"I'm sorry about what happened to your family, Jastes." "Sorry?" Jastes said, snatching the bottle off his desk. "You're sorry"! I implemented your plans, Elend. I did everything we talked about-freedom, political honesty. I trusted my allies rather than crushing them into submission. And you know what happened?" Elend closed his eyes.
"They killed everyone, Elend," Jastes said. 'That's what you do when you take over. You kill your rivals and their families-even the young girls, even the babies. And you leave their bodies, as a warning. That's good politics. That's how you stay in power!"
"It's easy to believe in something when you win all the time, Jastes," Elend said, opening his eyes. 'The losses are what define a man's faith."
"Losses?" Jastes demanded. "My sister was a loss?"
"No, I mean-"
"Enough!" Jastes snapped, slamming the bottle down on his desk. "Guards!"
Two men threw back the tent flap and moved into the room.
"Take His Majesty captive," Jastes said, with an unsteady wave of his hand. "Send a messenger to the city, tell them that we want to negotiate."
"I'm not king anymore, Jastes," Elend said.
Jastes stopped.
"Do you think I'd come here and let myself get captured if I were king?" Elend asked. "They deposed me. The Assembly invoked a no-confidence clause and chose a new king."
"You bloody idiot," Jastes said.
"Losses, Jastes," Elend said. "It hasn't been as hard for me as it was for you, but I do think I understand."
"So," Jastes said, running a hand through his "hair," "that fancy suit and haircut didn't save you, eh?"
'Take your koloss and go, Jastes."
"That sounded like a threat, Elend" Jastes said. "You aren't king; you don't have an army, and I don't see your Mistbom around. What grounds do you have for threats?"
'They're koloss" Elend said. "Do you really want them getting into the city? It's your home, Jastes-or, it was once. There are thousands of people inside!"
"I can ... control my army," Jastes said.
"No, I doubt you can," Elend said. "What happened, Jastes? Did they decide they needed a king? They decided that's the way that 'humans' did it, so they should do it, too? What is it that they carry in those pouches?"
Jastes didn't answer.
Elend sighed. "What happens when one of them just snaps and attacks you?"
Jastes shook his head. "I'm sorry, Elend," he said quietly. "I can't let Straff get that atium."
"And my people?"
Jastes paused only briefly, then -lowered his eyes and motioned to the guards. One laid a hand on Elend's shoulder.
Elend's reaction surprised even himself. He slammed his elbow up into the man's face, shattering his nose, then took the other man down with a kick to the leg. Before Jastes could do more than cry out, Elend jumped forward.
Elend ripped an obsidian knife-given to him by Vin- from his boot and caught Jastes by the shoulder. Elend slammed the whimpering man around, pushing him backward onto the desk and-barely thinking to consider his actions-rammed the knife into his old friend's shoulder.
Jastes emitted a loud, pathetic scream.
"If killing you would do anything useful, Jastes," Elend growled, "I'd do it right now. But I don't know how you control these things, and I don't want to set them loose."
Soldiers piled into the room. Elend didn't look up. He slapped Jastes, stopping his cries of pain.
"You listen," Elend said. "I don't care if you've been hurt, I don't care if you don't believe in the philosophies anymore, and I don't really care if you get yourself killed playing politics with Straff and Cett.
"But I do care if you threaten my people. I want you to march your army out of my dominance-go attack Straff's homeland, or maybe Cett's. They're both undefended. I promise I won't let your enemies get the atium.
"And, as a friend, I'll give you a bit of counsel. Think about that wound in your arm for a little while, Jastes. I was your best friend, and I nearly killed you. What the hell are you doing sitting in the middle of an entire army of deranged koloss?"
Soldiers surrounded him. Elend stood, ripping the knife from Jastes's body and spinning the man around, pressing the weapon against his throat.
The guards froze.
"I'm leaving," Elend said, pushing the confused Jastes ahead of him, moving out of the tent. He noticed with some concern that there were barely a dozen human guards. Sazed had counted more. Where had Jastes lost them?
There was no sign of Elend's horse. So he kept a wary eye on the soldiers, pulling Jastes toward the invisible line between the human camp and the koloss one. Elend turned as he reached the perimeter, then pushed Jastes back toward his men. They caught him, one pulling out a bandage for the arm. Others made moves as if to chase Elend, but they paused, hesitant,
Elend had crossed the line into the koloss camp. He stood quietly, watching the pathetic group of young soldiers, Jastes at their center. Even as they ministered to him. Elend could see the look in Jastes's eyes. Hatred. He wouldn't retreat. The man Elend had known was dead, replaced by this product of a new world that didn't kindly regard philosophers and idealists.
Elend turned away, walking among the koloss'. A group of them quickly approached. The same one as before? He couldn't tell for certain.
"Take me out," Elend commanded, meeting the eyes of the largest koloss in the team. Either Elend seemed more commanding now, or this koloss was more easily cowed, for there was no argument. The creature simply nodded and began to shuffle out of the camp, his team surrounding Elend.
This trip was a waste, Elend thought with frustration. All I did was antagonize Jastes. I risked my life for nothing.
If only I could find out what was in those pouches!
He eyed the group of koloss around him. It was a typical group, ranging in size from five feet to one ten-foot monstrosity. They walked along with slumped, unengaged postures....
Elend still had his knife out.
This is stupid, he thought. For some reason, that didn't stop him from choosing the smallest koloss in the group, taking a deep breath, and attacking.
The rest of the koloss paused to watch. The creature Elend had chosen spun-but in the wrong direction. It turned to face its companion koloss, the one nearest to it in size, as Elend tackled it, ramming the knife into its back.
Even at five feet with a small build, the koloss was incredibly strong. It tossed Elend off, bellowing in pain. Elend, however, managed to keep hold of his dagger.
Can't let it get out that sword, he thought, scrambling to his feet and ramming his knife into the creature's thigh. The koloss dropped again, punching at Elend with one arm, fingers reaching for its sword with the other. Elend took the punch to the chest, and fell back to the sooty ground.
He groaned, gasping. The koloss pulled out its sword, but had trouble standing. Both knife wounds bled stark red blood; the liquid seemed brighter, more reflective, than that of a human, but that might have just been a contrast with the deep blue skin. •
The koloss finally managed to gain its feet, and Elend realized his mistake. He'd let the adrenaline of his confrontation with Jastes-his frustration at his inability to stop the armies-drive him. He'd sparred a lot lately, but he was in no position to take a koloss.
But it was far too late to worry about that now.
Elend rolled out of the way as a thick, clublike sword smashed to the ground beside him. Instincts overrode terror, and he mostly managed to avoid the backswing. It took him a bit in the side, spraying a patch of blood across his once white uniform, but he barely even felt the cut.
Only one way to win a knife fight against a guy with a sword.. . Elend thought, gripping his knife. The thought, oddly, hadn't come from one of his trainers, or even from Vin. He wasn't sure where it came from, but he trusted it.
Close in tight as fast as possible, and kill quickly.
And Elend attacked. The koloss swung as well. Elend could see the attack, but couldn't do any
thing about it. He could only throw himself forward, knife raised, teeth clenched.
He rammed his knife into the koloss's eye, barely managing to get inside the creature's reach. Even so, the hilt of the sword hit him in the stomach.
Both dropped.
Elend groaned quietly, slowly becoming aware pf the hard, ash-packed earth and weeds eaten down to their roots. A fallen twig was scratching his cheek. Odd that he would notice diat, considering the pain in his chest. He stumbled to his feet. The koloss he'd attacked did not rise. Its companions stood, looking unconcerned, though their eyes were focused on him. They seemed to want something.
"He ate my horse," Elend said, saying the first thing that came to his clouded mind.
The group of koloss nodded. Elend stumbled forward, wiping the ash from his cheek with a dazed hand as he knelt beside the dead creature. He ripped his knife out, then slid it back in his boot. Next he unfastened the pouches; this koloss had two.
Finally, not certain why, he grabbed the creature's large sword and rested it up on his shoulder. It was so weighty that he could barely carry it, and certainly wouldn't be able to swing it. How does a creature so small use something like this?
The koloss watched him work without comment; then they led him out of the camp. Once they had retreated, Elend pulled open one of the pouches and looked inside.
He shouldn't have been surprised by what he found inside. Jastes had decided to control his army the old-fashioned way.
He was paying them.
43
MIST POURED INTO THE DARK room, collapsing around Vin like a waterfall as she stood in the open balcony doorway. Elend was a motionless lump sleeping in his bed a short distance away.
Apparently, Mistress, OreSeur had explained, he went into.the koloss camp alone. You were asleep, and none of us knew what he was doing. I don 7 think he managed to persuade the creatures not to attack, but he did come back with some very useful information.
OreSeur sat on his haunches beside her. He had not asked why Vin had come to Elend's rooms, nor why she stood, quietly watching the former king in the night.
She couldn't protect him. She tried so hard, but the impossibility of keeping even one person safe suddenly seemed so real-so tangible-to her that she felt sick.
Elend had been right to go out. He was his own man, competent, kingly. What he had done would only put him in more danger, however. Fear had been a companion of hers for such a long time that she had grown accustomed to it, and it rarely caused a physical reaction in her. Yet, watching him sleep quietly, she found her hands traitorously unsteady.
I saved him from the assassins. I protected him. I'm a powerful Allomancer. Why, then, do I feel so helpless? So alone.
She walked forward, bare feet silent as she stepped up to Elend's bed: He-,did not wake. She stood for a long moment, just looking at him peaceful in his slumber.
OreSeur growled quietly.
Vin spun. A figure stood on the balcony, straight-backed and black, a near silhouette even to her tin-enhanced eyes. Mist fell before him, pooling on the floor, spreading out like an ethereal moss.
"Zane," she whispered.
"He is not safe, Vin," he said, stepping slowly into the room, pushing a wave of mist before him.
She looked back at Elend. "He never will be."
"I came to tell you that there is a traitor in your midst."
Vin looked up. "Who?" she asked.
"The man, Demoux," Zane said. "He contacted my father a short time before the assassination attempt, offering to open the gates and give up the city."
Vin frowned. That makes no sense.
Zane stepped forward. "Cett's work, Vin. He is a snake, even among high lords. I don't know howTie bribed away one of your own men, but I do know that Demoux tried to provoke my father to attack the city during the voting."
Vin paused. If Straff had attacked at that moment, it would have reinforced the impression that he had sent the assassins in the first place.
"Elend and Penrod were supposed to die," Zane said. "With the Assembly in chaos, Cett could have taken charge. He could have led his forces-along with your own- against Siraff's attacking army. He would have become the savior who protected Luthadel against the tyranny of an in- " vader...."
Vin stood quietly. Just because Zane said it didn't mean it was true. Yet, her investigations whispered that Demoux was the traitor.
She'd recognized the assassin at the assembly, and he had been from Cett's retinue, so she knew that Zane was telling the truth about at least one thing. Plus, Cett had precedent for sending Allomancer assassins: he had sent the ones months ago, when Vin had used the last of her atium. Zane had saved her life during that fight.
She clenched her fists, frustration biting at her chest. If he's right, then Demoux is dead, and an enemy kandra has been in the palace, spending his days just steps away from Elend. Even if Zane lies, we still have a tyrant inside the city, another without. A force of koloss salivating over the people. And Elend doesn’t need me.
Because there's nothing I can do.
"I see your frustration," Zane whispered, stepping up beside Elend's bed, looking down at his sleeping brother. "You keep listening to him. You want to protect him, but he won't let you." Zane looked up, meeting her eyes. She saw an implication in them.
There was something she could do-the thing a part of her had wanted to do from the beginning. The thing she'd been trained to do.
"Cett almost killed the man you love," Zane said. "Your Elend does as he wishes. Well, let us do as you wish." He looked into her eyes. "We have been someone else's knives for too long. Let's show Cett why he should fear us."
Her fury, her frustration at the siege, yearned to do as Zane suggested. Yet, she wavered, her thoughts in chaos: She had killed-killed well-just a short time before, and it had terrified her. Yet... Elend could take risks-insane risks, traveling into an army of koloss on his own. It almost felt like a betrayal. She had worked so hard to protect him, straining herself, exposing herself. Then, just a few days later, he wandered alone into a camp full of monsters.
She gritted her teeth. Part of her whispered that if Elend wouldn't be reasonable and stay out of danger, she'd just have to go and make sure the threats against him were removed.
"Let's go," she whispered.
Zane nodded. "Realize this," he said. "We can't just assassinate him. Another warlord will take his place, and take his armies. We have to attack hard. We have to hit that army so soundly that whoever takes over for Cett is so frightened that he withdraws."
Vin paused, looking away from him, nails biting into her own palms.
'Tell me;" he. said, stepping closer to her. "What would your Kelsier tell you to do?"
The answer was simple. Kelsier would never have gotten into this situation. He had been a hard man, a man with littie tolerance for any who threatened those he loved. Cett and Straff wouldn't have lasted a single night at Luthadel without feeling Kelsier's knife.
There was a part of her that had always been awed by his powerful, utilitarian brutality.
There are two ways to stay safe, Reen's voice whispered to her. Either be so quiet and harmless that people ignore you, or be so dangerous that they're terrified of you.
She met Zane's eyes and nodded. He smiled, then moved over and jumped out the window.
"OreSeur," she whispered once he was gone. "My atium."
The dog paused, then padded up to her, his shoulder splitting. "Mistress ..." he said slowly. "Do not do this."
She glanced at Elend. She couldn't protect him from everything. But she could do something.
She took the atium from OreSeur. Her hands no longer shook. She felt cold.
"Cett has threatened all that I love," she whispered. "He will soon know that there is something in this world more deadly than his assassins. Something more powerful than his army. Something more terrifying than the Lord Ruler himself.
"And I am coming for him."
Mist duty,
they called it.
Every soldier had to take his turn, standing in the dark with a sputtering torch. Someone had to watch. Had to stare into those shifting, deceitful mists and wonder if anything was out there. Watching.
Wellen knew there was.
He knew it, but he never spoke. Soldiers laughed at such superstitions. They had to go out in the mists. They were used to it. They knew better than to fear it.
Supposedly.
"Hey," Jarloux said, stepping up to the edge of the wall. "Wells, do you see something out there?"
Of course he didn't. They stood with several dozen others on the perimeter of Keep Hasting, watching from the outer keep wall-a low fortification, perhaps fifteen feet tall, that surrounded the grounds. Their job was to look for anything suspicious in the mists.
"Suspicious." That was the word they used. It was all suspicious. It was mist. That shifting darkness, that void made of chaos and hatred. Wcllen had never trusted it. They were out there. He knew.
Something moved in the darkness. Wellen stepped back, staring into the void, his heart beginning to flutter, hands beginning to sweat as he raised his spear.
"Yeah," Jarloux said, squinting. "I swear, I see ..."
It came, as Wellen had always known it would. Like a thousand gnats on a hot day, like a hail of arrows shot by an entire army. Coins sprayed across the batdements. A wall of shimmering death, hundreds of trails zipping through the mists. Metal rang against stone, and men cried out in pain.
Wellen stepped back, raising his spear, as Jarloux yelled the alarm. Jarloux died halfway through the call, a coin snapping through his mouth, throwing out a chip of tooth as it proceeded out the back of his head. Jarloux collapsed, and Wellen stumbled away from the corpse, knowing that it was too late to run.
The coins stopped. Silence in the air. Men lay dying or groaning at his feet.
Then they came. Two dark shadows of death in the night. Ravens in the mist. They flew over Wellen with a rustle of black cloth.
And they left him behind, alone amid the corpses of what had once been a squad of forty men.
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