Mistborn #03 The Hero of Ages

"Yes, they are."
    "Maybe . . . this region is just more prone to them," Breeze said, not sounding convinced. He turned, looking to the side as Captain Goradel rounded a shelf and approached them in a rush.
    "Ah, come to check on us, I see," Breeze said. "We survived the quake quite handily. No need for urgency, my dear captain."
    "It's not that," Goradel said, puffing slightly. "It's Lord Spook. He's back."
    Sazed and Breeze shared a look, then rose from their chairs, following Goradel to the front of the cavern. They found Spook walking down the steps. His eyes were uncovered, and Sazed saw a new hardness in the young man's expression.
    We really haven't been paying enough attention to the lad.
    The soldiers backed away. There was blood on Spook's clothing, though he didn't appear wounded. His cloak was burned in places, and the bottom ended in a charred rip.
    "Good," Spook said, noticing Breeze and Sazed, "you're here. Did that quake cause any damage?"
    "Spook?" Breeze asked. "No, we're all fine here. No damage. But—"
    "We have little time for chatter, Breeze," Spook said, walking past them. "Emperor Venture wants Urteau, and we're going to deliver it to him. I need you to start spreading rumors in the city. It should be easy—some of the more important elements in the underworld already know the truth."
    "What truth?" Breeze asked, joining Sazed as they followed Spook through the cavern.
    "That Quellion is using Allomancers," Spook said, his voice echoing in the cavern. "I've now confirmed what I suspected before—Quellion recruits Mistings from the people he arrests. He rescues them from his own fires, then holds their families hostage. He relies on the very thing he's preaching against. The entire foundation for his rule, therefore, is a lie. Exposing that lie should cause the entire system to collapse."
    "That's capital, we can certainly do that . . ." Breeze said, glancing at Sazed again. Spook kept walking, and Sazed followed, trailing Spook as he moved through the cavern. Breeze moved away, probably to fetch Allrianne.
    Spook stopped beside the water's edge. He stood there for a moment, then turned toward Sazed. "You said that you have been studying the construction that brought the water down here, diverting it from the canals."
    "Yes," Sazed said.
    "Is there a way to reverse the process?" Spook asked. "Make the water flood the streets again?"
    "Perhaps," Sazed said. "I am not certain that I have the engineering expertise to accomplish the feat, however."
    "Is there knowledge in your metalminds that would help you?" Spook asked.
    "Well . . . yes."
    "Then use them," Spook said.
    Sazed paused, looking uncomfortable.
    "Sazed," Spook said. "We don't have much time—we have to take this city before Quellion decides to attack and destroy us. Breeze is going to spread the rumors, then I am going to find a way to expose Quellion as a liar before his people. He's an Allomancer himself."
    "Will that be enough?"
    "It will if we give them someone else to follow," Spook said, turning back to look across the waters. "Someone who can survive fires; someone who can restore water to the city streets. We'll give them miracles and a hero, then expose their leader as a hypocrite and a tyrant. Confronted with that, what would you do?"
    Sazed didn't respond immediately. Spook made good points, even about Sazed's metalminds still being useful. Yet Sazed wasn't certain what he thought of the changes in the young man. Spook seemed to have grown far more competent, but . . .
    "Spook," Sazed said, stepping in closer, speaking quietly enough that the soldiers standing behind couldn't hear. "What is it you aren't sharing with us? How did you survive the leap from that building? Why do you cover your eyes with cloth?"
    "I . . ." Spook faltered, showing a hint of the insecure boy he had once been. For some reason, seeing that made Sazed more comfortable. "I don't know if I can explain, Saze," Spook said, some of his pretension evaporating. "I'm still trying to figure it out myself. I'll explain eventually. For now, can you just trust me?"
    The lad had always been a sincere one. Sazed searched those eyes, so eager.
    And found something important. Spook cared. He cared about this city, about overthrowing the Citizen. He'd saved those people earlier, when Sazed and Breeze had just stood outside, watching.
    Spook cared, and Sazed did not. Sazed tried—he grew frustrated with himself because of his depression, which had been worse this