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Elend chuckled "Two years, and privacy is still a strange concept to you"

Vin looked up "Well, I did--"

For just the briefest flash of a ht he was someone else Her instincts kicked in before her brain, and she reflexively dropped the pen, ju pewter

Then she stopped

"Thatout his aret a better look at his costume

Vin put a hand to her chest, so shocked that she stepped right on one of her stacks It was Elend, but it wasn't The brilliant white costuure, looked so different from his nor More regal

"You cut your hair," she said, walking around hi the costume

"Tindwyl's idea," he said "What do you think?"

"Less for people to grab on to in a fight," Vin said

Elend smiled "Is that all you think about?"

"No," Vin said absently, reaching up to tug his cape It caly Mistcloaks were the sa his cape in a fight

She stepped back, arms folded "Does this mean I can cut my hair, too?"

Elend paused just briefly "You're always free to do what you want, Vin But, I kind of think it's pretty longer"

It stays, then

"Anyway," Elend said "You approve?"

"Definitely," Vin said "You look like a king" Though, she suspected a part of her would le-haired, disheveled Elend There had been so about that mixture of earnest competence and distracted inattention

"Good," Elend said "Because I think we're going to need the advantage Aover her stacks of paper "Vin? Were you doing research?"

Vin flushed "I was just looking through the logbook, trying to find references to the Deepness"

"You were!" Elend stepped forward excitedly To her chagrin, he quickly located the paper with her fledgling notes on it He held the paper up, then looked over at her "Did you write this?"

"Yes," she said

"Your pen a bit surprised "Why didn't you tell me you could write like this?"

"Didn't you say soer?"

Elend put the sheet back down, looking oddly like a proud parent "Right Ahier But, we should probably goto OreSeur The kandra rose and padded to her side, and the three of the about books and notes They could alait for another ti in the third-floor Venture atrium Vin and Elend walked in, and she stopped immediately

It was him The Watcher

Elend stepped forward to rabbed his arm "Wait," she hissed quietly

Elend turned, confused

If that ht with a stab of panic, Elend is dead We're all dead

The Watcher stood quietly He didn't look er or courier He wore all black, even a pair of black gloves He wore trousers and a silken shirt, with no cloak or cape She reht, if he'd wanted to kill Elend, he could have done so already The thought frightened her, yet she had to ad in the doorith her

"Be careful," she whispered "This is no sier ThatHe turned back toward the Watcher, who stood quietly, clasping his hands behind his back, looking confident Yes, he was Mistborn; only a man such as he could walk into an eneuards, and not be the slightest bit unsettled

"All right," Elend said, finally stepping into the rooe for e, Your Majesty," the Watcher said "My na of anambassador Your father was very pleased to receive your invitation for an alliance He's glad that you are finally seeing reason"

Vin studied the Watcher, this "Zane" What was his game? Why come himself? Why reveal who he was?

Elend nodded, keeping a distance from Zane "Two armies," Elend said, "ca I can ignore I'd like to meet with my father and discuss possibilities for the future"

"I think he would enjoy that," Zane said "It has been soretted your falling-out You are, after all, his only son"

"It's been hard on both of us," Elend said "Perhaps we could set up a tent in which to meet outside the city?"

"I'htly fears assassins If you wish to speak with him, he'd be happy to host you at his tent in the Venture camp"

Elend frowned "Now, I don't think that makes much sense If he fears assassins, shouldn't I?"

"I'm certain he could protect you in his own ca to fear from Cett's assassins there"

"Isee," Elend said

"I'm afraid that His Majesty was quite firer for an alliance--if you wish a lanced at Vin She continued to watch Zane The man met her eyes, and spoke "I have heard reports of the beautiful Mistborn who accompanies the Venture heir She who slew the Lord Ruler, and was trained by the Survivor himself"

There was silence in the room for a moment

Elend finally spoke "Tell my father that I will consider his offer"