Chapter 42

The epigraph notes that koloss proved more capable than expected: after the Lord Ruler’s death, they learned to harvest and reuse spikes from fallen koloss, removing dependence on new metal and victims. It speculates that repeated reuse, with limited Hemalurgic charge, might have made later koloss more human.

Marsh enters Luthadel cautiously, moving by night to avoid notice. He reflects on the city he once helped free and on atrocities he has recently committed at Ruin’s command—slaying guards and burning village granaries—while the Inquisitors continue searching the world for something Preservation stole from Ruin.

At Keep Venture, Marsh targets King Penrod. He prepares a small Hemalurgic spike made from a recently slain Allomancer, planning to implant it without granting powers—only enough metal to let Ruin touch Penrod’s mind. Remembering his own brutal creation as an Inquisitor, Marsh waits until Ruin seizes full control.

Ruin directs Marsh to stage a believable fight. Marsh crashes into Penrod’s chambers, feigns being held at bay as guards join, and carefully avoids killing blows, even tapping stored speed to keep the duel convincing. At Ruin’s order, Marsh suddenly drives the spike straight into Penrod’s heart, then escapes out the window.

Hidden outside, Marsh listens as surgeons examine Penrod. Mistaking the wound for a near-miss, they find that removing the metal causes life-threatening bleeding and decide to leave it in place. With the spike concealed and Penrod conscious and feeling unexpectedly strong, Ruin will be able to nudge Penrod’s thoughts while the king—and others—gradually forget the intrusion. Marsh departs, satisfied that Penrod is now effectively Ruin’s pawn.