“The Arcana? Boy, when you came in, I thought you were about to say you gave up. What on earth makes you want to learn about that magic?”

“I used it. Do you have any information?”

“Sadly. The Arcana magic comes from the Tarot. Simply put, the magic relies on your past. As the major Arcana, when placed in order, show the life of a man starting with the Fool, birth in utter ignorance of the world and hopeful, to the ending in the world and his true knowledge. The ones you can use reflect your own past. Now, I warn you, this magic is very different from any other. Firstly, you don’t choose what spell you’ll use or when you can use them. The card you need, when you need it, will appear but it may not be the one, or the time, you want. A master of this magic knows to trust the cards, but not to rely on them. There are so many stories of people learning this magic and becoming addicted to the power it gives only to be betrayed by it when they needed it most.”

“Thank you, how can I tell which I can use?”

“One moment.”

The woman pulled forth a deck of cards, and a slight light glowed from them. He watched as card after card moved on its own.

“This is your story. First the Fool, we all have that as we enter the world a fool. Next is, Justice, you made a choice that required logic over emotion. The Hangman, after your Justice, you didn’t know how to act. Then, Death, your stalked by this one aren’t you. Then the Devil, you are bound to a moment, or event and can’t move on. Finally, the Tower, disaster. Those are all the Arcana your life will let you use, as of now. Please take these.”

She handed him the deck.

“It is only the minor Arcana, but they are more reliable then the Major one. You still can’t control which you will use, but you can use them when you want. Cups are Water, Pentacles is earth, swords are air, wands are fire. I’ll give you a book to help learn them.”

Once more she went to the back of the shop and came back with a small book. It had a moon on the front and fit perfectly into his pocket. She bid them farewell, and Jackson and Barbara went to pack their bags at the Inn. He figured that when it came out about the death of the guy who issued a request, that there will be funny questions asked. It would bring unneeded attention to him. He already knew where they were going to go, Border town.

The continent they were on was divided into four unnamed countries. They were always at war, and land disputes were common. In all this chaos, along the border were several towns that didn’t bend to any of the nation. Isolated places of peace. Jackson had found a job protecting a caravan heading to one of these towns, called Border Town. Himself, Barbara, and a few other would be doing this job.

…Elsewhere…

In the castle, a new upheaval began. After living here for over two months, some of the females in the class started to notice how different this world’s views were. At first, they thought it was politeness, but with the constant need to assist them started to anger some of them.

“Just yesterday, that knight wouldn’t let me carry some book!”

“You mean the one with the black hair? I know, I wanted to do some scouting and him and his friends said that was no work for a girl!”

“At least you got into the field. They won’t let me do anything. Their scared I’ll get hurt!”

“Wait, don’t you always…”

“Not my point! This place is too patriarchal! Keep women pure! Huh, I heard that Sue got yelled at for showing her legs!”

That is correct, in this world women were seen as lesser to men. Or at least that what it looked like to those from another world. Most women were married off young, sometimes in order to help the family, or establish connections. It was like medieval Europe. Not something modern day girls would understand. They would need to talk to someone, but the queen had no power and the Prince and King would laugh them off.

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“Let’s talk to the Princess!”

Carley led the charge as they sought out the Princess.

…Elsewhere sometime later…

Jackson and Barbara arrived at the caravan early. They were fully packed and prepared to face any trouble. The primary wagon they were put in charge of was for entertainment, it was towards the center of the pack.

“We should be the most protected, as they have several parties on the front and rear, but we’ll be on our own if something comes from the side. It shouldn’t be a problem, as we cleared a dungeon, but…”

Jackson couldn’t tell Barbara that he was worried about her. In the last fight, she was beaten as her physical defense was low. Thinking back, when he fought her, she didn’t try to block as she had armor. That meant if something could get past her defense when she didn’t have it… Jackson refused to think of what might happen. Barbara didn’t seem to share his concerns.

After walking for some time, the pair arrived at the wagon they would be guarding. Seeing them approach, a woman came to meet them. She was about their age, with long black hair and green catlike eyes. She was in a tight-fitting dress with a slit running up her leg. Her outfit was clearly designed to show off her body. Jackson had to regain himself after seeing her.

“Are you the guard?”

“Um… Guards… yes, yes we are.”

“Are you sure? Sweetie, you don’t seem to… confident?”

“No, sorry. I was taken back… That’s all.”

The girl laughed at him and gave him a bewitching smile.

“I am the head of this wagon, and consultant for you. We represent Madame Julia’s house, and I trust you can protect me and my friends.”

“Friends?”

“Co-workers if you will.”

“Right…”

“We can take your things. We’ll keep them on the wagon until we get to the border town. Any questions?”

“No. Wait, what’s your name?”

“I don’t normally tell men, but… Gypsy. Please take care of me.”

Gypsy showed them the wagon, and the first thing that struck Jackson was the lack of men. All the people in the wagon were women of various ages. They were in a similar manner of dress as Gypsy. After putting some of his things on the wagon, Jackson realized something.

“When we chose this spot, we read entertainment? What type do you provide?”

“What do you mean. We entertain in many ways.”

“Like, um… Dancing and Singing?”

“If the clients want. But, most like something… Private. Are you interested in something… Private?”

Barbara, whom seem ignorant of what the conversation meant suddenly jumped in between Jackson and Gypsy. She was red, and Jackson could see the Berserker in her.

“Calm down, I don’t like married men.”

“Oh, I’m not married.”

“I don’t like to steal.”

“Not in a relationship.”

“Wait… What?”

Gypsy seemed dumbfounded at the idea of them not being a thing. It didn’t help that Barbara was getting aggressive, slightly dragging Jackson away.

“If you and her… aren’t thing… what are you?”

“Companions. Two monsters. Common goal type thing. Well, I don’t know her goal. She’s mute, so we don’t talk much.”

Gypsy just watched them, her jaw was open, and her eyes followed them. The wagon was made of wood and was very large. It was drawn by giant black horses, with flaming eyes. On the top was a bird’s nest created for the guards and lookouts to use. That would-be Jackson’s and Barbara’s main spot for the journey ahead. The route would take them through many towns, and a large desert, making them easy targets for bandits. The caravan was almost twenty wagons long, each similar to this one. Looking around, Jackson could see other guards taking their posts on their wagon. As the wagon began to move, Jackson took out his book and started to study the old magic.

As the hours past, and the sun began to set, Jackson once more took over primary guard duty. They been switching every hour, and Jackson decided to take the first night watch. He’d wake Barbara around mid-night for her shift. He was advancing quicker through the book on old magic, now near the end and starting on the second book. The last lesson was quite interesting, stating that one didn’t need words to use all spell but simple actions. An idea from his world came to mind. In many mediums, a character could snap their fingers, and cause an explosion or fire ball. How cool would it be if all he had to do was snap his fingers, and boom? Sure, he only had five fingers, and a single hand making it inconvenient in battle when he was using his dagger… But he’d look so cool. He laughed as he started to practice this idea.

Inside the wagon, Gypsy laid against one of the wooden supports. She feared for her “Co-Workers” as their guards didn’t seem that strong. She knew next to nothing, and the boy was taken back just by her appearance despite having such a cute girl with him. Could they be trusted? No, if it came to it, she could protect the wagon! She didn’t need some little boy trying to act big! She laughed as she wondered if she’ll be able to show them up.