Overview

In this final volume of The Labors of Ki'shto'ba Huge-Head, the Quest ship makes its way westward, passing the Point of the Monster and heading into uncharted seas. They visit the fortress of Thai'no'no'gwai, where to their astonishment they find an entire citizenry composed only of female Alates. After barely escaping with their lives, Is'a'pai'a, Ki'shto'ba, and the Companions make off with a fertile female, who becomes Mother to the ship's fertile male Vak'wum'a. Following a peaceful interlude at the fortress of No'chet Li'lo'akh, the pace intensifies. One of the Companions is lost in a battle with pirates. Later, at the fortress of Kwi'thaim'chet, Ki'shto'ba experiences the second unexpected sorrow that was foreseen in the World Beneath, while Ti'a'toig'a the Twin is forced to fight a battle to the death. The Questers arrive next at an island where an aged Seer is imprisoned, and Ki'shto'ba must engage an old foe in a final confrontation. The Huge-Head is victorious, but it is gravely injured. Even as its body is beginning to heal, certain prophecies are fulfilled, bringing the Labors of Ki'shto'ba Huge-Head to an unexpected and tragic end.