The story itself

[cairn destop]

Based on this week's strip, I'm expecting big troubles next week.  We will also see if sheep are as docile as morphs when they spot Sandy.  Am going to wonder if Rif will do the math and come up with an incorrect result.  (Sandy + bit of black cloth + sheep's comment about black sails = Sandy is a member of a pirate ship preying on seaside communities.)

[WyrmMaster]

That would depend on whether Sandy stays hidden or not.

[cairn destop]

Based on this week's strip, I'm expecting big troubles next week.  We will also see if sheep are as docile as morphs when they spot Sandy.  Am going to wonder if Rif will do the math and come up with an incorrect result.  (Sandy + bit of black cloth + sheep's comment about black sails = Sandy is a member of a pirate ship preying on seaside communities.)

Rif has done the math.

[AllieFiona]

Rif's pretty good at math.  He's a puzzle solver, after all.

[cairn destop]

I'm sure the artist and/or story writer didn't do this on purpose, but today's strip hit me as comical.  Seeing Sandy peering out of a tree had me laughing so hard.  Why?  It is a total role reversal.  The usual is having the dog (wolf) treeing the fox, not the other way around.

Compliments to the artist.  That expression in the last panel for Sandy was exceptional.  You got more of the story in that one wide-eyed stare than in anything he could have said.

One possible logic error.  So far, the strip has gone on the premise that Sandy's memory is fractured due to whatever happened prior to his being washed ashore.  Based on his reaction, that supposition appears erronious.  It might be explained away by having him claim he overheard the sheep and reacted in fear, but the sheep have departed.  Rif is his alpha; he wouldn't hide from him.

If Sandy's memory is better, now is the time to clarify.  My mind tells me Sandy might have started out without any ideas about his origins, but each time something happens, it jars his memory.  First it was the puzzle box, then the stranger, and last was his sudden urge to travel north.  Is it possible that the overheard comments from the sheep have awakened whatever memories he has of his past?

Such a revelation would not destroy the story arc.  If anything, it adds clarity.  Now Rif can resolve the puzzle and decide if he will help Sandy.  As I said before, his current math skills might be in error. 

[WyrmMaster]

If Sandy's memory is better, now is the time to clarify.  My mind tells me Sandy might have started out without any ideas about his origins, but each time something happens, it jars his memory.  First it was the puzzle box, then the stranger, and last was his sudden urge to travel north.  Is it possible that the overheard comments from the sheep have awakened whatever memories he has of his past?

Things are more complicated than that..

There will be some answers in the next couple of strips.

[Katra]

I figure Sandy was aboard the pirate ship as a cabin boy (possibly the son of one of the crew) and jumped ship when he realized what the pirates were up to.

[cairn destop]

I figure Sandy was aboard the pirate ship as a cabin boy (possibly the son of one of the crew) and jumped ship when he realized what the pirates were up to.

I like that.  It would explain his knowledge of the sextant, especially if he is related to the Captain or another high ranking officer.  Otherwise, it wouldn't be worth their effort hunting down one crewmember.  Also remember that Sandy was found after a storm, which means he might have gone overboard due to the weather. 

So right now, Sandy hasn't been exonerated.  And our pup isn't that innocent.  Can you remember the earlier strips where Sandy shows a bit of fire?  He had enough of a temper that he looked like he might be willing to fight. 

[AllieFiona]

Sandy certainly has some 'splaining to do.  Thing is, Sandy is not real forthright, is he?  Let's see if he can worm his way out of this one.

[Lymril]

He's just a kid.  How much swashbuckling could he have done?

[AllieFiona]

We'll find out eventually.  And remember, in a kid's eyes even a small transgression can seem huge.

[cairn destop]

If the fox tracks lead to Rif, there's a problem.  Rif did not see the settlement and the fox tracks are right at the entrance to the sheep's villiage.  Also note the lack of trees around the point where the two tracks diverge.  So I'm wondering who the new characters would be.  Members of the raiding party? 

[AllieFiona]

Check a few strips back, mid-October.  Rif knows something that Rhene doesn't.

[cairn destop]

I like this narration.  We get to see the action from the POV of Sandy, and at the same time we get the third-person objective POV.  The similarities and differences makes for an interesting tale.  At least it explains why Sandy has such an interest in the box.  It also explains why he is being pursued.  Navigational instruments must be rare, so finding the sextant is important.  Though this doesn't quite explain Sandy's fear.  Since the instrument was entrusted to him and he kept it safe, the otter crew beast should be a welcomed sight.

[cairn destop]

Since it has been over a month, think I can be forgiven for making a double-post.


This week's strip has me doing some math and I'm sure the author/artist has something hidden in this tale.  We have a seaside villiage, lots of taverns, the residents speak about the white fox without fear, and the wolf family.  Can you say "pirate's home base?"  Am thinking Sandy might not have been too honest about his home.  It may also explain his reluctance concerning his speedy return.

Speaking of home.  This is something unusual in the morph world.  The villiage is a mixture of races.  Yeah, I can hear somebody reminding me that foxes, dogs, and wolves are all cannines.  I'm just remembering Prince and the dog castle where Rhea was imprisoned.  Morphs are quite zenophobic, even for closely related species.

Another point is how unconcerned the populace are about strangers.  Especially a bear.  Again, if this is a pirate base, the mixture of morph races is logical.  This would be a place where the undesireable of every species might gravitate.  Though how Momma Bear could remain ignorant of such a fact does mystify me, unless her time in the wild has made her less knowledgable of surrounding population centers.