Summary:Mistborn: The Final Empire

This page contains a chapter by chapter summary of Mistborn: The Final Empire. We hope this summary will make it easier to find specific areas of the book, as well as providing a quick plot refresher for anyone who doesn't want to take the time to reread the entire book.

Prologue

Sometimes, I worry that I’m not the hero everyone thinks I am.

The philosophers assure me that this is the time, that the signs have been met. But I still wonder if they have the wrong man. So many people depend on me. They say I will hold the future of the entire world on my arms.

What would they think if they knew that their champion - the Hero of Ages, their savior - doubted himself? Perhaps they wouldn’t be shocked at all. In a way, this is what worries me most. Maybe, in their hearts, they wonder - just as I do.

When they see me, do they see a liar?

Characters

Lord Tresting, Lord Venture’s full prelan obligator (unnamed), Kurdon (a taskmaster for Tresting), Kelsier, Tepper (a skaa elder), Mennis (an elderly skaa), Shum (a skaa lad), Jess (a skaa woman), Jess’ daughter (a pretty skaa, unnamed)

Summary

Lord Tresting entertains an obligator sent by Lord Venture, hoping to gain Venture’s business partnership. Kelsier speaks with some skaa in the evening, and when a skaa girl is being taken to Tresting, Kelsier intervenes, killing Tresting and all his servants and soldiers, finally burning the manor to the ground.

Other Notes

First mention of Lord Venture. First mention of a Steel Inquisitor. First mention of Lord Renoux. First mention of mistwraiths. First mention of the Pits of Hathsin. First mention of koloss. First mention of the caves held by the skaa rebellion. Context suggests this chapter takes place in the summer.

Part 1: The Survivor of Hathsin

Chapter 1

I consider myself to be a man of principle. But, what man does not? Even the cutthroat, I have noticed, considers his actions "moral" after a fashion.

Perhaps another person, reading of my life, would name me a religious tyrant. He could call me arrogant. What is to make that man’s opinion any less valid than my own?

I guess it all comes down to one fact: In the end, I’m the one with the armies.

Characters

Vin, Ulef, Camon, Theron, Prelan Laird

Summary

Vin introduced, summoned to Camon by Ulef. Camon pretends to be Lord Jedue, head of a house desperately looking for new contracts; this is a cover, an attempt to scam the Steel Ministry out of money. Vin Soothes the obligator Prelan Laird so he won’t dismiss Camon's pleas.

Notes

Lord Tresting's first name mentioned: Themos.

Chapter 2

If men read these words, let them know that power is a heavy burden. Seek not to be bound by its chains. The Terris prophecies say that I will have the power to save the world.

They hint, however, that I will have the power to destroy it as well.

Characters

Kelsier, Dockson, Vin, Camon, High Prelan Arriev

Summary

Kelsier meets up with Dockson, they talk about their upcoming meeting. Camon, as Lord Jedue, takes Vin to scam the Ministry; Kelsier and Dockson sit in the waiting room with Camon and Vin; Vin Soothes the High Prelan, and he gives Camon three thousand boxings. Kelsier and Dockson see the High Prelan and a Steel Inquisitor tail Camon, Vin, and the rest of Camon’s retinue. Dockson plans to distract the obligator, while Kelsier plans to distract the Inquisitor.

Chapter 3

We arrived in Terris earlier this week, and, I have to say, I find the countryside beautiful. The great mountains to the north - with their bald snowcaps and forested mantles - stand like watchful gods over this land of green fertility. My own lands to the south are mostly flat; I think that they might look less dreary if there were a few mountains to vary the terrain.

The people here are mostly herdsmen - though timber harvesters and farmers are not uncommon. It is a pastoral land, certainly. It seems odd that a place so remarkably agrarian could have produced the prophecies and theologies upon which the entire world now relies.

Characters

Camon, Vin, Ulef, Kelsier, Dockson, Milev

Summary

Vin's nervousness about the meeting with the obligator causes her to want to leave Camon's lair. She tells Ulef, whom she wants to bring along, but he tells Camon while she retrieves her personal effects (including the hemalurgic earring her mother gave her). Kelsier saves Vin, promotes Millev to Crewleader, takes the three thousand boxings as payment for dealing with the obligator and Inquisitor, and rents the den for the evening meeting. Millev's crew leaves for a while so Kelsier can test Vin for being a Mistborn.

Notes

Vin subconsciously burns pewter after Camon hits her with a thrown stool.

Chapter 4

Apparently, the next stage of my quest will take us up into the highlands of Terris. This is said to be a cold, unforgiving place - a land where the mountains themselves are made of ice.

Our normal attendants will not do for such a trip. We should probably hire some Terris packmen to carry our gear.

Characters

Ulef, Disten (a head pointman in Camon’s Milev's crew), Vin, Harmon (a scraggly-bearded burglar), Hrud (a flat-faced, quiet thug), Hammond, Breeze, Clubs, Yeden, Kelsier, Dockson

Summary

Kelsier and Dockson had left for a while, letting the crew return for a bit. The crew talks about what happened, speculating on the job. At a certain time, the crew leaves and the others arrive. Kelsier pitches his plan regarding the skaa rebellion. Kelsier's crew agrees, (except for Clubs, who walks out). Kelsier reveals to the others that Vin is a Mistborn, then tells them about and shows them the Eleventh Metal.

Notes

Mare mentioned by thieving crew, but not by name.

Chapter 5

I don’t even understand what I’m supposed to do. The Terris philosophers claim that I’ll know my duty when the time comes, but that’s a small comfort.

The Deepness must be destroyed, and apparently I’m the only one who can do so. It ravages the world even now. If I don’t stop it soon, there will be nothing left of this land but bones and dust.

Characters

Kelsier, Dockson, Vin, Clubs, Spook

Summary

Small talk after the meeting; Hammond, Breeze, Yeden have left. Clubs returns, agrees to be on the team, leaves again. Kelsier, Dockson, and Vin head to rooftop. Kelsier gears up, heads off to Keep Venture to steal atium. Kelsier breaks in, gets the safe with the atium, and then has to fight some hazekillers. Kelsier escapes with the desired atium.

Notes

First mention of OreSeur by name. Spook isn’t identified at all. Mare mentioned as a Tineye. First mention of Gemmel. First mention of Feruchemists (but not by name) as Kelsier remembers some of Gemmel’s advice.

Chapter 6

I never wanted this, true. But somebody has to stop the Deepness. And, apparently, Terris is the only place this can be done.

On this fact, however, I don’t have to take the word of the philosophers. I can feel our goal now, sense it, though the others cannot. It... pulses, in my mind, far off in the mountains.

Characters

Vin, Dockson, Clubs, Hammond, Spook, Kelsier, Breeze, Yeden, Marsh

Summary

Vin wakes up in a room in Clubs’ shop the following morning. Vin starts to notice the differences between thieving crews and families. Kelsier et al. plot out the job: the destruction of the Final Empire. Marsh eventually arrives, and everyone leaves so he and Kelsier can talk alone. Vin returns to eavesdrop outside the door.

Notes

Spook’s first dialogue. Skaa rebellion caves named: Arguois caverns; Kelsier estimates they could hold ten thousand people. Fellise, location of Lord Renoux’s estate, mentioned to be an hour outside of Luthadel. Renoux mentioned as a western lord, from the Farmost Dominance. Spook named by Clubs’ as his nephew; Spook identifies himself as Lestibournes, speaking in Eastern street slang.

Chapter 7

Rashek is a tall man - of course, most of these Terrismen are tall. He is young to receive so much respect from the other packmen. He has charisma, and the women of court would probably describe him as handsome, in a rugged sort of way.

Yet, it amazes me that anyone would give heed to a man that speaks such hatred. He has never seen Khlennium, yet he curses the city. He does not know me, yet I can already see the anger and hostility in his eyes.

Characters

Kelsier, Marsh, Vin, Dockson, Breeze, Hammond, Clubs

Summary

Marsh and Kelsier talk and argue about old times, not talking about the details of the job. Kelsier convinces Marsh to come back again to listen to the job. As Marsh moves to leave, Kelsier notices Vin eavesdropping. Kelsier takes Vin out for her first night of training, giving Vin her Mistcloak. Kelsier teaches her about the eight basic metals, ending the chapter with them at the Luthadel city wall.

Notes

First mention of odd things happening when an Allomancer flares metals for too long.

Chapter 8

"He shall defend their ways, yet shall violate them. He will be their savior; yet they shall call him heretic. His name shall be Discord, yet they shall love him for it.”

Characters

Vin, Kelsier, Sazed, Renoux

Summary

Vin and Kelsier go over the Luthadel walls, walking out into the night wilderness. Vin notices something following them, and Kelsier shows her that it was a mistwraith. Kelsier takes her to the main road where they meed up with Sazed, waiting for them with a carriage. He takes them to Fellise. On the way, Kelsier offers Vin the three thousand boxings and to let her leave the crew if she doesn’t believe that he's being honest with her. She takes the boxings but remains on the crew because she wants to see how things turn out. They arrive at Lord Renoux’s estate, and Kelsier and Renoux talk in private briefly. Vin and Sazed talk briefly, with Sazed offering to tell Vin about some of the religions of the past, without using those words. Renoux suggests that Vin can play the part of a daughter of favored cousins to Renoux, and that he is introducing her to the other noble houses as a ploy to strengthen House Renoux.

Notes

Kelsier recollects that Gemmel had to push him off the wall when he was being trained.

Part 2: Rebels Beneath a Sky of Ash

Chapter 9

In the end, I worry that my arrogance shall destroy us all.

Characters

Vin, Kelsier, Sazed, Cosahn (a skaa servant/hair stylist at Renoux’s estate)

Summary

Vin and Kelsier spar in a training match, playing cat & mouse. Vin returns to the estate and gets a haircut; during the haircut, Sazed tells Vin about “another” of his religions: Trelagism. (This is the fifth he has pitched; when questioned, he admits to knowing about 562 more.) Vin is also quizzed over her noble cover. Kelsier and Sazed then talk in private about Vin’s progress, with Kelsier eventually declaring that Vin will be attending a ball held by Lord Venture at the end of the week.

Notes

This chapter begins in late autumn; a comment by Kelsier confirms that the Prologue was only a few months earlier. Sazed referred to as “Master Vaht” by Cosahn; it is the proper title for a Terrisman steward. First mention of Keepers. The ten Great Houses of Luthadel are named in order of power: Venture, Hasting, Elariel, Tekiel, Lekal, Erikeller, Erikell, Haught, Urbain, Buvidas.

Chapter 10

It amazes me how many nations have united behind our purpose. There are still dissenters, of course - and some kingdoms, regrettably, have fallen to wars that I could not stop.

Still, this general unity is glorious, even humbling, to contemplate. I wish that the nations of mankind hadn’t required such a dire threat to make them see the value of peace and cooperation.

Characters

Vin, Breeze, Rudd (a sympathetic skaa guard), Cobble (one of Clubs’ apprentices, a Smoker), Hammond, Yeden, Kelsier, Sazed, Marsh, Spook, Dockson, Clubs

Summary

Vin has returned to Luthadel to learn about other metals from the mistings in the crew, starting with Breeze. Hammond comes in and debates the morality of overthrowing the Final Empire as they wait for Kelsier to give a speech. During the speech, Breeze and his Soothers and Rioters manipulate the crowd to be more receptive to the speech. Afterward, Kelsier holds a progress meeting at Clubs’ shop. Before the meeting, Kelsier requests from Sazed to hear about a religion with power; Sazed tells Kelsier about Jaism, and Kelsier asks Sazed if there is a religion that “include[s] the slaughter of noblemen as a holy duty”. Also before the meeting, Vin and Spook talk about Marsh. The meeting ends when one of Hammond’s soldiers informs him that the Steel Ministry has discovered the lair previously belonging to Camon.

Notes

Possible additional unnamed character - Demoux. Breeze clarifies the meaning of “Sliver of Infinity”. Kelsier, on Clubs’ rooftop, looks towards the northern horizon, towards the Pits of Hathsin. Sazed (erroneously) believes the Lord Ruler fears Keepers, believing they are something unknown to him. Marsh’s nickname mentioned (Ironeyes); also mentioned that people stopped using it because it was too reminiscent of Steel Inquisitors.

Chapter 11

It seems Rashek represents a growing faction in Terris culture. A large number of the youths think that their unusual powers should be used for more than just fieldwork, husbandry, and stonecarving. They are rowdy, even violent - far different from the quiet, discerning Terris philosophers and holy men that I have known.

They will have to be watched carefully, these Terrismen. They could be very dangerous, if given the opportunity and the motivation.

Characters

Kelsier, Vin, Dockson, Sazed, Hammond

Summary

Some of the crew go to investigate the destroyed lair. Among the corpses, Vin notices Ulef’s corpse; it appears as if someone had ripped his rib cage apart with bare hands. Off to the side, Sazed recites a prayer of the Cazzi religion. Millev’s body is found tied to a chair, with strong evidence of having been tortured. After leaving the lair, Kelsier tries to find Camon among the beggars, to see if he was killed, too. Kelsier finds Camon’s corpse, wrists and ankles tied together, body tortured, and hung from a hook rammed through his mouth and out his neck. Vin had successfully tailed Kelsier, and they spoke briefly after Camon’s corpse was found. (His method of execution is reserved for those who abuse allomancy; likely, he knew that Vin was at least a misting.)

Notes

Another reference to feruchemy without using the term (in the epigraph).

Chapter 12

What would it be like if every nation - from the isles in the South to the Terris hills in the North - were united under a single government? What wonders could be achieved, what progress could be made, if mankind were to permanently set aside its squabblings and join together?

It is too much, I suppose, to even hope for. A single, unified empire of man? It could never happen.

Characters

Vin, Sazed, Kelsier, Rian Strobe (a young noble), Tevidian (Vin's father), Elend

Summary

Vin heads off to a ball at Keep Venture, Sazed driving the carriage. Kelsier drops in while the carriage is en route, gives Vin some advice, then jumps back out into the mists. Vin arrives at the ball, is introduced, gets scared at the initial attention, then realizes “Valette Renoux” is who the nobles are seeing, not Vin, herself. During the dinner, Vin sees her father across the room, witnessing an exchange between two young nobles - Reen had identified him to her when she was younger. Vin declines dancing invitations extended by various nobles, then takes a break and heads upstairs to the balcony over the hall. Vin has her first conversation with Elend, which shocks Sazed when he hears about it.

Notes

Deepness Thoughts

Chapter 13

I know that I shouldn’t let a simple packman perturb me. However, he is from Terris, where the prophecies originated. If anyone could spot a fraud, would it not be he?

Nevertheless, I continue my trek, going where the scribbled auguries proclaim that I will meet my destiny - walking, feeling Rashek’s eyes on my back. Jealous. Mocking. Hating.

Characters

Vin, Sazed, Kelsier, Renoux

Summary

Sazed had questioned Vin on her interaction with Elend, and Vin’s thoughts reflect the emergence of her true personality - not Lady Valette, not the timid crewmember. Kelsier learns that Vin’s father was at the ball, then heads out again. Vin feigns fatigue, retiring to her room to don her mistcloak and follow Kelsier. He returns to Luthadel, and Vin discovers the metal pins in the roadway that help allomancers travel along the road - they allow her to make the trip twice as fast as a person on a horse. Kelsier lost Vin in the trip, so she went to Keep Venture - where she found Kelsier sitting and studying the keep. Kelsier tricks her, and they talk for a while after he catches her following him. Eventually, Kelsier teaches Vin about atium, then takes her to Kredik Shaw.

Notes

House Erikeller mentioned as a major supplier of armaments. Vin’s description of atium: “[a] tiny, silvery ball of metal. It was so reflective and bright that it almost seemed to be a drop of liquid, yet it was solid to the touch.”

Chapter 14

Sometimes I wonder if I’m going mad.

Perhaps it is due to the pressure of knowing that I must somehow bear the burden of an entire world. Perhaps it is caused by the death I have seen, the friends I have lost. The friends I have been forced to kill.

Either way, I sometimes see shadows following me. Dark creatures that I don’t understand, nor wish to understand. Are they, perhaps, some figment of my overtaxed mind?

Characters

Vin, Kelsier, unnamed soldiers, three Steel Inquisitors, Sazed

Summary

Kelsier leads Vin into Kredik Shaw, and they fight their way towards the hut that the Lord Ruler visits for three hours every three days. Vin kills for the first time. She also notices that the Lord Ruler’s Soothing influences her despite her coppercloud. They make it to the building-within-a-building, but Bendal (the Steel Inquisitor from Chapter 2, still unnamed at this point), was inside. Two more Inquisitors enter the large room from side doors. To defend herself from an Inquisitor Pushing sharpened triangular pieces of metal at her, Vin grabs a random leather-bound book. Burning atium, Vin manages a temporary escape before the Chapter 2 Inquisitor impales her in the side with an axe made of obsidian blades. Vin escapes Kredik Shaw, still holding the book, but the Inquisitor follows. She uses the book to trick the Inquisitor temporarily, but he manages to find her again. As Vin loses consciousness, something kills the Inquisitor, taking Vin into a protective embrace. It wasn’t Kelsier.

Notes

A room that Vin stumbled into during her escape from Kredik Shaw contained a golden altar and “other religious paraphernalia” - likely remnants of the original Terris religion. Also, Inquisitor Sight.

Chapter 15

I don’t know why Kwaan betrayed me. Even still, this event haunts my thoughts. He was the one who discovered me; he was the Terris philosopher who first called me the Hero of Ages. It seems ironically surreal that now - after his long struggle to convince his colleagues - he is the only major Terris holy man to preach against my reign.

Characters

Dockson, Kelsier, Clubs, Hammond, Spook, Sazed, Vin

Summary

The crew argues about Kelsier’s decision to take Vin to Kredik Shaw, and before they can go out to look for her, Sazed arrives with her. She is fed pewter to help her heal from her wounds. Sazed sets aside the leather book that Vin had taken, then operates on her, stitching her back together, and Ham takes her up to her room to recover. Kelsier and Dockson notice the book, and Sazed tells them it is written Khlenni, the language of Khlennium. Sazed thinks he may be able to translate it, in time.

Notes

First mention of a metalmind, as Sazed admits to using an entire one up to make the trip from Renoux’s mansion.

Part 3: Children of a Bleeding Sun

Chapter 16

Many think that my journey started in Khlennium, that great city of wonder. They forget that I was no king when my quest began. Far from it.

I think it would do men well to remember that this task was not begun by emperors, priests, prophets, or generals. It didn’t start in Khlennium or Kordel, nor did it come from the great nations to the east or the fiery empire of the West.

It began in a small, unimportant town whose name would mean nothing to you. It began with a youth, the son of a blacksmith, who was unremarkable in every way - except, perhaps, in his ability to get into trouble.

It began with me.

Characters

Vin, Spook, Dockson, Kelsier, Renoux, Sazed

Summary

Vin awakes after two weeks of resting, and Spook tells her how Kelsier had given him his new nickname in the interim. While talking with Dox, Vin realizes that there’s something very unusual about Sazed. After a few more days of rest, Vin returns to Fellise. She speaks with Sazed, who is wearing glasses as he works on the translation - he is filling a tinmind with physical sight, impairing his vision. They briefly talk about what Keepers are, and Sazed tells Vin that all Terrisman stewards are eunuchs.

Notes

Sazed admits to knowing 172 languages, most of which are no longer spoken after “[t]he Lord Ruler’s unity movement of the fifth century....”

Chapter 17

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I’d remained there, in that lazy village of my birth. I’d have become a smith, like my father. Perhaps I’d have a family, sons of my own.

Perhaps someone else would have come to carry this terrible burden. Someone who could bear it far better than I. Someone who deserved to be a hero.

Characters

Renoux, Vin, Tawnson (a skaa house-servant of Renoux’s), Kelsier, Breeze, Yeden, Dockson, Sazed

Summary

Vin internally laments a four-week recovery full of boredom. Members of the crew arrive to discuss updates. Vin convinces Kelsier to let her attend an upcoming ball. Later, Vin and Kelsier talk a bit about Mare and Kelsier’s motivations.

Notes

Breeze

Chapter 18

You could say that circumstances forced me to leave my home behind - certainly, if I had stayed, I would now be dead. During those days - running without knowing why, carrying a burden I didn’t understand - I assumed that I would lose myself in Khlennium and seek a life of indistinction.

I am slowly coming to understand that anonymity, like so many other things, has already been lost to me forever.

Characters

Vin, Sazed, Elend, Stase Blanches (Elend’s date for that evening), Melend Liese (a young noble, asked Vin to dance), Shan Elariel, Jastes Lekal, a Hasting noble

Summary

Vin attends the party at Keep Elariel. Vin sits at her table, and Elend sits down next to her, uninvited, before her meal arrives, dropping a large stack of books on the table. Vin accepts dancing invitations from some young nobles. After much dancing, Vin is “required” to meet with Shan Elariel. During the conversation, Vin realizes that Shan could Soothe. Vin notices Shan’s Terrisman poking through Elend’s books - left unattended at Vin’s table - so Vin excuses herself and returns to her table. She scans through a small book that is practically treasonous in its content. Elend returns, gathers up the books, and leaves, being met on the way by two friends. Sazed, still wearing his glasses, identifies them as Jastes Lekal and a Hasting (but doesn’t know the Hasting’s given name). This surprises Sazed, as Lekal and Hasting are political rivals of Venture. As she leaves the party, Vin sees a soldier casually slit the throat of a skaa kitchen-boy who begged for coin from a noble.

Notes

“Valette’s” trip to Luthadel took almost two months by canal, with some stops; Elend remarks that it can take half a year to go from one end of the Final Empire to the other. Feruchemy explicitly mentioned in one of Elend’s books. Also mentioned in the book are metalminds, “the Massacre at Devanex, the revision of the Deepness Doctrine, and the relocation of the Renates peoples.”

Chapter 19

Kwaan and I met by happenstance - though, I suppose, he would use the word “providence.”

I have met may other Terris philosophers since that day. They are, every one, men of great wisdom and ponderous sagaciousness. Men with an almost palpable importance.

Not so Kwaan. In a way, he is as unlikely a prophet as I am a hero. He never had an air of ceremonious wisdom - nor was he even a religious scholar. When we first met, he was studying one of his ridiculous interests in the great Khlenni library - I believe he was trying to determine whether or not trees could think.

That he should be the one who finally discovered the great Hero of Terris prophecy is a matter that would cause me to laugh, had events turned out just a little differently.

Characters

Kelsier, Charrs Entrone (his corpse, at least), Hoid, Straff Venture, Vin, Sazed, Renoux

Summary

Kelsier sows more chaos to build the House War by leaving the obviously-murdered body of one Charrs Entrone in the garden of House Tekiel. Afterward, he meets up with Hoid, masquerading as a street informant, in order to find out what rumors exist regarding House Renoux. He leaves Hoid to meet up with Lord Venture, pretending to be a sickly, lame skaa beggar and street informant. Kelsier returns to Mansion Renoux, trading information with Vin, Sazed, and Renoux.

Chapter 20

It isn’t a shadow.

This dark thing that follows me, this thing that only I can see - It isn’t really a shadow. It’s blackish and translucent, but it doesn’t have a shadowlike solid outline. It’s insubstantial - wispy and formless. Like it’s made out of a dark fog.

Or mist, perhaps.

Characters

Vin, Sazed, Kelsier, Renoux, Marsh

Summary

Vin returns from Luthadel to see weapons being crated up in front of Renoux’s mansion, to be shipped out. Marsh arrives soon after, and he teaches her about Seeking, as well as some additional details about allomancy in general.

Chapter 21

"The Hero of Ages shall not be a man, but a force. No nation may claim him, no woman shall keep him, and no king may slay him. He shall belong to none, not even himself."

Characters

Kelsier, Yeden, Demoux, Hammond, Bilg (a skaa rebellion soldier)

Summary

Kelsier reads a translation of the journal as he travels by canal boat. The caravan stops at a lock, and Kelsier, the recruits, and the supplies leave the caravan, heading to the caves where the skaa rebellion is training. Kelsier overcomes memories of the Pits of Hathsin and enters the cave complex, inspecting the army Ham was forming. During a dinner, Kelsier Riots Bilg’s emotions, intending to use him as an example. Bilg and Demoux duel, with Kelsier using allomancy to help Demoux - the smaller of the two men - win the duel.

Chapter 22

At first, there were those who didn't think the Deepness was a serious danger, at least not to them. However, it brought with it a blight that I have seen infect nearly every part of the land. Armies are useless before it. Great cities are laid low by its power. Crops fail, and the land dies.

This is the thing I fight. This is the monster I must defeat. I fear that I have taken too long. Already, so much destruction has occured that I fear for mankind's survival.

Is this truly the end of the world, as many of the philosophers predict?

Characters

Vin, Sazed, Spook, Dockson

Summary

Vin reads from her copy of the journal when Spook arrives. He tells her that Dockson came to get more weapons, and gives her a handkerchief to show that he would like to seriously court her. Dockson is in a meeting with Renoux, so Vin waits outside. While outside, Vin talks to Sazed about the Terrisman in the journal, and Sazed eventually tells her the secrets of Feruchemy. Sazed also explains how the Keepers were formed for the purpose of remembering everything after the Terris religion was lost. Sazed ends their talk by briefly discussing the history of some of the crew members.

Vin gets to talk to Dockson, and asks him about his former life as a plantation skaa. Dockson tell her his story, how a woman he loved was taken by Lord Devinshae and killed the next morning. Dockson tells Vin all noblemen are like that, but Vin finds that hard to believe after talking to the noblemen at the balls. Vin is left wondering if Elend has ever taken and murdered a skaa woman.

Chapter 23

I sleep but a few hours each night. We must press forward, traveling as much as we can each day-but when I finally lie down, I find sleep elusive. The same thoughts that trouble me during the day are only compounded by the stillness of the night.

And, above it all, I hear the thumping sounds from above, the pulsings from the mountains. Drawing me closer with each beat.

Characters

Vin, Kliss, Shan Elariel, Elend

Summary

Vin is conversing with other members of the nobility, and is pleased to find out Kelsier's attempts at causing tension among the Houses is working. Vin is still troubled by Dockson's talk, and wonders, and is worried to talk to Elend for fear of being uncivil. Vin also learns that the Inquisitors are tracking down the skaa thieves more frequently. As Vin is about to leave, Shan comes to talk to her. She tell Vin to search through Elend's books the next time she sees him, and report back to her. As Vin is waiting for Sazed, she sees Elend. She walks over to him, and asks him if he's ever slept with a skaa woman. Elend explains his father made him once when he was thirteen, but he never did again. Vin talks to Elend about how skaa really act, and Elend is fascinated by it. Elend leaves with his friends after giving her a handkerchief, showing that he would like to seriously court her as well. Vin decides to spy on Elend and his friends, and uses Allomancy to get to the tower where Elend and his friends are. Elend's group are talking about the Lord Ruler's faults and what should be done about it when their generation takes control. In the middle of the talk, Kelsier arrives, and Vin and Kelsier both leave the window and go their separate ways.

Chapter 24

In the end, I must trust in myself. I have seen men who have beaten from themselves the ability to recognize truth and goodness, and I do not think I am one of them. I can still see the tears in a young child's eyes and feel pain at his suffering.

If I ever lose this, then I will know that I've passed beyond hope of redemption.

Characters

Vin, Kelsier, Breeze, Ham, Clubs, Dockson, Spook

Summary

Kelsier and Vin both arrive at Club's shop, where many of the other crew members are. Kelsier discusses the status of the mission, and Vin realizes how much she loves her new life, without hiding in the shadows. Kelsier asks Ham to go to the Garrison, and Vin decides to go with him to learn about Pewter. On the way to the Garrison, Ham talks about his family, and a little about Kelsier. He also gives her some Pewter pointers, and plans on showing her by sparring with someone at the Garrison. When they get there, they find out that the Garrison leaving. Vin overhears the conversation between Ham and Sertes, and finds out that the skaa rebellion has attacked the Holstep Garrison to the north.

Chapter 25

Part Four: Dancers In A Sea Of Mist

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Part Five: Believers In A Forgotten World

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Epilogue

Oddly, on occasion, I sense a peacefulness within. You would think that after all I have seen - after all that I have suffered - my soul would be a twisted jumble of stress, confusion, and melancholy. Often, it's just that.

But then, there is the peace.
I feel it sometimes, as I do now, staring out over the frozen cliffs and glass mountains in the still of the morning, watching a sunrise that is so majestic that I know that none shall ever be its match.
If there are prophecies, if there is a Hero of Ages, then my mind whispers that there must be something directing my path. Something is watching; something cares. There peaceful whispers tell me a truth I wish very much to believe.

If I fail, another shall come to finish my work.

Characters

Marsh, Sazed, Lord Ruler, Vin, Elend, Breeze

Summary

Sazed speculates with Marsh and Vin on Rasheks compounding abilities and the origins of Allomancy. Marsh then discusses his beginnings as an Inquisitor. They discuss the kandra and the Deepness. Sazed then talks about Elend's speech after the death of the Lord Ruler.

....

Notes

...