#the shepherds sword

[renstrapp]

Lay down your blade, let it rust, get devoured 🗡️🐺

[theshepherdssword]

Hello TSS readers! In case you haven't heard, The Shepherd's Sword has its very own website! You can subscribe (for free) to get email updates of The Shepherd's Sword every week.

You can also subscribe (for $2) to get email updates a full month ahead of everyone else! While I establish this read-ahead buffer, TSS will be going on a brief 4 week public hiatus, but it is still updating.

In fact, the page that was supposed to be live today is already live over on theshepherdssword.com (in theory!*)

If you're a Patreon supporter, you'll still get the early bulk uploads (along with all the other goodies). The new website subscription thing is just an option for people who want to support TSS directly and serves as an alternative to putting ads on the site. My goal is to get to 20 paid subscribers, which will cover the monthly cost of the site.

Having a website for my webcomic is important because it means I don't have to worry about platform censorship, the app store, or any other kind of funky CEO bullshit meddling in my cool lesbian werewolf story. Plus I can put important things on there like character bios.

Thank you for your support! Even if you can only swing joining the free tier, it really means a lot to me and lets me know that people are interested and reading. Updates will continue here in 4 weeks as usual, but I hope to see you at theshepherdssword.com too!

*This is a test of a new system, and I'm still working out any potential quirks. And when I say "I'm" what I really mean is my friend Kevin Wilson and the team at Black Candle. They're the geniuses getting into the guts of this new website for me.

[renstrapp]

THIS IS THE BEST THING!!!!!!!!!

finally catching up with The Sheperd's Sword...had to draw Jo and Robin, they are so cutes 🥺

[aroacecaduceus]

One wish I have for the Mighty Nein series is that Caduceus does not know how to fight at all.

Like not even a little bit. Like he’s completely useless in a bar fight.

Like, I want him in the fights, don’t get me wrong. I want them to show him cancelling crits somehow, like one of the Mighty Nein is about to be fucking destroyed and vines form around them and yank them back or something. I want them to show him casting holy weapon on Beau’s hands. Maybe he creates some fun shields when things attack.

But most of the time in battle, especially at the beginning, when he’s the new guy, I want him to be the most cringe-fail fighter to ever exist. I want them to get into a fight with pirates and just get knocked unconscious in one punch. I want them to rush out and accidentally steal that boat and realize they left Caduceus behind on the dock bc he didn’t know what was happening.

My man grew up as a healer and a graveyard attendant. If this boy threw a punch he’d break his hand on the other guy’s jaw. But don’t worry because he’d never think to throw a punch anyway.

In the game, he needed to do some fighting sometimes. But in the show, I think he should just hide away for nearly every battle. He should not cause a single drop of blood. Even when he’s angry. He’s the healer. Not because of the god he worships (she’s actually a freak) but because of a personal choice.

The only time he should attack is if they show the scene with sheep Caleb.

[deadbandsong]

My favorite pain in the ass.

Love Unlimited Infinity Comic. Josh Trujillo. 2022.

[s0fter-sin]

prince!ghost and lord in waiting!soap

ghost is a warrior prince, next in line after king price and it’s always been accepted he would be the lone ruler; never one for entertaining the courts or indulging foreign rulers trying to consolidate their power. he hardly acts like a prince at all, in name only when he spends more time as a pseudo captain of the guard. price has never begrudged him that, not when he himself has been a lone king since his inauguration

though he’s a warrior prince, he’s never lost the favour of the people; many see him as a guardian even if he doesn’t interact with the people as much as benevolent and stalwart king price. who he does interact with is the kingdom’s children; always ready to bend a knee and listen to bright voices, to praise stick swords and shields or hear the plight of a struggling family. it was a common belief that if he wasn’t out protecting, then he was with the protected; face covered, blonde curls shining in the sun

soap’s always loved ghost. as his lord in waiting, it’s been his job to attend him since they were young and even as a child, he’d idolised him; his skills in battle, his surety. he thought his life would be nothing but service, clothing a brat prince and making sure his shoes shined. but ghost has proven more than that; he treats him as an equal, consults him on strategy and court politics and over time that idolisation turned into love

and ghost has always felt the same. he’d begrudged the idea of a lord in waiting, not wanting someone always in his business but then came this spitfire who never missed an opportunity to push back on him; to make him dig deeper. johnny is more than some mere servant; he’s his confidant, his best friend, his… everything. he could be simon with him, not prince ghost

but simon figures that out too late

king price gets word from king shepherd, a kingdom they’ve only recently stopped feuding with and he’s offering up his son, prince graves, as a way to bond their kingdoms together and firmly put war behind them. price is ready to deny him, he doesn’t fear war from shepherd, when he sends some ancient laws that leave him unable to refuse. he hates it, hates that he’s ruining ghost’s happiness and feels like he’s betraying his adopted son but there’s nothing he can do

graves comes to their kingdom within the month and it’s clear from the moment he walks through their gates that he’s the opposite of ghost; arrogant and conceited, his ceremonial armour glossy and untouched by battle. he’s dismissive of their servants, of their ways, of their people and ghost hates him

graves insists that the wedding happen as soon as possible, pushing the craftsmen and cooks beyond their limits to prepare and every moment ghost spends with him, the more he dreads his wedding day. every evening he retreats to his room, exhausted, and it’s all johnny can do to keep him afloat; trying to keep him positive as ghost falls away and simon breaks in his arms. he wants to whisk him away like the old tales, the pain his oldest friend and love is in making his heart ache but all he can do is promise to be there with him

but it seems graves wants to take even him away

“soap’s been my lord in waiting since we were children,” ghost protests, voice barely clinging to civility. “i wouldn’t want to lose such a valuable worker.”

“there are plenty of decent servants in our kingdom; you’ll forget this one soon enough,” graves waves away, carding a possessive hand over his curls and it’s only bc he’s looking for it that soap sees ghost’s jaw twitch beneath his neck gaiter. “it’s custom for one marrying into our kingdom to embrace all that it has to offer, leaving who they were behind to become someone better. you’re entering a new life with me; you don’t need the baggage of this dreary place.”

soap feels sick as he walks behind them, his blank expression hiding all sign of his breaking heart.

“soap is beholden to me,” ghost declares. “we were sworn together by the old laws. i’m afraid a custom isn’t enough for me to break a vow to the gods.”

graves lets out a disgruntled noise, tugging harshly at one of ghost’s curls with only a thin veil of fondness; his conceding smile not reaching his eyes.

“i never made a vow to the gods,” johnny points out later. “price gave me to you because he was sick of me setting fire to the kitchens.”

simon hums and sets his freshly cleaned armour aside, turning to him with a twinkle in his eyes he’s barely seen since sheperd’s missive. “you pinkie swore that you would never leave me; that’s more powerful than any promise to the gods,” he says and soap’s thrown back fifteen years, to a willow tree big enough to touch the sky; to two boys from different stations who didn’t care that one was dressed in silk and the other in scraps.

johnny feels a lightness he hasn’t in a month as simon winks at him. “besides, do you really think graves is smart enough to figure it out?”

the days pass quickly, graves’ veneer of affection growing ever thinner, and before either of them are ready, it’s the eve of ghost’s wedding.

he’s said nothing, done nothing but stare at the wedding robes graves had tailored for him in the fashion of his kingdom and johnny doesn’t know how to break the silence. he draws out each second as he fusses with the cape piece and ensures the shoes shine in the fire light until he has no more excuses.

he sighs as he straightens up, brushing off polish onto his pants. “i suppose this is where i leave you,” he says with a weak smile but it quickly dies when simon still doesn’t look at him. “i’ll be here in the morning to help you get ready… good night, simon.”

johnny bows and makes for the door, trying to convince himself he didn’t just say goodbye.

but he’s stopped by simon’s hand loosely wrapping around his wrist.

he looks back as simon finally tears his eyes away from the robes, looking at him with such clear longing it almost brings him to his knees.

“i don’t want graves to be the first man to touch me, johnny,” he confesses and johnny’s breath hitches. “i don’t want to be married to another… not when the one i’m set to wed isn’t you. but if i have to do this… please let me feel loved one final time.”

simon’s thumb brushes the back of his hand; their kingdom’s greatest warrior caressing him with a touch light as silk. he doesn’t pull johnny in, doesn’t need to; johnny’s already sinking into his touch.

desperation and love tinge every movement; johnny dancing his fingers over simon’s neck gaiter until he all too happily removes it, baring his scarred cheeks and lips. johnny kisses each one, willing his love and his touch to linger above all others as they move together; sharing breath, sharing body, sharing soul the way they wish they always have.

when ghost makes his way down the aisle, it’s not in the fine embroidered robes graves had laid out for him. he’s in his battle armour; dark and weathered, the sign of the ghost, the warrior prince, going to battle. the only thing missing is his helm, tucked under his arm.

showing his hair; curls gone and shaved tight to his skin.

a thing done only in a time of great mourning.

graves looks irate and it’s the only spark of joy ghost feels as he stops before the altar; set beneath the willow tree where johnny promised himself to him. one final insult.

ghost is silent throughout the ceremony and in spirit and in grief, so is the entire gathered kingdom until the priestess reaches the final vows and suddenly, a great roar rises above the crowd as seemingly every child in the kingdom swarms the altar.

ghost is too shocked to do anything but let them push him away from graves, bullying their way between them like they’re preparing to protect him just as he’s always protected them.

graves is furious but the children stand firm in the face of his threats until he moves to strike one-

and freezes as soap’s blade finds his throat.

“you would dare hurt these children?” he growls, sword following graves as he stumbles back. “you’ve kept up your charade the entire time and here is where you show your true colours. i think it’s time i show mine.”

graves splutters as johnny turns to the priestess and king price, falling to one knee and offering up his blade. “your grace, i wish to challenge prince graves for the hand of prince simon!”

his voice rings clear and he feels the eyes of every person in the kingdom.

but he only cares for one man.

who is watching him with more love than he’s ever felt.

“who are you to challenge me?” graves sneers. “you’re nothing more than a servant; no better than the dirt on my boots.”

johnny doesn’t bother to look at him, too caught in the love in simon’s eyes and the grateful look on king price’s face. “then you should have nothing to worry about. you’ve been crowing your accolades from the rooftops since you got here; let’s see if you live up to the hype.”

because simon only ever introduced him as his lord in waiting.

never as sir soap- his second in command and one of the greatest swordsmen their kingdom has ever seen.

[renstrapp]

Shep's POV

Harrow's POV

[the-nettle-knight]

Late to the party but did an English Miku

[khrushchevs-corn-farm]

Stiletto

Commissioned @creepingm0nster to draw Cybele Minte from @shepherds-of-haven

[gayozpin]

Posting about Blue Star, my shipname for Jaime and Oo'Li, because I ADORE the concept of these two as a romantic pair! :] I love how these two parallel each other by being people who carry an immense amount of responsibility. They're so deeply loyal to the people they care about, they shoulder their duties without hesitation and fight for the right of others to live peacefully. They're so committed to this, in many ways Jaime and Oo'Li's lives are not entirely their own.

Oo'Li is next in line to lead the Horizon and Jaime is a superhero who's committed to protecting people. Yet, they yearn for stability and a slice of normalcy, like going to college and exploring the world :') These two could not be any more different when it comes to personality and approach to conflict (and obviously coming from two different worlds lol), yet they're not so different as people who wear their hearts on their sleeves. I hope we get to see this relationship develop into something meaningful, because this pairing could be really great!! Like dynamic wise, I love how blunt Oo'Li is and it was fun to watch Jaime navigate that. I also think Oo'Li is just a really cool character herself. I would love to see more of her and explore her role in a Blue Beetle story that isn't just being a love interest, so hopefully Oo'Li doesn't get lost to another reboot or creative choice to just... completely ignore and erase everything that came before lol

[renstrapp]

MICKIE I LOVE THEM! new desktop wallpaper <3

wayne and shep for my pal @renstrapp! go read her comic @theshepherdssword !! now!! go!! hot werewolf? butch4butch ?? rivals to lovers slowburn??? what more could u need

[renstrapp]

Wayne from The Shepherd's Sword

[theshepherdssword]

The Shepherd’s Sword

Chapter 5 - Page 18

Start // Website // Patreon

[catskullery]

quick cheer-up sketch of Wayne the butch lesbian werewolf from @theshepherdssword for @renstrapp :)

[yuuugay]

Death Tarot: Ner Wanless lineart :_(