Somewhere above Harbour town skies near Breakers Bay.
They said no one under 30 should captain an airship, so I built a
blimp instead because technically that's different.
Your vertical stabilizers are off.
You overloaded the livid crystal again.
I don't understand. I adjusted for wind shear.
Also, I might have swapped the flux conduits for some spare
incense rods. You what?
They smell nice. Wonderful.
We'll die fragrant. Damn it.
Remind me to I'm. Pulling the emergency brake
system. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Oh, boy. This is bad.
Master brake for impact.
I'm going down. I'm going down near the beach.
Young lady. Young lady, someone.
Called the guard. We need a physician here.
As soon as possible. Spirit, look at the.
Side together. Well, we made it, Master.
I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you.
Are you really my student? You and this blimp are going to
kill me again. Time to meet the neighbors.
Try to only be a sword, please. I will make no promises.
It's one of those airships worthless thing plopped right
out of the air. Who's flying that?
Wait, is that a child? Top of the morning, friends.
I am Captain Marta, pilot of this here blimp, or what's left
of it. Come again, Captain?
Preposterous. Did.
She really just say that young lady, a captain she was nearly.
Killed. You couldn't.
Be more. Than this child speaks the
truth. By the Spirit.
Do not be fooled fisherman, there is more to us than meets
the eye. That sword there on her back is
glowing. Never mind that it can speak.
Long story, maybe I'll tell it to the two of you over some tea.
She's got a. Sword.
And a that's. A child with a flying fortress.
Technically, a blimp runs on reclaims, storm cores, modified
room work, and the stubborn refusal to die quietly.
You're lucky it runs at all aw. Come on, Master, we're still
breathing, are we not? Where are your?
Parents. What's a kid doing with
something like that? Shrines only give me the same
answer every time you're on your own, so I took that literally.
By the Spirit, she's an orphan. Yeah, something like that.
Reckless child. Yep, and still flying.
Well, I was flying. Can someone point me to the
nearest courthouse? I have complicated paperwork.
You're a strange. Child.
You can. Say that again, I get.
That a lot. But you don't appear to have
sustained any serious injury. Nope, I feel fine allow.
Us to escort you there ourselves.
No, wait. Really.
Project Zion Theatre presents Way of the Jaded Fist, produced
by Desmond Childs and Jazzy Nay Sky spits out the strange steam
sword and girl in goggles trouble learns her name at long
last. Enter Captain Marta, magical
tech genius and key saving grace for one Kai Lung.
I'm Raymond Getty, your resident show announcer.
Thanks for listening and enjoy the show.
The. The Jade Lantern Inn.
This is where Big Brother settled down.
I remember reading during my travels about his tea
competition trophies. That, and then there was his
gentle adventuring, how he's become something of the town's
hero, Danny Rose of the Jaded Fist.
Where have you wandered off to? I can't.
I cannot feel you. I can't feel your presence here
at all. Steal your nerves and calm your
senses child. Our journey has been a long 1,
long indeed. I propose A refreshment, perhaps
a nice hot cup of coffee from Rose's establishment.
Sounds like a plan. Thank you, Master.
As for Danny Rose, he has chosen his path, for better or worse.
Truly a man of conviction. What a waste.
Even still, brother, I got your letters and I heeded your call
for aid. I'm here now so you no longer
have to worry about your friend. Still, something's off in the
air. Indeed, how does it feel to you?
Heavy, measured, Familiar. Interesting.
Like a bell trying not to ring. That presence it.
Carries scars, Deep ones disguised in stillness.
Sounds like a measure of luck. Whether good or bad remains to
be seen. A master?
You think it could be our guy? Perhaps, perhaps not, if the
stories are true. Master Kai Lung breathes like a
man asking the world for forgiveness.
I think it's time I met Kai Lung.
But first, coffee. Way of the jaded.
Fist. Good morning or well, afternoon,
Welcome in and grab yourself a nice hot cup of something.
Hot and thank you. I think I will.
Took me 3 weeks to get the balance right.
Sweet heat on the tongue, but it don't linger long.
Afternoon little one, well met innkeeper.
Ignore the fanatic here at the front, he just really loves his
chosen profession. Boy do IA stir fried noodle dish
glazed in a sweet, spicy gotcha Jiang sauce laced with scallion
oil, crisp Lotus root and pickled cherry blossom.
Served with a soft tea egg, halved and steeped overnight,
you get the smoke from the wok, the floral high note from them,
pickled blossoms, and just a whisper of spring wind on the
back end. By the Rift Chef, That all
sounds so delicious. I had no idea this place had
such delectable morsels being served up right under my nose.
You're the guy I want to see. You're in for a treat, kiddo.
Dre's always taking special care when it comes to our guests.
The cafe's menu was specially curated for the season.
Dre here is pretty meticulous about which ingredients and
seasonings he intends to put on display each week.
Master Kai Lung said it reminded him of festival nights back
home. Did he know?
I'll take that as high praise. By chance, do you serve any
coffee here? Of course, but it's not as
popular here in Harbour Town. Only made a small batch.
When it's gone, it's gone, like most beautiful things.
For the love of the Himalaya Rift, please tell me you still
have some left. Aren't you a little young to be
partaking in caffeine, dear? Not as young as she may appear
to be cook. Oh my stars, who was?
Wait, your sword can. It can.
I am called Whisper Steel, the young woman in here.
No Heras, Captain Martyr, Way of the Jaded Fist.
Harbour Town smells like rust and sugar, like burnt oil, sea,
wind and somebody's breakfast. Funny thing about puddles.
The street remembers every traveller twice, first in the
echo of their boot, then in the circle that blooms after each
ring. A story we set in motion, tiny
at birth, widening long after we've gone about our business.
Can't outrun it, neither Waters patient, keeps our secrets
floating on its face until the sun drinks them dry.
People aren't so different. We swing fists, speak vows,
break hearts, Think the moment passes us by cleanly.
But consequences, That's the puddle echo chasing behind like
a shadow that knows your middle name.
Just as counsels want to call it law, I just call it the water's
memory. And if those magistrates got
short sight, I'll remind them. Rivers start with ripples, too.
You can feel it too, right? The tension, like the buildings
are leaning in to eavesdrop on each other.
This city carries too many ghosts, old wards, repainted
sigils. I don't like the way the soil
hums beneath us. I know the E Rouke's presence.
It's quiet here, but not gone. Look there, the little pilot.
She's the one who crashed landed right in our Bay.
No. Wonder she's not dead.
Chalk it up to the spirit of the rift, friend.
These are strange times we live in.
Strange indeed. If they only knew.
This town still believes it can fix itself with rituals and
rainwater, but something's already digging, not up under.
There are a solid number that are very aware of the threat but
choose to keep the general public in the dark.
Be them blissful even to the bitter end, I suppose.
And that's why we're here. Someone's got to warn the few in
the know that their ignorance will not save them, but
something their enemies will use to drown them.
Harbortown was not a city of warriors.
It was a city of tradesmen and tide watchers, of long ledgers,
folded tea menus and chairs worn smooth by habit.
Its battles were quiet, fought over permits, curfews, missing
goats, and the color of rooftop tiles.
That's what the Justice Council was built to handle, so you
could understand how they never saw the little pilot coming.
Excuse me. Excuse me, please.
Everyone order in the chamber, please.
All rise for the return of Councillor Theron.
You may be seated. Petitions will resume under
standard guidelines. No interruptions, no
repetitions. Respect the time.
Respect the Chamber. Let's pick up where we left off,
shall we? We're here on on an issue
submitted by Market Row Baker's representative.
You may proceed. Blessings Council Blessings
Harbour Town for now and evermore.
The Rift bless you and your endeavor as well.
Thank. You thank you, Councillor.
I represent the market row bakers.
We're here about the spice vendors on merchants ban.
They've been setting up before dawn, cutting into our morning
traffic. It's not regulation.
It's not illegal either. Yes, but.
That district opens at sunrise. Is aggressive and the incense
carts are dragging folks past us before we're even.
Lit so file a sent complaint. Enough, let's maintain court
decorum please. This gentleman has as valid a
filing as anyone. Truth be told.
Bakers rise early, spice merchants burn lacely.
Neither side is. Break the issue mate, just
tradition. So what?
We just keep losing business. No, you request a shared stall
rotation for the Bend Central post Alternate weeks shared draw
shared crowd. Clerk Hale will write it up by
tomorrow. That might work.
Good. Then take your grievance, fold
it in parchment and let the oven fire.
Eat it well. Said he wasn't warm, he wasn't
well liked but judge there and knew how to turn sparks into
compromise, even if it meant speaking more like a blacksmith
than a magistrate. Next order of business judges.
Yes, proceed with call bailiff. By order of the court and its
counsel, will the person called Captain Marta please step
forward? Oh wow, look at that speedy
trial. Quiet, quiet now.
This marks hearing #1 on this issue before the record judges.
Good afternoon, Captain. Well met, counselor.
I am Judge Theron alongside Deputy Judges Anya and Arnica.
We have read through some of the intake paperwork you submitted
and we understand you have some concerns regarding the strange
occurrences and happenings here in and around Harbour Town.
Yes, that's correct. However, I believe a proper
introduction is in order. I am called Captain Marta of the
Old Kingdom Sky Registry, pilot of the Whisper Wind, apprentice
of the late Master Saiyan, and daughter of no one you'd
recognize. She studied under Master Saiyan.
Please everyone, please calm down.
She has a right to share her statement.
Quiet down, ladies and gentlemen.
If you think who I studied under is troubling, you won't like
what I have to say next. You're no.
Older than 16. Why should we?
Believe anything you have to say, Captain. 17, actually, by
Old Kingdom reckoning. If you'd like to see my flight
log, I'd be happy to crash another airship onto your beach.
And when the hell did age determine whether or not someone
could be trusted? What, are you going to burn me
at the stake if I'm found wanting counsel?
Feisty little silence. She will be heard.
You clutch. Your titles while doom coils
beneath your streets. Keep your ears shut and this
whole town will drown in the consequences.
Thank you. Thank you.
Know me as Whisper Steel. I got it.
Understood. Noted for the record, everyone,
please, please let's work through this.
Sorry bailiff, my sword can be a little scary when it wants to
be. So you're clever.
That's not the same as credible. I was under the impression that
I could give a statement prior to being judged.
Did I have the wrong impression? Why are you here, Captain Marta?
Because something is crawling beneath this continent and if
Harbour Town doesn't wake up, it's going to be the next city
swallowed whole. You speak.
Of the Uki don't speak of it. I've studied it.
Ruins. Ruins Testimonies from those who
didn't live long enough to give theirs twice.
Yes. And so you think it here now?
Is that it? I know it's here.
I can sense it even as we speak. You expect this Council to act?
On senses. Or what?
Judge Theron, I vote. We move to strike this.
All from the official record. I'm sick of these young upstarts
fear mongering around the. Bend.
I cannot believe he just said that.
Then what? Would you have us do, Captain?
I expect you to act like leaders.
Next question we. Lead by caution.
Not by panic. Well then you'll be too late,
like every council before you that tried to govern a disaster
with patients. Come on, Council.
Judges, she is not wrong. Kai Lung, the still flame of the
Southern monks. You never did know how to stay
out of trouble. Yes, whisper Steel.
They say the blade was once a man who climbed too high,
reached too far, and fell into steel.
I wonder what part of you still regrets the view.
Damn. Master Kailum, you are not
permitted to interject unless you have any useful information
to add to the. Proceedings.
It is quiet, like mold. It moves beneath cities, behind
walls, in the silences between breath and action.
I mean this with the utmost respect.
You were once Iruquet touched, correct?
Still AM, but I know how to listen to what others won't say.
Danny Rose knew something was wrong.
He sent messages, called for allies.
I came because he feared the city would sleep too long.
By all accounts, he had left on a search and rescue for you,
Danny. Rose is missing.
Then maybe start acting like someone should be looking.
Marta, calm your nerve. I'm.
Sorry, master. And what would you have us do,
Captain Marta? Mobilize, March.
Declare war on Shadows. Prepare quietly, because the Eru
K doesn't attack with armies. It becomes your neighbors, your
sons, your council clerks, and by the time your swords out of
its sheath, you've already lost. Well, I for 1:00 AM convinced,
place the City Guard on silent alert.
Clerk Hale will issue an internal warning to the Maid
Circle in Port Masters. Right away, Judge Theron send.
Word to Eugene Hills, I want eyes underground.
Sir, please let us not act on this child's word alone.
And this giant, he could be speaking under the influence of
the enemy as we stand here. You question our truth from
behind a desk, but when the ground cracked and shadows
poured out, did you not flee for your life?
Then tell me, counsel, is it best practice to ignore warning
and only run when your feet are being held to the goddamn fire?
I believe you both, as luck would have it, that's all you
need for preparations to be made.
But truth from the mouth of a girl is still hard for this room
to swallow. Not to mention a giant demon
possessed monk. Hard to swallow, then maybe
choke on it. That's a new one.
Just to run out. Oh, all right.
I've been given the OK to conclude this evening's hearing.
Today's proceedings will be delayed until tomorrow
afternoon. Preparations and actions we've
discussed here will be put into practice beginning this evening.
The judge there and watched like a man who's lived through too
many fires and still keeps a bucket by the door.
I don't think he believed me, not yet, but he wanted to.
Harbour Town listens in pieces, whispers, glances.
It wants to protect itself without admitting it's already
cracked. But him?
Kailang walks like someone who's been broken and still chose to
get back up slow. Storms don't just soak the
earth, child, they draw out what's been hiding beneath it.
Same with people. What weighs on you, Martyr?
Master I. Speak freely, Captain.
You are among allies here. Thank you.
You don't talk much, do you? Only when silence would do harm.
I guess today wasn't one of those days, huh?
No, today the silence would have killed us.
And that council chamber felt colder than the sky.
You carried more warmth than they deserved.
Hey, I wasn't even sure they heard me.
So you spoke. I remembered what it felt like
to speak and not be believed. I wasn't going to let them do
that to you. I've studied the Iruke, seen
what it leaves behind. But the worst part?
It doesn't always leave. It hides in people who keep
going, People like us. It feeds on isolation, on shame,
on the belief that you deserved what happened.
Did you ever believe that? I don't anymore.
That means a lot. You do not walk alone, child.
The sword speaks truth even when it shouldn't.
It has that habit. You'll meet May Ling and Andre
Sans soon. I've met them, sort of.
Danny's letters painted pretty vivid pictures of You May and
even some of the regulars I briefly ran into.
I think May called him Dre earlier before the court
hearing. I'll introduce you properly, I
mean. Sure, I'd I'd like that.
Sometimes a familiar voice makes all the difference.
You don't have to carry it all. Not every burden needs a
champion. Sometimes it just needs room to
be named. Danny Rose taught me that not
with his words, but with his friendship.
He gave me space to air out what I didn't know how to hold.
Kindness most men never get to afford.
It needs room to be named. I'll try to remember that.
And here we are, the Jade Lantern, a small flame in a city
full of shadows, still shining, still warm even as the horizon
darkens. Are you always so brooding and
insightful? I presume so it is a habit.
Survivor symptoms I guess. If it makes you feel any better,
I'm also a practicing monk. Being insightful and sometimes
brooding. Comes with the comfy robes and
shaved head. With a splash of humor too, it
seems. Captain Marta, whisper Steel.
They won't understand what you did today.
Not yet. Suits me fine, Master Kai Lung.
They don't have to. I do what I do because it's
right. Nothing more, nothing less.
Under moonlight, sky, Snow White.
Cherry blossoms whisper. And hide.
A distant star begins to cry. Each tear falls.
A gentle light. Oh, oh, she.
Way of the Jaded Fist is written and produced by Desmond Childs.
Appearing in today's episode were Leah Wade as Captain, Marta
Carter, The Mountain King as Master Kai Lung, Sir Donald
McLeod as Whisper Steel the Sword, Dominique Cherry as May
and Trevor Hyde as Andre. Guest stars Matt Poole as Judge
Theron and Mona Burks as Judge Lynn.
Additional voices by Jazzy Nay, Marcus Ryder, Mac Bolin, Alan
Lucas, Joe Stokes, Rachel Abbott and Serena Foster.
Some voices used were implemented via text to speech
or recorded remotely. Voice actors were financially
compensated. A blend of talent and
technology. Check out our show page, Jaded
Fist drama.wordpress.com I'm Raymond Getty.
Thanks for listening and we'll see you all real soon.
Dory's left untold the night Huns soft a lover's plea.
Drifting far. Like waves on.
The sea. Oh, Hoshi, no.
Namita shining bright. Cutting.
Through the endless. Night dreams.
Collide where shadows. Wind.
Will we ever? Meet again No the.
Sakura. Falls like.
Rain staining the earth with its fleeting pain.
But in the quiet it always seems stars.
Never truly. Leave our dreams.