Madame Eva's reading of the cards which tell the fortunes of Ireena Kolyana:

"The cards do not lie, my sweetling," Madame Eva smiles as she responds to Caesius's musing, "but what they can tell us is down to the skill of the one who reads them and the wit of those who hear.  Now hush my pet and listen well ..."

The old crone takes up the cut deck, placing the lower pile upon the upper.  She cradles the cards in her hands and closes her eyes in concentration for a moment then takes the first card from the top of the pack.

"He who dwells in Castle Ravenloft is a powerful man whose enemy is light and whose powers are beyond mortality.  You will seek him in the castle, and though he might find you many times you will find him only once."

She places the card directly atop the Devil, the first of the focus cards representing the Master, so as to conceal it completely, revealing the Ace of Coins as she lifts her hand.

"You will find him where the light lies dead, slain by his own darkness.  Grief haunts the lord of the castle, grief for the brother he slew.  Seek his brother's tomb in the deepest recesses of the castle."

She draws another card.

"Out of the darkness and chaos, this card finds its reason and foundation.  It shows the purpose all all things - the key to life and death and else beyond."

She places the card, the Ten of Cups, atop the first but perpendicular to it.

"There is no reason, no pattern to this chaos.  The darkness seeks light, desiring fulfillment ... or perhaps destruction ?"

"The lord of the castle has sunk into madness," she lifts her head to look suddenly at Ireena, "perhaps because of his love for a woman ?"

Ireena gasps as Madame Eva lowers her gaze back to the cards, turning her attention to the next focus card, the Priestess which represents the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, plucking another card from her deck.

"This symbol is a powerful force for good and protection against the forces of darkness.".

On top of it she places the Seven of Coins, once more covering the focus card completely.

"Seek it in the place of blasphemy, where humans plumb their darkest nature."

"This is a card of debasement and debauchery. The symbol has been brought low, to the hill where the witches gather."

The next she draws she again places perpendicular to the first.

"The holiness in this item waits for hands of holiness to touch it once more, but that is not enough to bring its power back to life."

You see the Nine of Swords.

"You must bring the symbol home, to the last remaining shred of sacred ground in the defiled castle."

"In the grounds of the castle there once stood a chapel.  Perhaps it yet holds some remnant of goodness."

She turns now to the last of the focus cards, the Sun, representing the Sunsword.

"What you seek is a blade of light, a weapon for vengeance."

The old crone places the Five of Batons atop it.

"Seek it in the heart of the wilds, far from human hands."

"This card speaks of the wildness of nature.  The weapon is deep in the woods, perhaps guarded by a fey spirit."

One final card she draws, the Six of Coins, and places perpendicular to the last.

"To wake it, bring the sword to join the other treasures of the castle."

"I see a blazing fire protecting the place where the lord hides his wealth."

Hands trembling, Madame Eva rests the remainder of the pack down upon her table, her shoulders slumped as she wearily looks up once more.

"There my pet, there is your reading.  May it guide you true."