Exchange of Knowledge

After Justice and Magician completed their trade, Hanged Man, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.

He first addressed Sifa. "Mr. Chariot, I've made some progress on your request from last time. The leads aren't clear enough yet, but I've asked someone to follow up. If I get anything definite, I'll pray to Mr. Fool, and you'll know as soon as I do."

Sifa gave a barely perceptible nod. "Thank you, Mr. Hanged Man. I'll make sure you're well compensated afterward."

Alger nodded without giving it much thought, then leaned forward slightly. "Does anyone here know what 'Uniqueness' is?"

Uniqueness?

What's that?

Hanged Man had better not ask me. Otherwise, all I can say is: That's not something you should know yet.

At the head of the long, ancient table, Klein felt uneasy beneath the shroud of Gray Fog.

He looked around. Everyone else was silent, and he thought Alger's question would go unanswered. Then he saw Chariot lean forward.

Sifa knew what Uniqueness was. After considering it, he decided to answer Alger's question. Klein would hear his answer too, of course. Above the Gray Fog, Sifa had no secrets from him.

Sifa hoped the information would earn him some goodwill from Mr. Fool.

That was, of course, assuming Alger could afford the price.

"I know what Uniqueness is. The question is, what can you offer in exchange?" Sifa looked toward Hanged Man, whose face was obscured by thick fog.

Alger had overheard the term "Uniqueness" in a church report. When he asked his superior about it, he was told his clearance wasn't high enough. That was why he had brought it up at the Tarot Club, though he hadn't expected much. To his surprise, Chariot claimed to know.

Alger studied Sifa as one thought after another surfaced.

*Chariot