Page 40 (1/2)

"Elend," Breeze said, "hter to Lord Ashweather Cett, king of the Western Dominance?"

"Your Majesty," Allrianne said

Elend nodded "Lady Cett" He paused, then--with a hopeful voice--continued "Your father sent you as an ambassador?"

Allrianne paused "Umhe didn't exactly send me, Your Majesty"

"Oh, dear," Breeze said, pulling out a handkerchief to dab his brow

Elend glanced at Hairl "Perhaps you should explain," he said, gesturing toward the atriuerly, but stayed close to Breeze as they sat Elend waved for so chilled wine

He had a feeling he was going to want so to drink

"I seek asylu with a quick voice "I had to go I mean, Breezy must have told you how my father is!"

Breeze sat uncomfortably, and Allrianne put an affectionate hand on his knee

"How your father is?" Elend asked

"He is soHe drove Breezy away, and I absolutely had to folloouldn't spend anotherlady, along with him to war! Why, do you knohat it is like to be leered at by every passing soldier? Do you understand what it is like to live in a tent?"

"I--"

"We rarely had fresh water," Allrianne continued "And I couldn't take a decent bath without fear of peeping soldiers! During our travels, there was dreadful nothing to do all day but sit in the carriage and bounce, bounce, bounce Why, until Breezy came, I hadn't had a refined conversation in weeks And then, Father drove hierly

Breeze coughed

"I had to get away, Your Majesty," Allrianne said "You have to give s that could help you Like, I sawsupplies from the cannery in Haverfrex! What do you think of that?"

"Umimpressive," Elend said hesitantly

Allrianne nodded curtly

"And, you came to find Breeze?" Elend asked

Allrianne flushed slightly, glancing to the side However, when she spoke, she displayed little tact "I had to see hi, sowonderful I wouldn't have expected Father to understand a man such as he"

"I see," Elend said

"Please, Your Majesty," Allrianne said "You have to take o!"

"You s to Dockson, who had entered through the atrium doors "But, you've obviously had a difficult trip Perhaps you would like an opportunity to refresh yourself?"

"Oh, I would much appreciate that, Your Majesty!"

Elend eyed Cadon, one of the palace stewards, who stood at the back of the room with other servants He nodded; roo, "Cadon will lead you to so at seven, and can speak again then"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Allrianne said, ju, then stepped forward, as if to do the saht better of it, instead allowing the servants to lead her away

Elend sat Breeze sighed deeply, leaning back in a wearied posture as Dockson walked forward, taking the girl's seat

"That wasunexpected," Breeze noted

There was an aard pause, the atriuhtly in the breeze froh The noise sparked Elend, and--despite the danger, despite the gravity of the proble as well

"Oh, honestly," Breeze huffed, which only proruity of the situation, perhaps it was because he needed to release tension, but Elend found hi so hard he al much better, and even Dockson cracked a smile

"I fail to see the levity in this situation," Breeze said "The daughter of Lord Cett--aour home--just demanded asylum in the city If Cett wasn't determined to kill us before, he certainly will be now!"

"I know," Elend said, taking deep breaths "I know It's just"

"It's the ied by that courtly fluffcake I can't think of anythingwos," Dockson noted "Although, I' us a probleht ould be able to avoid unplanned feone"

"This isn't irl's affection is completely misplaced"

"That's for sure," Haht," a new voice said "What was that pink thing I just passed in the hallway?"

Elend turned to find Vin standing, arms folded, in the atrium doorway So quiet Why does she walk stealthily even in the palace? She never wore shoes that clicked, never wore skirts that could rustle, and never hadthat could clink or be Pushed by Allomancers

"That wasn't pink, my dear," Breeze said "That was red"

"Close enough," Vin said, walking forward "She was bubbling to the servants about how hot her bath needed to be, andcertain they wrote down her favorite foods"