Britain is completely infested with monsters: Shovel-tuskers, Basilisks, Flying Hammerheads, Telepods, Cocodrills, Kelpies, the dread Mirkindole, and worse. Trolls now lurk dangerously beneath every bridge (where else?), and everybody knows that if you see a Snark you vanish. After five years, the population is seriously diminished, and people are tired of living underground on nothing but tinned food and tea made from dry grass: "'It's not a case of tightening belts,' says the Provost of Manchester. 'It's got down to eating them.'"

So a group of daring volunteers ride the Cockatrice Belle across England -- carrying supplies to beleaguered cities, fighting off Griffins and Peridexions, and hoping against hope that they can find a way to stop the monstrous invasion. Riding with the Cockatrice Corps are Drummer-boy Dakin Prestwich, his cousin Sauna who can sometimes see things before they happen, Mrs. Churt who stowed away but is a resourceful (and very welcome!) cook, the Archbishop Dr. Wren, and sneaky Tom Flint who won't stay lost.

First published in Christmas Forever.