Utaan

by Imploding Colon

The Talon and the Order

Professor Theanim Mane squinted at the pale lengths of Frostknife. The latest windigo stampede had demolished several buildings that survived the first wave, but already the able-bodied workers of Rohbredden were lining up in droves, working collectively to salvage whatever useful resources they could from the wreckage. The bluffs of the bay were crawling with ponies and griffons alike. Meanwhile, equines rolled up with wagons and received the materials for transporting deep into the Frosted Shelves.

"The current plan is to put all that we can into storage without delay," Theanim said, shivering slightly in the still-nippy air. Flakes of snow drifted gradually in the direction which the windigoes had last vanished, but otherwise it was a mostly clear, sunny day. "This includes that which we find from the wreckage, as well as anything else that we can salvage." He took a deep breath. "Then... once the next stampede blows through—and there will be more stampedes—we'll use those moments of forced sequestering to take a detailed stock of our materials that we've gathered. From there, we'll proceed to redistribute supplies to the various recovery groups of workers and volunteers so that everypony is probably clothed, nourished, and bedded." He turned to point at the massive gates to the former prison. "In the meantime, there's a dedicated team of workers who are literally carving out new chambers within the hold as we speak. With the very real possibility of more Rohbreddenites migrating into Frostknife from the outlying prefectures, we have to make as much room as possible. I've worked with the seismologists and geologists of the Scientific Order to assure that the new enclosures we make won't cause any structural damage to the overall interior."

Commander Keris fitted on his helmet and nodded. "You're doing a fine job, Professor. Opening the chambers up to as many citizens as possible is paramount to our survival."

"Hmmmmm..." Theanim nodded wearily. "It works for the present." He turned to gaze at the griffon leader. "It's the future that troubles me."

"As it should." Keris remarked. "As it should trouble all of us—not so that we might despair, but that we might become properly prepared for the trials to come."

"Yes. But our trials are still our trials." Theanim's eyes narrowed. "It could very well temper us into mindful, strong individuals. But what of this generation's children? And their children's children?"

"They will be strong, professor," Keris said. "Don't worry."

"I'm not worried about their strength, professor," Theanim said. "I'm concerned with their conviction." He sighed in the cold air. "What day will finally be the day when our great grandfoals can finally ascertain the truth of what's transpired here in Frostknife?"

"When Rohbredden's anger and resolve has given way to practicality," Keris said. "That will take a very long time."

"Lifetimes, you mean," Theanim said.

Keris slowly nodded. "I'm glad that you and I are on the same page, Professor."

Theanim bit his lip. He turned to gaze at the droves of ponies working together along the steep edges of the granite bay. "You know... just today... I had a dozen wyverns volunteer to assist in the salvaging process."

"Yes..." Keris cocked his helmeted head to the side. "And did anypony dispute this?"

"Some, but only a few," Theanim remarked. "If you look carefully, you can see them working hoof-and-claw with their fellow foals of Verlaxion." A breath. "And to think that just days ago they were being treated as traitorous scum."

"A miracle indeed."

"Call it what you wish, Commander," Theanim muttered. "But it makes me wonder." His brow furrowed. "They are so close... so damnably close to living in absolute harmony with one another. And it's not just the case here... but throughout Rohbredden proper." He gulped, then turned to look at the Talon leader. "Just how much would it hurt them all to know—here and now—what actually happened?"

"With as close as we came upon the brink of civil war, do you really believe that this so-called 'harmony' is something we can afford to gamble, Professor?"

In answer to that, Theanim merely shook his head. "Perhaps it's childish of me to be so impatient."

"Every pony has the right to know the truth," Keris said. "But, for now and for the future, I'm a great deal more concerned with their right to live..." He gulped. "And to live safely... without chaos." He shuffled over and rested a gauntlet on Theanim's shoulder. "You and I are nothing less than champions of patience. We will have many to teach these ponies... and the generations that come after them."

"Aye... and in the meantime..." Theanim smiled tiredly. "It will be my burden to preserve the truth for when the time comes for a proper revelation."

"That burden is mine as well," Theanim said. "And the Talon's." He stepped back with a firm breath. "We are sworn to protect Verlaxion's foals. Like children, they'll need time to grow. And when the time comes... our descendants will ensure the protection of their integrity."

"And what then, Commander?"

Keris leaned back. He smiled under his beak as he said: "Verlaxion's foals will finally leave the nest. It's only been thouands of years in the making."

Theanim nodded. "Do you suppose she planned for that?"

"Do you suppose I care?"

That—if nothing else—made Theanim chuckle. At the sound of wind-slicing wings, he and Keris pivoted about.

Three members of the Talon glided in. They touched down with a rattle of their armor.

"Sir..." Starstorm exhaled. She and Windburst and Raptr bore thicker armor than usual—complete with extra weapons and supply pouches garbed for the arduous journey ahead. "Sergeants Starstorm, Windburst, and Raptr reporting in."

Keris saluted. "At ease." He gazed past the group, eyeing several members of the Central Guard who were lined up just outside the entrance to the Frosted Shelves. "What's the news on the expedition?"

"They're all prepared to take wing," Starstorm said.

"Just waiting on some dead weight to show up," Windburst grumbled.

"Sergeant..." Keris chided.

Windburst sighed. He adjusted the weight of his crossbow and ammo as he hung his head. "I'm sorry, Commander. But we all know we can't trust him."

"He is still Rohbredden's Defense Minister," Keris said. "And while we perform our duty before his troops, we must treat him with respect." His hawkeyes narrowed. "There's a lot more that depends on our integrity than just mere pride."

"Yes. And I understand that. It's just..." Windburst fidgeted. "...it's getting harder and harder to tell who's side we're on anymore."

"Harmony's," Raptr said.

Everyone looked at him.

Raptr blinked. "I mean... right?" He glanced back at the others. "If shouldering a buffoon like Chandler is what will keep Rohbredden afloat, then who are we to complain about it? We know we're better than him." He adjusted his helmet. "And we all know who Rohbredden really owes everything to in the end."

Starstorm nodded with a contemplative blink.

"Heh..." Windburst chuckled. "Look who's making sense."

"Yeah... heheh..." Raptr nudged him. "Guess that makes you the rookie now."

"Shuddup, scrub."

"Okay." Raptr stood alone.

Theanim looked at Keris. "I don't envy the challenge ahead of you."

"How so?"

Theanim blinked. "How exactly do you plan to show allegiance to Chandler and keep his troops from murdering Rainbow Dash before she gets to the dark side?"

"If fate is on our side, she will be long gone by the time we can even remotely reach her."

"You plan to delay the expedition?"

"If we have to," Keris said. "With much subtlety, of course."

"And if you fail?"

Raptr grimaced.

Keris exhaled, "Then, yes, Professor... you have many a reason not to envy me right now."

"Well, in any case, I wish you luck, Commander." Theanim extended a hoof. "Whatever may come of this, I hope you, Seraphimus, and the Talon come out unscathed."

"I will promise the Talon and Seraphimus primarily," Keris said, shaking his fetlock. "I will work on myself when I get to him..."

Theanim smirked. "I would expect no less of you." His ears folded back. "And Keris?"

"Yes, Theanim?"

The Professor swallowed and said, "If you do see Rainbow Dash... and you can somehow... possibly convey any message whatsoever..." He blinked. "Make sure she knows how proud I am for crossing paths with her."

Keris nodded. "Will do," he said. "To the best of my ability."

"Don't look now," Starstorm remarked.

The group heard the clattering of hooves. Off in the distance, Brye Chandler emerged from the Frosted Shelves... accompanied by a grim-beaked griffon in amber armor.

"Egads..." Raptr grimaced. "...what in the Hell did they put her in?"

"Central Guard armor," Windburst grunted. "They're dressing her up as Chandler's highest-paid monkey."

"She's still our former Commander underneath," Keris said, marching towards the scene as he spread his wings. "And we will do well to remember that... for her sake as well as ours." He lifted. "Take wing!"

Comments

[Cynderfall]

Time to play chess. First move is Chandlers

[Nevlamas]

You know, Keris, all you're doing in pointing that out is reminding everybody how far she has fallen.

[Leftover of Saikano]

I hope Chandler has no problem in letting the army stop to check every farm in the way to help those affected by the windigoes, even if that means Rainbow and the Herald have more time to move.

[Lightning Bearer]

I have to say, I have my doubts that generations of devotion to a martyred goddess will make the truth any easier to bear for future Rohbreddenites. If I were a betting man, I'd say the cult of Verlaxion is here to stay.

[Hap]

I just have the feeling that, somehow, Rainbow will end up showing them all how to defeat Windigoes.

At least, I still have faith that Rainbow won't leave this place in worse shape than she found it.

[Hazard]

The pieces are moving. More conflict on the horizon.

[krakentoa]

7374361 uh. Armies stop to pillage for resources :/

[Schmleh]

They could always murder chandler...
Say that an accident occurred?
That would fix alot of things.
Except seraphimus... I think she's going to become like shell.

[Revan]

Let the Chess match begin.

[IceKitsune]

Keris is again thinking a bit too much in the short term and really assuming that any of the group will continue to have major influence in Rohbreden for years to come. Not going to get into it too much but what if someone else rises to power? What if they are just ousted soon (or right) after the Windigo threat is over because they are considered far too tainted by the people of Rohbreden? (Which I actually think would be realistically extremely likely)

7374792
Basically this really, I have to admit the many ways the character have been coming up with for this to go right and the ways the comment section has given for this to go very wrong makes me extremely interested in how this will end.

[JustAnotherTimeLord]

Onward they go!

[square0]

From there, we'll proceed to redistribute supplies to the various recovery groups of workers and volunteers so that everypony is probably clothed, nourished, and bedded.

Leave it to a scientist to hand out theoretical supplies.

[Future Regret]

Theams is one of the best developed characters in the series. Even better than RD (though the logistics of fleshing out RD consistently over millions of words is a struggle). Keris is also good

[Tim the Planes-pony]

"She's still our former Commander underneath," Keris said, marching towards the scene as he spread his wings. "And we will do well to remember that... for her sake as well as ours." He lifted. "Take wing!"

They are making the comments because she is their former commander, and they feel she deserves better.
11/09/2019
16:25 UTC

[Level Dasher]

"Heh..." Windburst chuckled. "Look who's making sense."
"Yeah... heheh..." Raptr nudged him. "Guess that makes you the rookie now."
"Shuddup, scrub."
"Okay." Raptr stood alone.

[hypervelocity]

Alright.

Time for the expedition to head out and hopefully not get anywhere near Rainbow.