On the road to Stone for Equinox, Elspeth reflects on Blunder's expanding salt-smelling mist, the danger of the Spirit of the Wood, and the urgency behind collecting the full Deck of Providence Cards. Ione excitedly speculates about what Tyrn might gain by presenting the rare Nightmare Card to King Rowan, but Elspeth grows alarmed when Ione reveals Tyrn also wants to introduce Ione to Prince Hauth.

Elspeth and Ione argue over Hauth and the Destriers. Ione hopes Hauth might become a better Rowan king who protects the infected rather than punishing them, while Elspeth insists that Ione has invented an impossible version of him. Hurt by Elspeth's distrust, Ione leaves Elspeth to walk alone.

At Stone, Elspeth joins the crowd of noble families and meets her father, Erik Spindle, who quietly admits he is pleased to see her and offers her a room with the Spindles. He also notes that poor harvests and the thickening mist have made King Rowan eager to obtain the final two Cards. Elspeth then enters the great hall, dodges the overly eager Alyx Laburnum, and is overwhelmed by the visible colors of many Providence Cards, especially the Black Horse Cards carried by Destriers.

Elspeth sits beside Emory Yew, King Rowan's youngest nephew, who is drunk, charming, and unsettling. After Prince Renelm Rowan whispers to him, Emory helps Elspeth leave the crowded hall for air, but on the stairs his behavior turns threatening. He grips Elspeth, claims to see strange things in her, including a yellow gaze, darkness, shadow, and blood on her fingers, and refuses to let go until Elspeth slaps him.

Before Elspeth can call on the Nightmare, Ravyn Yew appears in a black cloak and forces Emory away. Ravyn apologizes for his brother, explains that his cousin Elm warned him Emory had been drinking, and then escorts Elspeth to the Spindle rooms. Elspeth recognizes Ravyn as the King's eldest nephew and Captain of the Destriers, and although she is wary of him, she ends the night wondering how Ravyn learned of Emory's conduct when he had not been in the hall.