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"What does this have to do with Straff?" Philen snapped

"Everything," Elend said "For, though the Survivor is gone, his legacy remains Specifically, in the form of his apprentice" Elend nodded toward Vin "She is theStraff nos for himself Gentlemen, I know my father's temperament He will not attack this city while he fears retribution from a source he cannot stop He now realizes that if he attacks, he will incur the wrath of the Survivor's heir--a wrath not even the Lord Ruler himself could withstand"

Elend fell silent, listening to the whispered conversations h the crowd News of what he'd just said would reach the populace, and bring theth Perhaps, even, neould reach Straff's arh the spies Elend knew must be in the audience He'd noticed his father's Allo in the crowd, the one named Zane

And when news reached Straff's ar any orders to attack Who would want to face the very force that had destroyed the Lord Ruler? It was a weak hope--the men of Straff's army probably didn't believe all of the stories out of Luthadel--but every little bit of weakened morale would help

It also wouldn't hurt for Elend to associate hioing to have to get over his insecurity; Kelsier had been a great one Elend would just have to do his best to see that the Survivor's legacy lived on

For that ould be best for his people

Vin sat with a twisted sto to Elend's speech

"You okay with this?" Haave a more detailed account of his visit with Straff

Vin shrugged "Whatever helps the kingdom"

"You were never comfortable with the way that Kell set himself up with the skaa--none of us were"

"It's what Elend needs," Vin said

Tindho sat just before theave her a flat look Vin expected sos, but apparently the Terriswoation in --" She still referred to Elend that way "--needs this link with the Survivor Elend has very little of his own authority to rely upon, and Kelsier is currently the most well loved,that the govern willwith it"

Halanced doard, however What's the proble to wonder if I were the Hero of Ages, and now I'the pulsing fro even louder

Stop it! she told herself Sazed doesn't think the Hero would return, and he knows the histories better than anyone It was foolish, anyway I need to focus on what's happening here

After all, Zane was in the audience

Vin sought out his face near the back of the roo her study his features He wasn't looking at her, but watching the Asse at Straff's command, or was this visit his own? Straff and Cett both undoubtedly had spies in the audience--and, of course, Hauards mixed with the people as well Zane unnerved her, however Why didn't he turn toward her? Wasn't--

Zane htly, then turned back to his study of Elend

Vin felt a shiver despite herself So, did thisher? Focus! She told herself You need to pay attention to what Elend is saying

He was almost done, however He wrapped up his speech with a few coht they could keep Straff off-balance Again, he couldn't be too detailed--not without giving away secrets He glanced at the large clock in the corner; done three minutes early, he moved to leave the lectern

Lord Penrod cleared his throat "Elend, aren't you forgetting so?"

Elend hesitated, then looked back at the Assembly "What is it that you all want me to say?"

"Don't you have a reaction?" one of the skaa workers said "Aboutwhat happened at the last ?"

"You received my missive," Elend said "You kno I feel about the matter However, this public forum is not a place for accusations or denunciations The Asse I wish that a tier were not when the Assembly had chosen to voice its concerns, but we cannot alter what has happened"

He ain

"That's it?" asked one of the skaa "You're not even going to argue for yourself, try and persuade us to reinstate you?"

Elend paused again "No," he said "No, I don't think that I will You have made your opinions known to me, and I am disappointed However, you are the representatives chosen by the people I believe in the power that you have been given

"If you have questions, or challenges, I will be happy to defendto stand and preach my virtues You all know me You knohat I can do, and what I intend to do, for this city and the surrounding populace Let that stand as ument"

He returned to his seat Vin could see hints of a frown on Tindwyl's face Elend hadn't given the speech that she and he had prepared, a speech giving the very argu

Why the change? Vin wondered Tindwyl obviously didn't think it was a good idea And yet, oddly, Vin found herself trusting Elend's instincts more than she did Tindwyl's

"Well," Lord Penrod said, approaching the lectern again "Thank you for that report, Lord Venture I'm not certain if we have other items of business"