The voice behind the mask was old, thickly accented with Vistani inflection, and did not match the young hands working the cards.<br/>"There are no guarantees when it comes to the Threads of Fate, child."<br/>In a forceful flourish the shadow of her fingers spidered over the tarokka cross, and her fists clenched white-knuckled, calling down powers unseen from the raging storm with a magician's panache.<br/>"Events beyond our control entangle us. The cards allow us to peer beyond our immediate, to perceive the lay of these threads stretching away from us in Rema's web. The cards show us what may be done, but only a fool would look for the will of God in them."<br/>She inspected her hand, for a moment, through the slits of the mask. Exposed a stretch of wrist from lace cuff, and ran nails across the skin in fading white lines.<br/>"We have been drawn here. Let us see where the journey ends."<br/><br/>In the center, one card lay exposed.<br/>(https://i.imgur.com/l3XdnDW.png)<br/>She did not explain the meaning of the card, but moved a fingernail brandished like a dagger, sensing rather than feeling, to the western card.<br/><br/>"Though no madam but the Red Woman may claim dominion here, those who follow her are not satisfied merely to serve. This card tells of the designs of one, which may be the undoing of all."<br/>Sharply the card turned.<br/>(https://i.imgur.com/0aVI9KO.png)<br/>"The first servant of darkness holds domain over that which you seek. Her hands will never wash clean. "<br/><br/>Now the north card spoke to her, and fingers moved unerringly, pulled by strings unseen.<br/>"This card tells of an object of power, the bane of the Red Woman."<br/>Fingernails scissored, and spun the card neatly round to a foreboding image.<br/>(https://i.imgur.com/oabEh6Z.png)<br/>"Behind facade of knowledge lie the fruits of hunting deadly prey."<br/><br/>To the east, her fingers were drawn around the diamond, circling the Traitor in the center without ever acknowledging its purpose.<br/>"Your foe is called by the darkness. The Red Woman follows the threads of darkness willingly, and heeding the pull of this card, you may find her."<br/>A third card tipped.<br/>(https://i.imgur.com/nKv1Khn.png)<br/>"An iron heart bars the way where the conflict will end."<br/><br/>The southern and final card, she savored, taking her time turning it to face.<br/>"At last, this card tells whom fortune would favor."<br/>(https://i.imgur.com/Xhdrqc1.png)<br/>"Ah," she said with a devilish cackle. "It is done."<br/><br/>Back from the cards she fell, heavy nearly to tipping her seat. For a moment she labored to breathe, as though the act of interpreting cards had taken a great deal out of her. And then, out of a restless sleep, hands fumbled for the mask, and pulled it from the sweat-drenched face of Doctor Noire.<br/><br/>Her voice was not the same as it had been under the mask's persona. Doctor Noire's commanding deadpan returned.<br/>"You wished to know, Mlle. Vine-Lott, the fate of the passengers. Now you know the evil which holds them captive. You will want to act on it, I expect, with your guns and knives and murderous intentions. Do it now. By morning, it will be too late for them."