Synopsis: Grand Quest III-Part 2

With a Monarch's Voice Cry 'Havoc,' and Let Slip the Dogs of War

Continued from Part 1

52 days left

At dawn, the girls are awakened by a servant; Differel has formulated her plan. She has scheduled a briefing for mid-morning, after she cleans up and has a bite to eat. At the briefing she explains that their two most pressing problems is to acquire proof that the Atullians do plan to attack Ooth-Nargai or Karchedon, and to find out where Aunt Mandy is creating her army, and she believes they can get both from the same source: from the Atullian ambassador. She means to capture and interrogate him, and she feels the best way to do that is to seize his barge. The audacity of her plan stuns everyone, but once it sinks in they agree that it is their only choice. When asked where she plans to make the attack, she explains that it must be done in such a way that gives Kuranes plausible deniability; that means outside of Ooth-Nargai, where they can be declared renegades and pirates if anything goes wrong. However, while they have the strategy worked out, the tactics will have to wait for an opportune moment. Also, due to the risk involved, she wants to give anyone who wishes the chance to withdraw. Karella bows out; she is profuse in her apologies, but she is concerned for her family. Tokoyo also declines, since she considers the plan dishonorable; she would prefer a direct confrontation, but she promises that if they go to war, she will fight by their side. Since they will be returning to Ulthar, they can drop both off there. Saighlíne is the uncertain factor, but she agrees to the plan. Though she pledged personal loyalty to Kuranes, she also took an oath to protect Ooth-Nargai, and she believes that this is why Kuranes released her. The rest all agree to participate, even Victor, who explains that this is precisely the kind of thing he tends to do.

They board Saighlíne's barge shortly before noon and it heads off towards Ulthar. Once in the air, they brief the Cat Queen on their plan and she agrees it is a bold if dangerous move. She offers to augment their forces with two squads of cats. Saighlíne is concerned about becoming overcrowded, but at least cats can bed down in any warm, cozy spot. Besides, she knows that twenty cats can be like having a hundred men. After that, everyone goes off to do their own thing for the remainder of the voyage. Differel explores the barge, and eventually finds her way to the exposed prow. There she finds Victor. She sits with him, and they talk of many things, their first real chance since they met. In time Differel leans her head against his shoulder, he leans his against hers, and they drape their arms around each other's waists as they watch the landscape roll by.

Aunt Mandy informs the Atullian ambassador that Differel intends to approach the spiders of Leng for assistance. He confronts Kuranes, who demands proof. The ambassador decides to proceed to Sarkomand to see if the Moonbeasts can cause Differel some trouble.

Saighlíne's barge arrives in Ulthar in early mid-afternoon. Karella and Tokoyo depart, and the girls accompany Differel and the Cat Queen to the council clearing. There Laoise reports on the status of the mobilization: they are at 50% capacity, with another four days to go. She is not happy with the Cat Queen's decision to go to the North, but the Queen insists. She assemples her guard, and calls for volunteers for a special detail. Then they return to the barge. The girls collect some items from their home while Differel purchases additional pistols as well as extra powder and shot. When they return to the barge, they find Victor has retrieved his hippogriff. They then take off and head north. They should arrive at the main spider enclaves by dawn tomorrow.

After the Atullians have left, a fleet of galleys with a contingent of cloud barges arrives in Celephais. In command is the queen of Karchedon. She has come to confer with Kuranes on the Atullian threat. She is not surprised that Kuranes signed the non-aggression pact, and he briefs her on Differel's mission and plan. They then discuss how to prosecute the war they both know is coming.

51 days left

At dawn, Saighlíne's barge passes over the city of Inganok and continues north into the mountains. By mid-morning they are passing over the spider enclaves, and they can see valleys roofed over with webbing. Cuideog has never seen his lord's domain from the air, but he recognizes other landmarks, and directs the barge to a plateau where a party can safely land. The barge settles down and Cuideog disembarks with Differel, the girls, the Cat Queen and her guard, and Capt. Ney with three of his Ghouls. The barge lifts off again to loiter around the area just in case. Cuideog leads them into Rígomun's domain, and they are met by Leanabécne, who is his most promising student. He is disappointed that Medb is not with them, but he takes them to the place where Rígomun holds his classes. There the spider lord is entertaining a brithem, whom the girls recognize as Tiarnadlí, the spider they escorted to Lelag-Leng. Cuideog introduces them all and explains their collective mission. Rígomun welcomes the Cat Queen, and they negotiate. The spider lord is actually eager to provide aid, if for no other reason than the threat of the thok spiders, in exchange for certain concessions, none of which seem onerous. However, he must consult with his fellow council members before committing the Leng spiders to war. Tiarnadlí then speaks and states that there is precedent in the Midrash for aiding prey in a cause that threatens the spiders as well, and Rígomun need not have council permission to render it. As Rígomun arranges to have messages sent to the other councilors, Tiarnadlí explains.

A thousand millennia ago, after the Leng Men's Pyrrhic victory over the Men of Atullia, they were so weakened that the Moonbeasts took advantage and attacked to conquer them. They destroyed Sarkomand and forced the Leng Men into the interior of the plateau. The Leng spiders bore no love for the Leng Men; in fact, a thousand millennia before that, the Leng Men had fought the spiders for control of the Dreamlands and defeated them, driving them into the mountains and wastelands. However, the spiders bore them no grudge either, and recognized that the Moonbeasts were a threat to them as well. So they made a pact with the Leng Men, agreeing to fight by their side in exchange for concessions. Special units of youngling and runtish spiders were trained for combat and attached to Leng Men units, and they were very effective. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to turn the tide; the technological superiority of the Moonbeasts won out and they defeated the Leng Men. However, the spider assault units convinced them that the spiders would be too tough to conquer, and they left them alone. Since that time, the units have been maintained, though their numbers have dwindled. There are now only about a dozen left. Rígomun has formed one, with Cuideog as the nominal commander and Leanabécne as his adjutant. Rígomun may deploy it as he sees fit; he doesn't need a consensus of the council. By itself, it would make no significant impact in a war, but it could be used very effectively by a small commando force.

When Rígomun returns, he asks Differel how she would use his assault unit if he released it to her. She explains that strategically their first priority is to retake the Moon, not just to claim the proverbial high ground, but also to provide a base with which to checkmate the Moonbeasts and render them impotent in the coming war. But there is also the tactical necessity of determining if the Moonbeasts have set a trap for the cats, hoping to break their military power in an ambush. Her plan is to coordinate with the cats, and just before they invade, go in ahead of them with a commando force to scout out the enemy, and if a ambush is planned, disrupt it. Since it is impossible to anticipate every contingency, she would like to have a variety of abilities in her force, and the spiders would provide for heavy assault. When Rígomun states that he cannot allow her to use them as cannon fodder, she replies that she has no intention of doing so. She admits that on a mission like this, everyone is expendable, including herself; the goal is to reclaim the Moon, and anyone should be sacrificed to accomplish that. However, to paraphrase Melville, she would see his assault force as a staple, like beef or salt, to be used when needed and not foolishly wasted. Rígomun reveals that he is familiar with Moby Dick, but since she would have no way of knowing that, he sees her quote as indicative of her true convictions rather than an attempt to deceive him. He grants her the use of his force, and orders Cuideog to mobilize it.

Cuideog states that the unit will rendezvous where the barge dropped them off, but it won't be until morning before all the members can assemble. He invites them all to spend the night and escorts them to a cave that has been furnished to accommodate guests. It consists of a common room with three alcoves: a bedroom, a stable, and a toilet. The bed is big enough that Differel and the girls can sleep in it together, while the Ghouls can sack out in the common room and the cats in the stable. A spring provides water, but they will have to secure their own food. Cuideog informs them they may hunt in or otherwise explore Rígomun's valley, since he has declared them sacrosanct, however, his students may still take them if they can catch them unaware, so they must be very careful. Differel and Sunny go hunting with two of the Ghouls and several cats, while Eile and the other Ghouls make the cave livable. After about an hour they kill three fat-rats, and while they saw a number of spiders stalking them, none came close enough to be a danger. They skin and gut their catch, then return, giving one to the cats and one to the Ghouls, while Sunny turns the third into a stew.

On board the barge, Victor summons an homunculus and sends it off with a message. When Saighlíne asks about it, he tells her he wanted to alert his superiors in Karchedon where he could be found. Another homunculus appears with a message, and he tells Saighlíne the Elishat, Queen of Karchedon and Punica, has arrived in Celephais with an expeditionary force of twenty-five galleys and a dozen sky barges. She has decided that the threat posed by the Atullians is too great to ignore, and once the location where Mandy is putting her plan into operation is discovered, she will launch an attack, with or without support. He has apprised her of Differel's efforts to garner support for an attack, as well as find proof the Atullians mean to attack Ooth-Nargai. Elishat has expressed an interest in meeting Differel sometime in the near future.

As evening approaches, Differel is sitting outside the cave. The door is open and she can hear Eile and Sunny singing, entertaining themselves and the cats and Ghouls. She came out to think, not just about her planned attack and the coming war, but about things in general. In the gathering dusk she notices a glow on her body. Looking down, she sees the replicated George medal is glowing. At the same time, she feels the back of her neck prickle. On a hunch she calls out, and three spiders appear: Cuideog, Tiarnadlí, and Leanabécne. Cuideog admonishes her for taking the risk of being alone outside the safety of the cave, but then states that Rígomun would like to speak to her alone. Tiarnadlí will accompany her to make sure there is no treachery, and Leanabécne will remain as hostage. She agrees to go, and after informing Capt. Ney, she follows Cuideog to where Rígomun is waiting. When she arrives, however, she is surprised to find Elatha there as well. He informs her that Mandy has boasted of having a spy close to her who keeps her informed of her every move. For example, she knew she was in Celephais, staying with the Twins, and it was she who sent the Chiggers. No doubt she knows she's in the spider enclaves as well. He warns Differel to be ready for another attack. When Differel asks why he's doing this, he states that he's fairly certain Medb has told her about him. She confirms that, and he adds that while he works for the eventual overthrow of mankind and the ascendency of the Fomorians to their rightful place, he sees no purpose in maltreating humans. He fears Mandy seeks the latter; he also fears her ambition has escalated to the point where she envisions herself as the world's god, over human and Fomorian alike. She asks if he would be willing to join the coalition she is forming. He tells her that if she can show him proof that Mandy intends to enslave all, he will give his support. He then turns into a great black bird and flaps off. Rígomun informs her that he too is convinced this Mandy poses a threat to all, and promises her that, whatever the council decides, she has his full support. She bows to him in thanks and Cuideog takes her back to the cave.

Back at the barge, Victor is returning from exercising his hippogriff, when he finds himself overtaken by Shantaks being ridden by Moonbeasts. They attack and he takes evasive action to escape. As he flies low through a rocky ravine, a web net snaps up and he and the hippogriff become entangled. The Moonbeasts fly off as a spider appears. It reels them in and begins to cocoon them, but stops at about half way. It lifts them us and stares at him for some minutes, then unravels him. It carries him up to the top of the ravine and cuts him loose, them retreats a short distance. As he mounts, it waves its pedipalps at him as it whistles, but when the Shantaks pass high overhead, it turns and runs back down into the ravine. Perplexed, Victor rides off low, trying to beat the Moonbeasts back to the barge.

When Differel gets back to the cave, she tells the others only that Rígomun has pledged his support. However, the look the Cat Queen gives her suggests she knows Differel is holding something back. She and the girls then close the cave entrance and go to bed. Though they sleep naked, the bed is big enough that they can stay well separated. Eile and Sunny embrace and cuddle, with Sunny occasionally giggling and Eile shushing her, but Differel keeps her back to them. Eventually they drift off to sleep.

Victor arrives back at the barge well ahead of the Moonbeasts, but they seem to be in no hurry. Saighlíne organizes a watch and sets everyone on alert. But he keeps the incident with the spider to himself.

Later that night, Differel lays awake in bed pondering who the spy might be. Up until now she felt she could have trusted everyone she's traveled with, but where Fomorians are concerned she knows that anyone could be compromised. The Cat Queen jumps onto the bed and confronts her, saying she knows more went on when she met with Rígomun. Differel confesses she met Elatha and what he said. The Cat Queen doesn't seem surprised or disturbed, she only says she'll look into it. Then she settles in at the foot of the bed and curls up.

50 days left

In the morning, Cuideog, Tiarnadlí, and Leanabécne escort the party out of the valley back to the plateau where they were dropped off. There a dozen spiders of different sizes are waiting. Sunny signals to the barge and it settles onto the ground. At first Saighlíne balks at taking on the spiders; there's no room for them. But they indicate they can lodge in the rigging. When she questions whether they will eat her crew, Tiarnadlí claims they are nazir, consecrated by numerous oaths, one of which is never to harm any prey they fight for or with. Saighlíne acquiesces, but she is uncomfortable with them referring to her people as prey. As they prepare to board, the Moonbeasts attack. The spiders prove their worth, by ganging up on any Shantak that touches the ground and using their webbing as snares. However, it is obvious the barge is not their real target. They go after Differel and the girls, but they are beaten off. However, they capture the Cat Queen. Victor gives chase on the hippogriff as the barge follows. They head east and south, and by noon Victor returns, saying they landed in Sarkomand. Their force isn't big enough to attack the ruined city, but them Differel remembers that there is an entrance to the Underworld there. She suggests a night attack to distract the Moonbeasts, while she and the girls enter the Underworld and attack from behind. When Saighlíne asks with what, Differel replies with the Ghouls. They land and she sends Ney and his Ghouls off to contact the Ghoul warren and have them prepare. Sunny then summons a Shantak, and with the spiders' help the girls, Differel, and the cat guard drop down onto its back. They then fly for the Enchanted Woods.

The Cat Queen is taken before the Atullian ambassador, the military attaché, and their Moonbeast hosts. He states that now that they have her, he demands she agree to cede the Moon to the Cats from Saturn and their Moonbeasts allies. The Queen in turn quietly demands that she be released or they will suffer total destruction. The ambassador assumes she is bluffing or delusional and threatens her with torture unless she complies. She refuses, and he orders her taken away. The military attaché is suspicious and wonders what plan Differel will cook up to rescue her, but the ambassador ridicules her concerns.

The Shantak arrives at the stone circle in a couple of hours, and Differel, the girls, and the cats enter the Tower of Koth, using the Shantak to lift the stone slab. They hurry down to the Gug city, where they find Ney, Marrowsucker, and Stéise with an army of Ghouls. Nightgaunts pick them up and fly them to the stone staircase that leads up to Sarkomand. They climb the stairs and reach the top just after dusk. They take care of a few guards and assemble in the square. Sunny can somehow feel the Queen and they track her to one of the few intact buildings. Sunny sends off a signal and the barge attacks the main gate. Moonbeasts on Shantaks rise up to meet it, and the Nightgaunts intercept them. The Ghouls fan out across the city to harass the defenders as Differel, the girls, and the cats, with Ney and his troop, attack the building. Differel and the Ghouls hold off the defenders while the girls and the cats find and rescue the Queen. The military attaché engages Differel in another sword fight while the ambassador escapes. Differel breaks off when the Moonbeasts try to destroy the building and part of the roof collapses between her and the attaché. They all escape into the streets and Sunny sends off another signal. The surviving Ghouls meet them at the gate, then hold off the Moonbeasts and Leng Men while Differel, the girls, and the cats get aboard the barge as Victor and the Nightgaunts cover them. As the Nightgaunts swoop down to snatch up the Ghouls and carry them off, the barge veers off with Shantaks in hot pursuit. While trying to protect the laden Nightgaunts, Victor collides with a Shantak and both go down. Saighlíne swings the barge around and Differel jumps off with Ney and his Ghouls. Before the Shantak can attack Victor, a spider appears and distracts it, giving him and the hippogriff a chance to get away. Nightgaunts grab Ney and his Ghouls as Differel climbs up on the hippogriff, and they take off. The spider leaps and catches a hold of the rigging as the barge takes off. Again they are chased by Shantaks, but as they turn out to sea, they encounter a squadron of destroyers from Karchedon who cover its retreat. They then form up and escort them out over the Cerenarian Sea to rendezvous with a Karchedon task force of galleys.

A yacht rises up from the task force, and when it comes alongside, Queen Elishat transfers to the barge. She makes a speech praising everyone's bravery, and welcoming the Ghouls and spiders to the cause. She offers to quarter the Ghoul army and its Nightgaunts on one of her barge destroyers, which Stéise accepts. She then asks to confer with Differel, the girls, Victor, Saighlíne, the Cat Queen, Stéise, and Cuideog. They meet in Saighlíne's cabin. There Elishat offers the support of her barge task force when the cats invade the Moon. Stéise also volunteers her Ghouls and Nightgaunts to augnment the cat army. Differel is still convinced it is a trap, but the added forces should help tip the balance. Nonetheless, she still wants to go in with a small force to reconnoiter and if possible disrupt the trap. Elishat leaves it to her, and invites the Cat Queen and her guard to stay with her on her command galley. They depart with her as everyone else settles in for the night.

Victor asks Cuideog to meet him on deck, and they go confront the spider that saved him. Victor wants to know why it let him go and came to his rescue just now. Cuideog translates its reply as, many years ago when it was a youngling, it attacked him when he was on the plateau and he subdued it, but rather than kill it he let it go. Later, he killed a group a wamp that had caught was about to kill it, so he saved its life, if inadvertently. It has now repaid both debts, but it has heard that the spiders may mobilize for war. It wants to be a nazir, and it felt this would be a good opportunity. Cuideog is reluctant to accept it; it is untrained and untried, but Victor accepts it as a personal retainer, taking the responsibility for its training and its behavior. It accepts his offer. When Victor asks for its name, Cuideog explains that spiders don't have names; his and those of the other named spiders were given to them by Medb. Victor names it Shelob.

Mandy informs the Atullian ambassador that Elatha has informed Differel she has a spy in her midst, and that she has informed the Cat Queen, but no one else. This will make her more cautious, but since she still has no idea of the nature of the spy, the revelation will do her little good and may even hamper her.

Continued in Part 3