Episode 14: A Fool’s Wisdom

ext. the swamp outskirts night

The outskirts of a deep and gloomy swamp. Firebugs glow, a soft blue mist shrouds the bog. It isn't a threatening place, but rather, a bit idyllic. Jagged black trees frame the dense zone, covered in purple moss and silver dew. Croaking frogs and buzzing cicadas provide a lulling backdrop of weary but comfortable rot to the scene.

The slosh, gloop, slosh of wearied hooves breaks the soundscape. The brown horse of the former Knight of Wands enters the swamp outskirts still bearing Alice. It is slick with sweat, huffing, puffing, but upright. As the horse slows to a stop, Alice slides off its back, he feet landing in the muddied water with a splosh, the water nearly reaching her knees.

Alice strokes the horse for a moment in a spirit of thanks before taking up refuge on a nearby log. She sits for a moment, and we see that the events have drawn on her strength just as surely as they have the horse. Small blue veins clutch at her throat and peak out from the cracked skin near her eyes. The little red freckles on her cheeks softly glow in the dank dark of the bog. Alice steadies herself for a moment on the log before taking a deep breath. The breath travels through her nose and into unseen air passages. It goes deep, deeper than any normal breath could. A pause, Alice’s eyes open- switch purple-black-purple- a crack of bone- a hic of air- and she releases the breath. Smoke, wispy white and clean, exits her mouth, nose, ears- and takes form in front of her- but the outline is not of a man, but rather, a full horse- the Pale Horse in his natural form.

Upon his release, Alice sighs, relieved of a great burden.

VOICE
So it's true. You do have the power of the Fool.

From the shadows of  the swamp emerges the Page of Wands, her bow strapped upon her back. She walks over to the Pale Horse, placing a hand near his nose. The Horse, his own eyes still closed, does not acknowledge the touch, his own smoky exterior still solidifying into the real.

PAGE OF WANDS
He lives. You did a very brave thing, Alice the Fool. Facing two knights and a page on your own.

ALICE
(stands, stretches exaggeratedly, as though finishing a workout)
Yup I...absolutely knew what I was doing. Like a total hero.

Alice hops onto the log and looks around, her hand over her eyes in a mock attempt to play lookout.

ALICE
(swaying)
Actually, I think I’ll wait here for them to find me. And I’ll finish the job.

Alice tries to flex but loses her balance on the log and falls backwards. The Page of Wands, with little effort, deftly moves through the swap water and catches the falling Alice. At first embarrassed, Alice finds herself truck by unwavering gaze of her rescurer.

PAGE OF WANDS
(seriously)
My brother died to ensure your escape. Do not act so carelessly.

ALICE
(quietly surprised)
Um. Oh. Sorry about it.

The Page lets Alice regain her footing, and then lets her go.

PAGE OF WANDS
He died on the field of battle. It's what he'd want.

ALICE
(blurts out)
That's stupid.

The Page turns to the Alice, her face now stone cold. A hand waivers near her bow. However, Alice’s gaze is equally certain- and uncharacteristically serious.

PAGE OF WANDS
What-

ALICE
I don't think anyone wants to die. Not on a battlefield, not at work, not even in their sleep. I think everyone wants to live. So saying someone died the way they wanted is stupid. Your brother wanted to live. If he didn't, he wouldn't have done his best, right?

PAGE OF WANDS
(quietly)
Alice, what in the world…

ALICE
(smiling, breaks into one of her characteristic cat-like stretches)
Well, I guess I'll just have to make good on his sacrifice and live a long time. Maybe forever. That feels about right.

The Page of Wands is left speechless, until all she can do is drop her hand from her bow, her mouth breaking into an unwilling smile.

PAGE OF WANDS
(to herself)
Good grief, the wisdom of the Fool…

Alice walks over to the Pale Horse, gives him a playful nudge with her foot. The Pale Horse stirs.

ALICE
You hear that, horse? I'm going to live. You're stuck with me.

The Horse opens his eyes, sighs, groans. Alice bends forward, her own face a few inches from the Horse’s.

ALICE
(imitating)
Honestly, you're such a pain.

The Pale Horse groans, shaking his head from side to side.

PALE HORSE
Idiot.

The Page of Wands joins the pair, cautiously eying the horse.

PAGE OF WANDS
Can you walk, Pale Horse?

PALE HORSE
(blinkingly)
My injuries are manageable, yes.

The Pale Horse registers the Page for the first time. His gaze hardens.

PALE HORSE
The Page of Meddlers.

PAGE OF WANDS
Nice to see you too, Pale Horse.

PALE HORSE
Does your house know you’re here?

PAGE OF WANDS
Not that I’d have asked for permission, but, yes. The King sent us himself.

ALICE
Oh, yeah. I never thought to ask who you are or why you saved us. That seems important.

PALE HORSE
This is the-

PAGE OF WANDS
I am the Page of Wands. I’ll speak for myself, if you don’t mind, little Horse.

PALE HORSE
Psh.

PAGE OF WANDS
As to the why for my assistance- that’s for the Hermit to tell. And we have an appointment to keep with him.

The Pale Horse trots a slow circle, regaining his bearings. He groans at the mention of the Hermit.

PALE HORSE
More meddlers. More plans. Unnecessary webs and obstacles.

PAGE OF WANDS
(a smirking reply)
Yes, Pale Horse, heaven forbid someone save your life yet again, what a burden it must be to have others who care about your fate.

The Pale Horse pauses, returning a gaze with the Page of Wands, the tension palpable. He then breaks it, trotting off toward the depths of the swamp. The Page of Wands smirks to herself, she knows when she has breached the skin of the immutable horse. Alice, uncomfortable as an outsider, cannot help but burst out into an enthusiastic declaration.

ALICE
Sounds lovely! I bet I'm about to get some training to learn my secret power?

PAGE OF WANDS
(with a chuckle)
He's not that type of hermit.

ALICE
What's the point of living alone in a swamp if you're not going to train heroes.

PALE HORSE
(from some distance away now)
Probably to get some distance away from people like you.

The Page of Wands clasps a hand on Alice’s shoulder. It is reassuring, and the smile now on the Page’s face is that of a friend who always forgives.

PAGE OF WANDS
Lets go find the Hermit.

They trudge forward together after the horse deeper into the unquenchable bog.