Keris marched across the struts of Red Barge, followed swiftly by Commander Seraphimus. Pulling up the rear were Windburst, Starstorm, and—at last—Raptr. The Sergeants looked around, their beaks agape at the sight of so many ponies working and recovering together.
“If everypony looks healthy to you, that's entirely due to the faithful and well-spirited cooperation of these locals here. Two days ago, this was a completely different scene.” He waved his good talon at the tents where hundreds of ailing ponies were still gathered, resting and being fed food and medicine. “Shortly upon Red Barge's liberation from the heartless control of Top Dredger Skagra, hundreds of enslaved souls were brought up to the surface. I'm talking about starved, steam-scalded, barely functioning bodies... all worked to the bone to keep this place afloat.”
“Goddess...” Raptr stammered, his hawkeyes blinking wide beneath his helmet. “They look like they just came back from the dead.”
“Many of them didn't come back, Sergeant,” Keris explained. “A grand total of twenty-eight have died since we attempted extracting them from the harvest chambers down below.” He exhaled. “The bodies of over a hundred overworked ponies still linger down there. I purposefully requested that we delay the burial at sea until after the Right Talon of Verlaxion had a chance to look for themselves.”
“And we shall document our observations in order to provide the Council with a full report,” Seraphimus said with a nod. “Very well done, Lieutenant.” She pointed at the pale white platforms floating due north. “Can you explain why White Barge is here?”
“Even before the power structure here collapsed, Representative Elsaack of the White Barge community had repeatedly offered their services in assisting the ponies of Red Barge,” Keris explained. “However, Skagra's dredgers were told to constantly refuse any and all help. From what I've been told, it's been this way for generations, with White Barge constantly improving itself while Red Barge fell into abject poverty and destitution.”
“And... and it's true?” Starstorm stammered. “The Red Bargers were... re-appropriating their own citizens into work slaves?”
“And making orphan laborers out of the children belonging to those sent below,” Keris calmly said. “Even going so far as to remove their cutie marks with steam burns.”
“Damn...” Windburst glared across the bulkheads. “These punks were asking for it.” He cocked his helmeted head aside, talons gripping a crossbow. “Where did you say the top dredger was sent again?”
“Skagra and many of his executive dredgers are currently being held deep in the lower chambers of White Barge,” Keris explained. “It... is feared that if they were kept here, then they might be subjected to multiple assassination attempts.” The Lieutenant cleared his throat and pointed at Windburst. “Sergeant.”
“...?” Windburst turned around.
“Do relinquish the crossbow, if you will,” Keris said. “The ponies here will not harm us... or each other.”
Before Windburst could sling it over his back—
“Belay that order, Sergeant,” Commander Seraphimus said. “And take wing. I want you on patrol of both Barges.” Her talons scraped over the rusted metal as she perched on the edge of a lofty bulkhead, overlooking the scenery. It may come as no surprise that this is the largest power shift in the seven seas' social structure since the mobsters in charge of Rust had their empire implode.” She looked over her armored shoulder. “These platforms are likely prime targets for pirates and privateers. I need you as our look-out in case the unthinkable was to occur.”
Windburst saluted. “Ma'am, yes, ma'am.” Thwoooosh! He flew high, curving into a counter-clockwise glide as he flew circles over the two Barges.
Keris was dead silent as Seraphimus swiveled about, speaking past him. “Starstorm. Raptr.”
Starstorm looked up while Raptr jolted, still shocked by the sights.
“Yes, Commander?” Starstorm swallowed. “You wish us to assist the locals?”
Seraphimus nodded. “Affirmative. Evidently, the Lieutenant's heavy injuries have immobilized him. No doubt these ponies will need help that goes beyond the limitations of the average pegasus. Seek out this 'Elsaack' and ask what he needs to accelerate the recovery process. Assist him in any way possible. If it's requested that you make a delivery trip beyond the Barges, consult me first. Is that understood?”
“Ma'am, yes, ma'am,” Starstorm said with a salute.
“Very well. Dismissed.” Seraphimus squinted for a moment. “... … …and look after the rookie.”
“Huh?” Raptr stammered.
Starstorm sighed, then smiled slightly. “Come on, featherweight. Stick close.”
“Erm... y-yes, Sergeant.” And both took wing.
Keris turned to face Seraphimus. “On the topic of privateers, it may interest you to know that Monket—the infamous 'Slaver of Waves' was here at Red Barge, working closely with Skagra... as well as with a third party that I believe may be connected with the Main Land.” He gulped. “If I may be so bold as to suggest—”
“You may not,” Seraphimus said bluntly, marching past him. “Your boldness ends here.” She motioned with an icy talon. “Come with me, Lieutenant, where nopony can see or hear us.” Her cold charcoal eyes narrowed beneath her helmet. “We need to talk...”
With a shudder, Keris nevertheless stood up straight and limped after her. “But of course, Commander...”
The two headed down a metal ramp and into a chamber below deck...
A light blizzard showered the forest outside a two-story shack with powdery frost.
Sonikah shivered, but she tried not to show it. With numb limbs, she trotted up the stone steps that made the foundation of the partially collapsed household. Several strips of dry wood balanced on her flank, and a rosy light covered her coat and burlap tunic as she approached a soothing heat source. The mare squinted, coming to a shuffling stop several feet from a flickering fire.
Theanim Mane squatted between two weak pilgrims parked by the flames. He helped one sit up, half-cradling him with a forelimb. Meanwhile, he tilted a mug of steaming soup to the emaciated stallion's lips.
“There... please... sip to your heart's content.” Theanim smiled. “Or—in this case—your stomach.”
The stallion winced slightly, but found the pace at which to relish both the taste and nourishment of the broth beyond his aching limbs. He raised two hooves and used it to support the mug in Theanim's grasp.
“I threw in a special, curing agent made from a herb I discovered on the Nealend Atoll,” Theanim said in a pleasant tone. “It relaxes the inner organs of the body. It should help ease your hunger pains as you get used to a healthy diet again.”
The stallion paused in drinking. He coughed once, then wheezed: “Any... m-meat...?”
“Heh... no sir.” Theanim shook his head. “I've done my fair share of research on the pilgrims of the Quade. I've no intention of disrespecting your time-honored beliefs.” When the pony was done with the soup, he helped lay the stallion down, then drew a blanket over him. “However, as a member of the Scientific Order, I would be remiss if I allowed you to suffer anymore than you already have.”
“Mrmmfff...” The stallion sputtered, wheezed. He nevertheless curled up beneath the fabric. “Through p-pain and labor... we... m-meditate on... on...”
“So I've been told,” Theanim said with a nod. “But what is the point of such a method if it threatens to end your life? Hmmm?” He arched an eyebrow. “You've suffered many indecencies since arriving here. It would be a shame to perish from your circumstances. After all... how would one meditate then?”
“Perhaps...” The other stallion stammered to the side of Theanim. “...it would be the Goddess' will.”
“Ah. A very good point.” Theanim made a show of leaning back and tapping his chin in thought. “Or... just perhaps... it may have been Verlaxion's will that I showed up to nurse you back to health.”
Sonikah's nostrils flared. She trotted forward and dumped the firewood inordinately at Theanim's side.
Theanim jumped slightly.
“Thank you most kindly for your gracious assistance, Professor,” Sonikah said. “But it is no longer needed.”
“I beg to differ, madame.” Theanim pointed at the two stallions. “Your associates here are still suffering digestion problems. And with this blisteringly cold weather all around us, it's a wonder that all of you haven't come down with a case of hypothe—”
“Your actions are most welcome,” Sonikah said. “But your words are not.”
“I'm afraid I don't quite read you.”
“Oh, but I think you do, Professor,” Sonikah said. “If you so desire to nurse my fellow pilgrims back to health, then I welcome your good grace and compassion.” She shook her head. “However, I cannot and will not stand for you insisting on what is or what isn't Verlaxion's divine deliverance.”
“I only meant to imply that it may not be your lot in life to suffer unnecessar—”
“Our lot in life was altered the very moment we suffered a New Plight of Luminar!” Sonikah snarled.
“Oh, is that what you're calling it?” Theanim smiled.
“This conversation is over,” Sonikah said in a growling tone. “I've allowed you to perform your services up util now, but I'm afraid I must ask you to leave.”
“My dear madame—”
“When we were brought here, we were told that this place was a sanctuary for the Luminards to conduct their mourning in absolute purity before the presence of Verlaxion,” she said. “I cannot allow you to disturb that any longer.”
Theanim adjusted his goggles. “And just who said this, pray tell?” He arched an eyebrow beneath his brown bangs. “The materialist ruffians who unceremoniously dumped you into this woodland ghetto?”
Sonikah chewed on her lip.
Theanim squinted. “Are these the same members of the Shoreline Trade Consortium that hauled you up to the Council at Frostknife just so you could act as a figurehead for Chandler's platform?”
With a sigh, Sonikah shuffled past him. “I have no concern for the Consortium's politics. Or for yours.”
Theanim spun about. “But perhaps you should, seeing as how you and your friends here have been brushed under the rug. Do you even know where this place is?”
Sonikah squatted by the fire, tossing in one log after another. “It's secluded. By Verlaxion's grace, that's all that matters.”
“Ms. Sonikah, this is Elm Prefecture,” Theanim exhaled. “It's the least populated province on the east side of Frostknife.” The Professor shook his head. “Chandler and his stallions didn't send you here so you could meditate. He sent you here so you could disappear.”
Sonikah clenched her jaw, staring into the flames.
“And I bet Chandler orchestrated it... knowing that you in your current miserable state of mourning would accept whatever was given to you.” Theanim frowned. “Well, I will not stand for it.”
“Professor...”
“As a foal of Verlaxion myself, I am honor-bound to protect my brothers and sisters of Unification—”
She flashed an angry frown at him. “Do not twist the Goddess' good virtues against me!” She planted a hoof over her chest. “I dealt with that enough back in... in...”
Theanim stared.
Sonikah sighed, hanging her head. “I know the real reason why you're here, Professor.” She gulped. “It is simply to find some foolish way to exonerate Rainbow Dash.” She shook her head. “I am telling you right now that such a thing will not come to pass. By Verlaxion's glory, I cannot condone the actions she committed in the Quade.”
Theanim calmly said, “I am here to ascertain the truth, Ms. Sonikah. Whatever that may be.” His eyes narrowed. “Including Rainbow Dash's guilt.”
She looked up at him.
“And... if that may be the case... or even if it may not be.” He gulped. “I-I do believe that I share in that guilt, madame. I was a close companion to hers... and now I fear that I may have left her out of my sight too soon.” His brow furrowed. “I aim to fix that. I aim to fix you.”
Sonikah slowly shook her head. “There is no fixing us. We are damned... forsaken.”
“You are also alive,” Theanim said, smiling gently. “And life is the greatest gift Verlaxion has allowed us since the Thawing.” His eyes narrowed. “Would you deny her the joy of such godly generosity?”
“... … ...”
“Mmmm... something to meditate on indeed.” Theanim stood up, gathering some supplies. “I shall let you be.”
“You shall leave us alone entirely—”
“I'll be upstairs. Just shout—for anything—and I will come straight down to provide more warmth and food.” Theanim saluted as he trotted by, smiling. “Cheers.”
“Mmmmmfffnngh...” Sonikah face hoofed with a sigh.
One of the two stallions coughed, wheezed. “... … …more soup, please?”
“Verlaxion, spare me,” Sonikah droned.
Theanim, killing them with kindness. Like a bold Fluttershy.
I really like Theanim. I was worried that he was starting to be portrayed as blundering and incompetent when he first started interacting with the Luminards, but I think he's on to something with the way he's treating them.
Seraphimus' feathers are clearly ruffled right now. I can't wait to see her reaction to Keris' explanation.
*sigh*...Those Luminards just drive me to driving my head through my desk. For the love of all that is good and holy, just sit down and think. Think with your brains and not your emotions.
6718373
Holy crap! You musta put in all your time to do it. FoE took me all of my spare time for 8 days.
>.>
Wonder what everyone will think after Rainbow Dash kills their so called "Goddess". Really, she needs to destroy Verlax. Or at the very least, attempt to reform her before obliterating her.
If only Verlax cared as much as they do.
inb4 Sonikah is the new Shell.
"I say verlaxions will is for you to die!" " WELL I say that verlaxions will is for you to live!" Whos right? Cause neither can be wrong when speaking of verlaxions grace right?
Warm fuzzies abound. I wonder what Seraphimus is going to make of all this. Hard to argue with results, even if they aren't quite the ones she was looking for.
Sonikah seems to be getting angry. That means she is thinking about what Theamin is saying. It goes against everything she thinks she stands for, but part of her cannot help but wonder 'what if he is right?'. It is easy to hate and believe, what is harder is realizing that hate and belief may be wrong, and harder still is letting go of it. Hope she ends up doing so, it will help her in the long run.
As for Keris, he is probably going to explain that going after Rainbow after he saw what she was capable of (as discord avatar) would have ended only with him as a smear on the wall and ceiling (even if it is outdoors), even if he was in top shape (which he most certainly was not). Seraph is not likely to be too hard on him in such a situation, though she might start wondering why someone painted as so evil would risk so much to help others. She might also end up overhearing from Swift Song or one of the others about Chandler and how he planned to use Rainbow.
Once again we find science pitted against religious beliefs. Props to Theanim for his pretty much endless patience at this point. I wouldn't have been able to keep that up for so long.
Can't wait for Rainbow and Theanim to cross paths again.
A talk is never a good thing. Wonder if Keris will betray Rainbow Dash in any way
6720601 I waiting for Verlax to drop a bombshell speech to people at this Council where she pardons Dash and does a few other things that goes against people's interpretations of her will. It will be glorious; I will bring popcorn.
So as long as you're doing it, it's fine, but if someone else does it, it's bad? That's the problem I have with this kind of religion. Their god/goddess works in mysterious ways, but they know what those ways are, and no else ever is right. As much as I respect difference in belief, that is some terrible hypocrisy right there.
Hmmmmm....maybe I should write another wall of text that no one will bother to read on that.
Wow, Dashie. Another religion that will remember you for all eternity.
For a brief, dark moment, my subconscious shipped me with Theanim.
It's time to get off the internet for the day.
Friggan monks, man...
Theanim seems to be getting though to her, little by little. I just hope that he can do it before she drives him off for good. Seraphimus is going to be mostly pissed off at Keris I just hope she isn't going to be too hard on the guy, but she seems far too obsessed with her objective to be anything else. Since a lot of people pull the parallels to the Teen Titans (the animated version mind you not comics) here she is very clearly Robin when he was going after Slade. So she is going to be rather unreasonable when it comes to this.
Theanim, using diplomacy and reason like a boss.
Speaking of bosses, hoooo, Keris, I imagine this is going to be a very unpleasant conversation you're about to have with Seraphimus. You did good, but she's going to ream you over letting Dash go (even though you really couldn't have stopped Dash even if you'd been at 100%), and for getting involved int he local politics... which I'm pretty sure you swore to her you wouldn't. Still, you did good, so even if she dresses you down with the fury of a thousand pissed off suns you can at least hold onto the notion that it was totally worth it.
Well Keris, pick your words carefully.
Theanim knows just how to pick apart a religion it seems.
-Companions have returned, inner darkness spurned. Utaan.
6718522
I dunno. It's an awful lot just to catch up. Also, what's Austraeoh?
*...looks it up*
Holy crap! The author is SS&E?! I get two million words of SS&E?
I think you mean "Belay"
I wonder what the point of the Sonikah storyline is. And I don't mean that in a snotty way. If Theanim just needed to hear her story, that would be a fairly simple thing. But something is being built here. Maybe Rainbow will get a second chance with the remaining monks. Forgiveness might be a bit much to ask for, but perhaps healing can take place.
Then there's the matter of the Right Talon. I hope Keris will speak well on Rainbow's behalf, but I don't know how much difference that will make.
6720845 Depends what branch of military, and what country you come from. Belay is a very navy thing. And the Talon makes me think more of SOF...
6720720
I read them! (most of the time)
So, if Sonikah is this suicidal now, what's she going to be like when it inevitably gets revealed that her Goddess and savior is nothing more than a scheming frost lizard that twice (possibly thrice) planned and executed the fall of her people. And all in the name of providing her insane draconic chaos fueled version of aid to the pony that destroyed the object of the Quade's worship. Who, by the by, is Equinity's last and best hope for surviving the impending death of existence by entropic forces beyond the reckoning of mortal understanding.
Or to put it less wordy, everything she's ever known is a lie and her mentor as well as several of her friends and neighbors died ignorant and in vain. #Easthorseproblems
Oh for fuck's...
You mean kind of like you've been doing during your entire fucking life?
I hate what happened to these people, but even after the event, I also fucking hate their arrogance and hipocresy.
6720737 Thenikah... I'd ship it.
6720856 I agree, this part of the storyline must exist for a reason. I'm guessing Sonikah discovers Verlax's true plans in an unguarded moment, confronts the lizard with her crimes, is saved by Dashie, (hooks up with Thenim) and founds a new church in Rohbredden. One built upon, oh I don't know, let's say harmony.
Then again, all my predictions are bubkis. I'm probably way off.
When we first met Theamin I found him rather annoying. Even as he traveled with Rainbow, he seemed intelligent and provided good insights, but he was never an extremely important figure in my eyes. Now that we are seeing him more and more in his own element, helping everyone around him and honestly seeking the truth, I respect him much more than I used to. He's like a "bold Fluttershy".
6720579
Word Cloud for this chapter
Simple - The Art of Good Grace
Complex - The Art of Good Grace - 2
6720829
Eeyup. Here's a link to the beginning of the series, just to get you started.
Uh oh. The boss wants to have a talk?
Behold!
img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/photo/a3LmAA7_700b.jpg
The Right Talon of Verlaxion!
6720652
It might also completely backfire. People do not think clearly when they are upset, and that is just a small tip of the iceberg we just seen. Why else would she send the rest of the talon away? She doesn't want to besmirch her image of the courageous commander to her underlings, and is going to try and 'correct' Keris back into line. Or find out the truth, and strip Keris of his status, and kick him OUT of the talon.
Of her warning to keep out of the local politics of the barges, what is she going to do? Will she kill the former leaders of the red barge? Let them go free? Or even reinstate their former positions because they are forsaken by verlaxion's will, and therefor deserve that fate? And to spite what Rainbow Dash had done? To keep her as the villain?
Do any of you have theories about what's going to happen? I can't even begin to guess.
6721256
Flowers sprout, and later wither.
Stars shine, and one day will extinguish.
In the time it takes one Divine to blink,
ponies are born, laugh, cry, struggle, get hurt, feel joy, sadness, hate. love.
And during all that time, Austraeoh flies East.
6720906
Anyone considered the idea that Verlax isn't actually evil? What if she just elected to make herself the necessary evil? What if Rainbow can't survive the Other Side without embracing Chaos?
We were told Verlax was a deceiver, but never outright told that she was an uber-bad. What if what stopped mighty Austraeoh's of the past -- Commander Hurricane anyone? (who, for all intents and purposes was a super-Rainbow Dash) -- was their inability or refusal to assume the mantle of Chaos?
Tell me, what entity did Rainbow absorb before her journey? And what (or who), theoretically, awaits Rainbow at the final Seed?
All I'm saying is, perhaps Rainbow can't enter darkness without understanding darkness. Perhaps this whole journey was designed and orchestrated by Verlax herself.
Time for Kerris to be extremely careful about what he says.
Theams wants the truth. It doesn't matter if he's gonna have to nurse every single pony back to health to do it either!
6720585
I have been told I have that a effect on people
6720618 Nah, she's the new hedgehog.
6720715 I'm waiting for Rainbow to kick her ass, that will go against the people's interpretation. Though to be fair, Verlax is half a goddess. Rainbow only defeated Nevlamas because she had the aid of the tome and Axan, and because Nev herself was completely chaos-ridden. So heavens know if she will kick Verlax' scaly butt after all.
6720720 Fundamentalism is the word you're looking for. :P
Keris has the problem of reporting that its all Chandlers fault, because Serafimus is being kept under duress by his manipulation of her family members requiring medical treatment.
Wonder which end of the country Theanim is relative to where Dash is approaching? Most likely totally the opposite?
Thenim is aggressively nice.
6721334
I really don't think that is the twist IC is going for here. Could you argue that she isn't actually evil; sure I could even buy that to an extent. However Verlax is far too manipulative and controlling to be considered a good guy in any of this, I would consider her an Anti-Villain more or less. I think that is the best kind of light you can cast on a character like her as it stands.
6721042 nice. they took forever to load, tho. maybe post as embedded pic next time. how did you make them?
6721412 Unless Rainbow gets another maguffin like the tome, the only way (it seems to me) she'll beat Verlax in a fight is if Verlax lets it. I'm kinda thinking it might be like the Elder Scrolls Oblivion Grey Prince... but with the entire continent getting the reeling feels of their god falling
6721672
I tired to embed the image in the post, but the site always said "invalid image" whenever I tried.
I made it using one of the hundreds of word cloud creators that exist out there. (the one I used is actually an attachment for Microsoft Word). For most of them, you just copy and paste the text you want, choose a color scheme, fiddle with other options (if you want), and then the program generates a word cloud based off of the words that appear most in the text you gave it.
6721329 Woah dude. That's just... Woah.
6721992 Alternate-alternate headcannon accepted. I need more vitamin Dubya C to fight off this emotional scurvy!
magic-ville.com/pics/big/hom/051.jpg
6720829 It's an early Christmas present!