The Shepherd King, #2
Two Twisted Crowns
by Rachel Gillig
Contents
Chapter Sixteen
Overview
Ravyn prepares to leave Stone on the King’s command, bringing the Nightmare in Elspeth’s body and the suspicious Destrier Gorse while deliberately leaving Elm behind. The chapter sharpens Ravyn’s grief and anger over Elspeth’s possession, especially when the Nightmare cuts Elspeth’s hair, and reveals the Nightmare’s unsettling claim that Elm will be useful in a future seizure of the throne. Ravyn’s departure leaves Elm trapped at Stone under the King’s eye, raising the stakes for both Ione’s safety and the struggle over the Rowan throne.
Summary
Hidden by his Mirror Card in the dungeon, Ravyn watches Elm escort Ione away and realizes Elm’s concern is more than duty. The Nightmare taunts Ravyn about disapproving of Elm and Ione, but Ravyn’s fear is practical: the King may kill Ione, and that would destroy Elm.
Ravyn releases himself from the Mirror and confronts the Nightmare about Elspeth and Elm. Ravyn accuses the Nightmare of wanting revenge on Elm because Elm is a Rowan, descended from the family that took the Shepherd King’s throne. The Nightmare denies intending to hurt Elm, saying Elm is already broken and will someday be useful when the Nightmare “harvests the throne.”
Before leaving Stone, Ravyn sends three notes. Ravyn warns Gorse, the Destrier assigned by the King, to be ready; tells Filick Willow where to find the castle keys so Erik Spindle and Tyrn Hawthorn do not freeze in the cellar; and writes Elm a brief promise that Ravyn will see him soon. Exhausted after a night of upheaval, Ravyn takes the Nightmare to a cellar so the spirit can change out of Elspeth’s torn dress.
The Nightmare emerges in black clothing left by Jespyr, making Elspeth’s body look like the highwayman disguise she once wore with Ravyn. Ravyn says Jespyr and Gorse will travel with them, but first Ravyn wants to go to Castle Yew to confirm Emory’s safety and ask the Ivy brothers to join. When Ravyn notices the Nightmare has cut Elspeth’s blood-matted hair, Ravyn’s grief and rage break through; Ravyn tears down a Black Horse tapestry as if wishing he could tear the Shepherd King out of Elspeth.
At the castle doors, Ravyn addresses the Destriers before departing on the King’s orders. Ravyn tells the Destriers to maintain patrols and training, and when asked who commands in Ravyn’s absence, Ravyn says either Elm or the King, whichever answers them. Ravyn pointedly leaves Elm behind, despite questions from the Destriers.
Ravyn, Gorse, and the Nightmare ride out from Stone. As Ravyn looks back, Ravyn sees only the King and Elm watching from the bailey. The Nightmare slows and recites a dark verse about Elm, casting Elm as a prince marked by blood, isolation, and shadow.
Who Appears
- Ravyn YewPrepares to leave Stone, protects Elm by excluding him, and grieves Elspeth’s possession.
- The NightmareOccupies Elspeth’s body, taunts Ravyn, and hints Elm will aid a future throne seizure.
- Elm RowanEscorts Ione through the dungeon and remains behind at Stone under dangerous scrutiny.
- Ione HawthornLeaves the dungeon with Elm, revealing his deepening protectiveness toward her.
- GorseDestrier assigned by the King to accompany Ravyn, likely as a spy.
- The KingOrders Ravyn’s journey and watches Ravyn depart with Elm from Stone’s bailey.
- OakDestrier who asks who the guard should defer to during Ravyn’s absence.
- LindenDestrier who questions why Ravyn is not bringing Prince Renelm.