"Both my hopes and my fears? What nonsense. These cards of yours sound unsure of themselves. Afraid."

She took a puff of the cigar, and blew the smoke in the witch's face. "I'll tell you who sucks down marrentill smoke. A monster, an animal that you should not tease."

She pointed to the card at top of the staff. A single sword, held up against a blazing sun. But reversed, it looked like a dagger plunging through it. The ultimate outcome.