1. We have been told that Nicodemus has a very specific target in mind, ostensibly kept in the Labyrinth of Daedalus. What is Nic trying to get his hands on and why?Nick is trying extinguish hope, because when all hope is lost mankind will turn to his side. Remember from the myth that when the box was opened all matter of trouble was let loose on the world. However the last thing in the box, Hope stayed behind, and as long as she was there, the world would never fall totally to ruin.
If it is Pandora's Box that they are after, Lash will leave Harry's head and take the place of Elpis who has been killed in the great battle that has taken place at the vault. Thus though not completely redeemed herself, she becomes a symbol of redemption.
2. Nicodemus apparently called in a marker from Mab to get Harry on the team. Does he have a specific plan for using Harry or did Mab twist his request? Which of Harry's capabilities will he admit to needing, and (given that this is Nicodemus after all), which abilities is he scheming for Harry to use? What Nick is after isn't so important as is what Mab is after. It is all part of Mab's long term three dimensional chess match she has been playing with the adversary. It was all part of masterful preplanning on her part. She made the bargain a thousand years or so ago knowing this day would come. She had no access to the vault or not alone at any rate... Eventually she knew that the adversary would though one of it's allies to call in the mark.. Which it did, so from her point of view this is a huge set up, she though Harry is setting up Nick and thus the adversary. What she gains is knowledge of just how the adversary thinks and what he goals are..
4. Harry's general method of operation is to call on his friends for help. In this book, Harry is (initially) allowed one extra backup member on the crew. Who will it be? Which of Harry's other allies will "interfere" before the plot is over? Murphy for sure is going down into Hell with Harry, that one is foreshadowed by what she told him in Cold Days. Since Harry's health is at issue, the thing in his head, Butters along with Bob for brains and if he needs a doctor. Harry convinces Murphy that his might be a Sword Mission, Sanya is also recruited. Murphy has been having issues, namely her fear that Harry could go bad at any moment. She is afraid that Harry is going to do something that will endanger the Swords and if he does she won't be able to stop him. Nick exploits these fears, and at the critical time just after the heist is completed and everyone begins to relax he unleashes his plan.. Murphy thinking she is really helping Harry turns on him, Harry is in danger, what is more the Swords are in danger. Molly gets wind of it and pleas with Michael to take up the Sword one more time to rescue Harry and company and of course the rest of the Swords.
Michael agrees, and once more into the breech he goes.. There is a huge fight, the Sword stops working for Murphy and Harry gets it away from her, and for the duration of the rest of the battle he becomes a Holy Knight.. WAG? There is going to be a death here of a beloved character and Harry will be devastated by it, it will affect him more than his sacrifice of Susan, it will stick with him until the end of the series.. It could be Murphy, she either dies or switches teams completely both would grieve Harry just about forever... Or it could be Michael, one last battle, this too would be devastating for Harry, he was one of his best friends and Molly's father and he died to save him. The Swords will go back into Harry's keeping Alfred will keep watch over them until needed again.. Daniel could be the next Knight of the Cross, Butters could be the second, Sanya survives.
9. (Extra Credit) There are many WAG ("Wild A$$ Guess") theories on the boards, some crazier than others. Write up to three WAG theories (or make up your own) you believe are correct that will be confirmed (or at least have evidence in favor of) in Skin Games.. The "skin" Harry has got in the game is his life, getting the parasite out of it without killing him and his loved ones.
The "skin" Nick has got is what's in the vault, revenge on Harry, and possible access to one or more of the Holy Swords.
The "skin" Mab has in the game is one more successful blow against the adversary.
HUGE WAG! Okay this came to me early this morning just before waking... I said there'd be a significant death, also said Murphy could go bad.... Here's how it happens, in the big battle Murphy goes down, not dead but out, the Sword is in danger, Harry takes it up and goes after Nick, succeeds in cutting the noose from his neck, he dies, Deidre witnesses it, screams grabs the coin now rolling from Nick's dead hand, and places it in the hand of the woozy Murphy, she orders Shaggy to pick up Murphy's body and manically laughs as she retreats.. Of course Harry blames himself, he knows in the future he will have to face and fight Murphy over and over again, until one of them dies or she is redeemed.. He is grieved beyond consoling..
Edit: Serack wants to point out that Mira shoulda included these comments in her prediction. (don't clickie until you've read the ENTIRE SG book.)
http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,40796.0.html -Serack