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"Lord Penrod?" Elend asked

"Yes?"

"Perhaps you should hold the nominations?"

Lord Penrod frowned

"The no, Penrod," Philen snapped

Vin paused, eyeing the s, she noted

"Yes," Elend said, eyeing Philen as well "In order for the Asse, nominationsI suggest we hold the nominations now, so that we can hold the vote as soon as possible The city suffers each day it is without a leader"

Elend paused, then smiled "Unless, of course, you intend to let the"

Good to confirht

"Thank you, Lord Venture," Penrod said "We'll do that now, thenAnd, how exactly do we proceed?"

"Each member of the Assembly may make one nomination, if he wishes," Elend said "So that we don't become overburdened with options, I would recommend that we all exercise restraint--only choose someone that you honestly and sincerely think wouldIf you have a nomination to roup"

Penrod nodded, returning to his seat Almost as soon as he sat, however, one of the skaa stood "I nominate Lord Penrod"

Elend had to expect that, Vin thought After noive such authority to the reatest contender for the throne?

The ansas simple Because Elend knew that Lord Penrod was the best choice for chancellor Soht, not for the first time She turned to study the skaa Assemblyman who had nominated Penrod Why were the skaa so quick to unify behind a nobleman?

She suspected that it was still too soon The skaa were accusto led by nobles--more traditional, even, than the noble--see than a skaa

They'll have to get over that, eventually, Vin thought At least, they will if they're ever going to be the people that Elend wants them to be

The roo hed in the audience, even the whispers now dead Finally, Lord Penrod himself stood

"I nominate Elend Venture," he said

"Ah" so at Breeze "What?" she whispered

"Brilliant," Breeze said "Don't you see? Penrod is an honorable et--whichseen as honorable Elend no, in turn, that Penrod would feel obligated to nolanced at Elend, noting a slight se? It seeh for Breeze himself

Breeze shook his head appreciatively "Not only did Elend not have to nominate himself--which would have made him look desperate--but now everyone on the Assembly thinks that the , would rather have Elend hold the title Brilliant"

Penrod sat, and the room remained quiet Vin suspected that he also had o uncontested to the throne The entire Asseht that Elend deserved a chance to reclaih to voice the feeling

But, what about the ot to have their own plan Elend thought that it was probably Philen who had organized the vote against him They'd want to put one of their own on the throne, one who could open the city gates to whichever of the kings wasthem--or whichever one paid the best

She studied the group of eight men, in their suits that seemed--somehow--even more fine than those of the noblele ?

One of the lance The merchant did not rise Philen sat quietly, a noble cane across his lap Finally, when most of the room had noticed the merchant's focus on him, he slowly rose to his feet

"I have a nomination of my own," he said

There was a snort fro melodrao ahead and do it--nominate yourself"

Philen raised an eyebrow "Actually, I' to nominate myself"

Vin frowned, and she saw confusion in Elend's eyes

"Though I appreciate the sentiment," Philen continued, "I a should go to someone whose skills are a little more specialized Tell me, Lord Venture, must our nominations be for people on the Asse doesn't have to be an Asse's pri, the law The Assembly is only an advisory council with so himself can be anyone--actually, the title was intended to be hereditary I didn't expectcertain clauses to be invoked quite so quickly"