Very well done art, really great. Nice drama, too, but the only thing I can think of is “Good thing she broke her left arm.”
Well, better than her right, at any rate.
Assuming she isn’t left-handed.
:- /
Wait! I don’t think that’s Murai. She had one arm in a sling. This swords person is holding the sword in both hands. Unless she got a healing from Ganesh. Or Maybe It’s the Blind Oracle?
Duck Whisperer – the person in the top panel is handing the sword to Murai. That’s Murai in the second panel, with the sling. At least that’s the way I interpret it 🙂
You cannot pass. I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass.’
That is an evil evil page to put up on a Thursday, Ursula! Now I have to wait FOUR days instead of two to see what happens! Beautiful, though. Very dramatic. 🙂
*chews on nails and contemplates building a time machine, before dismissing the idea, as it would take more than four days to complete*
The reference to the zen teaching story intrigued me enough I had to go find it. It seemed worth sharing — partly because I can so see Murai acting like this.
“A master of the tea ceremony in old Japan once accidentally slighted a soldier. He quickly apologized, but the rather impetuous soldier demanded that the matter be settled in a sword duel. The tea master, who had no experience with swords, asked the advice of a fellow Zen master who did possess such skill.
As he was served by his friend, the Zen master could not help but notice how the tea master performed his art with perfect concentration and tranquility. “Tomorrow,” the Zen master said, “when you duel the soldier, hold your weapon above your head, as if ready to strike, and face him with the same concentration and tranquility with which you perform the tea ceremony.”
The next day, at the appointed time and place for the duel, the tea master followed this advice. The soldier, readying himself to strike, stared for a long time into the fully attentive but calm face of the tea master. Finally, the soldier lowered his sword, apologized for his arrogance, and left without a blow being struck.”
@Duck: I have to finish the teleporter interface first; I want to be able to pick up my pets from my in-laws’ instantly, without having to go through spring construction. ><
The starkly vivid profile of Murai there reminds me of the Japanese shadow puppet displays I’ve seen. Powerful image.
Very well done art, really great. Nice drama, too, but the only thing I can think of is “Good thing she broke her left arm.”
Well, better than her right, at any rate.
Assuming she isn’t left-handed.
:- /
I shudder to think of what will happen next… *grips seat*
I just hope Murai doesn’t get killed. I’d miss her….
Ugh! Unless Murai is planning on cutting a haggis and entertain the group with a full meal, that is an awsome move as for not getting killed. 🙄
*crosses fingers*
Oh, and vote!
http://topwebcomics.com/vote/10180/default.aspx 😀
She’d better be good with that sword…
Well, when she stopped the skin lizard, she said that close-combat was a specialty of hers.
This is one of the most powerful Digger comics I’ve seen in a long time, and for Digger, that’s saying a lot.
Perfect.
Wow.
Wow. Talk about “Nothing more need be said”, amiright?
Murai… I love you. <3
I’m remembering the Zen koan about the tea master who got trapped into fighting a duel with a swordfighter.
Murai’s got an advantage over him… she IS a swordmaster.
Stunning imagery, Ursula. Thank you.
Wait! I don’t think that’s Murai. She had one arm in a sling. This swords person is holding the sword in both hands. Unless she got a healing from Ganesh. Or Maybe It’s the Blind Oracle?
Hey Digger is up to 30.
Duck Whisperer – the person in the top panel is handing the sword to Murai. That’s Murai in the second panel, with the sling. At least that’s the way I interpret it 🙂
@Duck Whisperer: I think we’re just unable to see her other arm behind this first one.
@JewelWolf. I agree with you on the second frame. I’m pretty sure that the shadow is of Murai, but the top frame has me confused.
@Duck Whisperer: Oh, I see. Yeah, you’re probably right. I’m pretty sure that’s the oracle giving Murai the sword.
I would love a print of the lower panel.
You cannot pass. I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass.’
OH NOZES MURAI! Be careful!
That is an evil evil page to put up on a Thursday, Ursula! Now I have to wait FOUR days instead of two to see what happens! Beautiful, though. Very dramatic. 🙂
*chews on nails and contemplates building a time machine, before dismissing the idea, as it would take more than four days to complete*
@Tindi build the Time machine anyway. Because that’s just cool!.
In stark beauty, we hold a moment in time. Watching, waiting, for whatever result will be.
Thank you for this, Ursilla.
The reference to the zen teaching story intrigued me enough I had to go find it. It seemed worth sharing — partly because I can so see Murai acting like this.
“A master of the tea ceremony in old Japan once accidentally slighted a soldier. He quickly apologized, but the rather impetuous soldier demanded that the matter be settled in a sword duel. The tea master, who had no experience with swords, asked the advice of a fellow Zen master who did possess such skill.
As he was served by his friend, the Zen master could not help but notice how the tea master performed his art with perfect concentration and tranquility. “Tomorrow,” the Zen master said, “when you duel the soldier, hold your weapon above your head, as if ready to strike, and face him with the same concentration and tranquility with which you perform the tea ceremony.”
The next day, at the appointed time and place for the duel, the tea master followed this advice. The soldier, readying himself to strike, stared for a long time into the fully attentive but calm face of the tea master. Finally, the soldier lowered his sword, apologized for his arrogance, and left without a blow being struck.”
In other words, to quote one of my favourite ‘motivational’ posters, ‘Bluff- Put Enough Ranks In It And You Don’t NEED Combat skills.’
@Duck: I have to finish the teleporter interface first; I want to be able to pick up my pets from my in-laws’ instantly, without having to go through spring construction. ><