11

Kelsier leads Vin, Dockson, Ham, and Sazed to Camon’s old lair, where they find the door shattered and the interior strewn with butchered corpses. Vin wrestles with conflicted feelings over the dead crew, including Ulef, while Kelsier concludes a Steel Inquisitor was responsible, implying targeted interest in Vin.

Sazed offers a solemn prayer from the Cazzi, revealing his broad religious knowledge. In the sleeping quarters, Kelsier identifies Milev, the new crewleader, tortured and killed slowly, indicating an interrogation. Despite the danger, Kelsier asserts their current base should remain secure, though the Inquisitor’s ability to find the lair remains troubling.

Vin secretly burns tin to overhear Dockson give Kelsier directions to Camon’s location. Kelsier sends the others away and goes alone, walking through Luthadel’s streets and resisting the urge to use Allomancy in daylight. At a lesser crossroads, he notices an empty corner and the scent of blood, then discovers Camon in a side alley, gruesomely executed with a rope and hook forced through his throat, showing clear signs of torture.

Vin reveals herself—she had followed Kelsier and deflected his coins—subtly Soothing his anger. Kelsier admonishes her for using Allomancy on allies and for the risk she took. Together they assess Camon’s death, recognizing the ritual punishment for “misusing Allomancy,” suggesting Camon confessed to exploiting Vin.

They conclude the Ministry may know Vin is an Allomancer—perhaps even a Mistborn—though her noble disguise should still hold. With the Inquisitor likely still hunting, Kelsier decides they will continue their larger plan, but with heightened caution.