Thoughts on: Fables of the Flying City Ep 28-31

Fables of the Flying City

By:  Jared Axelrod

Genre:  Steampunk

Episode:  28 of 33, Book One: Ashe of the Air

Format:  Podcast; 11:10 minutes

Synopsis:
Peddling Life

In which a mother is not expected, a request is denied, daredevil stunts are discouraged, the training of horses is considered, a dream is deferred, a gentleman of the bottle is placed in an uncomfortable spot, easy money has evaporated, a boy is disappointed, a package arrives, and things are much worse than they seem.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Cerannah is checking over the plane.  Her commander -- her mother -- talks to her about not flying, so promotes Cerannah to another position, to get out of planes and safer.  Maseron Finn is a water monger, with a dilemma.  Money has gone scarce and the poor don't have any money to pay for water.  Does he let his friends and neighbors die of thirst or spread life in the bottles with others?  Ashe goes to the Red Inn and the lobby is empty.  There is a large package there for her from Gatling...a huge create.

We learn Commander Hindinu has done much for her daughter, Cerannah, to carry her through the ranks of the military of the Flying City.  This is an interesting view into Cerannah, the woman we have kinda come to not like (well, like for her being the person that torments people).

This is an episode where we see the affects of war on different parts of the city.  Again we are reminded this city is isolated in the sky.  There is no other way to get water, food, or money here to keep things going.

I was glad of the mention of Ashe with the printing press.  I was starting to wonder what was happening there.  Hanner is in the package!!  I was so surprised, then feared what might have happened to her to be shipped back to the Flying City.  Something is bad.

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Episode:  29 of 33, Book One: Ashe of the Air

Format:  Podcast; 7:35 minutes

Synopsis:
A Necessary Act of Hell

In which the Provost sets pen to paper, a history is recounted, a dream is regretted, a heart is weighted, a yoke is taken up, beliefs are mistaken, a future is envisioned, and a fool's cap is worn.

My Thoughts and Summary:
From the log of the Provost of Amperstam.

We have a guest reader today that reads as the Provost.

We learn the thoughts on Amperstam when he took off and he was young, and theirs a cost to keep the city in the air.  The Provost is worried about the siege on the city.  Provost is willing to go to the Vrussians to make sure his people are taken care of.

The reason this city was started was to try and escape the battles and wars on land, and going to the air.  But it seems there is always someone who wants to have everything.

It sounds as Provost is ready to turn over the city to Vrussia, for his people to live.

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Episode: 30 of 33, Book One: Ashe of the Air

Format:  Podcast, 13:37 minutes

Synopsis:
Someone Should Be In Heaven

In which a place in the afterlife is assured, a governorship is declared, a symbol of might is imagined, a knife finds its mark, a letter is sent, a key is exchanged, a man takes to the air, a horror is witnessed and a price is accepted.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Provost is talking with Vrussia represent, Ambassador Ustinov, and will be sent to Vrussia with a Vrussian Governor to take over in his place.  Elderheim and Kitchener are with Provost talking with Ambassador Ustinov.  Suddenly a knife comes flying from unknown!  An assassin is present.  Elderheim takes command of the situation and sends an order about explosives, and a plan to save the city.

Elderheim steps up here to save the city.  but in doing so we see Provost losing drive to carry on now.

I've got questions about the secrets of this Flying city and what makes it tick.  What does it mean if the city goes faster?  What sacrifice will be made?  The mysterious and strange engine of the city.  Elderheim goes into the engine room. What is the price to fly this amazing city?  What stress on the massive machine and why deaths?

Has me WAY curious and jumping to the next episode to learn about this engine, and plan with the Vrussian.

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Episode: 31 of 33, Book One: Ashe of the Air

Format:  Podcast, 9:50 minutes

Synopsis:
Takes All Kinds

In which a situation is difficult to understand, Tolban thinks logically, an Ace of the Air is needed, Ashe gets one better, Mari grips her pillow, a barrel is rolled, a scout ship is slammed against, a door handle is found, and Gatling pays a price for joining in.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Vise Provost, Elderheim, hired an assassin and it's being talked about among the military. Psycopomp ships, the Vrussian Religious leaders, are out in the sky.  Ashe, Gatling, and Tolban are talking about both of these items, and a possible way to affect the Vrussians.

We see Mari.  She doesn't want to fly as she feels she kills who's in the observer seat with her.  Ashe says she will sit in seat with Mari flying to save the city from blowing up something that could bring a severe attack on the city.  She actually say's she needs Mari to fly.

Ashe is the daredevil she is and jumps from a flying plane.  As well as Gatling too!  In trying to get the pilot of the scout ship to turn around, Gatling saves Ashe's life, by taking a shot.




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.