The Hero of Ages

Marsh travels to a small town within Elend’s territory, which has fallen into ruin and is now inhabited by starving skaa, who react with fear and awe at the sight of him. Marsh’s mission is to find and kill an Allomancer who recently used his powers there. In a neglected mansion, he kills the guards and servants, then finds his target passed out drunk in a study. Marsh kills him by driving a bronze spike through his heart, creating a Hemalurgic spike to harvest the man’s Allomantic ability.

Outside the mansion, Marsh is met by a few desperate skaa who beg him to bring back the Lord Ruler’s obligators to alleviate their suffering. Marsh dismisses them, knowing their fate is already sealed. As he leaves, the Ashmount behind the town erupts, spewing ash and lava that threaten to destroy the entire community, and Marsh watches the destruction with detached indifference.

Spook leaves Breeze at a tavern to gather information from the more affluent citizens of Urteau while he goes into the poorer areas to investigate the rumors that have been spreading about him. He makes his way to the Harrows and confronts Durn, a local gang leader, demanding to know why he has been spreading rumors about Spook’s identity as a member of Kelsier’s crew.