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Get back to it, El, he told himself Let them sense the differences in you

He walked over to take his seat, nodding to the other seven noble the lead "Then, ht I nominate a chancellor?"

"Yourself?" asked Dridel, one of the noblemen; his sneer seemed permanent, as far as Elend could tell It was a passably appropriate expression for one with such a sharp face and dark hair

"No," Elend said "I's Therefore, I nominate Lord Penrod He's as honorable a man as we're likely to find, and I believe he can be trusted to roup was quiet for a e worker, finally said

"All in favor?" Elend said, raising his hand He got a good eighteen hands--all of the skaa, most of the nobility, only one of the merchants It was a majority, however

Elend turned to Lord Penrod "I believe that e, Ferson"

The stately man nodded appreciatively, then rose to for Elend had once done Penrod'sas he stood in his well-cut suit Elend couldn't help but feel a little jealous, watching Penrod act so naturally in the things that Elend was struggling to learn

Maybe he would ht Perhaps

No, he thought firmly I have to be confident Penrod is a decent s do not make a leader He hasn't read what I've read, and doesn't understand legislative theory as I do He's a good man, but he's still a product of his society--he doesn't consider skaa animals, but he'll never be able to think of them as equals

Penrod finished the introductions, then turned to Elend "Lord Venture, you called this rants you first opportunity to address the Asse

"Will twenty h time?" Penrod asked

"It should be," Elend said, passing Penrod as they traded places Elend stood up at the lectern To his right, the floor of the hall was packed with shuffling, coughing, whispering people There was a tension to the rooroup that had betrayed him

"As many of you know," Elend said to the twenty-three Asse with Straff Venture--the warlord who is, unfortunately, ive a report of this encounter Realize that because this is an opensensitive htly, and saw the looks of confusion he had expected Finally, Philen the merchant cleared his throat

"Yes, Philen?" Elend asked

"This is all well and good, Elend," Philen said "But aren't you going to address the ht us here?"

"The reason we ether, Philen," Elend said, "is so that we can discuss how to keep Luthadel safe and prosperous I think the people are most worried about the armies--and we should, primarily, seek to address their concerns Matters of leadership in the Assembly can wait"

"Isee," Philen said, obviously confused

"The time is yours, Lord Venture," Penrod said "Proceed as you wish"

"Thank you, Chancellor," Elend said "I wish toto attack this city I can understand why people would be concerned, particularly because of last week's preliminary assault on our walls That, however, was si tooour , Straff told me that he had made an alliance with Cett However, I believe this to have been a bluff--if, unfortunately, a bluff with teeth I suspect that he was, indeed, planning to risk attacking us, despite Cett's presence That attack has been halted"

"Why?" asked one of the worker representatives "Because you're his son?"

"No, actually," Elend said "Straff is not one to let familial relationships ha at Vin He was beginning to realize that she didn't like being the one who held the knife at Straff's throat, but she had given him permission to speak of her in his speech

Still

She said it was all right, he told hi duty over her!

"Come now, Elend," Philen said "Stop with the theatrics What did you promise Straff to keep his armies out of the city?"

"I threatened hi down enerally ignored one of our greatest resources We think of ourselves as an honorable body, created by the mandate of the people However, we are not here because of anything we ourselves did There is only one reason we have the positions we do--and that reason is the Survivor of Hathsin"

Elend looked the members of the Assembly in the eyes as he continued "I have, at times, felt as I suspect that end already, one we cannot hope to eer than our own, even though he is dead We're jealous Insecure, even These are natural, hus Leaders feel them just as acutely as other people--perhaps even more so

"Gentle like this The Survivor's legacy doesn't belong to one group, or even to this city alone He is our progenitor--the father of everyone who is free in this land Whether or not you accept his religious authority, you must admit that without his bravery and sacrifice, ould not now enjoy our current freedom"