How Low Can You Go?
Her sharp talons scraped to a stop against the cold granite floor.
A servant in a woolly coat looked up from where he was sweeping lotus blossoms into a corner of the courtyard. His gasp echoed across the empty stone seats of the chamber at the northernmost end of Frostknife. “Commander...!”
“Be calm,” Seraphimus said. With dull charcoal eyes, she gazed past the podium where Grand Magistrate Hymmnos would normally be standing. “There is nothing to fear.”
“Uhhh... of c-course...” The pony nevertheless hugged the broomstick to his cloaked chest. “Erm...” His eyes fluttered in the dim gray light. “The Council won't be in session until noon tomorrow. Should...” He gulped. “Sh-should I send a message, issuing an emergency assembly?”
The griffon slowly shook her head. “That is not necessary. I simply came here to think.”
“Oh.” The servant blinked. “Oh!” He blinked again, nodding with subdued trembles. “Right. Right. Uhm... b-by all means, Commander.” He leaned his broom against the very corner of the stone enclosure, then swiftly trotted down the steps into Frostknife, making a humble exit.
Alone, Seraphimus took a deep breath. She strolled forward, scuffling past Hymmnos' podium. Cold winds fluttered at her silver-blue feathers. At last, she stood in the shadow of giant statues. Ancient tribal leaders loomed over her, frozen in granite majesty.
The Commander's hawkeyes narrowed, gazing up the cold, frosted steps leading into the sacred depths of Verlaxion's mountain... and beyond that—the centralmost point of Rohbredden, the hidden, cavernous heart of everything civilized.
She sighed. With cool grace the guardian's body melted until she squatted on bent knees. Seraphimus tucked her tail beneath her and stared up at the winding stairway. The pathway was littered with settling frost and flanked by pale ice shelves.
Eventually, the Commander closed her eyes. She sat quietly, weathering long, meditative breaths.
This carried on for the better part of a half-hour... until a second set of wings sliced the air.
With more or less grace, Starstorm landed behind her superior. The griffon gazed at the Commander, then at the forbidden steps looming before her. Clearing her throat, the Sergeant shuffled forward, coming to a stop directly behind Seraphimus.
“Commander,” Starstorm said. “I've... uhm... I-I've just finished my third consecutive review of the northern security reports.” She shook her head. “There've been no instances of any terrorists attacking the citizenry or smuggling dredge coal since we captured Ironflanks the Batterer.”
Seraphimus inhaled. Without opening her eyes, she replied, “Very well, Sergeant. Thank you for your attention and punctuality.”
“Erm...” Starstorm's wings twitched. “There was one case of a violent dispute between two feuding families along the northern shores of Silt Prefecture... but the local security detachment swiftly resolved it. Other than that, most townships and provinces have been preparing steadily for a smooth and peaceful Month of Thawing.”
“That is good to know,” Seraphimus said.
Silence.
“... … ...is there anything else, Sergeant?” the Commander asked, her head tilting slightly.
Starstorm sighed. “Permission to speak freely, Commander?”
“Always...”
“The rest of the team is... feeling uneasy.” Starstorm gulped. “It's been several days since we've heard back from the Lieutenant.”
“Indeed.”
“We're more than certain that Keris has the wherewithal to look after himself. And yet... did we not promise to go searching for him once communication was broken?”
Seraphimus' headcrest drooped.
“...Commander?”
“Strange...” Seraphimus muttered. Her claw extended forward, pointing up the steps. “Such silence and magnificence. What do you feel when you stare up at the Stairs of Verlaxion, Sergeant?”
Starstorm shuffled up until she stood at the Commander's side. “I... I feel small, Commander,” she replied. “But isn't that the point? The ancient tribal leaders built this as a means to exemplify our Goddess' majesty.”
“They also built it with a purpose, Sergeant,” Seraphimus said. “It's meant to be a bridge between us and Her... something more direct and divine than our very own prayers.” She swallowed. “And yet, for hundreds of years... even as the filth of the seven seas have washed up to taint the edges of this glorious continent... she still hasn't come down.”
“Quite true, Commander...”
“I wonder,” Seraphimus murmured. “Does that mean that she has the utmost confidence in our humble obedience? Or... or has our Goddess lost hope in the Tribes?”
Starstorm's face twisted in brief concern. Eventually she cleared her throat and said, “I would... much rather believe that we are what stand between glory and lost hope, Commander.”
“Mmmm... indeed.” At last, Seraphimus opened her eyes. She stood up with a sigh. “But there is very little we can hope to accomplish if our numbers are being whittled away.” She gave the frozen steps one last, melancholic glance before turning about to face Starstorm. “Round up Windburst and the rookie,” she commanded. “If it is necessary for us to come to Keris' rescue, then we shall do so. Even if it means gracing the forsaken seas with our righteous presence.”
“Then you really believe it?” Starstorm asked. “That he's somewhere around Red Barge?”
“As horrible as it sounds, Sergeant, I would much rather that the Lieutenant be stranded out in open water,” Seraphimus said, marching out of the Court. “He would be in far better shape there. Nevertheless, if the godless Bargers have done something to him...” Her hawkeyes glinted. “...then Verlaxion spare each and every one of them.”
She spread her wings.
“Gather your armor and only the sharpest blades. We fly overnight.”
Thwooosh!
“Sir... Sir...?”
Slowly, one by one, his green eyes opened. Chandler's bejeweled cloak was soaked through to the skin, and he shivered from a cold sea breeze. Fractured starlight loomed high above, interrupted by the silhouette of a unicorn mare with a short blonde mane.
Longaze stared down at the stallion as she cradled him. The bodyguard's horn and muzzle were still soaked with fresh blood—and dripping. “Can you move, sir? Are any of your limbs hurt?”
“Mrmmff... limbs...?” Chandler hissed, eyes twitching left and right. “Where...?” He gulped. “...the messenger...?”
Just then, the sound of distant shouts tickled Chandler's ears. He looked towards his right—and he had to squint.
All that was left of his main ship was a burning plume of fire, surrounded by splintery wreckage. Several motorboats had gathered around the steamship's remains, hosing off the remaining blaze. Servants of the Shoreline Trade Consortium shouted orders to one another as they scurried about the waves, struggling to maintain the fire before it could reach the structures of the harbor. As Chandler gazed at all of this, he saw the imagery drifting lower and lower, and he felt his body swaying... lifting.
Blinking, the stallion realized that he and Longaze were lying in a life raft being lifted up onto another steamship. Several servants reached over to hoist Chandler on board.
“Easy... easy!”
“You got him?”
“I got him.”
“Everything's going to be alright, Mr. Chandler.”
“Mrmmff... alright...?” Chandler stammered, his senses coming back, one by one, screaming from fresh bruises and burns.
“Your limbs, sir,” Longaze asked, keeping close by. She steadied his figure with a field of telekinesis. “Are any of them—”
“Rrrrngh!” At last, Chandler growled—more like squeaked. “Who cares about my damned limbs?! What about my assets?!” He spat, pointing into the burning heart of the harbor. “I want a damage report of my ship!”
The servants gazed at one another, blinking.
“Well?!”
Longaze cleared her throat. “Sir... the ship is... gone.” She slowly shook her head. “All hooves on board perished. All except you and me.”
Chandler's lips pursed. “... … ...the shield.”
“It was the first thing I thought of, sir,” Longaze said, her horn fluctuating. “The Consortium simply could not survive without your guidance. My magic was strong enough just to protect you. The others did not stand a chance.”
Chandler tried sitting up... only to wince and slump back down. Panting, he gazed up at the starlight. “... … … and the messenger?”
“I... do believe she delivered Skagra's message, sir.”
Chandler clenched his eyes shut. With a deep sigh, he brushed a hoof over his muzzle.
The other servants muttered towards one another. Longaze trotted over and squatted at the executive's side. “Erm... sir.” The blonde bodyguard gulped. “It might behoove you to know that a few skiffs bearing the Rohbredden Banner were patrolling the outer edge of the harbor when your ship was destroyed.”
Chandler shuddered. “... … ...security forces?”
“There's no feasible way that the Continental Guard did not observe the blast,” Longaze said. “Sir, it's only a matter of time before the Council investigates what's happened here tonight. With all of the internal terrorist operations that have gotten the Right Talon entangled, they'll—”
“I know... I know!” Chandler sneered. “... … ...they'll send Seraphimus and her death chickens here to ascertain what happened.” He sighed. “And all of my combined charm won't do shit with the Right Talon's Commander. She'll discover everything the Consortium has done for sure.”
“Then what would you have us do, sir?”
Chandler gulped. “There's only one way to salvage this. I have to win favor with the Council. I... mrmmff...” He winced, struggling to sit up again. Longaze gave him a helping hoof. “I-I need to give them something so huge... so monumental that they'll overlook any connections between what's happened here and the operations I've funded within the central prefectures.”
Longaze took a breath. “The Rainbow Rogue...”
“Skagra just raised the stakes to the point of no return. I could retaliate, but then I'd leave my flank unguarded before the Council.” He sighed. “All of this energy spent on magnifying that monster in the public's eye... on capturing her alive and that half-headed freak's got me by the balls.” He gnashed his teeth and kicked at the ship's deck. “Dammit! I hate Red Bargers!”
Longaze slowly nodded. “When all is said and done, and you have the Rainbow Rogue, Skagra will likely have claimed a huge part of the seas.”
“Or so he thinks,” Chandler murmured. “Ocean muck filth like him can't last forever. Not like I can.” He slowly shook his head. “It might take months... even years. But bringing in the Rainbow Rogue is the stepping stool I need to begin my path towards Grand Magistrate.” He raised a hoof. “Once I have the continent under control... the seas won't stand a chance. It's a spit bowl full of idiots, after all—floating left and right without purpose or direction. Skagra's a poor substitute for the Syndicate. One day... one day I will sink him to the bottom of the ocean.” His nostrils flared as he stared at the burning, sinking wreckage across the bay. “And there he can be one with all the turds he's flushed beneath him and his barnacle bastard throne.”
“And for now, sir?” Longaze asked.
Chandler shivered slightly. “For now...” He stood up with Longaze's help, wincing noticeably. “For now... we go to Red Barge. And we smile in his face.” He exhaled. “For the last damn time...”
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Everything seems to revolve around Rainbow Dash, whether captured or free. It shouldn't surprise me but I didn't realize just how much depended on her until I saw the Chandler's speech at the end.
6644471
First, the Rainbow Rogue
Next, the world!
i.imgur.com/8IlAwWp.jpg
AUUGHHH.
1) Fucker's still alive. (And his guard has a heck of a shield to withstand a bomb like that. Geez.)
2) He's planning to twist the Council against Rainbow even further, possibly bringing Red Barge in the crosshairs, meaning thousands of innocents are going to be in more danger than before.
3) Seraphimus is now on the way with more Talons, and I don't think she's bringing cake...
This is just such a bad situation...
On a side note, my brain keeps misreading "Longaze" as "lozenge", and now I've got this humorous image in my head of Chandler being shielded by a sentient cough drop...
Hangman's Daughter - Unida
So the Right Talon is on the way. Red Barge is fucked, but now Rainbow needs to get away before they arrive. Or sneak off when they do, using it as a distraction.
Well... This should be interesting. 3 opposing forces, all about to clash...
I predict.... that Dash, Keris, Swift and Croche are going to be the only survivors.
Red Barge is in no position to win a fight that big, the Talon are going to get demolished by.. something, and Chandler is going to get gutted like the fish he is.
...I can't wait.
-In the end isolation, hunted by a nation. Utaan.
Hoo-boy...
6644476
6644471 And we have yet to see her fly East even once in this book. Even when she's not doing anything, the whole world rips itself apart around her. It's friggin' Ledomare all over again.
Great, sooo we're going to have the remaining dredgers, monket, the Right Talon, and Chandler's closest cronies/thugs. WE GOT OURSELVES A PARTY.
6644476
Fun fact, the gems that make up Rarity's cutie mark are cut in a manner known as lozenge cut.
calling it now, the talon and chandler arrives at red barge at almost the same time, and the ensuing fight makes the last one look like a minor skirmish. The Element of loyalty is somehow removed, and recovered allowing Rainbow to go full harmony and rescue swab and crouche. Keris however is rescued by the talon and becomes the Rainbow expert. And our game of cat and mouse continues.
6644505
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lozenge
Huh...I honestly did not know this.
thirtynorth.com/assets/enhanced-32005-1422840611-40-1.jpg
I honestly don't know whether the Talon showing up to rescue Keris is good or bad for Rainbow. They all seem to be very level headed, but, as far as I can tell, Keris hates Rainbow Dash right now.
Seriously Chandler? You think going to the Barge is good idea? First off, why are you so worried about an investigation of the blast? There's no evidence connecting that blast to any of the Consortium activities, and you could easily pass it off as just a random terrorist attack. You have total plausible deniability there. Yes you need Dash, but playing soft with Skagra is suicidal, especially after a stunt like he just pulled. If you go in, go in hard with every loyal guard, bounty hunter, and merc you can buy.
Well, with the rest of the Talon going there to at least it'll turn into a proper fluster cuck.
Rainbow > Keris > Seraphimus > Monket > Skagra > Chandler > Shell
Hm, given the current situation, I bet Rainbow is going to bust out and get clear of everything just before the Talon arrive, leaving Red Barge up shit creek not just with no paddle, but also no bucket and a large hole in their boat
.
Fat cat's still alive. It's only a matter of time when someone finally lets loose the rabid dogs.
6644501
bring in the pirates and we will have a battle of the 5 armies
The Talon and Chandler is on the way to the barge, this is going to be explosive.
Seraphimus' crisis of faith appears to be continuing, but it has not gotten so broken as to be able to deal with Rainbow's "heresies", yet, I think. This is going to be interesting.
The entire Right Talon is flying overnight to Red Barge. Chandler is following by sea. The Talon and Seraphimus are going to get there first, and certainly get Rainbow first, barring interaction by Kera the Third (Swab). From the mouths of foals might be Rainbow's salvation.
Chandler will then arrive to an empty Barge. Who gets to kill Skagra? This is going to be interesting to watch.
Wasn't Theanim supposed to chat with Chandler about the monks he brought over? I wonder if he'd be intuitive enough to know something's going on at Red Barge with Chandler getting attacked and then racing off to meet with Skagra.
I think Chandler vastly overestimates himself, he ain't got the balls to do what needs to be done, he's a puppy playing with the big bad wolf here
Knowing Austraeoh...
Pretty low. Things can get pretty damn low. Although I don't know if they've ever been much lower than they are now.
Guess that Skagra did actually know what he's been doing.
Red barge is about to be the most happenin place in all the 7 seas.
Everything is falling to pieces. Let us hope that Red Barge will not survive the oncoming storm.
Let us see that evil place be wiped from the Ring.
They will all converge in Red Barge. Once again, destiny starts to move.
happy happy joy joy
all the main characters are slowly but surely being drawn in
this will only end well
(sarcasm)
I wonder if verlaxion's mountain is sacred enough to serve as a safe zone against the religious commander.
That, is one hell of a shield casting unicorn. Quick, Twilight, us a mind altering spell.
Seraphimus is acting as if she has leverage against her. The sort of leverage as in a Shining class shield containing a detonating nuclear weapon.
Eventually the shield is going to break.
Either its going to collapse, or everything where she is, is going to die.
And the fight continues! Back to Red Barge everybody!
6645027
Destiny and weapons of mass destruction.
I never liked Chandler. I never even watched friends. I don't even watch tv anymore.
Like I don't even watch 'the' show anymore, although I guess that's because I have huge catch up sessions every now and then.
Wait everypony! W-Were those monks still onboard the Chandlers ship? Were they the assets?
The Talon clearly have yet to hear of the explosion. Investigating a terrorist attack on the continent itself, against a magistrate no less, must take priority over Keris. Assuming they learn of the attack before they depart, it'd give Chandler an opportunity to put them on a wild goose chase and keep them away from Red Barge and the Rogue.
Speaking of messengers, Skagra sent another one to arrive six hours after the first.
Do the Limbo, everypony!
6644492
I disagree. I don't feel as if any of the three 'sides' you've described are going to be totally annihilated.
First: each side, save perhaps Barge, is somewhat small.
Second: M.A.D. doesn't seem to be possible for these groups. The Barge has quantity, Talons have quality, and Chandler....has wit? Charisma?
Third:It's going to suck if each side destroys themselves. A.) Rohbredden will freeze from lack of heating, since apparently the other Barges suck at their job. B.) Dash, as the only survivor, would get blamed for killing the source of heat for the nation, a special forces group, and a magistrate.
Yeah, everyone killing each other would be terrible, and unlikely to boot.
For everyone going on and on about destroying Red Barge because you hate Skagra/other high up dredgers, compare it to nuking Iraq because BinLaden is there. You kill one guy...and fuck over everyone who needs that oil.
Instead, a more optimal decision would be the decapitation of the leadership elements. Most of the dredgers are just there to survive, and most of the shit flows from Skagra (he doesn't swim in it, he spews it). Kill him, a few of his subordinates, place a puppet leader, and there you go.
Also glad to see the rule about not seeing someone dead is holding up.
And once more, everyone is converging on Red Barge, although this time with greater numbers and purpose. Something tells me that Seraphimus won't have a problem tearing apart the dredgers if it really comes down to it. She's not liable to let her emotions get the better of her and force her into making stupid mistakes like Keris did.
Besides, she's literally killed people mid blink before. How the hell do you counter speed like that? Certainly not with poorly organized mob tactics like the dredgers are fond of. The only reason they won their fight with the pirates was because of Keris' planning, and they won't have that on their side when Seraphimus decides to kill everything.
Chandler is alive?
m.memegen.com/78jw6j.jpg
6644571
All things begin and end with Shell.
Red Barge is about to get interesting
6645687
i.imgur.com/Id6kj0f.gif
One hell of a shield spell caster, is Longaze.
I like how both Chandler and Skagra are completely convinced they can one-up the other
This should be interesting.
Then again, the loss of life is going to be astronomical.
Wuh-oh
If Chandler is going to be Shell 2.0 (unhealthy obsession with Rainbow, unkillable, self-destructively persistent mook whose quest for catching her consumes his career and sanity), he's going to need a Berserk Button...
Any family members, Chandy? One you might have given up for dead, who then befriended Rainbow at Red Barge?
6647062
I think his ability to sweet talk the council counts as a "berserk mode" for now.
Edit: Plot Twist- Swift Song is Chandler's son.
6647193
clubpenguininsiders.com/forum/uploads/gallery/album_702/gallery_523_702_21799.jpeg
who's Swift Song again?
I need to reread Utaan
6648073
Swab
Bah, Chandler's unharmed. ah well, antanogist that stalks Rainbow Dash forever had been a trope that had been vacant for a while now