The Folk of the Air, #3
The Queen of Nothing
by Holly Black
Contents
Chapter 11
Overview
Jude’s planned escape from Madoc’s camp is derailed when Jude discovers the Ghost imprisoned in a guarded cave. The encounter forces Jude to confront the Ghost’s betrayal and reveals that Locke controlled him through his true name before handing that power to Madoc.
Rather than abandon the Ghost or grant his request for death, Jude chooses to stay long enough to attempt a rescue. This decision deepens the threat posed by Madoc and Grimsen while tying Jude’s escape to the fate of a former ally who has become both victim and liability.
Summary
Jude remains beside Oriana during the camp’s dinner preparations, observing Madoc’s forces, the Court of Teeth, and Grimsen. While eating, Jude notices guards near a cave and reindeer nearby. Jude decides the cave area offers the best chance to steal a mount, flee south by the stars, and escape before anyone discovers Jude is not Taryn.
Back in Oriana’s tent, Jude waits until Oriana appears asleep, gathers food, matches, a knife, and deathsweet, then slips out. A knight questions Jude, but Jude uses Taryn’s assumed authority and an embarrassing excuse to avoid suspicion. Jude heads toward the cave intending to steal a reindeer.
Near the cave, Jude hears cries of pain and realizes Madoc is keeping someone imprisoned. Unable to ignore the possibility that the captive is someone Jude knows, Jude abandons the immediate escape plan, climbs above the cave entrance, and sneaks past the guards despite nearly being seen.
Inside, Jude finds the Ghost chained to the cave floor, bruised, thin, and surrounded by torchlight. Jude confronts the Ghost over his betrayal at the Tower of Forgetting, where Jude was delivered to the Undersea. The Ghost admits guilt and explains that years earlier, after killing Liriope for Prince Dain, he gave Locke his true name out of remorse toward Liriope’s presumed surviving child.
The Ghost reveals that Locke used the Ghost’s true name for spying and later ordered the Ghost to let the Undersea take Jude. Locke then gave the Ghost’s true name to Madoc as part of the dowry for marrying Taryn and gaining political advantage. Because Madoc can now command the Ghost, the Ghost believes death is the only escape from control, but Jude refuses to kill him.
Jude feeds the Ghost from the supplies meant for Jude’s flight and asks what the Ghost knows of Madoc’s plans. The Ghost says Madoc has interrogated him for weaknesses in the palace, Cardan, Lady Asha, Dain, Jude, and others. When Jude insists on freeing him, the Ghost reveals that Grimsen has the key to the magical restraints, though the Ghost still thinks Jude would be safer using the knife.
Who Appears
- Jude DuartePlans escape, infiltrates the cave, confronts the Ghost, and chooses rescue over flight.
- The GhostImprisoned former spy who confesses Locke controlled his true name and caused Jude’s abduction.
- MadocRebel commander whose camp holds the Ghost and whose commands threaten his freedom.
- OrianaSupervises camp dinner and shares tea with Jude before Jude’s escape attempt.
- GrimsenLegendary smith who made the Ghost’s restraints and keeps the key to them.
- LockeAbsent but central; used the Ghost’s true name and gave it to Madoc.