Chapter 11, Princess Batcheat Summary

Meanwhile, the Guppee Army marches on Chup City, where in the black ice Citadel Batcheat is imprisoned. Chupwalas wear black nosewarmers to prevent icicles from forming in the bitter cold, and the Pages of Gup don red nosewarmers and helmets with brightly-lit headbands, making them look like angels or saints. The combined light lets them see their opponents and dazzles the Chupwalas. Rashid sees it as a war of buffoons. The battle takes place on the wide plain of Bat-Mat-Karo, with hills at either end for the commanders' convenience. While the commanders are eating, a Chupwala rides up under a white flag of truce, bringing greetings from Khattam-Shud, who refuses to negotiate. If the Guppees do not retreat, they will be annihilated and Bolo will watch Batcheat's mouth being sewn shut. The messenger has been instructed to entertain them...