THE HIGH HISTORY OF THE HOLY QUAIL

BOOK ONE

CHAPTER THE FIRST - 15

In which Slouch, catamite-in-training, gets frightened witless by an apparition and learns something of his destiny as a wizard's apprentice

CHAPTER THE SECOND - 25

In which Slouch becomes apprenticed to Vizagriz, most puissant wizard, learns something of the value of himself in relation to Gold Thalers, and falls hopelessly in love with a Handmaiden to the Fiery Swan, Vesta, poor bugger

CHAPTER THE THIRD - 51

In which Great Events are set in motion and Vizagriz gains a new enemy. As if one more would make any difference

CHAPTER THE FOURTH -61

In which Slouch learns more of Magick and even more of the nature of wizards. There are sundry dark conjurations, unfortunately.

CHAPTER THE FIFTH -79

In which there is much camping out, of divers kinds, and Slouch comes to realise that a Quest is not all frolics and bunting.

CHAPTER THE SIXTH - 91

In which, after a rainstorm, Slouch and his companions meet with the Faerie-folk and learn of Webs.

CHAPTER THE SEVENTH - 109

In which Slouch learns more of the nature of Magick and discovers that some trees bark worse than they bite

CHAPTER THE EIGHTH - 123

In which Slouch, meets two heroes and learns about beer, tavern-owners' daughters and fights in hostelries.

THE HIGH HISTORY OF THE HOLY QUAIL

BOOK TWO

CHAPTER THE NINTH - 149

In which Slouch takes part in a fayre, gleans that the World is flat, just like life, and meets a Web Weaver.

CHAPTER THE TENTH - 165

In which Slouch and the Questers learn more of Webs and Weavers and hear something to their advantage, mostly that they are not on the menu.

CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH - 181

In which Slouch and his companions on the Quest enter the Tomb of the Unknown Lunch and confront their worst nightmare. Again. Why does it have to be snakes?

CHAPTER THE TWELFTH - 193

In which Slouch and the Questers find the Holy Quail and discover something of its properties, such as they are.

CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH - 209

In which Slouch plays his part in the Quest and a baking daemon comes to a suitable end, not without some troubles beforehand.

CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH - 223

In which there is much explanation, many surprises, a homecoming - but not for all of the Questers - and an end to all Magick.

CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH - 235

In which much has changed but everything is the same. For some people, anyway.

EPITHALAMION -241

In which Slouch gets a bit maudlin towards the end but you can skip that bit.