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And so, Sazed served as Elend Venture's chief ambassador Elend was a friend--a man Sazed respected like few others To Sazed's mind, even the Survivor hith of character The emperor hadn't tried to assume authority over the Terris people, even after he had accepted the refugees into his lands Sazed wasn't sure if his people were free or not, but they owed Elend Venture a large debt Sazed would gladly serve as the s Sazed felt he should be doing Such as leading his people

No, Sazed thought, glancing at his portfolio No A man with no faith cannot lead the exists

"It certainly is taking therape "One would think that after all the talking we did to get to this point, they'd know by nohether they intended to sign the thing or not"

Sazed glanced toward the elaborately carved door on the other side of the roo Lekal decide? Did he really have a choice? "Did we do the right thing here, do you think, Lord Breeze?" Sazed found hi don't co Lekal, soic necessity Or, that's how I see it--perhaps I' than others"

Sazed eyed the stocky man Breeze was a Soother--in fact, he was the rant Soother Sazed had ever known Most Soothers used their poith discri emotions only at the most opportune times Breeze, however, played with everyone's es at that h only because he knehat to look for

"If you will excuse the observation, Lord Breeze," Sazed said, "you do not fool me as easily as you believe you do"

Breeze raised an eyebrow

"I 1know you are a good reat show of being callous and selfish Yet, to those watching what you do and not just what you say, you become far ot a little stab of pleasure at surprising the Soother He obviously hadn't expected Sazed to be so blunt

"My dearhis wine, "I' polite? Well, it's not at all polite to point out a crusty old pessimist's dark inner secret"

"Dark inner secret?" Sazed asked "That you're kindhearted?"

"It's an attribute in e," Breeze said lightly "Unfortunately, I prove too weak Now, to completely divert us fro--I shall return to your earlier question You ask if we are doing the right thing? Right thing how? By forcing King Lekal to become a vassal to Elend?"

Sazed nodded

"Well then," Breeze said, "I'd have to say that yes, we did the right thing Our treaty will give Lekal the protection of Elend's arovern"

"Bah," Breeze said with a wave of his hand "We both know that Elend is a far better ruler than Lekal could ever hope to be Most of his people are living in half-finished shacks, for the Lord Ruler's sake!"

"Yes, but you must admit that we bullied him"

Breeze frowned "That's how all politics is Sazed, this man's nephew sent an army of koloss to destroy Luthadel! He's lucky Elend didn't just come down and wipe out the entire city in retribution We have bigger armies, more resources, and better Allons that treaty What is wrong with you, o at the negotiating table"

"I apologize, Lord Breeze," Sazed said "Isee contrary of late"

Breeze didn't respond at first "It still hurts, does it?" he asked

Thatthe eht "Yes," he finally whispered

"It will stop," Breeze said "Eventually"

Will it? Sazed thought, looking away It had been a year It still feltas if nothing would ever be right again Soions was si from his pain

If that were so, then he'd chosen a poor way to cope, for the pain was always there waiting for hi was left to him

It was all Just Gone

"Look," Breeze said, drawing his attention, "sitting here and waiting for Lekal tous anxious Why don't we talk about soions you have memorized You haven't tried to converto, Breeze"

"But surely you remember a bit," Breeze said "Why don't you try to convert me? You know, for old times' sake and all that"

"I don't think so, Breeze"

It felt like a betrayal As a Keeper--a Terris Feruchemist--he could store memories inside of pieces of copper, then withdraw the the tiather their vast stores of inforathered every shred of information they could find about the time before the Lord Ruler They'don their Feruchemy to maintain accuracy