Corporal Fox
Corporal Fox was an enlisted commando serving under Zaira von Monocle as part of the crew of the Liliana. A veteran of the front lines of the war with the Wyranth Empire, Fox was recognized by the narrator as one of the commandos on the expedition. He was known for a dry sense of humor and steady battlefield instincts.
Overview
Fox held the rank of Corporal and was described as a commando with firsthand experience in front-line combat against the Wyranth. He carried a rifle and demonstrated competence both in ranged combat and in tactical thinking under fire. His manner was informal among crewmates, and he was comfortable sharing war stories and making light of difficult circumstances.
Role in The Blood of Giants
Early Expedition
In The Blood of Giants, Fox was a member of Zaira's expedition party. During a desert rest break, he shared war stories with the group, recounting that the first time he went into combat, the helmet issued to him was too large and kept slipping over his eyes. When the ground shook violently during the expedition, Fox quickly replaced his pack and remained alert. He was observed peering after Marina du Willet and Dr. Estrella du Clockhand when they disappeared into the darkness.
When First Sergeant Bartholomew Wright announced that the group had found their settlement, Fox responded with a dry "Great." Upon encountering explosive shells, Fox stated, "These people can't have that kind of technology," expressing skepticism about the Nightmen's apparent capabilities. He also suggested at one point that the group get back to the ship, saying "It's no use."
Captivity in the Nightmen City
Following the group's capture, the narrator noted that Fox's whereabouts within the Nightmen city were unknown, with the possibility that he was in the mines or being prepared for arena combat. He was later found practicing swordsmanship with James Gentry on the arena grounds. During this sparring, James struck Fox's wrist, causing him to drop his sword, and then placed a stick at his neck.
Escape Attempt
Fox participated in the escape attempt organized by Zaira's team. He was the first of Zaira's group to move once the guards were subdued, taking a firearm from a collapsed Nightman guard. In the hangar, he took up a firing position behind supply crates and returned fire at the Nightmen. While running, he called out to the group: "Spread out. It'll be harder for them to hit us."
Fox followed Rhys into the transport ship. He suggested using a hole in the floor to extract James without opening the large ramp, and kept his eyes fixed on the ground below with his gun at the ready. He pointed his weapon through the hole in an attempt to shoot Takala.
Death
During the extraction, Fox hooked his leg around a post to help pull James into the glider. He was shot, and his body went slack. When Rhys pushed the ship into a thrust, Fox slipped out of the glider. The narrator grabbed his pant leg but was unable to maintain her grip, and Fox fell. The narrator observed that "by the way his body flailed limply, he wouldn't have survived anyway."
Personality and Traits
Fox displayed a sardonic humor, joking about losing gold at dice after a battle and quipping "Great" at unwelcome news. He was tactically minded, suggesting practical solutions such as spreading out under fire and using the floor hole for extraction. His battlefield experience was evident in his quick reactions and steady conduct during the escape.
Relationships
- Zaira von Monocle: Fox served as a member of Zaira's expedition party and commando crew.
- James Gentry: Fox sparred with James on the arena grounds, during which James disarmed him.
- Rhys: Fox followed Rhys into the transport ship during the escape.
- Marina du Willet: Fox was observed watching Marina when she disappeared into the darkness during the expedition.
- Dr. Estrella du Clockhand: Fox similarly watched Dr. du Clockhand when she disappeared alongside Marina.
- Takala: Fox attempted to shoot Takala through the hole in the glider floor during the escape.
Quotes
"These people can't have that kind of technology."
"Spread out. It'll be harder for them to hit us."
"The first time I went into combat, the helmet they gave me was too big and it kept slipping over my eyes."
"Can't wait to lose some gold, you mean."
In A History of Rislandia
According to A History of Rislandia, Corporal Fox was killed by Nightmen gunfire during the extraction from the Nightmen city.
This account differs slightly from the novel's depiction: in The Blood of Giants, the narrator infers from the limpness of Fox's falling body that he would not have survived, but the immediate cause of his losing his grip on the glider is presented as being shot and going slack before slipping free. A History of Rislandia states plainly that he was killed by Nightmen gunfire, which may represent the historical record's consolidation of those events.