Portraits of Pips by Elizabeth Hazel

This is the tenth in a series of "portraits" of the Minor Arcana, written in Liz's unique style.  All cards are inspired by and illustrated with the Vala Tarot, a deck designed and illustrated by Elizabeth Hazel.

Nine of Swords

I am betrayed! Caught, surrounded and trapped, there is no end to this agony. Ah Despair, you cruel bitch, how could you do this to me? From every corner they attack and torment, from every angle they strike. A ritual of harm, a symphony of evil, no escape, no solace. The demons of wrath shriek and abandon me to the hell borne banshees. Hope is a cold distant light, flickering as though swallowed by storm clouds. Remorse is my nemesis - all is lost. Where is the sweet herb of oblivion, the cool hands of comfort? All is lost.

Hang on! We're flying! Over cities, over rivers, over the hills - here we go. There is news to give, messages to exchange. Faster, faster - we could only go this fast with dragon's wings or in a rainbow's dream. Words fly too, as though they have feathered wings. Soft words rise like a delicate butterfly. Important words soar like an eagle over timeless mountains. If a thought can find words, it gets promoted to the airborne crowd. More speed! We don't need big words for a big idea, only small golden words that fall like coins from the mouth. Words run like crazy to catch up to ideas. Share them - fly higher, faster! News is on the wing.

You can read the first installment of this series here.  You can read the last installment of the series here.