Episode 16: Acknowledged Strength
ext. swamp path night
A swampy biome, lit with dim firebugs and soft glowing green and purple vines. Cutting through the swamp is a lone elevated path. Sounds of crickets, toads, other wildlife beset the path on all sides, a reminder of the living landscape. It is not a threatening place, but peaceful, stagnant, ambient. The Pale Horse and the Page of Wands walk side by side on the path. Ahead of them, Alice, who amuses herself with the sights and sounds of the swamp, wanders forward aimlessly. The Pale horse and Page of Wands speak out of earshot as they proceed, their tones hushed, knowing.
PAGE OF WANDS
So the Alice can cancel and absorb Arcane energy. Did you know?
PALE HORSE
I had some idea. The Moon's light revealed her as a Reversed Card. I wondered if it might not manifest in that way.
PAGE OF WANDS
But to absorb you- a major arcana- that's deeply impressive.
PALE HORSE
I'm a fallen arcana. Not a major. It's nothing so impressive as all that.
PAGE OF WANDS
Is still really kills you to recognize anyone else, huh?
PALE HORSE
Hmph.
Alice, still some ways ahead, leans off the path, gazing deeply into the muddied water, her eye tracking a disturbance. A snake’s head pops up from the water, beady eyes fixed on Alice, it opens its jaws and lets out a hiss. Alice lets out a surprised squeal and falls backwards onto her rear.
The Pale Horse sighs at this foolishness. The Page of Wands cannot help but give a soft, knowing chuckle before casting the next line over her shoulder at the Horse, not looking at him as she does.
PAGE OF WANDS
So what is she to you?
PALE HORSE
You care? After all this time?
PAGE OF WANDS
Perish the thought. But you willingly pulled her out of the Real- her, when there were so many other possibilities. That has to mean something.
PALE HORSE
The Alice-Fool is just a means to an end. I don't care how powerful she is- only that she is powerful enough to get what I want.
PAGE OF WANDS
You still believe you can climb the tower? Even after failing so many times? You're lucky as it is that the last try didn't kill you. And with your true rider dead so long now-
PALE HORSE
(firm)
She is missing. Not dead.
PAGE OF WANDS
(sardonic)
That can’t possibly be hope that I’m detecting.
PALE HORSE
A fact, no more than that. Besides, nothing is out of reach from the top of the Tower.
Alice kneels down to observe a glowing toad. It belches a croak before jumping into the marshy off-path. She stands to gaze down the path- it comes to head, deeper within the swamp. At its vanishing point can be seen a small hovel with a wisp of smoke escaping a single chimney.
