One Dark Window

Ravyn leaves in the morning to return to Stone, while Jespyr, Morette, and Elspeth play host to Sylvia Pine and her daughters Farrah, Gerta, and Maylene. Elspeth engages Gerta in a conversation about Providence Cards by admitting Ione used a Maiden Card. Gerta admits her father owns a Prophet Card, as well as the Iron Gate Card. When the Pines leave, Jespyr, Morette, and Elspeth find Fenir to inform him. As they wait for Ravyn and Elm to return, the four discuss the Cards’ history, and Fenir notes all the Shepherd King’s family and documents were destroyed—the ruler having been succeeded by the first Rowan King, Brutus Rowan. When Elspeth brings up the sacrifice needed to lift the mist, Fenir admits they plan to sacrifice Orithe. The infected head of the Physicians possesses magic that can detect other infected. Elspeth admits her father Erik possesses the Well Card.

When Ravyn returns the next day, Elspeth tries to avoid him by hiding in the Yew gardens. He finds her, knowing the gardens are the only viable option for hiding. Despite her misgivings, she can’t help but be charmed by his looks. Ravyn invites Elspeth on a tour of the Yew estate, bringing her to castle ruins in the forest. When she attempts to pocket her crow’s foot, he points out she’s already infected and thus doesn’t need protection from the mist. When they reach the ruins, he mentions they are older than Stone itself, and the only room left standing is a chamber with one window. The Nightmare wants Elspeth to enter, mentioning the window was made for the Spirit to come and go, implying he’s been in the chamber before. She refuses to enter, and asks if Ravyn feels the cost of his Cards. He only hears his Nightmare taunt him after long use—but the voice is his own. When Elspeth and Ravyn return to Castle Yew, the team plans to steal the Iron Gate Card: They will disguise themselves as highwaymen and rob the Pine carriage in the Black Forest. Ravyn brings Elspeth to the armory, where she meets other team members: The butler Jon Thistle, Wik Ivy, and Petyr Ivy.

Dressed in highwaymen garb, Elspeth is forced to ride on Elm’s horse since animals fear her infection and the Nightmare. The further into the forest they travel, the thicker the mist, and once they arrive at a viewpoint from the main road, Ravyn calls for the team to wait for the Pine carriage. He hands Elspeth a blindfold to use as a mask, and she recoils at the memory of being robbed by Ravyn and Elm. Ravyn apologizes for that encounter. Elspeth decides to forgive him so long as he calls her by her name. They hear a whistle and know the carriage is on its way.

Elspeth and the team did not anticipate the Pine carriage to be accompanied by Hauth and Destriers, but decide to proceed. Elspeth directs the team to the first carriage, where she can see the Iron Gate Card, and chaos ensues. As Wayland Pine hides behind Destriers, Ravyn instructs Elspeth to run away. She flees but careens into her father Erik, who should not have been part of the convoy. Elm engages him, and as they fight, Erik gains the upper hand. Elspeth throws a rock at her father’s head, allowing Elm to escape, but upon facing Erik herself, she has no choice but to rely on the Nightmare. With the Nightmare’s strength and speed, Elspeth overpowers her father. The Nightmare speaks through her, quoting the warning for the Well Card and leaving a frightened Erik on the ground. Jespyr comes to help her and they run to the mist, but a Destrier follows them; in the struggle, Jespyr loses her charm. The mist makes her lose her senses.

Elspeth looks for Ravyn, as he carries a spare charm, but is discovered by Hauth. She tries to flee, but he breaks her wrist. She strikes him with the Nightmare’s power, leaving deep gashes. As Hauth screams, Elspeth finds Ravyn through the color of his Cards. She brings him to Jespyr. With Ravyn’s charm, Jespyr slowly regains her senses. The team wonders if anyone recognized them; Elm and Ravyn are suspicious of how Elspeth escaped Hauth.

Elspeth rides with Ravyn on their way to Castle Yew. He hadn’t recognized her when she sought his help because she had yellow eyes and was surrounded by darkness. When they arrive home, he warns her that people will observe their “courtship” and asks once more if she wishes to continue. When Elspeth gives a vague answer, Ravyn insists she call him by his name. That night, she dreams of the old man In gold armor again: He asks to be let out of his room, as it bursts into flames. Elspeth wakes with a start, and when she looks into glass, she sees the Nightmare for a moment. She fears the Nightmare is overtaking her soul.

The next morning, as Ravyn and Elspeth discuss her fear, Ione appears. Though she is not actively using the Maiden Card, her words are cold. Elspeth pretends she broke her wrist from falling off a horse. When Elm comes to the parlor, he announces Hauth and the other Destriers have arrived at Castle Yew to train. When he prompts Ione about her sudden visit, she states she wanted to speak with Hauth rather than Elspeth.

When Ravyn meets with Hauth, the latter taunts him over Elspeth. Ravyn challenges Hauth to a spar, to retrain the Destriers in defeating highwaymen, but he declines. However, Elm calls Hauth a coward to push him to spar; Ravyn proves the better fighter. Under the guise of instructing the Destriers, Ravyn injures Hauth’s hand for breaking Elspeth’s wrist.

Later that night, Elspeth overhears Elm voicing concerns about her to Ravyn. Ravyn defends her, and she tries to hide before she is discovered, but he finds her in her room. He admits he injured Hauth’s hand for her, but also did so due to their longstanding hostility. He asks Elspeth to come with him, as he has something to show her, and she accepts.