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"What ti, Mistress?" OreSeur asked
Vin paused "Actually, OreSeur, I wasn't planning to bring you I still intend to keep your cover with the other people in the palace, and I think it would look very suspicious ofon this particular trip"
OreSeur was silent for a moment "Oh," he said "Of course Good luck, then, Mistress"
Vin felt only a tiny stab of disappointment; she'd expected him to object more She pushed the emotion aside Why should she fault hi into the ca head on paws as he watched her continue applying her makeup
"But, El," Ham said, "you should at least let us send you in our own carriage"
Elend shook his head, straightening his jacket as he looked in thein a coachht," Ham said "Who would beus out of that camp And, the fewer people I take with me, the fewer people Vin and I have to worry about"
Ham shook his head "El, I"
Elend laid a hand on Ham's shoulder "I appreciate the concern, Ham But, I can do this If there's one man in this world I can manipulate, it'sassured that he has the city in his pocket"
Ha," Elend said hesitantly
"Yes?"
"Would youme 'Elend' instead of just 'El'?"
Hah to do"
Elend smiled thankfully It's not what Tindanted, but it's a start We'll worry about the "Your Majesty"s later
The door opened, and Dockson walked in "Elend," he said "This just arrived for you" He held up a sheet of paper
"From the Assembly?" Elend asked
Dockson nodded "They're not happy about you "
"Well, I can't change the appointment with Straff just because they want to meet a day early," Elend said "Tell theet back"
Dockson nodded, then turned as a rustling sounded froe look on his face, as Vin walked up to the doorway
And she earing a dress--a beautiful blue gown that was sleeker than the common courtly fare Her black hair sparkled with a pair of sapphire barrettes, and she seemeddifferent More feminine--or, rather, more confident in her feed since I firstAlmost two years had passed Then she had been a youth, albeit one with the life experiences of soerous woman, but one who still looked up at him with eyes that were just a bit uncertain, just a bit insecure
"Beautiful," Elend whispered She s a dress!"
Vin flushed "What did you expect, Ha of the Northern Dominance in trousers?"
"Well" Ham said "Actually, yes"
Elend chuckled "Just because you insist on going about everywhere in casual clothing, Haet tired of those vests?"
Haed "They're easy And si her ar with sleeves"
"Be thankful for the weather," Ham said "Every chill you suffer will seem far worse to the men out in those armies"
Elend nodded Winter had, technically, started The weather probably wouldn't get bad enough to be ot snow in the Central Dohts certainly wouldn't io," Vin said "The sooner we get this over with, the better"
Elend stepped forward, s Vin's hands "I appreciate this, Vin," he said quietly "And you really do look gorgeous If eren'toff to near certain dooht just for the opportunity to show you off"
Vin s?"
"Guess I've been spending too much time with the crew" He leaned down to kiss her, but she yelped and jumped back
"It took ht," she snapped "No kissing!"
Elend chuckled as Captain Dee has arrived"
Elend looked at Vin She nodded
"Let's go," he said
Sitting inside the carriage Straff had sent for the on the wall, watching the
He co; we'll have to leave when theout how much power he has over us
It was his father's way--a move, in a way, that was similar to the attack on the walls a day before To Straff, everything was about posturing Elend had watched his father at court, and had seen hi the contract to oversee the Lord Ruler's atiuerous than his fellow noblea chaos into the mix, but who had?
Since the Collapse, Straff had secured the dom in the Final Empire He was a crafty, careful et what he wanted And this was the man Elend had to manipulate
"You look worried," Vin said She was across fro in a priranted her new habits and mannerisms Or just a return to old ones--she'd once been able to act like a noblewoht," she said "Straff won't hurt you--even if things go bad, he won't dare make a martyr of you"