These are the thoughts that fill my head while the others solve Perilli’s tarot equation. It turns out my hunch was absolutely right—the remaining clues we needed were indeed written inside the pentacle platform compartment. Knowing this makes me feel I’ve done my part, especially because I still can’t offer the depth of my tarot knowledge without giving us all away. Besides, Chase is more than capable of working out the details with the coven. This leaves me all the space I need to focus my full attention on getting away with the King of Pentacles once it’s unearthed, along with the rest of the deck.

Cleo had an idea they shared, right before we entered the shack. Once the King of Pentacles is either recovered or possibly destroyed, we use the distraction to snatch the deck from Rosa and run like hell back to Charvan. Inelegant, but straightforward.

Luckily, that’s my jam.

Now it’s up to me to be bold enough to pull this heist off.

Having discovered a Perillian poem written inside the compartment in gold strokes, Rosa, Sherwin, and Chase read it out loud.

THE ARTIST’S DAWN

First, above all else: the work.

Then, the inevitable worry: ineptitude, reception, rejection.

Finally, acceptance and success: a perfect duality.

Most importantly, once stability is achieved: risk it all over again.

We’ve been solving the Repentant equation using tarot history.

Click here

We’ve been solving the Repentant equation using tarot symbols.

Click here

Given the poem’s title, we realize the equation is clearly linked to the Golden Dawn society, as suspected.

Once the others have absorbed the poem, they begin matching this blueprint to the narrowed number set. Quickly, the “King of Pentacles as artist” card story becomes clear: Three of Pentacles, the artist at work. Five of Pentacles, inevitable worry that reminds us to remain present—as Rosa just read for Cleo. Two of Pentacles, flowing forward from balance achieved. Four of Pentacles, stability should inspire risks, not stasis.

Sherwin makes an argument to swap the four and the two, but he is overruled by Chase and Rosa—rightfully so, in my opinion. The initial interpretation just seems to click. It has brought us to this moment, this specific place and time, with the artist’s story fully drawn.

Click here

Rosa uses a flashlight from her phone to check the rest of the compartment. She doesn’t find anything else, but she does illuminate little symbols embedded inside one letter in each line of the poem:

A brush, a frowning mask, arrows of transference, and a raised fist.