After Alice left, Arias lays down on the carpet. Why am I even here? He wonders. On a whim, I followed Myriam, but now there's a hero involved… This stinks of fate, and I don't like it… He thinks, somewhat worried and… somewhat excited…

The shuffling of children running resounded.

“Tell him! Tell him, big brother! That I'm going to be a great hero!” Alice calls out as she runs over.

“She is not! You're a liar, Arias!” Rodrick calls out as he stops in front of Arias to point at his nose.

Arias lets out a chuckle. “It’s true. It’s what the cards said.” He says honestly.

“Hmph! If Alice is going to be a hero, then I’ll be crowned king! That’s the rules!” Rodrick exclaims as he crosses his arms.

Arias smiles. “Who knows; maybe.” He says.

“Okay. Do the cards; I want to see.” Roderick says.

Arias lets out a sigh. “Okay, but this is the last one. I hate looking at the future, it makes me queasy.” He says as he takes the cards out once more. “Okay, sit down and we’ll start.” He says.

Rodrick sits down obediently and looks at the cards intently. For him, this was possibly a defining moment, a confirmation of his fate, or of his future greatness. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t excited.

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Arias pulls out a card. “Four of swords. Okay, the warrior is taking shape. Not bad.” He says before pulling out the next card.

Arias raises an eyebrow. “The Anchor? Hmm. Wrong deck?” He asks. No, the magic activated… Wonder what it means… He thinks, before deciding not to think too deeply.

“Anchor? What anchor? It’s not a crown?” Rodrick says, a little disappointed but curious.

Arias smiles. “Relax. Just wait.” He says as he flips the next card. “King of Wands.” He says with a raised eyebrow.

“King!? Did you say king!?” Rodrick exclaims excitedly as he stands up.

Arias grabs onto Rodrick’s hand. “Relax, sit down. These things aren’t always what they seem.” He says.

Rodrick tries to calm himself and he sits back down. “Well, what does it mean?” He asks, a little worried.

“Hmm, not sure. Yours isn’t as prominent as Alice’s. Maybe, if you walk with steady steps, with a warrior’s discipline, and a king’s ambition you’ll become… I don’t know. It doesn’t say.” Arias says before letting out a laugh.

“What! What do you mean it doesn’t say!?” Rodrick exclaims.

Arias shrugs. “What can I say? If it doesn’t say, it doesn’t say.” Arias says, looking helpless in the matter.

“Then do it again! Make it say!” Rodrick exclaims.

“I can’t. I already said it was the last one. And that’s basically binding if we’re performing a divination. Besides, yours wasn’t so bad; if it’s read logically, it speaks of great things for your future.” Arias says, hoping to sooth the child.

“Hmph! The cards just don’t want to admit that I’ll be king! They’re jealous!” Rodrick exclaims before standing up and running off.

Arias lets out a chuckle. “Maybe.” He says.

…

…

Late in the evening, Myriam and Arias took a carriage to Myriam’s house. It was smaller than her parent’s house, but it was still quite a bit bigger than normal people would be able to afford.

Unfortunately, now that Arias would have his own room, it would be inappropriate for Myriam to snuggle with him as they slept. So she settled for tucking the boy in.

“I heard you performed a divination for your cousins. You said that Alice would be a hero?” Myriam asks, curious. She had no idea where the boy picked up such a skill.

Arias smiles. “Yes, a hero. I’m a little afraid.” He says, amused.

“Where do you learn divination? I’m told it requires a vast knowledge to be accurate.” Myriam asks, continuing to probe for information.

“Hmm, maybe. It’s something I used to scoff at, until a witch told me my destiny. Then… I couldn’t laugh at it any longer…” Arias says with some melancholy.

“Oh? What did the witch say?” Myriam asks, amused.

Arias smiles. “I’ll tell you this, that witch couldn’t predict where I’d end up today.” He says as he looks to Myriam.

Myriam smiles. “I’m sure no one could.” She says as she leans in to kiss the boy’s hair. “Goodnight, Arias. Sleep well.” She says.