Nine of Wands - Eight of Cups
guarding the fort when he is gone
guarding the fort - Nine of Wands
when he is gone. - Eight of Cups
Nine of Wands is guarding the fort; he is a border guard on duty.
Eight of Cups is an abrupt departure. The pilgrim has to leave the path that leads to his destination because a mountain requires that he detour, so he is gone from there....