The Shepherd King, #2
Two Twisted Crowns
by Rachel Gillig
Contents
Chapter Forty-Two
Overview
Hauth uses his restored power to dominate Stone’s court, but his bid to seize control escalates when he poisons King Rowan and attempts to frame Elm. In his final act, the King gives Elm his Scythe, allowing Elm to freeze the hall, rescue Ione, and briefly escape.
Elm chooses to send Ione away with his Scythe and remain behind as Hauth’s bargaining chip, transforming his fear of his brother into a deliberate stand. The chapter leaves Blunder leaderless, Hauth politically dangerous, and Elm captured by choice while Ione rides toward Ravyn and the others.
Summary
In Stone’s great hall, Hauth presents himself as fully restored and accepts the court’s praise while hiding that the Maiden Card caused his recovery. He keeps Elm bound by the Scythe and Ione silenced at his side, both visibly injured but ignored by the court. Hauth’s control over Ione and Elm turns the celebration into a public display of power.
Hauth rises to address the hall, praising duty, family, and his father’s rule while implying that Ione was always a means to obtain the Nightmare Card. Hauth summons Elm to refill the royal goblets and makes the court toast to family. After King Rowan drinks, Hauth quietly confronts the King over Ravyn’s expected return with Elspeth, the Twin Alders, and the Shepherd King, arguing that the mist and infection are what keep the Rowan throne powerful through fear.
The poisoned King begins choking, and Hauth uses the Scythe to force the entire hall to ignore his father’s death. Hauth frames Elm by pointing to the flagon Elm held, but in the King’s final moments, Quercus attacks Hauth, tears away Hauth’s Scythe Card, and gives Elm the King’s own Scythe. The King dies, freeing the hall from Hauth’s immediate control and throwing everyone into panic.
Hauth accuses Elm of poisoning the King and using the Scythe on the court. To prevent arrest and protect Ione, Elm uses the King’s Scythe to freeze everyone in the great hall, including guards, courtiers, and Destriers. Elm recovers his own Scythe from Linden, gets Ione out of Stone, and flees with her on horseback into the night.
The strain of controlling so many people overwhelms Elm, and he collapses on the road. Knowing the Destriers will pursue them and that Hauth needs a hostage when Ravyn returns, Elm gives Ione his own Scythe and orders her to ride away to find Ravyn, Jespyr, and the Shepherd King or hide in the mist. Ione begs Elm to come with her, but Elm refuses to flee from Hauth again and uses the Scythe to compel Ione to leave, then releases the frozen hall twenty minutes later and waits for the Destriers to find him.
Who Appears
- ElmPOV character; uses the King’s Scythe to save Ione, then stays behind as hostage.
- Hauth Rowanrestored High Prince who poisons King Rowan, frames Elm, and seizes political advantage.
- Ione Hawthorncontrolled and injured by Hauth; escapes Stone after Elm compels her to ride away.
- King Quercus Rowanpoisoned ruler of Blunder; dies after giving Elm his Scythe Card.
- LindenHauth’s ally and Destrier; holds Elm’s stolen Scythe until Elm takes it back.
- Baldwyncourt announcer who formally introduces Hauth before the fatal toast.
- Ravyn Yewabsent but central threat; Hauth expects his return with Elspeth and the Shepherd King.
- Elspeth Spindleabsent woman whose old knowledge and survival alarm Hauth and concern the King.