Markus “True Heart" Cellin
In a different world, a different time, Markus would have been an artist, a poet, maybe even an actor. Unfortunately the death of his father when he was 8 changed his destiny forever. Coming home to find his father, heart carved out and still beating on his chest, gasping his last breath, Markus felt the first stirrings of rage, justice, vengeance. Unfortunately he put his faith in the wrong man. He appealed to the noble Twice Gilded Merchant, Crallius for aid in bringing his fathers killer to justice. Crallius was greatly amused at his innocence and complete unawareness that Crallius himself cut out the fathers heart over a matter of pride. The elder Cellin had joked at Crallius expense that Twice Gilded meant he had to pay the woman twice, once for her time then again to keep quiet about his tiny manhood.
Crallius took Markus into his service and set him to martial training with promises of some day, when Markus was strong and brave enough revealing the name of the killer. Markus kept the promise in his heart and recommitted himself with each blow of his sword to proving himself. Yet years passed and on the anniversary of his father’s death, Crallius would always appear and find something lacking. On his 19th birthday he was finally released from training and brought into the house of Crallius as a guard for the women’s quarters. By this point, the glad hearted and optimistic boy was no longer. Scarred, calloused, disappointed, disillusioned, mocked as the least of Crallius’ men, he longed for something better.
Vekka was not her master’s favorite, but she was the most sensitive. She was the only person in the household to feel that the brooding young guard had another side, some story to be told. She made it a mission to seek out the man inside. Making sure to drop smiles his way, an occasional sweet, a breeze of perfume, and a kind word slowly opened him up. Their developed a bond, an affection, and eventually a love to be remembered. The two lovers appealed to Crallius, who was greatly amused. He told Markus that owning nothing, he could not hope to be worthy of Vekka. He must leave and come back when he could purchase her, her freedom and provide a good home for her. And so Markus left, taking increasingly difficult positions and challenges with mercenary companies, scrimping and saving for his hearts passion.
It has been ten long years, and now Markus nears his goal. He dreams of Vekka and their home, their children, and finding true happiness, not realizing that she was sold and transported far away 9 years ago. He has no idea of the betrayals before him, or that his greatest test of strength lies ahead.
Heart of the matter: Page of cups. Creative, vision, artistic, message of love
Opposing factor: Death. End of a cycle, loss, mortality.
Root cause: The devil. Ignorance, lust, passion, controversy, violence.
Known influence: King of wands. A man of status and wealth.
Past influences: 5 of pentacles. Material trouble, hard situation, lack of confidence.
New circumstances: The Lovers. Trust, bonding, trials overcome.
Self: Ten of pentacles. Stable family, property, prosperity, comfort.
Surrounding environment: Two of Pentacles. Troubles more imaginary than real.
Guidance: The tower. Ruin, desperation, loss, distress, realizing the truth.
Outcome: King of Swords. A mature man, decisive, intellectual, power, authority.
