Ep. 33 The Party of the Discarded Pt 3

I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that the world, yet again, is an entirely different (yet still the same) place than it was when I last wrote here a week ago.

I’ve had to write this before- a few times, actually- more times than I’ve ever imagined I’d have to in my adult life-

During the Covid Lockdowns.

During the George Floyd Protests.

During military curfews, elections, riots, trials, court rulings, closures and shutdowns of all sorts.

During countless other tragedies that have afflicted us- ceaselessly- these past 2 years. Tragedies that largely only harm the most disadvantaged among us- but still weigh upon the collective empathy of anyone with eyes to see, a heart to feel, a soul to bear witness.

There’s little that common people- even people of above-average privilege, as so many in the West are- can do on their own to halt the most recent world tragedy.

But rather than rationalize, solve or debate- we can at least offer empathy, kindness and curiosity regarding the circumstances and suffering of others.

And look to those in your own life- especially those who struggle with processing trauma and bad news- and look in on them, ask them how they are doing, stand in curiosity of how they must feel. Remember that not everyone has the same capacity for processing the vicious turns our world takes and be willing to act as a safe space or escape if a friend needs it. It’s tough out there.

And now, on with our story.

int. hermit’s hovel night

Where else would we be but the Hermit’s hovel? And who else would be here but the Party of the Discarded- the Knight of Cups, the Queen of Swords, the Alice, the Pale Horse, the Devil and the Hanged Woman, overseen by the soft light of the Hermit and his lantern? They discuss serious things at the present moment- war, in fact, and what significance it might have upon their mission to ascend the Tower. Let’s pick back up what remains of this discussion.

KNIGHT OF CUPS
War? With The Sun? Nonsense, child.

ALICE
But it makes sense, right? What the Queen of Swords said about “war” and The Sun? If I was brought here by The Moon, it would only make sense the faction opposing us would be…The Sun? Right? And those knights we met in the forest even said they served the Sun, I think, or some lord.

PALE HORSE
(conceding)
We met the knights of Swords and Pentacles on the forest path. They tried to capture the Alice before we repelled them with the help of the House of Wands.

QUEEN OF SWORDS
It is no secret who my house- or what’s left of it- serves. And Pentacles will hire itself out to whoever it sees as strongest. It was only a matter of time before the Sun made its play.

ALICE
Did I stumble into a war?

HERMIT
Not a formal one- at least not one that the Magician and the High Priestess recognize- but the Sun, one of the most powerful Major Arcana, has been gathering cards and houses around him for some time- likely in an attempt to scale the Tower himself and usurp the throne of the Magician and the High Priestess. He has the houses of Swords and Pentacles under his sway, as well as a number of powerful Major Arcana cards who have quit the Tower to follow him. He currently skirmishes with the House of Wands and various un-allied Major Arcana- but it seems that with your arrival he is preparing to formally campaign against all of Arcana.

KNIGHT OF SWORDS
(to Pale Horse in shock)
They made a move against the Alice- against you? They’re so bold they’d challenge a Major Arcana?

PALE HORSE
It would seem they do not hold such a high opinion of me. But the Alice surprised them.

ALICE
They never saw me coming.

PALE HORSE
They won’t make the same mistake twice. They now know without a doubt you are the Awakened Fool, and that knowledge will make them redouble their efforts to capture you.

ALICE
But what would they want with me?

HERMIT
Likely the same thing that the House of Wands wants- to use you to awaken the Tower. Though who can say what The Sun’s objective might be?

KNIGHT OF CUPS
Likely not as benevolent as the Wands’ aims, I should think. The Sun is only bent on one thing- domination.

ALICE
So, I’ve been wondering but- if the Swords serve the Sun, and the Sun is our enemy…

The Pale Horse places a soft hand on Alice’s shoulder and whispers to her-

PALE HORSE
Not now. Her story is not one to be prodded from her.

The Queen of Swords stares meditatively from behind her mask, her gaze falling to a dead point in the room. She does not acknowledge the speculation.

DEVIL
So, I’m a little slow on this stuff- not to mention, already a confirmed non-participant, but allow me to be the, uh…Devils Advocate, I guess, and ask for the sake of asking- we do this thing, this big plan of the House of Wands to get the Alice to the top floor, use her Fool powers to restore the Arcana on the Tower’s top floor and awaken the Tower’s defenses to stop the World Machine and save all of Arcana…where does that leave all of us, exactly? I mean, we’re being asked to risk a war with the freaking Sun and the allied houses, not to mention the potential wrath of the High Priestess and the Magician- and maybe even a showdown with a reality-ending super-monster- there has to be more guarantees beyond a vague promise of “the magical Tower will grant your wishes!”.

KNIGHT OF CUPS
As uncouth as it may be to request a reward, I would also stand to know what I might count upon-

QUEEN OF SWORDS
I would fight my own house, my own kin, should I agree to this mission. I would also know what I stand to gain.

The Hermit sighs, but smiles knowingly. It is a question he anticipated.

HERMIT
Guarantees, eh? A foolish request, but not unexpected. The House of Wands has done its research- and checked it by me, of course- and we agree- your status as Fallen Cards CAN be reversed- and will be, even before you ascend the Tower. You would not even have to await the completion of the task before that comes to pass- merely stick with the Alice as far as conditions require. Your previous ranks would be restored, powers returned. Of course, beyond that, I’m afraid it will be a bit speculative- for wishes fulfilled, past wrongs undone…those you will have to settle for waiting on until you reach the Tower’s uppermost chambers.

ALICE
And what if I want none of that?

HERMIT
(curiously)
Speak, Fool. What is your desire in this?

ALICE
I’m not sure, yet. I don’t have any great wrongs I’d undo- I mean, I’ve had bad things happen, but they’re a part of me- I can’t imagine me without them, even as I can imagine them un-happening. But I don’t want to take those sort of chances. But what I do want- what I’ve always dreamed up- is a Great Silence, an ending, a final bookmark in it all- for everything. Can the Tower do that? Can it really grant a wish that big?

HERMIT
All things are within the Tower’s power. If, when you finish this journey, silence is what you seek- then silence is what you shall have.

The Pale Horse casts a sidelong glance at Alice. She appears satisfied with this answer, if not still restless. The rest of the party looks quizzically at Alice- and a bit worriedly. Pale Horse stands, determined to break this strange inquiry.

PALE HORSE
I commit myself to this quest. I have a debt to the Alice and it is no secret that I have already cast my lot with her. In the name of my former master and before the House of Wands and Major Arcana, I will stand by her and see this through, until such a time as our interests party.

He kneels before Alice, his eyes glued to the floor. Alice, for her part, is a bit embarrassed at this almost knightly display of fealty. The Queen of Swords is the next to rise, and she grips her large sword tightly as she approaches the Alice. The Queen drives her sword into the dirt floor, burying the tip into the ground as she leans forward toward Alice.

QUEEN OF SWORDS
The House of Swords is broken. I have no oath worthy of this task. But my sword is in your service, Alice the Fool, ally of the Moon. Noble or not, I will restore my house, and if you are the key, then you have my word as a lady and a queen I will see this through.

She similarly kneels. The Knight of Cups coughs, breaking the quiet, his armor rattling. He stands, teetering a bit, and steps forward, a weak smile peaking out from under his pushbroom mustache.

KNIGHT OF CUPS
I fear I may be an even greater hidrance to you than a help. But…my heart is stout and overflows at the sight of such stern oaths. In the name of love, I cannot restrain myself when promises are sworn and contracts are forged. Do you think-

The Knight of Swords stumbles forward as he attempts to take a knee, and Alice steps forward to catch the tottering knight. She holds him steady as he takes his knee, and with a small smile, she nods to the Knight. This surprises the Knight, who cannot help but smile warmly back.

KNIGHT OF CUPS
(thick with emotion)
Thank you, thank you.

The Devil and the Hanged Woman remain seated. The Devil’s arms crossed. The Hanged Woman is once again retreated within her giant witch cap. At last the Devil yawns with an exaggerated tone and stands, stretching his limbs out.

DEVIL
Sorry, Fool, but no sale. We’ve had enough of the Tower. If this land is to be devoured, let it be devoured. Makes no difference to those who have suffered enough as it is.

The Devil turns to leave. The Hanged Woman remains, lingering as though to choose words.

HANGED WOMAN
It’s no good.

With this simple exclamation she stands and her small, bare feet softly lift off from the ground. In a free float she joins the Devil at the door to the hovel. Alice moves to follow, but the Hermit raises a hand to stop her as the Devil and the Hanged Woman depart.

HERMIT
Faithless as they may be, they must ofrge their own path, Alice. There is nothing to be done but pray that theirs might cross your own once more.

ALICE
(disappointed)
I just wanted everyone to be together. I mean, we just met, but I feel like I’m missing the whole set now, you know? 100 percent completion? It just seems so sad to get to know someone and then have to watch them leave so suddenly.

HERMIT
There will be many more partings before your quest comes to an end. But bearing such losses will only prove out what we all know to be true- that you have a Fool’s heart- the only heart strong enough to love and trust in spite of the certainty of loss. It is your strength- a weaker heart would close itself off to protect itself first- much as the Devil has…