Two Twisted Crowns

In the dark water of Taxus’s memories, Elspeth experiences Taxus’s life as a young boy in the woods with others, asking for a blessing from the Spirit and taking on the name of trees. As a young Taxus, she can hear and talk to trees. She asks the Spirit to help her make Blunder a kingdom of abundance and give her the power to shepherd the land and its people. Her wish made, all the trees turn to point west, and Elspeth follows them until she reaches the edge of a meadow where, beneath a seedling tree, a stone materializes, and upon it sits a sword whose hilt is a shepherd staff.

Elm watches with his father as Ravyn rides off. He confronts Quercus about his meddling, and it’s made clear that his sudden interest in Elm is only because Hauth is incapacitated and will not sire an heir. Elm refuses to become his official heir, but Quercus will not hear of it. He insists that Elm resign from the Destriers and attend court that night. The next day, Elm goes to find Ione at court, pondering the full extent of the Maiden Card’s power. She suddenly appears, dressed in an ugly dress provided by the King.