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And there was nothing that could sap that sensationwith the woman he loved Why had Tindwyl stayed? And, if she was detero back to Terris, why had she avoided him these last few days? Was she mad that he had sent Elend away? Was she disappointed that he insisted on staying to help?

He found her inside Keep Venture's grand ballroom He paused for a moment, impressed--as always--by the rooht tin his spectacles as he looked around the awesolass s reached to the ceiling along both walls of the huge roo at the side, Sazed arfed by allery that ran beneath the s on either side of the chamber Every bit of stone in the room seemed carved--every tile a part of one lass colored to sparkle in the early-evening sunlight

It's been so longhe thought The first ti Vin to her first ball It was then, while playing the part of Valette Renoux, she hadthe attention of so powerful a man

And now he hi his spectacles and filling his eyesight tinotten Gods watch over you, children Make so of our sacrifice, if you can

Tindwyl stood speaking with Dockson and a sroup of functionaries at the center of the rooe table, and as Sazed approached, he could see as spread atop it

Marsh's ht It was an extensive and detailed representation of Luthadel, complete with notations about Ministry activity Sazed had a visual ie of the map, as well as a detailed description of it, in one of his copperminds--and he had sent a physical copy to the Synod

Tindwyl and the others had covered the large map with their own notations Sazed approached slowly, and as soon as Tindwyl saw him, she waved for him to approach

"Ah, Sazed," Dockson said in a businesslike tone, voice muddled to Sazed's weak ears "Good Please, come here"

Sazed stepped up onto the low dance floor, joining them at the table "Troop placements?" he asked

"Penrod has taken command of our are of all twenty battalions We're not certain we like that situation"

Sazed looked over the roup of scribes that Dockson hiht He can't be planning a rebellion now of all tihtened, Sazed," Dockson said "We're not going to do anything too drastic--Penrod is still letting Clubs organize the city defenses, and he see advice from his military co too ambitious"

Dockson almost seemed disappointed

"However," Dockson said, pointing at the e They don't know anything about warfare--or even about survival They've spent their lives ordering drinks and throwing parties"

Why do you hate theht Ironically, Dockson was the one in the creho looked most like a nobleman He was more natural in a suit than Breeze, more articulate than Clubs or Spook Only his insistence on wearing a very unaristocratic half beard made him stand out

"The nobility may not knoarfare," Sazed said, "but they are experienced with command, I think"

"True," Dockson said "But so are we That's why I want one of our people near each gate, just in case things go poorly and someone really competent needs to take command"

Dockson pointed at the table, toward one of the gates--Steel Gate It bore a notation of a thousand men in a defensive formation "This is your battalion, Sazed Steel Gate is the farthest the koloss are likely to reach, and so you ins, I want you there with a group of ate gets attacked We'll set up a command post here in the main ballroom--it's easily accessible with those broad doors, and can accommodate a lot of motion"

And it was a not-so-subtle seneral, to use such a beautiful cha fro Elend and Vin away With theained undisputed control of Kelsier's crew

It wasn't a bad thing Dockson was an organizational genius and aHe did have certain prejudices, however

"I know you don't like to fight, Saze," Dockson said, leaning down on the table with both hands "But we need you"

"I think he is preparing for battle, Lord Dockson," Tindwyl said, eyeing Sazed "Those rings on his fingers give good indication of his intentions"

Sazed glanced across the table at her "And what is your place in this, Tindwyl?"

"Lord Dockson came to me for advice," Tindwyl said "He has little experience arfare his I have studied about the generals of the past"

"Ah," Sazed said He turned to Dockson, frowning in thought Eventually, he nodded "Very well I will take part in your project--but, I ainst divisiveness Please, tell your men not to break the chain of command unless they absolutely must"

Dockson nodded

"Now, Lady Tindwyl," Sazed said "Might we speak for a moment in private?"

She nodded, and they excused theallery In the shadows, behind one of the pillars, Sazed turned toward Tindwyl She looked so pristine--so poised, so calm--despite the dire situation How did she do that?