Mistborn: The Hero of Ages Read Free

along the 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 armed crowd. He didn't seem f rightened, nor did he seem angry or disapproving. He just seemed . . . regal .
    "My lord," one of the soldier captains finally asked. "Did you . . . bring an army with you to help us?"
    "I brought two, actually," Venture said. "But we don't have time to wait for them." He met Fatren's eyes. " You wrote and asked f or my help. And, as your liege, I've come to give 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 me pretend that I sent for him , Fatren thought. A ct like this was part of the plan all along. I could give up rule here without looking like a f ailure .
    We're going to die. But, looking into this man's eyes, I can almost believe that we have a chance .
    "I . . . didn't expect you to come alone, my lord," Fatren found himself saying. "I was surprised to see you."
    Venture nodded. "That is understandable. Come, let's talk tactics while your soldiers gather."
    "Very well," Fatren said. As he stepped forward, however, Druffel caught his arm.
    "What are you doing?" his brother hissed. "You sent for this man? I don't believe it."
    "Gather the soldiers, Druff," Fatren said.
    Druffel stood for a moment, then swore quietly and stalked away. He didn't look like he had any intention of gathering the soldiers, so Fatren waved for two of his captains to do it. That done, he joined Venture, and the two walked back toward the gates, Venture ordering a f ew soldiers to walk ahead of them and keep people back so that he and Fatren could speak more privately. Ash continued to fall from the sky, dusting the street black, clustering atop the city's stooped, one-story buildings.
    "Who are you?" Fatren asked quietly.
    "I am who I said," Venture said.
    "I don't believe you."
    "But you trust me," Venture sai d.
    "No. I just don't want to argue with an Allomancer."
    "That's good enough, for now," Venture said. "Look, friend, you have ten thousand koloss marching on your city. You need whatever help you can get." Ten thousand? Fatren thought, f eeling stupefied.
    "You're in charge of this city, I assume ?" Venture asked.
    Fatren shook out of his stupor. "Yes," he said. "My name is Fatren."
    "All right, Lord Fatren, we "
    "I'm no lord," Fatren said.
    "Well, you just became one," Venture said. " You can choose a surname later. Now, before we continue, you need to know my conditions for helping you." "What kind of conditions? "
    "The nonnegotiable kind," Venture said. "If we win, you'll swear f ealty to me." Fatren frowned, stopping in the street. Ash fell around him. "So that's it? You saunter in before a fight, claiming to be some high lord, so you can take credit for our victory? Why should I swear fealty to a man I only met a few minutes before ? "
    "Because if you don't," Venture said quietly, "I'll just take command anyway." Then he continued to walk.
    Fatren stood for a moment; then he rushed forward and caught up to Venture. " Oh, I see. Even if we survive this battle, we'll end up ruled by a tyrant." "Yes," Venture said. Fatren frowned. He hadn't expected the man to be so blunt.
    Venture shook his head, regarding the city through the falling ash. "I used to think that I could do things differently. And, I still believe that I'll be able to, someday. But, for now, I don't have a choice. I need your soldiers and I need your city."
    "My city?" Fatren asked, frowning. "Why ? "
    Venture held up a finger. "We have to survive this battle f irst," he said. "We'll get to other things later."
    Fatren paused, and was surprised to realize that he did trust the stranger. He couldn't have explained exactly why he felt that