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man in the Central Dominance. By implying that the government was founded by the Survivor, the king will make the people think twice about meddling with it." Ham nodded thoughtfully. Vin glanced downward, however. What's the problem? Just earlier, I was beginning to wonder if I were the Hero of Ages, and now I'm worrie... |
for this city and the surrounding populace. Let that stand as my argument." He returned to his seat. Vin could see hints of a frown on Tindwyl's face. Elend hadn't given the speech that she and he had prepared, a speech giving the very arguments the Assembly was obviously expecting. Why the change? Vin wondered. Tindwy... |
stood. "I nominate Elend Venture," he said. "Ah. . ." someone whispered behind her. Vin turned, glancing at Breeze. "What?" she whispered. "Brilliant," Breeze said. "Don't you see? Penrod is an honorable man. Or, at least, as honorable as noblemen get—which means that he insists on being seen as honorable. Elend nomina... |
said. "Well, then. I think the title should go to someone who has a little practice with it. Someone who has shown skill with leadership. Therefore, I nominate Lord Ashweather Cett to be our king!" What? Vin thought with shock as Philen turned, gesturing toward the audience. A man sitting there removed his skaa cloak, ... |
here." Breeze nodded. "Cett was the most powerful nobleman in his area, so he needn't worry about tradition and propriety. He did what he wished, and the local nobility pandered. There were a hundred different courts with a hundred different little 'Lord Rulers' in the empire, each region having its own political dynam... |
you a direct question, Venture. During the proceedings of this meeting, have any of your Allomancers over there been Soothing members of the Assembly?" Elend paused. His eyes glanced to the side, finding Breeze. Vin closed her eyes. No, Elend, don't— "Yes, they have," Elend admitted. Vin heard Tindwyl groan quietly. "A... |
to my army." "You can't," Elend said immediately. "Not until there is a king—or unless you can get a unanimous vote right now." Vin smiled. Unanimous wouldn't happen in that case as long as Elend was on the Assembly. "Bah," Cett said, but he obviously was smooth enough not to insult the legislative body further. "Let m... |
her. "You sensed Allomancy from him?" Vin shook her head. "No." "Then, how do you know?" Elend asked. "Well, look at him," Vin said with a wave of her hand. "He acts like he can't walk—that has to be covering up something. What would be more innocent than a cripple? Can you think of a better way to hide the fact that y... |
That's not enough, she told herself. One freak event—one I've never been able to replicate—doesn't mean I'm some mythological savior. She didn't even really know most of the prophecies about the Hero. The logbook mentioned that he was supposed to come from humble origins—but that pretty much described every skaa in the... |
look like Lord Cett has finished moving in. He certainly did bring a lot of carts." "He's Allrianne's father," Vin said. "Despite how much that girl complains about accommodations in the army, I'd bet that Cett likes to travel in comfort." OreSeur nodded. Vin turned, leaning against the desk, watching him and thinking ... |
while the kandra are of Preservation. You're. . .actually supposed to destroy the world, I believe. Using the koloss as your pawns." "You actually sound sorry for them," Vin noted with amusement. "The kandra actually tend to think well of the koloss, Mistress," OreSeur said. "There is a bond between us; we both underst... |
There was really no way to know which one was behind the attack. Either way, the poisoned wells meant trouble. There were others in the city, of course, but they were just as vulnerable. The people might have to start relying on the river for their water, and it was far less healthy, its waters muddy and polluted by wa... |
the role of the responsible one in the crew. So, what was different? He was the same person, did the same things. He just felt different. The laughter was gone; the quiet enjoyment of the eccentricity in those around him. Without Kelsier, Dockson had somehow changed from temperate to. . .boring. And that was what made ... |
he lacks boldness, lacks presence." Not like Kelsier. "But," Dockson continued, "I don't want to see him lose his throne. He has treated the skaa fairly, for a nobleman." "He's a good person, Dox," Vin said quietly. Dockson looked away. "I know that. But. . .well, every time I talk to him, I see Kelsier standing over h... |
I believe in skaa freedom. I still lie awake at nights, however, quietly satisfied for what we've done to our former rulers. Their society undermined, their god dead. Now they know." Vin nodded. Dockson looked down, as if ashamed, an emotion she'd rarely seen in him. There didn't seem to be anything else to say. Dockso... |
them as impostors." "Yes," Vin said. "But that only narrows the field—brings me one step closer to knowing which one of them is dead." "And that knowledge isn't a good thing?" Vin shook her head. "I don't want it to be any of them, OreSeur. I don't want to distrust them, don't want to find out that we're right. . .." O... |
coin out the window. He hopped up obligingly, and she leaped out the window, fell twenty-five feet, and landed with the coin. She released OreSeur and nodded into the mists. He followed closely as she moved into the darkness, stooping and hiding, trying to get a good look at the lone figure. The man walked briskly, mov... |
detail, searching out its meaning and implications. Elend glanced at Sazed, who sat with a book open on the table before him. The Keeper had at least a dozen volumes stacked around him—though, amusingly, his stacks were neatly arranged, spines pointing the same direction, covers flush. Elend's own stacks were character... |
attitude only serving to reinforce that impression. Yet, he always had a very quiet hand in things here." Elend nodded. "Maybe he realized that you can't avoid politics by pretending you're not part of them. There's no way he would have been able to grab as much power as he did without some solid political connections.... |
philosophers, along with a strong element of modern realism." "Will Cett respect these laws?" Elend asked. "I don't know. I haven't ever really met the man." "What do your instincts tell you?" Noorden hesitated. "No," he finally said. "He isn't the type of man who rules by law. He just does what he wants." "He would br... |
Your Majesty, to the man you wish to become. If that man is not whom the people wish to have lead them, then they will choose someone else." Elend paused. Well, of course. If I shouldn't be an exception to my own laws, I shouldn't be an exception to my own ethics, either. Sazed's words were really just a rephrasing of ... |
our supplies." "Yes," Elend said, still writing. "I know. Several wells in the city have been poisoned." "They have?" He nodded. "Didn't I tell you when you checked on me earlier? That's where Ham and I were." "You didn't tell me." "I thought I did," Elend said, frowning. Vin shook her head. "I apologize," he said, lea... |
He was firm, demanding in a way that implied he expected respect. It's the collapse of his throne, the danger of the armies, Vin thought. The pressures are forcing him to change, to either step up and lead or get crushed. He'd known about the wells. What other things had he discovered, and not told her? "Elend?" Vin as... |
one of her mistcloak tassels. She turned to face him. He walked forward, but held no combat posture. He seemed confident, yet unconcerned, as if he were strolling up to an old friend, not entering a fight. All right then, she thought, jumping forward, swiping with her daggers. Zane stepped forward casually, turning jus... |
could just take you away—that would have the same effect." He turned back toward her. She was frowning, a small, quiet figure in the mists. "Come with me," he said. "Both of us could leave—Straff would lose his Mistborn, and Elend would lose his. We could deny them both their tools. And we could be free." She didn't re... |
eventually—after I Snapped, and he finally got what he'd been gambling to get for the last twenty years No, I don't hate Elend. Sometimes, however, I do envy him. He has everything. And still. . .it seems to me like he doesn't appreciate it." Vin stood quietly. "I'm sorry." Zane shook his head sharply. "Don't pity me, ... |
satin. "You look beautiful, child," Tindwyl said. Vin turned, smiling hesitantly. "I don't have any jewelry. I gave the last of it to Elend to help feed the refugees. It was the wrong color to go with this dress anyway." "Many women use jewelry to try and hide their own plainness," Tindwyl said. "You don't have that ne... |
you ever known me to express such a dreary and uninspired emotion? Besides, I have a feeling Cett will be more amiable without me around." He's probably right, Elend thought as his coach pulled up. "Elend," Ham said. "Don't you think bringing two hundred soldiers with us is. . .well, a little obvious?" "Cett is the one... |
the money we spent would go to skaa merchants." Elend paused thoughtfully, and Vin smirked to herself. Odd that I would end up with the only frugal nobleman in the city. What a pair they were—a Mistborn who felt guilty wasting coins to jump and a nobleman who thought balls were too expensive. It was a wonder that Docks... |
be very difficult for an invading force to claim the keep. Fortunately, it didn't appear that they would have to go all the way to the top this evening. After they climbed two flights in a twisting stone stairwell—Vin having to pull her dress in at the sides to keep from brushing against the stones—their guide led them... |
know you, Venture. I'd been watching you, studying you, for months. And then, you were kind enough to send one of your friends to spy on me. I learned a lot about you from him!" Elend looked troubled. Cett laughed. "Honestly, you didn't think I'd recognize one of the Survivor's own crewmembers? You Luthadel noblemen mu... |
asked. "Because I'd rather not kill you," Cett said. "Then don't." Cett shook his head. "That isn't how all this works, lad. If there is an opportunity to stabilize your power, or to get more power, you'd damn well better take it. And I will." The table fell silent again. Cett eyed Vin. "No comments from the Mistborn?"... |
Elend said, standing. "They're going to choose me. Faced with the choice between freedom and slavery, they will choose freedom. The men of the Assembly are the finest of this city, and they will make the best choice for its people." Cett paused, then he laughed. "The best thing about you, lad, is that you can say that ... |
be certain. She turned off her copper, then burned bronze. There was no Coppercloud burning; Cett apparently didn't care if someone recognized his men as Allomancers. Two of his men were burning pewter. Neither, however, were soldiers; both were pretending to be members of the serving staff who were bringing meals. The... |
preparations Kelsier had made without alerting any of his crewmembers. Those weapons had armed the rebellion on the eve of the Survivor's own death, letting it take the city. Those weapons were now stored in lockers and armories. In their place, a desperate, beaten people huddled in what blankets they could find. There... |
the floor. The refugees didn't often look up. "You've been here nearly all day," Tindwyl said. The room was remarkably quiet, considering its occupancy. Fires crackled, and people lay silent in their pain or numbness. "There are many wounded here," Sazed said. "I am the best one to look after them, I think. I am not al... |
no more a violation of another person than it was for a woman to wear a low-cut gown or speak in a commanding voice. All three produced common, understandable, and—most important—natural reactions in people. Take Sazed, for example. Was it "invasive" to make the man less fatigued, so he could better go about his minist... |
of bitterness and frustration. No, those two emotions come from an entirely different set of problems. Of course, isn't Sazed supposed to be a eunuch? I wonder how this all came about. . .. His speculations trailed off as the warehouse doors opened. Elend walked in—Ham, unfortunately, accompanying him. Elend was wearin... |
then?" Elend asked. "Yes, actually," Breeze said, checking his pocket watch. "Do you need a ride?" "I brought my own carriage," Breeze said. Elend nodded, then turned to Ham, and the two retreated the way they had come, talking about Elend's next meeting with one of the other Assemblymen. Breeze wandered into the palac... |
love me. . ." He liked to think he wasn't invasive. Yet, how could he trust anyone who said they loved him? Was it he, or his Allomancy, that they responded to? Clubs filled his cup. "You're a lot sillier than you act." Breeze smiled. Clubs was one of the few people who was completely immune to his touch. Emotional All... |
he was. But it was also work. Even birds couldn't fly all the time. "There you are." Breeze snapped his eyes open. Allrianne stood at the entrance to the room, just at the edge of the table. She wore light blue; where had she gotten so many dresses? Her makeup was, of course, immaculate—and there was a bow in her hair.... |
wanted to check Clubs anyway," she said. "Before I did anything drastic." "Drastic?" Vin sat quietly for a moment. She didn't have much proof, but she did have her instincts—and those instincts told her Demoux was the spy. That sneaking way he'd gone out the other night. . .the obvious logic of choosing him. . .it all ... |
learn something in the process. She waved to OreSeur, and they quietly followed along the rooftops, trailing Demoux. Soon, Vin noticed something odd—a flicker of firelight illuminating the mists a few streets over, making haunted shadows of buildings. Vin glanced at Demoux, trailing him with her eyes as he wandered dow... |
on, no matter how hard this all gets. We'll win, in the end. Just like he did." He stood with his mug in his hands, looking nothing like the skaa preachers Vin had seen. Kelsier had chosen a passionate man to found his religion—or, more precisely, to found the revolution the religion had come from. Kelsier had needed l... |
Vin could see why the direct words would appeal to the skaa. The people really only had two choices: to struggle on, or to give up. Demoux's teachings gave them an excuse to keep living. The skaa didn't need rituals, prayers, or codes. Not yet. They were too inexperienced with religion in general, too frightened of it,... |
"About the ash no longer falling, and the sun turning yellow?" "No, Mistress." "That's what I thought," Vin said as she heard rustling on the stones below. She glanced over the side of the building, and saw Demoux returning to the palace. Vin dropped to the alleyway floor behind him. To the man's credit, he heard her, ... |
his own. "The destruction of the army was a test," Demoux said, looking up into the mists. "These armies. . .the siege. . .they're just tests. To see if we will survive or not." "And the ash?" Vin asked. "Where did you hear that it would stop falling?" Demoux turned back to her. "The Survivor taught that, didn't he?" V... |
taken her long to achieve a place in the Synod. By then, however, Sazed had been ousted from their ranks. Tindwyl finished writing. "The passage is from a biography of King Wednegon," she said. "He was one of the last leaders who resisted the Lord Ruler in any sort of meaningful combat." "I know who he was," Sazed said... |
them killing people, we have only your hesitant theories." Sazed glanced away. On the table, his fingers had smudged Tindwyl's hurriedly written words. "That is true," he said. Tindwyl sighed softly in the dim room. "Why do you never defend yourself, Sazed?" "What defense is there?" "There must be some. You apologize a... |
something, something he had not expected to ever hear from her. "I am confused," he said, sitting back down in a slow motion. "What of your duty as a Keeper?" "It is important," she admitted. "But. . .certain, occasional exceptions must be allowed. This rubbing you found. . .well, perhaps it merits further study before... |
cloak—only his usual vest, trousers, and sandals. I wonder if he even knows what it is like to be cold, Elend thought. Pewter. Such an amazing talent. "You say I nearly look like a king," Elend said, turning to continue walking along the wall as Ham joined him. "I guess Tindwyl's clothing has done wonders for my image.... |
I've been missing through most of my reign. Arrogance." "Self-confidence." "A nicer word for the same concept," Elend said. "I can do a better job for this people than another man could. I just have to find a way to prove that fact to them." "You will." "You're an optimist, Ham," Elend said. "So are you," Ham noted. El... |
He'd best use that to his advantage, or he wouldn't be remembered at all. No kings could admit their weaknesses, but they were certainly wise to admit their strengths. And what are my strengths? he thought. Why should I be the one who rules this city, and those around it? Yes, he was a scholar—and an optimist, as Ham h... |
white wooden barrettes for her hair. "It's odd," she said, "how quickly wearing these gowns became natural for me again." "I'm glad you made the switch," Elend said. "The trousers and shirt are you. . .but this is you, too. The part of you I remember from the balls, when we barely knew each other." Vin smiled wistfully... |
you ready for this meeting to begin?" The hall grew quiet. Vin and Elend still stood in the center of the stage, between the lectern and the seats of the Assembly members. She looked at him, torn between a sense of dread, a sense of confusion, and a slight sense of betrayal. Why didn't you tell me? she thought. How can... |
threats, Penrod. You all know you have to vote for me." Vin frowned. He seemed certain of himself, and yet. . .She scanned the crowd, eyes falling on Ham. He was talking to Captain Demoux. And seated next to them was one of the men who had followed her in the market. A priest of the Survivor. Vin turned, studying the A... |
external group. But, Ham and Demoux both had thought it a good idea. Elend had spent the better part of the previous day getting the word out to the skaa citizens about his decision. It felt like a good move. The only thing he worried about was Vin. He glanced at her. She didn't like her place in the Church of the Surv... |
Coins couldn't be deflected safely. If she shot a handful at her enemies, random people would die. She had to kill these men fast. They were already fanning out, surrounding her and Elend. They moved in pairs—one Thug and one Coinshot in each team. They would attack from the sides, trying to get past her to Elend. Vin ... |
bring his staff around. Vin broke his leg before he could. He dropped with a howl, and Vin leaped onto his back, forcing him to the ground as she swung an overhand blow at the second Thug. He blocked, then shoved his weapon against hers to throw her back off his companion. Elend attacked. The king's actions, however, s... |
its contents across the floor. Vin growled, but her mind was growing fuzzy. She needed pewter. Without it, the large coin wound in her shoulder—its blood turning her lacy sleeve red—and the crushing pain in her side were too much. She almost couldn't think. A staff swung toward her head. She jerked to the side, rolling... |
Vin spun, searching desperately for Elend. He'd taken one of the fallen Thugs' weapons and was fending off the two remaining Coinshots, who had apparently grown frustrated by her Pushing away all of their coin attacks. Instead, they had pulled out dueling canes to attack him directly. Elend's training had apparently be... |
into his face. The man's head exploded as easily as the eyeball had earlier. Vin gasped for breath and pushed the headless corpse off her. Elend stumbled back, his suit and face sprayed red. Vin stumbled to her feet. Her vision swam as her pewter dissipated—but even through that, she could see an emotion on Elend's fac... |
Ham was silent for a moment. Finally, he turned to Elend. "I'll admit, El," he said quietly. "I'm impressed. I didn't see the fight, but I saw the aftermath. It's one thing to fight six Allomancers, but it's another to do that while trying to protect a regular person, and to keep any by-standers from harm. And that las... |
for Penrod as well. As did the next, and the next. Elend sat stunned, listening. What did I miss? he thought. He glanced at Ham, who shrugged in confusion. Philen glanced at Elend, smiling pleasantly. Elend couldn't tell if there was bitterness or satisfaction in that look, however. They switched allegiances? That quic... |
officially closed the voting—which, indeed, he hadn't. The clause was a rather oblique; Noorden was probably the only other one in the room who knew the law well enough to interpret it. He nodded slightly, still meeting Elend's eyes. He would hold his tongue. Elend sat still in a room full of men who trusted him, even ... |
and force her not to use coins. I really thought this would work." Straff frowned. He well knew that Zane thought himself more competent than his father; what Mistborn wouldn't think such a thing? Only a delicate mixture of bribery, threats, and manipulation kept Zane under control. Yet, no matter what Zane thought, St... |
my sons died today, Ferson, Straff thought. The fact that Elend still lives isn't fortunate—it's irony. "You are ready to deliver the city?" Straff asked. Penrod nodded. "Philen and his merchants want assurances that they will have titles to match those Cett promised them." Straff waved a dismissive hand. "You know me,... |
of yours slip the Mistborn something?" Penrod paled slightly. "I. . .don't think that would be wise, my lord. Besides, you know Mistborn constitutions." Perhaps she really is incapacitated, Straff thought. If we moved in. . .The chill of her touch on his emotions returned. Numbness. Nothingness. "You needn't fear her s... |
just shook his head. "You win again," he said, then shot upward into the sky, churning mists with his passing. Straff immediately turned his horse, trying to maintain his decorum as he urged it back toward the camp. He could feel the poison. Feel it stealing his life. Feel it threatening him, overcoming him. . .. He we... |
a piece of her knew that he was there, watching over her. It felt odd to be beneath his protective care, for she was the one who usually did the guarding. So, when she finally woke, she wasn't surprised to find him in the chair beside her bed, reading quietly by soft candlelight. As she came fully awake, she didn't jum... |
the shutters to her room. They were closed, keeping the mists out, though Vin could see the darkness beyond. "The thing is, Vin," he said quietly, "I never really thought it would end this way. I trusted them, right to the end. The people—the Assemblymen they chose—I trusted that they would do the right thing. When the... |
for a kandra before." "Well, I don't see why not," Vin said, climbing back in bed. "OreSeur risked his life for me." "He's a kandra, Vin," Elend repeated. "I don't think those men could have killed him; I doubt even a Mistborn could." Vin paused. Not even a Mistborn could. . .. What bothered her about that statement? "... |
He set the bowl on the bedstand. Vin eyed it through narrowed eyes. Sazed was probably worried that, despite her wounds, she'd go out and prowl the city if she were left on her own. He was probably right. With a sigh, Vin accepted the bowl and began to sip at it. Elend smiled. "I'll send someone to bring you more coal ... |
too. . ." Vin trailed off. It was basic thieving strategy: if you had a front that you wanted to escape suspicion as you burgled the shops around it, you made certain to "steal" from yourself as well. "The assassins who attacked Cett were all normal men," Vin said. "No Allomancers. I wonder what he told them—that they'... |
turned away. "It's not his fault that he is what he is," Zane said. "As I said, he's pure. But, that makes him different from us. I've tried to explain it to you. I wish you could have seen that look in his eyes. . .." I saw it, Vin thought. She didn't want to remember it, but she had seen it. That awful look of horror... |
away her daggers. "When Elend said you'd had him get you a body, I just assumed that you'd asked for a human. I mean, everyone saw my 'dog' die." "Yes," OreSeur said, "but it will be simple to explain that you got a new animal. You are expected to have a dog with you now, and so not having one would provoke notice." Vi... |
no permanent effect." "Then why are you afraid?" Vin said, finally lighting upon what was bothering her. "Mistress?" "Why did your people make the Contract?" Vin asked. "Why subjugate yourselves to mankind? If our soldiers couldn't hurt you, then why even worry about us?" "You have Allomancy," OreSeur said. "So, Alloma... |
thought. He took it for himself—but it didn't last. It must have run out, and quickly. Otherwise, why would he have needed armies to conquer? An initial burst of power, the ability to create, to change—perhaps to save. He'd pushed back the mists, and in the process he'd somehow made the ash begin to fall and the sky tu... |
life, nearly broke his Contract, and I do this to him. . .. OreSeur shrugged. "It is done. I need to rest. I suggest that you do the same." After that, I began to see other problems. "'I WRITE THIS RECORD NOW,'" Sazed read out loud, "'pounding it into a metal slab, because I am afraid. Afraid for myself, yes—I admit to... |
specific person to stop the mists—Rashek's success proves that. Here, skip to the end. Read that passage about Rashek." "'I have a young nephew, one Rashek,'" Sazed read. "'He hates all of Khlennium with the passion of envious youth. He hates Alendi even more acutely—though the two have never met—for Rashek feels betra... |
worthy temperament? It does seem an odd choice." "Exactly," Tindwyl said, resting her arms on the table. "But," Sazed said, "Kwaan says right here that he 'doubts that if Alendi reaches the Well of Ascension, he will take the power and then—in the name of the greater good—give it up.'" Tindwyl shook her head. "It doesn... |
a smile. "Unaccustomed to being defeated." "This will be worse than the revolution," Tindwyl said. "I have studied these things, Sazed. I know what happens when a conqueror takes a city. People will die. Many people." Sazed felt a chill at her words. There was a tension to Luthadel; war was coming to the city. Perhaps ... |
rising up to meld with the ashen red sky. For every house that produced smoke, there were two that did not. Many of those were probably deserted; the city held nowhere near the population it once had. However, he knew that many of those smokeless houses were still inhabited. Inhabited, and freezing. I should have been ... |
skaa, Demoux, and I want to understand the will of my. . .of the people. I promised you dedication—and you shall have it." Demoux seemed a bit confused, but spoke no further. Elend eyed his desk, considering some studying, but found it hard to motivate himself in the chill room. Instead, he pushed open the door and str... |
usually felt. Maybe I could learn from her, he thought. What would Vin do in my situation? She certainly wouldn't just wander around, brooding and feeling sorry for herself. Elend frowned, looking down a hallway lighted by flickering oil lamps, only half of them lit. Then he took off, waking with a determined stride to... |
cost you the throne, Elend Venture. That moment was a small thing, far too simple to credit with your large-scale failure. You lost the throne because you wouldn't command your armies to secure the city, because you insisted on giving the Assembly too much freedom, and because you don't employ assassins or other forms ... |
asked. "These great leaders of yours, how would they have reacted to my situation?" "It is a meaningless question," she said. "They would not have found themselves in this situation, for they would not have lost their titles in the first place." "Is that what it's about, then?" Elend asked. "The title?" "Isn't that wha... |
an alternative to freezing." Demoux nodded, then moved over to pass on the commands. Elend turned as a messenger arrived. The man had to weave his way through an organized jumble of soldiers receiving orders and making plans. Elend nodded to the newcomer. "You're on the demolitions scout group, correct?" The man nodded... |
enough men tearing down enough buildings, he just might be able to do some good. "My lord!" Elend turned as a short man with a drooping mustache approached. "Ah, Felt," he said. "You have news?" The man was working on the poisoned-food problem—specifically how the city was being breached. The scout nodded. "I do indeed... |
to much good use lately, and he seemed to be enjoying the tasks Elend was giving him. Elend made a mental note to think about putting Felt to work on locating the kandra spy—assuming, of course, that Felt himself wasn't the spy. "My lord," Demoux said, approaching. "I think I might be able to offer a second opinion on ... |
Elend raised an eyebrow. In the face of undeniable winter, Ham had finally taken to wearing a shirt beneath his vest. He wore no cloak or coat, however. Elend turned back to the map. "The clothing suits me," he said. "It just feels right. Anyway, that vest of yours is as much a uniform as this is." "No it's not." "Oh?"... |
word. Cett is desperate for some reason—one I haven't been able to figure out. Anyway, by putting himself in here, he sides with us against Straff—whether we want the alliance or not." "But, what if the Assembly gives the city to Straff? If our men join with him and attack Cett?" "That's the gamble he took," Elend said... |
of this for years and years," he said. "Granny Hilde used to give me sweets when I was a kid. Of course, that was really just a cheap way of getting some quiet—yet well-targeted—publicity for her passwall. When I was grown, I used to use this to sneak Mardra and the kids in and out of the city when they came to visit."... |
Elend was doing but Ham. What do I owe the people of this city? Elend thought. They rejected me. Why do I still insist on trying to protect them? "I recognize that look, El," Ham said. "Let's go back." Elend closed his eyes, letting out a quiet sigh. Then he snapped his eyes open and kicked his horse into a gallop. It ... |
Yet, they would sometimes attack when there was plenty of food, killing a companion for his hunk of beef. Pain was another good motivator, apparently, as was a challenge to authority. Carnal, visceral reasons. And yet, there seemed to be times when they attacked without any cause or reason. And after fighting, they wou... |
and yelled, startling Elend's horse. Elend fought to keep his mount from throwing him as the koloss jumped and attacked one of its companions, proceeding to pummel it with a massive fist. Elend won his struggle. The lead koloss, however, did not. Elend climbed off his horse, patting the beast on the neck as the victimi... |
the room's desk. Elend eyed the bottles and flasks lying in the corner of the room. They were all empty. Jastes removed a full bottle from the desk and poured Elend a small cup, the size and clear color an indication that this was no simple dinner wine. Elend accepted the small cup, but did not drink. "What happened, J... |
"So," Jastes said, running a hand through his "hair," "that fancy suit and haircut didn't save you, eh?" "Take your koloss and go, Jastes." "That sounded like a threat, Elend," Jastes said. "You aren't king, you don't have an army, and I don't see your Mistborn around. What grounds do you have for threats?" "They're ko... |
There was no sign of Elend's horse. So he kept a wary eye on the soldiers, pulling Jastes toward the invisible line between the human camp and the koloss one. Elend turned as he reached the perimeter, then pushed Jastes back toward his men. They caught him, one pulling out a bandage for the arm. Others made moves as if... |
But it was far too late to worry about that now. Elend rolled out of the way as a thick, clublike sword smashed to the ground beside him. Instincts overrode terror, and he mostly managed to avoid the backswing. It took him a bit in the side, spraying a patch of blood across his once white uniform, but he barely even fe... |
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