19

In the mists outside Keep Tekiel, Kelsier detects multiple Tineyes on alert and decides against a direct approach. Instead, he plants the body of Lord Charrs Entrone—recently murdered by Kelsier—on Tekiel grounds to incite suspicion and deepen inter-house rivalries, aiming to push Luthadel toward open conflict.

Kelsier then meets the informant Hoid in disguise as a nobleman. Hoid reports rumors of a connection between House Renoux and House Venture and confirms that Lady Shan Elariel is a Soother. Kelsier subtly feeds Hoid additional false leads to amplify confusion among the Great Houses.

Switching disguises to a ragged skaa informant, Kelsier meets Straff Venture, offering half-truths to sour Venture’s dealings with rivals. Straff presses for intelligence on the “Survivor of Hathsin” and the rumored Eleventh Metal, suggesting someone might impersonate the Survivor using a kandra’s mimicry. He demands proof about the Survivor over common gossip.

Kelsier returns via the spikeway to Mansion Renoux, where he confirms that Renoux remains largely unsuspicious among nobles, though rumors now tie Renoux to Venture. Sazed notes Elend Venture’s public camaraderie with Lekal and Hasting heirs; Kelsier orders Sazed to investigate further, wary of coordinated gamesmanship.

In private, Vin tells Kelsier she searched Elend’s books at the ball and found an illicit text critical of the Final Empire. Kelsier recognizes it as False Dawn and considers how such contraband could destabilize House Venture if exposed, but he warns Vin not to trust Elend. He insists Elend’s philosophizing doesn’t make him an ally and instructs Vin to keep her distance for the crew’s safety.