(1) What is Nic trying to get his hands on and why? I believe that it will be some object that will allow some control over the seasons, as a tie in to the Persephone/Demeter myth. Manipulating the seasons is mucking with Mab and Titiana’s powers. Also, weather extremes are tied to violence and upheaval, which Nic would love. This is, of course, not what he TELLS anyone. This will be a quest for a religious relic to restore souls, which will entice several others to join him (see below).
(2) Does he have a specific plan for using Harry or did Mab twist his request? I have to believe that Harry as Winter Knight and his defense of the island and offing of Maeve are all well known by now. He knows that Harry believes some of the Denarians are not on the same team as Nic. Thus, this will be an “anti-adversary” quest on the surface. Thus, Harry is the logical choice.
(3) Who else does Nic recruit? At least one more Denarian besides Tessa. I suspect Lasciel. I can see Mavra making a re-appearance. Being dead and all she would be good, and if the Black Court has ties to the Outsiders as some suspect, then she could have her own motives for joining. Of course, everyone will not be able to kill Harry off hand, but they wont go out of their way to stop him from doing something stupid. Then there will be Marcone. Yes, he will be there. The Denarians will try to recruit him, but he will be looking to continue his efforts to fix that girl.
(4) Who will Harry bring in? Who will interfere? I assume Hades is part of the Never Never somewhere. Harry is starting to realize he has power, but lacks knowledge. As such, I think he calls on Bob. We saw how powerful Bob was when battling Necro-Bob. Plus, he knows a ton. Bob is the least well known of his allies, so it would be a surprise to them. I expect at least one interference by Summer- both because of Lily’s death and because they have to oppose actions by Winter. I could see Fix showing up again. Other than that, I expect most of his allies to stay out of it- Harry knows this is a bad deal and wouldn’t pull them in. However, I expect Harry to use them for a big surprise at the end. Since Bob has learned about the internet, he could be using it to tell them everything, and setting up an ambush at the end.
(5) Knights of the Cross?I fully expect Sanya to interfere as it his job to oppose the Denarians. That will likely happen early in the story- Nic will probably steer events to make it happen. I also think this is the book where Murphy will pick up the Sword. With her running the Justice Leage of Chicago, it is only a matter of time before she assumes the Arthur role and the FLC changes into Knights of the Round Table, version 2.
(6) What has Mab got going on?First, she is repaying Nics debt. I think Nic found out one of the other Denarians was part of the attack on Arctic Tor- an attack designed to free an infected Lea so she could displace Mab. Nic lent another Denarian to Mab to foil the attack in exchange for eliminating the corrupted Denarian. But whoever [Lasciel] it was escaped, so Mab owes still. Thus, that Denarian will be on Nic's crew. So Harry can think he pulled a fast on on Nic, and Nic can let that Denarian be killed and his hands still be clean. Second, neither summer nor winter want Nic to get his hand on the McGuffin, so by sending Harry it allows Summer to keep attacking the group and weakening it without revealing that Mab knows Nic’s real objective. Third, well, see the next item.
(7) What’s with the headaches?[/b]
I think it has been pretty well telegraphed that it is Lash. By renaming the shadow of Lasciel to Lash he changed it. Uriel hinted at the power of names in Ghost Story. I think that, in Hades, Harry will lose the earring. This will free Lash, who will take over Harry and use him to wage war on Lasciel. If Lasicel wing, Lash dies and Harry is free of it. If Lash wins, she will drop the coin and take possessin of the body- gaining Harry another knowledgable (and endebtted) ally. All part of Mab’s plan.
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After besting the forces and traps of Hades, Nic reveals his item and tries to force his will upon the Queens. They, in turn, reveal they knew his objective from the beginning, and have agents in place- return of eldest Gruff? OF course, Nic suspected it and calls in Denarian reinforcements. Which, in turn, was exactly what Hades expected him to do. Hades wants the Denarians back under his roof, so to speak, and throws in with the Queens.
(9) WAG theories A) Harry will have a moment with the shade of Susan, where he finally receives forgiveness for what he did. He will have a moment where he could sacrifice his role in the quest to ‘save’ her shade, but will leave her to her fate. This will likely be a test by Hades.
B) At least one Denarian coin will already be in the hands of Hades. Likely one of them from the attack on Arctis Tor and NOT Thorned Namsiel’s. This was the payment of Mab to Hades to not take Harry’s spirit right away.
C) Duckie’s infamous Mavra/Harry poetry will be referenced somehow- likely by her constantly coming on to Harry.
(10) Extra Credit -Harry will sing or hum “Highway to Hell”.
-Harry will reference Ocean’s Eleven in a snarky comment to Nic- like saying he doesn’t look like Clooney. Nic will return snark, saying he always thought he looked like Sinatra- referencing the original Ocean’s 11.
-Molly will NOT be seen in person- Mab is keeping the two apart.
-At some point while wandering the maze, Harry will lament he didn’t bring either a ball of string or a piece of chalk.
-At some point during the trip someone will suggest splitting up and Harry will reply along the lines of “Dungeon crawl rule #1- don’t split the party.”
- Early on, Harry will find out that Mister died of natural causes. He is a cat, after all, and a decade and a half for an outdoor cat is unlikely.
- Harry will get to meet the spirit of Mister and have his tearful goodbye.
