“Yes,” Codenames said. “Our agent didn’t put that together, but yes. From the shipping manifests here… Why are they taking in so much, if they’re not making anything?”
“Because those aren’t supplies for the factory,” Moonlight said, meeting Marasi’s eyes. “They’re stockpiles of food and arms for the cavern underneath. This is our incursion point.”
“I agree,” Marasi said. “There has to be an entrance to the caverns there, and maybe it will be less guarded than the central spire. We strike here.”
“We can get there quickly by rail,” Moonlight said. “The section leading from here to there is finished and running.”
“Wait,” TwinSoul said. “How urgent is this threat?”
“We have reason to believe,” Marasi said, “that the Set has developed a bomb capable of wiping out Elendel. Harmony is blinded, and we know the Set have been developing a device capable of delivering their bomb from a great distance.”
“They have a dark god breathing down their necks,” Moonlight added. “Demanding results. They were supposed to put their plan into motion weeks ago. And with Marasi and her friends getting close… well, they haveevery incentiveto launch that bomb the moment they can. It could happen at any time.”
“By the first aether…” he whispered, glancing at Codenames, whose eyes had gone wide. “Moonlight. We should contact the master.”
“You’re right,” Moonlight said. “I hate delaying, but… Codenames, is your special friend nearby?”
“Upstairs,” she said, scrambling out of the room. “I’ll go grab him.”
“The master?” Marasi said. “You mean…”
“Yes,” Moonlight said. “It’s time to talk to Kelsier.”
40
Codenames’s “friend” turned out to be a glowing sphere of light the size of a child’s head—though perfectly symmetrical and marked at the center with an arcane symbol.
It floated over to Marasi, then bobbed in the air and spoke with a soft masculine voice. She didn’t understand the strange words.
“Was that… some kind of spell?” she whispered to Moonlight.
“He said he was pleased to meet you,” Codenames said. “And complimented your hair.”
“Oh,” Marasi said, transfixed by the glowing orb. Nothing held it up; it simply floated, shimmering with a pure white glow, tinged with mother-of-pearl.
Codenames spoke to the sphere in the same language, and it bobbed again, then began to shift and change. It melded into the shape of a person’s head—a man with strong, angular features. She was shocked to find that most of the paintings and statues of the Survivor were accurate. Except for the spike through his right eye—a feature that was replicated in the light, same as the rest of his head and hair.
“I’m not surprised to hear from you,” he said. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”
“Maybe?” Codenames said. “Honestly, we’re not certain, Kell. But TwinSoul said we should contact you.”
“Is he there?” Kelsier asked.
“Present, my lord,” TwinSoul said, bowing his head to the reproduction of the man’s face—though Kelsier didn’t seem to be able to see him. “Also present is Moonlight, and… a visitor. One Marasi Colms.”
The Survivor’s image cocked an eyebrow at that. “Marasi Colms. We’ve been watching you.”
Marasi stammered. This man was the center of her religion—she’dprayed to him as a child. And while she wasn’t as observant as Steris, it was still… daunting to meet him.
He didn’t express anger that she was there. Another indication that Moonlight had been playing up that aspect, perhaps to make Marasi feel she was getting away with something.
“Report?” Kelsier asked.
“Dawnshot is in Bilming,” Moonlight said, “and thinks the Set is moving soon. Within the day.”
“Harmony is blinded, Lord Survivor,” Marasi said, piping up. “He admitted it to Wax. He can’t see anything, but… sir… he’s frightened.”
“Damn,” Kelsier said. “I’m twelve hours away, moving quickly via airship.”