Chapter 68 of 78 · Book 5, The Butcher's Masquerade

Chapter 68 — Off-worlders

Book: The Butcher's Masquerade · Part: The Butchering · Previous: Chapter 67 — Slate Butterflies · Next: Chapter 69 — The prize counter · Floor: Floor 6 — The Hunting Grounds · Series: the series

Opening

» Imani: Carl. Why is she here?

Summary

Signet has come to the Butcher's Masquerade: Imogen let 'Apito' form the guest list, and 'Apito' brought her biggest enemy — which suits Carl, since Signet will be the queen's first target. The queen's guards look in and slink back: 'they can't touch me without breaking the seal. My lovely sister is at my mercy.' Imogen does not even know the boon; no cleric has ever earned it. Signet's eye turns to the judges with strange auras, and Carl tells her they are not really here, 'from the outside world that controls all of this, even you, and they're watching this for entertainment.' Signet decides to talk to the off-worlders while she waits. Zev: 'Godsdamnit, Carl.'

Characters

• Tsarina Signet — At her sister's mercy; goes to interrogate the judges.
• Carl — Turns the AI's move into a tool; wakes an elite a little further.
• Imani — 'People are depending on us, Carl.'
• Princess D'nadia — Served by an ethereal hand.
• Zev — 'Godsdamnit, Carl.'

Locations

• The high elf castle — Ballroom A.

Motifs

• The Butcher's Masquerade — No cleric has ever earned the boon.
• Waking the NPCs — An elite told about the off-worlders who control her.
• The System AI — The guest list as a test.