Chapter 1
Kelsier’s scars ached. He had gotten them long ago, yet he could sense that the pain would never go away forever. But, as always, he would have to set it aside and push away the nightmares as he wandered the halls of Foxfire.
He stopped and closed his eyes to dip into everyone’s potential. Kaladin the Talentless blew him away. Interesting. Jasnah was strong and confident. Potential crewmate. Elend, the nerdy rich kid, was overwhelming, although he couldn’t see him doing anything. Decidedly laughable.
“Well?” Vin asked.
“Not much here. Let’s keep an eye on Kaladin, though,” he said, rubbing his arms.
Vin raised an eyebrow. Kaladin was a level six, seven feet tall, and strong. But an elf without an ability never had too much potential in the Lost Cities.
He dipped into Hoid, the janitor, and felt a wall. He frowned and pushed harder. Nothing.
He pointed, and Mare cocked her head as they walked over, her eyes questioning.
“Hello?” She asked him.
He sang out his words in a song he’d never heard. “Light travels faster than sound, which is probably why you seemed brighter until you spoke.”
“Excuse me?” Kelsier said.
“Not you, that was for her,” Hoid said happily to the same song. “You, though...”
Mare’s hand clenched a fist, but Vin got to him first, slapping him across the face.
The man winced and raised his hands in surrender. Kelsier saw a blue light from his pocket rise up, seemingly inhaled, but it was gone as soon as it came.
“Look, why can’t I sense your–” he growled.
“Well,” He said, unaffected by the hit, “I was all in for a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed.”
“I’m gonna warn you, bastard,” Vin hissed, “When you’re hurt and wailing from the lack of your underserved care, I will be there, and I will eat your skin.”
“Like... a vulture?” Hoid asked.
“I mean, you sure look like something a vulture would eat,” Kelsier agreed, folding his arms.
“Ah, now we’re getting all warmed up, but I’m afraid I need to take my leave...” He said, and somehow, without a light leaping crystal– although it must’ve been there–he disappeared just as the glass was shattered and the screams began.
Kelsier burst through the room to see cloaked figures with knives. He pulled out his own and mesmerized them, but they remained unaffected.
Of course.
He took a deep breath and charged.
He saw Hoid’s white hair in the corner of his eyes and turned to see his with Maya, ushering her out of the fight.
An arrow shot towards her.
Kelsier shouted out in warning, knowing it wouldn’t be enough.
“STOP!” Hoid shouted, and it did,
Kelsier stood, stunned. Of course, it was telekinetics, and yet...
Another shot towards him, and it vanished into the air.
Who is this man?
“Kel!” Mare screamed, warding off a Neverseen with nothing but a dagger.
He dodged an arrow, but the Neverseen were already retreating.
When he looked back, Hoid was gone.
