The Shepherd King, #1
One Dark Window
by Rachel Gillig
Contents
Chapter Twelve
Overview
While the Yew council debates Elspeth’s fate, Morette’s prophecy confirms that Elspeth and the Nightmare-like shadow are tied to the search for the Deck and Emory’s survival. To keep Elspeth close, the council invents a false courtship between Elspeth and Ravyn, forcing both into an uneasy public alliance.
Ravyn then shows Elspeth the personal stakes behind the treason: Emory is dying, King Rowan plans to use his blood at winter Solstice, and the Yews are racing to save him. The chapter ends with a new crisis when Emory’s guarded room is found empty.
Summary
Elspeth waits outside the cellar while the Yew council decides what to do with her. The Nightmare reveals that not only the Scythe but all Providence Cards fail to work on him, though he refuses to explain clearly. Too tired to argue, Elspeth follows his suggestion and listens at the cellar door.
Inside, the council debates whether Elspeth can be trusted and how to explain her move to Castle Yew. Morette describes her Prophet vision: a hooded figure with a persistent shadow, Providence Cards trailing behind, a mysterious thirteenth Card, and Emory alive and well. The council concludes that Elspeth is part of the path toward recovering the Deck, though Elm remains suspicious.
Jespyr proposes that the Yews tell Elspeth’s family and the Hawthorns that Elspeth is staying at Castle Yew because Ravyn intends to court her. Ravyn objects strongly, but the others agree the ruse will keep Elspeth close without revealing their treasonous plans. When Ravyn opens the door, he catches Elspeth eavesdropping, and Elspeth angrily throws Ravyn’s reluctant words back at him.
Ravyn questions whether Laburnum matters to the false courtship, but Elspeth says she has promised Laburnum nothing. Ravyn warns that searching for the Cards will be dangerous, while also insisting Elspeth is not a prisoner. Because the Yews offer the only real hope of a cure and a way to remove the Nightmare, Elspeth asks the Nightmare to help keep her alive and agrees to begin.
Instead of taking Elspeth directly to the Equinox celebration, Ravyn leads her to the royal wing to show her why the Yews are risking everything. He explains that Emory is dying, that King Rowan sees the planned blood sacrifice as a mercy killing, and that the Deck must be united by winter Solstice because Emory’s magic flares with the seasons and he may not survive longer. Ravyn admits he has lied to the King because saving his brother matters more than law or loyalty.
Ravyn brings Elspeth to Emory’s guarded chamber, where the guards shrink back at his arrival. The room is warm, fortified, and full of books, but it is strangely lifeless. When Elspeth looks around, she discovers that Emory Yew is gone.
Who Appears
- Elspeth SpindleEavesdrops on the council, accepts the Yews’ plan, and commits to seeking a cure.
- Ravyn YewReluctantly agrees to a false courtship and reveals Emory’s peril to Elspeth.
- The NightmareTells Elspeth Cards do not work on him and urges her toward hidden knowledge.
- Morette YewDescribes her Prophet vision linking Elspeth, the Cards, and Emory’s survival.
- Jespyr YewSuggests the fake courtship as cover for bringing Elspeth to Castle Yew.
- Elm YewDistrusts Elspeth, mocks Ravyn, and questions the prophecy’s usefulness.
- Fenir YewArgues the family must move forward and keep Elspeth close.
- Filick YewSupports trusting Morette’s vision and Elspeth’s role in finding the Deck.
- Emory YewRavyn’s dying brother, intended sacrifice, and the missing captive at chapter’s end.
- King RowanPlans to use Emory’s blood to unite the Deck by winter Solstice.