The Hero of Ages

made his way to such a humble city in the Southern Dominance, especially unaccompanied. Even the mines weren't worth much anymore. The stranger had to be lying.

But. . he was obviously an Allomancer. .

Fatren hurried to keep up with the stranger. Venture-or whoever he was-paused in front of a large structure near the center of the city. The old offices of the Steel Ministry. Fatren had ordered the doors and windows boarded up.

'You found the weapons in there?' Venture asked, turning toward Fatren.

Fatren stood for a moment. Then, finally, shook his head. 'From the lord's mansion.'

'He left weapons behind?' Venture asked with surprise.

'We think he intended to come back for them,' Fatren said. 'The soldiers he left eventually deserted, joining a passing army. They took what they could carry. We scavenged the rest.'

Venture nodded to himself, rubbing his bearded chin in thought as he stared at the old Ministry building. It was tall and ominous, despite-or perhaps because of-its disuse. 'Your men look well trained. I didn't expect that. Do any of them have battle experience?'

Druffel snorted quietly, indicating that he thought this stranger had no business being so nosy.

'Our men have fought enough to be dangerous, stranger,' Fatren said. 'Some bandits thought to take rule of the city from us. They assumed we were weak, and would be easily cowed.'

If the stranger saw the words as a threat, he didn't show it. He simply nodded. 'Have any of you fought koloss?'

Fatren shared a look with Druffel. 'Men who fight koloss don't live, stranger,' he finally said.

'If that were true,' Venture said, 'I'd be dead a dozen times over.' He turned to face the growing crowd of soldiers and townspeople. 'I'll teach you what I can about fighting koloss, but we don't have much time. I want captains and squad leaders organized at the city gate in ten minutes. Regular soldiers are to form up in ranks along the bulwark-I'll teach the squad leaders and captains a few tricks, then they can carry the tips to their men.'

Some of the soldiers moved, but-to their credit-most of them stayed where they were. The newcomer didn't seem offended that his orders weren't obeyed. He stood quietly, staring down the armed crowd. He didn't seem frightened, nor did he seem angry or disapproving. He just seemed. . regal.

'My lord,' one of the soldier captains finally asked. 'Did you. . bring an army with you to help us?'

'I brought two, actually,' Venture said. 'But we don't have time to wait for them.' He met Fatren's eyes. 'You wrote and asked for my help. And, as your liege, I've come to give it. Do you still want it?'

Fatren frowned. He'd never asked this man-or any lord-for help. He opened his mouth to object, but paused. He'll let me pretend that I sent for him, Fatren thought. Act like this was part of the plan all along. I could give up rule here without looking like a failure.

We're going to die. But, looking into this man's eyes, I can almost believe that we have a chance.

'I. . didn't expect you to come alone, my lord,' Fatren found himself saying. 'I was surprised to see you.'

Venture nodded. 'That is understandable. Come, let's talk tactics while your soldiers gather.'

'Very well,' Fatren said. As he stepped forward, however, Druffel caught his arm.

'What are you doing?' his brother hissed. 'You sent for this man? I don't believe it.'

'Gather the soldiers, Druff,' Fatren said.

Druffel stood for a moment, then swore quietly and stalked away. He didn't look like he had any intention of gathering the soldiers, so Fatren waved for two of his captains to do it. That done, he joined Venture, and the two walked back toward the gates, Venture ordering a few soldiers to walk ahead of them and keep people back so that he and Fatren could speak more privately. Ash continued to fall from the sky, dusting the street black, clustering atop the city's stooped, one-story buildings.

'Who are you?' Fatren asked quietly.

'I am who I said,' Venture said.

'I don't believe you.'

'But you trust me,' Venture said.

'No. I just don't want to argue with an Allomancer.'

'That's good enough, for now,' Venture said. 'Look, friend, you have ten thousand koloss marching on your city. You need whatever help you can get.'

Ten thousand? Fatren thought, feeling stupefied.

'You're in charge of this city, I assume?' Venture asked.

Fatren shook out of his stupor. 'Yes,' he said. 'My name is Fatren.'

'All right, Lord Fatren, we-'

'I'm no lord,' Fatren said.

'Well, you just became one,' Venture said. 'You can choose a surname later. Now, before we continue, you need to know my conditions for helping you.'

'What kind of conditions?'

'The nonnegotiable kind,' Venture said. 'If we win, you'll swear fealty to me.'

Fatren frowned, stopping in the street. Ash fell around him. 'So that's it? You saunter in before a fight, claiming to be some high lord, so you can take credit for our victory? Why should I swear fealty to a man I only met a few minutes before?'

'Because if you don't,' Venture said quietly, 'I'll just take command anyway.' Then he continued to walk.

Fatren stood for a moment; then he rushed forward and caught up to Venture. 'Oh, I see. Even if we survive this battle, we'll end up ruled by a tyrant.'

'Yes,' Venture said.

Fatren frowned. He hadn't expected the man to be so blunt.

Venture shook his head, regarding the city through the falling ash. 'I used to think that I could do things differently. And, I still believe that I'll be able to, someday. But, for now, I don't have a choice. I need your soldiers and I need your city.'

'My city?' Fatren asked, frowning. 'Why?'

Venture held up a finger. 'We have to survive this battle first,' he said. 'We'll get to other things later.'

Fatren paused, and was surprised to realize that he did trust the stranger. He couldn't have explained exactly why he felt that way. This was simply a man to follow-a leader such as Fatren had always wanted to be.

Venture didn't wait for Fatren to agree to the 'conditions.' It wasn't an offer, but an ultimatum. Fatren hurried to catch up again as Venture entered the small square in front of the city gates. Soldiers bustled about. None of them wore uniforms-their only method of distinguishing a captain from a regular soldier was a red band tied around the arm. Venture hadn't given them much time to gather-but, then, they all knew the city was about to be attacked. They had been gathered anyway.

'Time is short,' Venture repeated in a loud voice. 'I can teach you only a few things, but they will make a difference.

'Koloss range in size from small ones that are about five feet tall to the huge ones, which are about twelve feet tall. However, even the little ones are going to be stronger than you are. Expect that. Fortunately, the creatures fight without coordination between individuals. If a koloss's comrade is in trouble, he won't bother to help.

'They attack directly, without guile, and try to use blunt force to overwhelm. Don't let them! Tell your men to gang up on individual koloss-two men for the small ones, three or four for the big ones. We won't be able to maintain a very large front, but that will keep us alive the longest.

'Don't worry about creatures that get around our line and enter the city-we'll have the civilians hidden at the very back of your town, and the koloss who bypass our line might turn to pillaging, leaving others to fight alone. That's what we want! Don't chase them down into the city. Your families will be safe.

'If you're fighting a big koloss, attack the legs, bring it down before you go for the kill. If you're fighting a small one, make certain your sword or spear doesn't get caught in their loose skin. Understand that koloss aren't stupid-they're just unsophisticated. Predictable. They'll come at you the easiest way possible, and attack only in the most direct manner.