Chapter 2: Page 86
Since we started this story, the split narrative between the Sunsgrovian envoy and Sratha-din has always threatened to lead up to a point like this.
After all, while readers may find things and characters to connect with on both sides, the historical situation of the Four Kingdoms has Sunsgrove and the Ermehn at bitter odds with each other. This was exemplified earlier, when the Ermehn attacked Quinlan and Dakkan — and also now, as Rhosyn evaluates potential threats and… removes one from the battlefield.
Of course this is all a matter of perspective. That’s the point of the whole story, after all! Spend enough time on one side of a conflict, become familiar enough with the characters there, and you might very well begin to appreciate that point of view at the expense of another. Thus far we’ve only had a chance to really follow two main groups, as mentioned above. We’re going to start following a third, and since Song of the Eastern Sands is canon BWD, that will serve as a fourth. The world’s about to open up in a big way.
This week, I wanted to share an appropriately somber piece from reader Kelsey Girvin, who submitted this wonderful guest art of a younger Quinlan consoling Dakkan after they learned of his mother’s passing.
Thank you so much for the wonderful artwork, Kelsey! I love the muted colors and thick line-work, and the texture of the paper also gives the scene a kind of faded look, helping to add to its memory-like quality.
Aaaaand everything goes downhill, the story. Nice job breaking it, Kenosh.
Poor Quinlan though, and Dakkan– Quinlan just got shot, and Dakkan just saw his father murder a general and also blood. This is not ending well. In any way.
Also, how could I forget the fabulous fan art? I love the texture to it, and the curve of Dak and Quin’s tails. It’s great.
…Annnnd It seems to me that Dakkan – these drastic experiences – blood around, enraged his father and Hardrin kills one after another next Canid soldiers and possible death of his friend – It can negatively affect his psyche…..
I- I just– I just wanted one update without heartache. Just one.
You know, Quin’s expression mirrors my own. I cant even delve deep into this I’m gonna let Shield handle this because you always know what to say. And I’ll sit back and watch the fandom cry. While I weep. Inconsolably. Like a child. A child who had its hero stabbed in the heart with an arrow.
Okay, that was a bit dramatic, its not even his heart sooooo….
This is out of topic but can I just say that I seriously love your avatar.
I love this Avatar too ;)
How do you want I can hug you and comfort you ;) – I am very sadlly too… :(
Rhosyn’s not entirely heartless, but she does know how to get to the heart of the matter.
I heartily await the next update.
“He’s crazy? O.o ” XD
Ouhhh…. Sorry, I made a mistake your comment ;) (It’s supposed To be this Canid solider behind Kenosh XD )
This is just going downhill so hard….SO hard that the plot will be ending up on the other side of Dunia *seewhatididthere* .
Ok but Clovis…eeesh….I guess he’s really pushing up the daisies. And how Kenosh continues to surprise me. I was expecting for him to have a shocked “oopsy daisy” moment or quickly regretting his own actions after seeing that Hardin was in fact…quite armed. It actually furthers to question if Kenosh planned to kill Clovis if reason didnt reach him.
But the overall chaos, I cant keep up with it! People dying all over the place, Hardin, Bevan and Roshyn going for broke, blood getting everywhere, Dakkan getting all choked over the sudden change of events, Quinlan getting shot etc. The icing on the cake for this un-joyful ride is the touching fan art too. I feel bad for seeing Dakkan with such sorrow, but It’s heart warming to see that he at least had Quinlan to console him. Again, it’s super touching and I love it. Great Job Kelsey!
That, and how he’s cutting down soldiers without hesitation makes me think that Kenosh had resolved to kill Clovis even before coming to Deltrada. It is sad how little he cares for his son’s well-being, but perhaps it is understandable, all things considered.
Well Kenosh did told his son and Quin to stay put in the tower. He probably figured the Ermehn wouldnt come barging in. I wouldnt accuse of Kenosh not caring for his son since he cared about his safety before leaving for the battlefield.
Hmmm … Actually did so well that he ordered them in tower for their security – and this his the face as it departed, had he will never see him … He’s been something had to know that this can happen…. (But did not foresee that they will be attacked by ignorant Ermehn:p)
Actually something like this is…
Well obviously, he’s been consumed with the Bloodwrath.
You’re sick Alex and Rachel! That is just cruel what you did. Why must you hurt me this way! I think I’m gonna hide until next week where it is revealed he had a bible in his breast pocket meaning he isn’t actually injured and is totally ok (although a little shocked).
Upon calming down I noticed he probably (hopefully) isn’t going to be killed by that shot. It appears that it has hit him in the shoulder not in the heart as I originally thought. He is going to be seriously injured though. Also Clovis is confirmed dead.
Hey Yeti – what to do with Quin wound is the Bible? O.o
You mean any comparison with any Bible books?
It’s just a cliche where instead of being hit in the heart or chest it hits something else with magical bullet (in this case, arrow) stopping properties. Often it’s a bible, flask, or other small but thick journal.
Ahaaaaa…. Ok ;) Thanks ;)
He deserves to die for filling his pocket Bible with ketchup.
Wait. You don’t?
I find a nice dijon mustard pairs well with my Bible, personally
Read that in Buscemi’s voice. Thumbs up.
My theory is Kenosh will escape with the Sratha-din, where it’s revealed he knows Hardin and maybe Ashtor, only for Tosch to start hunting them down in revenge and force Dakkan and Quinlan to join him.
(also good lord that Canid is choking on his blood)
I just noticed that dude. Ouch. :c
Lololol, just like pokemon.
An interesting theory :) – and perhaps so maybe this – You see how Kenosh and Hardrin great work together in fighting VS Canid; and to your theory, I’ll add my small theory – that every true Hardrin from the point of view of biology cannot be Kenosh son, but could it bring up/to take care of him and learn the good fighting ;)
I prefer the Candid soldier behind Kenosh. Her face is just “wha- wha- what’s going on?”
“he;s Crazy? O.o ” XD
Ooh, I like your theory!
OMG … O Kur*a….. But … now I subtract the speech … I’m impressed but also in great sadness, pain and grief….. Now because of that I’m a little ill of these emotions I need to measure the temperature – but luckily I survived and did not get a heart attack ;)
And Yes, I was expecting that it would be such a bloody shambles, but it surpassed my innermost expectations – in the end, we have the real battle (as I so long I’ve been waiting for it :D – thanks Alex and Rachel ) ;) – Finally I saw here in this comic is what I missed – The image infuriated Hardrin and Kenosh fight with several bad guests on their two ^^ XD
Frankly, I had such picture in my head, and it is for me almost exactly recalls this scene from the movie “Krzyżacy” – shambles at the castle in Szczytno – Jurand fights against the entire crew. ;) ….
https://youtu.be/8GdD3E5djcE
So it seems to me that Kenosh or simply die with honor in battle, or is captured and placed under the military court for “treason”…
BUT… BUT WHY QUILLAN …!? WHY?! …. :O :( – I was expecting that such a fate befall Kenosh, or even Dakkan … :( But Quillan?…. OMG – I’m very Sadlly, and now we have a tragedy because (don’t let the Lord God) the main character will be die … :( (Such a wound is dangerous, can damage one of the arteries, or lung, or even the heart…..) So with these emotions I do not know if I have to sing “Angelic procession let your soul shall adopt to haven” or Requiem….. :(
Ohhhh…. I hope that it will survive because it is not enough that I have in the heart of mourning, it will not be able to draw new images with him and Dakkan :p …
Really awesome emotions and experiences here I see with each new page every week; and with each new party even more, I am convinced that the case is totally is sick, and now it’s the tragedy of what I see (the tragedy of politically sense – instead of fighting for peace – they initiated a new war, this Canid will never forgive it….. Oh, there will be blood of innocent … Damn it … -.- )
And as for the graphics, it also made me very moved … Very nicely drawn, I like it very much, but a little sad I felt seeing that crying little Dakkan….
Eight day of the Sixth month of the Year of Our Lord two thousand and fifteen.
I can feel and aura of intense emotion emanating from today’s comment section. Even though I am yet to read its contents, I can sense it to the point it is almost palpable.
I am afeared yet exited about what I may find within it.
I am descending towards its depths.
Wish me luck.
Err… Well, I did figure that one of the two sides would be out for our heroes’ blood pretty soon, I just wasn’t sure which one would strike first. I guess Rhosyn went and settled that.
At least that bolt only seems to have hit Quin in the shoulder. This’ll probably put our bushy-tailed hero out of commission for a while, but it shouldn’t be anything fatal. Hopefully…
Now when Quinlan and Dakkan reach Nessa, Quinlan will say, “Dammit, Janik, I TOLD you that you should have been a healer instead of all this diplomatic nonsense!”
Because it is nonsense from the start :p
Does anyone else notice that Dakkan has the worst deal here? At the end of the day, he’ll have to cope with:
-his mother’s death.
-either his father’s death or the knowledge that his father is now living as a disgraced exile.
-his best friend getting seriously hurt by the side of the war his father helped.
-and, of course, all that blood.
THE PAIN OF THE DEEP PSYCHOLOGICAL SCARS!
Well, it seems to me that this could very BADLY affect on Dakkan Psyche – it might be called the “post-war trauma”, that is, it is not known what this Trauma may take the form…. Sometimes it can be dangerous either for himself or for the environment…..
-his father cares more for the ermehn than his safety
That is sad true….
That’s not fatal, right? D:
We hopefully.. D:
Wait a second, I just realized something. Out of the four members of the Sratha-din who are participating in the battle, we can only account for three.
Where is Waldo, er, I mean Rathik?
It’s looking worse for Kenosh- this was far less spur-of-the moment than I originally thought. He’s attacked another Canid, fluidly and without any remorse or pause. As far-fetched as the conspiracy theory seems, I became slightly more willing to accept it.
Of course it could just be self defense and if any agreement was made with Hardin, he forgot to bargain for the safety of Quinlan. Unless he didn’t forget, which. Kenosh, no. This entire chapter has been “Kenosh, no” in one way or another.
Hardin’s turn to be the Batman, I see- nice cape. And I love how time is taken to detail out the battlefield. Hardin stabbing a soldier with his own spear is a…. nice? not quite the word I’m looking for- touch. Kenosh and Hardin are now the Dynamic Duo. Just more murdery.
And when Quinlan finally tried to take some action, he’s slammed with a crossbow bolt courtesy fo Rhosyn. Here’s where things get tricky. She only went after him because he was reaching for his bow. (Got him before he even managed to string it, which //yes// I love that portrayal of a bow needing to be strung before use in battle) So Kenosh could have possibly bargained for their safety, but the fact that he went for a weapon annuls this. Or Rhosyn may not know. Hardin’s bad at telling people things.
The big question: is it fatal? No, I don’t think so. Shoulder wounds aren’t fatal unless an artery is hit. However, in this world, there’s infections to worry about. But it’s going to mess up Quinlan’s ability to use his bow and slow him down for a good while. Which. is not a good thing.
(Have I mentioned that I don’t trust you, Alex? I’m going solely off the placement of the arrow here.)
of course, both Quinlan and Dakkan have been effectively betrayed by Kenosh. Quinlan’s the one who feels the physical repercussions of it, but Dakkan has the emotional consequences. Both at the expense of his father, and his best friend. The expression on Dakkan’s face (which is even before Quinlan is shot, mind) hurts. A lot. And Quinlan’s shocked expression in the last panel isn’t helping either. Noo Quinlan please be OK.
This entire page is a wreck in the best way possible.
We should all take note of how Dakkan is clutching his staff as if it’s a sort of “security blanket”. He has nothing else to rely on anymore.
Didn’t someone predict that Dakkan might have to get past his fear of blood to give someone medical care?
All the time I say that it can, but it’s a very bad impact on the Dakkan psyche (I had a phobia when I was little boy and now when I have 20 years – I was afraid that I would die, that something I’m heavy sick (Hipochondria), and I had United, and anxiety of neuromuscular therapy and now I am healthy for the mind, but everyday I fight with this phobia :) – and so it’s something that long I would most likely become a bad depression or nervous breakdown :( ;) ) In my opinion, Dakkan needs therapy, because it is either for him or for someone else’s bad end…. (Post-war trauma)
And as for Quin, everything depends on whether the arrow missed an artery and lung, if so it should be only worry before the wound infection, and if not – already I can sing “Angelic procession let your soul shall adopt to haven…”
But here’s the thing though…if Kenosh was in cahoots with Hardin, when did he had the time to meet up and bargain with him? To me it feels like Kenosh at this point was fed up with the treaty and the Canid and is trying to enforce his own justice.
Well, the fact that Kenosh doing such bloody shambles it seems to me that he has personally did a total of lynching to Canid, for their crimes against Ermehn … On the one hand, it’s a good thing in the end justice was done, but on the other hand their own bills with the Canid equaled for the price of peace in this world….
Well I wouldn’t go too far with labeling Kenosh racist against the Canid, more so that he dislikes their policies.
I just had the thought that Kenosh dislikes Canid for their persecution of Eremhn and aggressive Politics ;) – But the fact, unfortunately this persecution have a sticker on the background of racial and culture…. And I never understand this – why? …. That is horrible…
I’m with you both. As I stated before, math suggests that, at the time when Kenosh was with the Ermehn Hardin was 12 years old, tops.
As Altairey pointed out, however, Kenosh could have met up with Ashtor in his time there. If there is some sort of conspiracy (and at this point I don’t even know WHAT to think about that), I’m convinced that Kenosh would have had to set it up with Ashtor, not Hardin.
Though that begs the question of how Kenosh knew he would be at Deltrada when the Ermehn attacked, as well as why we never heard Hardin or Ashtor discuss an “inside source” of information on Deltrada. Though they did know that Clovis would be at Deltrada at the time of the attack, as illustrated here: https://westerndeep.net/comic/chapter-2-page-26/ One does wonder how Hardin could be so certain; perhaps Kenosh got him a message somehow? Though Ashtor is unaware of this development until Hardin brings it up, which conflicts with my above hypothesis of Kenosh plotting with Ashtor.
Hmmmmmm. This has given me a lot to think about. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. Anyone else have any ideas?
Interesting and a nice summary, Fourth :) , for now all my ideas and your have been exhausted, and I do not for the moment new ideas :p … We will live – We will see … Just waiting to next page…. :p For now, we just wait for the next page, and keep our fingers crossed Quin did not die….
Kenosh could have met with Hardin much earlier, and realized that he’s perfect for his plans. Do you really think that recruiting the Sratha-Din was Hardin’s idea?
So what you’re saying is Puppetmaster Kenosh is totally a thing?
Soon, he’ll convince Janik to move for a Vote of No Confidence in King Dahbeid’s(sp?) leadership, and we’ll see the rise of the Empire, with Quinlan arising as Kenosh’s iron fist.
There is a Royal election (choose the King by the nobles), or hereditary being King from father to son, or other members of the Royal family? O.o
It’s a joke, Jakub. More specifically, it’s a Star Wars reference.
Aaaaa… Ok ok ;)
But out of curiosity, then here is the election or inheritance of new king? :)
Rhosyn is a good shot, she could have ended Quin if she wanted (and he wasn’t a main character). I think she was unsure what to do with the tamian, and decided to put him on a time-out.
With an arrow.
We can take some solace in the fact that Quin may continue to be an adventurer, as the crossbow bolt hit him in the shoulder rather than a specific leg joint.
Give advice to walk around with one hand incapacitated, the worse it would be without the legs….
Both you and tronn made me grin. Quinlan is going to be in a world of pain next page while he’s in time out– and Dakkan won’t be able to aid him. If anything, Dakkan is going need aiding too with all that blood around.
I know it hurts:p; but as I look at this angle It might even be better with a wounded arm only (unless arrow damaged artery or lungs :p); worse if the abdomen, chest, head or leg Quin got :p Sorry Saraa – this is war/battle, there is very dangerous situation :(
Ahhhh! Shit, shit, shit! :( :C OMG….
Just my emotions at the height of the zenith-conspiracy theories Everywhere :( :C
I do not know what to think, one thought confuses me with another idea; somehow I find it hard to believe that Kenosh the welfare and safety of the psyche submit Dakkan and Quin (especially of Dakkan) over politics and personal revenge/punishment/conspiracy with Ermehn on Canid. It is true that I am wholeheartedly with Ermehn in their fight for freedom, but for God’s sake – why some Ermehn can not understand that Dakkan, Quin and Kenosh came to help them…
The whole politics and Canid, and this situation is one big shit … Dakkan undergoes a nervous breakdown; Quin is harder wounded; Kenosh does not yet know why it gets bloody shambles with Hardrin in order to punish them, Ermehn/revenge/or be friendly relations with Ermehn; at the expense of peace and thousands of lives in this world…
(At the moment I am at the same time and impressed and depressed … :( )
And I am afraid and very couriosity what will happen in the next few weeks….
… Hmmm … But with this multitude of in my head, I thought of my own, and after reading the comments, so it seems to me that if (hopefully) Quin survives; Kenosh, Dakkan and Quin from survivors of the battle Ermehn to their base, where they take care of Quin, and then everything can be explained, all events and Kenosh secrets and others …. Taht will be interseting ;)
They didn’t come to help the Ermehn. They came to stop a war. Kenosh might be helping them, but Quinlan is neutral and Dakkan doesn’t like Ermehn. Kenosh knows what he’s doing. There’s no doubt of that.
I don’t think that’s going to happen. The Canid probably want to detain the Sunsgrovians and there’s no way Dakkan’s going to go with the Ermehn willingly. Even if Hardin wanted them on his side, nothing they can say would convince Dakkan that they should be on the same side. He disliked them before but now they’ve badly hurt Quinlan. That’s not an offense that Dakkan’s going to forgive easily. More likely, Kenosh will try to explain himself to Dakkan from a Canid cell.
While we have a clearer picture of how Nessa fits in, (with the ‘Aisling-Sunsgrove alliance dissolved) there’s still some information we don’t have.
Things getting epic!
Question: Why did Rhosyn shoot Quin, and not the Canid behind him who already has sword drawn and brandished, is running more aggressively toward the fray, and is almost certain to threaten Kenosh/Hardin more immediately? Maybe it’s just instinct to take out archers first, since they can take out multiple targets from a distance, but still, I’d think Rhosyn would be focused on the Canid, whom she must surely see as the true enemy here.
Biggest surprise of this page for me was Kenosh going berserker. Just defending himself, or is he taking a definite stand against the Canid as a whole, and not just Clovis? I still think his actions here demand a LOT of explanation, story-wise, and I *hope* we’ll be getting that sooner rather than later.
Others have commented sufficiently on the general awesomeness of this page, so I’ll just say I generally agree. In general.
(This has been a Public Service Anouncement from a Lively Discussion Devotee, but of course.)
Hmmm … And maybe actually Rhosyn excelled in Canid, and Quin had noticed her and came straight on a line shot…? That could explain why it got shot, and another my development of this theory – Quin may lose consciousness and wake up e.g. in the Ermehn camp where everyone is (Quin Dakkan, Kenosh, Hardrin, Ashor) and then can explain everything:) … (It’s good that such a passage look like;))
Personally, I think that it’s just Rhosyn’s instinct to shoot the archers first. She’s the only member of the Sratha-din who specializes in ranged, while Hardin, Bevan, and Rathik all are very effective at fighting up close (So’s Kenosh). One more Canid soldier is likely to be quickly cut down like his friends, but a skilled Tamian archer? She knows about the Sunsgrove-Aisling alliance. She’s not worried about Hardin being stabbed by a Canid as much as she’s worried about him being shot in the back.
WELP, Quin’s dead. That’s the end of that.
Surprise twist: up to now has all been the prologue where we briefly get to know characters so we feel for them when things go south and they all die, letting the audience know how serious the plot is. We’ll now start the story proper with the main protagonists, Yurk and company, no doubt including a certain Tamian diplomat who will go to pieces halfway through when they stumble across a depressed, unshaven Dakkan deep in his cups and who shares his tale of woe and betrayal.
Naturally, Kenosh and all of the Sratha-din are also killed in the battle–even Ashtor and Eira, as Lady Canid takes her father’s place, teams up with Tosch, and goes on an Ermehn-slaughtering rampage throughout the wastes, Lake Felnach included. In a surprise twist, Cain, Dakkan, and Janik also don’t make it out of the story; neither does Crim; he reappears suddenly, sacrificing himself heroically so that Yurk may live. As the only survivor, Yurk becomes the hooded Ermehn who re-relates his tale of misery and woe to the Felis scholars many years hence.
It all makes sense now.
I would be down for this.
AND THE WHEEL TURNS EVER ON.
Also, Crim has achieved his dream of being promoted to captain. He’s kept his crunchy, jerky exterior, but inside, he secretly misses Quinlan and fights in his honor.
PB&J and Fourth – you both are genius :D Now, all is clear/make sense :D (when I back to home from work in Schindler factory, I think about it more and maybe write something – now I know Why you call Fourth MASTER, Fourth ;) – actually are you Master ;) :D {you have my great Respect Fourth}) ;)
…Hmmmm, But now, after comparing the form of shot in the battle in the drawing in the prologue, it doesn’t look like Quin, More like Ermehn … :p
Historical creative license. ;P
Exactly ;)
I do not know why, but the melody of this song it reminds me of the early Dakkan childhood, in his family village, even when his mom lived and probably Kenosh was not so serious and raw … I do not know why :p … But really for some time when I listen to this song I see in my mind Dakkan joyful with mom, and Kenosh who wears it on his shoulder, etc. Even the words of this song fit me for this .:
– Gregory Turnau; “Here I Am” –
“Here I am, where I’ve been
Where I was born
Here I grew up
And here I was
I could go, go away
And thus far rejected
But I’ve been
Of these, what they were with me […] ”
https://youtu.be/1XBY-tERRMU
Music, eh?
I’ll just leave this here . . .
You know Fourth – De guspitum non est disputantum/
The taste is not discussed – Just this Turnau song reminds me the early Dakkan childhood – I see in my mind Dakkan joyful with mom, and who wears his it on Kenosh shoulder – such a sweet familly scene; the balance to the last recent terrible events in action ;) ; And in turn this song which you Fourth showed us, too much I liked it and I also really began to associate with BWD – indeed I think that fit perfectly into action ;)
And after that is cool song :D ;) Nice play :D
Honestly, I just picked that song for the first two lines.
“Shot through the heart,
And you’re to blame.”
Seems appropriate given what just happened to ol’ Quin.
Fits perfectly ^^ – perfect shot ;)
I step away for a couple weeks… AND ALL THIS HAPPENS?!
I refuse to believe that’s fatal, I refuse it!
Hey, I know that this question is out of place, but I have to know – whether peanut butter is sweet?
Not really. But it certainly is peanut-y.
All my life I have lived in untrue ;-; XD – I thought that is sweet XD
…
My childhood once again lies in ruins…
Well, there are a few varieties that mix in a ton of extra sugar, but I would hardly call them standard varieties of peanut butter.
All my life I thought that peanut butter is a genus of nutella – and that peanut butter is a sweet…. ;-;
Actually, the original use of peanut butter was to provide a source of protein for people who had lost their teeth and couldn’t chew meat or nuts. Such was the purpose when the stuff was invented by our pal George Washington Carver (Not the same fellow as the first American president, I add). Of course, it was apparently tasty enough to catch on in a big way.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Carver
Oooo :D That is very interesting informations :D (I like this kind of trivia ;) ) Thanks Fourth ;)
And as ever I visit America, I must to taste this peanut butter ;)
You take out the archers first, sorry Quin.
The look of betrayal on Dak’s face is pretty heart-breaking :[ I’ve read the theories about Kenosh having planned this out with Hardin, but I can’t imagine he would have done so without warning Dakkan and Quin. Would he really leave them prey to the chaos, or did he plan everything out so precisely that he expected them to have been safely detained in the fort by the Canid while he and Hardin made their move? Or was it more important that they be able to truthfully answer that they had no idea of Kenosh’s plans of betrayal? I (as everyone else) look forward to seeing how this plays out.
(This is Kelsey Girvin, btw. Thanks for posting up my fanart, and thank you for the kind words, guys <3)
Kenosh simply likes his adopted son, Hardin, better than the Disappointment.
Are you the Northern Wastes? ‘Cause that was cold.
I am from the Valley of the Vistula River, and If I live in BWD – I will be an otter ;) Sometimes there is cold and sometimes hot ;)
Dakkan: What’s an “otter”? You mean Lutren, right?
Heya Kelsey! (Or is it Tabby?) That’s some fabulous fan art, and I’m glad you’re in the fandom, regardless of comment activity. It’s just nice to know more people are out there. c:
After reading the next page, then coming back, my humorous interpretation of this scene is Quinlan going to draw his bow, and Rhosyn instinctively thinks “THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE” and reflexively shoots him.