‘12/15’ (six words in total) is a quotation (in ODQ) suggested by the remaining unclued lights (two hyphened), whose fifth and sixth letters might give A NUN AMBROSIA. The surname of the quotation’s author will appear diagonally in the completed grid and must be shaded.
Across
1 Scots bike across district in region round Israel and Arabia (8, two words)
9 Dour cretin upset MC (10)
14 Soldiers caught by sea-monster (3)
17 German cities Chinese judge snubbed (5)
18 Council is unknown to drop a clanger (5)
20 Scholars and priests having island...

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