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The stranger continued his contemplation of the city Ash fell on his beautiful white unifor dirtied The newcoan to walk down the side of the bulwark

"Wait," Fatren said, causing the stranger to pause "Who are you?"

The newco Fatren's eyes "My name is Elend Venture I'm your emperor"

With that, the man turned and continued down the embankment The soldiers made way for hilanced at his brother

"Ereed with the sentiht an Alloin The "eh

"Organize the people of the city," the stranger--Elend Venture--said fronore the gate, cli over the bulwark I want the children and the elderly concentrated in the southerns as possible"

"What good will that do?" Fatren demanded He hurried after the "emperor"--he didn't really see any other option

"The koloss are erous when they're in a blood frenzy," Venture said, continuing to walk "If they do take the city, then you want the for your people If the koloss frenzy wears off while they search, they'll grow frustrated and turn to looting Then your peoplechased"

Venture paused, then turned to ri" With that, he resuhfare

Fro They'd all heard of a man named Elend Venture He was the one who had seized power in Luthadel after the Lord Ruler's death over two years before News from up north was scarce and unreliable, but ht off all rivals to the throne, even killing his own father He'd hidden his nature as a Mistborn, and was supposedly married to the very woman who had slain the Lord Ruler Fatren doubted that such an iend than fact--had made his way to such a humble city in the Southern Dominance, especially unaccoer had to be lying

Buthe was obviously an Allomancer

Fatren hurried to keep up with the stranger Venture--or whoever he was--paused in front of a large structure near the center of the city The old offices of the Steel Ministry Fatren had ordered the doors and s boarded up

"You found the weapons in there?" Venture asked, turning toward Fatren

Fatren stood for a moment Then, finally, shook his head "From the lord's mansion"

"He left weapons behind?" Venture asked with surprise

"We think he intended to come back for them," Fatren said "The soldiers he left eventually deserted, joining a passing ared the rest"

Venture nodded to hiht as he stared at the old Ministry building It was tall and ominous, despite--or perhaps because of--its disuse "Your men look well trained I didn't expect that Do any of them have battle experience?"

Druffel snorted quietly, indicating that he thought this stranger had no business being so nosy

"Our er," Fatren said "Soht to take rule of the city from us1 They assumed eak, and would be easily cowed"

If the stranger saw the words as a threat, he didn't show it He siht koloss?"

Fatren shared a look with Druffel "Men who fight koloss don't live, stranger," he finally said

"If that were true," Venture said, "I'd be dead a dozen ti crowd of soldiers and townspeople "I'll teach you what I can about fighting koloss, but we don't have anized at the city gate in tenthe bulwark--I'll teach the squad leaders and captains a few tricks, then they can carry the tips to their men"

Some of the soldiers moved, but--to their credit--most of them stayed where they were The newcomer didn't seem offended that his orders weren't obeyed He stood quietly, staring down the arry or disapproving He just seeal

"My lord," one of the soldier captains finally asked "Did youbring an arht two, actually," Venture said "But we don't have time to wait for them" He met Fatren's eyes "You wrote and asked for ive it Do you still want it?"

Fatren frowned He'd never asked this man--or any lord--for help He opened his mouth to object, but paused He'll let ht Act like this was part of the plan all along I could give up rule here without looking like a failure

We're going to die But, looking into this man's eyes, I can almost believe that we have a chance

"Ididn't expect you to co "I was surprised to see you"

Venture nodded "That is understandable Coather"

"Very well," Fatren said As he stepped forward, however, Druffel caught his ar?" his brother hissed "You sent for this man? I don't believe it"

"Gather the soldiers, Druff," Fatren said