Mistborn Trilogy - Brandon Sanderson [166]
And still, Kelsier worried. What did these men think they were fighting for? They seemed enthusiastic about their training, but that might have just been due to the regular meals. Did they actually believe that they deserved to overthrow the Final Empire? Did they think that skaa were inferior to noblemen?
Kelsier could sense their reservations. Many of the men realized the impending danger, and only the strict exit rules kept them from fleeing. While they were eager to speak of their training, they avoided talking about their final task—that of seizing the palace and city walls, then holding off the Luthadel Garrison.
They don’t think they can succeed, Kelsier guessed. They need confidence. The rumors about me are a start, but…
He nudged Ham, getting the man’s attention.
“Are there any men who have given you discipline problems?” Kelsier asked quietly.
Ham frowned at the odd question. “There are a couple, of course. I’d think there are always dissidents in a group this large.”
“Anyone in particular?” Kelsier asked. “Men who have wanted to leave? I need someone outspoken in their opposition to what we’re doing.”
“There are a couple in the brig right now,” Ham said.
“Anyone here?” Kelsier asked. “Preferably someone sitting at a table we can see?”
Ham thought for a moment, scanning the crowd. “The man sitting at the second table with the red cloak. He was caught trying to escape a couple weeks ago.”
The man in question was scrawny and twitchy; he sat at his table with a hunched, solitary posture.
Kelsier shook his head. “I need someone a bit more charismatic.”
Ham rubbed his chin in thought. Then he paused, and nodded toward another table. “Bilg. The big guy sitting at the fourth table over on the right.”
“I see him,” Kelsier said. Bilg was a brawny man wearing a vest and a full beard.
“He’s too clever to be insubordinate,” Ham said, “but he’s been making trouble quietly. He doesn’t think we have a chance against the Final Empire. I’d lock him up, but I can’t really punish a man for expressing fear—or, at least, if I did, I’d have to do the same for half the army. Besides, he’s too good a warrior to discard idly.”
“He’s perfect,” Kelsier said. He burned zinc, then looked toward Bilg. While zinc wouldn’t let him read the man’s emotions, it was possible—when burning the metal—to isolate just a single individual for Soothing or Rioting, much as one was able to isolate a single bit of metal from hundreds to Pull on.
Even still, it was difficult to single Bilg out from such a large crowd, so Kelsier just focused on the entire tableful of men, keeping their emotions “in hand” for later use. Then he stood. Slowly, the cavern quieted.
“Men, before I leave, I wish to express one last time how much I was impressed by this visit.” His words rang through the room, amplified by the cavern’s natural acoustics.
“You are becoming a fine army,” Kelsier said. “I apologize for stealing General Hammond, but I leave a very competent man in his place. Many of you know General Yeden—you know of his many years serving as rebellion leader. I have confidence in his ability to train you even further in the ways of soldiers.”
He began to Riot Bilg and his companions, enflaming their emotions, counting on the fact that they’d be feeling disagreeable.
“It is a great task I ask of you,” Kelsier said, not looking at Bilg. “Those skaa outside of Luthadel—indeed, most skaa everywhere—have no idea what you are about to do for them. They aren’t aware of the training you endure or the battles you prepare to fight. However, they will reap the rewards. Someday, they will call you heroes.”
He Rioted Bilg’s emotions even harder.
“The Garrison of Luthadel is strong,” Kelsier said, “but we can defeat it