Ch 32: Minor Arcana

When selling weapons one should always keep the last one for himself.

– A dwarven proverb

Solomon walked through the open ballroom with his eyes and ears open, not participating, just absorbing everything around him. He counted thirty-four members, fairly evenly mixed between all of the suits. The Major Arcana were not there, likely there wasn’t much they thought they could gain from their lessers. Everyone wore masks and fine clothing, but the type of clothing varied. Some of it was out of date, some was military rather than aristocratic, and many people wore it in ways that were slightly off, as if they were unsure of how they were really meant to look. Many of them also walked with a hunched posture, or seemed to be forcing themselves to look directly at one another’s eyes. With these details Solomon was able to quickly discern the backgrounds of many of them.

As a young man who had been required to attend balls, parties, and high level meetings of the nobility he’d been trained to know who people were by how they held themselves. That wasn’t to say many of the members couldn’t be purposefully putting on an act, but even that possibility would tell him something.

“I am seeking the formula for a love potion, or a spell that can provide the same effect. I would prefer to discuss the price directly with anyone who has it to offer,” said Four of Pentacles, her voice projecting easily over the group.

After only a few moments she was approached by Seven of Wands who broke off from the rest of the crowd to have a quick discussion in one of the rooms along the far wall.

The entire process reminded him of the open markets in Brevantiss, except one could purchase a method to bind one’s will. He considered what he would ask for if he had the chance. A spell to slay or banish a forest spirit? A method of bending a man’s will or placing a suggestion within his heart? A method to hide the fact that he was a mage from others? He wasn’t certain he even needed that, as he didn’t know that others could see mana the way he could. He found himself vaguely interested in the Homunculus book that had been mentioned earlier. He didn’t have an idea of what a homunculus actually was though.

There was the main problem he had. He likely knew less than every individual there. Any question he asked would place a target on his back. There was also the chance that anything he requested he’d be able to find within the Repository. The risk involved and the size of the Repository though made him hesitant to be too reliant on it. He’d certainly study what he could find within it when he could, but there was no way he could completely rely on it to find what he needed.

He listened to a few more transactions and then he decided to seek one of the higher ranking Pentacles. It didn’t take long for him to find the Knight of Pentacles. Unlike those wearing masks, she was wearing a helmet with a single pentacle on the faceplate. She was leaning against a pillar, looking up at the mural of the Major Arcana. She wore an older style of military garb with a yellow longcoat from a nation he couldn’t discern.

Her helmet turned to regard him as he approached.

“Ace,” she said in a husky voice.

“Knight,” he responded.

“Welcome to the Arcana.”

“Thank you.”

“Questions?”

“Several.”

“One silver, of any nation, per answer. World act as witness.”

Solomon raised an eyebrow behind his mask. “Deal”

He felt a slight shift of mana as if it was blowing in a breeze in their direction.

“Is there an anonymous method of exchange?”

“Yes, there is a room there,” she pointed. “Inside you’ll find a ledger with requests. If you can fulfill then simply fill in your current title next to it. However, only minor Arcana at the level of Page or above can enter their own requests within it.”

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Solomon nodded. He’d wondered what some of the benefits of being at the higher ranks were. It seems he’d gotten two answers from one question.

He nodded to Knight and turned to walk toward the room with the ledger.

“Be wary about accepting certain requests. Many are not as simple as they seem.”

He turned and nodded to her. “Thank you.” He walked the rest of the way across the ballroom and to the ledger room. He saw one person enter, then he entered behind them, but found himself alone in a room with a small raised table, a pen and a book of green leather. He peeled it open and began to read through it.

Seeking: Historical texts related to the Necromancer Rebellion written during the event

Offering: A necromancy spell or ritual of equivalent value

Seeking: The Blood of an Orcish Chieftain, less than three days old