Mistborn #03 The Hero of Ages

It was growing hard for him to tell.
    He stepped forward, moving across the plot of land that had once been a garden outside the Citizen's home. "I figured it out," Spook said. "At first, I thought that sadness had to do with this garden. It must have been beautiful, once. You would have seen it in its fullness, before your brother ordered all gardens plowed under. You were related to nobility, and probably lived in their society."
    She looked surprised at this.
    "Yes, I know," Spook said. "Your brother is an Allomancer. He's a Coinshot; I felt his Pushes. That day at Marketpit."
    She remained silent—more beautiful herself than the garden could ever have been—though she did take a step backward as her eyes finally found him in the mists.
    "Eventually," Spook continued, "I decided that I must be wrong. Nobody mourns so much for a simple garden, no matter how lovely. After that, I thought the sadness in your eyes must come from being forbidden to take part in your brother's councils. He always sends you out, into the garden, when he meets with his most important officials. I know what it's like to feel useless and excluded among important people."
    He took another step forward. The rough earth lay torn beneath his feet, covered by an inch of ash, the dreary remnants of what had once been fertile ground. To his right stood the lone shrub that Beldre often came to gaze at. He didn't look toward it; he kept his eyes on her.
    "I was wrong," he said. "Being forbidden your brother's conferences would lead to frustration, but not such pain. Not such regret. I know that sorrow now. I killed for the first time this afternoon. I helped overthrow empires, then helped build them anew. And I'd never killed a man. Not until today."
    He stopped, then looked into her eyes. "Yes, I know that sorrow. What I'm trying figure out is why you feel it."
    She turned away. "You shouldn't be here," she said. "There are guards watching—"
    "No," Spook said. "Not anymore. Quellion sent too many men into the city—he's afraid that he'll suffer a revolution, like happened in Luthadel. Like he himself inspired here when he seized power. He's right to be afraid, but he was wrong to leave his own palace so poorly guarded."
    "Kill him," Kelsier whispered. "Quellion is inside; this is the perfect chance. He deserves it, you know he does."
    No, Spook thought. Not today. Not in front of her.
    Beldre glanced back at him, her eyes growing hard. "Why have you come? To taunt me?"
    "To tell you that I understand," Spook said.
    "How can you say that?" she said. "You don't understand me—you don't know me."
    "I think I do," Spook said. "I saw your eyes today, when you watched those people being marched to their deaths. You feel guilty. Guilty for your brother's murders. You sorrow because you feel you should be able to stop him." He took a step forward. "You can't, Beldre. He's been corrupted by his power. He might once have been a good man, but no longer. Do you realize what he's doing? Your brother is murdering people simply to get Allomancers. He captures them, then threatens to kill their families unless they do as he asks. Are those the actions of a good man?"
    "You are a simplistic fool," Beldre whispered, though she wouldn't meet his eyes.
    "I know," Spook said. "What are a few deaths when it comes to securing the stability of a kingdom?" He paused, then shook his head. "He's killing children, Beldre. And he's doing it simply to cover up the fact that he's gathering Allomancers."
    Beldre was silent for a moment. "Go," she finally said.
    "I want you to come with me."
    She looked up.
    "I'm going to overthrow your brother," Spook said. "I am a member of the Survivor's own crew. We took down the Lord Ruler—Quellion will hardly provide us with a challenge. You don't have to be here when he falls."
    Beldre snorted quietly in derision.
    "It's not just about your safety," Spook said. "If you join with us, it will be a strong blow to your brother. Perhaps it will convince him that he is wrong. There could be a more peaceful way of making this happen."
    "I'm going to start screaming in three heartbeats," Beldre said.
    "I don't fear your guards," Spook said.
    "I don't doubt that," Beldre said. "But if they come, you'll have to kill again."
    Spook wavered. He stayed where he was, however, calling her bluff.
    And so she started screaming.
    "Go kill him!" Kelsier said over her screams. "Now, before it's too late! Those guards you killed—they were just