The Shepherd King, #1
One Dark Window
by Rachel Gillig
Contents
Chapter Thirty
Overview
Elspeth and her allies search Spindle House for the Well Card but fail to find it, raising the fear that her father may already have used it against them. During the search, Elm challenges Elspeth's loyalty and exposes his concern that her secrets could harm Ravyn.
The chapter turns when Ione, under Hauth's control, lures the group into drinking wine touched by the Chalice Card. Hauth's trap threatens to expose the conspirators' truths at the worst possible moment, shifting the mission from stealth to immediate danger.
Summary
Elspeth, Ravyn, Jespyr, and Elm slip away from the nameday festivities to search Spindle House for the Well Card. They decide to search in pairs: Ravyn and Jespyr take the upper rooms, while Elspeth and Elm begin with the library and guest rooms. Elspeth notes that the sixth landing is her room and that her father no longer goes there.
Elspeth and Elm find no blue light from the Well Card in the library or nearby rooms. When Balian discovers them, Elm uses the Scythe to force the steward to bow to Elspeth, revealing both Elm's carelessness with the Card and his willingness to defend her dignity. As they continue upward, Elspeth questions Elm about why he risks treason; Elm explains that Emory is dying and that family loyalty can outweigh loyalty to the crown.
Elm presses Elspeth to consider whether she would choose and protect people who accepted her secrets without fear. Elspeth thinks of her aunt, the Yews, and Ravyn, realizing that her bond with Ravyn feels like something beyond Cards or blood. Elm then reveals his distrust, suggesting he fears Elspeth's secrets may endanger Ravyn and the others; Elspeth insists she would not knowingly betray them, though the Nightmare's presence makes the promise uncertain.
After an hour, the searchers reunite without the Well Card, and Elspeth urges the others to return to the great hall so their absence will not be noticed. Before she can continue searching alone, Ione appears, unnaturally beautiful and unfocused, and invites them to sit with her. Ravyn allows only ten minutes, and the group joins Ione at a table where six goblets of bitter wine wait.
During the toast, Elm notices Ione's clouded eyes and realizes someone has used a Scythe on her. He uses his own Scythe to make her answer, and Ione admits she did only what someone ordered. Hauth Rowan then joins them, revealing that he compelled Ione to serve the wine and that he has also drunk from the sixth goblet. He places the Chalice Card on the table, making clear that the wine will force truth, and challenges the group to confess first.
Who Appears
- Elspeth SpindleSearches for the Well Card and confronts fears about loyalty, betrayal, and the Nightmare.
- Elm RowanSearches with Elspeth, defends her with the Scythe, and distrusts her secrets.
- Ravyn YewSearches with Jespyr, protects Elspeth, and is trapped by Hauth’s Chalice scheme.
- Ione HawthornAppears altered and is revealed to have been Scythe-controlled into serving the wine.
- Hauth RowanSprings the trap, revealing Chalice-tainted wine meant to force everyone’s truths.
- Jespyr YewHelps search Spindle House and joins the group at Ione’s dangerous toast.
- BalianSpindle steward who discovers Elspeth and Elm and is humiliated by Elm’s Scythe.
- King RowanPresent in the great hall with Elspeth’s father during the nameday festivities.