“He doesn’t know as much as he thinks,” Preservation whispered. “That is his weakness. The … weakness … of all clever men…”

“Except me, of course.”

Preservation had enough spark left to chuckle at that, which did Kelsier some good. He stood up, dusting off his clothing. Which was somewhat pointless, seeing as how there was no dust here—not to mention no actual clothing. “Come now, Fuzz, when have you known me to be wrong?”

“Well, there was—”

“Those don’t count. I wasn’t fully myself back then.”

“And … when did you become … fully yourself?”

“Only just now,” Kelsier said.

“You could … you could use that excuse … anytime.…”

“Now you’re catching on, Fuzz.” Kelsier put his hands on his hips. “We use the plan you set in motion when you were sane, eh? All right then. How can I help?”

“Help? I … I don’t…”

“No, be decisive. Bold! A good crewleader is always sure of himself, even when he isn’t. Especially when he isn’t.”

“That doesn’t make … sense.…”

“I’m dead. I don’t need to make sense anymore. Ideas? You’re crewleader now.”

“… Me?”

“Sure. Your plan. You’re in charge. I mean, you are a god. That should count for something, I suppose.”

“Thank you for … finally … acknowledging that.…”

Kelsier deliberated, then set his pack on the ground. “You’re sure this can’t help? It builds links between people and gods. I’d think it could heal you or something.”

“Oh, Kelsier,” Preservation said. “I’ve told you that I am dead already. You cannot … save me. Save my … successor instead.”

“Then I will give it to Vin. Would that help?”

“No. You must tell … her. You can reach … through the gaps in souls … when I cannot. Tell her that she must not trust … pierced by metal. You must free her to take … my power. All of it.”

“Right,” Kelsier said, tucking away the glass globe. “Free Vin. Easy.”

He just had to find a way past Ruin.

Chapter 3

3

“SO, Midge,” Kelsier whispered to the dozing man. “You got that?”

“Mission…” the scruffy soldier mumbled. “Survivor…”

“You can’t trust anyone pierced by metal,” Kelsier said. “Tell her that. Those exact words. It’s a mission for you from the Survivor.”

The man snorted awake; he was supposed to have been on watch, and he stumbled to his feet as his replacement approached. Kelsier regarded the glowing beings, anxious. It had taken precious days—during which Ruin had kept him far from Vin—to search out someone in the army who was touched in the head, someone with that distinctive soul of madness.

It wasn’t that they were broken, as he had once guessed. They were merely … open. This man, Midge, seemed perfect. He responded to Kelsier’s words, but he wasn’t so unhinged that the others ignored him.

Kelsier followed Midge eagerly through camp to one of the cookfires, where Midge started chatting, animatedly, with the others there.