Thoughts On: Fables of the Flying City Ep 12-15

Fables of the Flying City

By:  Jared Axelrod

Genre:  Steampunk

Episode:  12 of 33, Book One: Ashe of the Air

Format:  Podcast; 11:17 minutes

Synopsis:
Gatling Has No Trouble Squinting

In which an old voice returns, the oddness of the wind is mentioned, a hotel is appraised, the wealth of the wicked is tallied, definitions are relaxed, scrolls are hunted for, docks are seen, piracy motivations are considered, and the temperature and sweetness of fruit is judged.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Hanner Gatling speaks of the feel of the wind, being on a flying city, and who's attracted to Amperstam.  We learn that the Provost's people search docked ships for books and scrolls to copy and keep in their library.  Amperstam is not what it seems, according to Gatling.  She tells of all she sees from her hotel window.

Gatling gives a whole feel to the city...dangerous, mysterious, safe heaven to suspicious people.  Gatling has a way with words and descriptions that really puts things into a whole new light and perspective.  Makes me wonder of the likes of people here residing on Amperstam, and anxious to learn more.

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Episode:  13 of 33, Book One: Ashe of the Air

Format:  Podcast; 10:01 minutes

Synopsis:
Story Marks

In which salve is applied, scars are fingered, tattoos are traced, lightning storms are recollected, faces are unknown, Consaquine is quoted, a want is gotten, speediness is praised, and how a main character learns to live is explained.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Jobrani is with Ashe putting the salve on her healing back weeks since she received them and talking over the battle planes seen.  He asks about her scars and tattoos, to learn there is no meaning behind them, to Ashe at this time.  She doesn't remember anything from before waking on fallen rocks after severe a lightning storm.

There seems to, maybe?, be something brewing between Jobrani and Ashe.  They do share a kiss, but then I wonder if there will be nothing there again afterward.  Jobrani talks of Consaquine again and the meanings to life.  Ashe shares a meaning, how she learns to live...by courting death.

I enjoy Ashe's view on life as she goes through.  Her comment on how she learns to live is interesting (and maybe inspiring), especially with what we learn about her in this episode.

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Episode: 14 of 33, Book One: Ashe of the Air

Format:  Podcast, 8:39 minutes

Synopsis:
The Hunger of Emires

In which a familiar voice returns, the trouble with empires is described, a history is listed, what a fictional Vrussian does with his time is revealed, what a real Vrussian does with hers is compared, a crusade is considered, and a hunger is described.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Another Gaitling Episode, and another article from The Hunter, her journal.

We learn about Empires that have come and gone, and the one that is still around.  We learn of the speculated thought of the Vrussians, then of one Gaitling knew.  Vrussia as an Empire breaths and eats other empires or small countries.  Vrussians are so demanding to take possession of all, even Amperstam flying in their air they will own.

Everyone runs from Vrussia, and there is a reason.  Even the tales, if true or not, show the feelings and thoughts of the other worlds' people thoughts of Vrussians.

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Episode: 15 of 33, Book One: Ashe of the Air

Format:  Podcast, 10:36 minutes

Synopsis:
Priceless Beyond Measure

In which the situation is claimed to be siple, flying makes things complicated, threats are hinted at, a city is claimed, the reasons Father Vrussia goes to war are revealed, a warning is given, a message is promised, the price of secrets is stated and the first blow is braced for.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Vrussian Commander Ustinov visits with Provost, Elderheim, and Kitchener to tell them Amperstam is over Vrussian soil and they want the city.  The three note that Amperstam is a solitary city and by making the claim Vrussia is making a declaration of war.  Ustinov returns to Father Vrussia to consult with the psyco palms to see if they say to declare war or not.  But before he leaves Vrussian Commander Ustinov makes it clear what Vrussia does best.  War is expected, in time.

We get a view of what Vrussia is really like.  And we see that they do not have the secret of the Flying City in their power, and Provost makes it know he will die before handing over the secret of the city as they do not need a flying city of their own.

Trouble in the form of war is at Amperstam's doorstep, but we don't know when it will start.  I wonder if all the recruits are ready for a war as well.  Ashe has only started in the Aerial Guard not so long ago.




If you would like to Listen to the stories about Ashe, you can find Fables of the Flying City free on the site for Fables of the Flying City: http://www.fablesoftheflyingcity.com/  There are links to iTunes and RSS feed.  You can also see the list of episodes in their order on Jared Axelrod's site.


If you are curious about the Graphic Novel, it is now available!  The Battle of Blood and Ink by Jared Axelrod and Steve Walker.  You can view a sample of the first 20 pages on Tor's site.