Another Testament of Rainbow Dash
Floydien had slowed the Noble Jury's approach with Props' help. The vessel was now cruising eastward at an easy glide. The entire crew stood on the top deck, peering into the spectacle before them. The closer they came to land, the louder the crashing surf pounded their ears from below, approaching an almost absurd volume. This was because the land didn't have any soft, sandy shores to be seen. Everything was sharp rock and jagged shoals. The earth didn't rise gently out of the surf. It jutted steeply and violently out of the ocean, forming a series of outrageously thin pillars that stubbornly resisted the tide. In fact, these needle-thin mesas stretched eastward for as far as the crew could see, rising gradually with taller and taller spikes—dark and gritty at the bottom but topped off with dewy frost and splotches of alabaster marble at the peaks. The air was cold, but not frigid. Constantly, the waves threw themselves at the jagged bluffs with such strength that the spray reached as high up as where the Noble Jury hovered, sprinkling moisture onto the timid flesh of the gazing crew.
The lighthouse that first alerted the crew turned out to be a far more elaborate thing as the vessel drew closer. It wasn't anchored to the ocean floor, but rather propped on the very top of the westernmost cluster of earthen spikes. Several of the jagged peaks had metal braces attached in a circle. These iron beams crossed over in a spiraling fashion, supporting a heavy vertical stalk in the center that erected itself high above the rest of the landscape. A skeletonous array of diagonal metal bars wound about the entire vertical length, encasing a spiral staircase that culminated in a singular black box of a room within the bars—located right beneath the brightly lit lamp that illuminated the lighthouse as a whole.
Down by the base of the "tower," several metal planks and walkways led to a cluster of humble little shacks—all crafted out of iron and aluminum—that balanced themselves perfectly atop an array of flat brass plates. Along the outer fringes and facing the ocean, a series of gardens and planted flowers rested in shallow troughs. A few spaces over, several windsocks and pinwheels faced the sea, twirling in the constant breeze. It was a strangely tranquil sight that precariously loomed a few dozen feet above cacophonous, crashing waves.
The sun had risen by the time Rainbow and the crew passed by the pulsating light house, and yet Rainbow's focus wasn't on the Sword of Solstice. She hovered in little hummingbird zig-zags around the ship, studying the landscape from every possible angle.
"It's... it's not abandoned, is it?" Ebon remarked.
"Who do you think lit the lighthouse?" Josho grumbled. "Cockroaches?"
"I can't imagine anypony having to constantly deal with this noise," Bellesmith said with Kera balanced on her shoulders.
"I don't think it is ponies, beloved."
"I can't see anyone," Rainbow Dash said. She glanced back at the ship from where she hovered alongside it. "Who would want to live out here?"
"I know!" Props nodded. "It's only an island!"
"I don't think so," Eagle Eye said from where he leaned over the deck near the bow. He looked north and west with a peering gaze. "Or, if it is, it's a large island."
"Do you see where the jagged bluffs end?" Ebon asked.
"Uhm... I think the jagged bluffs are what make this place."
"Neato keano," Props murmured.
"If this is the mainland, then we stand to be outnumbered," Roarke droned. She gazed over at Josho. "This might be a good time to grab your gun."
"Right—"
"No!" Rainbow Dash spun, waving a hoof. "We're here to be peaceful!"
"And how do we know that they are gonna be peaceful?" Josho muttered.
Ebon gulped. "Everywhere we seem to go, things are wanting to kill us."
"Come on, burgundy." Zaid smirked. "Have a smidgeon of faith for once."
"You're lucky I don't give you a smidgeon of arsenic."
"Pfft. You still on that, buddy?"
"I'm with Mr. Zaid on this one," Pilate said, then squirmed. "Partly." He cleared his throat. "Let's not jump to conclusions."
"Yes," Roarke nodded with glinting lenses. "Let's just let the local populace jump us first."
"Roarke..." Rainbow muttered.
"Hey." Kera pointed. "Look."
Everyone turned their heads to see.
As the ship passed over a cluster of jagged peaks, they spotted a round plate situated on the very top of it. A two-story shack was situated in the center of the plate, and the crew could see a figure shuffling slowly, slowly out of the front door. In the early dawnlight, a peppery turtle shell glinted. A reptilian head looked up, then smiled a beaked smile before waving limply at the Jury. As the shadow of the ship passed, the turtle continued his long stroll towards the first of several metal hanging bridges fastened between more plates resting atop more stone peaks.
"Well, they seem friendly enough," Props said. She adjusted the goggles over her eyes and blinked at the others. "Unless waving is a turtle's way of saying 'Die a thousand deaths in candle-time.'"
"So, is this it, then?" Ebon remarked. "Is this Alafreo?"
"All of it is Alafreo," Elma said. Everypony turned to her. She stood in the doorframe to the cockpit with a dull expression hanging off her chitinous features. "The province covers a good chunk of the northwest edge of the continent, at least until the land draws dense to the east, beyond the Churning Line."
Rainbow flew down and hovered before Elma. "We could totally use your help in getting around this place, Elma."
The changeling gulped and nodded. "I'm very much willing to do what I can."
"But still... if you're up to it, we could..." Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head. "You know..."
Elma nodded. "I've been thinking about it a lot. Especially... uhm... especially overnight." Her eyes fell upon the furthest edge of the group.
Eagle Eye avoided her gaze, fidgeting.
Elma glanced back up at Rainbow Dash. "But... b-but would you be willing to talk to the cityfolk first? I... I-I don't think I'm quite ready to see my family again. I mean..." She winced. "Elma's family..."
"Sure thing." Rainbow nodded. "We'll do whatever we can. So... uhm..." She cleared her throat. "What city is this and how do we find it?"
"Look for a large cluster of brass plates centered around a tall stone spire with pronged peaks. There'll be a bright violet torch burning in a cauldron hanging from the two promontories. It's... r-rather high up, and definitely north from here. There'll be some snow, but no blizzards. At least... hopefully not."
"Uhhh..."
"And the township's name is Abinadi," Elma said. "If you have a hard time finding it, you can ask any of the sentries."
"Sentries?"
"Peak Watchers on small dirigibles," she explained. "They're probably taking off right now as we speak. Eagle could easily spot them. They're always tethered to a rocky Sentry Station on the outlying spires."
"Well, alright." Rainbow nodded and flew out beyond the edge of the ship. "Watching for Peak Watchers. You got all that, EE?"
"Right. On it," the stallion said, peering.
"Is it a bad thing if I'm excited?" Props said in a bouncy tone.
"Speak for yourself," Roarke droned. She sat back on her haunches and folded her forelimbs. "Looks like I'm not shooting anyone today."
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What a calm, rocky place.
(Let's see how fate decides to wreck it.
)
That sounds like the name of a death metal album or something.
Whoops
All metal bridges and catwalks, eh?
Reminds me of that Myst game I never finished playing.
Horay! La—er...well, not really the [land] I was expecting, but at least it's still land, right?
>If this is the mailand
Mainland?
Mail-land!
4596653
Either that or the name of a chapter of the seventh story of the Austraeoh Saga.
4596741
...
...
...I'm going to bookmark this post now. Just in case it happens.
Solid world design of Alafreo. Slightly worried it would kinda be generic. Them bridges, and spires, and catwalks and stuff + Turtletown. I'll allow it.
Loving Roarke last line. About to meet a whole new race of people and she just wants to shoot someone.
4596753 Don't forget the jagged bluffs. I'm pretty sure there was something about jagged bluffs.
Huh. I was just reading Mosiah 16 myself the other day. You're not the only one getting letters from Itaily
Hello and welcome to turtle land. We hope you enjoy your stay!
So, we've gone from Castle in the Sky to Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind?
Don't mind my snarkiness. There's some pretty awesome imagery here. Looking forward to learning more about Alafreo.
I personally am hoping for a peaceful country. I wonder if this place has a central government.
Hello, Stoneship.
I can't wait to see turtle culture. It should be very interesting. Maybe not even in the "we want to kill/harm you in a particular way because reasons" way.
Awww, pouty Roarke. Also, really like the setup for Turtle People.
4595658
Archer Point (and Lerris, before Shell showed up).
1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jl2dKaRW-m8/Tr36bjIBbnI/AAAAAAAAAXY/DC-CP8tuy_c/s1600/133365.jpg
4597193 Finally some towers I say. Towers and cliffs. With such a ruptured country forming the base of our next arc, you could say that from now on, things will look pretty...
Riven.
Okay, not what is was expecting, but still pretty cool!
One of the things I love most about this series is the unique locations. IC never disappoints here.
>chapter title
I see what you did there.
New location!
Love the Gherkin Lighthouse, although, iron, aluminium And brass, all in a salt air enviroment?
At least they wont have to worry about lack of electricity to power that light. If anyhting, the problem they wouldve had is making all the electric flow to to same point instead of the whole thing lighting up.
Rourke doesnt expect to kill today? Silly Rourke. the Sun has barely risen, theres enough time for three full scale battles, two sneaks, at least 5 misunderstandings, a plummeting Josho, and Zaid to offend the ruler by chomping on what he beleives is their cheese burrito before the day is done.
soooo, they live on giant rock spires connected with metal walkways... sounds safe.
I love the descriptions IC puts here!
I can really imagine the scenery.
-Spirit
Loving all the new places! Hopefully we can go 5 more chapters without some
ponysometurtle trying to stab them or something.4597803 Darn you. That is how I'm going to picture Alafreo now :P
Took the words right out of my mouth Propsy. Allons-y!
4598683 Naah... Arc was thinking Stoneship, I'm rather inclined towards Voltaic.
This is totally not what expected it to look like. Actually I'm not even sure what I expected...
Tried to allow this to accumulate more chapters. Could only hold for two weeks since the last time I read it. Now the flying city arc is over and I caught up again. I guess I will read the rest of Quixote while I wait for this to once more get a load of chapters.
4598039
Well... there is admiralty brass and other corrosion-resistant alloys. But you're right, if you put those metals together in salty moist air, congratulations turtle people, you've invented a battery!
However, I'm also worried about the creep potential for the brass. There's a reason brass isn't usually a structural material. Well, reasons. There's also the stress corrosion. Those poor little guys have got to be constantly rebuilding their cities. Really, really slowly.
This is what happens when the majority of a chapter is metallurgical and architectural in nature. When there's RoarkeDash (Rainboarke?), this doesn't happen.
It's turtle time, everypony
Abinadi
Interesting name for a town. Taken from 'The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ" hence the chapter title. For those of you who don't know though... Abinadi went to warn the wicked King Noah to repent, and was burned at the stake for his troubles. His last prophesy was that King Noah would also get burned at the stake... this did happen later on after an entire army came to wipe out their country, and as they escaped his own priests burned him alive because he insisted on leaving the women and children behind to save his own skin.
So for those who think there may well be no trouble ahead.. think again.
I really don't trust this place. Although that may be because of Fallout: Equestria, where every catwalk is engineered with the maximum probability of killing you.
4600914
Knowing IC, the fact that they're constantly rebuilding is going to have at least some impact.
4596942 why the downvote? your comment doesn't seem bad in the slightest.......
4596929 it's funny, on the assistance of my ponytones member, I watched Porko Rosso today.
Oh poor Roarke, you'll get to shoot someone soon, someone always needs shooting in the new places.
New land, new opportunities. What will it all hold, I wonder . . .
another testament of rainbow dash? abinadi? hrmeddy hrrm hrm.
4596747
4596741
Hey, y'all are on book seven now right? ynanhluutr? So is 'die a thousand deaths in candle time' a chapter yet?
5903120
Wouldn't you like to know.
A Book of Mormon reference?
I knew growing up in the LDS church would have some benefits!
Another new place, another adventure. Never thought I would say this, but I hope it is a little less exciting than the last one.
Alafraean insults are weird.
Hm, the shoreline reminds me of some shorelines in Hawaii, particularly Laparuze Bay on Maui and the great sea cliffs of the island Molokai. Perhaps Alafreo is a volcanic land?
What is candle-time? Just a metaphor for slowness?
4603849 Someone knows their scripture
But I have to wonder how this sneaked into an MLP epic...
11:29 p.m. MST 6/20/2017
4603849
Well......shit
4603849
Princess...I think you're onto something here
Oh the horror.