He builds layered surfaces with latex house paint mixed with spackle and water. Todd is made to work with the enslaved Spackle of New Prentisstown with Davy Prentiss. The Spackle attempt to cure Todd with their medicine. Davy and Todd receive orders to brand the Spackle with numbered metal bands. Angry that the Mayor undermines her, Coyle sends a bomb into the Spackle stronghold. The Mayor launches flammable fuel at the forest, killing many Spackle, including the Sky. The first written appearance of the generic use of the word "spackle" was around 1940. During the trip, Todd, Viola and Manchee find a live Spackle. After killing the attacking Spackle, The Sky surrenders. The Return argues with the Sky, the leader of the Spackle, demanding more attacks. An appointed head of the Spackle, who has supreme rule over all Spackle affairs. The story tells of a relationship between a teenage villager and a Spackle. Viola and Bradley are sent to negotiate with the Spackle. One of several large bombings occur both in town and the Spackle reserve. The Mayor kills them all to provoke another war with the Spackle.