Motif · Book 5, The Butcher's Masquerade

The Skull Empire

One of the oldest and largest Syndicate governments, orcish, mawkish, and — through Prince Maestro's show and his boast that his family's Skull Clan has won six of the last ten Faction Wars — the first outside power to take a personal dislike to Carl. King Rust is in Earth orbit by the end of the book.

Segment appearances

• Chapter 1 — The vice principal's office
• Chapter 3 — Quasar
• Chapter 15 — The kids' menu
• Chapter 22 — Samantha, open wide
• Chapter 25 — Fort Freedom
• Chapter 26 — Wonderwall
• Chapter 42 — Warrants
• Chapter 55 — Save the toraline
• Chapter 59 — The sheriffs of the wild west
• Chapter 77 — The mask

Progression

Orc hunters in the southeast with Carl and Katia on their list (ch. 15); three at the all-tree, all dead — 'Thousands,' hisses the last, and Carl answers 'Including you, that was three' (ch. 25); a prince franchised through shells (ch. 42). The only other yes vote on the safety protocols; its Queen Consort's photograph (ch. 77).