Sweat collects on my forehead as we scale this final mountain trail, but I try to put that out of my mind. Right now there’s too much at stake to be distracted by physical discomfort.

Once the four of us are reunited, Brendan reiterated our final task: climb the mountain trail leading out of the house’s backyard, to where the Queen of Swords is kept at the peak. He has never made it up there himself, but apparently he sends a trusted friend regularly to make sure his father’s Sworn monument is still in place. Brendan also said there would be no trials awaiting us there, but rather one final choice to unearth the Queen. This final task was designed to be as straightforward as a sword, hard-edged and long, but Brendan claimed all that was required was belief and perseverance.

That was an hour ago, and we still have more to climb. Thankfully, Brendan also provided us with hiking gear before we departed. We started with a short discussion of our individual Hermetic Dawn experiences, realizing the type of cards presented among the four of us was truly diversified. However, the others all exited through a pink door, and they just assumed I did as well. This made me uncomfortable, so I still haven’t told them about my unique Guide invitation. I don’t know why, but it feels like something I should hold on to for myself, for now.

After this, the trail got steep and we lapsed into silence, punctuated only by our labored breaths. It gave me a chance to absorb my Dawn along with the vista below, a stunning landscape of trees and smaller peaks. It’s only now, as this view settles, that I know it’s time to also settle things with Logan.

I can’t say I feel exactly ready, but I’m not sure that matters.

“Think you have the energy to talk?” I ask, turning to him. We’ve hung back a bit behind Amelia and Cleo, who are practically attacking this hiking trail, kicking up a cloud of dust in their wake.

“Of course,” Logan answers. “I’ve just been waiting for you to be ready.”

“Well, being in that Hermetic Dawn experience, something really clicked,” I say.

“Me too, actually,” Logan says. “Turns out I’m much more of a Magician than I think. Or actually, I’m most like the Queen of Wands.”

“Someone who knows themselves well and always walks with honesty. Yes, Queen,” I relay, somewhat awkwardly.

Logan laughs, and it’s a sound I realize I’ve missed most of all.