Chapter 16 page 9
posted 18th Nov 2020, 10:30 PM

18th Nov 2020, 10:30 PM
Saeriellyn
Don't ask how Melyngar carries so much stuff. We will assume magical lightweight faerie weaponry and lembas-type provisions, for lack of options.
user comments
18th Nov 2020, 11:20 PM
Skyboy91
Lovely page...
Melyngar looks very pleased with herself, and appears to be carrying the extra weight without a problem! ? She looks very neatly and effectively packed.
I'm loving Taran's boots also...perhaps inspired by the Sterling design? ?
I like how Doli's ears are twitching during his invisibility attempt...
19th Nov 2020, 9:28 PM
Saeriellyn
Lol Taran’s boots were designed long before I sto—*cough* acquired the Sterlings, but I do not complain of the resemblance.
19th Nov 2020, 1:30 AM
Prydainian Aphmau Reader (Guest)
Yay, another page! And it's only been four days! Love the page, and I'm glad you're getting a few in before you get swamped by more important things.
19th Nov 2020, 9:29 PM
Saeriellyn
Just trying to force my mojo back honestly. It’s been...idk, hiding under the covers with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s lately. Or maybe that was me.
19th Nov 2020, 3:08 AM
Zosia (Guest)
Another page already?! Yay!
For all that you've mentioned an overall disinterest in Doli (if I recall correctly), you're doing a splendid job of bringing his character to life visually. Gurgi, too, for that matter -- his exuberance is palpable.
Eilonwy cuddling Melyngar's head is a lovely detail... until this adventure, has the poor girl /ever/ had anything to cuddle since her kidnapping? ?
Great job, too, getting all of that gear into a reasonable arrangement on Melygar's back. I know that caused a fair bit of head-scratching.
19th Nov 2020, 9:34 PM
Saeriellyn
Doli was my least favorite to write, but he’s turning out to be very fun to draw...partially due to just having someone new after such a long haul with the humans, but also because he’s so comedic and /non/human I can do slightly more cartoonish things with him.
Eilonwy is exuding the horse-affection I always wanted to feel but never quite managed, back when I went from a typical horse-worshipping teen to having actual working experience with them. I was competent, but it was quite disappointing to me to have no real natural camaraderie with them. So once again Eilonwy gets to be the character I wish I were rather than my actual alter-ego. ?
1st Dec 2020, 7:42 PM
Honzinator (Guest)
19th Nov 2020, 4:27 AM
Candralar
Somehow I missed the previous page so it's great to see two new pages! Taran's reuniting with Hen Wen was a nice uplifting part in the book, and I think you did a great job of portraying it on these two pages.
19th Nov 2020, 5:56 AM
B Love
Yay! Love the first frame sooo much ? good cheer to last them through the next challenges!
I love how you envision Doli— his tunic with the fun design work and his face seem perfect. I’ve always had a vague vision of him and it’s great to see him all there just as he should be (until he get his invisibility anyhow).
Melyngar is magical, as are the fairfolk and that includes their weaponry. No further explanation needed as far as I can see!
I’m so curious how you’re going to work with the next bit; I believe Alexander doesn’t detail their departure from Eidelleg’s realm, does he? But In Sunrise which I just finished ( I just adored every bit of it! ) I thought it was so awesome how you write that whole part about the exit along the passageways. I suspect you may stick to LA’s account t but so curious to see!!!
Thank you for your awesome visual storytelling and sharing it here, it’s such a treat to get to enjoy ?
19th Nov 2020, 6:00 AM
B Love
Oh! I also Love love love Gurgi’s boundless joy! So true to character and amazingly portrayed!
19th Nov 2020, 9:38 PM
Saeriellyn
Alexander does describe a set of stairs carved into the rock with such precision that Taran doesn’t see them until he’s very close - apparently something of a trope in fantasy - but doesn’t dwell overmuch on their journey out. I will probably follow his lead just for the sake of not dragging out the next few pages, but there’ll still be plenty of upcoming drama!
19th Nov 2020, 9:38 PM
Saeriellyn
Alexander does describe a set of stairs carved into the rock with such precision that Taran doesn’t see them until he’s very close - apparently something of a trope in fantasy - but doesn’t dwell overmuch on their journey out. I will probably follow his lead just for the sake of not dragging out the next few pages, but there’ll still be plenty of upcoming drama!
19th Nov 2020, 11:55 PM
B Love
19th Nov 2020, 3:05 PM
LMS (Guest)
Running quickly on toward the climax now. I see what you mean about the comic being crowded with characters now. Enough companions have joined the group that you're inevitably going to have a few out of focus on every page. In this page, as the "camera" shifts or Taran moves, one or two characters drop out of existence in every frame. In Alexander, Gurgi and Doli are often out of focus too, but it's not as obvious in a literary medium. A particular challenge for you.
The artwork is still beautiful. I particularly like the first frame of this page. It looks like a candid family portrait.
19th Nov 2020, 9:40 PM
Saeriellyn
Who, I wish I felt like it was going to be quick. We’ve still got a lot of tantruming-dwarf and wounded-gwythaint to get through! But I begin to see a teensy speck of light at the end of this tunnel...which, as you note, is about to be subject to creative blocking and camera angles to keep me from needing to draw six figures repeatedly for the entire rest of the book. I’ll make it work!
19th Nov 2020, 9:19 PM
CM (Guest)
24th Nov 2020, 6:36 PM
CM (Guest)
20th Nov 2020, 7:33 AM
Peter Wulfdane
I know exactly how Doli feels....
Another spectacular page. Indeed, the whole comic is spectacular. And I am about to fall asleep...sorryyy..........
(Just had a really long day; hard to think coherently; but beautiful work as always!)
20th Nov 2020, 2:08 PM
Saeriellyn
This crazy year has my system so screwy I find myself falling asleep at 3 pm and subsequently wide awake in the wee hours. *fist bump* Solidarity. Somehow we’ll get through.
20th Nov 2020, 10:19 AM
NotTheHarp (Guest)
My son is sometimes very stubborn (of course I don't recognise anything of that in myself). When we try to talk about that he always wants to hide himself away instead of taking about it. It reminds me always of Doli in BoT. Inhaaale!
You are still continuing, even in a probably not so easy year, were others would have stopped way before. Next time hiding with Ben&Jerry toast on your achievements please! ;-)
20th Nov 2020, 2:10 PM
Saeriellyn
My middle kid has something of the same trait. He’s also the most like me?. It’s a frequently frustrating combination.
I’ve been going too long and am too near the end to quit now! Thank you for your faithful engagement. It really does make all the difference, knowing my readers are waiting. ?
1st Dec 2020, 7:43 PM
Honzinator (Guest)
That parenting moment when you're mad at yourself, only cuter and mroe forgivable? It's tough.
1st Dec 2020, 9:47 PM
Saeriellyn
Exactly. The temptation to laugh, and the fear that fate will not be as kind to his flaws as it was to mine, are a rotten combination.
20th Nov 2020, 5:05 PM
Skye (Guest)
20th Nov 2020, 8:11 PM
Guest
Just wanted to say I love your art. You give new life to these stories and if I wasn’t so damn lazy I’d be had tempted to go reread em! Thanks for all u do and the time u commit cuz u make lots of folks real happy!
20th Nov 2020, 10:23 PM
Saeriellyn
Thank You! You really should read them again though. They are not as long as you might remember them being.
20th Nov 2020, 10:32 PM
Thracecius
Doli's face shape is so different than the rest of them, I'm not surprised you like the change of pace, particularly for your aforementioned reason that you can do more cartoony things with it. If I had to guess, I'd say that Doli's expression in panel 3 denotes his disappointment for not getting credit for showing them to their beloved pig and horse; he just wants a little respect, because clearly he doesn't feel like he gets any from his king. The rest of them are, well, just being the characters we've all come to love. :)
Had I more time, I would comment on every page, but hopefully you don't mind only the occasional comment and a thank you for sharing your work with us for free. I realize you can't make money off this venture, but you certainly would earn it if you could. You are a wonder and a treasure, Saeriellyn.
21st Nov 2020, 5:30 AM
Saeriellyn
Oh my, I don’t even know what to say to that. ☺️ thanks so much, Thrace. It would be my pleasure regardless, but I don’t know that I could have kept it up without all of you.
21st Nov 2020, 8:13 PM
Leader Dessler
That simile ... was it Alexander's or are you slipping in some little ad for your fanfic? :-)
22nd Nov 2020, 1:45 AM
Saeriellyn
Lol no, that is her actual line. ? I’m just that good at melding my world with his.
2nd Dec 2020, 5:15 AM
Peter Wulfdane
I say Leader Dessler, this is TOTALLY off topic...but where does your profile pic come from?
3rd Dec 2020, 7:45 PM
Thracecius
Pretty sure Leader Dessler is from the old anime series "Starblazers" that I grew up watching in the early 80s. He was an arrogant, somewhat ineffective Gamelon general (or similar rank) that was constantly thwarted by the crew of the Yamato.
21st Nov 2020, 10:49 PM
Rob S. (Guest)
So glad you're back! And with wonderful, piggy pages! It really *is* so nice to see good friends meet.
22nd Nov 2020, 1:04 AM
Meg (Guest)
You get her fully loaded - great job. I was curious to see how you would meet the challenge of so much stuff on one horse. That's a well armed horse.
Love Doli's ear wiggle - can't see that detail on my phone.
E's tween horse snuggle :)
So much happy feels on one page- both human and animal expressions of joy. Good thing, too b/c its hard slogging from here on out. Lloyd's description of narrow stairs always made me wonder if the pig and horse had some magic enchantment to get up them. Particularly when he describes the steps turning. It doesn't read that way though. Made me think of the time some kids got a cow stuck in the high school kind of logistical problem with farm animals and narrow stairs. At least they are going up and not down them. Nice to have you back. I look forward to how you are going to tackle livestock and steps.
22nd Nov 2020, 1:49 AM
Saeriellyn
I may just conveniently skim that part! We’re gonna have plenty of upcoming danger and drama, and I am anxious to get the story moving again. Also just got another kids’ book to work on, so my time is about to be spread thin.
24th Nov 2020, 10:49 PM
PumpkinheadPie.com (Guest)
Lembas? Ha. Rations for four adult humans (counting Gurgi, but not Doli, who probably consumes 400 kcal/day and craps a Chiclet once a month) at high activity level for 30 days: ~100 lbs suet. Water for the same period would be heavier. But even adding a little for water and such fripperies as vitamins, it's a nominal burden for a horse. It would be more appropriate to worry about what /Melyngar/ is going to eat. And drink.
Wars have hinged on water for horses.
Arrows? It would take thousands to outweigh the food. Swords? Pack a dozen spares, same difference.
One of the few things I remember from reading these books when they came out was trying to turn invisible by holding my breath. It might not be clear, to those who haven't read them, just what Doli is trying to do...
sshushhwheewwwwweiuhhhh..... and HOLD.
Gurgi is such a happy dog—if every dog had arms, the world would be a better place.
Carry on, please. It may feel like a chore to you - mayhap it is - but it is dear to me, and I suspect to many others.
25th Nov 2020, 2:35 AM
Saeriellyn
Oh yes, it's not meant to be clear yet what Doli is trying to do. That's why Taran will be asking him sometime in the next few pages. ;)
As for Melyngar's water supply, given the real country this land is based on, I don't believe they're in any danger there. An excess of water, more than anyone wants, in every possible form, is more likely.
28th Nov 2020, 4:10 PM
Skye (Guest)
I hope you and your family had a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for all your work on this series over the years. To paraphrase Commander Shepherd, "It is one of my favorite things on the internet."
30th Nov 2020, 10:33 PM
juliann.sommerfeldt@westw (Guest)
30th Nov 2020, 10:55 PM
Saeriellyn
No. As the books are still under copyright, it would be unethical and indeed illegal for me to profit from this. It will always be free to read online.
3rd Dec 2020, 11:32 PM
Essy Gondola (Guest)
My! It was such a pleasure seeing these few pages. The last time I checked was before you disappeared, cause I sorta forgot about the comic ?. But this is awesome beyond belief, and I hope you will upload more soon!
4th Dec 2020, 12:46 PM
Saeriellyn
Doing my best! There always seem to be other things demanding my time lately but I've not given it up!
4th Dec 2020, 9:09 PM
Guest
Another masterpiece! So soon too, and Doli's expressions are again priceless in each and every frame and Eilonwy's hair is looking particularly beautiful!
(I love Taran's shoes by the way)
Wonderful work - As always!
30th Dec 2020, 7:06 PM
Sara swan (Guest)
Very excited to see the finale of the companions long journey. Thank you for creating this! I love your art and truly appreciate your drawings of Gurgi especially - I always imaged him as a rather annoying sort of ape like creature which was very unpleasant for my sensibilities. Your interpretation of him as an Irish wolf hound really gets my heart and makes me love him far more inside and out! Excellent and magical work! xoxo
10th Jan 2021, 4:02 AM
taranfans
You are incredible! My ten year old and I just read the Chronicles of Prydain and were trying to find anything related as we loved them so. We stumbled upon this exquisite work of art and are in awe of it and you! Thank you so much for sharing this with the world, with us. Can't wait for more!
11th Jan 2021, 1:52 PM
Saeriellyn
Awww, thank you so much for chiming in! And congrats on some excellent parenting. ;) I'm busy on a pro project just at present but I hope to be back on schedule with this in a few weeks. Hope to see you here again!
2nd Feb 2021, 1:15 AM
taranfans
I can't imagine how you have time for any of it! We've found your 'Sunrise' on the fanfiction site and have been obsessively consuming it. What another piece of magic you've created! It and this graphic novel really help create such a fuller story and picture - so satisfying, and we are both constantly amazed by your style, insight and artistry. Thank you again for all of this!
13th Feb 2021, 8:54 PM
Saeriellyn
Oh I love that you are reading too! Just make sure you check my descriptions - not everything in my writing would be appropriate for your 10yo. Sunrise is fine though.
29th Jan 2021, 3:36 AM
Echo (Guest)
I decided to reread the books. So far I can read a chapter every few days. Adulting is hard. I think I may have also been hiding under covers with a pint of Culver's custard.
author comments