Chapter 2: Page 88
Sorry again for the delay, everyone!
So, some of you were asking where Rathik was during the last few moments, and whether Kenosh has noticed during the tumult that his son and a fellow Sunsgrovian captain are behind him. This should help clear things up!
I keep yammering on periodically about how “this was all in the original script” — well, to clarify somewhat, the overall arc of events thus far is similar to what was written originally way back in 2009-2010 thereabouts. However, to say that all of this was in the “original” script is not entirely true.
Yes, in the original script, the Ermehn attack Deltrada Garrison and Clovis is killed as a result. Yes, in the original script, Rathik surprises Dakkan and hoists him up for Hardin to see. Actually, as some book-purchasers might realize, that moment was foreshadowed in the extras, in Rathik’s character page:
How old is this scene? Well, the character designs kinda give it away! Dakkan’s still wearing his old tunic, for instance. The lamellar armor designs that the Lutren wear now came about in early 2011, and that was right about the same time the name of the story changed from the hideously generic “The Four Kingdoms” to the more appropriate “Beyond the Western Deep.” Rathik is also sporting the early Ermehn Polynesian tribal influences a bit more, which fell by the wayside pretty quickly.
Fun fact: the original inspiration for this hulking, intimidating character (at least in script-form) came from the PS2 action game “The Mark of Kri”, and its barbarian protagonist, Rau.
I recall he was so strong that he would throw his giant sword into the air like a drumstick mid-combo. That was freaking awesome.
And no, Rathik won’t be doing that anytime soon X)
For guest art this week, a wonderful little tumblr surprise from fishotterchen, who was asked to draw a piece showing Quinlan, based on the “happy face” emoji! Of course, this was published just a few hours before we shot him in the arm with a crossbow bolt. Those two things aren’t at all related.
He looks so HAPPY! I don’t imagine we’ll be seeing this expression from him anytime soon, but it’s nice to know the guy’s still capable of the act.
Thanks so much for doing this piece, fishotterchen! I love your style — it’s a little trite to simply call it “expressive” (especially when the whole point of the piece was to show Quinlan’s ‘happy face’ expression) but it does perfectly capture the essence of it all! I love it, and I’m glad I get to share it with everyone here!
Well, confirmed that Kenosh is working with Ermehn. No one is going to be happy.
Kenosh has got some ‘splainin to do to Quin and Dak. Questions such as “Why didn’t you tell us?” and “WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!!” must be answered.
Anyway maybe next argument between Dakkan and Kenosh…
It’s probaly just another of those tear-jerking explanations such as: “When I was captured and taken to their territory, I learned about how harsh it was and how they were unfairly exiled and had to fight each other for scraps, yadda yadda yadda, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.”
You know, the usual.
“Dakkan, they live in CAVES! And all they have to eat is a BOX OF SCRAPS!”
I think that this is what will take the form of how you present it, Thesillyzealot ;)
For example, it might look like this.:
Kenosh.: Dakan, I felt sorry for them…. I wanted to help them…
Dakkan.: Mother was “dying” of fear about you all this time, she even began to lose hope that you will return…
Kenosh.: …But understand that it would be immoral to leave them in need… I couldn’t, it was my solider duty to help the needy…
Dakkan.: … And I as far as I remember all the time I asked her unconsciously widening it in despair, “mom, when are you coming back Daddy?” – well, and returned… But a completely different “Daddy”… Now I know why …
Kenosh.: Please, forgive me; there was no way to explain it, I could not, I overlooked moment in this conversation … Sorry to hear about that in such circumstances…
Dakkan.: …
……I just had a belated, overly-obvious realization.
Knowing what went down in the Oran Uprising with Kenosh being taken prisoner adds yet more layers to this scene: https://westerndeep.net/comic/chapter-2-page-11/
Both Kenosh and Dakkan are horribly biased in their opinions of the Ermehn. Kenosh’s opinion is flavored by at least some Stockhom Syndrome. But Dakkan explicitly stated that Kenosh came back “he was… well, like he is now. Different.” That’s why Dakkan can’t accept they are innocent. He lost his father to their cruelty and a stranger came home instead.
Perhaps so bad said about Ermehn, lied to protect them or to cover up some Canid crimes…
But if so, why, with what reason?
I assume you’re talking about when Dakkan said Kenosh said the Ermehn did bad things. The Ermehn aren’t wholly blameless in this conflict. Kenosh has no reason to cover up Canid crimes, he even said “the Canid lied” when he recounted the incident. Claiming the Ermehn did bad things doesn’t protect them. Both sides, Ermehn and Canid, have done bad things. Look at the way Hardin treated Feyn’s tribe. And Dakkan’s dislike of them is rooted in his father’s personality change- essentially, PTSD.
Each side is not without fault – in any conflict of this type both side has its faults, but it is important who started and who here its repression in thie war; this war started Canid, and it is against on the background of racially-territorial and Ermehn just must fight in their own defense – they have to defend what is a natural response and retaliatory actions for crimes to them, which sometimes is also quite violent (which usually I do not approve it), but according to me should be the punishment those who started and are aggressors, or in this case – Canid.
(In the history of my nation, marked by constant bloody fight through the ages from various invaders, we had to defend ourselves – we had no other choice, as Ermehn – and there were plenty of retaliatory action – and those who like to praises and those who like condemns (For example, In the same way as between Canid and Ermehn, on national and racial background, was a big terrible and bloody (images not suitable to describe – I regret that I have seen these pictures) slaughter thousands of innocent of my countrymen by the UPA in today Ukraine , and the same retaliatory actions on innocent Ukrainians by our AK soldiers, I condemn this terrible massacre from the UPA and our AK soldiers, both tjis side have committed a bloody terrible crimes… ) – that’s why despite several retaliatory action Ermehn, which I am not exactly praise and spin your head like a Aschor, I hold them side and I’m with Ermehn)
And what is it “PTSD” ? O.o :)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It’s a mental disorder that develops in veterans. Kenosh shows a lot of the symptoms- and they developed during his time with the Ermehn.
I agree ;) That is true :)
Oh, Saraa, I must also offer my condolences now that Clovis is confirmed to be dead. :(
Thank you. They’re much appreciated. We’ll be having the funeral soon.
I know that the dead should not be wrong to say, but should General Clovis bury somewhere under a fence or in a nameless grave, like all killed by them and Canid soliders thousands innocent Ermehn, lie somewhere in the mass nameless graves… :C
Remind me not to put you in charge of the eulogy :p
Ok ok… I’m sorry… :(
I just forgot, I did not want to offend you … I have kept up not as Christians… Like a pig … :(
What special plans for the funeral do you have?
The idea of banana cream pies was thrown about. But we decided to let Clovis rest in peace to prevent retaliation when Quinlan and/or Hardin die
I apologies for my above statement about General Clovis, to bring him a bottle of known substance, and drink for him… And that is a very good idea… Clovis – Cherr*
Hey, Kenosh is back! Also Rathik is bloody terrifying, seriously don’t mess with him. Ever.
Happy face Quin is happy, but I rather doubt that we’ll be seeing him like that for a while yet.
Yep, Rachael really nailed the gleefully crazy look in Rathik’s eyes.
I didn’t realize earlier just how buff Rathik is, but compared to Dakkan & co. he’s huge!
To be honest I thought that somewhere Rathik was killed in battle, but luckily and unluckily for Dakkan is alive, feels good, and can just knock out Dakkan… Nice
And I it clears away, and in fact I did not know that it was a giant
I pity Quinlan who (knowing his luck) is about to be hit in the shoulder by a carelessly discarded quarterstaff.
Speaking of characters on the edges, in accordance with his Kill Every Possible Witness policy Kenosh continues to merrily murder the Canid soldiers. When this is over someone will have to write a lot of letters starting with “Dear Mr and Mrs Canid, I deeply regret to inform you…”
The canid laying next to Kenosh at least looks surprised, I can’t stop seeing his ears as his eyes…
Yay, Kenosh cares for his son after all!
Saving Private Greenpaw
I know that this is not proper but at this point I got an attack of laughter – until I started to cry with laughter – Tress, thanks for these “letters” and the merrily murdered… ;) XD
(The most important thing is that there are no witnesses and no one denounce that – or at least it will be an opportunity to drink something in series of funeral meals)
Part of me is still trying to refuse the fact that Kenosh was in cahoots with Hardin the entire time. I sorta understand the motivation but what I want to know is when and how did these two ever planned this rebellion? Was it by chance? Did Kenosh already knew of the Sratha-din personally and when the ordeal happened he decided to go along with it? Back when the group were still talking to Clovis, Kenosh was surprised to hear the Sratha-din was nearby the fort. I’m so muddled right now, but I hope Kenosh starts spilling the beans soon.
But what I’m wondering right now is how Dakkan and Quinlan are going to face Kenosh and the Ermehn now. I’m pretty sure with Quinlan being a casualty in the mess, Dakkan is going to resent his father and the Ermehn even more for letting all this happen. It’s as if everything they were ever brought up was shattered into pieces. And the worst is seeing how Quinlan is slumped from his wound in the 4th panel.
I wasn’t ready for this page…… I feel so emotionally conflicted perhaps even awkward. These two weeks felt like if I was anxiously waiting for the results of some big test. I was somewhat ok with my answers but at the same time I was nervous of my potential failure. Well, I got my test and seeing that big red D- minus on the page shot me down so hard I came out the other side of the earth.
Oh well…enough melodrama, despite how I feel, I’m really happy you and Rachel got this page working the way you wanted it to. It’s amazing. And speaking of amazing, there’s BWD alpha concept art!? Is it in the book, cuz if so man do I seriously need to buy it. I sadly cant since I’m on a tight budget with bills and all (yes I cant even risk a measly 15 dollars). But I will make sure to get that book and support you guys as soon as possible! Of course I cant ignore the fact that fishotterchen (dat name lol) drew such a neat and cute drawing of Quin. He’s so expressive with his smile that you simply cannot frown at it. I hope we see more of this from you dude, I love the style!
…That is a good point, I had forgotten about Kenosh’s shocked reaction to the name “Sratha-Din”. Of course, any arrangements he made may have been more covert and rough- “Be at Deltrada in twelveish years and kill the General in power” or perhaps it was the trigger word to activate the attack.
Yeah. I didn’t expect things between Dakkan and Kenosh to take a nosedive but hoo boy, this is a literal trainwreck. And Quinlan, nooo. I should not be so emotionally invested in these characters :I
Now it will be a series of quarrels and difficult conversations with Quinlan (if survives), and Dakkan with Kenosh; I’d feel awful when all truths, facts, and as I grew up and have been taught turned out to be untrue, and I’ve been lied to all my life…
And that somewhere I have a half-brother…
Ah yes, the “Kenosh has a half ermehn child” theory. Perhaps somewhere out there in the northern wastes there is a young ehrmen with an unusually sturdy tail and an urge to balance a scallop on thier stomach and smash it with a rock.
“Half-brother Dakkan” I meant that Kenosh don’t be biological fatherof Hardrin (because once we’ve all talked about it and we agreed that it is genetically impossible); only that Kenosh grew up a little Hardrin, was for him as a father ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUGlOKsJGuI
CONSPIRACY CONFIRMED
Hello Rathik.
Boy is this an eventful page. So many things going on and handled masterfully. I love how Rhosyn looks like she’s about to hit Dakkan with the crossbow before Rathik intervenes. That right corner panel looks awesome, I love the touch where Dakkan pops into the white border. Rathik’s face is perfect- he’s clearly enjoying this entire mess. Sitting around bonfires while other people get to do the fighting is no fun, but he finally gets to smash some heads. He has no axe here, I notice, so he must have already lost it in the fight. That grin as he just snatches Dakkan’s staff away it is perfect. As Feyn’s reaction showed, I imagine there’s no lost love between the Sunsgrovians and the Ermehn.
Dakkan doesn’t look like he’s having too much fun right now. He’s pretty much getting strangled but his own body weight and Rathik’s impressive strength. He’s one-hand lifting Dakkan, who’s probably not light by any means. I was wondering earlier how the Ermehn and the Lutren compare on size. It seems I have my answer.
That middle shot panel looks great. It sets up the entire situation nicely- Quinlan hunched over on the left side (Alex you’re terrible :I) and Rathik hoisting his Lutren prize, Hardin overseeing with his stolen Canid seer, and Kenosh busy hacking away at the Aisling/Sunsgrove Alliance. The touch of Dakkan’s staff flying away adds a nice spot of movement to the panel.
Then Rathik confirms that Kenosh is working with the Ermehn. “What about this one?” indicating Kenosh is off limits. He looks so happy to have something to smash. I’m just glad we got confirmation this was a thing. There’s logistics stuff to explain and a lot of questions, but at least we know, ish, the way things stand.
And Kenosh finally realizes that his son has entered the building. Er, left it a few pages back, really. You’d think the scream would have clued him in, but then he was relatively distracted with singlehandedly- how did Dabheid put it?- uprooting all of Dunian civilization as they know it. And the payoff is epic.
Emotions and Kenosh are. Tricky. There was his outburst at Dabheid’s chamber, the salmon at Land’s End, the incident where he nearly struck Dakkan, and the orders to stay put at the cell. All of them (except the salmon) involved anger. Not so here. We’ve never seen an expression like this on his face before, and it’s all the more wrenching. Dakkan’s current position has really hit some buttons there I see. He looks scared, and that’s not an expression I expected to see on Kenosh’s face for quite some time. Dakkan dying this early in the story is still a possibility, if not one I like entertaining, and that leads to interesting repercussions. The use of the popout technique twice does not feel tired or redundant- I love the way Kenosh’s hand literally reaches into the previous panel.
You did a great job Rachel. There’s so many things going on in this one page- different character designs to keep straight and blocking out movement, not to mention elements like falling rain, metal reflection and water clinging to things. Kudos.
“hideously generic” I love the way you phrase things Alex. Your commentaries always get a smile out of me, which is a nice break from all the doom and gloom happening in-comic. (But I wouldn’t trade the doom and gloom for anything)
…so is Rathik going to throw Dakkan in the air to drumstick mid-combo him or?
Hah, yess Fischy totally delivered on that request. Quinlan deserves a lot better and I have a strong feeling his life won’t be improving soon (or, y’know, ever. Least it beats getting roasted in lava, or at least it does now)
It’s relieving to know Quinlan got shot in the arm. That’s an even better chance of survival. Of course, I mentioned last week how I liked that the arrow wound was treated seriously, and it still is in-universe. Arrows really hurt, especially quarrels.
Well worth the wait. Back to patient ish waiting.
(Also I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned this or not, but if Beyond the Western Deep had a patreon I would definitely support it)
Rhosyn is a legend amongst the Ermehn for pioneering the innovative fighting style of CQCC: Close Quarters Crossbow Combat.
At first I thought that Rathik suggests just punching Dakkan, but on closer look he’s making a crushing motion with his fist. With his other hand on Dakkan’s windpipe that is not a pleasant gesture…
Yikes, I didn’t even see that. and from my own independent research, I know just how scary strangulation is. Even if Rathik put him down right now, Dakkan’s not going to be feeling too good- don’t forget that his own weight in addition to Rathik’s herculean strength is putting pressure on his windpipe.
(I guess this means his catchphrase is RATHIK CRUSH)
Dakkan survive it, and in the worst case may have crushed Windpipe,
and in the best case he would faint from lack of oxygen.
(Worse if Rathik don’t listen Kenosh, and hit Dakkan, which can knock him out, and Dakkan will be felt as a kid, because it can be a little jagged)
Ufff, well enough that just shoulder, but is there a clavicle and dislocation and even pierced this place is one of the most painful injury and wound – Quinlan not die :p just a little bit of fear, pain and lost of blood and few months rehabilitation hand and ready :p (as in all parts of the film “lethal weapon”, where the main character has a problem with that, it cannot fight because collapses in pain)
I wouldnt say Quinlan nor Dakkan will be doing some dying anytime soon. My only proof of this is not only that these two are prominent characters, but Rachel did do that drawing of both Quin and Dak fighting Hardin, so I assume they’ll live long enough to at least confront him…maybe…hopefully.
Okay, but why would Quin and Dak fight Hardin? Kenosh has gone a long way toward making open war between Aisling and Sunsgrove possible, and now Sunsgrove will need allies. The Ermehn tribes that are already fighting the Canid would be a useful acquisition. If Quin and Dak are on the same battlefield as Hardin in the future, they will probably be fighting together, not fighting each other.
As for right now, Quin and Dak do have ample reason to fight Hardin, but the presence of Rathik and Rhosyn makes such a course of action . . . ill-advised, shall we say. Also note that Quin has his sword in the picture, but in the comic he lost it over the wall. He would need to find it first.
I’m assuming that eventually down the road, Quinlan and Dakkan are both going to have to make a choice. I dont know if Kenosh’s actions will fully be backed up by the Sunsgrovian powers. They might just exile (or worse punish) him to redeem the alliance with Aisling. Reason I say this is….I dont think King Dabheid nor the Lutren Queen are going to be happy with what Kenosh has done. They seem like the type to avoid taking big risks especially if the Canid is Dunia’s militaristic superpower. But then again I dont really know. The way the narrative is going, anything can happen.
And even if Aisling will be looking for both Sunsgrove and Ermehn blood no matter what. Hardin’s extremist views are going to clash with Quinlan and Dakkan.
Rathik’s actions on this page, and Hardin and Feyn’s previously, show that the Ermehn generally follow a “killy kill kill” style of combat, not that that’s very surprising as that’s how guerilla forces generally operate. What this does make me curious about is, then, why the Ermehn captured Kenosh back on Oran Uprising times rather than just killing him too.
Thoughts?
Well, because this is a partisan fight :p
And here it’s hard to get one Commander led the organized army from soldiers here are individuals with different skills, before the fight handed out sa commands and tasks – and then together they go in fear and acting on their own, hoping to set things succeed;)
…And maybe not just killed Kenosh, because it was for them, it is true that the enemy – but important person and they might just want a ransom for him, in the end, it was a regular captain of Lutra…
Maybe the ermehn did kill Kenosh during the uprising!
Maybe the Kenosh that returned was in fact counterfeit!!! An ermehn special agent sent to infiltrate the southlanders!!!!!!
An agent who had orders to play the longest of long games, to work his way up the lutren ranks to a position of power and influence, to wait for an opertune moment to strike a cripling blow against the allied racist pig-dogs of the Sunsgrove-Aisling alliance!!!!!!!!!!!
In fact if you look back at the archives and pay very close attention you will see that “Kenosh” is in fact two ermehn in a trenchcoat putting on a funny voice!!?!!!!!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Only where they took double Kenosh XD ?
Recently my emotions associated with BWD dropped to zero, I started make something else; but returned sharply now before I got up and still trembling hand with heart in my throat, I turned on the laptop, not having any idea in my head of what could happen…
I was not disappointed as always ^^ ; Frankly I did not expect that the Rathik, will be shown here, BA – I even thought that he is dead :p … And here please, such situation – “nobody will beat my women!” so I would have titled this page ;) XD
Recently, I was mistaken about Rhosyn and Eria what falling in love in the Bevan – for which I’m sorry you three (XD); And here, just then I realized that it’s not Bevan, but Rathik flirted with Rhosyn … ;) …But nothing passed his wooing… XD But you can see that he cares and defends their chosen heart, he not a gem … ;) (Poor Dakkan :C – about poor Bevan no longer mention – I wouldn’t want to be in their place … :C)
I also think that the older unused idea that it stays for some time, ripe for some time -and will be used to be used will be a much better effect than was immediately used ^^ :D ; this is the same with pickled cucumbers picked cabbage – fresh are good, but the saline/fermentation by Granny – sky in mouth/delicius :D ^^
I do not know why but it also fun for me this another situation, but I’ve been a little less at the sight of poor Quinlan sits and can die…
On the other hand, the cool chain: Dakkan hit Bevan, Dakkan hits by Rathik … XD :D
After that great and as always elegantly refined everything, every detail-very good site ^^:) – And in fact, very simple but brilliant graphic of smiling Quinlan, which I immediately improved my sense of humor ^^ I love it ^^ :D
And Kenosh – this time the face of Kenosh is the best ^^ XD ; great that you draw the facial expression, “no, please-don’t do it! :O ” …
And the same for me has confirmed that all of them know and was with them, and is acting in collusion, and that unfortunately, this is a one big conspiracy for me…. But for now, I would not hastily pushed a further conspiracy theories, I must even think about…
But it also showed, however, that Kenosh despite the fact that he argues and often has a different view than Dakkan, and mixed it in this whole swamp of war, it is still his son and worried about him. Under the hard shell the severity of father – is the true heart of the sire that loves and that gave their lives for his only son… Beautiful :)
And what will continue, I do not know … (For now, I need to cool off and think)
You are right, the face of Kenosh is the best. He has a very impressive set of teeth.
Also, if Rathik ever claimed Roshyn was ‘his woman’ I think she would probably shoot him.
Shoot him down, you meant?
No.
There was a picture where Rhosyn and Bevan exercises throw/shooting and Bevan shows off (Flirts), in love with him Eria; then comes the Rathik, and call Bevan – and straight from the bridge to glanced out Rhosyn (flirting) and she gives him to know that she rather is not easy to get by him – I really like this scene ;) XD (So I think that it is true that Rhosyn have difficult nature, and I see that she don’t like when some guys want to flirt with her; and ok, maybe it’s not love but Rathik likes much her more as a friend, and just he not allow hit her ;) )
Yes. And, as previously mentioned, while Rathik is hitting on Rhosyn, she’s hitting him.
With crossbow bolts.
Exactly what I meant Fourth ;)
From the commentary, we can definitely confirm that Clovis is dead.
Also I don’t think I ever noticed that the characters only had four fingers. Interesting.
I always saw that they have four fingers :p ;) – But yes that is interesting why some artists draw four no five fingers… ;)
Actually, four fingers are surprisingly much easier to draw than five, which is why four-fingered characters are very common in comics.
I can now speak from experience on this point; if was fairly simple to draw four-fingered hands for my fan art a couple of weeks ago, but five would have been tricky.
Hmm.. Right … Yes, it’s easier to draw in my FanArt for BWD four fingers, than in my graphics five fingers…
nope
Gosh, who’d’ve thought Rathik would be so much bigger than Dak? For some reason, I thought Lutren were just naturally bigger than Ermehn; must be my Redwallian biases coming through again, and this is another pointed reminder that this is NOT the Redwall universe.
That panoramic middle panel certainly makes it look like the battle is over; I can’t see Hardin taking such a stance of passive observance if he thought any more Canid were likely to engage them. Nice the way it spotlights and places all the (surviving) main characters in context with each other. Kenosh is still hard at finishing up his own gruesome work, I see.
And speaking of Kenosh, great expressions in those last two panels. To go from his cold warrior’s professionalism to this is very affecting. Again, not sure why Rathik would think it’s okay to slay a Lutren out-of-paw (for I assume that’s what he’s asking to do), but in his case I think it makes more sense, since he’s never been depicted as the sharpest blade in the scabbard. In fact, I’m somewhat surprised he’s even pausing to ask for permission at all. Lucky for Dak that Rath still defers to Hardin, even under battlefield conditions.
I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll be saying it many times in the future, but this was a page well worth waiting for!
Yeah, I always assumed that the Lutren were generally larger than the Ermehn due to real-life differences in size between otters and stoats, but apparently in BWD they are of the same general size. The Canid are the largest species, the Tamian are the smallest, and the other five are on average of similar size.
Note: Alex and Rachel, please correct me if I am wrong.
Lutren are, on average, bigger than Ermehn. However, Dak’s a little smaller to help sell his youth, and Rathik is just freakin’ huge. X)
In the full-page-width panel, Kenosh and Hardin look about the same height, but it’s hard to be certain because Kenosh is in the middle of standing up. But what you are say I makes sense.
Is everything else I said pretty much accurate?
For the most part, yes. I have a mental size ranking still, though it often emphasizes build over what few units of average height one race might have over another. For example, Lutren do generally enjoy a height advantage over Ermehn, but they’re also broader and that probably stands out more.
Except in Rathik’s case, of course. X)
Cool!
Maybe sometime we could get an average height-weight table for the races of Dunia? I absolutely thrive on this useless fluff, yes I know I’m weird.
I think, taht probably just depends on genes
I think it’s evidence that Kenosh is working with Hardin. Feyn and Co. had the “Sunsgrovians! LET’S GANK THEM!” reaction, but Rathik is asking permission where Bevan and Rhosyn didn’t. Rhosyn attacked Quinlan because he drew his weapon, so it was a motion of self-defense. But the fact that Rathik at least feels the need to ask about Dakkan when he’s attacking Rhosyn means that for some reason, Dakkan’s a special case. I assume this means that they were told Kenosh is off limits, so he’s double checking about the other hot-headed Diplomatic Incident.
That, or Rathik has been shown to have a strong faith in Hardin, so deferring may just be the norm. I’m still pretty sure Rathik was the first recruit Hardin ever made.
*Hardin has just met Rathik and heard the large Ermehn introduce himself with the above line. He looks at Rathik’s muscly, manly physique, sharp axe, and crazy eyes*
Hardin: Yeah, you’ll do.
XD
More and more I am convinced that this is one big conspiracy – and I can give you no longer my hand, but my head that Kenosh knows all of them, previously had contact with them, and is in cahoots with them
I wonder what’s going on with the female guard that went to check the aviary. If no one thought to destroy aviary, then it’s very likely that Aisling is now at war with Sunsgrove and Sunsgrove doesn’t even know it.
Lady Canid is making sure that the aviary is secure, but she probably doesn’t know what is happening here in the courtyard yet. Recall that Quinlan and Dakkan had to open a door, run down a flight of stairs, and go through another door to get here.
If she does come back, she’ll see the devastation but is also likely to be killed. If she doesn’t come back, possibly because she heard the commotion, she has a better chance of showing up later.
I feel like next week we shall see if Kenosh is working with the Ermine the whole time based on Hardins response to his request. I own the hardcover and I completely forgot about that image in the back, ah well. Also, Quin looks so sad in this page, why must you be so sad little squirrel man :( I guess getting hit by a bolt hurts a lot. It’s a nice comparison between the fanart
Also …
“For the gods’ sake … ”
Which gods were those again?
It seems to me that those to whom Kenosh prays
That would be Sonuva, I believe.
*low whistle* Holey Mother of Swiss, Rathik is HUGE. I mean, just….geez. Okay, well, since that point has been made several times over, let’s move on. I’m pretty sure this is the first time we’ve seen Kenosh be actually frightened of something. Honestly, his expression borders on terrified. And, well, who wouldn’t be scared, seeing their offspring get hoisted in the air by a big lug like that?
I think that every parent in order to react in such a situation, even if it is at odds with his offspring ;)
BRICK JOKE ALERT
Yup, it is. He took the Felis/Ermehn attempted robbery pretty well, and the initial attack but now- well. He has something irreplaceable and precious to lose.
ALso, remember how he finished his order to Dakkan to stay in the tower? “That’s an order…. from your father.” He knew something was up and he wanted Dakkan out of the way. And the delivery- he looked- none of these words I’m thinking of feel right bc it’s Kenosh we’re talking about here. concerned, I think. And tired.
Ano
Boca sucia.
?
Well, we already know has long been something that strongly connects Kenosh with Ermehn – only what? Well, here we are left to wait …
I believe Rathik is being fed growth hormones by his owner, who ever that is.
That would be Hardin.
“Put the nice Lutren down, Rathik. Good boy!”
you want to kill me laughing? XD
“Aww Hardin, I wanted to take him home and name him Skippy! Can’t I keep him?”
“If you eliminate this fist five Canid soldiers, you will be able to take it to home”
“Rathik .: Ok
*jeb, jeb* – (He rought 6 dead soldiers)
Rathik.: For sure I killed for reserve.
Hardrin.: … Kenosh, think of something… ‘Cause I want to live… “
Awesome scripting. 4/5 years later and the final result is great!
Odd question, but does anyone know where Action Lab publishes their comics? I’ve found myself in Melbourne, Australia for about a week and was wondering if there was a chance I could go to a comic shop to purchase the first chapter or if they only publish in the US. I would check where I live but firstly i’m not sure of any comic shops in Singapore, and secondly I doubt Action Labs would publish in such a small city/country/island/place.
Hi Yeti! Unfortunately it doesn’t look like AL is publishing the book internationally. I checked the Amazon.au.com site and noticed they’re not even shipping physical copies (just the digital ones). That’s not to say a local comic shop couldn’t have imported copies, but unless they were big Western Deep fans, I doubt they’d be stocked locally. We do ship the special edition hardcover internationally, for what it’s worth.
Thanks for the response Alex! Shame to hear that they are not shipping internationally. I already own the hard cover edition, I was just hoping if i could get the paper back edition too. Ahh well, never mind then.
Rathik looks so pleased with himself. I hope we get to see some more of Hardin’s gang the coming pages, they haven’t had much screentime aside from Ashtor and maybe Bevan. Can’t wait to see where this will go :)
OH NO DAK MY BOY NOOOO