The Folk of the Air, #3
The Queen of Nothing
by Holly Black
Contents
Chapter 23
Overview
Jude struggles to hold Elfhame together after Cardan becomes a serpent, appointing Grima Mog as Grand General and relying on spies, image-making, and intimidation to assert her authority. Baphen reveals that Cardan’s prophecy may point toward his death rather than his restoration, while Madoc prepares to attack and the land begins showing signs of the king’s curse. Jude refuses to accept killing Cardan as the solution and tries to heal Cardan through the land, but her plea receives no answer.
Summary
After Cardan’s transformation, the court erupts into panic outside the brugh. Jude is nearly overwhelmed by grief and shock, but Grima Mog pulls her into a stateroom and forces her to focus on the immediate danger: without Cardan, Jude is the only barrier between Elfhame and anyone ambitious enough to seize power.
Jude appoints Grima Mog as Grand General, despite Grima Mog’s past attempt to kill Jude, because Grima Mog has experience and Jude trusts her pragmatism. Jude orders the serpent watched, asks for reports from Grima Mog, and summons the Bomb, Taryn, Fand, and Baphen. Jude also directs the Bomb to learn who remains loyal and to eliminate assassination plots before they reach Jude.
Taryn helps Jude construct a temporary throne room and queenly appearance, while Baphen explains the full prophecy made at Cardan’s birth: Cardan will be the destruction of the crown and the ruination of the throne, and only from Cardan’s spilled blood can a great ruler rise. Baphen does not know how to reverse Grimsen’s curse, though Jude orders Baphen to search the stars again for an answer.
News worsens when Fand reports that the serpent escaped through the crack Madoc’s blade made in the earth and that snow is falling inside the brugh. Jude receives the Living Council, announces Grima Mog’s appointment, and learns from Grima Mog that Madoc plans to attack at dawn the day after next. Grima Mog also reports that some Folk believe whoever kills the serpent should rule Elfhame, since spilling Greenbriar blood may count like possessing it.
Baphen warns that cursing the king curses the land, implying that killing Cardan may be the only way to heal Elfhame. Jude refuses to hear it, threatens the Council when members press her, and recognizes with horror how easily she is behaving like a tyrant. Driven by desperation rather than strategy, Jude enters the brugh alone and finds the enormous serpent coiled around the ruined throne.
Jude approaches the serpent as Cardan, remembering Cardan’s own belief that Jude would stop him if Cardan became monstrous. Jude tries to call on the land’s power as Cardan’s wife and High Queen, offering to give up the crown or make any bargain if the earth will break the curse. Despite Jude’s concentration and pleading, no magic answers.
Who Appears
- Jude DuarteHigh Queen; suppresses grief, claims authority, prepares for war, and tries to heal Cardan.
- Cardan Greenbriarcursed High King; appears as a giant poisonous serpent tied to Elfhame’s wounded land.
- Grima Mogredcap warrior appointed Grand General; reports Madoc’s attack plans and tracks the serpent.
- Lord BaphenRoyal Astrologer; reveals Cardan’s full prophecy and admits he knows no cure.
- Taryn DuarteJude’s sister; creates a temporary throne room and helps Jude appear queenly.
- The Bombspy and ally; receives orders to identify loyalties and stop assassination plots.
- Fandattendant; manages access to Jude and reports the serpent’s escape and unnatural snow.
- Randalincouncilor; questions Jude’s authority and reacts fearfully to Cardan’s uncertain fate.
- Nihuarcouncilor; objects to decisive appointments and urges deference to the Council’s wisdom.
- Falacourt fool and councilor; comments darkly on the serpent king in riddling verse.
- Mikkelcouncilor; notes the belief in ruling through killing the serpent as Unseelie.