The Shepherd King, #2
Two Twisted Crowns
by Rachel Gillig
Contents
Chapter Forty-Six
Overview
Ravyn secures his family and keeps Hauth isolated long enough to confront him, while Ione’s diversion draws most of the Destriers away. Ravyn makes a major breakthrough by destroying the Scythe, proving the Providence Cards are not as indestructible as the Shepherd King claimed.
The victory immediately turns catastrophic: Hauth’s hidden Maiden Card restores him, and Hauth stabs Ravyn, steals Ravyn’s Cards, and vanishes with the remaining Providence Cards. The chapter leaves Ravyn grievously wounded and Hauth newly empowered just before midnight.
Summary
As the Shepherd King commands the yew trees to attack, Ravyn and Jespyr move with practiced coordination. Jespyr, still too weak for swordplay, uses knives to kill two Destriers, while Petyr helps protect her from another. Ravyn confronts Allyn Moss, spares him when Moss surrenders his Black Horse, and sends him fleeing.
Ravyn sees Ione lure eight Destriers into the trees while Elm, Erik, and Tyrn follow, confirming the plan is working. Hauth remains trapped in the meadow by yew trees controlled through the Nightmare’s sword, keeping Hauth from reclaiming the Scythe until Ravyn is ready.
Ravyn frees Jon Thistle, Morette, Fenir, Emory, and Jespyr, ordering them into Castle Yew despite their wish to help. Emory is still breathing, and Ravyn insists the fight began for Emory and is nearly over. Petyr escorts the family inside but promises to return.
Ravyn contacts Elspeth through the Nightmare Card. The Nightmare reports that thirty minutes remain until midnight, and Ravyn confirms Ione and the Destriers are heading toward Elspeth and the Nightmare. Elspeth makes Ravyn promise not to die, and Ravyn finally tells Elspeth he loves her before going to fight Hauth.
Ravyn tackles Hauth just as Hauth reaches the Scythe. Hauth cuts Ravyn, uses the Black Horse for speed, and reveals that the Maiden Card hidden at Stone makes Hauth effectively unkillable. Ravyn beats Hauth for the many wrongs Hauth has committed, stabs Hauth for what Hauth did to Elspeth, and strips the stolen Providence Cards from Hauth’s coat.
Instead of trying to wield the Scythe, Ravyn tears the supposedly indestructible Card in half, proving it can be undone. Before Ravyn can claim victory, Hauth stabs Ravyn between the ribs with a ceremonial dagger. As Hauth heals, Hauth steals Ravyn’s Nightmare and Mirror Cards, gathers the remaining Cards from the snow, mocks Ravyn, and disappears using the Mirror.
Who Appears
- Ravyn YewFrees his family, confronts Hauth, destroys the Scythe, and is stabbed and robbed.
- Hauth RowanBattles Ravyn, reveals the Maiden protects him, then steals Cards and disappears.
- Elspeth SpindleSpeaks to Ravyn through the Nightmare Card and urges him not to die.
- The NightmareControls the yew trees, coordinates timing, and directs Ravyn to bring Hauth to the chamber.
- Jespyr YewWeak but effective with knives; helps fight Destriers and protects Emory.
- PetyrProtects Jespyr, takes Moss’s Black Horse, and escorts Ravyn’s family inside.
- Ione HawthornLeads eight Destriers away into the trees as part of the larger plan.
- Emory YewStill breathing but unconscious or incapacitated; Ravyn orders others to protect him.
- Allyn MossDestrier who surrenders his Black Horse to Ravyn and flees.
- Fenir YewRavyn’s father wants to help fight but is ordered into the castle.
- Morette YewRavyn’s mother is freed and retreats into the castle with the family.
- Jon ThistleFreed by Ravyn and helps carry the weakened family members inside.
- Elm RowanHobbles after Ione and the fleeing Destriers during the diversion.
- Erik SpindleFollows Ione and the Destriers, still impaired from captivity.
- Tyrn HawthornHobbles with Elm and Erik behind Ione’s diversion.