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Oh, but Philen had plans He'd always had those He had to keep hiain

Philen turned, instead, to study the Asseht ht skaa workers: twenty-four ive the commoners the most power, since they ostensibly outnumbered the noblemen Even Venture hadn't understood that merchants weren't skaa

Philen wrinkled his nose Even though the skaa Asses, he could ses, s Philen would have to be certain they were put back in their place, once this was over An Asse idea, but it should be filled only with those who deserved the station Men like Philen

Lord Philen, he thought Not long now

Hopefully, Elend would be late Then, ine hoould go anyway

U Here, let ive some more money to the skaa?

Philen sed hi to show up?" he whispered

"Probably not He must know that we don't want hied He'd gained weight since the Collapse--a lot of it "I don't know, Lin I meanwe didn'tking, right? So?"

"Of course," Philen said "And my name isn't Lin"

Getrue flushed "Sorry"

"We did the right thing," Philen continued "Venture is a weak man A fool"

"I wouldn't say that," Getrue said "He has good ideas" Getrue glanced doard unco at the clock It was tih he couldn't hear the chis had become busy since Venture's fall Benches fanned out before the stage, benches croith people, mostly skaa Philen wasn't sure why they were allowed to attend They couldn't vote or anything

More Venture foolishness, he thought, shaking his head At the very back of the rooe, broad doors letting in the red sunlight Philen nodded toward some men, and they pushed the doors shut The crowds hushed

Philen stood to address the Assembly "Well, since--"

The Assembly hall doors burst back open A man in white stood with a sht Elend Venture Philen cocked his head, frowning

The for behind hi a dress From the few times Philen had spoken with her, he would have expected her to look aard in a nobleworacefully She actually looked rather fetching

At least, until Philen met her eyes She did not have a warlanced away Venture had brought all of his Allos of the Survivor's crew Elend apparently wanted to re ods

And Elend had not one, but two Terrismen with him One was only a woman--Philen had never seen a Terriswoman before--but still, it was impressive Everyone had heard how the stewards had left their masters after the Collapse; they refused to work as servants anymore Where had Venture found not one, but two of the colorful-robed stewards to serve hi Venture Some seemed uncomfortable Hoere they to treat this ht? Who would be awed by Elend Venture--even if the Elend Venture in question was clean-shaven, had styled hair, wore new clothing and? Philen frowned Was that a dueling cane the king earing? And a wolfhound at his side?

He's not king anyain

Venture strode up onto the Asseht of thelanced at Philen "Philen, did you want to say so "Iwas just--"

"Are you Assembly chancellor?" Elend asked

Philen paused "Chancellor?"

"The king presides at Asse--and so, by law, the Assembly should have elected a chancellor to call speakers, adjudicate ti Philen "Someone needs to lead Otherwise there is chaos"

Despite hirew nervous Did Venture know that Philen had organized the vote against hi at each of the Asse their eyes There was none of the jovial, dis in the militaristic suit, firm instead of hesitanthe almost seemed like a different person

You found a coach, it appears, Philen thought A little too late Just wait

Philen sat down "Actually, we didn't get a chance to choose a chancellor," he said "We were just getting to that"

Elend nodded, a dozen different instructions rattling in his head Keep eye contact Use subtle, but firm, expressions Never appear hurried, but don't see, don't shuffle, use a straight posture, don't form your hands into fists when you're nervous

He shot a quick glance at Tindwyl She gave him a nod