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Sloift nodded to the cryptic comment, and Vin smiled as her shadows trailed closer "I hope you feel better soon," she said, putting on a fond shing slightly

Vin trailed away again She slowly made her way in the direction Sloift had indicated, the exit she'd picked out earlier Sure enough, a few moments later she passed into s, eventually, Vin thought Everyone always assu to do with heat, or perhaps the lack of airflow

In a few seconds, she found herself standing on a lantern-lit garden patio Though tables had been set up for people to relax, the patio was sparsely populated Servants wouldn't go out in the h they didn't like to ad Vin wandered over to an ornateup at the sky, feeling the

Soon, her two shadows appeared, chatting quietly, and Vin's tin let her hear that they were talking about how stuffy the other roo her posture as the to to chat After that, two young men wandered in and sat down at another table They weren't as natural about the process as the woh to draw attention

Then, she waited

Life as a thief--a life spent preparing for jobs, watching in spy holes, and carefully choosing just the right opportunity to pick a pocket--had taught her patience It was one urchin attribute she had never lost She stood, staring at the sky, giving no indication at all that she intended to leave Now, she simply had to wait for the distraction

You shouldn't have relied on him for the distraction, Reen whispered in her mind He'll fail Never let your life depend on the competence of someone whose life isn't also on the line

It had been one of Reen's favorite sayings She didn't think of him very often, anymore--or, really, anyone from her old life That life had been one of pain and sorrow A brother who beat her to keep her safe, a crazy htered Vin's baby sister

However, that life was only a faint echo, now She sht have called her a fool, but she trusted Elend--trusted hi she could never have done during her early years

After about ten minutes, someone came out from the party and wandered over to the pair of women He spoke with them just briefly, then returned to the party AnotherHopefully, the wo on the information Vin wished: that Vin had apparently decided to spend an indeter at the mists Those inside wouldn't expect her to return anytier returned to the party, a man rushed out and approached one of the tables "You have to come hear this!" he whispered to the people at the table--the only ones currently on the patio who had nothing to do with Vin That group left Vin smiled Elend's distraction had coainst the railing beside her, launching herself across the patio

The wo idly to themselves It took them a few moments to notice Vin's movement In thoseas she flew One of the wouished heron the emotions of both women

She'd done this only once before, to Straff Venture A duralu; it flattened a person's e theasped, and the one who had been standing stu silent

Vin landed hard, her pewter still off lest she mix it with duralu up to her feet She took one of the worabbed her face and sla her out The other worabbed the wo her

It felt brutal, but Vin didn't let up until the woman fell unconscious--proven by the fact that she let her Allo the woman The unconscious spy slu men stood by anxiously Vin waved them over

"Stash these two in the bushes," Vin said quickly, "then sit at the table If anyone asks after them, say that you saw them follow me back into the party Hopefully, that will keep everyone confused"

The men flushed "We--"

"Do as I say or flee," Vin snapped "Don't argue with me I left them both alive, and I can't afford to let them report that I've escaped their watch If they stir, you'll have to knock theain"

The men nodded reluctantly

Vin reached up and unbuttoned her dress, letting the gar she wore underneath She gave the dress to the , away from the party Inside the misty corridor, she found a stairwell, and slipped down it Elend's distraction would be in full progress by now Hopefully, it would last long enough

"That's right," Elend said, ar down Yoht for the city? You and I could settle this ourselves"

Yoh at the ridiculous idea He sihtful eyes set in a bald, tattooed head, the single bead of atiuht The rest of the croas reacting just as Elend had expected Conversations had died, and people had rushed in, packing into the main ballroo

"Why do you think that I would consent to such a thing?" Yomen finally asked

"All accounts say that you are a man of honor"