A Toast to Our Professor
The Talon circled and circled overhead.
Down below—the cliffsides of Frostknife were filled with ponies, soldiers, citizens, magistrates, and Rohbreddenites from all trots of life. They stood in thick clusters, facing a temporary stage that had been set up right outside the gates to the Frosted Shelves.
There, Chandler stood... clad in his bulky armor. He gestured towards the gathered crowd, speaking bombastically so that his voice echoed across the upper heights of Frostknife.
"...and while our beloved Queen's body wastes away in our hold, her legacy shall never deteriorate! We can preserve her through our love and our devotion—every single day—rebuilding Rohbredden from the ashes of the wraiths that the Monster from the West so maliciously freed. So long as Verlaxion's foals are coexisting with one another... trusting and relying on one another... we shall make it through these undesirable tribulations! The Tribes of this land shall endure! And we will build a better nation for our children to thrive in—a land that will one day be free of the Blight that has recently consumed us through fear, distrust, and greed!"
Professor Mane shuffled through the crowd. After giving the Defense Minister an exasperated look, he nevertheless whipped out his camera and started taking photographs.
Seraphimus stood tall and silent beside Chandler's stage. As the executive stallion spoke and pontificated, she stared off into frigid space, deadpan.
"But we also owe it to our Great Unifier to eliminate the one remaining threat that's responsible for the most unforgiveable crime of this age!" Chandler frowned as we spoke. "I set out now to hunt the Rainbow Rogue. Wherever she may be hiding... and whatever company she may be poisoning with her wretched Blight—it will matter little in the long run. Her strength is a feeble one when compared to the everlasting love and honor of the foals of Verlaxion! Today—and from henceforth—your finest soldiers and I shall prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that we have something great to believe in! The divinity of our fallen monarch shall reign supreme, and I will use the faith Verlaxion's shown in me—and in all of us—to eliminate the Monster once and for all. And it is my promise to each and every one of you... that I shall not return to Frostknife unless I do so while carrying the Rainbow Rogue's head on a pike!"
Those in attendance clapped and stomped their hooves against the stone surfaces of the platform. In mid-flight, Keris and the other members of the Talon exchanged tense glances.
Seraphimus took a deep breath. Her armored knuckles tightened.
"So... for now, I wish you peace and serenity," Brye Chandler said. "The wrath of Rohbredden leaves Frostknife with me... and it is a vengeful spirit that even the Rainbow Rogue hasn't a chance to survive." He bowed low. "Verlaxion's blessings."
The crowd echoed the sentiment back. Hundreds if not thousands of sets of hooves and talons performed an identical gesture while a cold silence hung over their somber expressions.
At last—with Seraphimus' help—Chandler stepped down by the stage. "Thank you, soldier," he said to the griffon. Awkwardly—in his rattling armor—he brushed by Hymnos. "Grand Magistrate. Is there anything that you require of me before I take my leave?"
"Professor Mane and his Order have us situated in the recovery front, Defense Minister," Hymnos said with a gentle smile. "You have the Talon assisting you, along with the finest soldiers of the Central Guard. I would wish you Verlaxion's blessings... but it would appear that you have the full extent of it." A slight bow. "As do we."
"Then it is settled." Chandler stood tall, then saluted her. "I... would like to thank you and the Council for this opportunity."
"The one whom you need to be thanking," Hymnos gravely said, "Is exactly whom you seek to avenge." Her eyes narrowed. "Now go and do so. For all of her children."
"Your chariot is this way, Defense Minister," Seraphimus said.
"Thank you, dear." And Chandler marched off towards the pegasus-drawn vehicle in question.
Just as Seraphimus started to follow him—
"Seraphimus."
The former commander looked aside.
Hymnos stared directly at her. "I just... want you to know that..." She gulped. "...if the Council had willed it... it would be you seated in that chariot right now."
Seraphimus barely blinked. "We've all had our chances, Grand Magistrate." A bow... and she was gone.
Hymnos watched quietly.
Chandler mounted the chariot. Seraphimus hovered beside him, raised her talon... then pointed sharply east.
Two soldiers blew trumpets, sounding forth a loud signal in the air. The air rumbled with artificial thunder as every winged soldier in armor flapped their wings at once. Then—with glinting grace—the batallions of the Central Guard dove off the platform and streaked their way east over the neighboring cliffs. Led by Seraphimus and escorted by the Talon, the army churned the cloudy skies, forming a grand charge.
Gradually, the gathered crowd split up... returning to their recovery duties.
Professor Theanim Mane shuffled up until he stood next to Grand Magistrate Hymnos. He adjusted the lens of his camera... and took two shots of the advancing army.
"Look at them," Hymnos remarked. "Positively majestic, aren't they, Professor?"
Theanim sighed, lowering his commander. "There is plenty of majesty to be had, Grand Magistrate. Not all of it is in bloodshed."
Hymnos turned to look at him. "You do not believe that extinguishing the life of she who murdered our Queen will bring forth glory?"
Theanim bit his lip.
"... ... ...Professor?"
"I... am a firm believer that the only thing we must find glory in... is the extension of life." He gulped. "Now more than ever."
"Hmmm... curious." Hymnos managed a smile. "A stallion of science such as yourself never struck me as much of a believer."
Theanim opened his muzzle to respond. Suddenly—a flash of color entered his vision. He looked aside, blinking.
Before him, a yellow butterfly flitted about in the air. The inexplicable insectoid survivor eventually perched on a chunk of stone. It spread its amber wings... contrasting the gray malaise and devastation that the windigoes had left so prominently in the background.
Theanim Mane couldn't help it. He smiled. "Finding beauty in a world of so many mistakes... just might make a believer out of anypony," he said. In the next breath, the Professor hunched over, aiming the camera at the creature. "Mmmmm... that's it." His teeth showed. "I could just kiss you."
Click.
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Despite these continuing scene changes back to Frostknife, I still miss you, Good Guy Theanim.
And the clock has started ticking...
I have a feeling that this was Theanim's last scene.
See ya on the other side, Professor.
Someone finally took a picture of a butterfly. Successfully.
7373832 Eagle Eye would be jelly.
Yeah, but is that a Pinkie Promise?
Cause you ain't gonna get that head on a pike.
Well, goodbye Theams. Hope we get to see you again at the end of the series with some sort of montage or snippets of all the characters after Rainbow gets back home with the Harmonic Prism.
And the hunt continues... but Dashie has a pretty solid lead on Chandler right now. And she's back on the move too.
7373832
Daaaaang that's a long callback.
Roughly 14 months and 1,050,000 words ago.
One million fifty thousand-ish words since we met Theanim.
... Guys I'm only just realizing how long ago we said goodbye to our dear Noble Jury. Why does the whole land east of the Grand Choke still feel NEW to me? We've been here for nearly a year and a half.
7373849
I don't think he's coming back to Frostknife
Theanim's introduction started out almost the exact same way in Ynanhluutr, including that last line of dialogue.
I guess this signals an official goodbye to his character. Thanks for everything, Professor. A toast to you, indeed.
I reeeally want to read this, but i'm afraid it is too long and consumes all my summer time... :(
you bitch Verlax.
Well, the hunt is on.
-Companions are abound, frozen spectres hound. Utaan.
My guess is that the hunting party will catch up to Dash in the ocean before reaching the edge of the world, but that'll just be a skirmish and the big finale will come right on the edge. We'll see what kind of complications the bat ponies bring to the table.
Chandler, if you can't even walk in the armor, its pretty much useless. Why do I get the feeling that armor is going to play a role in getting him killed before the arc's end? I'd rather just see both him and Seraphimus get their heads screwed on straight after getting some sense slapped into them. Not sure how that'd be achomplished, really. One has his head shoved so far under the sand you'd need an industrial grade tractor to pull him out, and Seraphimus is so despondent over the death of her family that talking sense to her would be like trying to have a meaningful conversation with a corpse. Still, I'll keep hoping for both of them to come out of this for the better, and don't do too much damage in the process. Dash has gone through this shit before, so maybe previous experience is something that can help her this time.
Also, wondering if we'll loose another Herald member before Dash goes over the edge to the dark side? I rather hope not, because so far the Herald is nowhere near as developed as the Jury was, so it still feels way too early to make offing any of them narratively impactfull. These guys need some serious fleshing out before they get on the same level of connection we had with the Jury, but I get a bad feeling they're mostly here to be plotshields for Dash. Only time will tell, I suppose.
Fare thee well, Thunker Meat.
7373933 If you spend your summer time gaming, do what I do!
Look for a text-to-speech program (I use aloud! For the ios) and open each chapter in the program. Listen while committing genocide. Enjoy!
The march begins!
That's pretty heavy lifting for an academic to do.
To Theanim Mane! Traveller, teacher, proctector, enlightener.
An entire army of infantry is sent off to directly face Rainnuke levels of destruction by yet another mortal who beleives themselves godlike.
Theanim finally gets that pidgeon, sorry, butterfly.
The beat goes on.
At least the hard part is over for Theams. After all he went through rebuilding a continent is a cake walk.
If they are dong a massive procession like that they are never going to catch her. Such an army on the march is simply too slow.
And now, with all those who still have hatred in their hearts leaving, maybe the windigoes will finally leave Frostknife for good.
7373933 Just read a few chapters every day. Then rest at the end of each story. You won't notice the length.
/////////
7373969
If that's preventing them from dying, then Bard is already ripe for the harvest. And maybe Wildcard, after one last encounter with the Talon and Seraphimus.
7373821
7373832
7373906
Yeah, with bookends like that (and chapter title), I have to agree. I think this is the last we'll be seeing of Theanim Mane.
So long, Professor. You started off as an annoyance, and became a well-beloved character. Gonna miss you, pal.
7373969 The Jury was introduced over the span of a book, while we kinda got the Herald dumped on us in one chapter. I don't think they're gonna last quite as long.
7373933 It's whort it, seriously. I can't claim that its the most perfect story ever writen, but IT IS one of the most thrilling and inmersive adventures storys I've ever read, in and out of finfiction.
Agree with the chorus of voices giving our good goodbyes to the good profesor Theaniem. His team dynamic with Keris was one of my favourite of any duo in the saga (and gave us a fun and original "detectives story" style for a while).
7373849
.
Surprising twist, he DOES.
The next 3 books follows the reconstruccion of Rohbredden and it's consecuently passional parlamenteary discussions about the right amount of emergency taxes and the exacts limits of the constitutional power of the new executive power.
We will make Rohbredden GREAT AGAIN!
Then the internal machine gets out of energy and the world explodes.
The END.
7373906
Mayhap because we keep visiting new parts of it.
I'm in agreement with all the others saying this'll be the last we see of Theanim. Farewell, it was nice knowing you.
You too Professor Mane. Good bye
farewell, and good luck, dear professor
So long, Professor, and thanks for all the erudition.
Also, it occurred to me that if Chandler's army catches Rainbow's scent, it may lead them to Blue's farm. I don't even know what to expect of that. If the ponies on the farm spoke well of Rainbow, what might Chandler do, believing, as he would, that they were "poisoned"? Could get ugly.
/me salutes.
Good luck, and Goddessspeed, professor.
7374821
That could lead to other farms getting drawn in... Could take a while. Meanwhile dash and the others have 3 days to get to the sarosians lands and then the next beacon.
Maybe chandler will follow over the edge but leave the army?
I feel somewhat ashamed to admit that I didn't really care for Theanim at first. It's amazing how much his character has developed that seeing him go feels like this much of a blow.
So completely off topic but is anybody else attending Bronycon? It'd be cool to meet another Jurist/Ninther.
7373933 To echo everybody else, it's definitely worth it! Not only is the story great but it's also developed a small tight-knit sub-fandom full of cool and creative people. I mean check out this awesome map and piece of music that was put together for it:
My advice would be to start with the first book and if it turns out that the series isn't really for you it would make for a pretty good jumping off point.
I must profess my surprise at this chapter. The ending, despite the forces deploying against Rainbow, was a happy one.
From irate Queen-fearing castaway to scrupulous truth seeker and key aid to Dash's cause.
Thus brings to an end one of the finer character arcs I've witnessed on this trek. The times may be sour and the truth his to carry alone in the capital right now but so long as there's a level-headed mind taking stock of the situation, the damned place might have a better shot at recovering some form of order in a post-Verl world. So goggles off to him.
Alexanor of Nealand endured as many trials as Dash just to reach Theams' viewfinder. Sadly no one was around to properly document it.
It definitely does feel like a last scene for our good professor. It's been a trip for him, and I'm happy to see how much he's progressed.
...And who knows, we may see a flicker of him again.
How poetic
I'm relieved that this army had waited this long to go chasing after Rainbow. Back when we last saw this army, IC made it seem like they would catch up with Rainbow at Blue's farm. Now Rainbow can get a better head start while the army has to track her from the beginning of the trail.
Sounds like Rohbredden will be without this poisonous snake and can finally start working toward a better future. Though, with a promise such as this - it seems like he's going to be a constant source of trouble for Rainbow going forward.
I am curious as to how far this army will go just to chase one mare, while I'm sure they have plenty of supplies but it won't last forever. Will Chandler become another Shell and begin pillaging the landscape in order to keep his insane hunt going? I am also curious as to how they expect to track Rainbow in the darkness of the Twilight Lands, beyond roughing up anyone they come across for information, of course.
Hopefully Rainbow can make some allies while she's going to the next beacon because otherwise... I really am curious as to how she will survive the epic confrontation that will happen.
7374821
Pretty much a guarantee that they'll encounter Blue's farm, IC set them up nicely to be the ones who point Chandler in the right direction with everything Rainbow and Co. revealed while they were there.
" If the ponies on the farm spoke well of Rainbow"
...Why would they? There's still a lot of hate ol' Blue can remind those that suck with him that one instance of saving their lives won't stand against.
7373821
Would be a bit of a shame if so, for as long as Chandler is chasing Rainbow there's opportunity to give us the scoop on what's happening with Rohbredden. However, it does make sense to wrap things up a bit so that we can move forward.
7373969
That would certainly make for some very interesting landscapes for these battles, we'll have to see what IC has in store. It would be great if Rainbow could get the bat ponies on her side, would be quite a surprise for Chandler's mostly ground army if so.
I bet the armor will limit his involvement in the coming conflicts, restricting him to mostly a 'ordering his troops about from safety' role until Rainbow and Co. beat everything else. Even then, I'd bet that the armor will save his life and allow Rainbow to give some speech about harmony and send him back to Rohbredden empty hooved. Don't forget, Rainbow doesn't want to kill and will do what she can to avoid that. Chandler is an opportunist and a coward and can be convinced otherwise. Seraphimus will most certainly have to die because she is so far gone that there is no reasoning with her.
As for the Job Squad/Herald... I'd agree with Swan Song. They don't seem to have the same kind of setup for a long term journey with Rainbow, and they have essentially been setup as expendable. The only ones I can see coming out of this and joining Rainbow in the Darkside are Remna and Wildcard.
And then theanim mane was the real verlax and everyone was fooled
/;~;/
Theanim mane, you will be missed!!!
Oh, Theamin...
You were a good soul. Your dedication to truth and your presence shall be missed. Farewell, for the East travels on, and you have your own job to tackle now.
I hope we'll see a little more of Theanim but it's the price of the journey, we must leave some characters behind to continue eastward.
And the hunt begin, next time Chandler vs the armor : The fight for freedom !
Take care Mane.
At first I hated Theanim since he seemed closed minded but as time has gone on I ended up liking his characterization and seeing how much he has changed just like Keris. You could almost say he and Keris are brothers with the same upbringing though they are different species.
7372979 and decimated, and there's a decent chance that there will be mass desertion. [or, the hardship will just toughen their resolve, which would be significantly worse for our Main Character and Sidekicks]
If this is truly Theanim's last chapter then all I have to say is goodbye and good luck, he will be missed in this story. I have a feeling that is not the case though as I'm sure we will get at least a epilogue with him some way down the line. It was a very moving final scene for him though.
Make Rohbredden great again!
The butterfly's name... Shell.
The butterfly is going to cause something major (butterfly effect), isn't it?
Hats off to you, Theams. You were worth knowing, and worth caring for. May you live to see harmony take root.
Whoop.
7374598 Rohbredeoh, the new daily fic to follow! Join all 173 cardboard cutouts of the Senate as they discuss minute policy changes and pour through mountains of legal speak! Will they close the tax loophole benefiting owners of freight trains which operate through the eight north-most prefectures? Find out next time, on Rohbredeoh!
7374968 Austraeofly! The new daily fic... Actually, this could be fun to read. Who wants to volunteer to write this?
*Raises glass* Here's to one of the few character in this story to accept, analyze, and critique both the support and counter-support to his knowledge and beliefs. I have my doubts we'll encounter a scientist like him until Dash sees her next sunrise (probably about 2-3 books from now).
Bittersweet calm before the storm...
7376561 Flystraeoh?
Ah, Professor Theamin Mane it's been good while it lasted, but now we leave you how we meet you. On an island, surrounded by religious islanders, while attempting to fill out your lepidoptera photo collection.
You sir, shall be missed. Good bye... Thunker Meat.
Whoop!
Oh, so it's not just the Talon accompanying Chandler on his Ahab-esque hunt? Have fun stopping an army, Keris.
And a happy goodbye to Theanim! Best wishes and science, friend!