Chapter 2: Page 38
This week, the political situation becomes clearer from the Canid perspective — General Clovis and the Canid clearly see their situation as being unique, with the Treaty of Cenloau being more of a “suggestion” than anything else.
As we’ve said many times in the past, one of the primary elements of the comic is the focus on the political situation in world, and how the different races and kingdoms interpret the goings-on. The Canid/Ermehn conflict clearly has opinionated characters on both sides, but in the same breath the Treaty of Cenolau that created the Four Kingdoms has groups on both sides as well.
Then again the treaty was supposed to end the war, so Clovis is clearly trying to justify Canid expansionist agenda. I wonder what’s there in the Ermehn lands what they want?
You made a very good point, tronn. I was thinking they were just after Ermehn extinction, but there could be resources, too.
I’m not sure how much sense that makes, considering the canids were originally from the wastes in the first place. First they take the ermehns home from them, now they won’t even let them settle down in their new one. Their being greedy and cruel, seemingly looking for any excuse to kill them all.
Well, this definitely complicates things.
This will make it more difficult to force the Canid to stand down because the Sunsgrovians can’t rely on a “THE TREATY SAYS THIS” approach, because the Canids will just go “those are more like guidelines than actual rules” and clearly the Canid aren’t too concerned about war… actually, between what Clovis says of “the harsh realities of war” and that he says “YOUR treaty” is a pretty clear indicator that Quinlan was right- the war hasn’t ended for the Canid.
Also, the Canid aren’t happy with the treaty either, ironic considering they got the better deal at least as far as the Ermehn are concerned.
Quinlan shows that he isn’t completely out of tune when it comes to politics, yay!
I’m beginning to see where the Vulpin might fit into this.
KENOSH’S FACE OH MY SALMON. That is just- yess. He’s not buying any of this Canid general’s tomfoolery. And Clovis’ facial expressions are very good. It really brings the character to life. Especially how he backtracks after Kenosh’s face of sass.
ooh the guards on the Wall looks like they saw something. no crud no I’m not emotionally prepared for this.
*Now I’m curious to find out what is delaying Tosch.
Beautiful art as always, Rachel, and Alex you are driving me insane and I love it.
Face of Sass(tm)!
If Kenosh is not careful his eyebrow is going to beetle off the top of his head and cause the art-style of the comic to become surreal.
He appears to have mastered the Lord Vetenari-esque interrogation technique of remaining judgementally silent until someone volunteers information simply to break the tension.
Actually I think it makes things much simpler. If the Canid do not see the treaty legally binding then it becomes much easier for the Lutren and Tamien to pull out of the upcoming war. Seems that helping the Ermehn is only what Kenosh personally wants, unlike his superiors who will be content if they manage to stay neutral in the whole affair.
And I think we will be seeing Tosch soon, given that the leftmost guard is hailing someone down below.
Good point on the treaty, but the Canid probably want the Sunsgrovian aid. They want to have their cake and eat it too- they won’t take it sitting down if Sunsgrove tries to back out.
Nope, click back to Page 34. Tosch has been delayed on the road from Arkflow, it’s not him. The Canid raising his arm could be signalling others on the wall- note the one close by who’s nocking an arrow to his bowstring- not the default stance because the other two archers further away haven’t nocked arrows. I’m betting on our Ermehn friends.
Kenosh’s face XD
I get the feeling the Canid might find themselves in a pinch if there is another war coming. Even though it sounds like to them the war never ended.
The expressions are getting out of control here. Someone is going to hurt their face. But it’ll be a sweet ride until then. I would make a coherent comment about how the Canid seem to view the treaty far differently than the other races do but Clovis himself and the authors’ comments covered that, so I’ll just roll with the idea that Clovis wants more turf while getting the pesky Ermehn out of the way.
Yes, the treaty guidelines are clearly just a “suggestion” to Clovis … in much the same way that crosswalks are just “suggestions” to pedestrians in Paterson, NJ! *groans*
As for the page itself, all I can say is, if just the first panel itself had been this week’s *entire* page, I still would have been quite satisfied. Face of Sass™®© indeed!
You in no way asked for this but you’re welcome.
Saraa Luna, you are a terrible person in the best way possible.
I try very hard to live up to the lowered expectations of me.
The Lutren Trembles. ®
Aw man! I’ve officially caught up so now I have to wait with all the rest of you for next week’s page! Alas! This comic is really fun at least. I have to say I feel like the chances of some sort of diplomatic solution for this escalating tension between the ermehn and canids are looking grim. Quinlann and co. are going to be facing an uphill battle here.
Oh no, one of those “oh, what a quaint little treaty” types…
Your sheet of paper. It’s very cute.
now let’s burn it
it’s clear that not only do the Canid feel that the war didn’t end with the Treaty, They don’t want the war to end at all.
Maybe Sunsgrove will threaten economic sanctions. Because we all know that seems to work so well…
Wahoo! Another Page into the tale!
I love Kenosh’s expression in the first panel. That look made the whole page right there.
I can’t tell if Clovis is avoiding eye contact or just becoming preoccupied with the commotion beginning behind him. I am leaning towards the latter since the former would equate with Clovis knowing his wars on the Ermehn are wrong – something I do not think Clovis would even fathom about himself.
Quin’s little jump in is interesting. For as reluctant as he is about asserting his warlike abilities, he is quite comfortable dealing with political confrontations. Makes me wonder more about his actual parents. Perhaps his father was a diplomat of some sort. Hmm more things to ponder.
And lastly, it looks like the Canid have spotted something over the wall. Not sure what it is since Bevan is not supposed to attack until the ‘storm dark’ hits (which it hasn’t yet) and Hardin is only attacking after Bevan’s distraction is underway. Tosch is waylaid on the road so it can’t be him ….
Impatiently waiting for the next installment!
FT
“And lastly, it looks like the Canid have spotted something over the wall…”
Won’t we all feel silly when it turns out that it’s just the milkman.
Not as silly as the artist feels when she realizes that she forgot to ink one of the crenellations, causing speculation because the wall guard looks like he’s waving when his hand is just supposed to be resting on the wall. X)
It’s been fixed now.
It was totally just a Canid mime. They’re a rare caste.
Though I imagine non-verbal communication is rather useful in the field.
That 1st panel has so much sass that it would make even the ghetto-est of ladies be proud “mmmmmhmmm!”
*snaps fingers three times*
Ah, yes, Clovis plays the old “you can’t possibly understand because you don’t share my point of view” card.
This strip really helps build an image of the canids as an aggressive fighting force.
I like how the otter just stares back without yielding any ground or information.