Fables Compendium #2

In "Broken English, Chapter One of Arabian Nights (and Days)," the arrival of the Arabians throws Fabletown into a whirlwind of miscommunication and cultural collision. Prince Charming quickly learns that running a fabled city isn't the glamorous role he expected—especially when words fail and diplomacy is lost in translation.

In "D’jinn & Tonic with a Twist, Chapter Two of Arabian Nights (and Days)," Jo and her fellow Arabians settle into Fabletown life, but uneasy tensions rise when whispers swirl about a d’jinn brought from Baghdad. When Yusuf fears Sinbad has been enchanted, he unleashes the spirit—only to see three wishes spiral into chaos, testing the fragile peace between Fabletown and the old world.

In "Back to Baghdad, Chapter Three of Arabian Nights (and Days)," the Fables brace for a looming conflict with the Arabian Fables after the d’jinn’s release sets their fate in motion. With Yusuf underestimating the cunning of Frau Totenkinder, the true battle may not be fought with swords—but with secrets she’s kept buried.

In "Act of War, Chapter Four of Arabian Nights (and Days)," Sinbad must confront the consequences of Yusuf’s actions as he negotiates a fragile peace with Fabletown’s envoys. With his freedom and the future of Baghdad’s Fabletown at stake, Sinbad chooses to abandon his past and embrace Fabletown’s laws—freeing his slaves, some of whom now find new lives in the community. King Cole arrives as a bridge between the old world and the new, setting the stage for a transformation no one saw coming.

In the midst of a forgotten war, a wounded wooden soldier finds himself drawn to the camp’s quiet woodcarver, a delicate wooden maiden whose hands shape beauty from splinters. When he dares to write a letter to his father—pleading for permission to stay with her—their fragile bond is tested by the weight of tradition and the echoes of a war that never truly ended.

In this heartfelt chapter of "The Ballad of Rodney and June," the beloved wooden couple—Rodney and June—finally realize their dream of becoming human, thanks to Geppetto’s blessing, and their union is sealed in marriage. But their joy is tempered by a solemn duty: to cross into the Mundy world as spies for Fabletown, a mission that may keep them apart from their home—and each other—forever.

Bigby Wolf is pulled from Fabletown duty for a high-stakes mission to the Homelands, where Prince Charming has a dangerous assignment that could change everything. With the fate of a fellow Fable hanging in the balance, Bigby must navigate the treacherous politics of the Homelands—where old alliances are as fragile as they are vital.

In "Happily Ever After, Chapter Seven: The Big Valley," Bigby Wolf and Snow White share a quiet moment on the edge of a vast, sunlit valley—gifted to Bigby as a token of Fabletown’s gratitude. Snow surprises him with a hidden cave filled with letters from the children of Fabletown, their heartfelt messages, and the small gifts they’ve sent him over the years. As the weight of their shared journey settles between them, Bigby takes a step toward the future, offering Snow a life together in the valley where they can raise their family.

In "The Four Plagues, Part Two of Sons of Empire," the Emperor's forces unleash a decade-long campaign of devastation upon the Mundy World through the Four Plagues—Pestilence, Fire, Winter, and Famine. A traitor sent from the War Council arrives in Fabletown as a peace envoy, while Bigby, seeking to prepare the next generation, turns to a fast rabbit for help training the cubs in the ways of the hunt.

In "The Burning Times, Part Three of Sons of Empire," the arrival of the Emperor’s ambassador Hansel stirs unease in Fabletown, where his past shadows loom large—especially for Frau Totenkinder, the first witch he ever killed. As tensions rise, old wounds and unspoken fears surface in the tense atmosphere of diplomatic negotiations.

In "A Thorn in Their Side?", Kevin Thorne navigates his everyday routine with a quiet urgency, his mind fixed on the mysterious residents of Bullfinch Street and Kipling Street—though he’s careful not to let anyone notice. The story quietly builds tension as he searches for answers, weaving suspicion through the ordinary rhythms of life.

In "Jiminy Christmas, Chapter Five: The Answer," Santa takes a moment from his busiest season to answer Ambrose’s long-held question, offering a rare glimpse into the magic that binds the Fables world. With quiet grace, he restores Flycatcher to humanity—his memories whole—before entrusting Bigby with the latest gift lists, a small but vital duty as the holiday winds on.

In "Duel, Chapter Five of The Good Prince," Flycatcher guides his companion through the desolate wasteland toward a rumored new kingdom, where the shadows of the past begin to catch up with them. In Fabletown, Frau Totenkinder shares long-buried memories with Beast, while Bigby takes on the urgent task of shaping the Fables army for what lies ahead.

In "Envoy, Chapter Six of The Good Prince," King Ambrose pushes forward with his campaign, rallying allies as the first clash of the war looms. Just as the front lines prepare to meet, the Ghost of Lancelot confronts the Emperor—only for Shere Khan and Blue Beard to betray the location of Ambrose’s camp, throwing the fragile alliance into chaos.