Thoughts On: Fables of the Flying City Ep 42-44

Fables of the Flying City

By:  Jared Axelrod

Genre:  Steampunk

Episode:  42 of 44, Book Two: Mouths of the Dead

Format:  Podcast; 10:49 minutes

Synopsis:
The Ossuarist

In which a floor is not a floor, tea is served, wares are shown, a dragon is described, who runs alone is quantified, murder is considered, the use of a skinner box is mentioned, and Ashe finds the stuff that dreams are made of.

My Thoughts and Summary:
The old man is an Ossuarist, and lives where the tunnel intersects at four tunnels with a grate in the floor to help with smell.  The Ossuarist asks what they lost as no one comes searching here for nothing.  There is mentions again of a dragon who eats lost souls.

The Ossuarist says water mongers do come through once in a while, but does remember a last one with Constables chasing.  One alone with a green shirt.  He remembers as he found her body later, recognizing the clothes.

The Ossuarist gives something to Ashe she claims is what dreams are made of...the Articles!  I'm curious what's in these Articles and of the Engine Dragon!

####################

Episode:  43 of 44, Book Two: Mouths of the Dead

Format:  Podcast; 13:29 minutes

Synopsis:
Above The Six Evils

In which Cardor attempts to clean up a mess, Ashe leaves in haste, a murderer is accused, the police are called, a chase is given, Ashe considers a choice, and a leap is made.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Cardor is waiting for Ashe, missed her entrance, but sees the trail of sewer muck she's left.  As she leaves her room he finds her, but she's in to much of a hurry for her story to talk, and leaves her door open...  Ashe meets with Zeuli, Mosul's sister, and confronts her.

We learn of a piece of the Articles, any water monger is allowed to sell water.  We learn what the lost thing the founders of Amperstam was trying to work past in this city's setting.  The coppers were called on Ashe and Ashe is on the run!  She has solved the mystery of the acrobat girl, the missing Articles, but put herself in danger.

Hanner Gatling is remembered and Ashe makes a jump, a daring jump.

I'm interested in what we learn of what Mosul learned from the Articles and who and why stopped.  Now, What happens to her room?  And what happens to Ashe with her jump?!!?

####################

Episode:  44 of 44, Book Two: Mouths of the Dead

Format:  Podcast; 41.27 minutes

Synopsis:
Mouths of the Dead

In which our heroine is caught, a skinner box is occupied, a ringmaster makes an appearance, the system is believed in, money changes hands, Cardor is denied, paper is printed and adventure begins anew.

My Thoughts and Summary:
First, the 41 minutes of this episode are not all of the story.  This was recorded at Balticon, and we learn a lot about the graphic novel and the podcast series as Jared started this two years ago.

Olig, the Lead Constable, catches Ashe and puts her in the skinner box.  Ashe is released with the help of the Circus Ringmaster, and learns what happened to her room.

When talking another Constable mentions something about not being involved with the Provosts actions.  There is clearly a hint that there is more going on here than anyone is willing to share, or wants to share.  They knew more of Mosul and Provost and the engine.  The night Constable hints at the acknowledges of the Provost killing Mosul, but we don't know how.  However there are lots of terrible screams that went with it.

We learn more of what's in the Articles.  Ashe uses it to her advantage to get a word in with the Constables.

The title of the second book is picked from this episode.  Mouth of the Dead, which is referenced to Ashe's paper, speaking for the deaths and unfair deaths of others.

Ashe returns to the Redlaw Inn to find Cardor and her press waiting outside.  Ashe gets upset with Cardor as he claims "he can't protect her any longer."  Ashe feels she doesn't need protected and doesn't want it.  The book had started with this same thinking towards Tolban as well.

We end with ships and explosions out in the sky.  This will lead us into the graphic novel next!  Off to read it now.



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.