Sorry guys--I wasn't trying to shout. Just wanted to distinguish between questions and answers. Am unfamiliar with this system--didn't realize the quotes would automatically come back in bold once posted, until I did.
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?
Two possibilities: Pandora's Box (to bring about Armageddon), the Golden Fleece (for its restorative powers).
I admit to considering additional possibilities after seeing others' posts on this thread, but PB and/or GF remain the most likely choices:
Having said that, Nicodemus may be after a "who" rather than a "what". Hmmm--what if Harry actually killed Nicodemus and Anduriel is currently the only inhabitant of Nick's body? Nick's soul would be in hell and he'd certainly want his body back. Anduriel would agree because they've always worked so well together, and could have granted a “special favor” by keeping Nick’s body alive, kinda like Mab and Demonreach did for Harry. "Symmetry".
In fact, it might be a prearranged deal between Anduriel and Nick in case the latter ever got wacked. And the favor Mab owed was apparently to Anduriel.
Many other possible "who's"--Harry, Molly, Sanya (who once had possessed a coin), just to name three. And that's only considering the "who's" that Nicodemus wants. Nick's mention of a "vault" could be misdirection.
Then again it could not. If in fact one of the coins has been placed in Hades' vault, I can see Nicodemus making it a priority to go after it. I have crossed this out because I have disagreed with myself. Nick's Hades heist is after much bigger game.
Annd...another thought has just occurred to me. I addition to whatever Nicodemus is scheming to get in Hades, he may have invited Harry along to help him flush out the traitor in the Denarians' ranks.
And another--Nicodemus may be wrangling for another shot at the Swords. As so many have pointed out, no one motive attributable to Nicodemus necessarily excludes others: "not either/or, both--and more."
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?
I believe the former. Part of the motivation is revenge. That's all I can come up with so far (see also my possible "answers" to question 1).
I see Mab as seeing, and seizing, an opportunity when Nick called in his favor. The difference between this and "twisting" Nick's request is arguably a difference of degree rather than kind.
3. Jim has mentioned that the book will be "Ocean's Eleven". Who else did Nicodemus recruit? How will they interact with Harry?
I've never seen "Ocean's Eleven". But from what little of SG has been revealed so far sounds more like "The Usual Suspects" to me. Like Harry, they were "conscripted" and pretty much didn't have a clue...
Possible recruits: Lasciel (if she's found a host). Deidra and her mom (mantis-girl). Will add more as they occur to me. In any event I believe Nick's crew will consist entirely of Denarians. Don't see him pulling allies from anywhere else.
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?
Molly Carpenter.
Which of Harry's other allies will "interfere" before the plot is over?
Michael Carpenter, probably with Sanya. Maybe with Murphy aiding or acting as Michael's proxy. And someone mentioned the possibility of Daniel Carpenter's involvement. I agree this is very likely. He's idealistic and impetuous.
Pretty sure the Swords will have to come into play here--and that means Michael, retired or not, directly or not. His children have been drawn further into Harry's battles since "Ghost Story" (since "Proven Guilty" as far as Molly's concerned).
Poor Michael--as much as Harry gets beaten up, until "Changes" he (Harry) was relatively immune to the terror that a threat to one's chldren engenders. For Michael it's been there since Molly's birth.
5. This is a Denarian book, so (unlike the last "end of the world" showdown), the Swords will almost certainly be present. In fact, there have been various hints... Which Sword wielders will appear in the next book and how will their interference/help affect the plot?
See above. If Harry asks for the new Winter Lady's help (she is after all good with veils, which would come in real handy in a heist), her dad will be dead-set against it on spiritual grounds. I can see this putting a real strain on Harry's and Michael's friendship (to say the least).
Another reason for Harry to choose Molly is as insurance against his head exploding, in case Mab finds some way to weasel out of curing the parasite in his cranium--such as if Harry were to place himself in the way of Mab fulfilling her goals vis-a-vis the Hades heist.
Molly could, and would, cure him. For some reason I have a hunch that, if this happens, part of the cure will involve a ritual best described as a Harry-and-Molly humpty-dance.
Harry, Michael and Charity haven't even had time for (or perhaps have been subconsciously avoiding) thrashing out Molly's "appointment" as the next Winter Lady. The issues involving Harry, Michael and Molly have got to come into play in SG. I see no way around it.
Particularly if Michael equates Hades with the Abrahimic religions' version of hell (gehenna). Some hints that they're not the same in the "Dresden-verse". Not absolutely necessary, however, Michael would still oppose his daughter's participation in anything having to do with the "Nickle-odious" bunch, especially if it will result in Nick getting something he wants (which is never good).
Another possibility is that Karrin Murphy will take up the sword again. She's a good Catholic girl...
Baron Marcone has got to be in there somewhere as well--otherwise why reference a "gangster flick"? If so, most likely he'll come in against the Denarians. They weren't too nice to him, and he's unlikely to forgive and forget. And of course he’ll have his own agenda as well…
SG has room for multiple levels of betrayal here...
Hmmm...have had another thought concerning Baron Marcone: he repents and takes up a Sword. His criminal past does not preclude this any more than Sanya's did. In short, Marcone listens to the long-suppressed voice of his conscience and throws his empire away--probably after gaining insight into what it would REALLY mean to be a "Lord of the Underworld" (as is his initial goal according to my and others' guesses).
If this happens, I think Baron Marcone will be killed in action, probably by the Minotaur, maybe by Nicodemus. His dying wish will be to use the Fleece to heal the Beckett girl, and he'll lay this obligation on Harry, whose sympathy and sense of right-and-wrong will force him to try and carry out Marcone's bequest, which places him at cross-purposes with Mab. WooHoo!
6. Mab is apparently against Nicodemus succeeding in this heist. In the Cold Days, we found that Mab had complex reasons for wanting Harry to kill Maeve. What are Mab's reasons in this book? Is it simple thwarting or is there something deeper?
Both—Mab wants access to what Nicodemus plans to steal for her own purposes. If the Golden Fleece is the object, she may be scheming to restore her daughter to the living by way of the Fleece, and get Harry to bring her out of Hades as Orpheus tried to do with Eurydice.
Various faith-traditions (including my own) indicate there is a “purification” aspect of hell, i.e. that some souls will not remain there permanently. I mention this because it may be part of that “complex set of reasons” for which Mab ordered Harry to kill Maeve.
She was infected by the outsiders to where she could lie and be insane(er). If a stint in Hades could purify her of the infection, Mab would want her back for several reasons, both sentimental and strategic.
7. At the end of Cold Days, Harry needs to stay on the island to keep his growing headaches at bay. The start of Skin Games implies that those headaches will need to be resolved by the end of the book. Who or what is causing those headaches, and how will the whole thing get resolved by the end of the book?
Everyone says Lasciel and/or “Lash”. I have no better guess. I doubt the latter, but considering the deviousness of a millennia-old fallen angel, it certainly can’t be ruled out.
Another point that occurs to me--Mab has deliberately maneuvered Harry into isolation by using the threat of the parasite, and by keeping Molly from him to prevent her from curing him. Clearly to extort Harry into working with the Denarians. This more and more points to Mab setting Harry up (H: "I'm only human." M: "For now".)
Of course this doesn't preclude Nicodemus from double-crossing Harry, or Mab. Mab has already declared her intent to sabotage Nicodemus (which helped her bring Harry around to cooperating).
Throw in Marcone for additional double-crosses against Mab, the Denarians, or against Harry, Michael and their loved ones. Only difference will be that Marcone's double-cross against the good guys probably wouldn't be as vicious as would those of the other factions.
And considering her background as being on staff with a major pagan pantheon, Gard will almost certainly be Marcone's backup, with Odin's/Vadderung's/Santa's approval. I concur w/OP's prediction that the Baron's goal may be to depose Hades and take his place, but I think there will be downsides to doing so that will stop him short of his goal (by his own choice).
If other parts of my predictions concerning Mab and the Golden Fleece are accurate, Marcone's betrayal of Mab most likely will be to steal it to heal the Beckitt girl. I am continuously amazed at the potentials for double-cross here!
8. One of the key components of the "Ocean's Eleven" movie is that
there is a final twist/reveal. Given that we've got Nicodemus, Harry, Mab, and potentially Hades (and who knows who else) all trying to get the better of each other, if there's one thing you can count on it's some sort of last minute quintuple-cross. What will be the nature of the twist and how will it all fall out?
If Mab is trying to resurrect her daughter, I can see Nicodemus double-crossing her and causing the “rescue operation” to fail. Result: war between two powerful members of the Unseelie Accords (to be continued!)
If Mab is trying to resurrect her daughter, she sees the problem that only one can wear the “Winter Lady’s” mantle. She might try to work it so Molley has to take Maeve’s place in Hades, thus double-crossing her Knight.
If that happens, huge goo-gobs of nitrogenous waste will truly hit the fan, with Harry, Molly, Michael, Sanya and probably Murphy on one side and Mab on the other. On which side the Nickleheads would fight would probably depend on whose victory most served their purposes (but they wouldn’t be shy about stabbing erstwhile allies in the back anyway). I can see this getting tied into all KINDS of knots for Harry…
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.
1. Harry will confront Cerberus, maybe with Mouse alongside—if so, big-time fight scene between Mouse and Cerberus.
2. In the scenario of Harry and Michael fighting Mab for Molly’s sake, Hades will come in on Harry’s side to thwart the attempted heist and/or recover his property. Marcone will come in on Harry's side to steal it.
3. Hades is a “god”. This, and probably whatever mess Nicodemus is planning on stirring up, may end up getting Uriel into the fight (and/or Vadderung). In fact, this may be essential if Harry goes toe-to-toe with Mab. Without their aid in such a situation Harry's a parapalegic again.
Comment: Personally, I would prefer the Angel Michael (upon him be Peace) for this. He’s the angel actually in charge of hell according to the Qur’an. There is a tradition that he stopped smiling the day hell was created, and hasn’t smiled since.
Archangel Michael (upon him be Peace) is no one to mess with. One of the more daunting verses in the Qur’an challenges the idolaters who were persecuting the first Muslims to call on their allies and supporters “…and We" (God) "will call forth the Angels of hell…”
No thanks. Don’t wanna be anywhere near that.
10. (Extra Credit) This is that "free form" question where you can come up with anything else you think will be in this book. Specific quotes Harry might say (will he actually quote Ocean's Eleven? The movie will have come out already in Harry's timeline)? Tidbits about the White Council? The fate of Molly? Write down anything you want. Note that whatever you write must be specifically mentioned or hinted at in Skin Games in order to be worth credit.
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Gonna stick with the idea that this heist will involve Molly, Michael and probably Sanya. Somebody’s not coming home. No matter who, it will be devastating and the survivors will probably blame Harry, but only a fraction as much as he will blame himself.
Only way I can see this scenario working out any better is if Harry concludes the only way to set things right is to return to Hades and free whoever was left behind. If he has to defy Mab to do it, the cost to himself will be incalculable. But I think that will be the plot for the book after Skin Games.
Continuing with the above thought--if Molly ends up being trapped in Hades, what might be the quickest way to getting her out? Wax Mab. With the mantels of BOTH the Winter Queen and the Winter Lady Hades probably couldn't hold her. Of course she'd probably be completely insane.
Aha--another "free-form" prediction (I'm sure most readers have concluded that all of mine qualify as that):
I think that there will be a "comic-relief" incident in which someone who eminently deserves it gets dunked head-first in one of those pits of flaming excrement that are said to be scattered around Hades. I nominate Thorned Namshiel if he's part of Nick's team. Then the rest of the Nickleheads will keep demanding he stand downwind or something...
Doubtless others have thought of this, but can't pull a heist in the Labyrinth of Daedalus without running into the Minotaur. It'll have Hades' back. I think it'll face off against a Knight of the Cross, and badly wound or kill him (her?). Another use for the Fleece, if that's the object?
MaSalaam,
Bilal
