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"Perhaps we can make a deal, boy," Straff said "Deliver the atiu it to you will take time," Elend said

"Why?" Straff asked "Atiuht"

"There's a lot of it"

"Not so much you couldn't pack it on a cart and send it out," Straff said

"It's more complicated than that," Elend said

"I don't think it is," Straff said, sive it to me"

Elend frowned

"We don't have it," Vin whispered

Straff turned

"We never found it," she said "Kelsier overthrew the Lord Ruler just so he could get that atium But we never could find out where the metal was It probably wasn't ever in the city"

Wasn't expecting thatElend thought Of course, Vin tended to do things by instinct,in the world could go out the ith Vin around--but what she did instead was usually better

Straff sat for aat all to offer me"

I need to act weak, Elend remembered Need him to think he can take the city any tian to tap the table quietly with his index finger, trying to look nervous If Straff thinks we don't have the atiu the city Less gain That's why Vin said what she did

"Vin doesn't knohat she's talking about," Elend said "I've kept the atiu, Father"

"No," Straff said, now sounding amused "You really don't have it Zane saidbut, well, I didn't believe"

Straff shook his head, turning back toward his irl at his side didn't eat; she sat quietly, like the orna drink of his wine, then let out a satisfied sigh He looked at his child mistress "Leave us," he said

She immediately did as commanded

"You, too," Straff said to Vin

Vin stiffened slightly She looked toward Elend

"It's all right," he said slowly

She paused, then nodded Straff hier to Elend, and she was a Mistborn If soet to Elend quickly And, if she left, it would do what they wanted--make Elend look less powerful In a better position to deal with Straff

Hopefully

"I'll wait just outside," Vin said quietly, withdrawing

He was no simple soldier He was a force of leadership--a man that fate itself seemed to support

27

"ALL RIGHT," STRAFF SAID, setting down his fork "Let's be honest, boy I' you killed"

"You'd execute your only son?" Elend asked

Straff shrugged

"You need ht Cett You can killYou'd still have to take Luthadel by force, and Cett would still be able to attack--and defeat you--in your weakened state"

Straff s forward so he loo on both counts, boy First, I think that if I killed you, the next leader of Luthadel would beI have certain interests in the city who indicate that is true Second, I don't need your help to fight Cett He and I already have a treaty"

Elend paused "What?"

"What do you think I've been doing these last feeeks? Sitting and waiting on your whied pleasantries He's not interested in the city--he just wants the atiureed to split e discover in Luthadel, then work together to take the rest of the Final Empire He conquers to the west and north, I head east and south Very accoht with reasonable certainty That wasn't Straff's way; he wouldn't th Straff feared betrayal too much

"You think I would believe that?" Elend said

"Believe what you wish," Straff said

"And the koloss ar one of their trump cards

This made Straff pause

"If you want to take Luthadel before those koloss get here, Father," Elend said, "then I think youtoward theyou want I only ask one thing--let acy Then you can have the city"

Straff thought about it, thought about it long enough that Elend dared to hope he ht just have won Then, however, Straff shook his head "No, I think not I'll taketo let me have Luthadel, but he doesn't seem to care much about it"