cosmic Wheel of Fortune, in its upright position… My my my, my gnome acquaintance. Maybe today will be the day that it all transitions for you. Changes, cycles, your inevitable fate… The world pivots and the sands of time have finally reached you. You will be given a choice. Stand or fall back.” Ramona’s eyes lit as if a blaze burned beyond them.

“I normally ask that you pay upfront, but I sensed you would not leave without settling,” Ramona stated, casually and unhurriedly holding her hand out to him. Leaf moved into his pouch, pulled out a couple of coins, and placed them in her hands before nodding.

“Thank you, Madame Moontremble. It was illuminating.”

Leaf turned and began to walk the few steps to the door before hearing her speak up.

“Oh, Leaf. It seems you gave me an extra coin. Here.” She stood up and seated the coin in Leaf’s hand, slightly squeezing it. She motioned to the door, and it opened without being handled.

“I’m only as good as my word.” She smiled and watched Leaf leave.

Leaf walked out of the door, and as it closed behind him, a glint of metal seized his eye from the sun’s rays. A small mechanical device seemed to cause the door to open and close on her own. Looking back, he reflected that one of her rings had a similar coloration. It wasn’t just a ring, but a distantly-controlled machine!

She couldn’t have been right, Leaf thought to himself. It must be a grand parlor trick from an old hag, just like the “magical door.”