Elspeth dreams of fleeing through smoky woods with frightened children, hiding them in a stone chamber, and then being confronted by a figure lit by a red Scythe. The dream turns to pain, blood, salt, and burial-like darkness before Elspeth wakes on the floor of the ruined chamber Ravyn previously showed her.

Elspeth realizes the Nightmare has made her sleepwalk again. Her arms are covered in soil, her nightdress is torn, and the earth at the base of the magical stone has been disturbed. When Elspeth examines the stone, the Nightmare pushes her to understand that the stone is not merely a hiding place for Providence Cards but a grave marker. Elspeth panics, asking whose grave it is, before the vision overwhelms her again.

Elspeth wakes in her bed at Castle Yew and discovers that the dirt, broken nails, and torn nightdress are real. Elspeth confronts the Nightmare, accusing the trapped remnant of the Shepherd King of violating her mind and soul. The Nightmare counters that he has repeatedly kept Elspeth alive against Physicians, the High Prince, and the Destrier, but Elspeth insists he is a monster and focuses on the next goal: stealing the eleventh Providence Card, the Well, so she can be rid of him. Before retreating, the Nightmare warns that Elspeth has very little time.

A week has passed since Ravyn, Jespyr, Elm, and Emory returned to Stone, where King Rowan has punished the Destriers after Market Day. Elspeth prepares to attend Nya and Dimia’s nameday celebration at Spindle House with Elm and the Yews, using the event as cover to search for her father’s Well Card. Morette and Fenir remain subdued by Emory’s departure, and Elspeth senses a coming storm as she leaves Castle Yew.

On the way, Elm reports that Emory is weak, Linden survived with scars, and King Rowan is distracted by his obsession with finding the Twin Alders Card before Solstice. Elspeth suddenly recites an old warning about the Twin Alders without intending to, suggesting the Nightmare’s influence is worsening. At Spindle House, Elspeth reunites with Ravyn and sees how exhausted and battered the Destriers have become after relentless training.

The guests gather in the decorated courtyard while Elspeth watches her father, Nerium, Nya, and Dimia open the celebration. Elspeth notes that her father is not carrying the Well Card on his person. The mood shifts when King Rowan arrives with Hauth, Ione, and Elspeth’s uncle; Ione remains unnaturally affected by the Maiden Card. As the guests enter Spindle House, Elspeth, Ravyn, Elm, and Jespyr linger by the spindle tree, poised to begin their dangerous search during the festivities.