The Valerians stop at Rome to pick up the Three Rebukers, the Knights of St. Michael, the wizard Aristocles, Peter the engineer, and anyone else they think they might need. Then they head for Spoletum, the Emperor's summer palace, menaced by orc armies.
They arrive just as some goblins are attacking the Emperor at the beach. But they only brought two goblin shamans, and they're really not a match for experienced dungeoneers. Except for one of the Emperor's bodyguards, whose spider amulet makes him try and kill his master. Fortunately, Bjern makes a super-long hammer throw and smacks the assassin, and then the Emperor shoots him dead with his hunting bow.
"Demons. They're made to be shot. Like poets."
His Majesty invites everyone to lunch, taking special note of Pouncequick's bravery and Decinque's fine clothes.
Meanwhile, Junius has prepared a master plan. Briefly, the Emperor will step into a stasis box and appear to be dead. All will bewail his death, apparently at Lolth's hands. Then Sylvia will be shown a statue of Our Lady trampling Lolth underfoot. Lolth will be so wroth that she will come out, and we'll trap her in the other stasis box.
Phases One and Two go fine! Then a flood of black spiders pours into the tent. Pouncequick uses a spell to drive Lolth out of the jewel in Sylvia's skull, where she had been watching. A violet vapor with glaring red eyes emerges.
Brother Aquila condemns her to the foul hells from which she sprang. Lolth agrees.
The rebukers light some incense, but for some reason it all burns up at once, filling the tent with choking smoke. Ringorix, Last King of the Belgae, opens the tent flap to get fresh air.
Eerie blue light floods in from outside.
"I have returned to the hells from which I came," mocks Lolth's voice. "I hope you like it ..."
Because the tent, the knights, the rebukers, and the Emperor of Rome himself (in a box), have been dropped into Lolth's Demonweb!
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