The Cravat's Confession
The stranger descends, green silk knotted at his throat. 'Dr. Elias Cogsworth,' he murmurs, 'author of the cards you hold.' He explains the program is both confession and snare—proof of a Bureau conspiracy trading prophecies to private interests, baited with his own foretold unmaking.
'Burn them with me at midnight,' he whispers, 'or preserve them, and shoulder the consequence yourself.'