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Elend shook his head "Koloss attacked Luthadel just over a week ago," he said quietly "I aee myself, Master Steward For all I know, the city itself has fallen"

The old man fell silent "Ah, I see," he finally said

"I' back to see what happened Tell o How is it that I missed you in my journey north?"

"We didn't come by the canal route, ht down, so that we could gather supplies at Suringshath Youhave no further word of events at Luthadel, then? There was a senior Keeper in residence there We were hoping, perhaps, to seek her counsel"

"Lady Tindwyl?" Elend asked

The old man perked up "Yes You know her?"

"She was an attendant at the king's court," Elend said

"Keeper Tindwyl could be considered our leader now, I think," the oldKeepers there are, but she is the only known member of the Synod as out of the city ere attacked"

"She was still in Luthadel when I left," Elend said

"Then she ht live still," the old man said "We can hope, I think I thank you, traveler, for your information Please, make yourself co Spook stood a short distance away, in the mists near a pair of trees Elend joined hiht, as if to defy thethe ht see three-diainst the scraggly tree trunk, looking around at things Elend couldn't see Elend could hear, however, so ood, does it?" Elend said quietly

Spook shook his head "I wish they'd take down all these fires," he lanced to the side "They aren't that bright"

Spook shrugged "They're just wasting wood"

"Forgive theh of it in the weeks to co squad of Terris "soldiers"--a group of men ere obviously stewards Their posture was excellent, and they walked with a srace, but Elend doubted they kne to use any weapons beyond a cooking knife

No, there is no army in Terris to help ather our allies," Spook said quietly "To bring thee in Terris"

"I know," Elend said

"We can't gather in Terris, though," Spook said "Not with the Inquisitors up there"

"I know," Elend said again

Spook was silent for aapart, El," he finally said "Terris, Luthadel"

"Luthadel has not been destroyed," Elend said, looking sharply at Spook

"The koloss--"

"Vin will have found a way to stop them," Elend said "For all we know, she already found the power at the Well of Ascension We need to keep going We can, and will, rebuild whatever was lost Then we'll worry about helping Terris"

Spook paused, then nodded and smiled Elend was surprised to see how much his confident words see Elend's still stea cup of tea, and Elend handed it over with a mumble that he didn't like heartroot tea Spook drank happily

Elend, however, foundthan he'd adhosts in thea play for the Terris Do?

It is a distant hope Alendi has survived assassins, wars, and catastrophes And yet, I hope that in the frozen mountains of Terris, he may finally be exposed I hope for a miracle

57

"LOOK, WE ALL KNOW WHAT we need to do," Cett said, pounding the table "We've got our aret ave us no co his tea, completely unfazed by Cett's lack of decorum "I, personally, think that we should wait at least until the emperor returns"

Penrod, the oldest of the h tact to look sympathetic "I understand that you are concerned for your people, Lord Cett But we haven't even had a week to rebuild Luthadel It is far too early to be worrying about expanding our influence We cannot possibly authorize these preparations"