The Shepherd King, #1
One Dark Window
by Rachel Gillig
Contents
Chapter Twenty-Six
Overview
Elspeth reels from the Nightmare’s violent control after rescuing the infected boy, while Ravyn moves quickly to hide her involvement and contain the damage. Ravyn publicly reasserts authority over Hauth and the Destriers, exposing the tension between his command and the High Prince’s cruelty.
The chapter also clarifies that Ravyn’s rebellion is meant to protect infected children, not merely collect Cards for power. The final revelation that Emory has escaped Stone raises the stakes and redirects the group urgently back to Castle Yew.
Summary
After the Nightmare uses Elspeth’s body to attack Linden, Ravyn finds Elspeth shaken and bloodied. Ravyn has Elspeth wipe the blood on his tunic and asks what happened. Elspeth says Linden is hurt and the infected boy fled into the wood, while the Nightmare insists inwardly that Elspeth asked for help and that they acted together.
Ravyn sends Destriers to gather Physicians and search the western wood, then presses Elspeth for the truth. Elspeth admits she freed the infected boy because she could not let Orithe take him back to Stone, gave the boy her charm to help save his parents, and was followed by Linden. When Ravyn asks about the yellow flicker in Elspeth’s eyes, Elspeth refuses to explain, fearing Ravyn will reject her. Ravyn uses his Nightmare Card to contact Jespyr and send Orithe toward Linden.
Ravyn and Elspeth return to the road, where Market Day has collapsed into fear and Destriers gather around Hauth. Elspeth returns Elm’s cloak and tells Elm the boy escaped for now, but Linden caught her and may be dead. Elm, weakened by his use of the Scythe, is bleeding from the nose but remains sharp enough to question her certainty.
Ravyn confronts Hauth for ordering a public execution without his command. Hauth claims authority as High Prince, but Ravyn asserts that the Destriers answer to their Captain and challenges Hauth to take command if he wants it. Hauth refuses the implicit duel, knowing Ravyn is immune to the Scythe, and Ravyn publicly reasserts discipline over the Destriers, ordering inspections at the gates and searches for the infected boy.
As Ravyn, Elspeth, and Elm head back through town, Ravyn explains that Jespyr will search for the boy and his parents and that the Yews have a place for infected children if they find them first. Elm bluntly reminds Elspeth that saving such children is the point of collecting the Deck. Ravyn then receives an urgent message through his Nightmare Card from his father and rushes them toward Castle Yew.
At the square, Fenir Yew has already summoned a carriage. Fenir reveals that Emory has run away from Stone after apparently sneaking through the gate, and the group must reach Castle Yew before Orithe learns of Emory’s escape. Ravyn says Orithe will be occupied for hours, and they race away while Elm, exhausted by the Scythe’s cost, demands answers.
Who Appears
- Elspeth SpindleShaken after the Nightmare’s violence; hides her secret while fearing she killed Linden.
- Ravyn YewProtects Elspeth, commands the Destriers, confronts Hauth, and rushes toward Castle Yew.
- Elm RowanWeak from using the Scythe; helps Elspeth and explains the rebellion’s purpose.
- Hauth RowanHigh Prince challenged by Ravyn after ordering a cruel public execution without authority.
- The NightmareDefends his violent intervention and reminds Elspeth they act together through her body.
- Fenir YewMeets the group with a carriage and reveals Emory has fled Stone.
- Emory YewAbsent but central to the urgency after escaping from Stone.
- LindenWounded Destrier whose condition may expose Elspeth’s rescue of the infected boy.
- Infected boyEscaped into the mist after Elspeth freed him and gave him her charm.