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The men sat in silence

"Breeze," Haht now"

"Of course," Breeze said, carefully Soothing away the man's anxiety and fear His face lost sohter Just for good ave the rest of the crew a little of the sa have you known?" Dockson asked Sazed

"For some time now, Lord Dockson," Sazed said

"But, you couldn't have known that Straff would pull back and give us to the koloss Only Clubs figured that out"

"My knowledge was general, Lord Breeze," Sazed said in his even voice "It did not relate to the koloss specifically I have thought for some time that this city would fall In all honesty, I a since have been defeated, I think You have done so that will be re anyone survives to tell the story," Clubs noted

Sazed nodded "That, actually, is why I called this gathering There is little chance of those of us who re--ill be needed to help with defenses, and if we do survive the koloss attack, Straff will try to execute us However, it is not necessary for us all to remain in Luthadel for its fall--soanize further resistance against the warlords"

"I won't leave h I did send round yesterday" The simple phrase meant that he'd had theround, perhaps to escape through one of the passwalls Ham wouldn't know--and that way he couldn't betray their location Old habits died hard

"If this city falls," Dockson said, "I'll be here with it That's what Kell would expect I' at Sazed "Is it too early to volunteer?"

"Um, actually, Lord Breeze," Sazed said, "I wasn't--"

Breeze held up a hand "It's all right, Sazed I believe it's obvious whom you think should be sent away You didn't invite the to defend Luthadel to the death, and you want to send away our only Mistborn?"

Sazed nodded his head "My lords," he said softly, "the ave them this city and put them in this predicareat things at work in this world Greater things than us, I think I am convinced that Mistress Vin is part of them

"Even if these matters are delusions on my part, then Lady Vin still must not be allowed to die in this city She is the people's most personal and powerful link to the Survivor She has becoive her the best chance of being able to get away, then survive the attacks Straff will undoubtedly send She will be a great value in the fight to coht alone, doing ht"

Sazed bowed his head "My lords, I called you here today so that we could decide how to convince her to run, when the rest of us stay to fight It will not be an easy task, I think"

"She won't leave Elend," Hahts as well, Lord Haht "That boy won't be easily convinced to flee He still thinks we can win this fight"

"And we may yet," Sazed said "My lords, my purpose is not to leave you without any hope at all But, the dire circumstances, the likelihood of success"

"We know, Sazed," Breeze said "We understand"

"There have to be others of the creho can go," Ha down "More than just the two"

"I would send Tindith them," Sazed said "She will carry to reat importance I also plan to send Lord Lestibournes He would do little good in the battle, and his abilities as a spy could be of help to Lady Vin and Lord Elend as they try to rally resistance a the skaa

"However, those four will not be the only ones who survive Most of the skaa should be safe--Jastes Lekal seems to be able to control his koloss somehow Even if he cannot, then Straff should arrive in ti Straff is planning what Clubs thinks he is," Ha his losses and leaving Luthadel behind"

"Either way," Clubs said "Not et out Neither Straff nor Jastes are likely to allow large groups of people to flee the city Right now, confusion and fear in the streets will serve their purposes far better than depopulation We et a few riders on horseback out--especially if one of those riders is Vin The rest of the people will have to take their chances with the koloss"

Breeze felt his stomach turn Clubs spoke so bluntlyso callously But that was Clubs He wasn't even really a pessis that he didn't think others wanted to acknowledge

Some of the skaa will survive to becoht But those who fight--and those who have led the city this last year--are doomed That includes me

It's true This time there really is no way out