The Shepherd King, #2
Two Twisted Crowns
by Rachel Gillig
Contents
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Overview
On the Spirit of the Wood’s pale shore, Ravyn waits with an unconscious, fevered Jespyr while Elspeth watches from inside the Nightmare’s mind. The Nightmare tries to keep Ravyn from despair, but Jespyr’s fading pulse raises the stakes of their bargain.
The Spirit finally emerges from the sea and greets the Nightmare as the Shepherd King, then acknowledges Elspeth directly. This recognition confirms that the Spirit can perceive Elspeth’s hidden presence and shifts the encounter toward a dangerous new negotiation.
Summary
Elspeth, still confined within the Nightmare’s mind, observes the Spirit of the Wood’s shore. The place resembles the shore inside the Nightmare’s mind, but everything is pale gray, lifeless, and seemingly endless.
Ravyn sits on the sand holding Jespyr, who remains unconscious after being freed from the twin alders. Ravyn cannot wake Jespyr with the Nightmare Card or with his voice, and Jespyr’s worsening fever and slowing pulse make Ravyn fear that Jespyr is dying.
Elspeth silently pleads for the Nightmare to help Ravyn keep hope. The Nightmare insists that Jespyr’s magically steeped family blood will keep Jespyr alive, then urges Ravyn not to give in to despair after coming so far.
The Spirit of the Wood finally appears from the sea, addressing the Nightmare as both the King of Blunder and the Shepherd King. The Spirit welcomes the Nightmare, Ravyn, and Jespyr, then looks directly toward Elspeth’s hidden vantage point and welcomes Elspeth Spindle by name, revealing that the Spirit knows Elspeth is present within the Nightmare.
Who Appears
- Elspeth SpindleWatches from within the Nightmare’s mind and is recognized by the Spirit.
- Ravyn YewHolds unconscious Jespyr on the shore and struggles against despair.
- Jespyr YewUnconscious and fevered after her rescue, with a slowing pulse.
- The NightmareUrges Ravyn to keep hope while awaiting the Spirit’s arrival.
- The Spirit of the WoodEmerges from the sea and greets the Shepherd King, Ravyn, Jespyr, and Elspeth.