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Elend had hoped, perhaps, that his father's lack of military experience would translate to a poorly run ared in a careful pattern, and the soldiers wore neat unifor out with avid eyes, showing far more interest than an imperial noblewo

"What?" Elend asked, leaning over

"Obligator," Vin said

Elend looked over her shoulder, spotting the former imperial priest--the skin around his eyes tattooed in a wide pattern--directing a line of soldiers outside a tent "So that's it He's using obligators to aded "It roups of people"

"And how to supply theood idea--but it's still surprising It iators--and that he's still subject to the Lord Ruler's authority Most of the other kings threw off the obligators as soon as they could"

Vin frowned "I thought you said your father likes being in power"

"He does," Elend said "But also likes powerful tools He always keeps a kandra, and he has a history of associating with dangerous Allomancers He believes that he can control theators"

The carriage slowed, then stopped beside a large tent Straff Venture eed a moeposture The new beard only heightened the effect He wore a sharp, well-cut suit, just like the suits he had tried to get Elend to wear as a boy That hen Elend had begun wearing his clothing disheveled--the buttons undone, the jackets too large Anything to separate him from his father

Elend's defiance had never beenset aith it None of it had ht Luthadel in fla to bring down the entire city A night of chaos and destruction, with Vin trapped somewhere within it

Then Elend had stood up to Straff Venture

I'm not the same boy you pushed around, Father Vin squeezed his are as the coache look on his face as Elend raised a hand to help Vin down

"You came," Straff said

"You seem surprised, Father"

Straff shook his head "I see that you're just as big an idiot as ever, boy You're in my power now--I could have you killed with a bare wave of my hand" He raised his arm, as if to do just that

Now's the"I've always been in your power, Father," he said "You could have had o, could have takenhere changes anything"

Straff hesitated

"We caive you a chance to ht discuss certainissues of particular import to you"

Straff frowned

That's right, Elend thought Wonder if I have some offer yet to make You know that the first man to play his hand usually loses

Straff wouldn't pass up an opportunity for gain--even a sliured there was nothing Elend could say that was of real importance But could he be sure? What did he have to lose?

"Go and confirm with my chef that there will be three for dinner," Straff said to a servant

Elend let out a lightly held breath

"That girl's your Mistborn, then?" Straff asked

Elend nodded

"Cute little thing," Straff said "Tell her to stop Soothing my emotions"

Vin flushed

Straff nodded toward the tent Elend led Vin forward, though she glanced over her shoulder, obviously not liking the idea of exposing her back to Straff

Little bit late for thatElend thought

The tent chamber hat Elend would have expected of his father: stuffed with pillows and rich furniture, very little of which Straff would actually use Straff furnished to suggest his power Like the s were an expression of how important he was

Vin waited quietly, tensely, at Elend's side in the center of the rooe, and he still noticed my touch"

Elend nodded "He's also a Tineye," he said in a norht now"

Elend looked toward the door Straff walked in a fewno indication as to whether he had heard Vin or not A group of servants entered a fewtable

Vin inhaled sharply The servants were skaa--ied, their clothingThey carried their loads with lowered eyes