Summary

Chapter 81

The Slaterunners show up, and the Wraithtown ghosts, among others. Lectern shows up, one of the Propheseers, and she apologizes for distrusting Deeba before. Lectern says that Mortar and the others are so afraid of the Smog and so in thrall to Brokkenbroll that they are blind to the reality Deeba has been describing. Mortar in particular shows blind allegiance to Unstible, ignoring the evidence. To take Deeba and the others to the neighborhood of Unstible’s workshop, allies bring a flotilla of upside-down cars turned into boats that will float them. Deeba names her boat the Diss and Rosa, in honor of the two friends who have died on this quest.

Chapter 82

The procession of car-boats is joined by Yorick Cavea, whose person-vehicle was eaten by piranha, but he arrives in a birdcage on top of a different body. An army...