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Vin crept a little closer "Why do I recognize you?"

"I'm a friend of your husband," the noble hi"

Telden nodded She had seen him at the ball a feeeks back, the first one they had attended But, she'd known him from somepla1ce earlier than that He'd been one of Elend's friends in Luthadel, before the Collapse

Warily, Vin took the offered seat, trying to figure out Yoame Did he think she wouldn't kill Telden, just because he'd been Elend's friend?

Telden lounged in his chair, soe nobleman He waved a worker forward, and the man presented two bottles "Wine," Telden said "One is pure, the other contains an extremely powerful sedative"

Vin raised an eyebrow "This is to be soa one of the bottles "I'm far too thirsty--and from what I hear, you're not the type who possesses an excessive aames"

Vin cocked her head as Telden accepted two cups from a servant, then poured some of the ruby wine into each As she watched, she realized why he was so disar He reminded her of Elend--the old, carefree Elend Froenuinely still like that

I have to grant Yoht His city may not be perfect, but he has created a place where men like Telden can retain some of their innocence

Telden took a drink of his wine, proffering the other cup to Vin She slid one of her knives into her sheath, then took the cup She didn't drink--and had no intention of doing so

"This is the ithout the sedative," Telden said "Good vintage, too Yo to send one of his friends down into a pit to die, he'll at least provide them with expensive wine to soften the blow"

"I'm supposed to believe that you're here to be imprisoned too?" Vin asked flatly

"Of course not," Telden said "Though many consider my mission to be hopeless"

"And that ged wine, so that you can be safely transported up above"

Vin snorted

"I see that you agree with ave yourself away," Vin said "You just said that I'm supposed to drink the wine and fall unconscious That nal to those above that I've been dealt with, so they can remove the stone and let you out You have the power to free us And I have the power to make you do as I wish"

"Emotional Allomancy cannot control me to that extent," Telden said "I' of it I suspect that you're ht now, actually--which really isn't necessary, since I' completely frank with you"

"I don't need Allo down at the knife she still had in her other hand

Telden laughed "You think that King Yo under duress? I have no doubt that you'd be able to breakto betray ers or so before I'd do as you ask I'm pretty certain that Yo"

"I could kill the servants," Vin said "One at a tiree to tell Yomen that I'm unconscious and have him open the door"

Telden smiled "You think t1hat I'd care if you kill them?"

"You're one of Elend's friends," Vin said "You were one of those who talked philosophy with him"

"Philosophy," Telden said, "and politics Elend, however, was the only one of us interested in the skaa I assure you, the rest of us really didn't understand where he got such a fascination with theed "However, I'h of theht as well get started, then"

Vin glanced at the servants They seemed terrified of her, and Telden's words didn't help After a few moments of silence, Telden chuckled

"You are Elend's wife," he noted "Yomen is aware of this, you see He was mostly convinced that you wouldn't kill any of us, despite your rather fearso kings and gods, perhaps the occasional soldier Skaa servants, however"

Vin looked away fro that he'd see confir about her--she would kill those servants if she thought it would get her out However, she was uncertain If Yomen heard screams, he wouldn't be likely to open the trapdoor, and Vin would have slaughtered innocents for no reason